David A Schiraldi
Case Western Reserve University, USA
Title: Using nature to flame retard polyolefins
Biography
Biography: David A Schiraldi
Abstract
Synthetic polymers bring great value to life, but suffer from their oil/gas-derived flammabilities. Halogenated, and more recently phosphorous-based flame retardants have been used for the past generation to reduce fire danger in these products, but in many cases raise toxicology and regulatory issues. Nature has evolved materials over the years which reduce fire danger in the biosphere; some of these, as well as some unexpected materials can be added to man-made products with great effect. This talk will discuss potential bio-based flame retardant systems which significantly reduce the flammability of polyethylene and polypropylene. Mechanical and UL(94) flammability test results will be presented along with detailed material compositions. The work demonstrates that combinations of naturally occurring, low-toxicity additives can be added to polyethylene and polypropylene with no significant loss of mechanical properties, but achieving V(0), self-extinguishing/non-dripping performance.