THE ROLE OF PYROLYSIS IN POLYMER COMBUSTION AND FLAME RETARDATION

The authors conducted thermoanalytical studies of polymer pyrolysis in the absence and presence of oxygen; and, in particular, the behavior observed with polymer-flame retardant systems can provide valuable information about the complex physical and chemical interactions which may take place between the polymers and additives. Examples are given showing how the effects of certain bromine, phosphorus and metal compounds on polymer combustion can be interpreted in the light of the thermoanalytical behavior of mixtures of these compounds with selected polymers. Finally it is pointed out that studies of the controlled pyrolysis of polymers and polymer-flame retardant systems using conventional thermoanalytical equipment may have only limited relevance to the combustion of these same materials, since the total heat fluxes involved are so much greater during combustion than in thermal analysis.