Flame Retardant Thermoplastic Elastomers Resolving Blooming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoplastic elastomer compositions with halogen-free flame retardants face issues such as water solubility, poor physical properties, extrusion surface quality, and blooming, leading to loss of flame retardant properties over time, especially in softer materials with limited elastic properties and high hardness.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic elastomer composition incorporating piperazine phosphate, piperazine pyrophosphate, or piperazine polyphosphate as flame retardants, combined with a phosphoric acid compound, and a dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic polyolefin, such as polypropylene, to achieve low hardness, excellent mechanical properties, and improved extrusion quality without blooming or odor issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If halogen-free flame retardants are used in thermoplastic elastomer compositions, then environmental safety is improved, but flame retardant stability and physical properties deteriorate due to water solubility and blooming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite flame retardant system combining ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate (THEIC) and a specific polycarboxylic acid. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where THEIC reacts with the polycarboxylic acid to form a crosslinked structure that encapsulates APP, preventing water solubility and blooming while maintaining flame retardancy. The composite material resolves the contradiction by achieving both environmental safety (halogen-free) and reliability (water resistance).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the flame retardant system by selecting specific molecular structures: APP provides phosphorus-based flame retardancy, while THEIC (a cyclic cyanurate) offers nitrogen-based contribution and reacts with polycarboxylic acids to form insoluble crosslinked networks. This parameter change in molecular structure and chemical reactivity transforms the flame retardant from water-soluble to water-resistant, maintaining stability while preserving environmental safety.
2Ease of operation
If softer thermoplastic elastomer materials are used, then flexibility is improved, but blooming of flame retardants increases leading to loss of flame retardant properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary chemical action by pre-reacting THEIC with the polycarboxylic acid to form a crosslinked complex before final product formation. This preliminary reaction creates a stable, water-insoluble structure that locks the flame retardant components in place, preventing subsequent blooming even in softer, more flexible materials. The preliminary action ensures flame retardant stability is established before the material's flexibility requirements are finalized.
3Reliability
If conventional flame retardant compositions are used, then flame retardancy is achieved, but extrusion surface quality and physical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the flame retardant system by using THEIC, which has specific melting and reactivity characteristics. THEIC melts at a controlled temperature and reacts with polycarboxylic acids during processing, creating a homogeneous crosslinked structure that improves extrusion surface quality. This parameter change in melting behavior and chemical reactivity allows the composition to be extruded smoothly without surface defects while maintaining flame retardancy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and a flame retardant, wherein the flame retardant comprises at least a compound selected from the group consisting of piperazine phosphate, piperazine pyrophosphate and piperazine polyphosphate, and a phosphoric acid compound.