Flame-Proofed Polymer Compositions Using Synergistic Additives
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Solution Overview
Problem
High amounts of metal hydroxides required for sufficient flameproofing in plastics adversely affect the physical and electrical properties of the material, particularly mechanical characteristics and hardness.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic flameproofing combination of phosphinic acid salts and metal hydroxides, specifically aluminium phosphinate and aluminium hydroxide, is used in α-olefin/vinyl acetate copolymers with high vinyl acetate content to enhance flameproofing while improving mechanical properties and reducing hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high amounts of metal hydroxides are added to ensure sufficient flameproofing, then flameproofing effect is improved, but mechanical properties and flexibility of the plastic are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phosphinic acid salts and metal hydroxides into a synergistic flameproofing combination. This merging allows the materials to work together more effectively, achieving better flameproofing at lower concentrations, thereby avoiding the deterioration of mechanical properties that occurs with high amounts of metal hydroxides alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite flameproofing system comprising both phosphinic acid salts and metal hydroxides. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both materials to achieve superior flame resistance while maintaining better mechanical properties compared to using metal hydroxides alone.
2Reliability
If high amounts of metal hydroxides are added to ensure sufficient flameproofing, then flameproofing effect is improved, but hardness of the plastic is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By merging phosphinic acid salts with metal hydroxides, the system achieves synergistic flameproofing effects at lower overall concentrations. This reduces the cumulative hardness contribution while maintaining adequate flame resistance, as the phosphinic acid salt component contributes to flameproofing without significantly increasing hardness.
3Reliability
If phosphinic acid salts are used as flame-retardant additives, then flameproofing is improved, but material properties are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges phosphinic acid salts with metal hydroxides in a synergistic combination. This pairing allows the phosphinic acid salt to provide flameproofing benefits while the metal hydroxide component helps mitigate adverse effects on material properties, achieving a balance between flame resistance and mechanical characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combination significantly improves flameproofing, as indicated by increased limiting oxygen index, reduced peak heat release rate, and higher time to ignition, while maintaining or improving mechanical properties and flexibility, with low concentrations of toxic fumes and flexible materials even at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The flameproofing effect is based substantially on an endothermic decomposition of the crystals, the release of water in the form of water vapour with simultaneous dilution of the concentration of flammable gases in the vicinity of the plastic attacked and the formation of a more or less solid oxide residue.
Implementation Method 2
The oxide residue itself has a large internal surface area and can therefore adsorb soot particles or precursors of the soot (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH).
Implementation Method 3
The so-called ash layer has the function of mechanically stabilizing the burning polymer so that, for example, dripping of flaming particles of the polymer is reduced or completely avoided.
Implementation Method 4
Furthermore, the encrusted ash layer on the surface of the burning polymer acts as a sort of 'protective barrier' for the polymer layers present underneath, with the result that rapid further burning can be avoided.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flame-proofed polymer composition that can be obtained form one or more α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers, having a vinyl acetate content of 40 to 90 wt %, relative to the total weight of the α-olefin vinyl acetate copolymers, and from a synergistic flame-proofing material combination, comprising, as component A, a phosphinic acid salt of the formula (I), where R1, R2 are C1-C6-alkyl, preferably C1-C4-alkyl, linear or branched; M is calcium, aluminum, zinc ions; m is 2 or 3; and, as component B, a metal hydroxide, preferably aluminum hydroxide (ATH).