Halogen-free flame retardant PUF: Effect of melamine compounds on mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties

Water blown rigid polyurethane foam (PUF) was prepared with melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and melamine cyanurate (MC) as fire retardant (FR) additives. The effect of these additives on the properties of rigid PUF such as physico-mechanical, morphological, thermo-oxidative stability, flame retardancy and smoke density properties were studied. The mechanical and thermo-oxidative stability of PUF filled with MC was found to be better than those of MPP filled PUF. The insulation property of both MPP and MC filled PUF was improved with respect to the neat PUF. The FR properties of these filled PUF were evaluated by cone calorimeter, limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density, rate of burning and char residue estimation. The FR property of MPP filled PUF was better than that of the MC filled PUF. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.