Flame retardance property of shape-stabilized phase change materials

Flame retardance of shape stabilized phase change materials (SSPCM) based on paraffin, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS) was investigated. The effects of organomontmorillonite (OMMT), expanded graphite (EG) and crosslinking of the polymer matrix were evaluated by means of horizontal burning test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimeter. The results showed that the addition of EG and OMMT increased the burning time greatly. The treatment temperature of EG also played an important role owing to the different pore sizes and expansion ratios. When the polymer matrix was crosslinked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), the burning time was further prolonged. TGA results indicated that the vaporization and thermo-oxidation temperature increased and the decomposition of the polymer matrix was hindered in flame retardant SSPCM. The cone calorimeter test demonstrated that the peak heat release rates (PHRR) of flame retardant SSPCM decreased by up to 72.7%, and the formation of CO2 and CO decreased significantly. The horizontal burning tests implied that the best flame retardant performance was achieved in SSPCM containing OMMT/EG/TBHP which has the longest burning time and large amount of char residue. The flame retardant mechanism was also discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.