Flame retardancy of silicone-based materials

This review describes some recent works related to the development of the flame retardation of silicone elastomers and/or applications of silicones as flame retardant agents in other polymers. First, the thermal degradation of silicones themselves is discussed, focussing on depolymerization mechanisms, effect of structure, heating conditions, and effect of additives (i.e. less than 5 wt% fillers) on thermal degradation of silicones. Then, the influence of several types of mineral fillers (of up to 80 wt% content) as ceramization agents of silicones is presented. Finally, the introduction of (functionalized) silicones as flame retardants into other polymers is described. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.