The effect of decabromodiphenyl oxide and antimony trioxide on the flame retardation of ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer/polypropylene blends

The flammability of ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer/polypropylene (EPDM/PP) filled with decabromodiphenyl oxide (FR-10) and antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) is discussed. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), tensile strength and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used. The results showed that FR-10 and Sb2O3 had little flame retardation effect on EPDM/PP. FR-10/Sb2O3 had very good flame retardation and could display synergism in EPDM/PP. The addition of flame retardant could deteriorate the tensile strength and elongation at break of EPDM/PP. FR-10 and FR-10/Sb2O3 lowered the initial decomposition temperature of EPDM/ PP, which did not affect their application. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.