Flame retardation of tin compounds in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer

Abstract

This thesis describes an investigation into the use of zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) and zinc stannate (ZS), in combination with 1, 2-bis (tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), to increase flame retardancy and reduce smoke evolution in an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) results demonstrated that increases in flame resistance are also possible through the inclusion of bromine compounds in combination with tin compounds functioning in a synergistic manner. The UL-94 vertical test indicated that 20%BTBPE in combination with 4% or 6% ZHS and 5% chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) system and 20% BTBPE in combination with 6% ZHS and 3% CPE gave a V-0 rating. While 20% BTBPE in combination with 6% ZS and 5% gave a V-0 rating, and all tin systems showed similar behavior in mechanical testing to commercial ABS, flammability grade. Although their flame retardancies were not as good as antimony trioxide ( Sb₂ O₃ ), the lower smoke production of these compounds indicated their possible use as flame retardant additives for ABS systems. Thermoanalytical and related mechanistic experiments suggested that ZHS and ZS operate as fire retardants by a combined condensed/vapour phase action.