Flame Retardant and Mechanical Properties of Expanded Polystyrene Foams Containing Aluminum Phosphinate and Expandable Graphite

摘要

Halogen-free flame retarded expanded polystyrene (EPS) foams were prepared in this work. The effect of two kinds of aluminum phosphinates, i.e. diethyl aluminum phosphinate (DEAP) and diisobutyl aluminum phosphinate (DIAP), and their combination with expandable graphite (EG) on mechanical, flame retardant and thermal properties of EPS foams was studied. The results show that the use of DEAP or DIAP along with EG can greatly improve the flexural strength compared with same content of EG, whereas the LOI value slightly decreases. Moreover, thermal stability of EPS and flame retardant EPS foams was investigated.