LAUSR

Abstract Various combinations of zinc borate (ZB), alumina trihydrate (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MH) were used to retard the flammability of PVC composite. Flame retardancy of samples were investigated with limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. Further testing was achieved to expose the individual and synergistic effects of flame retardant additives on heat stability, Vicat softening temperature, fusion time, microstructure, mechanical and thermal characteristics. Microstructural and thermal analyses were performed by scanning electron microscopy and TG/DTA respectively. The LOI results showed that, high levels of ZB-ATH combination provided the highest LOI value of 53.4%. Although ZB and its combinations improved the fire performances of composites, they caused a small reduction at tensile strengths. When compared with plain PVC, flame retardant composites had better thermal stability. In addition to the advantages of ZB, when test results were evaluated with a holistic approach ZB-ATH-MH combination was understood to be an effective flame retardant alternative with this research.