It has been suggested that the formation of alkyne unsaturation during the decomposition of flame retardants in a polymer matrix enhances the effectiveness of the additive. To test this potential directly a series of phosphorus esters derived from 2-butyn-1,4-diol have been prepared, characterized using spectroscopic and thermal methods, and evaluated as flame retardants in DGEBA epoxy. The effectiveness of these compounds could be compared to that of similar compounds from 1,4-butanediol, the full saturated analog. Results from laboratory scale flame tests [limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 vertical burn test (UL-94), microscale combustioncalorimetry (MCC)] suggest that both sets of compounds are effective flame retardants with the unsaturation compounds promoting some what more char formation during combustion.

Impact of alkyne unsaturation on the flame retardant behavior of simple phosphorus diesters

255th National Meeting (2018)

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