Plasticized Polymer Matrix Composites for Fire-safe Construction

The necessary prerequisite of the fire safe construction that involves wide use of the polymer matrix composites (PMC) is the knowledge that allows to properly choose the values of mixture variables – e.g. ratio of phases, amounts of fire retardants and plasticizers – that affect the characteristics related to the fire safety – flammability, smoke-forming ability, limiting oxygen index, etc. In the present work we have studied the influence of the content of phosphorus- and chlorine-containing plasticizers to the heat resistance, flammability and smoke-forming ability of PMC based on different binders. For the limiting candle-like combustion, the thermochemical characteristics of phthalate and phosphate plasticizers are determined. It is found that for the materials based on epoxy oligomers and synthetic rubbers, no phosphate plasticizers can be practically used for the reduction of the fire hazard; such plasticizers only increase the flammability of PMC. It is also shown that the chemical nature of the phosphate plasticizer significantly affects the smoke-forming ability of PMC.