INVESTIGATION OF EFFECTS OF TWO FLAME RETARDANTS ON THE FIRE CHARACTERISTICS OF FLEXIBLE POLYETHER FOAM

ABSTRACT

This work studied the effects of two flame retardants on the fire characteristics of flexible polyether foam samples. Various concentrations of two flame retardants melamine and tri ammonium orthophosphate have been successfully incorporated into flexible polyurethane foam. Results of the analyses carried out on the various foam samples showed that by appropriate incorporation of the two flame retardants, the flammability properties (After glow time (AGT), ignition time, flame duration time, flame propagation time and percentage char) have been greatly improved through both condensed (solid) phase and gas phase mechanisms specifically. The After glow time (AGT), flame duration time and propagation rate were greatly reduced, while the ignition time and percentage charring were increased with increase in concentration of the two flame retardants. However, melamine showed better impact for reduction of after glow time and flame duration time while tri ammonium orthophosphate is preferred for increase in ignition time and reduction in flame propagation rate with outstanding evidence of high percentage charring ability.