ABSTRACT

Theory and mechanism of thermal decomposition and stabilization are outside the scope of the present chapter, and herein, we will briefly introduce the usually accepted mode of action explanation for most of the flame retardants. The prevailing mechanisms for organic and inorganic flame retardancy are reviewed. In the broadest sense, the retardants may work by a physical or chemical mode or both modes together. They may also work in the flame or in the condensed phase (solid or molten polymer phase), or in both. In the physical mode, they may be simply “heat sinks,” fuel diluents, or barrier-formers. In the chemical mode, they may affect the manner in which the polymer breaks down or they may affect the propagation of the flame (reaction in the condensed or gas phase). This chapter contains some short discussions of several kinds of flame retardants and the main behaviors during combustion are also presented.