What are polymer flame retardants?

Common polymer flame retardants include halogen and phosphorus flame retardants.
1. Halogen flame retardant:
Halogen flame retardants are currently one of the most produced organic flame retardants in the world, with low addition amounts and significant flame retardant effects. Chlorine-containing flame retardants mainly include chlorinated paraffin, chlorinated polyethylene, etc.; bromine-containing flame retardants are widely used due to their better flame retardant effect, gradually replacing chlorine-based flame retardants. The flame retardant mechanism of halogen flame retardants is relatively clear, but while it is flame retardant, it also brings some serious problems. It emits a large amount of toxic gases (such as HCl, HBr, etc.). Hydrogen halide gas easily absorbs moisture in the air to form Hydrohalic acid has a strong corrosive effect and produces a large amount of smoke. These smoke, toxic gases and corrosive gases bring great difficulties to fire extinguishing, escape and recovery work.
2. Phosphorus flame retardant:
Organophosphorus flame retardants include phosphates, phosphites, organic salts, phosphorus oxides, phosphorus-containing polyols and phosphorus-nitrogen compounds, but the most widely used are halogen-containing phosphates. Organophosphorus flame retardants mainly play a role in the decomposition stage of polymer materials in the early stages of fire. It can promote dehydration and carbonization of polymer materials, so that the polymer materials cannot produce flammable gases, and because the non-volatile phosphorus compounds act as coagulants, the carbonized materials form a protective carbon film to isolate external air and heat.
Halogen and phosphorus flame retardants are highly effective in flame retardancy and are widely used in polymers. However, the combustion of halogen and phosphorus flame retardants will release toxic gases and potential carcinogens, which is not in line with today's green environment. With the social development trend of environmental protection, more environmentally friendly inorganic flame retardants and silicon-containing flame retardants have gradually entered people's field of vision.