Reducing the flammability of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene by triphenyl phosphate additives

The thermal degradation and combustion of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) doped with triphenyl phosphate (TPP) at atmospheric pressure was studied by molecular beam mass spectrometry, dynamic mass spectrometric thermal analysis, microthermocouples, thermogravimetry, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The kinetics of thermal degradation of pure UHMWPE and that mixed with TPP at high ($\approx$150 K/s) and low (0.17 K/s) heating rates was investigated. The effective values of the rate constant and activation energy of the thermal degradation reaction were determined. Burning velocity and temperature profiles in UHMWPE and UHMWPE + TPP flames were measured. The composition of the combustion products in a flame zone adjacent to the burning surface of the sample was determined. TPP vapor in the flame was detected. The addition of TPP to UHMWPE was found to reduce the flammability of the polymer. It is shown that TPP acts as a fire retardant in both the condensed and gas phases.