Mechanisms for Flame Retardancy and Smoke suppression -A Review JOSEPH GREEN FMC Corporation P.O. Box 8 Princeton, NJ 08543 (Received May 7, 1996) (Reemsed June 13, 1996) ABSTRACT: The prevailing mechanisms for halogen and phosphorus flame retardancy are reviewed. Halogens act in the vapor phase and phosphorus can act in either the vapor or condensed phase depending on the specific phosphorus compound and the chemical composition of the polymer. Halogenantimony synergy is discussed. Convincing evidence is presented for brominephosphorus synergy in specific polymers. The mode of decomposition of polycarbonate is shown and the effect of salts of organic acids in changing the mode of decomposition hence producing a more flame resistant polymer is shown. Intumescence in polyolefins is discussed. Inorganic metal hydrates used in large concentration cool by endothermically releasing a large concentration of water. The effect of boron compounds is discussed. Methods of smoke suppression are presented as is the role of zinc borate, molybdenum and tin compounds acting as Lewis acids in PVC. INTRODUCTION THE OBJECTIVE OF flame retarding polymers is to increase the resistance of the material to ignition and to reduce the flame spread with minimal degradation of its properties. The resultant products are not non-combustible, and the use of the flame retardant is to minimize, not eliminate, the fire risk associated with the use of a polymer in a specific © 1996, FMC Corporation. 426 JOURNAL OF All FIRE rights reserved. SCIENCES, VOL. 14-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1996 0734-9041/96/06 0426-17 $10.00/0 © 1996 Technomic Publishing Co., Inc. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 427 application. The use of flame retardants may prevent a small fire from becoming a major catastrophe. Approximately 80% of fire deaths can be attributed to smoke inhalation. The objective of this paper is to attempt to explain, qualitatively, the prevailing thoughts on the mechanisms involved in flame retardancy and smoke suppression of polymers. The combustion of polymers is a process comprising endothermic pyrolysis to flammable gases which mix with air and ignite, leading to exothermic processes of flame propagation and heat release. Thermal feedback reinforces pyrolysis, fueling the flame at an increasing level. Flame retardants can act chemically and/or physically in the condensed or vapor phase. They interfere with the combustion process during heating, pyrolysis, ignition, or flame spread. The most significant chemical process interfering with the combustion can take place in either the vapor or condensed phase. Halogen, phosphorus, and antimony can function in the vapor phase by a radical mechanism. The exothermic processes are thus interrupted and combustion is suppressed. Phosphorus can also function in the condensed phase, promoting char formation on the surface which insulates the substrate from heat and air and also interferes with the loss of decomposition products to the flame zone. The combustion process can be inhibited by physical means. If the concentration of the gases from the flame retardant, e.g., hydrogen bromide, is sufficiently high, the mechanism may be in part physical such as the suppressant effect of an inert gas like carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Phosphorus is known to promote char formation, forming a protective coating. Phosphoric acids which form coat and protect the substrate similar to borate glasses which form when boric acid and borax are used. The incorporation of large quantities of a filler will dilute the polymer and thereby reduce the concentration of decomposition gases. Hydrated fillers additionally will cool the substrate as they decompose, lowering the temperature below that needed for sustained pyrolysis. Decomposition of the polymer can be accelerated by an additive such as a peroxide causing pronounced flow or dripping of the polymer. This dripping of flaming polymer removes heat from the flame zone and contributes significantly to flame extinguishment. Commercial flame retardant additives include organohalogen and organophosphorus compounds, inorganic synergists for halogen, red phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus compounds, and hydrated minerals such as aluminum trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide. Commercial smoke suppressants include zinc borate and molybdenum and tin com- pounds. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 428 HALOGEN FLAME RETARDANTS It is generally agreed that the combustion of gaseous fuel proceeds via a free radical mechanism [1,2]. A number of propagating and chain branching reactions critical for maintaining the combustion process are illustrated below. Methane is used in the examples as the fuel or the decomposition gases coming from a polymer. Here H, OH, and 0 radicals are chain carriers, and the reaction of the H radical with O2 is an example of chain branching in which the number of carriers is increased. The reaction of CO with the OH radical converting CO to CO, is a particularly exothermic reaction. In the radical trap theory of flame inhibition, it is believed that HBr competes in the reactions above for the radical species that are critical for flame propagation. The active chain carriers are replaced with the much less active Br radical, slowing the rate of energy production resulting in flame extinguishment. It also has been suggested that halogens simply alter the density and mass heat capacity of the gaseous fuel-oxidant mixture so that flame propagation is effectively prevented [3]. This physical theory is equivalent to the way inert gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen may influence combustion. Suggestions have been made that some bromine compounds act mainly in the condensed phase and depend on the polymer [4]. Reaction of the flame retardant or its decomposition products with the polymer Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 429 inhibit the decomposition of the polymer, thereby influencing the flame retardancy. The performance of halogens as flame retardants is rated as follows: can Iodine compounds, apparently the most effective, are not used in polymers because they do not have adequate thermal stability. Fluorocarbons are inherently non-burning, but they generally do not impart flame retardancy to other plastics because either the C-F bond is too thermally stable or the highly reactive hydrogen fluoride or fluoride radicals that may form react rapidly in the condensed phase. An exception is that small amounts of Teflon will significantly increase the oxygen index of polycarbonate resins. Commercial organohalogen flame retardants include aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic chlorine and bromine compounds. Aliphatic compounds are the most effective and the aromatic compounds are the least effective with the alicyclic compounds in-between. aliphatic > alicyclic > aromatic This is in the same direction as the thermal stability, indicating that the more easily available the halogen, the more effective. The actual type of compound used in an application will depend on the processing temperature of the plastic. Bromine compounds are about two times more effective than chlorine, which is proportional to their atomic weights. If the relative effectiveness of the halogens is directly proportional to their atomic weights, then their relative effectiveness would be expected to be F : C1: Br :I = 1.0 :1.9 : 4.2 : 6.7. This would be consistent with the physical theory of inert gases mentioned above. It takes only 3% of a brominated flame retardant plus 1.5% antimony oxide to obtain a polypropylene composition with a V-2 rating in the UL-94 test. The product drips flaming polymer removing heat from the flame zone. Addition of inert fillers to inhibit drip leads to a burning product demonstrating the effect of dripping as a valid method of passing a small scale laboratory test [5] (Figure 1). Also in large scale tests, dripping allows heat to be removed from the flame zone, significantly reducing the total heat release [6]). The flaming dripping polymer will extinguish and the actual amount of polymer burned could be significantly less, reducing the heat released. Antimony oxide itself imparts no flame inhibition to polymers, but it is known as a synergist for halogen compounds. It is not volatile, but Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 430 Figure 1. Polypropylene containing 4% bromine flame retardant and 2% antimony oxide without and with talc antimony oxyhalide (SbOX) and antimony trihalide (SbX3) formed in the condensed phase by reaction with the halogenated flame retardant are volatile and facilitate the transfer of halogen and antimony into the gas phase where they can function [ 7 ]. Laboratory flammability tests indicate that the optimum halogen/antimony atom ratio in many polymers is 3/1. It has been suggested that antimony is also a highly active radical trap [8]. Interference with the antimony-halogen reaction will affect the flame retardancy of the polymer. For example, metal cations from color pigments or seemingly inert filler such as calcium carbonate may lead to the formation of stable metal halides, rendering the halogen unavailable for reaction with antimony oxide. The result is that neither the halogen or the antimony is transported into the vapor zone [9]. Silicones have also been shown to interfere with the flame retardant mechanism. As a result, the total plastic composition must be considered in developing a flame retarded product. Other members of Group V of the periodic chart such as arsenic and bismuth function as synergists for halogen. Little work has been done with these compounds for obvious reasons. A Diels-Alder diadduct of Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 431 hexachlorocyclopentadiene and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (Dechlorane Plus) can be used to flame retard nylons, epoxies, and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) using synergists other than antimony oxide. These compounds include zinc compounds such as the borate, oxide, stannate, phosphate, and sulfide and iron oxides such as Fe203, Fe204, and Fe203 H20 [10]. The use of mixed synergists is also reported to lower the level of the total flame retardant package. Synergistic action between organochlorine and organobromine compounds has been reported in ABS [11], polyolefins [12], and HIPS [13]. The chlorinated flame retardant used oxygen index and UL-94 data show this was Dechlorane Plus. Both synergism. PHOSPHOItUS CONTAINING COMPOUNDS Phosphorus containing flame retardants include phosphate esters, phosphonates, phosphine oxides, chlorophosphates, chlorophosphonates, red phosphorus, and inorganic phosphates. The mechanism whereby phosphorus flame retardants function varies depending on both the type of phosphorus compound and the specific polymer. They appear to function both in the condensed phase where they can promote char or coat the char surface with viscous phosphoric acids, in the vapor phase where they can function by the free radical trap theory, or physically by promoting dripping of the burning polymer. Phosphorus compounds are effective flame retardants for oxygencontaining polymers and show little efficacy in polyolefins and styrenics. This is demonstrated by the activity of red phosphorus (Table 1). It takes only 1 and 3% of red phosphorus in polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate, respectively, for a UL-94 V 0 rating, but 10 and 15% in polyethylene and polystyrene, respectively. The flame retarding mechanism for red phosphorus and oxygen containing polymers is believed to be through the formation of Table 1. Red phosphorus concentration for UL-94 V-0 Rating. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 432 phosphorus-oxygen bonds. Ester cleavage of polyethylene terephthalate or polymethyl methacrylate takes place 75-100 ° C lower than normal. The resulting products are less volatile and crosslinking takes place giving polyaromatic structures. The formation of flammable pyrolysis products is therefore suppressed and the formation of a heat shield on the polymer surface is promoted. Red phosphorus has been shown to retard the nonoxidative pyrolysis of polyethylene. Therefore, the scavenging of radicals in the condensed phase also has been proposed for red phosphorus [14]. The mode of action of phosphorus containing flame retardants in cellulose is perhaps best understood. Cellulose decomposes to tarry depolymerization products, but when catalyzed by acids, the decomposition is an endothermic dehydration to char. Phosphoric acids formed by decomposition of phosphorus containing compounds is highly effective in this dehydration. The non-volatile phosphoric and polyphosphoric acid also may coat the char protecting it from oxidation. The major application for phosphate ester flame retardants is in plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is a rigid polymer containing 57% chlorine and does not burn at ambient conditions. Flexible PVC contains large quantities of plasticizer, 20 to 80 parts per hundred of resin (phr). The chlorine content of the resulting resin is significantly reduced and organic plasticizers are highly flammable. Phosphate ester plasticizers are non-flammable and the resulting flexible PVC is flame resistant. In this application, the flame retarding mechanism is in large part physical, i.e., the flammable plasticizer is replaced with a non-flammable plasticizer. Two types of phosphate ester are used commercially, triaryl and alkyl diaryl phosphates. The former are thermally stable to about 400 ° C and mainly volatilize where they function in the vapor phase. The alkyl diaryl phosphates are not as stable and decompose in the condensed phase to yield a volatile flammable hydrocarbon and a phosphoric acid. The result is that the triaryl phosphates are more efficient flame retardants, but the alkyl diaryl phosphates yield significantly more char (intumescent char) and as a result less smoke. This is very obvious when the samples are burned in the cone calorimeter at heat fluxes of 30-60 kw/ml [15]. The hydrogen chloride functions as the blowing agent. Modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO) is a blend or alloy of PPO and HIPS with as much as 65% HIPS in commercial grades. The flame retardants used commercially are phosphate esters. These esters are stable up to temperatures of 400°C and presumably volatize into the vapor phase without significant decomposition. Evidence has been presented that the mechanism of flame retardancy is in the vapor phase Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 433 [16] similar to the halogen radical trap theory. Triphenyl phosphine oxide was shown to volatilize and to decompose in the vapor phase to acids and subsequently to HPO2, HPO, and PO radicals phosphoric [17]. Triphenyl phosphate and resorcinol diphosphate are used to flame retard polycarbonates and polycarbonate blends such as polycarbonate/ABS. They may be used in combination with a bromine flame retardant. The mode of action is presumably in the vapor phase as these materials are volatile. In the preparation of the diphosphate higher molecular weight, oligomers may form which are not volatile. Increasing concentration of these oligomers in the diphosphate results in decreasing flame retardant efficiency. This is presumptive evidence that the major flame retardant mechanism is vapor phase. Triphenyl phosphate is used to flame retard HIPS to a UL-94 V-2 rating by plasticizing and promoting drip, allowing the molten polymer to drip away from the flame zone thus removing heat from the combustion zone. Phosphorus compound may act in some polymers by catalyz- ing thermal decomposition of the polymer resulting in drip [18]. Ammonium polyphosphate is used as the acid source in intumescent plastics and coatings. Commercial intumescent coatings are composed of a binder, a carbonific (char former) such as a polyol, frequently dipentaerythritol, a catalyst (acid source) such as ammonium polyphosphate, and a spumific (blowing agent) such as melamine. The mechanism involves decomposition of the phosphate to phosphoric acid, esterification of the polyol followed by decomposition and regeneration of the phosphoric acid. Decomposition of the melamine helps blow the forming char that finally insulates the substrate from heat, flame, and air. Intumescent systems for thermoplastics are commercially available. They perform best in polypropylene, presumably because the softening/decomposition temperature of the polypropylene closely matches the decomposition of the intumescent compounds. A number of single compounds which intumesce are known. Here all three functions of an intumescent system are combined into a single organic compound, for example, a melamine salt of a polyol and phosphoric acid reaction product. These products are shown in Figure 2. An ethylenediaminephosphoric acid product is also used as an intumescing additive. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 434 Figure 2. Intumescent system and compounds Monoammonium and diammonium phosphates can be used alone or together to impart fire retardant properties to a wide variety of cellulosic materials such as paper, cotton, wood, etc. They are highly effective in preventing afterglow. They are non-durable additives since they are water soluble and are easily leached out. PHOSPHORUS-HALOGEN SYNERGY The flame retardant mechanism for haloalkyl phosphorus esters in polyurethanes is not understood. A number of these compounds are sufficiently volatile to enter the flame zone intact while others could decompose in the condensed phase to liberate halogen hydrocarbons. It has been suggested that the endothermic vaporization and heat capacity of the intact chloroalkyl phosphates may be a major part of their action [19,20]. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 435 Phosphorus-bromine combinations are perhaps the most effective flame retardant combination [21] and claims have been made for synergy. The formation of phosphorus tribromide or oxybromide has been postulated by analogy to that of antimony tribromide and oxybromide, but there is no evidence for this formation. Some reports of synergy appear to be a result of a nonlinear response to concentration. A comparison of bromine and phosphorus compounds on the flammability of PET fiber shows phosphorus (as phosphine oxide) to be 3.7 times more effective than aromatic bromine. But, combinations of the two show no synergy [22]. Bromine-phosphorus synergy was convincing demonstrated in ABS, HIPS, and polymethyl methacrylate [23-25]. The phosphorus compound used was the highly volatile triphenyl phosphite. The mechanism may therefore be a staging of free radical traps into the flame zone, the highly volatile phosphite followed by decomposition of the bromine compound. When the bromine and phosphorus are in the same compound, the synergy is further enhanced. If the brominated phosphates are not volatile but decompose at the combustion temperature, then the mode of reaction may be a combination of vapor phase with the bromine and condensed phase with the phosphoric acid that would form. Bromine-phosphorus flame retardant synergy was also convincingly demonstrated in polycarbonate blends with PET and ABS [26,27]. Enhanced synergy was also reported when both elements were in the same compound. 3 compares a bromine additive (brominated polycarbonate with a phosphorus additive (triphenyl phosphate) as flame retardants for a 2/1 polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blend. The bromine concentration increases from left to right and the phosphorus concentration from right to left. The two curves intersect at 5% bromine and 0.5% phosphorus, indicating that phosphorus is ten times more effective than aromatic bromine in this polymer blend. Also, the oxygen indices are equivalent at 10% bromine and 1% phosphorus. Since both curves are linear, a straight line drawn between the two extremes should represent the theoretical oxygen index for a polymer containing physical blends of the bromine and phosphorus additives. The experimental data, however, give products with much higher oxygen indices, as shown. The author concludes that this conclusively demonstrates bromine-phosphorus synergy. Two brominated phosphates were evaluated with bromine/phosphorus ratios of 60/4 and 70/3. The latter compound gave a much higher oxygen index, indicating that when both elements are in the same molecule the Figure oligomer) Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 436 Figure 3. Bromme-phosphorus synergy m 2/1 polycarbonatelPET blend synergy could be enhanced. The latter compound is both higher in molecular weight and less thermally stable than the former compound. This may indicate that the phosphorus acts in the condensed phase and the bromine acts in the vapor phase accounting for this enhanced synergy, while the former compound may volatize and decompose in the vapor state [26]. The brominated phosphate also gives much more char when pyrolyzed in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) up to 500 ° C than a physical blend of the bromine- and phosphorus-containing compounds [28] (Table 2). The concentration of the blend was specifically chosen Table 2. Residue yields formed in TGA up to 500°C (NZ) 211 polycarbonatelPET. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 437 Table 3. Residue yields in TGA up to 500°C (N2) 3/1 polycarbonatelABS. because it gave an Underwriters Lab rating (UL-94) of V 0 at 1.6 mm. In a similar study, bromine-phosphorus synergy was also conclusively demonstrated in polycarbonate/ABS blends of 5/1 to 8/1 [27]. In this polymer blend, however, the phosphorus appears to function in the condensed phase as measured by TGA (Table 3). SALTS OF ORGANIC ACIDS It is well known that salts of aromatic sulfonates in very low concentration (0.1%) are very effective flame retardant additives for polycarbonate polymers. The thermal degradation of polycarbonates proceeds by two mechanisms. Isomerization leads to linear oligomeric ethers with phenol end groups. Loss of carbon dioxide and water leads to cross- linking. Intramolecular exchange leads to formation of cyclic oligomers which will react with water vapor and liberate carbon dioxide to form aromatic phenols. The addition of catalytic levels (0.1%) of aromatic sulfonate salts, sodium and potassium, changes the mechanism of thermal degradation ; oxygen transfers to the ortho position forming ketones (Fries rearrangement). The end result is crosslinking. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 438 TGA data show that the sulfonate salt accelerates the decomposition and lowers the temperature at which carbon monoxide evolves. Aromatic sulfonates are not effective in polycarbonate/ABS blends; the ABS lowers the decomposition temperature of the polycarbonate. INORGANIC METAL HYDRATES metal hydrates decompose endothermically, giving up off-gases. Major applications include unsaturated and polyester polyethylene. They are used at concentrations of about 65%. They contain a high concentration of bound water and as a result of the endothermic decomposition, the polymer is cooled, delaying ignition. The water vapor liberated also has a diluting effect in the gas phase and forms an oxygen displacing protective layer over the condensed phase. Furthermore, at the high concentrations used, the amount of fuel is decreased significantly and the less fuel the lower the heat release and smoke. The oxide that forms can also provide for a protective layer especially if it combines with other additives. Alumina trihydrate has 34.6% bound water and decomposes at about 205°C. Because of its low temperature thermal stability, it is used mainly in thermoset polymers and in those thermoplastics which can be processed at low temperatures (Table 4). Magnesium hydroxide has Inorganic water to dilute the 31% bound water and is stable to about 320 ° C. As a result, it can be used in thermoplastics which are processed at a high temperature. Magnesium carbonate is another metal hydrate and it is compared with the other two. Other hydrates include boric acid, zinc borate, and zinc hydrostannate. Table 4. Properties of inorganic metal hydrates. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 439 BORON COMPOUNDS Mixtures of borax and boric acid are used as flame retardants for cellulose. Boric acid decomposes endothermically, releasing water in two stages first at 130-200°C to form HBO, and at about 265 ° C to B103The mixture dissolves on heating in its own water of hydration, froths, and finally fuses to a surface coating. Similar to the phosphoric acids resulting from phosphate esters, boric acid dehydrates oxygencontaining polymers yielding char. The glassy coating and the char protect the substrate from oxygen and heat. Borates are also known to be glow inhibitors. Zinc borate is used in polyvinyl chloride to replace in part antimony oxide. The hydrogen chloride generated from the PVC reacts with the zinc borate. SMOKE SUPPRESSANTS Polymers which unzip to monomer on heating, such as polyacrylates and polyformaldehyde, burn cleanly and give very little smoke. Polyolefins decompose to hydrocarbons and burn with some smoke. Aromatic polymers such as styrenics or polymers which decompose and rearrange to aromatic decomposition products, such as PVC, are very smoky. A number of methods to reduce smoke are listed in Table 5. If the polymer is loaded with fillers which do not burn, then the smoke will be accordingly reduced. However, for a substantial reduction, the Table 5. Methods of smoke suppression. Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 440 polymer must be filled with a high concentration of filler which will degrade the polymer properties. Polyvinylidine chloride smokes to a much lesser extent than PVC presumably because it degrades by a different mechanism. PVC pyrolyzes to form volatile aromatics such as benzene which burn with considerable smoke. The literature is full of references to catalytically changing the mode of decomposition. These methods are mainly effective with PVC and there has been little success in reducing the smoke liberation of other polymers. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which contains 57% chlorine is inherently flame resistant. When it is forced to burn, it behaves like most organic materials and evolves smoke. Burning PVC forms volatile aromatics such as benzene which burn with considerable smoke. Certain metals and metal salts acting as Lewis catalysts (form chloride salts) can alter the mode of decomposition and promote crosslinking. On continued heating, the crosslinked polymer forms char. The most effective smoke suppressants for polyvinyl chloride are compounds of transition metals. They function because they either are or are converted to Lewis acids. Essentially all of the effective metal-based smoke suppressants appear to work in the solid state, not in the vapor state. These compounds have the ability to alter the mode of decomposition of PVC, promoting crosslinking, and greatly reduce the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons during pyrolysis in either an inert atmosphere or in air. On continued heating, the crosslinked polymer forms char. There is a direct relationship between char formation and smoke reduction and the reduced yield of aromatic hydrocarbons [29]. Zinc borate is claimed as a smoke suppressant for rigid and plasticized polyvinyl chloride. The hydrogen chloride generated from the PVC reacts with the zinc borate to form non-volatile zinc chloride and oxychloride as well as volatile boron trichloride and boric acid. The zinc chloride is a Lewis acid which has been shown to promote crosslinking and char formation. The boron trichloride is also an effective Lewis acid. Many metal compounds available oxidation state in which the metal is found in its highest effective smoke suppressants for PVC. They include molybdenum and tin compounds. Such metal compounds or the metal chlorides formed from them in situ are known to be potent Lewis acids. Though highly effective in small fires, Lewis acids tends to lose their utility when enthalpy inputs are high, because they also promote cracking chemistry with the formation of volatile flammable hyare Downloaded from jfs.sagepub.com at PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV on May 9, 2016 441 drocarbons that burn readily. Hence, those Lewis acids that are the most effective in small fires may prove to be of minimal value in fires where enthalpy inputs are excessive. Copper compounds are very effective smoke suppressants for PVC. It has been proposed that crosslinking by reductive coupling takes place with resultant crosslinking [30]. Where RCI is PVC and Me is a metal, one can show the coupling as follows: The patent literature reports a large number of smoke retarding systems which consist of a combination of two or more chemical comcombination include cuprous oxide with molybdenum trioxide and zinc borate with alumina trihydrate. A combination recommended for low smoke and reduced flammability wire and cable compound consists of 11 phr alumina trihydrate, 2 phr antimony oxide, 4 phr zinc borate, and 3 phr ammonium molybdate. Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) when combined with some compounds of copper, iron, and tin can form synergistic systems for reducing smoke from rigid PVC. The nature of the synergism is unknown. Magnesium oxide, hydroxide, and carbonate show smoke retarding ability in PVC. The activity of the basic magnesium compounds may be related to the ease with which they can react with HCI and water at low temperature to form oxychlorides [31]. Tin compounds have been proposed as smoke suppressants. 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