Preface
This monograph presents an overview of recent academic and industrial research
efforts on halogen-free flame-retardant (FR) polymers and their nanocomposites.
The synthesis methods of various types of halogen-free FR polymers and their
nanocomposites are summarized and their flame-retardant behavior, toxic gas
evolution during combustion, and inhibition methods are critically reviewed.
The FR activities of different FR compounds containing polymers, their FR
mechanisms, and fire toxicant releasing and inhibition methods are covered in this
book, with special emphasis on polyurethanes (PUs). The significance of thermal
stability and melt dripping on the FR activity of PUs is explained. The FR activities
of various P-, N-, and P-N-based FRs-containing PUs are critically analyzed.
The synergetic effect between different FR compounds and their importance in FR
activity, char formation, and improving char strength are systematically summarized. The importance of metal oxide nanoparticles, nanoclay, and graphene in
flame inhibition is discussed. In summary, the various fundamental concepts
described in this book are essential to understand the FR activity of various
polymers and their nanocomposites, and they would be of great aid in developing
efficient environmentally friendly FR polymers and their nanocomposites for a wide
range of applications. We hope that graduate students and researchers at universities
and industry alike will find this monograph enjoyable and stimulating, as well as
helpful for their future work.
Pretoria/Johannesburg, South Africa
Suprakas Sinha Ray
Pretoria, South Africa
Malkappa Kuruma
vii
This monograph presents an overview of recent academic and industrial research
efforts on halogen-free flame-retardant (FR) polymers and their nanocomposites.
The synthesis methods of various types of halogen-free FR polymers and their
nanocomposites are summarized and their flame-retardant behavior, toxic gas
evolution during combustion, and inhibition methods are critically reviewed.
The FR activities of different FR compounds containing polymers, their FR
mechanisms, and fire toxicant releasing and inhibition methods are covered in this
book, with special emphasis on polyurethanes (PUs). The significance of thermal
stability and melt dripping on the FR activity of PUs is explained. The FR activities
of various P-, N-, and P-N-based FRs-containing PUs are critically analyzed.
The synergetic effect between different FR compounds and their importance in FR
activity, char formation, and improving char strength are systematically summarized. The importance of metal oxide nanoparticles, nanoclay, and graphene in
flame inhibition is discussed. In summary, the various fundamental concepts
described in this book are essential to understand the FR activity of various
polymers and their nanocomposites, and they would be of great aid in developing
efficient environmentally friendly FR polymers and their nanocomposites for a wide
range of applications. We hope that graduate students and researchers at universities
and industry alike will find this monograph enjoyable and stimulating, as well as
helpful for their future work.
Pretoria/Johannesburg, South Africa
Suprakas Sinha Ray
Pretoria, South Africa
Malkappa Kuruma
vii