Flame‐Retardant Polymers

Abstract

The increasing use of inherently flammable polymers in society (ie, construction materials and transportation) presents a need to develop materials with flame‐retardant additives or inherently flame‐retardant polymers with low heat release properties. Developments in flammability testing techniques (eg, microscale combustion calorimetry) allow for efficient screening of novel materials and lend valuable insights into the flame‐retardant mechanisms of these materials. Effective halogenated molecules and polymers are widely used but have received increasing scrutiny for their environmental concerns. Thus, a breadth of research in recent years has spanned phosphorus‐based and fully hydrocarbon, inherently nonflammable molecules and polymers that provide promising solutions to this problem. In addition, organic/inorganic composites and coatings may be efficient flame‐retardant strategies, benefitting multiple properties including flame retardance, processing, and mechanics. Combining materials that provide low heat release properties with mechanistic insight will allow for the development of safe, low heat release materials.