STUDY OF THE MECHANISM OF FIRE RETARDANTS ACTION IN HIGH-IMPACT-RESISTANT ABS POLYCARBONATE BLEND

Alkali metal salts of organic acids, bromine- and phosphorus-containin g compounds were examined as fire retardant agents for an ABS-polycarb onate blend. Bromine-containing fire retardants were found to be more effective; however, they significantly decreased the impact resistance . Phosphorus-containing fire retardants are less effective but the res ultant blends had better mechanical properties. Alkali metal salts of organic acids, effective fire retardants for polycarbonate, were ineff ective in the ABS-containing blend. The temperature range of polycarbo nate decomposition shifted to lower temperatures when ABS was present. The flammability of the polymer compositions was shown to be related to the qualitative and quantitative composition of the pyrolysis produ cts.