ANTIMONY OXIDE, A SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH IRON-OXIDE IN POLYMERBLENDS

The results of a study into the effects of a combination of basic iron (III) oxide and antimony(III) oxide on the flammability and smoke prod ucing properties in a polymer blend of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-st yrene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) indicate that both oxides act toge ther to increase the polymer's resistance to ignition and burning. At the same time we have observed that the metal oxides are synergistic i n reducing the amount of smoke produced when the polymer is thermally decomposed. Iron(III) oxide itself is active in increasing char format ion during combustion of the polymer blend but the mechanism by which antimony(III) oxide reduces smoke is still unclear.