The use of melamine cyanurate to modify fire retardant behaviour of polyamide 6

Fibre-forming polyamides, such as Polyamide 6 are less flammable than the m ajority of other synthetic polymers. Further lowering of their flammability still remains, however, a problem for their producers and users. In this r esearch melamine cyanurate (MC), a well-known fire retardant containing alm ost 50% nitrogen, was used as an additive to Polyamide 6 melt in the reacto r in the form of very line powder The obtained polymer containing MC was th en processed into plastics and fibres. Examination of some of the mechanica l properties and flammability of the obtained materials proved that the add ition of MC negatively affects the specific tenacity of the fibres while si multaneously decreasing their flammability. The latter effect was observed as stronger for plastics and weaker for fibres.