Study the influence of antimony trioxide on flammability and mechanical properties of polypropylene filled with chloroparaffin

The goal of the current research is to investigate flammability of polypropylene (PP) containing chloroparaffin in the presence of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Two compositions of chloroparaffin/Sb2O3 with the ratios of 3:1 and 2:1 were incorporated. UL 94 standard procedure was used to assess the flammability of the samples made. Mechanical properties were examined by means of tensile and impact tests. It was found that the sample containing chloroparaffin/Sb2O3 ratio of 2:1 shows good flame retardancy, i.e. V0 in UL 94 rating. Mechanical properties measurements illustrated no negative influence of the flame retardant additive with the ratio of 2:1 on impact strength, while both elastic modulus and tensile strength were increased in this compound. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, strong adhesion between PP matrix and filler particles is the reason for improvement of the mechanical properties.