Simultaneously enhance the fire safety and mechanical properties of PLA by incorporating a cyclophosphazene-based flame retardant

Abstract The application of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been limited in flame-retardant field, and modification usually deteriorates its mechanical properties. In this study, a reactive hexa(ethylene oxide)-cyclotriphosphazene (HCCP-EP) was synthesized used to improve the fire retardancy PLA. As result, limiting oxygen index PLA increased from 19.5% 27.3% with an addition 3 wt% HCCP-EP, PLA/HCCP-EP blend reached underwriters laboratories (UL)-94 V-0 rating. cone calorimeter test results showed that peak heat release rate total decreased by 12.6% 18.5%, respectively. Interestingly, tensile strength slightly after incorporation HCCP-EP. improved properties are ascribed fine dispersion HCCP-EP coupling reaction between epoxy groups terminal during melt processing.