http://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/flame-retardants/ Dear Colleagues, A growing number of flame retardant polymers are used today in a variety of applications ranging from the electrical and electronic sector, transportation, to construction and housing. These developments are driven by the annual losses of life and property resulting from fires of polymeric materials in particular. The environmental and health properties of specific halogen flame retardants and the resulting state regulations of the last decade have promoted the demand of successful alternatives. Thus, the main goal of today’s research and development of flame retardant polymers is to integrate flame retardancy to polymers without serious change of material and processing parameters considering also environmental and health effects. The main focuses of this special issue are advanced environmentally friendly flame retardant solutions (halogen-free, nanocomposites, synergism etc.) for different polymers, finding and elucidation of the mechanism of action, applications, and testing methods. Prof. Dr. Manfred Doering Guest Editor Submission All manuscripts should be submitted to materials@mdpi.com with a copy to the Guest Editor. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website. Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed Open Access monthly journal published by MDPI. Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this Open Access journal is 800 CHF per accepted paper. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/10/4746/ Aryl polyphosphonates (ArPPN) have been demonstrated to function in wide applications as flame retardants for different polymer materials, including thermosets, polycarbonate, polyesters and polyamides, particularly due to their satisfactory thermal stability compared to aliphatic flame retardants, and to their desirable flow behavior observed during the processing of polymeric materials. This paper provides a brief overview of the main developments in ArPPN and their derivatives for flame-retarding polymeric materials, primarily based on the authors’ research work and the literature published over the last two decades. The synthetic chemistry of these compounds is discussed along with their thermal stabilities and flame-retardant properties. The possible mechanisms of ArPPN and their derivatives containing hetero elements, which exhibit a synergistic effect with phosphorus, are also discussed. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/10/4746/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-10-11 3 10 Review 4746 4760 1996-1944 Aryl Polyphosphonates: Useful Halogen-Free Flame Retardants for Polymers 2010-10-11 doi: 10.3390/ma3104746 Li Chen Yu-Zhong Wang http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/10/4710/ Different kinds of additive and reactive flame retardants containing phosphorus are increasingly successful as halogen-free alternatives for various polymeric materials and applications. Phosphorus can act in the condensed phase by enhancing charring, yielding intumescence, or through inorganic glass formation; and in the gas phase through flame inhibition. Occurrence and efficiency depend, not only on the flame retardant itself, but also on its interaction with pyrolysing polymeric material and additives. Flame retardancy is sensitive to modification of the flame retardant, the use of synergists/adjuvants, and changes to the polymeric material. A detailed understanding facilitates the launch of tailored and targeted development. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/10/4710/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-09-30 3 10 Review 4710 4745 1996-1944 Phosphorus-based Flame Retardancy Mechanisms—Old Hat or a Starting Point for Future Development? 2010-09-30 doi: 10.3390/ma3104710 Bernhard Schartel http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/9/4580/ Nanocomposites have been shown to significantly reduce the peak heat release rate, as measured by cone calorimetry, for many polymers but they typically have no effect on the oxygen index or the UL-94 classification. In this review, we will cover what is known about the processes by which nanocomposite formation may bring this about. Montmorillonite will be the focus in this paper but attention will also be devoted to other materials, including carbon nanotubes and layered double hydroxides. A second section will be devoted to combinations of nanocomposite formation with conventional (and unconventional) fire retardants. The paper will conclude with a section attempting to forecast the future. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/9/4580/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-09-03 3 9 Review 4580 4606 1996-1944 The Utility of Nanocomposites in Fire Retardancy 2010-09-03 doi: 10.3390/ma3094580 Linjiang Wang Xuejun He Charles A. Wilkie http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/8/4476/ This paper focuses on current trends in the flame retardancy of epoxy-based thermosets. This review examines the incorporation of additives in these polymers, including synergism effects. Reactive flame-retardants—which are incorporated in the polymer backbone—are reported and the use of fire-retardant epoxy coatings for materials protection is also considered. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/8/4476/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-08-25 3 8 Review 4476 4499 1996-1944 New Trends in Reaction and Resistance to Fire of Fire-retardant Epoxies 2010-08-25 doi: 10.3390/ma3084476 Caroline Gérard Gaëlle Fontaine Serge Bourbigot http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/8/4300/ The recent implementation of new environmental legislations led to a change in the manufacturing of composites that has repercussions on printed wiring boards (PWB). This in turn led to alternate processing methods (e.g., lead-free soldering), which affected the required physical and chemical properties of the additives used to impart flame retardancy. This review will discuss the latest advancements in phosphorus containing flame retardants for electrical and electronic (EE) applications and compare them with commercially available ones. The mechanism of degradation and flame retardancy of phosphorus flame retardants in epoxy resins will also be discussed. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/8/4300/ Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Materials 2010-08-11 3 8 Review 4300 4327 1996-1944 Recent Developments in Halogen Free Flame Retardants for Epoxy Resins for Electrical and Electronic Applications 2010-08-11 doi: 10.3390/ma3084300 Muriel Rakotomalala Sebastian Wagner Manfred Döring