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Advances in Fire-Safe Polymer Materials

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Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit your original research to this Special Issue of Polymers dedicated to the progress of flame-retardant and fireproof polymeric materials.

Although the science and technological applications of flame-retardant polymers have made great progress in the past decades, the demand for the development of new flame-retardant polymers and polymer systems is still increasing. We encourage the submission of manuscripts covering scientific findings in the broad field of fire protection and thermal management of polymer composites.

Original papers and reviews are invited for this issue in the following areas:

Design and synthesis of new high-efficiency and environmentally friendly flame retardants;
Development of synergistic systems;
Flame retardancy of polymer-based composites/coatings/textiles;
Characterization and testing of polymer combustion behavior.

Dr. Fei Xiao
Dr. Shuang Yang
Dr. Jinhan Lu
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short 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 thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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18 pages, 5792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphorous-Based, Halogen-Free Flame Retardants for Thin, Flexible Polyurethane Artificial Leathers

by Miriam Bader, Maren Lehmann and Michael Meyer

Polymers 2025, 17(7), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070841 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 274

Abstract

Polyurethane (PUR)-based artificial leathers are often used as interior materials in public area, making flame retardants (FRs) necessary. The mode of action of different FRs varies depending on the chemical class and the structure of the supplied material. Usually, FRs are designed for bulk materials like foams, e.g., for upholstery, the main application of PUR. However, in thin materials, FRs act differently, thus leaving the PUR without sufficient flame resistance. In this study, PUR films and artificial leathers were equipped with twelve commercially available, halogen-free FRs in various concentrations and combinations. Fire resistance was tested with LOI measurements, cone calorimetry, horizontal burning behavior, and thermogravimetric analyses. An organophosphorus FR proved to be the most suited for flame-resistant artificial leather. The LOI was increased from 20 to 24.2%, the peak heat release rate was reduced by about 30%, and the sample was self-extinguishing in horizontal burning behavior. Phosphinates and aluminum trihydroxide were the least efficient FRs. Combinations of bentonite with phosphorus-based FRs showed synergistic effects in reducing the probability of igniting the material. The results demonstrate that sufficient flame retardancy for PUR-based thin materials can be achieved with commercially available halogen-free FRs, paving the way for more sustainable and greener materials by substituting ecologically harmful and health-damaging FRs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fire-Safe Polymer Materials)

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22 pages, 9843 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam Biocomposites with Enhanced Flame Retardancy

by Grzegorz Węgrzyk, Dominik Grzęda, Milena Leszczyńska, Bartosz Nędza, Katarzyna Bulanda, Mariusz Oleksy, Joanna Ryszkowska and Ugis Cabulis

Polymers 2024, 16(22), 3189; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16223189 - 16 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1415

Abstract

The growing demand for viscoelastic polyurethane foams creates a need for new sustainable raw materials that support cost-effective production while maintaining the desired material performance and fire safety standards. In this regard, our study aimed to develop viscoelastic polyurethane foam composites with reduced flammability and a high proportion of renewable raw materials. To achieve this, blackcurrant pomace, expandable graphite and a third-generation blowing agent were introduced to a viscoelastic polyurethane foam composition containing a reactive flame retardant in the formulation. The effects of the incorporated additives on the foaming process, flammability, chemical structure, cellular structure, thermal properties and physico-mechanical properties of the composites were determined. The results showed that the viscoelastic foam composite containing 30 php of blackcurrant pomace and 15 php of expandable graphite had a pHRRmax 52% lower than that of the reference material. The additional use of a blowing agent enhanced the flame-retardant effect of the materials, resulting in a 67% reduction in pHRRmax of the composite compared to the reference material. Moreover, the developed biocomposites exhibited promising limiting oxygen index values of 26–28%, compared to the 21% shown for the reference sample. Consequently, the best-performing biocomposites achieved the V-0 flammability rating according to the UL-94 standard. This study’s results indicate the composites’ high application potential due to their reduced flammability and the materials’ desirable physical and mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fire-Safe Polymer Materials)

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