Views: 2 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-10-12 Origin: Site
The development of flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using hexamethyldisiloxane-derived siloxane copolymers presents an exciting prospect in the field of materials engineering. TPU is a highly versatile polymer, widely used in various applications due to its excellent properties such as high elasticity, abrasion resistance, and durability. However, its flammability has been a significant drawback in some applications where fire hazards are a concern. The development of a flame retardant TPU is, therefore, a critical step towards enhancing its safety performance.
The main objective of this study was to prepare hexamethyldisiloxane-derived siloxane copolymers and investigate their potential to improve the flame retardancy of TPU. The siloxane copolymers were synthesized via cohydrolysis and copolycondensation of hexamethyldisiloxane, tetramethyldisiloxane, and methyltrimethoxysilane. The resulting siloxane copolymers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques.
The TPU flame retardant system was prepared by incorporating the synthesized siloxane copolymers into the polymer matrix. Both the thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting TPU composites were evaluated. The thermal analyses revealed an improvement in the thermal stability of the composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were slightly affected by the incorporation of the siloxane copolymers, but they remained within acceptable limits.
The flame retardancy of the TPU composites was evaluated using cone calorimeter tests. The results indicated that the TPU composites containing the synthesized siloxane copolymers exhibited much-improved flame retardancy compared to the pure TPU. This was attributed to the formation of a protective char layer on the surface of the composites, which effectively prevented further combustion.
Overall, the investigation showed that hexamethyldisiloxane-derived siloxane copolymers have great potential in enhancing the flame retardancy of TPU. The results of this study provide a basis for the development of new and improved flame retardant TPU materials for use in various applications where fire safety is a concern. The successful development of flame retardant TPU will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more sustainable future.
