Composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and aluminum
hypophosphite
(AHP) are prepared by solvent blending. The thermal, mechanical, and
crystallinity properties of the composites are studied. AHP remarkably
improves the char residue yield during the thermal degradation and
combustion of AHP/PVA composites. The flame retardancy of the composites
is obviously improved. The increased char which protects underlying
PVA from heat and oxygen is one of the key reasons for the improved
flame retardancy. The crystallinity of the composites is decreased.
The glass transition temperature (T
g)
and the storage modulus of the composites are increased. In the composite
with 15 wt % AHP, limiting oxygen index (LOI) reaches 28.0%, UL-94
V-0 rating is obtained, T
g is increased
by 7 °C, and the storage modulus is increased by 17.2% in comparison
with neat PVA. Moreover, AHP/PVA composites keep high transparence
and maintain most of the mechanical properties of PVA, which is advantageous
for the practical application of the composites.