Application properties of TCP/OMMT flame-retardant system in NR composites

Due to high flammability setback of most natural and synthetic rubbers, a novel organic/inorganic hybrid flame-retardant additive by the combination of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) and organomontmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared and used in the preparation of flame-retardant rubber composites. Different types of natural rubber (NR)/TCP/OMMT composites were prepared with different amounts of this novel additive. Then, the main properties were researched and compared with the composites directly incorporated with TCP or OMMT. The tensile strength and elongation at break of NR/TCP-10/OMMT-5 were 15.5 MPa and 673%, respectively, which increased about 10% and 16% compared with that of NR/TCP-10 composite. Meanwhile, the abrasion loss of NR/TCP-10/OMMT-5 was 0.49 cm3, decreased by 26% in comparison with that of NR/OMMT-5 composite, that is, to 0.62 cm3. Moreover, the limiting oxygen index value was increased to about 34.0% and the thermal stability of which was also improved with the addition of 10 parts per hundreds of rubber of TCP and OMMT into NR systems. In addition, the plausible mechanism for the improvement of reinforcing, wear resistant, and flame-retardant properties were put forward.