Effect of Brominated Flame Retardants on the Properties of Acrylonitrile /Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Fibers

Two brominated flame-retardant additives, Great Lakes CD-75P (hexabro-mocyc lododecane) and Great Lakes PDBS (a polymer of dibromostyrene ), are introduced into acrylonitrile/vinyl acetate (AN/VA) fibers, and their effects on the fibers' thermal and mechanical properties, morphology, and flammability are investigated. Because the additives influence the viscosity of AN/ VA solution dope, the influence of spinneret diameter on spinning the modified AN/VA fibers is also studied. The results show that the both additives can reduce flammability with little effect on tensile strength but large effect on the breaking elongation.