Paper Title
INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHATE BASED FLAME RETARDANT ON POLYLACTIED BLENDS AND ITS MECHANISM

Abstract
Abstract - Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most effective biodegradable polymers and has drawn a great deal of interest in many applications i.e., electronics, automotive, drug delivery system, and packaging. However, a major drawback of PLA is poor flame retardancy especially itsignitability and heavily flaming drips,limitingits widespread use. The effect of different types and contents of phosphate-based additive on the flame retardancy, char-forming mechanism, and properties of flame retarded PLA blends was studied. Triocty phosphate (TOP) and tricresyl phosphate (TCP)were investigated as potential flameretardants in PLA blends which were processed by melt extrusion and compression molding. The results revealed that TOP and TCP played animportant role as an effective flame retardant and impact modifier for PLA. All PLA blends showed significantly improved toughness and delayed ignition. When 10phrTOP and TCP were introduced to the PLA, its limited oxygen index (LOI) value increased from 18.0 % (neat PLA) to 23.1% and 30.2%, respectively and received a V-0 rating in UL-94 test. The release of water vapor molecules and the formation of a char layer are the key driving factors in the reduction of total heat in the system and the inhibition of burning. In addition, the impacttoughness of PLA blend increased evidently for the good compatibility, supported by morphological results.This may give an alternative approach for PLA blend with little contentof flame retardant. Keywords - Polylactide, Flame retardant, Blend, Impact modifier, Additive