Fire retardants for phase change materials

Fire-retarded form-stable phase change material (PCM) products consisting of paraffin (RT21) (or propyl ester), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and fire retardants were prepared using the Brabender Plastograph. The properties of the form-stable PCM, containing different types of fire retardants such as magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, expanded graphite (EG), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), pentaerythritol (PER) and treated montmorillonite (MMT) were classified using vertical burning test, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results from the vertical burning test have shown that the form-stable PCM which contained APP + PER + MMT and APP + EG showed the best improvement in fire retardancy since it can self-extinguish by forming a large residue. The TGA graphs showed that addition of fire retardants has increased thermal stability of material by increasing the amount or residues formed, which was also supported by the Con Calorimeter testing, while DSC results showed that adding fire retardants to PCM did not change its thermal properties significantly.

► Form-stable phase change materials (PCMs), used to improve thermal managements in buildings, may increase fire hazard.
► Magnesium hydroxide, Aluminium hydroxide, Expanded graphite (EG), Ammonium polyphosphate (APP), Pentaerythritol (PER) and Monmorillonite (MMT) were tested for their ability to minimize fire hazard.
► The vertical burning test have shown that APP + PER + MMT and APP + EG provide the best fire retardancy.
► This was supported by the Con Calorimeter testing.