Characterization of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) filled with low grade magnesium hydroxide

Low-grade magnesium hydroxide (LG-MH) is a solid by-product that undergoes an endothermic decomposition in the temperature range of 300-750 °C. Due to its thermal behaviour and its lower cost relative to pure Mg(OH)2, it was studied as a non-halogenated flame retardant filler in a 28% vinyl acetate (VA) content poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) matrix. The solid was characterized by XRF and the crystalline phases determined by XRD, composed predominantly of Mg(OH)2 and calcium and magnesium carbonates. Particle size reduction was performed by both mechanical as well as air jet milling in order to optimize the particle size distribution.Composites with different filler concentrations were prepared to evaluate the mechanical properties and flame retardancy by means of limiting oxygen index tests. LOI was also determined in specimens filled with commercial flame-retardants to analyse the effectiveness of this solid.