TGA of Flame Retardants in EVA - METTLER TOLEDO

TGA of Flame Retardants in EVA

Purpose

The Al(OH)3 (ATH) and Mg(OH)2 (MDH) flame retardants analyzed in Section 4.7.1. TGA of aluminum trihydrate and magnesium hydroxideare analyzed in an ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA)

 

Sample

Three EVA samples analyzed were:

EVA with ATH

EVA with MDH

EVA with ATH and MDH  

 

Conditions

Measuring cellTGA/SDTA851e

Pan: Alumina 70 ul

Sample preparation: Approx. 20 mg

TGA measurement: From 35 °C to 600 °C under nitrogen atmosphere (200 ml/min), then from 600 °C to 850 °C under oxygen (200 ml/min)

                                    Heating rate: 30 K/min 

Atmosphere: Nitrogen then oxygen, automatically switched  

The diagram displays the TGA and DTG curves of the three samples as a function of temperature.  

 

Interpretation

A large step due to the pyrolysis of the EVA is observed around 460 °C. The elimination of the water from the flame retardants can be seen in the range 300 °C to 400 °C. A quantitative analysis is however difficult because EVA eliminates acetic acid between 360 °C and 400 °C. 

 

Conclusions 

The presence of flame-retarding materials in polymers can be detected using simple TGA measurements. 

 

TGA of Flame Retardants in EVA | Thermal Analysis Application No. HB 485 | Application published in METTLER TOLEDO TA Application Handbook Elastomers Volume 2