The thermal decomposition and flame inhibition behaviors of poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) with aluminum phosphinate as flame retardant were investigated. The thermal decomposition behaviors of various formulations were studied using thermogravimetric analysis, and chemical analysis was carried out for the residues using FTIR. We found that the action of AlPi was based mainly on the flame inhibition effect in the gas-phase and showed only a limited contribution from the condensed-phase mode of action through the formation of aluminum phosphate in the solid state. A UL-94 V-0 rating was achieved by using a PCT formulation containing 11 phr of AlPi, and a noticeable reduction in the cone calorimeter experiment was observed in this sample.

Poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) (PCT)의 열분해와 PCT와 AlPi 혼합물의 난연성 연구를 위해 난연제로는 알루미늄 포스피네이트(AlPi)를 사용하였고, 열중량분석기와 FTIR를 이용하여 다양한 조성의 열분해현상과 화학적 분석을 하였다. AlPi는 주로 기상형태로 난연성을 나타내었고, 적은 범위에서 고체상 응축으로 난연성에 기여하였다. AlPi를 적용한 혼합물에서 UL-94 시험법에 의한 난연성 평가에서 V-0를 얻었고, 콘 칼로리미터 실험에서 열방출량이 눈에 띄게 감소하였음을 확인할 수 있었다.

Keywords: flame retardant; poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate); aluminum phosphinate; decomposition pathway