Flame retardancy of polymer-clay nanocomposites

Thousands of human deaths are reported worldwide each year as a direct result of fires which are mainly attributed to (the increasing usage of) polymeric materials present in about 70% of consumer products. Although complete protection against fire with these materials for indefinite periods is impossible, the use of fire retardant agents can delay the spread of fire or keep a structure intact against fire, thereby allowing sufficient time for safety measures to be taken. The objectives of this chapter are to provide fundamentals and an overview of the vast subject of flame retardancy of polymers (in bulk form, foams and coatings), with particular emphasis on some aspects of nanocomposites. These include mechanisms with various nanoparticles, their intumescent response, ecological behavior, thermal stability and response to short and long-term fire exposure tests.