Double-layered co-microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and mesoporous MCM-41 in intumescent flame-retardant natural rubber composites

Double-layered co-microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and mesoporous MCM-41 (M(A&M)) were prepared using melamine–formaldehyde resin and zinc borate by in situ polymerization. The structure of the microcapsules was characterized by particle size analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Double-layered microencapsulation gave APP narrow particle size distribution. The flame-retardant and mechanical effects of M(A&M) in natural rubber (NR) were evaluated using the limiting oxygen index, UL 94 test, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile test. Results indicated that the NR/M(A&M) composites had much better flame-retardant and mechanical properties than the NR/APP/MCM-41 composites. The limited oxygen index value of the NR/M(A&M) composite reached the maximum, and the UL-94 ratings were increased to V-0 when the ratio of APP to MCM-41 was 39:1 in microcapsule. The occurrence of a synergistic effect between MCM-41 and intumescent flame-retardant in the NR composites was proved. This investigation provided a promising formulation for flame-retardant NR composites.