Recommended reading: well-known expert Gu Chaoying

Howto improve flame retardancy and mechanical of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)composite? These days, increasing and considerable attention has been focusedon the development of polymeric nanocomposites loaded by an inorganic phase.Whereas, one of the most interesting aspects of α -Zirconium Phosphate(hereafter referred to as ZrP) is its capacity to reduce the rate of combustionof the polymer. The great advantage of introducing ZrP nanoparticles within thepolymer matrix is the weight concentration: low amounts (1-5 wt.-%) givesurprising results compared with other class of traditional additives(halogenated, metal hydroxides or intumescent formulations). ZrP basedcomposites were prepared by melt blending in order to improve the flameretardancy properties of PET. • ZrP reduces the flammability of PET acting insynergistic effect with phosphorous based flame retardants. • Indeed, it isshowed that it is possible to reduce the amount of phosphorous flame retardantadding ZrP to reach UL94 classification V0 for PET polymer. • Also, ZrPexhibits an unusually broad range of properties that are concurrently improvedsuch as mechanical, thermo-mechanical and gas barrier maintaining the lightweight and the optical transparency of the polymer.