Intumescent polylactide: A nonflammable material

Abstract

In this article, we examine intumescent polylactide, which exhibits a nonburning behavior upon heating. The combination of melamine and ammonium polyphosphate incorporated in the polylactide allowed us to obtain an intumescent char and low flammability. The incorporation of an additional ingredient such as organomodified montmorillonite Cloisite 3OB or multiwall carbon nanotubes demonstrated varying effects on the material's reaction to fire, i.e., a large synergistic effect was observed when Cloisite 3OB was used, whereas it was antagonistic when multiwall carbon nanotubes were used. © 2009 Wilev Periodicals, Inc.