Functionalization of melamine foam surface and its non-halogen flame-retardant silicone materials

Abstract

Organic silicone materials offer numerous benefits and hence hold significant potential in daily applications. However, poor flame-retardant properties may limit their use in the field of fire prevention. In this study, this problem was solved by designing a stable, facile, and effective fabrication method. A silane vinyl melamine/silicone foam (VTMO–APTES–PAA–MF/SI) with excellent flame-retardant properties was obtained through a step-by-step chemical surface modification method. Aminopropyl ethoxy silane (APTES) and vinyl methoxy silane (VTMO) provided cross-linking sites and formed a macromolecular network structure, thus improving the compatibility between the melamine foam (MF) and silicone material. As a result, VTMO–APTES—PAA–MF/SI exhibited a high limiting oxygen index and UL94 flame-retardant rating (31.1 vol%, V-0). Besides, compared with melamine/silicone foam (MF/SI), VTMO–APTES–PAA–MF/SI demonstrated better tensile strength and elongation at break.