Abstract: A series of halogen-free flame retardant EVA copolymer emulsion adhesives were synthesized with the blend of ATH, melamine phosphate (MP), and the complex system of MP and pentaerythritol (PER) as flame retardants respectively. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter test (CCT) for the characterization of burning behavior , thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) for the evaluation of thermal decomposition behavior, and tensile strength related to mechanical property, were carried out and investigated . The results showed that thermal decomposition temperature was raised after adding flame retardant. When the amounts of ATH and MP were 30 % and m(MP):m(PER) was 3:1(the total amount of MP and PER was 30 %), the LOI and tensile strength of the system were more than 30 (38.6, 34.3 and 36.3) and 8.0 MPa (10.13, 13.18 and 11.28 MPa), respectively. They met the requirement. EVA emulsion modified with ATH had higher flame retardant efficiency than those modified with MP and MP/PER complex system. Its parameters of ignitor firing time, heat release rate, total smoke production and mass loss rate and so on were better. It was found that the addition of a small amount of PER in MP modified system could promote the generation of the intumescent carbonaceous residue.

Key words: EVA emulsion adhesive, halogen-free flame retardants, thermal stability, flame resistance, mechanical properties