Decabromobiphenyl oxide–aluminum hydroxide system as a flame retardant for styrene–butadiene rubber

Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was treated with decabromobiphenyl oxide (DBBO) and/or aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] as a flame retardant. The flammability of the resulting system was determined by the limiting oxygen index method. The effect of the added flame retardants on the maximum torque (MH), curing rate, and tensile properties was also evaluated. The results showed, particularly, that DBBO was a more effective flame retardant than was Al(OH)3. On the other hand, this brominated compound reduced the modulus of elasticity while its effect on the maximum torque was insignificant. Moreover, the addition of DBBO was found to decrease the curing rate of SBR. In contrast, Al(OH)3 significantly increased the maximum torque and also markedly reduced the modulus of elasticity. Moreover, the effect of the treatment with Al(OH)3 on the curing rate was found to be insignificant. The flammability measurement of the SBR treated with different mixtures of the two flame retardants indicated that the two compounds reacted slightly antagonistically. The addition of Al(OH)3 to DBBO in a mixture that was applied to SBR remedied some negative impacts on the mechanical properties when DBBO was added separately to the rubber. The value of the maximum torque of SBR increased and the curing rate slightly increased as well. Meanwhile, the values of the modulus of elasticity were not affected. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 2134–2139, 2000