Photocrosslinking of intumescent halogen-free flame-retardant LLDPE/EVA/IFR blends

Photocrosslinking of the halogen-free flame retardant linear low density polyethylene /poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (LLDPE/EVA) blends with the intumescent flame retardant (IFR) of phosphorous-nitrogen compound (NP) in the presence of photoinitiator and multifunctional crosslinker and the characterization of related properties have been investigated successfully. The results from the gel content and heat extension rate (HER) show that the LLDPE/EVA/IFR blends filled with NP are readily photocrosslinked by UV-irradiation of 5 s to obtain a gel content of above 75% and reach the HER value of about 50%. The data from the LOI, UL-94, water-resistant, and mechanical measurements show that photocrosslinking can considerably enhance the mechanical, flame retardant, and water-resistant properties of the LLDPE/EVA/NP samples.