Abstract
Additives used in conjunction with PVC, in particular plasticisers, allow the compounded polymer to have properties ranging from a rigid load-bearing material to a soft flexible substance suitable as a replacement for leather. PVC foams are used in applications as diverse as building cladding, ‘leather-like’ upholstery, decorative wallcovering, cushion flooring and upholstery filling. PVC itself is ‘self-extinguishing’ and does not spread flame, but some of the additives used to impart flexibility can cause the PVC to lose this characteristic, although still retaining its non-drip and no-afterglow behaviour. However, careful formulation, either using a non-flammable plasticiser or by adding a flame retardant, does permit the high fire resistance of PVC foams to be preserved. The way in which the fire performance, as well as the physical properties, of PVC foams can be tailored is discussed here in some detail. The test results for a number of commercially available PVC foams are given and compared with the specified performance of the particular end products.
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