Effect of tetrabromobisphenol A diallyl ether on the flame retardancy of high impact-strength polystyrene

The effect of tetrabromobisphenol A diallyl ether (TBBA–DAE) on the flame retardancy of high impact-strength polystyrene (HIPS) was studied and compared with that of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA). Experimental results showed that the flame retardancy of TBBA–DAE was superior to that of TBA by thermomixing in the solid state. However, this phenomenon was not obvious by mixing in solution. This effect might result from the bromination of HIPS by the modified Claisen rearrangement of TBBA–DAE during thermomixing in the solid state. Simultaneous addition of the mixture of TBBA–DAE or TBBA with diphenyl isooctylphosphite (DPIOP) into HIPS caused a synergistic effect of flame retardancy and the effect of TBBA-DAE was better than that of TBBA.