Synergistic Effects of Manganese Phytate Decorated Kaolinite in <scp>PE</scp>/<scp>PAPP</scp> Composites With Superior Fire Safety Properties

ABSTRACT Manganese phytate decorated kaolinite (PA‐Mn@Kaol) was synthesized as a novel flame retardant synergist in combination with piperazine pyrophosphate (PAPP) for polyethylene (PE). It demonstrated that the addition of PA‐Mn@Kaol significantly reduced the total heat release, peak heat release rate, and total smoke production. Notably, the fire growth index (FGI) of PE/PAPP/PA‐Mn@Kaol composites decreased by 66.7% relative to the PE/PAPP composite, and the PE/PAPP/PA‐Mn@Kaol composites had great advantages in terms of FGI and fire performance index compared to other PE/intumescent flame retardant systems reported in the literature. Moreover, the gas and condensed phases fire retardant mechanisms of the PE/PAPP/PA‐Mn@Kaol composite were explored. This study presented a viable approach for designing synergistic fire retardants, effectively enhancing the fire safety performance of PE.