Thermal decomposition, combustion and fire‐retardancy of polyurethanes—a review of the recent literature

Abstract An overview is presented of the literature on thermal decomposition, combustion and fire‐retardancy of polyurethane (PU) elastomers, PU‐based coatings, rigid and flexible PU foams. A brief overview of the structure of PU polymeric networks is helpful for a better understanding of the thermal decomposition and combustion phenomena. Literature sources were mostly taken from the publications of 1995 and later; however, for a basic description of the structural and thermal decomposition principles, older publication have also been cited. New developments in the efficient halogen‐containing additives and reactive copolymers are described. However, major progress in the area of flame‐retardant PUs in recent years is found in the field of phosphorus‐ or silicon‐containing products, especially reactive ones. Inorganic additives remain of great interest, especially in PU‐based intumescent coatings. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry