Abstract: In this paper, poly(vinyl chloride)/nano hydrotalcite (PVC/HT) composites were prepared by in-situ suspension polymerization, which were further blended with ZnO and MgO. The combustion properties of PVC/HT/ZnO/MgO composites were investigated using cone calorimetry. It was found that HT, ZnO and MgO were well dispersed in PVC matrix. ZnO and MgO had the synergistic effect with HT on reducing the heat and smoke release rates during combustion. Compared to neat PVC, the peak heat smoke release rates of PVC/HT/ZnO/MgO(95/5/3/3) composite decreased more than 50 %, and the char yield was obviously increased. It was also found that tensile and impact strength of PVC/HT/ZnO/MgO composites were greater than that of PVC/ZnO/MgO composites.

Key words: poly(vinyl chloride), hydrotalcite, cone calorimeter, heat release rate, smoke release rate, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide