Abstract: A flame retarded EVA was prepared by using ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol (PER) as the main flame retardants. Organmontmorillonite was used to further improve the flame retardancy of EVA. Limiting oxygen index, thermal gravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry were used to characterize the flammability and thermal behavior of the EVA composites. The morphology of the composite was observed and analyzed using SEM. Montmorillonite could enhance the char formation and improve the char layer quality, and hence reduced the HRR and smoke release amount. The limited oxygen index reached 29.4 % and UL 94 reached V0 level when 3 phr montmorillonite was added.

Key words: intumescent flame retardants, ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer, organmontmorillonite, composite