Abstract: In this paper, halogen free flame retardant EVA/NBR composites containing magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] and red phosphorus (RP) were prepared via melt blending through a two-roll mill. Limiting oxygen index, cone calorimeter, tensile test, and thermal gravimetric analysis were used to characterize the effect of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer(EVA-g-MAH) on the flammability, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of EVA/NBR composites. The limiting oxygen index value reached 38.4 % and the heat release rate decreased from 941 to 690 kW/m2; the tensile strength reached 17.4 MPa, and elongation at break increased to 1236 %; the starting mass loss temperature increased from 321.6 to 327.0 C, and the residual mass increased from 10 to 32.1 % at the presence of 10 phr EVA-g-MAH after cross-linking. The morphology of cryogenically fractured surface was observed and analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and it showed that the fractured surface was compact and fillers disperse evenly.

Key words: ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, nitrile rubber, cross-linking, flame retardancy, mechanical property