Polyurethanes are a very versatile family of polymers. For a variety of applications there is the need for continued development of materials with improved flame retardancy, i.e., lower heat release rates and lower smoke release rates. The Cone Calorimeter (ASTM E-1354) has been increasingly used for bench-scale evaluation of materials. In this report the results of Cone Calorimetric evaluation of an extensive series of polyurethanes will be discussed. The effects of the component's chemical structure on heat release rate and on smoke release rate will be assessed. The report's focus is on MDI/polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) based polyurethanes because of their excellent balance of physical properties. Various halogen and non-halogen approaches to flame retardancy will be contrasted, each leading to a 70-90
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