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Zhong, J. Ammonium polyphosphate. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61086 (accessed on 12 November 2026).
Zhong J. Ammonium polyphosphate. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61086. Accessed November 12, 2026.
Zhong, Jack. "Ammonium polyphosphate" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61086 (accessed November 12, 2026).
Zhong, J. (2026, October 19). Ammonium polyphosphate. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/61086
Zhong, Jack. "Ammonium polyphosphate." Encyclopedia. Web. 19 October, 2026.

Ammonium polyphosphate

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Ammonium polyphosphate is an inorganic polymer of repeating phosphate units neutralised with ammonium, and it serves as an acid source in intumescent flame-retardant systems. On heating it releases ammonia and phosphoric acid, which esterifies the hydroxyl groups of the charring component and promotes dehydration and char formation [1]. Its efficiency depends strongly on the degree of polymerisation: a long chain is less water-soluble and is therefore retained in the material during processing and service [2]. In a polyolefin it is combined with a carbon source and a blowing agent, because the polymer itself does not char readily [3]. Surface treatment with a silane or with a microencapsulated coating reduces the moisture uptake and improves the compatibility with a non-polar matrix [4]. The water solubility of the short-chain grades remains the main limitation, and the additive also lowers the mechanical properties at the loading needed for a rating [5].

intumescence acid source char formation degree of polymerization microencapsulation synergist water solubility
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References

  1. Shao, Z.B.; Deng, C.; Tan, Y.; Chen, M.J.; Chen, L.; Wang, Y.Z. Flame retardation of polypropylene via a novel intumescent flame retardant: Ethylenediamine-modified ammonium polyphosphate. Polymer Degradation and Stability 2014, 106, 88-96. [CrossRef]
  2. Pan, Y.; Luo, Z.; Wang, B. Synergistic flame retardant effect of piperazine salt and ammonium polyphosphate as intumescent flame retardant system for polypropylene. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2021, 138, 49813. [CrossRef]
  3. Xu, F.; Yin, N.; Gao, S.; Shen, C. The Synergistic Effect of Ammonium Polyphosphate and a N/P/Si‐Containing Intumescent Flame Retardant on the Flame‐Retardant Properties of Polylactic Acid. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2025, 142, e56830. [CrossRef]
  4. Wu, X.; Qin, Z.; Zhang, X.; Yu, Z.; Zhang, W.; Yang, R.; Li, D. Micro-Nanometer Particle Composition and Functional Design of Surface Nano-Structured Ammonium Polyphosphate and Its Application in Intumescent Flame-Retardant Polypropylene. Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 606. [CrossRef]
  5. Zhang, X.; Tang, S.; Quan, N.; Gao, M. Effect of seaweed extract as a novel bio-filler on the intumescent flame retardant epoxy resin with ammonium polyphosphate. Materials Today Communications 2025, 48, 113356. [CrossRef]
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Subjects: Polymer Science
Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register : Jack Zhong
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Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 19 Oct 2026
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