Halogens and Antimony Trioxide as Flame Retardants

To date, the most effective flame retardant chemical is the combination of a halogenated compound and antimony trioxide. The antimony acts as a synergist with the halogen helping the effectiveness of the flame retardant properties. The addition of a small amount of antimony trioxide means that you can add half as much halogen compound as you normally would. There have been a few concerns raised about the health effects of this flame retardant system, but the benefits far outweigh whatever possibility there may be of health effects. In fact, a negative health correlation has yet to be scientifically proven. The way the antimony/halogen combination works as a flame retardant is by radical quenching. As the halogen degrades, the released hydrogen bromide reacts with the hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals which slows down the combustion reaction.