Abstract: The research and development of the flame retardant modification of thermoplastic polymer materials are reviewed. The combustion process and the flame retardancy mechanism of thermoplastic polymer materials are introduced. The current research status and modification methods of flame retardants were reviewed. The present research status and modification methods of flame retardants were summarized. The mechanism of gas phase and condensed phase were the way to achieve flame retardant effect of modified polymer materials. Halogen-based, phosphate-based and expansive flame retardants are common flame retardant modifiers. Due to the advantages of simple process and easy operation, the preparation of flame retardant polymers by blending method were widely used at present. However, the poor compatibility between flame retardants and substrates, low mechanical properties of materials, and easy precipitation of flame retardants were the main problems limiting the development of this method. Compared with the blending process, the co-polymerization flame retardant modification process was more complex. However, excellent flame retardant effect can be achieved on the basis of low amount of flame retardant, which is an important advantage of this method. In addition, materials prepared by copolymerization can obtained more durable flame retardant properties, which is an important direction of current research. Considering the factors of material preparation process, production cost and application scenario, thermoplastic flame retardant polymers of kitchen appliances will gradually develop in the future towards halogen-free environmental protection, aging resistance, long flame retardant life and low-cost preparation.

Key words: Thermoplastic polymer, Flame retardant, Blending modification, Copolymerization modification