Handbook of Flame Retardants contains an extensive evaluation of the existing literature, products and patents related to flame retardance. As a perfect complement to The Databook of Flame Retardants, this book explains the roles, selection, mechanisms of action, use in different polymers and products, and health and environmental issues of over 350 different products. Chapters highlight the fundamentals of material burning and the associated stages of heat, flame and smoke, properties and mechanisms, and preventive, delaying and extinguishing attributes of 27 chemical groups of flame retardants. Examples of synergistic and antagonistic actions of various additives are discussed next, along with testing methods. The book concludes with chapters providing guidance on optimal selection of flame retardants for various polymers and information on the toxicity of flame retardants and their effects on the environment. - Evaluates the existing literature, products and patents related to flame retardance - Covers the fundamentals of material burning and associated stages of heat, flame and smoke - Outlines and evaluates the properties of 27 chemical groups of flame retardants - Provides examples of synergistic and antagonistic actions of various additives - Looks at methods of testing flame retardants and quantifies their effect on products