Orlando Castro Reyna

Orlando Castro Reyna

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 October 2025 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KRKarla Fabiola Rodríguez Ramírez
Karla Fabiola Rodríguez Ramírez
JLJESUS LARA
JESUS LARA
OROrlando Castro Reyna
Orlando Castro Reyna
PEPedro Espinoza
Pedro Espinoza
JMJesús Alejandro Espinosa Muñoz
Jesús Alejandro Espinosa Muñoz
LSLUCIANO DA SILVA
LUCIANO DA SILVA
In this work, we report the effect of combining styrene-vinyl tetrazole copolymer (StVTz) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on the thermal degradation, mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and char formation of low-density polyethylene with ethyl vinyl acetate (LDPE/EVA) composites. The tetrazole heterocycle exhibits high thermal stability (>200 °C), and during its thermal decomposition, it releases non-toxic nitrogen gas. Its degradation generates reactive species capable of cross-linking the polymer chains, thereby promoting the formation of a protective char layer. To evaluate the influence of composition on the intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) properties of LDPE/EVA blends, different concentrations of APP and StVTz additives were incorporated. The composites were prepared in an internal mixer (Brabender Intelli-Torque Plasti-Corder). Test specimens were obtained by compression molding and subsequently cut into appropriate shapes for each analysis. Thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing. Morphology of cone calorimetry (CC) residues was examined using SEM. Flammability properties, studied using CC, revealed a 70% reduction in the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and a 48% reduction in the total heat release (THR) compared to the neat LDPE/EVA blend. These results indicate that StVTz and APP act synergistically to improve the flame-retardant properties of LDPE/EVA.