TY - CONF A1 - Schartel, Bernhard T1 - More than the sum of its parts – synergistic FR-combinations N2 - Efficient flame retardancy is often achieved only when applying synergistic multicomponent systems. Flame retardants are combined or used together with adjuvants or synergists to enhance their efficiency, reduce the amount required, or reduce the costs; fibers and fillers contribute to fire properties crucially. Although the main flame-retardant modes of action are known, the detailed scientific understanding usually falls short, when it comes to complex synergistic multicomponent systems, the important tiny optimizations, or quantifying in terms of specific fire properties. This paper tries to illuminate the concept of synergistic flame retardants. The need for the multicomponent approach and the main phenomena are described. Thought-provoking impulses are delivered on how the understanding of multicomponent systems promotes the evidence-based development of future flame retardant polymeric materials. Multicomponent systems are discussed in their capacity as general powerful strategy for achieving and optimizing flame retardant polymeric materials. This paper is based mainly on the overall conclusions and concrete results of several projects performed in the group of the author. Thanks to my (former) students and co-operation partners in these projects. Thanks for financing to DFG (Scha 730/8-1 Scha 730/8-2, Br 3376/1-1, Scha 730/19-1), AiF IGF (438 ZN, 17833N/2, 19078 N/2), and BMBF (03X0111C, 01DN16040). T2 - Fire & Polymers CY - New Orleans, LA, US DA - 12.05.2024 KW - Flame retardants KW - Synergy KW - Composites KW - Adjuvants PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60082 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -