Phosphorus is used to produce liquid and solid organic or inorganic flame retardants, which are extensively used in polyurethane foams to make fire resistant furniture, mattresses, and thermal insulation materials.
Phosphorous is also commonly used in intumescent or fire resistant coatings, as well as in flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC), which is employed as insulation for electric cables.
It is also applied in electronics and in high temperature plastics used for manufacturing switches, connectors, and in certain less flammable plastics used for casings.