Flame retarded polylactide with pentaerythritol phosphate (PEPA), melamine phosphate (MP) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) were prepared in this study. Effect of trisilanolisbutyl-POSS (TPOSS) on the thermal degradation behaviors of intumescent flame retardant polylactide (IFRPLA) composites under nitrogen or air atmosphere was investigated by thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA), thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG-IR) and real time Fourier transform infrared spectra (RTFTIR). Under nitrogen atmosphere, incorporation of PEPA. MP and TPOSS could significantly reduce the release of flammable gases. Under air atmosphere, the presence of MP and PEPA can promote the formation of char layer, while TPOSS was oxidized to form silica covered on the char layer, which improved the thermo-oxidation resistance of the char. Thus, the fire retardancy of PLA was notably improved. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.