The thermal behaviour of a mixture containing an ammonium polyphosphate based compound (AP760) and zinc borate (ZB) is investigated. After an investigation of the degradation of the pure components, the interactions between them are examined by thermogravimetry. Then, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and B-11 and P-31 solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements have been carried out on residues of mixtures of AP760 and FBZB heat treated at different characteristic temperatures. It reveals the nature of the interactions taking place between the two components. It is demonstrated that reactions lead to the formation of zinc phosphate and of borophosphates. Mechanisms of thermal degradation are proposed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.