Rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) polymer composite was prepared using styrene as the monomer in combination with diethyl allyl phosphate (DEAP) to improve flame-retardant property. DEAP was synthesized, characterized and incorporated into wood with styrene. The polymerization was accomplished by catalyst heat treatment using AIBN as the catalyst. The properties of wood-polymer composites (WPC) like water absorption, swelling in water, hardness, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) etc. were improved on treatment. The thermal degradation behavior of WPC was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the flammability of the WPC was evaluated using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. It was observed that fire retardancy of WPC improved on incorporation of DEAR FTIR spectroscopy and SEM study showed the interaction between wood and the polymers. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.