A material is disclosed having improved flame retardant properties and is particularly applicable as a jacket for a fiber optic cable. The material is comprised of a polymeric base compounded with a vanadium phosphate glass composition. The polymeric base may be a flame retardant polyethylene and the vanadium phosphate glass composition contains vanadium oxide, phosphorus oxide and antimony oxide. The material achieves a V-0 rating when tested per Underwriters Laboratory test UL-94 and has a heat release rate value consistent with a self extinguishing material when combusted.