Combustion behavior and application of polyolefin‐based floor sheet laminated with Nylon‐6/clay nanocomposites film

Abstract

SUMMARYNanocomposites are potential materials that can be used to improve the flame resistance of polymers without the need for halogen-based flame retardants. However, the nanocomposites cannot be used as the only raw material to produce final products as they are too expensive compared with low-cost commodity plastics. Therefore, some types of polyolefin-based floor sheet laminated with nanocomposites film were prepared for the cone calorimetric study to determine the suitable nanocomposites laminated structure for flame resistance. This study found that the polyolefin-based floor sheet laminated with 200 m Nylon-6/montmorillonite nanocomposites film on the surface can reduce the HRR max and the S max significantly; other types of nanocomposites film-laminated floor sheet were not able to reduce their flame resistance in comparison with the normal Nylon-6 film-laminated floor sheet. Meanwhile, based on the gas barrier performance, the higher aspect ratio of clay is assumed to contribute to the higher flame resistance of nanocomposites. Thus, the polyolefin-based floor sheet laminated with Nylon-6/sericite nanocomposites film on the surface was also prepared and examined in the cone calorimetric study. However, the Nylon-6/sericite nanocomposites film surface-laminated floor sheet did not cause a significant reduction in the HRR max and S max compared with the Nylon-6/montmorillonite nanocomposites film surface-laminated floor sheet. The grade determined according to the standard fire test and the mechanical properties of the Nylon-6/montmorillonite nanocomposites film surface-laminated floor sheet satisfied the requirements for floor sheets for Japanese railway vehicles.

Processing, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Layer Silicates: A Review

“…The use of nylon‐6/MMT helps to improve the flame‐retardant properties. Thus, this kind of nanocomposite was found to be used in the floor sheet of the vehicles of Japanese railways …”

Evaluation of long-term stability and degradation on polycarbonate based plastic glass

“…Furthermore, LL-PC of 8 mm and 12 mm in actual thickness achieved a grade of noncombustible, according to the standard fire test for railway vehicle materials based on the ordinance of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism [24]. LL-PC is expected to be produced at a lower cost than PMMA-PC; moreover, LL-PC is capable of being easily recycled, because of its uniform material component.…”

Application of Nanocomposites to Floor Sheet for Railway Vehicle

“…Rapidly spreading flames are likely to prevent complete combustion without sufficient oxygen, which results in an increase of black smoke. It is apparent that prevention of rapidly spreading flames helps complete combustion; consequently, the S'' max was reduced to some extent [12].…”