Investigation on flammability of rigid polyurethane foam‐mineral fillers composite

Abstract

Summary This study investigates the incorporation of castor oil–based rigid polyurethane foam with mineral fillers feldspar or kaolinite clay in order to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties. Influence of mineral fillers on the mechanical strength was characterized by compressive strength and flexural strength measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to diagnose the changes in thermal properties, while cone calorimeter test was performed to ascertain the flame retardancy of the mineral filler–incorporated rigid polyurethane foam composites. Results showed that the foams incorporated with mineral filler demonstrated up to 182% increase in compressive strength and 351% increase in flexural strength. Thermal stability of these composite foams was also found to be enhanced on the incorporation of kaolinite clay filler with an increase in 5% weight loss temperature (T5%) from 192°C to 260°C. Furthermore, peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), smoke production rate (SPR), and total smoke release (TSR) were also found to decreased on the incorporation of mineral filler in the rigid polyurethane foam. So mineral fillers are ascertained as a potential filler to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant behaviors of bio‐based rigid polyurethane foam composites.

Fire Suppression and Thermal Behavior of Biobased Rigid Polyurethane Foam Filled with Biomass Incineration Waste Ash

“…However, such inorganic waste-based and filler type additives can be used in rather low amounts, because they increase viscosity, cause cell rupture, and deteriorate performance characteristics [21,22]. Researchers [23] observed that the addition of up to 40 wt.% of basalt waste reduces the compressive strength of PU composites and worsens their dimensional stability, whereas others [24] tested feldspar and kaolinite clay and showed that even 10 wt.% reduces mechanical performance of the resultant PU foams. However, the authors of [10] showed that WA particles as waste-based and filler-type additive can be used in higher amounts, i.e., up to 50 wt.%, because they have a lower impact on the polyol premix compared to other filler-type additives.…”

Flame Retardancy of Bio-Based Polyurethanes: Opportunities and Challenges

“…At higher loading percentage, the performance decreases, which is explained by the agglomeration of particles and deterioration of the insulating effect during combustion. In another paper, these authors studied the flame retardancy of the same bio-based PU in the presence of feldspar and kaolinite clay [81]. A similar approach to that of the first paper was applied in their investigation.…”

Preparation of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks and Their Application as Flame Retardant and Smoke Suppression Agent for Rigid Polyurethane Foams

“…This is mainly because ZnO produced in the combustion process of ZIFs could facilitate the generation of a char layer, thus inhibiting the release of the burning gas generated in the decomposition process of the composite. Agrawal added mineral fillers feldspar or kaolinite clay into RPUF in order to enhance the flame retardant properties [30]. The results showed that 10% of kaolinite clay or feldspar only decreases the PHRR by about 22%.…”