Nanosized carbon black as synergist in PP/POE-MA/IFR system for simultaneously improving thermal, electrical and mechanical properties

Abstract

Nanosized carbon black (CB) was introduced into polypropylene/maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer/intumescent flame retardant (PP/POE-MA/IFR) system to investigate the effect of nanofiller as synergist on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites. With 5 mass% CB into PP/POE-MA/IFR system (POFC5), the T max (corresponded to the temperature at the maximum mass loss rate) under air was increased by 122.4°C; its limited oxygen index was as high as 31.4%; its vertical burning rating (UL-94) reached V0, and the peak value of heat release rate was decreased to only 19% of neat PP in cone calorimeter testing. Moreover, PP composites exhibited good electrical conductivity with more than 1.6 mass% CB, which is a low loading level to reach the critical percolation concentration. In addition, a good balance on stiffness and toughness of PP composites was achieved; especially, Young's moduli and impact strength of POFC5 were increased to 1.26 and 2.5 times in comparison with that of neat PP, respectively. These results indicated that CB was an effective synergist in multi-component PP composites to simultaneously improve thermal, electrical and mechanical properties.

Polypropylene/phosphazene nanotube nanocomposites: Thermal, mechanical, and flame retardation studies

“…Table 4 displays the comparison of the mechanical performance and flame retardation of the PP/PP-g-MA/ APZS composites with various PP nanocomposites reported in the literature. [3,[61][62][63][64][65][66][67] It can be inferred that the present study exhibited superior mechanical performance and flame retardation as compared to the reported values, especially in the absence of the IFR compounds. However, it should be noted that the properties of each nanocomposite can differ from others due to several factors, including processing conditions, types of fillers, interfacial interaction, filler morphology, testing parameters, IFR compounds, and so forth.…”

Recent advances in fire‐retardant carbon‐based polymeric nanocomposites through fighting free radicals

“…The results revealed that CB nanoparticles can trap peroxy radicals at elevated temperatures to form a gelled‐ball cross‐linked network. To boost the flame retardant efficiency, CB is used in combination with some traditional flame retardants for different polymers including PE, 81 PP, 46,82 PU, 83 PC, 54 and POE 84 . The polycondensed aromatic rings in CB have been confirmed to play a key role by acting as free‐radical capturers during thermal decomposition of polymers, which leads to improved fire retardancy for the final polymer nanocomposites.…”

Recent Advances in Halogen-Free Flame Retardants for Polyolefin Cable Sheath Materials

“…On the other hand, the “trapping radicals” of nano-CB and APP derivatives could delay or even restrain the degradation of PP. Wen et al [ 173 ] studied the influence of nanosized CB as adjuvant on the flame retardancy and mechanical performance of PP/POE-MA (maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer)/IFR system. They found that, within a certain range, as the nano-CB content increased, the char layer produced by polymer combustion became increasingly dense and continuous.…”