Study of thermal, flammability and mechanical properties of intumescent flame retardant PP/kenaf nanocomposites

Abstract

Detrimental physical and mechanical properties are common problems for composites when their flame retardancy is improved through filler additions. An increased interest of the synergistic nanoparticle addition to improve the flame retardancy of natural fiber composites is the aim of this work. The paper investigates the synergistic effect of two different nanoparticles (halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay) on the flame and mechanical properties in an intumescent ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-based polypropylene (PP)/kenaf composite system. First, the nature of nanoparticle dispersion in PP through Xray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that under twin screw compounding process, the partial exfoliation and intercalation have taken place within the nanocomposites. An increase in the decomposition temperature was observed under thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), with the presence of HNT. However, MMT tends to lower the maximum decomposition temperature under inert atmosphere. The flammability analysis in an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system shows that the suitable amount of high aspect ratio nanoparticles with their exfoliation characteristics effectively helps to reduce the sustained combustion. Even though, improved stiffness properties can be observed with the presence of increased filler content, particle agglomeration tends to reduce the mechanical strengths of these composites due to low compatibilization and crack propagation.

Establishment of fire protective effectiveness of reed treated with an impregnating solution and coatings

“…In contrast to the findings by authors of papers [13,15], the obtained data on the influence of the protective agents on the process of heat transfer to the material and a change in heat-insulating properties make it possible to state the following:…”

“…A fire-retardant composition is prepared based on organic binders, which are not soluble in water [14]. All these requirements are inherent to the wood, but are not always feasible for reed and require development of new approaches [15].…”

Estimation of fire protection efficiency of articles made from reed under an external action of gasoline flame

“…In addition, a fire-retardant composition is pre-pared based on organic binders that do not dissolve in water [14]. All these requirements are typical for wood while not always expedient for reed and require the elaboration of new approaches [15].…”

Thermal and tribological characterizations of millscale-particles-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

“…This may be due to the very low thermal expansion of the ceramic materials and the strong interfacial bonding of the particles. The strong interfacial bonding of the particles effectively acted as barriers to decomposition of the samples during heating, thereby enhancing the thermal stability of the composites [9]. In earlier studies [10,11], 3.55 g sample of asbestos-based commercial automobile brake pad (sample Q) was left for 10 min on the Bunsen burner flame after which the flame was removed.…”

“…This is due to the high refractoriness of the ceramic materials and the strong interfacial bonding of the particles. The strong interfacial bonding of the particles effectively acted as barriers to decomposition of the samples during heating, thereby enhancing the thermal stability of the composites [9]. Also, the thermal compatibility between the millscale particles and the ceramic matrix prevented internal stress during heating, cooling and thermal mismatch strain in the composites [12].…”