The influence of plant fillers on the flammability and smoke emission of natural composites was investigated. Epoxy composites with 15, 25, and 35 wt % of walnut and hazelnut shell, as well as sunflower husk, were prepared and examined. The ground organic components were characterized by grain size distribution, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microstructure observations (SEM). The composite materials were subjected to dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and structural evaluation with scanning electron microscopy. Cone calorimeter tests and TGA determined the influence of plant waste filler addition on thermal stability and flammability. Moreover, the semi-volatile and volatile compounds that evolved during the thermal decomposition of selected samples were identified using a steady state tube furnace and a gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometer. The intensity of the degradation reduced as a function of increasing filler content, while the yield of residue corresponded to the amount of lignin that is contained in the tested plants. Moreover, the incorporation of agricultural waste materials resulted in the formation of a char layer, which inhibits the burning process. The yield of char depended on the amount and type of the filler. The composites containing ground hazelnut shell formed swollen char that was shaped in multicellular layers, similar to intumescent fire retardants.

Using one-step method, rigid polyurethane foams were made, modified with developed fire retardant systems containing halogen-free flame retardants and nanofillers in the form of multi-walled carbon nanotubes or nanoscale titanium dioxide. The materials were subjected to a test using a cone calorimeter and smoke-generating chamber, and selected samples were further analyzed via thermogravimetry and oxygen index. Moreover, the products of thermal degradation of selected samples were identified using gas chromatography with mass spectrometer. Conducted flammability tests confirmed the presence of a synergistic effect between the used nanofillers and halogen-free flame retardants. It has been observed that the carbonized layer, the formation of which favored the presence of nanoadditives, inhibits the combustion process. Furthermore, nanofillers influenced favorably reduction in the amount and the number of occurring products of thermal degradation.

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The synergism between nanoparticles and different kinds of halogen-free fire retardants leading to reduction in flammability and smoke generation of polyethylene was investigated. The composites were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, oxygen index test, cone calorimeter measurements, and a single-chamber test. Moreover, the semivolatile and volatile compounds evolved in the thermal degradation processes of polyethylene were determined using a steady state tube furnace and gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer. Morphological and structural characteristics as well as thermomechanical properties of the composites were characterized using various techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The obtained data were compared to the results received for polyethylene and polymer with bromine-containing fire retardants. The incorporation of nanofillers and halogen-free fire retardants caused a reduction in combustibility as a consequence of the formation of char.Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticles has a beneficial effect on the inhibition of dripping. The polyethylene with carbon nanotubes, zinc borate, and aluminum hydroxide exhibited better combined properties of fire behavior and production of nontoxic smoke compared to the remaining composition and reference materials. K E Y W O R D Scombustibility, fire retardancy, nanocomposites, polyethylene, synergistic effects

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