The effects of b-cyclodextrin containing silicone oligomer(CDS), as a synergistic agent, on the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites were studied by adding different amounts of CDS in intumescent flame retardants. The limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to evaluate the synergistic effects of CDS in the composites. It was found that after a little amount of CDS partially replaced a charring-foaming agent (CFA) in IFR, LOI values of the composites were enhanced and they obtained a UL-94 V-0 rating. IFR system containing 6.25wt% CDS presented the best flame retardancy in PP. The experimental results obtained from LOI and UL-94, TGA, SEM, and mechanical properties indicated that the combination of CDS and CFA presents synergistic effects in flame retardancy, char formation, and mechanical properties of the composites. This is probably due to different structures of polyhydroxyl macromolecules (CDS and CFA), the existence of dimethyl silicone group in CDS, and the toughness of epoxy silicon chain in CDS. SEM results proved that the interfacial compatibility between IFR and PP was improved by CDS

ABSTRACT:The electron-beam preirradiation and reactive extrusion technologies were used to prepare maleic anhydride (MAH)/vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS)-co-grafting polypropylene (PP) as a high-performance compatibilizer for wood-flour/PP composites. The grafting content, chemical structure, and crystallization behavior of the compatibilizers were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and an extraction method. The effects of the compatibilizers on the mechanical properties, water absorption, morphological structure, and torque rheological behavior of the composites were investigated comparatively. The experimental results demonstrate that MAH/VTMS-g-PP markedly enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Compared with MAH-g-PP and VTMS-g-PP, MAH/VTMS-g-PP clearly showed synergistic effects on the increasing mechanical properties, water absorption, and compatibility of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed that the adhesion and dispersion of wood flours in the composites were effectively improved by MAH/ VTMS-g-PP. These results were also proven by the best water resistance of the wood-flour/PP composites with MAH/VTMS-g-PP.