Fiber and future: Unleashing the power of industrial hemp waste through epoxy composites

Abstract

Natural fiber composites offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymer composites, addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional materials. This study aims to investigate the effect of flame‐retardant additives (magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 [A] and aluminum hydroxide Al(OH)3 [B]) on hemp fiber‐based epoxy composites with a different fire retardant (FR) loading, that is, 0%, 8%, 12%, and 24%. An evaluation of flame‐retardant effectiveness on composites was carried out using thermogravimetric analysis, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 horizontal burning, morphological analysis scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and char residue analysis. The results show that introducing the flame retardants in the hemp–epoxy composites improved the thermal stability and flame retardancy of hemp–epoxy composites When composites were incorporated with flame retardants, the Horizontal burning rate was decreased, and LOI was increased. The lowest Horizontal burning rate of prepared composites was recorded as 11.6 mm/min, and the highest LOI was 25.3%. SEM shows uniform distribution of FR particles in the prepared composite. It is concluded that adding flame‐retardant additives efficiently improves the flame retardancy properties of the prepared composites.Highlights The mechanical and flammability behavior of developed composites were investigated after adding magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide to composites. An enhancement in flame retardancy and a slight reduction in mechanical properties are observed in composites. The purpose of this study is to expand the area where flame‐retardant ramie fabrics may be applied.

A simple method for preparing flame retardancy EVA/POE‐g‐MAH composites with high tensile strength by modified magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide

“…Figure 4 shows that the initial decomposition temperatures of modified and unmodified MH and ATH are basically the same, around 300 and 246 C, respectively, which is consistent with the reference. 37 Although Table 2 indicates that T 5% and T max of MH-KH570 increased to 367. This phenomenon hints that MH-KH570 and ATH-KH570 have better flame retardancy, called the "sustained release" effect.…”

Investigation of Crystallization Growth Characteristics of Mg(OH)2 Crystals under Unconstrained Conditions

“…Additionally, MgO serves as a refractory material. Compared to aluminum hydroxide, a commonly used green flame retardant, Mg(OH) 2 exhibits a higher thermal decomposition temperature and a broader range of raw material sources [13][14][15][16].…”