Influence of Al(OH)₃ nanoparticles on the mechanical and fire resistance properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Abstract

One of the drawbacks of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is its flammability. This limits its use in many areas, particularly in constructions. Although there are several fire retardants commercially available, certain disadvantages remain. Introduction of fire retardants into PMMA can change the mechanical properties and transparency can be significantly reduced. Our attention in this study was focused on aluminium trihydroxide (ATH) nanoparticles as the filler for PMMA. To achieve better compatibility and avoid the agglomeration of nanoparticles, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate was used as a co‐monomer for nanocomposite preparation. The characteristics of sheets made with ATH nanoparticles were compared to standard PMMA sheets prepared without additives. Better thermal properties and impact hardness were observed, the speed of burning was significantly lower, while complete transparency of the material was retained. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1659–1666, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Addition of Al(OH)3 versus AlO(OH) nanoparticles on the optical, thermo-mechanical and heat/oxygen transmission properties of microfibrillated cellulose films

“…33-0018), respectively. On the other hand, weak broad peaks between 10°and 30°, characteristic for the boehmite (AlO(OH)), and the two sharp reflections at around 37°and 44°with a small shoulder at around 66°, characteristic for bayerite (Al 2 O 3 ), were indicated for the AMH particles, as already confirmed by our previous study (Bunderšek 2015;Bunderšek et al 2016). The difference in the crystalline structure is supported by the elemental compositions (Table 1), that confirmed the presence of different weight mass of oxygen and aluminum, as well as the formation of hybrid structures with different O/Al ratios (i.e.…”

“…Aluminum monohydroxide (AMH, AlO(OH)) particles were prepared by the sol-gel procedure according to our previous study (Bunderšek et al 2016). Briefly, aluminum isopropoxide (Al(O-i-Pr) 3 ) was added to 2-propanol as a carrier mediium and stirred.…”

Addition of Al(OH)3 vs. AlO(OH) nanoparticles on the optical, thermo-mechanical and heat/oxygen transmission properties of microfibrillated cellulose films

“…33 − 0018), respectively. On the other hand, weak broad peaks between 10° and 30°, characteristic of the boehmite (AlO(OH), and the two sharp re ections at around 37°a nd 44° with small shoulder at around 66° characteristic for bayerite (Al 2 O 3 ), were indicated for ATHp particles, as already con rmed by our previous study (Bunderšek 2015;Bunderšek et al 2016). The difference in the crystalline structure is supported by the elemental compositions (Table 1), that con rmed the presence of different weight mass of oxygen and aluminum, as well as the formation of hybrid structures with different O/Al ratios (1.27 for ATH20p and 1.90 for ATH40w).…”

“…Propanol based ATH nanoparticles (AlO(OH) -ATHp) were prepared by the sol-gel procedure according to our previous study (Bunderšek et al 2016). Brie y, aluminum isopropoxide (Al(O-i-Pr) 3 ) was added to 2-propanol as a carrier media and stirred.…”

Continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites: influence of processing on fire retardant properties

“…The best forming process being designed (process 3) and the composite containing 20 phr of OP930 exhibiting the best results in the cone calorimeter test, we focused on improving the fire performance of this composite by considering three options: adding ATH, which has been shown to improve the fire retardant properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) or also known as PMMA, an acrylate polymer of the same family as that investigated during this work ; addition of 2 phr of dibutylmaleate (DBMA), a cross‐linking agent, to improve the thermal stability as previously reported in the literature for a similar polymer and cross‐linking agent PMMA/2 phr of divinylbenzene) ; and after manufacturing, heating of the processed samples to 200 °C for 30 min to complete the polymerization reaction. …”