Influence of mica mineral on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites

Abstract

In many plastic applications, improvement of the flame retardancy is a very significant topic. Polypropylene (PP) is used in many applications such as housing industry due to its cost performance efficiency. Enhancement of flame retardancy properties of PP is necessary in many applications. In this study, the investigation focuses on the synergistic effect of mica mineral and IFR in enhancing the flame retardancy properties of PP in order to achieve cost competitive solution, so as to provide that different/various ratios of IFR and mica mineral were added into PP to compose 30 wt% of the total mass of the polymeric compounds. The synergistic effect of mica mineral with IFR in PP was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), glow wire test (GWT), UL-94 test, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), and mechanical tests. The results from LOI, UL 94, and GWT tests indicated that mica added to PP/IFR compound has a synergistic flame retardancy effects with the IFR system. When the content of mica was 6 wt%, LOI value of PP compound reaches to 34.9% and becomes V-0 rating (3.2 mm) in UL 94 flammability tests and compounds pass GWT tests both at 750 and 850°C.

Preparation of Exfoliated Organo‐Montmorillonite and Its Effect on Flame Retardancy and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene

“…Therefore, it is of great significance to improve the fire resistance of PP to reduce fire hazards and guarantee people's life safety. [1][2][3][4] Numerous flame retardants (FR) have been developed for PP, mainly including bromine-based, [5,6] nitrogen-based, [7,8] phosphorous-based, [9,10] silicon-based, [11,12] and sulfur-based [13] as well as various compound elements. Halogen flame retardants represented by bromine-based FR have good compatibility with the PP material so that it will not significantly affect the mechanical properties of the material.…”

Synergistic effects of fly ash on thermal, combustion, and mechanical properties of polypropylene including intumescent flame retardant

“…Different studies have been conducted to enhance the efficacy of different IFR systems for PP by utilizing various compounds in different ratios 38–40 . Some fillers such as zinc borate, montmorillonite, expanded graphite, sepiolite, clay, calcium carbonate, nickel‐aluminum hydrotalcite, boric acid, mica, and strontium carbonate have been used to reinforce the char layer formed by IFR system, thereby enhancing the thermal/fire resistances of the composites and smoke suppression 41–50 . Furthermore, some improvements in mechanical properties were also reported with the addition of the fillers.…”

Characterization and Performance Testing of an Intumescent Nanoinhibitor for Inhibiting Coal Spontaneous Combustion

“…The addition of nanomaterials can make up for these disadvantages . Bao, Ali, and Kahraman studied the influence of different nanomaterials on IFR, and all concluded that nanomaterials and IFR have a good synergistic flame retardant effect. Nano-silica is a nanomaterial with good antioxidation properties, which can be used in the preparation of anticorrosion coatings .…”