Polypropylene fibers containing dispersed clays having improved fire performance. Part II: characterization of fibers and fabrics from PP–nanoclay blends

Abstract

In this second part of a series of studies on polypropylene (PP) fibres having improved fire performance and containing nanodispersed clays we build on the observations of the first part of this work (published in Journal of Applied Polymer Science), where the need to improve dispersion of nanoclays is the key to achieve significant improvement. This paper attempts to address this issue by reporting studies of the use of several different functionalised clays in the presence and absence of compatibilising PP copolymers and also to which the flame retardant, ammonium polyphosphate has been introduced.Compounded polymer samples have been characterised using XRD, optical and scanning electron microscopies and their melt flow indices (MFI). These compounded polymers have been successfully extruded into filaments using a single screw extruder and then knitted into fabric samples. Filament physical properties are reported together with burning behaviours of fabric samples using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and flame spread tests.

Evaluation of mechanical, morphological, and biodegradable properties of hybrid natural fiber polymer nanocomposites

“…The C@O peaks and -OH peaks slightly shifted toward higher wave numbers after addition of MMT. Overall, the FTIR results indicated successful incorporation of MMT into hybrid composites and chemical interactions between fiber, PP, and nanoclay [16]. Figure 2 shows the typical XRD patterns of composites and hybrid nanocomposites.…”

On rheology–morphology correlation of polypropylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blend nanocomposites

“…The SAXS patterns of different nanoclay-containing samples are illustrated in Figure 3. According to the literature, 22 the interlayer distances based on the Bragg's equation are 2.45 and 1.85 nm for Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B, respectively, which correspond to (001) plane. A visible shift of the characteristic signal toward low angles signifies enhanced gallery spacing related with the placement of the polymer chains between the nanoclay layers.…”

Environmentally friendly flame-retardant textiles

“…However, the processing of polymer-clay nanocomposites is challenging in terms of maintaining nano-dispersion and the infl uence of nanoparticles on rheological properties can be crucial in fi bre extrusion. Very few studies 50,60,[64][65][66][67][68][69] are reported in the literature wherein the polymer-clay nanocomposite fi bres are extruded and fl ammability properties tested on the fabrics woven/knitted from such composite fi bres. Devaux et al 70 and Horrocks et al 43 have reported on the inclusion of nanocomposite coatings.…”