Abstract
Carbon based fillers have attracted a great deal of interest in polymer composites because of their ability to beneficially alter properties at low filler concentration, good interfacial bonding with polymer, availability in different forms, etc. The property alteration of polymer composites makes them versatile for applications in various fields, such as constructions, microelectronics, biomedical, and so on. Devastations due to building fire stress the importance of flame-retardant polymer composites, since they are directly related to human life conservation and safety. Thus, in this review, the significance of carbon-based flame-retardants for polymers is introduced. The effects of a wide variety of carbon-based material addition (such as fullerene, CNTs, graphene, graphite, and so on) on reaction-to-fire of the polymer composites are reviewed and the focus is dedicated to biochar-based reinforcements for use in flame retardant polymer composites. Additionally, the most widely used flammability measuring techniques for polymeric composites are presented. Finally, the key factors and different methods that are used for property enhancement are concluded and the scope for future work is discussed.
Highlights
In the forwarded note of World Health Organization (WHO), it is mentioned that burns constitute a major public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where over 95% of all burnPolymers 2020, 12, 1518; doi:10.3390/polym12071518 www.mdpi.com/journal/polymersPolymers 2020, 12, 1518 deaths occur
Carbon and its family materials are employed in numerous applications owing to their inherent advantages, such as porosity, high strength and stiffness, conductivity, etc., and the family is comprised of carbon black, biochar or single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and so on
The reduction in the flammability of the polymer composite is primarily due to the formation of network structure layer on the burning surface and, as compared to nanoclays fire retardants (FRs), this layer is effectively formed while using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [7]
Summary
In the forwarded note of World Health Organization (WHO), it is mentioned that burns constitute a major public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where over 95% of all burn. The development of safer buildings and appliances is one of the reasons for low death rate in high-income countries Nowadays, polymers and their composite products are ubiquitous in numerous fields in day-to-day life, such as microelectronics, construction, furniture, automotive, packaging, etc. The release of combustible gases, which mixes with atmospheric air, together promote the vigorous burning of substrate and the consequent decomposition of materials. This burn initiation (ignition) depends on flash point and auto-ignition of the material. Common polymers like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) have LOI ranging between 17 to 19% This means that the aforementioned materials require 17 to 19% of oxygen concentration for complete material combustion process in 3 min. It is envisaged that this review will provide a summative information regarding the flammability properties of carbon-based polymeric composites, aiding researchers to gain insight into the efficacy of particular carbon-based additives
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