Application of the Basalt Powder as a Filler for Polypropylene Composites With Improved Thermo‐Mechanical Stability and Reduced Flammability

Abstract

The influence of the basalt powder (BP) on mechanical properties as well as on thermal stability and flammability of the isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites was investigated. Thermo‐mechanical stability of the pure polypropylene and composite materials containing from 5 up to 40 wt% BP was defined in static and dynamic testing conditions with the use of the heat distortion temperature measurement, vicat softening point temperature test, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. All measurements showed, unequivocally, a significant improvement of thermo‐mechanical stability of the composite materials which was directly related to an increasing amount of inorganic filler. A research conducted on the mechanical properties revealed that stiffness and hardness of polypropylene‐based composites was affected by the addition of the filler, leading to a strong increase of both mechanical parameters. Moreover, the application of thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry measurements allowed to determine the composites with highest thermal stability, which was dependent on the concentration of the filler. Changes observed in the polypropylene‐based composites properties were related to an increase of thermal diffusivity caused by presence of the BP measured by modified Angstrom method. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E71–E79, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers