Abstract
In this study, the thermal stability and combustion performance of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene (BFRPP) composite and pure polypropylene (PP) were compared. The results show that the basalt fiber has no positive effect on increasing the initial decomposition temperature of PP, but it could reduce the maximum thermal decomposition rate and increase the temperature of the maximum thermal decomposition rate. Adding basalt fiber to PP could slightly reduce the limiting oxygen index. At the same oxygen concentration, the BFRPP burned significantly more slowly than the PP. In addition, during the combustion, it was observed that the BFRPP showed a better anti-melt dripping effect than the PP. The results from the cone calorimeter test show that, under the same external heat flux, the time-to-ignition (TTI) of BFRPP was less than that of PP. This indicated that BFRPP was easier to ignite than PP. It was also found that the reciprocal of the square root of the TTI of both has a linear relationship with external heat flux. BFRPP has a lower peak heat release rate and total heat release than PP. Moreover, BFRPP produced less smoke than PP when burned.
Highlights
Basalt fiber has good strength and stiffness at high temperature, good acid and alkali chemical corrosion resistance, and its production process is environmentally friendly [1,2]
Combustion characteristics refer to all physical and chemical changes occurring during the combustion of materials, which can be measured by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), heat release, smoke, mass loss, carbonization and other indicators
The limiting oxygen index (LOI) test showed that the LOI value of basalt fiber reinforced polypropylene (BFRPP) was 18.6, which was lower than the 19.1 of pure PP
Summary
Basalt fiber has good strength and stiffness at high temperature, good acid and alkali chemical corrosion resistance, and its production process is environmentally friendly [1,2]. There has been a recent increase in the use of basalt fiber as a reinforcement in the manufacture of lightweight, low-cost polypropylene (PP) matrix composites for a wide range of applications in the petrochemical, civil engineering and transportation industries [3,4]. The threat of fire is inevitable; better fire resistance of materials is necessary because it could reduce casualties and property damage. Understanding the combustion characteristics of basalt fiber-reinforced polypropylene (BFRPP) composite is crucial. Combustion characteristics refer to all physical and chemical changes occurring during the combustion of materials, which can be measured by the limiting oxygen index (LOI), heat release, smoke, mass loss, carbonization and other indicators. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetric test (CCT) are commonly used to evaluate the combustion characteristics of a material
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