Development of an ABS Nanocomposite Material and Its Application to a Fire-Resistant Glazing System - Part I: Development of an ABS Nanocomposite Material

Abstract

This study is focused on the development of a curtain-wall-type fire-resistant glazing system to contribute to both energy efficiency and fire safety of a building. The weakness of the aluminum frame on thermal insulation was supplemented by an ABS nanocomposite material with a superior thermal insulation performance. It contained (i) a maleic-anhydride-grafted ABS to improve the dispersion of clay, (ii) nanoscale clay, and (iii) intumescent material to retard the combustion on the exposed surface of the polymer. A series of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, LFA, and cone calorimetry tests were carried out to analyze the degree of improvement in flame retardancy and optimize the compound ratio. In Part II (the authors’ companion paper), the ABS nanocomposite material based on the optimized compound ratio was scaled up for application to a fire-resistant glazing system in industries. Bench- and full-scale tests were performed to confirm the system’s performances in terms of both thermal resistance and insulation.