Effect of Flame Retardant on the Combustion Behavior of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) — Melamine-Formaldehyde-Polyester Nonwoven Fabric Composites

Abstract

Composites were fabricated by impregnating needle punched polyester nonwoven fabric in the latex composition containing PVAc/MF (90/10) blend. Different amounts of flame retarardant (FR) were incorporated into PVAc latex blend viz., 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 dry, weight-by-weight. The selected FR was a synergistic FR system containing antimony trioxide and brominated organic additive. The effects of different amounts of FR in PVAc/MF latex blend on physico-mechanical properties like tensile strength, percentage elongation, specific tensile strength, and reinforcement factor of the composites have been studied. The combustion behavior of the composites has been studied using the cone calorimeter. The combustion studies revealed that the incorporation of FR significantly lowered the percentage mass loss and heat release rate of the composites. A linear relationship was found between the total oxygen consumed and peak heat release rate. From the results, it can be observed that the rate of heat release, peak heat release rate, and the total oxygen consumed by the composites have been significantly reduced with increase in the FR. The total smoke production and smoke release rate of the composites have been increased with increase in the FR. The arbitrary scale developed by Petrella was discussed to assess the hazard of composites.