Abstract
Abstract Effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on flame retardation as well as thermal stabilization efficiency of two phosphorus-containing flame retardant systems i.e., ammonium polyphosphate/pentaerythritol (APP/PER) and red phosphorus (RP) in polypropylene (PP) have been investigated. Limiting oxygen index, thermo-gravimetric analysis, melt flow index, and tensile tests have been performed in this study. Moreover, the structure of the nanocomposites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images revealed good dispersion of fillers in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, it was shown that the addition of MWNTs alone at a minimum loading level of 4 wt% improves thermal stability of PP considerably without any undesirable effect on its flow-ability and mechanical properties. Moreover, addition of MWNTs alone resulted in a slight improvement of flammability of the polymer. However, comparison between thermal stability and flame retardancy of PP samples containing a combination of MWNTs and APP/PER or RP and those of the samples containing APP/PER or RP alone proved that MWNTs interfere with thermal stabilization and flame retardation efficiency of both APP/PER and RP in the polymer.
Highlights
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used polyolefins and has a broad range of applications such as automotive parts, cables, electronics, and architectural materials
Flammability measurements The flammability was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements
Polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) nanocomposite samples were prepared with good dispersion of the nanotubes
Summary
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most widely used polyolefins and has a broad range of applications such as automotive parts, cables, electronics, and architectural materials. Combustibility and melt dripping during its burning are two disadvantages for this commodity polymer. It is necessary to incorporate some flame retardant into PP for the applications where the product is subjected to the fire hazard. Among commercial flame retardants used for PP, halogen-containing flame retardants have a pronounced flame retardation activity. They produce large amounts of smoke and corrosive and irritating gases on burning and their use in some applications is being restricted [1,2]. It is worthwhile to investigate on halogen-free flame retardancy of PP composites containing two different phosphorus-containing flame retardant systems, including ammonium polyphosphate/pentaerythritol (APP/ PER) and red phosphorus (RP) with different levels of loading which have been studied
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