Implementation of the MgO/epoxy nanocomposites as flame retardant

Abstract

This work aims to prepare magnesium oxide MgO nanopowder using the coprecipitation method and prepare nanocomposites by mixing MgO prepared nanopowder with epoxy resin by weight percentages (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) using hand lay up molding. These prepared chemical materials are added to many consumer products to meet fire safety codes and prevent these items from catching fire quickly. If the flame retarded material or an adjacent material has ignited, the flame retardant will slow down combustion and often prevent the fire from spreading to other items. Especially some of these chemicals can accumulate in parts of electrical equipment, cars, airplanes, and building components. Using non toxic nanofillers in polymers to achieve flame retardancy is a viable option. The prepared powder has a cubic structure, space group, and 4.2165 Å unit cell parameters according to X-ray diffraction XRD data and using Dicvol 91 indexing program. The grain size of the prepared powder was measured using Sherrer's equation to be 12.45 nm. The scanning electron microscope SEM micrograph of MgO nanopowder showed a spherical shape. The effect of MgO on flame retardancy of epoxy resin was investigated using limiting oxygen index LOI, rate of burning RB, and maximum flame height HF tests. According to the results of the three standard tests, the best flame retardancy with a strong and well intumescent char is obtained from the sample with 2 wt. % of MgO nanopowder, which has the highest LOI value of 21.95, RB value of 1.65 cm/min, and HF value of 5.44 cm. This data of using MgO nanopowder as flame retardant was valuable and necessary because it showed MgO nanopowder help prevent and slow fires of epoxy resin, therefore, protecting property and saving lives.