Abstract
ABSTRACTDetrimental physical and mechanical properties are common problems for composites when their flame retardancy is improved through filler additions. An increased interest of the synergistic nanoparticle addition to improve the flame retardancy of natural fiber composites is the aim of this work. The paper investigates the synergistic effect of two different nanoparticles (halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay) on the flame and mechanical properties in an intumescent ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-based polypropylene (PP)/kenaf composite system. First, the nature of nanoparticle dispersion in PP through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that under twin screw compounding process, the partial exfoliation and intercalation have taken place within the nanocomposites. An increase in the decomposition temperature was observed under thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), with the presence of HNT. However, MMT tends to lower the maximum decomposition temperature under inert atmosphere. The flammability analysis in an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system shows that the suitable amount of high aspect ratio nanoparticles with their exfoliation characteristics effectively helps to reduce the sustained combustion. Even though, improved stiffness properties can be observed with the presence of increased filler content, particle agglomeration tends to reduce the mechanical strengths of these composites due to low compatibilization and crack propagation.
Highlights
Natural fibers are inherently combustible in nature [1]
The paper investigates the synergistic effect of two different nanoparticles (halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay) on the flame and mechanical properties in an intumescent ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-based polypropylene (PP)/kenaf composite system
When the crystallization behavior is concerned, even though there is no change in position of the peaks of kenaf natural fiber composites (KeCs) and KeC-intumescent flame retardant (IFR) systems compared to that of PP, two additional peaks can be observed in the KeC-IFR system between 2θ = 14–16° range
Summary
The challenge is to improve the flame retardancy of these natural fiber-based polymer composites by simultaneously maintaining their mechanical properties for industrial applications [2,3,4,5]. Selection of a filler type to introduce flame retardant property to natural fiber-based polymer composites is determined by several factors that include chemical compatibility, decomposition temperature, particle size and viscosity during melting [8]. Many synergistic types of fillers including montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclays, zeolite, iron powder, sepiolite, carbon and halloysite nanotubes have been introduced in the recent past with competitive mechanical properties [14,15,16,17,18]. Natural fibers act as combustion sources, the effective use of ‘synergism’ with these filler compounds has given overwhelming results in controlling flame retardancy during the recent past [19,20]
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