Surface modification of magnesium hydroxide and its application in flame‐retardant oil‐extended styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene/polypropylene composites

Abstract

ABSTRACTMagnesium hydroxide (MH) was modified with triethoxysilane and polymethyl–vinyl silicone rubber and used to prepare flame‐retardant oil‐extended styrene–ethylene–butadiene–styrene (O‐SEBS)–polypropylene (PP) composites. The water contact angle of modified magnesium hydroxide (MMH) reached 141°; this indicated that MMH possessed excellent hydrophobic properties. The samples (1.6 mm) passed the UL‐94 V‐0 rating during vertical burning tests when the loading amount of MH or MMH was 70 wt %. This indicated the modification did not decrease the flame‐retardant properties of MH. The tensile strength and elongation at break values of the MMH–O‐SEBS–PP composites increased by 20.4 and 88.9%, respectively, compared with those of the MH–O‐SEBS–PP composites. The modification of MH enhanced the interfacial compatibility between the flame retardant and the matrix; thus, the mechanical performance was enhanced. Moreover, MMH was scarcely extracted after water treatment for 168 h at 70 °C. As a result, the mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the MMH–O‐SEBS–PP composites were well maintained after the water treatment. The modification of the MH endowed the O‐SEBS–PP composites with an excellent compatibility and water‐resistant performance. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47129.