Intumescent char structures and flame-retardant mechanism of expandable graphite-based halogen-free flame-retardant linear low density polyethylene blends

Preparation of Mn2+ Doped Piperazine Phosphate as a Char-Forming Agent for Improving the Fire Safety of Polypropylene/Ammonium Polyphosphate Composites

A piperazine phosphate doped with Mn2+ (HP-Mn), as a new char-forming agent for intumescent flame retardant systems (IFR), was designed and synthesized using 1-hydroxy ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, piperazine, and manganese acetate tetrahydrate as raw materials. The effect of HP-Mn and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on the fire safety and thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) was investigated. The results showed that the combined incorporation of 25 wt.% APP/HP-Mn at a ratio of 1:1 endowed the flame retardant PP (PP6) composite with the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 30.7% and UL-94 V-0 rating. In comparison with the pure PP, the peak heat release rate (PHRR), the total heat release (THR), and the smoke production rate (PSPR) of the PP6 were reduced by 74%, 30%, and 70%, respectively. SEM and Raman analysis of the char residues demonstrated that the Mn2+ displayed a catalytic cross-linking charring ability to form a continuous and compact carbon layer with a high degree of graphitization, which can effectively improve the flame retardancy of PP/APP composites. A possible flame-retardant mechanism was proposed to reveal the synergistic effect between APP and HP-Mn.

Halloysite Nanotubes and Silane-Treated Alumina Trihydrate Hybrid Flame Retardant System for High-Performance Cable Insulation

The effect of the presence of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and silane-treated alumina trihydrate (ATH-sil) nanofillers on the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardancy properties of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blends was investigated. Different weight percentages of HNT and ATH-sil nanoparticles, as well as the hybrid system of those nanofillers, were melt mixed with the polymer blend (reference sample) using a twin-screw extruder. The morphology of the nanoparticles and polymer compositions was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties, hardness, water absorption, and melt flow index (MFI) of the compositions were assessed. The tensile strength increases as a function of the amount of HNT nanofiller; however, the elongation at break decreases. In the case of the hybrid system of nanofillers, the compositions showed superior mechanical properties. The thermal properties of the reference sample and those of the corresponding sample with nanofiller blends were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Two peaks were observed in the melting and crystallization temperatures. This shows that the EVA/LDPE is an immiscible polymer blend. The thermal stability of the blends was improved by the presence of HNTs and ATH-sil nanoparticles. Thermal degradation temperatures were shifted to higher values by the presence of hybrid nanofillers. Finally, the flammability of the compositions was assessed. Flammability as reflected by the limiting oxygen index (OI) was increased by the presence of HNT and ATH-sil nanofiller and a hybrid system of the nanoparticles.

Preparation of expandable graphite via ozone-hydrothermal process and flame-retardant properties of high-density polyethylene composites

This work presented the ozone (O3)-hydrothermal process to prepare expandable graphite (EG), which is one kind of halogen-free flame retardant. The results showed the expanded volume of EG using the O3-hydrothermal process (O3-HEG), which is higher than those compared with convectional liquid phase synthesis, ultrasound irradiation, and hydrothermal method. Raman spectra and energy dispersive x-ray were used to analyze the structure and confirm that the EG had been prepared. Scanning electron microscope was utilized to observe the morphology of EG and expanded graphite. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that EG can slowdown thermal degradation of polymer and improve the thermal stability of composites. Limiting oxygen index value of composites with 40 wt% loading of O3-HEG is 33, which is higher than that of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/natural graphite composite. HDPE composites-containing 30 wt % O3-HEG is capable of passing the V-0 classification and has an anti-dripping behavior.

Mechanical behavior of solid and foamed polyester/expanded graphite nanocomposites

Poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)- PEN is a thermoplastic polyester characterized by a high glass transition temperature (125°C), comparable to that of polyetheretherketone (143°C), but with a significantly lower melting temperature (265°C). Its physical and chemical properties are very promising for applications in transport industry and aeronautics. Nanocomposite matrices based on PEN and expanded graphite were developed to be used as matrix for foams. Expanded graphite was melt blended with the polymer by means of extrusion process and its effects on the foaming properties were investigated through solid state foaming process. Graphite nanoparticles increased the crystallization kinetics of the polymer, inducing the formation of small crystals but lowering the total amount of crystalline phase. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed a good dispersion of the nanofiller but some aggregates were still present, as also confirmed by graphite peak in the X-ray diffraction patterns of all nanocomposites. The elastic modulus of nanocomposites with amorphous matrix increased with respect to the neat amorphous PEN, while the modulus of crystallized nanocomposites decreased. Nanocomposite foams were successfully prepared, and an higher cell density was obtained when compared to the neat PEN. In the latter case, a strong increase in both yield and strain at break was measured. Furthermore, the elastic modulus and compressive yield stress of foamed PEN nanocomposites increased with the expanded graphite.

Surface Reactions of Molecular and Atomic Oxygen with Carbon Phosphide Films

The surface reactions of atomic and molecular oxygen with carbon phosphide films have been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Carbon phosphide films were produced by ion implantation of trimethylphosphine into polyethylene. Atmospheric oxidation of carbon phosphide films was dominated by phosphorus oxidation and generated a carbon-containing phosphate surface film. This oxidized surface layer acted as an effective diffusion barrier, limiting the depth of phosphorus oxidation within the carbon phosphide film to < 3 nm. The effect of atomic oxygen (AO) exposure on this oxidized carbon phosphide layer was subsequently probed in situ using XPS. Initially AO exposure resulted in a loss of carbon atoms from the surface, but increased the surface concentration of phosphorus atoms as well as the degree of phosphorus oxidation. For more prolonged AO exposures, a highly oxidized phosphate surface layer formed that appeared to be inert toward further AO-mediated erosion. By utilizing phosphorus-containing hydrocarbon thin films, the phosphorus oxides produced during exposure to AO were found to desorb at temperatures >500 K under vacuum conditions. Results from this study suggest that carbon phosphide films can be used as AO-resistant surface coatings on polymers.