Synergistic effect of aluminum hydroxide and nanoclay on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of EPDM composites

ABSTRACT The composites based on ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) with aluminum hydroxide (ATH), nanoclay, vulcanizing agent, and curing accelerator were prepared by conventional mill compounding method. The thermal stability and the flame retardant properties were evaluated by thermog...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2013-11, Vol.130 (3), p.2042-2048
Main Authors: Yen, Ynh-Yue, Wang, Hsin-Ta, Guo, Wen-Jen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alumina hydrate
Applied sciences
Blends
clay
Composites
Compounding ingredients
Density
Exact sciences and technology
Fireproof agents
flame retardance
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Materials science
Mechanical properties
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polymers
rubber
Smoke
Technology of polymers
thermosets
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Summary:ABSTRACT The composites based on ethylene–propylene–diene monomer rubber (EPDM) with aluminum hydroxide (ATH), nanoclay, vulcanizing agent, and curing accelerator were prepared by conventional mill compounding method. The thermal stability and the flame retardant properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, cone calorimeter, and smoke density chamber tests. The results indicated that the substitution of the nanoclay in the EPDM/ATH composites increased the 50% weight loss temperature and the LOI value, and reduced the peak heat release rate (pk‐HRR), the extinction coefficient (Ext Coef), the maximal smoke density (Dm), and the whole smoke at the first 4 min (VOF4) of the test specimens. The synergistic flame retardancy of the nanoclay with ATH in EPDM matrix could imply that the formation of a reinforced char/nanoclay layer during combustion prevents the diffusion of the oxygen and the decomposed organic volatiles in the flame. The mechanical properties of the composites have been increased by replacing more of the nanoclays into the EPDM/ATH blends. The best loading of the nanoclay in EPDM/ATH composites is 3 wt %, which keeps LOI in the enough value, the V‐0 rating in the UL‐94 test, and the improved mechanical properties with better dispersion and exfoliation of the nanoclays shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2042–2048, 2013
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.39394