Boosting Flame Retardancy of Polypropylene/Calcium Carbonate Composites with Inorganic Flame Retardants

This study investigates the effects of inorganic flame retardants, zinc borate, and magnesium hydroxide, on the thermal, morphological, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/calcium carbonate composites for potential construction industry applications. Polypropylene/calci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2024-09, Vol.17 (18), p.4553
Main Authors: Mapossa, Antonio Benjamim, Dos Anjos, Erick Gabriel Ribeiro, Sundararaj, Uttandaraman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addition polymerization
Barriers
Calcium carbonate
Char formation
Clothing industry
Composite materials
Compressive strength
Construction industry
Fireproofing agents
Flame retardants
Flammability
Heat transmission
Impact strength
Industrial applications
Magnesium hydroxide
Mechanical properties
Morphology
Nitrogen
Polymer matrix composites
Polymers
Polyolefins
Polypropylene
Pressure molding
Propylene
Scanning electron microscopy
Slaked lime
Synergistic effect
Temperature
Termites
Thermal stability
Toxicity
Zinc borate
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Summary:This study investigates the effects of inorganic flame retardants, zinc borate, and magnesium hydroxide, on the thermal, morphological, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/calcium carbonate composites for potential construction industry applications. Polypropylene/calcium carbonate (50 wt.%) composites containing 5 and 10 wt.% flame retardants were prepared using a batch mixer, followed by compression moulding. The results demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, with the highest char residue reaching 47.2% for polypropylene/calcium carbonate/zinc borate (10 wt.%)/magnesium hydroxide (10 wt.%) composite, a notably strong outcome. Additionally, the composite exhibited an elevated limited oxygen index (LOI) of 29.4%, indicating a synergistic effect between zinc borate and magnesium hydroxide. The proposed flame retardancy mechanism suggests that the flammability performance is driven by the interaction between the flame retardants within the polypropylene/calcium carbonate matrix. Magnesium hydroxide contributes to smoke suppression by releasing water, while zinc borate forms a protective glassy foam that covers the burning surface, promoting char formation and acting as a physical barrier to heat transmission and fire spread. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed good dispersion of the additives alongside calcium carbonate within the polymer matrix. Despite the addition of up to 10 wt.% flame retardants, the composites maintained high-notched impact strength.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma17184553