Polyethylene/bentonite clay nanocomposite with flame retardant properties

Abstract

In this research, nanocomposites of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with montmorillonite clay (MMT) and organoclay (OMMT) were prepared by melt intercalation, in order to examine the flame retardant effect of the obtained material. For comparison, a commercial flame retardant product (FRP) was used in the PE matrix. Grafted polyethylene with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer of the systems. HDPE and its systems were evaluated by: X-ray diffraction (XRD), and flammability (UL94HB, oxygen index (LOI) and Cone Calorimetry). The XRD patterns illustrated that probably partial intercalation and exfoliation occurred with the formation of nanocomposite and/or microcomposite. The results obtained for the oxygen index revealed that HDPE and its systems presented flame retardant properties. Through horizontal flammability tests, it was found that the presence of 1% MMT clay reduced 25% of the flammability of HDPE. By Cone Calorimetry was found that the OMMT clay with percentage of 3, 6 and 9% acted reducing the flammability of nanocomposites.

Keywords:
nanocomposite; HDPE; flame retardant; organoclay; cone calorimetry