Abstract

Mohammad Shahvazian* and Mohammad Reza Seyedmir

Effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on flame retardation as well as thermal stabilization efficiency of two phosphorus-containing flame retardant systems i.e. ammonium polyphosphate/pentaerythritol (APP/PER) and red phosphorus (RP) in polypropylene (PP) have been investigated. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow index (MFI) and tensile tests have been performed in this study. It was shown that the addition of MWNTs alone at a minimum loading level of 4 wt% improves thermal stability of PP considerably without any undesirable effect on its flow-ability and mechanical properties. Furthermore, addition of MWNTs alone resulted in a slight improvement of flammability of the polymer. However, comparison between thermal stability and flame retardancy of PP samples containing a combination of MWNTs and APP/PER or RP with those of the samples containing APP/PER or RP alone proved that MWNTs interfere with thermal stabilization and flame retardation efficiency of both APP/PER and RP in the polymer.

Polypropylene; Ammonium polyphosphate/pentaerythritol; Red Phosphorus; Multi-walled carbon nanotube

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