Flame retardance and mechanical properties of a polyamide 6/polyethylene/surface-modified metal hydroxide ternary composite via a master-batch method

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 117; no. 6; pp. 3370 - 3378
• Main Authors: Liu, Shu-Mei, Huang, Jun-Yi, Jiang, Zhi-Jie, Zhang, Chen, Zhao, Jian-Qing, Chen, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.09.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Alumina hydrate; Applied sciences; Combustion; Composites; Compounding ingredients; Dispersions; Exact sciences and technology; Fireproof agents; flame retardance; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polyamide resins; polyamides; polyethylene (PE); Polyethylenes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Ratings; Reproduction; Technology of polymers; Thermogravimetric analysis; polyethylene (PE); Organic siloxane; Compatibilizer; Composite material; Heterogeneous mixture; Thermal stability; Additive; polyamides; Aliphatic polymer; Olefin polymer; Magnesium hydroxide; Aluminium hydroxide; Polyethylene; Polymer blends; Mechanical properties; Flame retardant; Experimental study; Oxygen index; Functional polymer; Surface treatment; Thermal properties; Amide 6 polymer; flame retardance; dispersions; Morphology; Linear low density ethylene polymer
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.32086

Surface-modified aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide mixtures (SAMHs) were filled with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE) compatibilizer to produce a SAMH master batch, which was then dispersed in polyamide 6 (PA6) to yield a PA6/PE/SAMH (50/20/30 by weight ratio) ternary composite. Through such a master-batch method, an effective flame retardance UL94 V-0 rating at a 3.2 mm thickness with a 33% limiting oxygen index was achieved. The flame-retardance mechanism of the ternary composite was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. A cocontinuous PA6/PE polymer host and a preferential dispersion of SAMH particles in the matrix induced the formation of a compact flame-resistant char layer and a high residue rate during burning; this resulted in the desired flame retardance of the ternary composite.