Enhanced mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties by combining graphene nanosheets and metal hydroxide nanorods for Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene copolymer composite

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 64; pp. 203 - 210
• Main Authors: Hong, Ningning, Zhan, Jing, Wang, Xin, Stec, Anna A., Richard Hull, T., Ge, Hua, Xing, Weiyi, Song, Lei, Hu, Yuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Layered structures; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); ABS; ABS resins; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; B. Thermal properties; Composites; Compounding ingredients; Copolymers; Exact sciences and technology; Fireproof agents; Flame retardants; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Graphene; Metal hydroxides; Nanorods; Nanostructure; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); B. Mechanical properties; B. Thermal properties; A. Layered structures; Metal Hydroxides; Dispersion reinforced material; Composite material; Property formulation relationship; Thermal stability; Iron Hydroxides oxides; ABS; Additive; Cobalt Hydroxides; Nanocomposite; Nanorod; Storage modulus; Nickel Hydroxides; Mechanical properties; Flame retardant; Experimental study; Tensile strength; Thermal properties; Bending strength; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Graphene; Flammability; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.04.015

Three metal hydroxide nanorods (MHR) with uniform diameters were synthesized, and then combined with graphene nanosheets (GNS) to prepare acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) copolymer composites. An excellent dispersion of exfoliated two-dimensional (2-D) GNS and 1-D MHR in the ABS matrix was achieved. The effects of combined GNS and MHR on the mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties of the ABS composites were investigated. With the addition of 2wt% GNS and 4wt% Co(OH)2, the tensile strength, bending strength and storage modulus of the ABS composites were increased by 45.1%, 40.5% and 42.3% respectively. The ABS/GNS/Co(OH)2 ternary composite shows the lowest maximum weight loss rate and highest residue yield. Noticeable reduction in the flammability was achieved with the addition of GNS and Co(OH)2, due to the formation of more continuous and compact charred layers that retarded the mass and heat transfer between the flame and the polymer matrix.