Effect of an intumescent flame retardant on the fracture toughness (Mode I), thermal,and flame-retardant properties of continuous glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites |
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| Authors: | Hongda Chen Aiqing Ni Anxin Ding Ziheng Sun Shouliang Tao |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China;2. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China;3. Lehrstuhl für Carbon Composites, Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), Munich, Germany |
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| Abstract: | To solve the ‘wicking actions’ caused by fibre, intumescent flame retardant (IFR) was introduced into the resin of continuous glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene (CGF/PP) composites. The influence of IFR on the properties of composites were investigated by a double cantilever beam test, thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL-94), and cone calorimetric test. The results revealed that when the content of IFR was 15 wt-%, the initial Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (GI init.) and propagation fracture toughness (GI prop.)) were enhanced by 123.2 and 70.26%, respectively, compared to composites with no IFR. The maximum weight loss rate (Tmax) was improved to various degrees. Samples could self-extinguish with an oxygen concentration of 32.4% and achieve a UL-94 V-1 rating. Furthermore, the peak of heat release rate, total heat release, fire performance index, and mass loss rate tests indicated that IFR could dramatically enhance the flame retardancy of the composites. |
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| Keywords: | Thermoplastic composites polypropylene intumescent flame retardant fracture toughness flame retardancy |
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