Effect of polyphenylsilsesquioxane on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite

Polyphenylsilsesquioxane (PPSQ) microspheres with ladder structure synthesized in the laboratory have been incorporated into ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composite in order to study the effect of PPSQ on the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM composites. The results showed that PPSQ microspheres serve as an effective ablative additive and flame retardant for EPDM composites. Thus, PPSQ greatly improved the ablative properties of EPDM composites, with a 4.8 wt% loading leading to a remarkable reduction in the linear ablation rate of EPDM by about 50%. Moreover, this loading of PPSQ improved the flame retardancy and smoke suppression, and significantly reduced the PHRR of EPDM composite from 504 kW/m² to 278 kW/m². Moderate tensile strength could be obtained and the breaking elongation was improved for the EPDM/PPSQ composites. TGA results showed that PPSQ had little influence on the thermal decomposition of EPDM. SEM, CONE, and TG-FTIR tests showed that the char structure of EPDM composites was the primary factor through which PPSQ affected the ablative and flame-retardation properties of EPDM. The chars formed during the ablation of EPDM composites containing PPSQ had better structural stability and thermal stability, owing to the fact that they were denser, remained intact, and had an ordered arrangement of holes.     

硅倍半氧烷改性聚酰亚胺(PI/Si)复合膜性能简

通过在聚酰亚胺(PI)中分别添加笼型八氨基苯基硅倍半氧烷(OAPS)、笼型八苯基硅倍半氧烷(OPS)、梯形聚苯基硅倍半氧烷(PPSQ)和无机纳米SiO2,制备了4种含硅聚酰亚胺(PI/Si)复合膜. 对PI/Si复合膜的相容性、力学性能、热性能和阻燃性能进行了研究. 结果表明,OAPS与PI间展现出较好的相容性,PPSQ次之,而OPS,SiO2与PI的相容性较差;但相容性与复合膜的力学和热性能无明显的对应关系. SiO2可提高PI的力学性能;PI/OAPS复合膜的Tg最高;OAPS,PPSQ或SiO2的加入使PI复合膜的热稳定性稍有提高,而少量OPS的加入大大降低PI膜的热稳定性. 这类PI/Si复合膜的显著特点是能够大幅提高PI膜的极限氧指数,含硅化合物能够增加PI燃烧后残炭量,使残炭的形貌得到显著改善. PI/Si复合膜在燃烧过程中在表面形成一层白色含硅包裹层,起到隔热隔氧及保护内层有机物不被燃烧的作用. 硅倍半氧烷对炭层形貌的改善显著,展现出比SiO2更好的阻燃性能.     

硅倍半氧烷改性聚酰亚胺(PI/Si)复合膜性能

通过在聚酰亚胺(PI)中分别添加笼型八氨基苯基硅倍半氧烷(OAPS)、 笼型八苯基硅倍半氧烷(OPS)、 梯形聚苯基硅倍半氧烷(PPSQ)和无机纳米SiO₂, 制备了4种含硅聚酰亚胺(PI/Si)复合膜. 对PI/Si复合膜的相容性、 力学性能、 热性能和阻燃性能进行了研究. 结果表明, OAPS与PI间展现出较好的相容性, PPSQ次之, 而OPS, SiO₂与PI的相容性较差; 但相容性与复合膜的力学和热性能无明显的对应关系. SiO₂可提高PI的力学性能; PI/OAPS复合膜的T_g最高; OAPS, PPSQ或SiO₂的加入使PI复合膜的热稳定性稍有提高, 而少量OPS的加入大大降低PI膜的热稳定性. 这类PI/Si复合膜的显著特点是能够大幅提高PI膜的极限氧指数, 含硅化合物能够增加PI燃烧后残炭量, 使残炭的形貌得到显著改善. PI/Si复合膜在燃烧过程中在表面形成一层白色含硅包裹层, 起到隔热隔氧及保护内层有机物不被燃烧的作用. 硅倍半氧烷对炭层形貌的改善显著, 展现出比SiO₂更好的阻燃性能.     

Miscibility of polystyrene (PS)/polyphenylsilsesquioxane (PPSQ) blends

PS/PPSQ blends with different compositions were prepared by two methods: (1) casting film of PS/PPSQ from the solution of two polymers, and (2) PS/PPSQ blends by in situ polymerization. After studying by solid-state NMR, PS and PPSQ in the casting films are miscible on the scale of several thousand nanometers. Miscibility of PS/PPSQ blends obtained by the second approach was investigated by DMA, SEM, x-ray energy spectrometer, x-ray diffraction, and fluorescence techniques. Only one glass transition temperature could be observed in their DMA curves. There are two phases observable in their SEM micrographs. X-ray diffraction patterns and fluorescence excited spectra of this blend indicate that there is some interaction between molecules of PS and PPSQ in both the continuous phase and dispersed phase. PS and PPSQ in the in situ blends are partially miscible when the percentage of PPSQ is not more than 10%. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

乳液聚合法制备P(St/BA)-KAl(OH)2CO3纳米复合物

利用乳液聚合法制备了一种含KAl(OH)2CO3纳米粒子的聚苯乙烯／丙烯酸丁酯复合物．Zeta电位、粒径分布、扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)等分析表明KAl(OH)2CO3粒子能够稳定地分散于苯丙乳液的乳胶粒中,形成核一壳结构．热失重(TG)分析表明KAl(OH)2CO3粒子的加入能提高复合物的热稳定性,使其在阻燃涂料领域有着潜在的应用前景．     

Mechanical properties and morphological structures of short glass fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composite

The mechanical properties and crystal morphological structures of short glass fiber (SGF) reinforced dynamically photo-irradiated polypropylene (PP)/ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) composites were studied by mechanical tests, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The mechanical properties of PP/EPDM composites, especially the tensile strength were greatly strengthened by dynamically photo-irradiation and the incorporation of SGF. The results from the WAXD, SEM, DSC, and TGA measurements reveal: (i) the formation of β-type crystal of PP in the PP/EPDM/SGF composite; (ii) the fiber length in dynamically photo-irradiated PP/EPDM/SGF composites are general longer than that in corresponding unirradiated samples. The size of EPDM phase in the photo-irradiated composites reduces obviously whereas the droplet number increases; (iii) photo-irradiation improves the interface adhesion between SGF and polymer matrix; (iv) the melting and crystallization temperatures of the photo-irradiated composites are not affected greatly by increasing the SGF content; (v) the thermal analysis results show that the incorporation of SGF into PP/EPDM plays an important role for increasing its thermal stability.     

The influence of KH-550 on properties of ammonium polyphosphate and polypropylene flame retardant composites

Ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by melt blending and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder. APP was first modified by a silane coupling agent KH-550 then added to polypropylene. The surface modification of APP by the coupling agent decreased its water solubility and its interface compatibility with the PP matrix. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the flame retardant property and the thermal stability of the composites. The addition of APP improved the flame retardancy of PP remarkably. The crystal structures of APP/PP composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that β-crystal phase PP may be formed. The structures and morphologies of APP, KH-550/APP and APP/PP composites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The mechanical property tests showed good mechanical properties of composite materials. Compared with unmodified one, the impact strength, tensile strength and elongation of modified APP/PP were all improved.     

Poly(dimethylsiloxane)/palygorskite composites: preparation,characterization, and properties

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) composites were prepared by simple blending process using palygorskite (PG) or modified palygorskite (MP). This study has been designed to determine the influences of PG or MP on the thermal stability and the mechanical properties of PDMS composites. The thermal stability of PG and MP were also studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that MP had the similar thermal stability to PG, and PG or MP not only increased the thermal stability but also improved the mechanical properties of PDMS composites. Meanwhile, compared with PG/PDMS composites, MP/PDMS composites had better thermal stability and mechanical properties owing to the better dispersion of MP into the matrix, the stronger chemical interfacial interaction between MP and the matrix. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphology and thermal properties of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polybutadiene nanocomposites prepared by anionic polymerization

The morphology and thermal properties of Allylisobutyl Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)/Polybutadiene (PB) nanocomposites prepared through anionic polymerization technique were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of XRD, SEM and TEM showed that the aggregation of POSS in PB matrix occurred obviously, forming crystalline domains and the size of POSS particles increased with increasing POSS content. The DSC and TGA results indicated that the glass transition temperature (T _g) of the nanocomposites was significantly increased and the maximum degradation temperature (T _dmax) of nanocomposites was slightly increased compared with pure PB, implying an increase in thermal stability.     

Preparation and properties of graphene oxide nanosheets/cyanate ester resin composites

Graphene oxide nanosheets (GONSs)/cyanate ester (CE) resin composites were prepared via a solution intercalation method. The structures of the GONSs and the composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical and tribological properties of the composites were investigated. In addition, the thermal behavior of the composites was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results show that the GONSs/CE resin composites were successfully prepared. The addition of GONSs is beneficial to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. Moreover, the composites exhibit better thermal stability in comparison with the CE resin matrix.     

部分水解聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/氢氧化钙复合物对硬质聚氯乙烯热稳定性与透明性及塑化行为的影响

采用溶液沉淀法制备了部分水解的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(h-PMMA)/氢氧化钙(Ca(OH)2)复合物.采用X-射线衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(FTIR)、等离子体发射光谱和差示扫描量热表征了h-PMMA/Ca(OH)2复合物的组成与结构;采用刚果红测试、动态热稳定测试和热失重分析(TGA)研究了复合物对聚氯乙烯(PVC)的热稳定效果;通过紫外-可见(UV-Vis)光谱、扫描电镜(SEM)照片和熔融塑化曲线研究了复合物对PVC透明性和塑化行为的影响.结果表明,在Ca(OH)2晶体生长过程中,h-PMMA通过—COO-/Ca2+离子配位作用吸附于Ca(OH)2表面,不仅限制了Ca(OH)2粒子尺寸,且有助于Ca(OH)2在PVC中均匀分散.所得h-PMMA/Ca(OH)2复合物在显著提高PVC热稳定性和塑化能力的同时,还使PVC保持透明性.     

Evaluation of Thermal Properties of Composites Prepared from Pistachio Shell Particles Treated Chemically and Polypropylene

The purpose of the present work was to prepare polypropylene (PP) matrix composited filled with chemically treated pistachio shell particles (PTx), and evaluate their effect on the composites’ thermal properties. PP-PTx composites were formulated in different PTx content (from 2 to 10 phr) in a mixing chamber, using the melt-mixing process. The PTx were chemically treated using a NaOH solution and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the treatment of pistachio shell particles resulted in the remotion of lignin and hemicellulose. The thermal stability was evaluated by means of TGA, where the presence of PTx in composites showed a positive effect compared with PP pristine. Thermal properties such as crystallization temperature (Tc), crystallization enthalpy (∆Hc), melting temperature (Tm) and crystallinity were determinate by means differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); these results suggest that the PTx had a nucleation effect on the PP matrix, increasing their crystallinity. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that stiffness of the composites increase compared with that PP pristine, as well as the storage modulus, and the best results were found at a PTx concentration of 4 phr. At higher concentrations, the positive effect decreased; however, they were better than the reference PP.     

Synthesis of a novel hybrid synergistic flame retardant and its application in PP/IFR

A novel inorganic-organic hybrid synergistic flame retardant was prepared by sol-gel reaction and characterized by NMR and FT-IR. It showed that the fire resistance of polypropylene/intumescent flame retardant (PP/IFR) composites could be improved with the combination of hybrid synergistic flame retardant. The char morphology and structure of PP composites were characterized by SEM and Raman spectra. The influence of the hybrid flame retardant on the thermal degradation process of PP composites was analyzed by FT-IR and the rheological behavior of the PP composites was also evaluated. The thermal stability of PP composites was characterized by TGA, weight loss difference and integral procedural decomposition temperature (IPDT). It indicated that the hybrid synergistic flame retardant had good synergistic effect with IFR.     

Accelerated weathering of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

In this paper, combined moisture/ultraviolet (UV) weathering performance of unbleached and bleached Kraft wood fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites was studied. Composites containing 40 wt% fibre with 3 wt% of a maleated polypropylene (MAPP) coupling agent were fabricated using extrusion followed by injection moulding. Composite mechanical properties were evaluated, before and after accelerated weathering for 1000 h, by tensile and impact testing. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out to assess the changes occurring during accelerated weathering. Bleached fibre composites initially showed higher tensile and impact strengths, as well as higher thermal stability and greater crystallinity. During accelerated weathering, both unbleached and bleached fibre composites reduced tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM), with the extent of the reduction found to be similar for both unbleached and bleached fibre composites. Evidence supported that the reduction of TS and YM was due to PP chain scission, degradation of lignin and reduced fibre-matrix interfacial bonding.     

Flammability and Thermal Oxidative Degradation Kinetics of Magnesium Hydroxide and Expandable Graphite Flame Retarded Polypropylene Composites

The flammability and the thermal oxidative degradation kinetics of expandable graphite (EG) with magnesium hydroxide (MH) in flame‐retardant polypropylene (PP) composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 test, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that EG is a good synergist for improving the flame retardancy of PP/MH composite and the effect is enhanced with decreasing EG particle size. The Kissinger method and Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa method were used to determine the apparent activation energy (E) for degradation of PP and flame retarded PP composites. The data obtained from the TGA curve indicate that EG markedly increases the thermal degradation temperature of PP/MH composites and improves the thermal stability of the composites. The kinetic results show that the values of E for degradation of flame retarded PP composites is much higher than that of neat PP, especially PP/MH composites with suitable amount of EG, which indicates that the flame retardants used in this work have a great effect on the mechanisms of pyrolysis and combustion of PP.     

Nanostructured layered copper hydroxy dodecyl sulfate: A potential fire retardant for poly(vinyl ester) (PVE)

Composites of poly(vinyl ester) (PVE) with copper hydroxy dodecyl sulfate (CHDS) were prepared by thermal curing. The efficiency of the additive, CHDS, in reducing flammability is demonstrated via cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The addition of 1-10% by mass of the CHDS additive resulted in significant increments in char formation (∼4-11%) from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Incorporation of the CHDS into the polymer matrix at these low concentrations leads to substantial reductions in the total heat release (∼20-30%) but no significant change in the peak heat release rate. The composite materials generally ignite more quickly, however, the flame extinguishes faster for the composites relative to the virgin polymer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopic analyses of the residues collected at various stages during thermal decomposition of the composites, suggest the participation of copper-containing species in promoting enhanced thermal stability of PVE.     

Influences of coupling agent on thermal properties, flammability and mechanical properties of polypropylene/thermoplastic polyurethanes composites filled with expanded graphite

In this study, polypropylene (PP)/thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) filled with inorganic intumescent flame retardant expanded graphite (EG) was prepared by melt blending in a twin-screw extruder. The thermal stability, fire retardancy, mechanical properties, and fracture morphology of PP/TPU composites with treated and untreated EG were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, cone calorimeter, and scanning electron microscope. The results showed that both untreated and treated EG can greatly enhance the thermal stability and fire resistance of polymer matrix materials. Compared with untreated EG, treated EG can further improve the flame retardancy of the composites. For example, treated EG can further reduce the heat release rate, total heat release, and CO emissions of the composites in the combustion. Surface treatment of EG could significantly improve elongation at break and impact strength of PP/TPU/EG composites due to its enhanced interfacial adhesion and the good dispersion of EG particles in the polymer matrix.     

Effects of synthetic and natural zeolites on morphology and thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid) composites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites containing 5 wt% synthetic (type 4A) and natural (chabazite) zeolites were prepared using extrusion/injection molding. Morphological, structural, and thermal properties of composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC results revealed that the glass transition and melting temperatures were not significantly changed; however, the incorporation of both type 4A and chabazite zeolites enhanced the nucleation of PLA crystallites as well as increased the percent crystallinity. Thermal degradation properties of PLA and PLA/zeolite composites were studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in nitrogen atmosphere. TGA results showed that at temperatures above 300 °C, PLA/type 4A synthetic zeolite composites were thermally decomposed more easily than the PLA and PLA/chabazite natural zeolite composites. The apparent activation energies of thermal degradation of PLA and PLA/zeolites composites estimated using both the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Kissinger methods followed the same order: PLA/type 4A < PLA/chabazite < PLA.     

Flame retardancy and thermal degradation of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene with MP/TPMP

The performances of the novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) polypropylene (PP) composites containing melamine phosphate (MP) and tris(1‐oxo‐2,6,7‐trioxa‐1‐phosphabicyclo[2,2,2]methylene‐4)phosphate (TPMP) were investigated. The flame retardancy of IFR‐PP system was characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL 94 and cone calorimeter. The morphology of the char obtained after cone calorimeter testing was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal oxidative degradation (TOD) of the composites was investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (RT‐FTIR). Compared with the PP/ TPMP or PP/ MP binary composite, at the same addition level, the LOI values of the PP/MP/TPMP ternary composites increase and reach V‐0 at the suitable MP/TPMP ratio. The results of TGA and RT‐FTIR showed the existence of the interaction between IFR and PP. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization and thermal degradation of polypropylene-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)-montmorillonite nanocomposites have been prepared using isotactic PP homopolymers with different rheological properties, and a maleic anhydride grafted PP. Morphology and structure of the composites were investigated by using X-ray techniques (WAXD, SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The absence of pristine clusters of the clay and the presence of intercalated and exfoliated structures were shown for all the investigated samples. The nanocomposite prepared by using maleic anhydride grafted PP showed a widespread exfoliation. The thermal behaviour and degradation have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The incorporation of the montmorillonite improves the thermal stability in air atmosphere of all the investigated PPs, thanks to a physical barrier effect of the silicate layers.