Effect of organo‐modified montmorillonite on flame retardant poly(1,4‐butylene terephthalate) composites

In this paper, the effect of organo‐modified montmorillonite (OMMT) on a novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system was studied in poly(1,4‐butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate (MAPP) and melamine cyanurate (MC). Nanocomposite morphology was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal decomposition analysis was studied via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Combustion behavior was investigated by microcombustion calorimeter (MCC), limited oxygen index (LOI), and UL‐94 test. Residues obtained after samples treated in muffle furnace at 500°C under air condition for 10 min were analyzed through X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the addition of OMMT improved the flame retardancy of PBT/IFR composites significantly. A mass of microcomposite structure particles formed in the heating or combustion process of PBT/IFR/OMMT nanocomposites were found for the first time in the SEM images, which is strong evidence to confirm the migration or accumulation of montmorillonite and carbonaceous‐silicate materials during the heating or combustion process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.