However, the inherent flammability of the PP matrix and SF has limited the applications of their composites for many semi-structural components that require strict fire safety. Sisal fiber (SF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite (PP/SF) materials have been widely used in automotive applications because of the advantages they impart in low cost and density, as well as satisfactory mechanical properties coupled with processing. Regarding this, natural-plant-fiber-reinforced thermosetting and thermoplastic composite materials are rapid developments in basic research and industrial applications as they are created to be light, renewable, chemically resistant, low-cost, easy to manufacture, completely or partially recyclable, and biodegradable.
Manufacturers need greater awareness of their production chains and need to develop new materials with reusable or renewable natural resources. In order to target the global warming threat, the world is committed to controlling peak carbon emissions in the hope of becoming carbon neutral in the near future. In contrast, the tensile strength of the (PP/SF)/IFR system was 5.3% lower than that of the (PP/IFR)/SF system however, the overall mechanical (tensile, flexural, and notched impact) properties of the composites prepared using three different mixing processes were similar. Compared with the (PP/IFR) /SF composite prepared by a matrix primarily blended with IFR and then secondly blended with SF, the peak heat release rate (pk HRR) and total heat release (THR) of the (PP/SF)/IFR composite decreased by 11.3% and 13.7%, respectively.
The (PP/SF)/IFR composite prepared by PP/SF secondary blending with IFR showed excellent flame-retardant performance, with a limited oxygen index of about 28.3% and passing the UL-94 V-0 rating (3.2 mm) in the vertical combustion test.
The findings suggested that PP/SF flame-retardant composites prepared via different blending processes showed different flame-retardant properties. The influence of different blending processes on the flammability and mechanical properties of the composites was analyzed. The flame retardant used was an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) composed of silane-coated ammonium polyphosphate (Si-APP) and pentaerythritol (PER).
In this paper, sisal-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP/SF) flame-retardant composites were prepared using the two-step melt blending method. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the flame retardants of such composites. However, the flammability of plant fiber and the PP matrix restricts the application range, security, and use of these composites. Natural-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with a series of advantages including light weight, chemical durability, renewable resources, low in cost, etc., are being widely used in many fields such as the automotive industry, packaging, and construction.
0 kommentar(er)
