Thermal Degradation and Flammability Properties of Polypropylene-Carbon Nanotube Composites.
Thermal Degradation and Flammability Properties of
Polypropylene-Carbon Nanotube Composites.
(1775 K)
Kashiwagi, T.; Grulke, E.; Hilding, J.; Harris, R. H.,
Jr.; Awad, W.; Douglas, J. F.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol. 23, No. 13,
761-765, 2002.
Keywords:
nanocomposites; thermal degradation; flammability;
polypropylene; flame retardants
Abstract:
Nanocomposites based on polypropylene and carbon
nanotubes (up to 2 vol.-%) were melt blended, yielding a
good dispersion of nanotubes without using any organic
treatment or additional additives. Carbon nanotubes are
found to significantly enhance the thermal stability of
polypropylene in nitrogen at high temperatures.
Specifically, the nanotube additives greatly reduced the
heat release rate of poly(propylene). They are found to
be at least as effective a flame retardant as
clay/poly(propylene) nanocomposites.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899