Flammability and Thermal Stability Studies of Polymer Layered-Silicate (Clay) Nanocomposites.
Flammability and Thermal Stability Studies of Polymer
Layered-Silicate (Clay) Nanocomposites.
(1425 K)
Gilman, J. W.
Applied Clay Science, Vol. 15, 31-49, 1999.
Keywords:
nanocomposites; flammability; thermal stability; clay
Abstract:
In the pursuit of improved approaches to fire retarding
polymers, a wide variety of concerns must be addressed
in addition to the flammability issues. For commodity
polymers, their low cost requires that the fire
retardant (FR) approach also be of low cost. This
limits solutions primarily to additive type approaches.
These additives must be inexpensive and easily processed
with the polymer. In addition, the additive must not
excessively degrade the other performance properties of
the polymer, and it must not create environmental
problems when recycling or at the time of its final
disposal. We have recently found that polymer
layered-silicate (clay) nanocomposites have the unique
combination of reduced flammability and improved
physical properties. This paper is intended as an
overview of the research IO date, by our 'group and
others, on the use of clays, dispersed at the nanometer
level, in polymers for improving thermal stability and
flammability.
