THE USE OF BORIC ACID AND ANTIMONY OXIDE AS AUXILIARY MINERALS WITH HUNTITE HYDROMAGNESITE TO IMPROVE FLAME RETARDANT PROPERTIES OF WOODDUST COMPOSITES

Boric acid, antimony oxide minerals and huntite hydromagnesite minerals were used as auxiliary minerals in wood composites to change their flammability features. Composite samples were prepared by using different ratios of sawdust, huntite, hydromagnesite, antimony and boric acid combinations. The obtained samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis to determine the structural and morphological properties of the composites. Thermal behavior of the composites was determined by differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry (DTA-TG). Tensile and three-point bending tests were performed to understand the mechanical properties. Finally, the flame retardant performance of the samples was observed according to UL94 vertical flammability tests. It was concluded that wood composites containing inorganic minerals gained resistance against fire, a good synergistic effect was obtained in different additive types.