The synergistic performance of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and sepiolite nanoclays as flame retardants for unsaturated polyester

The synergistic effect on the thermal decomposition and heat release rate (HRR) in particular the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin blended with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and sepiolite nanoclay was investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetery (PCFC) and the cone calorimetery. Initial microcalorimeter findings established a synergistic effect for ternary system comprising a 10:0.5 wt% mixture of sepiolite: MWNT, respectively, which resulted in a 40% reduction in heat release capacity (HRC). This result was also confirmed within the well-established cone calorimeter by a 50% reduction in PHRR in contrast to unfilled UP. The mechanism behind this reduction is thought to be due to the bridging of the MWNTs between the sepiolite clay needles, creating a tight protective surface layer that reduces the MLR. TGA also confirmed the advantage of such a ternary system through a 36 degrees C shift in the onset decomposition temperature and an 11% increase in residual char. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.