Simultaneously improving mechanical strength, hydrophobic property and flame retardancy of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/intumescent flame retardant/FeOOH by introducing modified fumed silica. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Siyi; Zhou, Cheng; Li, Jianxi; Shen, Liguo; Lin, Hongjun
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 26(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: SEM scanning electron microscopy -- CA water contact angle tester -- WA water absorption -- TGA thermogravimetric analysis -- CCT cone calorimeter test -- FR flame retardant -- IFR intumescent flame retardant -- PHR Rpeak of HHR values -- THR total heat release -- FGI fire growth index -- FPI fire propagation index -- LOI limiting oxygen index; Flame retardancy -- Hydrophobicity -- Mechanical properties -- Fumed silica -- EVA composites; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2021.102114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The compatibility and mechanical properties of EVA composites were improved by adding fumed silica. The hydrophobicity of EVA composites was enhanced by adding fumed silica. The flame retardant of EVA composites was increased due to synergism between fumed silica and IFR. The char residue of EVA composites after combustion were discussed in detail. Abstract: Series of flame-retardant ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composites with excellent properties were prepared by adjusting the fraction of fumed silica (FS). The surface morphologies, mechanical property, hydrophobicity, thermal property and the related flame-retardant properties were measured and investigated in details. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical property results showed that the certain addition of FS could effectively improve the interface compatibility between EVA matrix and flame retardant (FR). Moreover, the tensile strength and elongation at break were increased to 20 MPa and 675.0 %, respectively. High hydrophobicity of the EVA composite could also be achieved proved by high contact angle (85°) and low water absorption (0.2 %), respectively. In addition, cone calorimeter test (CCT) results indicated the value of heat rate release of EVA composites decreased by 63.6 % with the addition of FS compared to pure EVA due to the formation of char layer by protecting char residue and insulating fire and heat transmission, which was confirmed by SEM and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. Besides, the anti-dripping effect of FS was indicated by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94.