Fire performance and post-fire mechanical properties of polymer composites coated with hybrid carbon nanofiber paper

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 124; no. 1; pp. 37 - 48
• Main Authors: Zhuge, Jinfeng, Gou, Jihua, Chen, Ruey-Hung, Zhou, Aixi, Yu, Ziqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05-04-2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bend tests; Carbon fibers; carbon nanofiber paper; Compounding ingredients; Exact sciences and technology; Exposure; Fireproof agents; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Heat release rate; Laminates; Materials science; mechanical behavior; Mechanical properties; Nanofibers; polymer composites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Polyphosphates; post-fire; Technology of polymers; Clay; Laminate; carbon nanofiber paper; Ester polymer; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Flame retardant; Nanofiber; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; Composite material; Coated material; Surface treatment; mechanical behavior; Thermal properties; Additive; polymer composites; Graphite; Ammonium Polyphosphates; Flammability; post-fire; Glass fiber; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.34965

In this study, glass fiber reinforced polyester composites were coated with carbon nanofiber/clay/ammonium polyphosphate (CCA) paper and carbon nanofiber/exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets/ammonium polyphosphate (CXA) paper. The composites were exposed to a heat flux of 35 kW/m2 during the cone calorimeter testing. The testing results showed a significant reduction in both heat release rates and mass loss rates. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) of CCA and CXA composite samples in the major decomposition period are 23 and 34% lower than the control sample, respectively. The time to reach the PHRR for the CCA and CXA composite samples are ∼ 125% longer than the control sample. After the composite samples were exposed to heat for different time periods, their post‐fire mechanical properties were determined by three‐point bending testing. The three‐point bending testing results show that the composite samples coated with such hybrid papers exhibit more than 20% improvement in mechanical resistance at early stages of combustion. The mechanism of hybrid carbon nanofiber paper protecting the underlying laminated composites is discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012