Study Of The Effect Of A Polymeric Compatibilizing Agent On The Flame Retardancy And Tensile Properties Of High Density Polyethylene/Magnesium Hydroxide Compositions

The effect of using a compatibilizer, such as maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PEgMA), on the flame retardancy and mechanical (tensile) properties of HDPE nanocomposites with silane modified Mg(OH)(2) was studied. The silane modification of Mg(OH)(2) was confirmed by FTIR. Filler dispersion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy in transmission mode (STEM) and the effect of filler on mechanical properties was also evaluated. The flame retardant properties were evaluated by flammability tests (Underwriters Laboratory - UL-94) and cone calorimeter. The mechanism by which the use of PEgMA compatibilizer improves the flame retardancy of HDPE/Mg(OH)(2) was studied. Through the simultaneous TGA-IR analysis, it was found that when using PEgMA, the flame retardant properties of HDPE/Mg(OH)(2) are modified, due to the generation of volatile compounds in the thermal decomposition.