Investigation of the fire, thermal, and mechanical properties of zinc borate and synergic fire retardants on composites produced with PP-MDF wastes

Abstract

Synergic effects of different fire retardant compounds and zinc borate on wood-plastic composites filled with polypropylene (PP) and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) waste fibers were investigated. For this purpose, zinc borate, synergic compounds (antimony trioxide, ammonium phosphate, and magnesium hydroxide), and a coupling agent, i.e., maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP), were used in the production of wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The composite samples were characterized in terms of the burning rate and limiting oxygen index (LOI) analyses, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) along with mechanical tests, i.e., flexural properties, tensile properties, elasticity modulus, and impact strength. It was found that the synergic influence of the combination of zinc borate, antimony trioxide, and magnesium oxide on WPCs increased the heat resistance according to the burning rate, LOI, TGA, and DSC tests. Also, the mechanical properties of the WPCs decreased slightly, but their elasticity modulus increased.