The effect of the jute fabric reinforced vinyl ester composite treated with ammonium polyphosphate on the physical, flammability and thermal properties

Abstract

Natural fibre composite is potentially used as low load bearing material in building infrastructure field (light weight application). Nevertheless, the ability of materials against thermal and fire must be good. In this work, the incorporation of the phosphorus based intumescent flame retardant (IFR), ammonium polyphosphate (APP) into the jute fabric composite (JC) with different formulations were fabricated to analyze its fire-retardant properties. The physical, flammability and thermal properties of the untreated and treated composites were investigated with the support by FESEM and EDX analysis. Based on the results, the density of treated JC was higher than untreated sample due to the impregnation of APP. In terms of fire-retardant properties, the JC samples treated by APP were able to improve the thermal and flammability of the composites. The enhancement of fire-retardant properties of JC can improve its potential to be used as low load bearing material in building infrastructure applications.