Study on the structure and properties of RTV/FR-DOMt nanocomposites

Abstract

The aim of our research was to study the effect of flame-retardant dendrimer modified organic montmorillonite (FR-DOMt) with different ratios on the structure and properties of room-temperaturevulcanised silicone rubber (RTV). The physical and mechanical properties of RTV nanocomposites were improved with the addition of FR-DOMt additives. The RTV nanocomposites exhibited better thermal stability. Tonset of RTV/FR-DOMt-3 was 310°C, 100°C higher than that of pure RTV. RTV/FR-DOMt-3 nanocomposite possessed the highest elongation at break, 500%. This was 46% higher than that of pure RTV. In addition, these RTV nanocomposites showed an increased FR behavior. By adding 3-15 phr of FR-DOMt into pure RTV matrix, a linear decrease of burning rate together with an increase of LOI values were obtained. SEM and TEM observations of RTV/FR-DOMt-3 demonstrated that the exfoliated silicate layers dispersed uniformly in this nanocomposite.