Flammability properties of low density polyethylene/wood fibre composites

Abstract

Using simple combustion apparatus the effect of wood fibres on the flammability properties of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) was studied. Composite samples were prepared with LDPE and Kola Nitida (KN), and LDPE and Alstonia Boonei (AB) with fibre contents of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt. %. Test results show that ignition time and time for auto-combustion increased with increasing fibre content for both composite types. The flame propagation rate decreased with increasing fibre content for both composite samples. At 20 wt.%, LDPE/KN had about 650% and 1032% increment in ignition time and auto combustion time respectively, and showed a decrease of about 200% in FPR value, while LDPE/AB had about 290 % and 180 % increment in ignition time and auto combustion time respectively, and showed a decrease of about 110% in FPR value. The results show that LDPE/KN composites show better flame retardancy properties over LDPE/AB composites at 20 wt% fibre content.