Machinability and flammability properties of sisal fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

Nowadays Natural fiber reinforcement polymer composites (NFCs) are conventionally used materials and they are the replacement for the synthetic and other non-degradable fibers. NFCs are considered as environmental friendly materials and it will not cause any hazard to the environment as they are biodegradable. Flaming property of material is based on fire triangle (oxygen, ignition source and fuel). When fire triangle is controlled, then the flammability of materials are controlled. This work is on delay the ignition time and the reducing flammability on NFCs material. According to this, flame retardants are added to the reinforcement because flammability of NFCs is quite high when comparing to the other composite materials. So, flame retardant will delay the time of flame penetration in the material and it acts as a flame restrictor. Sisal fiber with Polypropylene (PP) matrix is used and to reduce the flammability ammonium polyphosphate (APP), magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2), zinc borate (Zb) and graphite added. APP when react with flame the char layer is produced and it will insulate the material to stop further flaming, Mg (OH)2 realises water molecules when react with flame at 135°c and tis also helps to delay the further flame. 3 composites are fabricated by varying the composition material. According ASTM D638 and UL-94 test standards by horizontal and vertical burning testing flammability timing is recorded, drilling operation were carried out to find the force of composite material by varying the cutting tool material with 5mm dia.