A study on flammability and mechanical properties of hdpe/epdm/ boron carbide/triphenyl phosphate blends with compatibilizer

Abstract

It was known that triphenyl phosphate wasn't homogeneously dispersed in HDPE/EPDM/boron carbide blends, which caused the decrease in mechanical properties. HDPE, EPDM, boron carbide, and triphenyl phosphate were blended with PE-g-MAH(polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride) as a compatiblizer for improving the miscibility of triphenyl phosphate. Tensile strength of HDPE/EPDM/boron carbide blends decreased with increasing the contents of triphenyl phosphate for flammability. However, the mechanical properties of HDPE/EPDM/boron carbide/triphenyl phosphate blends increased by the addition of compatiblizer because triphenyl phosphate was homogeneously mixed in the blend system. The homogeneous dispersibility of triphenyl phosphate was confirmed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Increased thermal stability and flammability derived from high miscibility of triphenyl phosphate were confirmed by the results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and limiting oxygen index (LOI). A self-extinguishing HDPE/ EPDM/boron carbide/triphenyl phosphate blend was successfully fabricated with more than 21% LOI.