Natural fibre reinforced composites have been diversifying their markets in the automotive industry from the cosmetic applications to structural and semi structural applications. As any other organic materials, polymers and the natural fibres are very sensitive to flame and hence improvement of flame retardancy of the composite materials has become more and more important in order to comply with the rafety requirements of the natural fibre-composite products. This paper gives some insight in to the flammability nature of the wood flour and rice husk filed composites and the remedial action to enhance the flame retardancy of these composites. The well known flame retardant magnesium hydroxide was used in this study. Flammability of the samples was studied by horizontal burning test and limiting oxxgen index test as per ASTM D 635 and ASTM D2863 respectively. Horizontal burning test results showed 50 % improvement in the flame retardancy by using 25 wt% of magnesium hydroxide in both composites and these results indicated these materials could satisfy the fire safety requirements of the existing standards such as FMVSS 302, UL 94 HB, JIS D 1201. Though limiting oxygen index test showed a marginal increase in the flame retardant behaviour of the magnesium filled composite, it was hard to predict the flame reterdant behaviour of the composites, as the char formed did not dip from the top and prevents further burning. Addition of magnesium hydroxide to the wood flour/rice husk filled composites showed a marginal negative impact on the mechanical properties. However, the mechanical properties of these composite materials are well enough to make automotive parts such as IP, head liners etc. All these results indicate that magnesium hydroxide can act as an effective flame retardant for the wood flour/rice husk filled composites and could be useful for making automotive products.


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    Title :

    Flammability of polyolefin - natural fibre composites and its future in the automotive interior parts


    Additional title:

    Entflammbarkeit von Polyolefin/Naturfaser-Verbundwerkstoffen und ihre Zukunft für die Innenausstattung von Automobilen


    Contributors:
    Panthapulakkal, S. (author) / Law, S. (author) / Sain, M. (author) / Balatinecz, J. (author)


    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    9 Seiten, 5 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 18 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





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