Wood-Plastic Composites preservation against fire: Nanofillers as fire retardant alternative

IRG/WP 18-40843

D Ben Ammar, A Koubaa, S Migneault, H Bouafif

The purpose of this study is to improve fire resistance of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPCs) by adding inorganic nanofillers. Indeed, the main components of WPC, namely wood and polymer are both flammable materials despite the fact that WPCs are used in the field of construction. The effect of nanofillers on fire retardancy of Wood-High density polyethylene Composites was studied with three nanofillers, an organically modified nanoclay and fumed nanosilica and nanoalumina with percentages of 1%, 3% and 5% respectively. Samples had been prepared by twin-screw extrusion with percentages of 20%, 30% and 40% of Aspen fibers. The thermal stability was evaluated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), while the flammability behavior was tested using cone calorimetry. It was found that the nanocomposites showed better thermal stability than non-filled WPC. Measurements from the Cone calorimetry test (Heat Release Rate, Total Heat Release, Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide) makes it possible to observe trends in fire behavior. Fire resistance improves with the increasing percentage of nanofillers. The nanoclay exhibits the lowest values of Peak Heat Release Rate (PHRR), Flashover Propensity Index (FPI) and Mass Loss Rate (MLR) as well as the highest ignition time (TTI). It is therefore considered to be the most efficient nanoparticle for fire retardancy. The char yield based on TGA analyses correlated with the PHRR in cone calorimetry tests and a high correlation coefficient between the char yield and PHRR (R2 = 0.909) was found. Furthermore, the char yield correlated with melting enthalpy based on DSC measurements and a high correlation coefficient R2 = 0.9229 was obtained.


Keywords: wood-plastic nanocomposites, fire retardancy, cone calorimetry, nanofillers, thermal stability

Conference: 18-04-29/05-03 Johannesburg, South Africa


Download document (632 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document