Effects of ammonium polyphosphate and triphenyl phosphate on the flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced PLA/PC composites

The purpose of this study is to increase of the flammability properties of the glass fiber (GF)-reinforced poly (lactic acid)/polycarbonate (PLA/PC) composites. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) were used as flame retardants that are including the organic phosphor to increase flame retardancy of GF-reinforced composites. APP, TPP, and APP-TPP mixture flame retardant including composites were prepared by using extrusion and injection molding methods. The properties of the composites were determined by the tensile test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and heat release rate (HRR) test. The minimum T-g value was observed for the TPP including PLA/PC composites in DSC analysis. The highest tensile strength was observed in GF-reinforced PLA/PC composites. In the LOI test, GF including composite was burned with the lowest concentration of oxygen, and burning time was the longest of this composite. However, the shortest burning time was obtained by using the mixture flame retardant system. The flame retardancy properties of GF-reinforced PLA/PC composite was improved by using mixture flame retardant. When analyzed the results of HRR, time to ignition (TTI), and mass loss rate together, the best value was obtained for the composite including APP.