Synergistic effect of melamine polyphosphate and aluminum hypophosphite on mechanical properties and flame retardancy of HDPE/wood flour composites

In this paper, the influence of melamine polyphosphate (MPP) and aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) on mechanical properties, flame retardancy and thermal degradation of high-density polyethylene/wood flour composites (HDPE/WF) was investigated. The synergistic effect of MPP and AHP was investigated. Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) was used as coupling agent. The experimental data demonstrated that the HDPE/WF composites with 35 wt% MPP/AHP (3:2) could achieve a LOI value of 29.6 % and UL-94 V-0 rating. In addition, the cone value also revealed that the heat release rate and the smoke production rate were clearly reduced. SEM results showed that the synergistic system (MPP/AHP = 3:2) could form a dense and thick char layer and good adhesion between wood flour and HDPE matrix, which prevented the transfer of heat flux and fuel gases. Incorporation of MPP and AHP improved the thermal stability of HDPE/wood flour as observed from the thermogravimetric analysis results and also enhanced the thermal resistance of char layer at high temperature based on scanning electron microscopy observation.