Studies on the flammability of polypropylene/ammonium polyphosphate and montmorillonite by using the cone calorimeter test

Abstract

Fire performance of polypropylene (PP) containing different percentages of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) with montmorillonite (Mt) or treated montmorillonite (MtT) was carried out by using the cone calorimeter test (CCT). Different samples from ammonium polyphosphate and montmorillonite were mixed with 90% polypropylene. The characterization of the prepared samples indicates that there is incorporation between the components of the samples. Heat release rate (HRR), peak heat release rate (PHRR), average heat release rate (Av-HRR), and time to ignition (TTI) of the samples were obtained from the cone calorimeter test. Also, the fire performance index (FPI) and the fire growth rate (FIGRA) were calculated. The interpretation of the curves and the parameters results from the cone calorimeter test which indicates that the addition of montmorillonite to APP increases its action as a flame retardant for PP. Moreover, the samples contain acid treatment montmorillonite showed an increase in the efficiency of ammonium polyphosphate when used. This result may be due to an increase in the SiO2 content by acid treatment.