Study of the effect of nanosized carbon black on flammability and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate)

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate)/nanosized carbon black (PBS/CB) nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding to investigate the effect of CB on flammability and mechanical properties of PBS. In the nanocomposites, CB displayed some positive effect on improving the flame retardancy of PBS, mainly on the decrease of peak of heat release rate, the increase of limited oxygen index value, and the inhibition of melt dripping. It was contributed to the formation of a good carbon layer during combustion and of a network structure in the PBS matrix. Moreover, a good balance on mechanical performances of PBS/CB nanocomposites was achieved with enhanced stiffness and high toughness, which was ascribed to the compatibilization of PBS-g-MA, leading to a good dispersion of nanofillers and strong matrix-nanoparticle interaction. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.