Improved flame-retardant and tensile properties of thermoplastic starch/flax fabric green composites

This article highlights the development of biodegradable flame-retardant composites using a compression technique on low-cost starch, flax fabric (FF) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) raw materials. The starch was plasticized into thermoplastic starch through a mechano-ball milling process and composites were developed by reinforcing the FF and incorporating varying amounts of APP. The effects of APP on the flammability and thermal properties of the composites were studied. Limited oxygen index and horizontal-burning tests exhibited significant sustainability of the composites toward flame and direct flame self-extinguishment. It was observed that at higher temperatures, APP leads to formation of thermally stable char. The flame retardant properties of the composites were speculated to be due to the protective compact crosslinked network (P-O-P and P-O-C) of the char. The reported effects of APP include improvement in mechanical and biodegradation properties. This investigation provides the design of novel flame-retardant green composites with excellent properties. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.