Effects of diammonium phosphate on the flammability and mechanical properties of bio-composites

The flammability, thermal stability and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic bio-composites were measured using a horizontal burning test, thermogravimetric analyzer, and universal testing machine, respectively. The composites were fabricated from film resins (Polylactic-acid, PLA and Polypropylene, PP) and natural fibers (coconut filter and jute fiber) by a hot press machine. To improve the flame retardancy of the bio-composites, various diammonium phosphates (DAP) were treated into the fibers. In general, the results indicate that increasing the percentage of DAP used to treat the fibers effectively improves the flame resistant, weight loss rate, and flexural modulus but decreases the flexural and tensile strengths of the bio-composites. Bio-composites with DAP-treated fibers showed a greater flexural modulus than those with untreated fibers, and the flexural modulus was even greater than that of neat polymers (PLA and PP). Also, increasing the percentage of DAP for treatment of the fibers in the composites decreases the temperature required for 5% weight loss and the decomposition rate, but increases the char residual at 500 degrees C. The best linear burning rate and weight loss rate were observed for fiber treatment with 5% DAP. The compressive and wear properties of these bio-composites were also studied. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.