Remarkable effects of silicone rubber on flame retardant property of high-density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites

In this study, silicone rubber (SR) was introduced into high-density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide (HDPE/MH) composites by melt blending, and the electron beam irradiation was used to prepare the irradiation crosslinked flame retardant HDPE composites. The changes of properties of the samples were investigated by melt index test (MI), mechanical property test, thermal stability test (TG/DTG), oxygen index test (LOI) and cone calorimetry (CCT). MI test results indicated that SR can increase the internal lubricity of HDPE composites. The morphology results showed that the SR can promote the interfacial compatibility between MH and HDPE. The test results of mechanical properties further revealed that the addition of SR can effectively improve the continuity between MH and HDPE, which was evidenced by the 240 % increasing of the elongation at break. TGA test results showed that with the continuous increase of SR, the mass loss rate (LR) decreased rapidly, and the residue content increased. When the addition of SR reached 7.5 phr, the LOI was promoted by 27.4 %. CCT results indicated that the addition of SR can effectively inhibit the heat release rate (HRR) and total heat release (THR), but had little effect on the total smoke release (TSP). When 10 phr of SR were added, the content of residue can reach up to 37 %, and the expansion height can reach to 2.2 cm. Conclusively, the SR contributed to significantly synergistic flame retardant property to HDPE composites.

Automated summary

In this study, silicone rubber (SR) was added to high-density polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide (HDPE/MH) composites and electron beam irradiation was used to prepare flame retardant HDPE composites. The addition of SR improved the lubricity and interfacial compatibility of HDPE composites, and enhanced the continuity between MH and HDPE, leading to improved flame retardant properties.