The effects of graphene on the flammability and fire behavior of intumescent flame retardant polypropylene composites at different flame scenarios

This work explores the feasibility of using graphene as an effective synergist for intumescent flame retardant (IFR). The flammability test and fire behavior under different fire scenarios are investigated. The incorporation of graphene results in different responses of IFR/polypropylene (PP) composites to small fire tests and burning under forced-flaming condition. The addition of graphene weakens the reaction of flame retardant PP to small flame. Lower loading of graphene is observed to improve the swelling of char, resulting in better insulation of the char and decrease in heat and smoke release. The further increase of graphene leads to the worsened fire safety. Flame retardant mechanism and model are proposed on the basis of the analyses of thermal decomposition products and process, and melt viscosity change. This works provides a solution to comprehensively assess the synergistic or antagonistic effect of graphene, and will be beneficial to developing its flame retardant mechanism. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.