THERMAL AND COMBUSTION BEHAVIOUR OF PP/MWCNT COMPOSITES

Studies of thermal and fire-resistant properties of the polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites (PP/MWCNT) prepared by means of melt intercalation are discussed. The sets of the data acquired with the aid of non-isothermal TG experiments have been treated by the model kinetic analysis. The thermal-oxidative degradation behaviour of PP/MWCNT and stabilising effect caused by addition of MWCNT has been investigated by means of TGA and EPR spectroscopy. The results of cone calorimetric tests lead to the conclusion that char formation plays a key role in the mechanism of flame retardation for nanocomposites. This could be explained by the specific antioxidant properties and high thermal conductivity of MWCNT which determine high-performance carbonisation during thermal degradation process. Comparative analysis of the flammability characteristics for PP-clay/MWCNT nanocomposites was provided in order to emphasise the specific behaviour of the nanocomposites under high-temperature tests.