Evaluation of polar ethylene copolymers as fire retardant nanocomposite matrices

A range of nanocomposite materials was prepared under high shear based on polar polyethylene (PE) copolymer matrices. An organically modified bentonite was used as the smectite clay, with intercalation shown to occur in the presence of poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) (EMA), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA), poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) (EMAAA) and poly(ethylene-g-maleic anhydride) as evidenced by small angle X-ray scattering measurements. The thermal stability and flame retardant properties of the polymer-clay composites were measured by thermogravimetry and cone calorimetry, with significant improvements in the heat-release rates and thermal stability of all systems. Enhanced char formation was shown to be responsible for reducing degradation under oxidative conditions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.