Effects of poly(ethylene-co-propylene) elastomer on mechanical properties and combustion behaviour of flame retarded polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites

Magnesium hydroxide-based halogen-free flame retarded linear low density polyethylene composites containing poly(ethylene-co-propylene) elastomer were prepared in the melt process and subsequently vulcanized thermally. Influences of the elastomer on the mechanical properties, combustion characteristics and crystallization behaviour of polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites have been investigated. The results from the mechanical tests show that the incorporation of a suitable amount of elastomer into polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites after vulcanization can increase both the tensile strength and elongation greatly, compared with those of the composites without the elastomer. It has been found that the properties such as limiting oxygen index, UL-94 rating, the time to ignition and the rate of heat release of polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide/elastomer composites are all improved in comparison with polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites at the same retardant level. Scanning electron microscopy studies show that the incorporation of the elastomer into polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide composites improves the compatibility between the filler and the polymer substrate. The degrees of crystallinity of polyethylene/magnesium hydroxide/elastomer composites decrease with increasing the elastomer content. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.