Influence of nanoclays on the fire behavior of a furan resin

G. RIVERO; S. VILLANUEVA; L.B. MANFREDI

Praga

Conferencia; Conference on polymer modification, degradation and stabilization (Modest 2012); 2012

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

The high flammability and release toxic gases have become a critical limitation for the increasing usage of polymers. Nowadays, the security requirements are more rigorous and the utilization of flame retardants is required for inhibiting the polymer combustion process. Polymer nanocomposites are a promising alternative to traditional retardant formulations, as low loads are enough to achieve significant improvements in the properties. In particular, nanoclays are the most used because of its wide availability, low cost and null toxicity. They can migrate to the surface to act as a barrier to mass and heat. In combination, thermosetting matrices, like phenolics, have good chemical resistance and thermal stability because of the formation of a carbonaceous residue or ?char? during their thermal degradation. In this work, a less environmental impact furan resin and three types of nanocomposites were evaluated and compared with traditional phenolic resins. It can be concluded that furan resins fires grow faster than phenolics ones, but the addition of clays shortens the flame duration.