Title

Fire Performance Of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites With Carbon Nanofiber Sheet

Abstract

In this study, the carbon nanofiber sheet (CNS) and the hybrid carbon nanofiber sheet containing Cloisite Na+ clay (CCNS) were made through a high-pressure filtration system. The as-made hybrid papers were incorporated onto the surface of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites through resin transfer molding process. The fire retardant performance of the laminates was evaluated with cone calorimeter test at an external radiated heat flux of 50 kW/m2 and their residues were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). The results indicated that in the case of CCNS, more pronounced improvement of the fire performance was observed comparing with the case of CNS. The formation of compact char materials was observed on the surface of the residues. The improvement in fire retardant performance has been achieved through the barrier and insulator effects of the CNS and charred materials, which could prevent the transmission of external heat to the underlying polyester resin, restrain the melting flow and the migration of flammable products to the top surface of the laminates. It was found that clay in the laminate structure was significantly more effective than when dispersed throughout the polymer resin in reducing the heat release rate. The clay in the laminate structure promotes compact char formation in sheets covering large percentages of surface. It therefore better prevents heat flux from penetrating into the sample (and thus slows down the pyrolysis process) and the vapor pyrolysis products from reaching the sample surface, both effectively lowering the heat release rate. Clay is also shown to enhance the thermal stability of CNS, which in turn enhances the thermal stability of the polymer sample.

Publication Date

12-1-2009

Publication Title

International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition (Proceedings)

Volume

54

Number of Pages

-

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

74949092038 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/74949092038

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