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Performance study of flame-retardant semi-rigid polyurethane foam with modified expandable graphite

Lizhu Liu (College of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China and College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology Harbin, China)
Weiliang Li (College of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China)
Weiwei Cui (College of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China)
Xiaorui Zhang (College of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China)
Weng Ling (College of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, China)

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 7 November 2016

277

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, boric acid was loaded on the surface of expandable graphite (EG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silane coupling agent (KH550) served as a bridge. The purpose of this study was to improve the flame retardant properties of semi-rigid polyurethane, meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the foam got ameliorated.

Design/methodology/approach

PVA was dissolved in hot water. EG was added to this solution. After stirring for 0.5 h at 85°C in ultrasonic agitation, the system was put at room temperature to cool. The silane coupling agent KH550 was added dropwise into the solution system, stirring to fully hydrolyze. Boric acid was added into the system, placing it in an oven at 90°C to dry after filtration. Changing of flame retardant properties and mechanical properties of semi-rigid polyurethane adding modified EG were characterized.

Findings

The flame retardant performance of the foam with EG has been improved, whereas the tensile strength decreased with an increase in the content of EG. After adding modified EG, compared to semi-rigid polyurethane with EG, flame retardant performance and tensile strength of the foam improved.

Research limitations/implications

In the study reported here, the surface of EG was modified by boric acid. The modified EG was added into semi-rigid polyurethane foam. The flame retardant performance and tensile strength of the foam after adding modified EG were discussed. Results of this research could benefit in-depth study of the influence of adding modified EG to semi-rigid polyurethane. The study could promote the application of flame-retardant polyurethane foam.

Originality/value

The flame retardant performance and tensile strength of the semi-rigid polyurethane were improved by adding modified EG. The effects of modified EG on the flame retardant performance and tensile strength of semi-rigid polyurethane were discussed in detail.

Keywords

Citation

Liu, L., Li, W., Cui, W., Zhang, X. and Ling, W. (2016), "Performance study of flame-retardant semi-rigid polyurethane foam with modified expandable graphite", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 45 No. 6, pp. 450-455. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-12-2015-0130

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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