Evaluation of Mechanical Performance and Flame Retardant Characteristics of Biomass-based EVA Composites using Intumescent Flame Retardant Technology

Intumescent system is a highly effective flame retardant technology that takes advantage of the mechanism of foaming and carbonization. In order to materialize Intumescent system, it is necessary to use reinforcement material to improve the strength of the material. In this study, we used kenaf as a natural fiber to manufacture intumescent/EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) composites to improve mechanical and flame retardant performance. Finally two materials with different particle shape are applied to one system. Therefore, the influence factors of the particles with different shapes on the composite material were analyzed based on the tensile test. For this purpose, we have used the tensile strength analysis model and confirmed that it can only act as a partial strength reinforcement due to weak binding force between the matrix and particles. In the combustion characteristics analysis using cone calorimeter and UL 94, the combustion characteristics were enhanced as the content of Intuemscent was increased. As the content of kenaf increased, combustion characteristics were strengthened and carbonization characteristics were weakened. Through the application of kenaf, it can be confirmed that elastic modulus improvement and combustion characteristics can be strengthened, which confirmed the possibility of development of environmentally friendly flame retardant materials.