Thermal Properties of Fire Retardant Polymer Composites Based on Bentonite and a Mixture of High and Low Density Polyethylene

Presents the results of studies of the effect of bentonite concentration on thermal behavior of composites based on a mixture of high and low density polyethylene, as well as a comparative analysis of the infrared spectra of the initial materials and the resulting composite.The studies were carried out with samples, containing 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 % mas.bentonite.All composite materials were obtained on the basis of a mixture of high and low density polyethylene, taken in 50/50 ratio.Limit oxygen index tests have shown a positive effect of increasing bentonite concentration on oxygen index values.With the loading of 50 % mas.bentonite, the maximum values of the oxygen index (21.4) of the studied composites were obtained.Among the studied samples, no synergistic effect of bentonite and aluminum hydroxide on the flammability of a mixture of high and low density polyethylene was observed.The results of a study of bentonite concentration effect on the temperature of the beginning of decomposition, on the temperatures corresponding to 10, 20 and 50% mas.loss are given.The thermogravimetric analysis of the composites was carried out up to 600С and showed their high thermal stability.In the curves of differential thermal analysis, a shift of melting points towards higher temperatures was observed.The effect of bentonite concentration on the thermomechanical properties of the studied composites has been investigated