- Author
- Gilman, J. W.
- Title
- Polymer Layered-Silicate Nanocomposites: Polyamide-6, Polypropylene and Polystyrene. BFRL Fire Research Seminar. VHS Video.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- Video, August 3, 1999,
- Keywords
- nanocomposites | polyamide | polypropylene | polystyrene
- Abstract
- In the pursuit of improved approaches to fire retarding polymers, many concerns must be addressed in addition to the flammability issues. The low cost of commodity polymers requires that the fire retardant (FR) approach also be of low cost. This limits solutions primarily to additive type approaches. These additives must be inexpensive and easily processed with the polymer. In addition, the additive must not excessively degrade the other performance properties of the polymer, and it must not create environmental problems when recycling or at the time of its final disposal. We have recently found that polymer layered-silicate (clay) nanocomposites deliver reduced flammability and improved physical properties at low cost. We report here on our continuing study of the mechanism of flammability reduction with recent results for polyamide-6, polypropylene and polystyrene layered-silicate nanocomposites.