Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Thermodynamics and kinetics of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 3 Analytical methods utilized in nanocomposites
- 4 Gas diffusion characteristics of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 5 Engineering properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites theory and theory validation
- 6 Variables associated with polymer–clay processing in relation to reinforcement theory
- 7 The relationships of polymer type specificity to the production of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 8 Flame retardancy
- Index
- References
8 - Flame retardancy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Thermodynamics and kinetics of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 3 Analytical methods utilized in nanocomposites
- 4 Gas diffusion characteristics of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 5 Engineering properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites theory and theory validation
- 6 Variables associated with polymer–clay processing in relation to reinforcement theory
- 7 The relationships of polymer type specificity to the production of polymer–clay nanocomposites
- 8 Flame retardancy
- Index
- References
Summary
An early observation by Blumstein [1] indicated that montmorillonite present in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to produce polymer–clay composites significantly increased the thermal stability of the methyl methacrylate polymer in relation to polymethyl methacrylate prepared without the montmorillonite present. The polymer within the galleries of the montmorillonite was reported to have significantly higher thermal stability. Speculation on the cause of this enhanced thermal stability focused on restricted polymer chain mobility in the galleries and the prevention of oxygen diffusion into the galleries. The presence of oxygen during the thermal degradation of polymer–clay nanocomposites will be demonstrated to be a significant independent variable relating to the thermal degradation.
Little further activity is found in the literature until the advent of the importance of exfoliated layered clays in the dramatic enhancement of polymer mechanical performance at low concentrations was reported [2]. Subsequent systematic evaluations of the thermal stability of polymer–clay nanocomposites were initiated by Jeff Gilman's group at NIST and Emmanuel Giannelis' group at Cornell, with remarkable results. This work led to a dramatic increase in scientific investigations focused on the structure–property relationships of polymer–clay nanocomposites to thermal stability and flame retardancy.
An excellent review of the work on the flame retardancy of polymer nanocomposites was published in 2007 [3]. This chapter will focus on the evaluation of the proposed mechanisms for enhanced thermal stability of polymer–clay nanocomposites, the proposed relationships between enhanced thermal stability of polymer–clay nanocomposites and flame retardancy, and the synergies that develop between traditional flame retardants for polymers and polymer–clay nanocomposites.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Fundamentals of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites , pp. 156 - 182Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011