Comparison of flammability behavior of polyethylene/Brazilian clay nanocomposites and polyethylene/flame retardants

Polyethylene (PE)/Brazilian clay nanocomposites and PE/commercial flame retardant systems were produced via direct melt intercalation. A montmorillonite sample from the Brazilian state of Paraiba was organically modified with esthearildimethylammonium chloride (Praepagen) quaternary ammonium salt and has been tested to be used in polymer nanocomposites. The dispersion analysis and the interlayer distance of the clay particles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The flammability behavior of the obtained systems was investigated by horizontal burning tests for HB classification, Underwriters Laboratories (UL94). It was observed that the burning rate of PE/Brazilian clay nanocomposites was significantly reduced in relation to pure PE and PE/flame retardant systems, indicating that the PE/Brazilian clay system was more efficient.