Thermal Stability and Flammability Properties of Filled Rigid Polyurethane/Aluminium Hydroxide Composite Foam

Abstract

Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) has been prepared at various amounts of aluminium hydroxide (ATH) flame retardants (10,20,30,40,50 wt. %). This study aims to examine the thermal, and fire behaviour of RPUF by exploring the ATH as a flame retardant. The effect of different contents of ATH constituents on RPUF was investigated. Results from thermogravimetric analysis TGA showed that the thermal stabilities of composite foam were higher than that of pure RPUF. The results of the limiting oxygen index test showed that 50 wt. % aluminium hydroxide (ATH) enhanced the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the composite by 23 % compared to pure RPUF. All aluminium hydroxide (ATH) contents were observed to have contributed to the boosted flame retardancy of RPUF. The RPUF composite showed great potential for being employed as insulation material.