The Flame Retardancy of Polyethylene Composites: From Fundamental Concepts to Nanocomposites
Erfan Rezvani Ghomi,
Fatemeh Khosravi,
Zahra Mossayebi,
Ali Saedi Ardahaei,
Fatemeh Morshedi Dehaghi,
Masoud Khorasani,
Rasoul Esmaeely Neisiany,
Oisik Das,
Atiye Marani,
Rhoda Afriyie Mensah,
Lin Jiang,
Qiang Xu,
Michael Försth,
Filippo Berto,
Seeram Ramakrishna
Affiliations
Erfan Rezvani Ghomi
Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Fatemeh Khosravi
Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Zahra Mossayebi
Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Ali Saedi Ardahaei
Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Golestan University, P.O. Box 491888369, Gorgan 1575949138, Iran
Fatemeh Morshedi Dehaghi
Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-4413, Tehran 1591634311, Iran
Masoud Khorasani
Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
Rasoul Esmaeely Neisiany
Department of Materials and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar 9617976487, Iran
Oisik Das
Structural and Fire Engineering Division, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
Atiye Marani
Baspar Sadaf Nab Sepahan, between 23 and 24 Streets, Mahmoodabad Industrial Town, Isfahan 8161199774, Iran
Rhoda Afriyie Mensah
School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Lin Jiang
School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Qiang Xu
School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Michael Försth
Structural and Fire Engineering Division, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
Filippo Berto
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU, S.P. Andersens Veg 3, 7031 Trondheim, Norway
Seeram Ramakrishna
Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Polyethylene (PE) is one the most used plastics worldwide for a wide range of applications due to its good mechanical and chemical resistance, low density, cost efficiency, ease of processability, non-reactivity, low toxicity, good electric insulation, and good functionality. However, its high flammability and rapid flame spread pose dangers for certain applications. Therefore, different flame-retardant (FR) additives are incorporated into PE to increase its flame retardancy. In this review article, research papers from the past 10 years on the flame retardancy of PE systems are comprehensively reviewed and classified based on the additive sources. The FR additives are classified in well-known FR families, including phosphorous, melamine, nitrogen, inorganic hydroxides, boron, and silicon. The mechanism of fire retardance in each family is pinpointed. In addition to the efficiency of each FR in increasing the flame retardancy, its impact on the mechanical properties of the PE system is also discussed. Most of the FRs can decrease the heat release rate (HRR) of the PE products and simultaneously maintains the mechanical properties in appropriate ratios. Based on the literature, inorganic hydroxide seems to be used more in PE systems compared to other families. Finally, the role of nanotechnology for more efficient FR-PE systems is discussed and recommendations are given on implementing strategies that could help incorporate flame retardancy in the circular economy model.
