Production and characterization of boron-based additives and the effect of flame retardant additives on PET-based composites


Tezin Türü: Doktora

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mühendislik Fakültesi, Kimya Mühendisliği Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: MERT KILINÇ

Danışman: GÖKNUR BAYRAM

Özet:

For the aim of production of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET based flame retardant composites; boron based flame retardant additives, 3.5 mole hydrated zinc borate and boron phosphate were synthesized. Zinc borate was synthesized with the reaction of boric acid and zinc oxide in both laboratory and pilot scale reactors. Effects of reaction parameters on kinetics of reaction and final product particle size were evaluated. Boron phosphate was synthesized via dry, wet and microwave methods. In addition to the synthesized flame retardant additives, several non-halogenated flame retardant additives, which were commercially available, were also used. Composites were prepared using twin screw extruder and molded by injection molding, followed by characterization in terms of flame retardancy behavior, mechanical and thermal properties, and morphologies. Based on the results of first stage experiments, aiming to determine effective additives, different amounts and combinations of triphenyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphine oxide, zinc borate and microwave produced boron phosphate were chosen and used in PET matrix. Flame retardancy of the composites were determined by conducting horizontal burning rate and limiting oxygen index (LOI) tests. Smoke emissions during fire were also measured. According to the LOI test results, LOI of neat PET was determined as 21%, and with the addition of 5% boron phosphate and 5% triphenyl phosphate together, LOI was increased up to 36%. The smoke density analysis results implied that, boron phosphate was a successful smoke suppressant for PET matrix. In addition to flammability properties, tensile and impact properties of the composites were also improved with flame retardant additives and expecially with the addition of triphenyl phosphate.