The Effect of MWCNT and GNP on the Flame Retardant Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites

Nanotechnology in engineering is intended for achieving newer materials with immensely improved electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. The effectiveness of different fillers (micro and nanoscale) on the flame retardant behaviour of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites were studied using cone calorimetry. In the present investigation, the fabrication of epoxy composites with ECR glass fiber reinforcement using the pultrusion method was taken up. The effect of incorporation of micron-sized ATH, carbon nanofillers like multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) is investigated. With respect to flame retardant properties, the composites with the combination of alumina (ATH) and carbon nanofillers show better results as compared to composites with individual fillers. The results exhibit a good agreement with more compact chars formed on the surface of the charred polymer. However, the cone calorimetry results of glass fibre reinforced composite show no significant improvement with respect to heat release rate. Further, Flame parameters of the composites show minimal deterioration due to the incorporation of the ATH and carbon fillers. Studies on the morphology using FESEM are well correlated with the flame properties.