Flame retardancy of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites

PP/MMT nanocomposites having a various compositions were prepared by melt blending with a twin screw extruder. In this study, maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAE-g-PP) was used as a compatibilizer in order to assist the exfoliation of MMT in the PP matrix. From the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements for the nanocomposites, we confirmed that MW was exfoliated. PP/MW nanocomposites have shown good flame retardancy by synergistic effect between MMT and flame retardant. The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites showed significant enhancement compared with those of neat PP. The excellent flame retardancy of the PP/MMT nanocomposites, UL94 V-0 value, was successfully obtained with reduced amount of the flame retardant.