The Effects of Flame Retardants on the Flammability of Oil Palm Fibre Filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Composites

Ganesaraja, Prakash (2022) The Effects of Flame Retardants on the Flammability of Oil Palm Fibre Filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Composites. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Attributed to its distinctive advantages, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a common engineering plastic used in various industries. ABS is a polymer that is cheap and has good thermal and mechanical properties. However, ABS also generates high amounts of smoke, poor fatigue resistance and low melting point. ABS was improved by incorporating oil palm fibre (OPF) into the ABS matrix along with the addition of flame retardants which are Zinc Borate (ZB), Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP), and Alumina Trihydrate (ATH). The ABS composite after burning were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).The effect of OPF filler and flame retardants ZB, APP and ATH on the flammability were investigated by the UL94 vertical and horizontal burning test. The results of the burn tests showed that the 20 wt% of OPF filler and flame retardants slowed down the burning rate with a reduction of 28.7% and 57.6% respectively. The specimen which exhibits the best flame resistance was 10ATH05ZB20OPF65GP which also proves the existence of synergistic effect amongst the flame retardants.From the findings, the OPF was able to improve the flame resistance together with the aid of other flame retardants. All materials were able to offer great results and provide synergistic effect.