Thermal and Flammability Properties of Polypropylene-Carbon Nanotube Composites

Published

September 1, 2002

Author(s)

Takashi Kashiwagi, E A. Grulke, J N. Hilding, Richard H. Harris Jr., W H. Awad, Jack F. Douglas

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on polypropylene and carbon nanotubes (up to 2 vol.-%) were melt blended, yielding good dispersion of the nanotubes without using any organic treatment or additional additives. Carbon nanotubes enhance the thermal stability of polypropylene in nitrogen. They significantly reduce heat release rate of polypropylene and are at least as affective flame-retardant as clay/polypropylene nanocomposites. The results show a great potential for the use of carbon nanotubes as a flame retardant additive for polymer materials, especially polyolefins where dispersion can be achieved without surfactant.

Citation

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

Volume

23

Issue

No. 13

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Carbon nanotubes, flame retardant, nanocomposites, poly(propylene)

Citation

Kashiwagi, T. , Grulke, E. , Hilding, J. , Harris, R. , Awad, W. and Douglas, J. (2002), Thermal and Flammability Properties of Polypropylene-Carbon Nanotube Composites, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861182 (Accessed October 17, 2025)