Effect of organo-modified layered silicates on flammability performance of high-density polyethylene/rice husk flour nanocomposite

This research was carried out to investigate on the effect of organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) on the flame retarding characteristics and clay dispersion of composites based on high-density polyethylene and rice husk flour. To meet this objective, the blend nanocomposites were prepared through the melt mixing of high-density polyethylene and rice husk flour at 50% weight ratios, with various amounts of OMMT (0, 2, 4, and 6 per hundred compounds) in Hakee internal mixer; then, the samples were made by injection molding. Results indicated that the burning rate, total smoke production, and heat release rate of samples decreased with increasing the OMMT content. Also, the char residue and time to ignition increased with increasing the nanoclay loading. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the nanocomposites formed were intercalated. Also, morphological findings showed that samples containing 2 per hundred compounds of OMMT had higher order of intercalation and better dispersion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011