Combined effects of layered nanofillers and intumescent flame retardant on thermal and fire behavior of ABS resin

ABSTRACT The application of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) copolymer as construction material is largely restricted by its inherent flammability and the release of a great amount of smoke and toxic gases during combustion. To address this issue, the combination of conventional flame retardants and nanoadditives was proven to be a promising way. Herein, both intumescent flame retardants (IFR) and layered nanofillers, that is, graphene and layered double hydroxide were added into ABS resin. These nanofillers exhibited superior dispersion in the ABS matrix. Thermal and fire behaviors of ABS resin were investigated by thermogravimetry analysis, UL‐94 vertical burning test, limiting oxygen index test, and cone calorimetry. The ABS composites containing IFR and layered nanofillers presented remarkable decline in total heat release, peak heat release rate, and volume of toxic effluents released in the burning process compared with those of neat ABS, indicating the significantly improved fire safety of ABS. Moreover, introducing layered nanofillers could further enhance the heat stability and fire safety of the flame‐retardant ABS composites, indicating the presence of synergistic effect between IFR and layered nanofillers. The scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of compact and dense intumescent chars, which could obstruct the spread of heat and mass, and thus improved the heat stability and flame retardancy of ABS resin. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48220.