Effect of clay loading on flammability of poly(methyl methacrylate)/clay nanocomposites

Abstract

The present study is related to the investigation of flammability properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) after incorporation of clay. PMMA/layered silicate (nanoclay) nanocomposites with 5% loading of nanofiller were prepared using melt intercalation technique. Commercially modified nanoclays such as Cloisite 30B, Cloisite 93A and in-house modified nanoclay (Quaternary ammonium salt modified Na-MMT i.e. OTAB-Na-MMT have been used as organoclays for the preparation of nanocomposites. Thermal characterization of the above prepared nanocomposites was carried out by thermal conductivity, horizontal burning test (UL94HB) and cone calorimeter experiments. The morphological behavior of nanocomposites was characterized by wide angle x-ray diffraction technique. The morphology of charred material obtained after burning was investigated using scanning electron microscopic analysis.