The Study of The Effect of Nanoclay Particles on Flammability Properties ofWood Polymer Nanocomposites Made of Polypropylene-Wood Flour

In this study, the effect of nanoclay particles content on flammability properties of wood polymer composite made of polypropylene and wood flour was examined. For this purpose, wood flour was mixed with polypropylene at a weight ration of 50%, and nanoclay with 0, 2, 4 and 6% respectivly, 2% of MAPP was also used as the coupling agent in all formulations. The samples were molded through injection, and flammability properties such as Char Residue, Burning Rate, Total Smoke Production, Time to Ignition and Heat Release Rate were tested according to ASTM standard. Results indicated that Char Residue and Time to Ignition were increased by increasing nanoclay particles content, however, Burning Rate, Heat Release Rate and Total Smoke Production were reduced. In addition, x-ray study of the samples showed that nanoclay distributed as intercalation structure in polymer matrix, and the dspacing of layers were decreased with the increas of nanoclay particles content.