Upgrading of recycled polypropylene by preparing flame retarded layered composite
B. Bodzay, M. Fejos, K. Bocz, A. Toldy, F. Ronkay, Gy. Marosi
Vol. 6., No.11., Pages 895-902, 2012
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2012.95
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2012.95
Corresponding author: B. Bodzay 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Upgrading of polypropylene waste was performed by different composite technologies, in order to improve the flame retardancy combined with preserved or improved mechanical properties. The polymer waste of density below 900 kg/m3 is originated from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) after comminution, density separation and comprehensive analysis. Intumescent flame retardant system was used for reducing the flammability; while chopped glass fibre reinforcement was used to compensate the deterioration of mechanical properties caused by flame retardant additives. In mixed composite beside of flame retardants, the reinforcement effect of glass fibre can not be realized; therefore with modification of composite structure (but maintaining the composition) a multilayer composite was developed, which contains 65.5% of recycled polymer, where the core is reinforced with glass fibre covered by flame retarded shell layers. Enhanced flame retardancy (4 min longer time to escape) was achieved by using this layered composite compared to the mixed composite, thus the time to escape could be extended only with modification of composite structure.
