Author : Ansam Adnan Hashim, Watheq Kareem Salih, Nozad Anwer Jameel

Fire retardants are very important class of materials which has importance in saving the persons lives and the properties via reducing the possibility of polymer fires. In this work, High density Polyethylene (HDPE)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano-composite was prepared by melt extrusion to assess the efficiency of nano Titanium dioxide as fire retardant and to detect its effect on melting point of composite. Different weight percentages of nano TiO2 (0, 2%, 4%, 6%) were used. The Fire retardancy of prepared samples were tested according to standard methods [ASTM D 635, ASTM D4804].The results showed that addition of this kind of nano particles contributed in improving the fire retardancy of high density polyethylene composite for all samples which contained nano TiO2 . The rate of burning and height of flame were varied according to different additions ratios. The maximum decreases in rate of burning and minimum height of flame was recorded for sample S2 (4%wt. addition) while the addition effect was very limited on melting point. The result clarified the synergic effect of nano titanium dioxide as co-fire retardant of High density polyethylene composites.

Keywords: HDPE, Nanotechnology, Fire retardant, Titanium dioxide, rate of burning, flame height.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.6, No.4 (Aug-2016)