Work

Use of Refractory Clay as a Flame Retardant in ABS

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores the sustainable use of refractory clay (RC), a low-cost byproduct of the mining industry in southeastern Brazil, as a flame-retardant additive in acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene (ABS) composites. Composites containing 10 - 20 wt% RC were prepared via twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. Their thermal stability (TGA, DSC), mechanical performance (tensile, flexural, and impact tests), heat deflection temperature (HDT), morphology (SEM), and flammability behavior (UL-94V and UL-94HB) were evaluated. The incorporation of 20 wt% RC significantly enhanced flammability resistance, reducing the linear burning rate to 33.4 mm/min and enabling self-extinguishing behavior under both horizontal and vertical burning tests. These improvements were achieved without compromising the mechanical or thermal properties of ABS. The use of RC presents a sustainable and effective strategy to improve fire safety in polymer systems while adding value to an industrial waste material.

Source: Materials Research

DOI: 10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2024-0604

Authors: Bárbara Rodrigues Macedo, Sylma Carvalho Maestrelli, Jéssica Barbosa Fanis, Fábio Ferraço, Eduardo Cavalcante Tavares de Melo, Juliano Marini

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Language: English

Topic: Flame retardant materials and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico