US EPA

999044 

Book/Book Chapter 

Carbon nanotubes as a new class of flame retardants for polymers 

Beyer, G 

2004 

International Wire and Cable Symposium 

Eatontown, NJ 

Proceedings of the 52nd IWCS/Focus 

32 

628-633 

Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs or SWCNTs) were used as nanofillers in polyethylene. Only MWCNTs reduced the heat release rates caused by polymer degradation. MWCNTs can be more effective in heat release reduction than organoclays. The char generated by the nanofiller blend “MWCNTs and organoclays” as a synergistic flame retardant system in EVA was improved compared to the char generated by organoclay based
nanocomposites. Initial results indicated that there was a strengthening effect of the char by MWNTs. The synergistic improvement for heat release reduction by a blend of the two nanofillers “MWCNTs and organoclays" was used for the development of a flame retardant cable compound. 1.5 kg of MWCNTs were compounded on a BUSS ko-kneader to generate 60 kg of a nanocomposite based on the nanofiller blend. The
flame retardant properties of insulated wires made either by the nanofiller blend or by “classical” organoclays were measured. 

Carbon nanotubes; MWCNT; SWCNT; nanocomposites; organoclays; cone calorimeter; flame retardancy; cables; wires; fire science 

International Wire and Cable Symposium 

Philadelphia, PA 

November 17-20, 2003