Surface treatment of magnesium hydroxide: the key to improving the performance of flame-retardant PP
In the application of plastic materials, polypropylene (PP) is popular because of its light weight, heat resistance, corrosion resistance and other properties. However, the flammability of PP limits its application in certain fields with higher safety requirements. Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), as an efficient inorganic flame retardant, has been widely studied and used in PP materials due to its halogen-free, non-toxic, low-smoke and other properties. This article will explore the impact of magnesium hydroxide surface treatment processes on the performance of flame-retardant PP, and how to improve the performance of the material by optimizing these processes.
The importance of surface treatment technology
The surface treatment process of magnesium hydroxide has a significant impact on its application performance in PP. Unmodified magnesium hydroxide has poor dispersion and compatibility in PP, which limits its application in polymer materials. Through surface treatment, such as using modifiers such as stearic acid, the dispersion and compatibility of magnesium hydroxide in PP can be significantly improved, thereby improving the flame retardant and mechanical properties of the material.
Effect of surface treatment process on the performance of flame retardant PP
Improved dispersion and compatibility: The dispersion of surface-treated magnesium hydroxide in PP is significantly improved, reducing agglomeration. This modification not only improves the thermal stability of magnesium hydroxide, but also reduces its water absorption, thereby improving its compatibility with PP.
Enhanced flame retardant effect: Experiments show that the flame retardant level of PP composite materials added with modified magnesium hydroxide can reach V-0 level, and the oxygen index is close to 30%. This shows that surface-treated magnesium hydroxide can significantly improve the flame retardant properties of PP.
Improve mechanical properties: The addition of modified magnesium hydroxide can improve the mechanical properties of PP composite materials. Studies have shown that modified magnesium hydroxide can greatly improve the mechanical properties of flame-retardant PP. For example, the impact strength is increased by 53.5% compared with untreated, and the elongation at break is 7 times that of unmodified.
Improve thermal stability: Surface-treated magnesium hydroxide can significantly improve the thermal stability of PP composite materials. The addition of modified magnesium hydroxide increases the thermal decomposition temperature of PP from 290°C to 380°C, an increase of 90°C.
Reduce the negative impact on mechanical properties: Although the addition of magnesium hydroxide may reduce the tensile strength and elongation at break of PP composites, modification treatment can reduce this negative impact. For example, 4% stearic acid-modified MH-filled PP has good interfacial compatibility and has little impact on the mechanical properties of the composite material.
The surface treatment process of magnesium hydroxide is crucial to improving its application performance in PP. By optimizing the surface treatment process, the dispersion and compatibility of magnesium hydroxide in PP can be improved, the flame retardant effect can be enhanced, the mechanical properties can be improved, and the thermal stability can be improved, thereby expanding the application range of magnesium hydroxide in flame retardant PP materials. . As the demand for environmentally friendly flame-retardant materials continues to grow, the research and application of magnesium hydroxide surface treatment processes will provide new possibilities for safer and more environmentally friendly material applications.