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The effect of thermal stability of carbon nanotubes on the flame retardancy of epoxy and bismaleimide/carbon fiber/buckypaper composites

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Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) membranes (buckypaper) were incorporated onto the surface of epoxy and bismaleimide (BMI) carbon fiber composites. Their flammability behaviors were investigated by a cone calorimeter. The composites with buckypaper reduced the heat release rate (HRR) by more than 60% peak and smoke generation by 50% during combustion. The effects of different buckypaper on the flame retardancy of epoxy and BMI were compared and discussed. Our research team found that buckypapers acted as an effective flame-retardant shield to dramatically reduce the fire hazards of composites if they survived during fire combustion. Thermogravimetric analyses was used to compare the thermo-oxidation stability of the resins and buckypapers to explain the different effects of SWCNT and MWCNT buckypaper on flammability of epoxy and BMI carbon fiber composites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, High Performance Materials Institute (HPMI), Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32310-6046, USA

    Qiang Wu, Jianwen Bao, Chuck Zhang, Richard Liang & Ben Wang

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  1. Qiang Wu
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  2. Jianwen Bao
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  3. Chuck Zhang
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  4. Richard Liang
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  5. Ben Wang
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Correspondence to Qiang Wu.

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Wu, Q., Bao, J., Zhang, C. et al. The effect of thermal stability of carbon nanotubes on the flame retardancy of epoxy and bismaleimide/carbon fiber/buckypaper composites. J Therm Anal Calorim 103, 237–242 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-0960-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-010-0960-0

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