In this study, the thermo-oxidative degradation of HDPE/RH
ecocomposites was studied by using TGA. The decomposition
behavior of ecocomposites has also been numerically modelled
based on the corresponding results of neat components. It could
be concluded that the thermal decomposition process of the HDPE
matrix has been delayed by about 40 C irrespective of RH content
in the ecocomposites.
Flammability of these RH-containing ecocomposites was evaluated
by using cone calorimetry. The flame retardancy is closely related
to the RH loading level: addition of RH with lower content
(i.e. 20 wt.%) cannot remarkably alter the flammability when compared
to unfilled HDPE; on increasing the RH content to 50 wt.% or
70 wt.%, prominent flame retardant effect has been achieved. From
the FTIR, XPS and SEM analyses, it has been concluded that the
mechanism for the improved flame retardancy was due to the thermal
shielding and diffusion barrier effects yielded by the effective
silica layer formed during the combustion process