Thermal stability and flammability of banana‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites

Abstract Banana‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites were prepared with a melt‐blending technique followed by compression molding. The thermal stability and fire retardancy of the fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites was studied as a function of the variable weight percentages of fibers and nanoclays with both thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone calorimetry measurements. The test results indicated char formation at relatively low loadings of the nanoclays, thereby indicating flame retardancy in the fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites. The change in the degradation pathway of the polymer was observed with the incorporation of clay within the natural‐fiber‐reinforced composite, wherein the clay layers acted as barriers to mass transport that contributed to superheated conditions in the condensed phase. TGA thermograms also revealed improved thermal properties compared with the virgin matrix. Both the isothermal and nonisothermal degradation kinetics of the fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites were also studied. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed an increase in the melting and crystallization temperatures of PP in the fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites. Furthermore, the morphology of the fiber‐reinforced nanocomposites was evaluated with X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012