Influence of a novel organo-silylated clay on the morphology, thermal and burning behavior of low density polyethylene composites

The functionalization of a natural sodium montmorillonite (MMT) with (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane by a silylation procedure is presented, and its use as nanofiller in the melt compounding of low density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites. In particular, the effects on the thermal stability and flame retardant properties of melt compounded LDPE nanocomposites are analyzed, with and without magnesium hydroxide (MH) as an additional conventional flame retardant. The purpose was to investigate possible synergistic effects between the two inorganic fillers on fire behavior. The obtained organosilylated clay showed higher interlayer spacing than the original MMT and good thermal stability, higher than that of many commercial organoclays modified with alkylammonium salts. Its addition to LDPE allowed the production of hybrids with nanoscale dispersion of the filler, as demonstrated by X-ray diffraction. The simultaneous presence of MH, which strongly interacts with the nanoclay, hindered intercalation of the polymer chains between the clay galleries and clay layer exfoliation within the LDPE resin. The investigation of the thermal and burning behavior of the LDPE nanocomposites indicated that the organosilylated clay alone shows only a limited residual protection layer effect. In combination with MH the nanocomposites have a small adverse effect on the reaction to small flame as measured by the oxygen index and UL 94 testing, and, surprisingly, no effect on the peak heat release rate in the cone calorimeter. The quality of the fire residue was lacking on the microscopic scale. The ternary LDPE/MH/organoclay systems investigated did not open the door to reducing MH content in halogen-free flame retardant LDPE yet, but demand further research.