Effect of Nanoparticles on Mechanical and Flame-retardant Properties of Polyether-Block-Polyamide Polymer Nanocomposites

In this study, polyester elastomer-based thermoplastic (TPEE) nanocomposites were fabricated for flame-retardant applications. Small amounts of graphene and nanoclay were added to the nanocomposites to investigate their effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The addition of a phosphorous flame-retardant additive resulted in a significant improvement of the Young’s modulus and thus yield stress in the synthesized nanocomposites as compared to those made with the virgin TPEE. There was no synergistic improvement in mechanical properties with the addition of graphene and nanoclay to the nanocomposites. However, thermal properties, mainly the heat deflection temperature and fire performance (UL-94 V0), were improved significantly by the addition of graphene and nanoclay and a synergistic effect was observed. Heat distortion temperature and thermogravimetric analysis were used to analyze the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The UL-94 testing method was used to investigate the fire performance of the nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the polymer fracture surface morphology. The dispersion of the graphene and nanoclay particles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis.