Effects of compressing parameters and Mg(OH)₂ content on mechanical properties and flame retardancy of rice straw-fibre reinforced composites

Doan Van Hong Thien¹, Thao Phuong Nguyen¹, Mong Linh Nguyen Thi¹, Ngoc Tuyet Tran¹, Thanh Nhan Le¹, Trung Nam Nguyen¹, Manh Can Le¹, Chanh-Nghiem Nguyen², Dan-Thuy Van-Pham^1*

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Can Tho University

²Department of Automation Technology, Can Tho University

Abstract:

Rice straw fibre was utilized for unidirectional (UD) composites. In this study, the effects of compression temperature, duration, pressure, and fibre volume fraction on the mechanical properties of composites were investigated, respectively. The composite with optimal mechanical properties was prepared at a temperature of 180^oC, pressure of 125 kg.cm^-2 for 10 min, and at a fibre volume fraction of 40%. Mg(OH)₂ was found to be an appropriate additive to enhance the flame retardancy of the composite. Interestingly, this agent also improved the mechanical and thermal insulation properties of the obtained composite.

Keywords: flame retardancy, poly(vinyl chloride), rice straw, thermal insulation.

Classification number: 2.3