Effect of coupling agent modified intumescent flame retardant on the mechanical properties, thermal degradation behavior, and flame retardancy of wood‐flour/polypropylene composites

In this study, the silane coupling agent modified intumescent flame retardant (K‐IFR) were used in the wood‐flour/polypropylene composites (WPCs). The tests showed that the mechanical properties of the WPCs contained K‐IFR were better than those of the WPCs contained the unmodified IFR. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that K‐IFR could endow the WPCs with higher thermal stability. The incorporation of it increased the limiting oxygen index by 23%, decreased the heat release rate by about 55%, and left much more charred residues at the end of cone calorimetry tests when compared with the WPCs without flame retardant. In addition, K‐IFR had better water resistance in the composite matrix than the unmodified one. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:826–834, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers