| Summary: | Effects of different zinc borate (ZB) loadings on thermal, flammability and crystallinity properties of blends of 10 % rubber (9/1) natural rubber (NR)/epoxidised natural rubber (ENR)/metallocene linear low density polyethylene/N,N-m-phenylenebismaleimide/MgO were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that -C=O and -OH groups appeared while C-O-C and C=C groups disappeared in all blend samples. ZB increased the activation of HVA-2 by changing the reaction mechanism and increasing the concentration of the -C=O groups in the blends due to the peak at 1,714-1,718 cm−1. The crystallinity of all blends was increased by ZB loading increase; therefore, it played the heterogeneous nucleation center and maximum crystallinity was observed at 6 phr ZB blend. The thermal stability of NR improved with increase of zinc borate loading and the highest thermal stability was determined for 8 phr ZB blend. Good compatibilization between the two rubbers (NR/ENR-50) was achieved in the presence of ZB, which was revealed by the presence of only one peak for their decomposition. The limiting oxygen index value of mLLDPE was decreased by two rubbers loading increase, while it was increased by ZB loading increase to provide fire barriers to protect flammable materials from thermal damage. It was concluded that ZB has a synergistic effect on the LOI values of flame retardant mLLDPE/rubber containing MgO.
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