FIRE AND MATERIALS

Fire Mater. 2016

Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/fam.2411

Effect of aluminum trihydrate as flame retardant on properties of a

thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite

M. A. Khattab1,*,†, Feteha Abdel Halim Feteha1, W. A. Sadik1 and E. M. Abdel-Bary2

1
Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alexandria, Alexandria,
Egypt
2
Materials Science Department, German University in Cairo (GUC), Cairo, Egypt

SUMMARY
In this work, different concentrations, per hundred rubber (phr), of aluminum trihydrate (ATH) were added to
thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite based on ethylene propylene diene monomer and linear low-density
polyethylene. The effect of the added compound on the flammability, rheological, mechanical properties,
and electrical conductivity of the composite was studied. The results of the cone calorimeter showed a signi-
ficantly reduction in the flammability of the composites occurred when the composite was treated with ATH.
The peak heat release rate was reduced by about 66% when the composite was loaded with 180 phr of ATH.
Moreover, the time to ignition prolonged up to 160%. The total smoke released decreased significantly as the
concentrations of the ATH were increased. A reduction of about 69% in the total smoke released was
observed when the composite was treated with 180 phr. The thermogravimetric analysis showed a reduction
in the overall weight loss as the concentrations of ATH were increased. A reduction of about 50% of the
original weight was observed when 180 phr of ATH was used. An appreciable decrease in tensile stress
and strain with increasing ATH contents had been observed. The addition of ATH markedly reduced the
conductivity of the thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Received 20 March 2015; Revised 29 September 2016; Accepted 12 October 2016

KEY WORDS: EPDM; blends; aluminum trihydrate; flame retardant

1. INTRODUCTION

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are novel constructional polymers, which are physically crosslinked
materials made up of a thermoplastic and an elastomer blend. TPEs have attracted the attention of
numerous researchers worldwide since last three decades [1]. There are countless applications where
thermoplastic elastomeric materials are used. Major applications include replacement for artificial
and natural rubber, foam making, soft and hard thermal insulation sheets, door and window handles
for household and automobiles, car dash boards, bumpers, shoe soles, electrical accessories, water
sealing rubbers, pipes, ring gasket, and electronics appliance casings. Recently, TPE are replacing
metals in many applications like aircraft and spaceships where they provide strength like metals but
less weight.
Thermoplastic elastomers have performance properties like that of thermoset rubbers but with the
process and design flexibility of plastics, thereby providing wide design options and enhanced cost-
reduction opportunities [2, 3].
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) has outstanding environmental properties but has poor
flammability resistance [1,4]. It is one of the first rubber types used to prepare the TPE.

*Correspondence to: M. A. Khattab, Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research,
University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
†
E-mail: elfateh99@yahoo.com

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 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

Among the materials that improve flame retardency of the TPE are antimony oxide, a halogen-
containing compound, metal hydroxide, and nanoclay [5–8]. Metallic hydroxide flame retardants,
which include magnesium hydroxide, aluminum trihydrate (ATH), hydrotalcite, magnesium
hydroxide sulfate hydrate whisker, are the most interesting and promising of the non-halogen free
flame retardant studied by researchers in recent years [9–11]. Generally, there are two mechanisms
in which flame retardants behave during the burning of polymers. The first is the condensed phase
mechanism in which the flame retardant acts in solid phase. The second mechanism is the gas phase
in which the flame retardants inhibit the gas phase burning process of the polymers. ATH is,
presently, the most used flame retarder, and the cost–benefit relationship is the main reason for its
increasing use. Among the advantages that ATH presents over the flame retarders are its low cost
and low toxicity and, in addition, its simultaneous action as both flame retarder and smoke
suppressor, thus preventing evolution of toxic or corrosive substances, in the event of a fire [12–14].
To the best of the author’s knowledge, few researches were cited in the literature concerning the
effect of incorporating ATH as a flame retardant to TPE based on EPDM as rubbery phase and
linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) as hard phase particularly when this composite is
reinforced with a hybrid system of carbon black in nano-scale and amorphous silica. Therefore, the
purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of addition of ATH to such new formulation on the
flammability, thermal, mechanical, and physical properties.

2. EXPERIMENTAL WORK

2.1. Materials
The following is a list of materials used to carry out this work:
Polymers Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), Buna EP G 8450, was sup-
plied by LANXESS, with Mooney viscosity with large rotor ML (1 + 4)
125 °C, 76 ± 6; Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB) content 4.3; ethylene content
53 ± 4; and specific gravity 0.86 g/cm3, whereas LLDPE virgin granules were
supplied by Samsung IG South Korea, with MFI 2 and density 0.918 g/cm3.
Fillers Carbon black N115, aggregate size less than 20 nm, was supplied by Alexan-
dria Carbon Black Company. Amorphous silica ULTRASIL VN3GR was
supplied by Egsil Kimya, Turkey, with surface area, 180 m2/g, whereas
ATH; MARTINAL OL-104 was supplied by Albemarle Corporation,
Germany, with Al (OH)3 % 99.4, moisture (105 °C) ≤ 0.35 and specific surface
area (BET), 3-5 m2/g.
Processing aid Paraffin oil Nytex 832 was delivered by Shoretank Belgium.
Silane coupler Bis [3-(triethoxysilyl) propyle] tetrasulfide (TESPT) was supplied by Evonik,
Germany.
Curing agents Solu- pale yellow powder was supplied by Zolfo Industria, Italy, with purity 99.9%
ble sulfur and melting point 112 °C.
Accelerators N-cyclohexyl benzothiazyle sulphenamide (CBS) was supplied by Shandong
Sunshine Chemical Co., Ltd, China, with a melting point of 99.0 °C, whereas
tetraisobutyle thiuramdisulfide (TIBTD) was supplied by Vanderbilt, USA,
with a melting point of 68 °C.
Activators Stearic acid was supplied by Calia, Pare`s, Spain, whereas zinc oxide was sup-
plied by Zincol Ossidi, Italia.

2.2. Formulations
Aluminum trihydrate was added in different concentrations of 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 (phr) to
thermoplastic rubber nanocomposites containing (phr) EPDM 100, LLDPE – 40, CB N115 – 20,
Amorphous silica – 30, silane coupler TESPT – 30, Stearic acid – 0.5, paraffin oil – 10, zinc oxide
– 5.0, sulfur – 2.0, CBS – 1.5 and TIBTD – 1.0

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 EFFECT OF ALUMINUM TRIHYDRATE AS FLAME RETARDANT

2.3. Mixing
Ethylene propylene diene monomer and LLDPE were broken down and mixed for 3 min in an open roll
mill at 140 °C and then CB added and mixed for 3 min, silica for 4 min, TESPT added for 2 min, oil for
3 min, and then ATH added for 5 min. Finally, at room temperature, ZnO, stearic acid, and the curatives
were added for 2 min. The open roll mill used in the mixing was of dimensions 400 × 150 mm and
speed ratio of the rollers n1/n2 = 28/22.

2.4. Vulcanization
All the mixes were molded into sheets of 2 mm thickness using electrically heated hydraulic press
supplied from Pasadena hydraulic industry (PHI) at pressure 18 bars and temperature 151 ± 2 °C for
30 min.

2.5. Characterizations
2.5.1. Rheometric characteristics. The cure characteristics, ML (minimum torque), was determined
with a Monsanto moving die rheometer (MDR2000) at 151 °C for 30 min in accordance with ISO
2417. Three specimens were tested for each formulation, and the average value was reported.
2.5.2. Tensile measurements. Tensile properties, such as tensile strength, modulus (%), and elongation
at break, were measured using Monsanto tensometer 2000 in accordance with ASTM D-412 standard
testing method. Five dumbbell specimens were tested for each formulation and cut from the 2-mm-
thick molded sheet.
2.5.3. Hardness. Hardness was measured as per the standard ASTM D-2240 testing method using
shore (A) durometer HH-336-C, Akashi corp., Japan. The average of five measurements was recorded.
2.5.4. Dynamic mechanical properties. Dynamic mechanical properties were measured using
production process analyzer in accordance to ASTM D-6601 and ASTM D-5289. A test specimen
of weight 5 ± 0.5 g was taken from the green mixes. Storage modulus (G`) and loss modulus (G``)
were measured at temperature 70 °C, varied strain up to 10% and frequency 10 Hz.
2.5.5. Electrical measurements
2.5.5.1. Volume resistivity. The test was carried out using a two-probe method via Keithly 2635 A.
2.5.6. Aging in air. Aging was carried out for a rubber sheet for each formulation in air circulating
oven at 100 °C for 7 days. The tensile properties and hardness were then measured according to their
relative standards.
2.5.7. Thermal analysis
2.5.7.1. Thermogravimetric analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out using SDTQ600,
TA instruments, USA, and equipped with thermal analysis data acquisition software at a heating rate
of 20 °C/min under nitrogen atmosphere with a flow rate of 20 ml/min. Thermal scans were run from
20–750 °C with specimen average 5 mg.
2.5.8. Flammability analysis
2.5.8.1. Cone calorimeter. The test carried out in accordance with ISO 5660-1 by FTI cone
calorimeter, UK. Sheet of 2 mm thickness with surface area 100 cm2 is held horizontally at a
distance 25 mm from the burner and subjected to heat flux 35 kW/m2. Three sheets of specimens
were tested for each formulation, and the average is calculated.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1. Effect of ATH on the rheological characteristics of the composites

The effect of varying the concentrations of ATH on the rheometric characteristics is demonstrated in
Figure 1. Figure 1 shows an increase in ML, which indicates an increase in the viscosity of the

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

Figure 1. Effect of aluminum trihydrate (ATH) in different loadings on ML.

Figure 2. Strain amplitude dependence of G` at different loadings of aluminum trihydrate (ATH).

composites with increasing the loadings of the ATH. For instance, the ML increased by 150% of its
original value when the ATH reached 180 phr. This is normal for polymer filled materials.

3.2. Effect of ATH on dynamic mechanical characteristics

Figure 2 shows an increase of storage modulus with increasing ATH loading at certain strain value.
This increase in the storage modulus is resulting from the filler–filler networking between ATH
particles. The results have also demonstrated a decrease in the storage modulus with increasing the
strain (Payne effect), which is attributed to the breakdown of the weak filler network as the
deformation (strain) increases. Figure 3 presents the strain amplitude dependence of tan δ at different
loadings of ATH. This data indicate higher loss in energy with increasing both strain and ATH
concentrations. Energy dissipation mechanism created by the interaction between untreated ATH

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 EFFECT OF ALUMINUM TRIHYDRATE AS FLAME RETARDANT

Figure 3. Strain amplitude dependence of tan δ at different loadings of aluminum trihydrate (ATH).

particles explains this finding. As the strain increases, the energy dissipates in the composite and
disturbs the filler network and hence loss energy increases. Also, the increase of ATH concentrations
increases the energy dissipation that occurs in the composite.

3.3. Effect of ATH on the mechanical characteristics

Table I presents the dependency of mechanical properties on ATH loadings. Increasing ATH loadings
slightly increases the hardness and the modulus at 100% elongation as the presence of carbon black
and silicon dioxide masks the effect of ATH. For instance, the hardness of composite not containing
ATH reaches 80%, and the addition of 180 phr ATH increases it to about 85% only. The results also
pointed that aging increases the hardness and modulus resulting from increasing crosslink density in
the EPDM compared with unaged samples because of thermal oxidative process and consequently
increases hardness and modulus. The increase in hardness and modulus usually reflects the bad
thermal oxidative aging of rubber blends. This agrees with the work of Gamlin et al. [15]. The table
also illustrates the decrease of the strain and stress at rupture with increasing the ATH loadings. The
addition of ATH reduces the free volume in the matrix and consequently increases the embrittlement
of the composite causing decrease in the strain and stress at rupture. The results also demonstrate
that the aging in air at 100 °C for 7 days decreases strain and increases stress at rupture relative to
that observed before aging. This is expected as the formulations do not contain antioxidants

Table I. Effect of ATH loadings on the mechanical characteristics.

ATH loading (phr)

Mechanical characteristics 0 100 120 140 160 180

Hardness (shore A) Non-aged 80 83 86 88 88 90

Aged in air at 100 °C for 7 days 89 93 94 94 96 96
100% tensile modulus (MPa) Non-aged 2.6 3.9 5 5.1 4.9 5.1
Aged in air at 100 °C for 7 days 6.3 9.5 12.4 13.2 12.8 12.6
Tensile strain (%) Non-aged 733 596 472 473 452 391
Aged in air at 100 °C for 7 days 285 177 133 123 124 121
Tensile stress (MPa) Non-aged 18.6 12.1 11.1 10.5 8.8 8.3
Aged in air at 100 °C for 7 days 15 14 15 15 14 13
ATH, aluminum trihydrate.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

permitting thermal oxidative resistances to increase stress, modulus, and decrease strain. It also
increases the embrittlement of the composites after aging.

3.4. Effect of ATH on volume resistivity

Figure 4 illustrates the change of conductivity as a result of changing ATH concentrations in the
composite. The result shows a decrease in the conductivity with increasing ATH loadings. It is
important to reduce the conductivity to its possible minimum if the material is used for insulating
applications [4]. This decrease in the conductivity is attributed to the dilution of carbon black as a
conducting filler.

3.5. Effect of ATH on thermal characteristics

Figures 5–12 show the thermogravimertric (TGA) and differential thermogravimertric (DTG) curves
for ATH, untreated and treated composites with different loadings of ATH as a flame retardant.
ATH starts to decompose in the temperature range of 229 to 380 °C and accounts for 33.5% of the

Figure 4. Effect of different aluminum trihydrate (ATH) loadings on the conductivity.

Figure 5. Thermogram of the aluminum trihydrate.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
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 EFFECT OF ALUMINUM TRIHYDRATE AS FLAME RETARDANT

Figure 6. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite unfilled with aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

Figure 7. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite with 100 phr aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

original sample weight. The maximum DTG peak for this stage was found to occur at about 305 °C
(figure 5). This could be attributed to the release of water of crystallization. Figure 6 shows the
thermogravimetric analysis and DTG of unloaded thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite. The result
shows the presence of two decomposition stages. The first stage started at 180 °C and ends at 225 °C
with DTG max at 200 °C, while the second phase of degradation started at 400 °C and is completed
at 530 °C with DTG maximum occurring at 480 °C. The first weight loss stage of the unloaded
thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite could be attributed to the degradation of the outer layer of the
polymer under effect of heat. However, the second stage, which is the main one, is attributed to the
decomposition of the polymer structure. Figure 7 depicts that the addition of 100 phr ATH slightly
changed the thermal decomposition behavior of the thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite. Also, a
new decomposition phase that starts at 300 °C and ends at 370 °C with DTG maximum at 340 °C is
observed. This new stage is attributed to the loss of the water of crystallization of the ATH. This

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

Figure 8. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite with 120 phr aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

Figure 9. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite with 140 phr aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

leads to in situ formation of a ceramic layer of Al2O3 [4,16–20]. Figures 8–11 show that the main
decomposition phase for all the treated samples is not greatly altered by further addition of ATH,
120, 140, 160, and 180 phr, respectively. These are the expected results because ATH, as an
inorganic filler is not involved in the condensed phase decomposition of the polymer matrix.
However, a decrease in the overall weight loss was noticed when the loadings of the ATH were
increased as shown in Figure 12. This is thought to be due to the formation of the thermally stable
ceramic Al2O3 that possesses a melting temperature of 2054 °C [5,19]. This layer prevents escaping
of some of the volatile species from entering the gas phase above the polymer and consequently
decreases the weight loss. It is interesting to note that the first decomposition phase that appears at
about Tmax of 200 °C has slightly diminishes till almost disappears at a loading of 180 phr ATH.
This could be attributed to the cooling effect of ATH as a result of its endothermic decomposition
and loss of its water that absorbs some of the heat required for the gasification process to occur at
this temperature.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 EFFECT OF ALUMINUM TRIHYDRATE AS FLAME RETARDANT

Figure 10. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite with 160 phr aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

Figure 11. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite with 180 phr aluminum trihydrate. TGA,
thermogravimetric analysis.

3.6. Effect of ATH on flammability characteristics

Burning organic polymer takes place in two consequent phases, degradation followed by decomposition
[19]. The degradation phase starts with gasification (volatilization) of polymer surface by heat, and
oxidation of these combustible gases leads to heat released that turn back to the substrate producing the
decomposition and failure of the material with releasing another wave of heat. The heat release rate
(HRR) during combustion is considered to be one of the most important parameter for characterizing
the combustion behavior of the polymers. From safety prospective, the peak HRR is the point in the
burning of material that may give off enough heat to ignite other nearby object. Figure 13 and Table II
show the HRR profile for thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite as a function of ATH loadings. Heat
starts to be released from the untreated samples after 37 s, called time to ignition (TT), and reaches
peak heat released of 728 kW/m2 at about 125 s. It is noteworthy that a little shoulder is observed at
about 80 s. This observation indicates the presence of two processes occurring simultaneously during
the combustion of the composite. The first process is a gasification process in which low calorific
degradation products are emitted. On the other hand, the second process, starts immediately after the

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

Figure 12. Thermogram of thermoplastic rubber nanocomposites filled with different aluminum trihydrate
(ATH) loadings.

Figure 13. Heat release rate profile dependence on aluminum trihydrate (ATH) loadings under flux
35 Kw/m2. HRR, heat release rate.

Table II. Effect of ATH loadings on flammability characteristics.

ATH loading (phr)
Flammability characteristics 0 100 120 140 160 180

Peak heat release rate, peak HRR (kW/m2) 728 527 414 368 242 244
Total heat release, THR (MJ/m2) 52 45.6 45.3 37.7 25.2 20.3
Time to ignition, TT (s) 37.5 44 49 54 99 101
Mean mass loss rate, MMLR (g/s) 0.082 0.075 0.069 0.060 0.057 0.055
Mean effective heat of combustion, MEHAC (MJ/kg) 20.9 19.35 18.3 15.84 10 9.2
Mean surface extinction area, MSEA (M2/kg) 344 296 295 223 219 143
Total smoke release, TSR (m2/m2) 1120 710 674 598 400 340
ATH, aluminum trihydrate.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
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 EFFECT OF ALUMINUM TRIHYDRATE AS FLAME RETARDANT

first one, is attributed to evolution of higher calorific decomposition products. The observed HRR-time
profile for the untreated polymer is similar to some extent to that observed for non-charring combustion
behavior of many polymers [18]. The addition of ATH as a flame retardant to the composite changed
the burning behavior of the composite. A clear distinction between the two processes is observed,
particularly at high loading of ATH. In another word, the addition of ATH created a valley between the
two peaks as seen in Figure 13. Moreover, the addition of ATH to the composites resulted in
appreciable reduction of the HRR peaks of both gasification and decomposition phases. Considering
the peak HRR of the decomposition phase, which is more important, it decreases from 728 to
244 kW/m2 as ATH loadings increased as demonstrated also in Figure 13 and Table II. As a result of
reduction in the HRR peak by the addition of ATH, the area underneath the HRR curves, which is a
measure of total heat release (THR), is reduced significantly as shown also in Table II. Nevertheless,
the most significant predictor of fire hazard is the HRR; therefore, the rate at which heat is released is
of more interest than the total amount. Time to ignition (TT), onset of the heat release curve, increases
gradually by increasing ATH concentrations in the composite by 17%, 30%, 44%, 160%, and 169% at
100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 phr ATH, respectively, as seen in Table II. It is also noted that an addition
of ATH increases the time interval between the gasification and decomposition phases causing a valley
between the two peaks of heat released (Figure 13). The longer length of the valley resulting from the
addition of flame retardant also delays material decomposition and failure. Additionally, it is noticed
that longer valley length is accompanied with increase in the time at which the material releases the
maximum amount of heat into the surrounding. This can give a crude indication of the time available to
escape the fire before flashover. It is interesting to note that the addition of ATH prolonged this time by
60%, 120%, 180%, 300%, and 340% approximately for 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 phr ATH,
respectively, compared with that observed for untreated composite (Figure 13). The results in Table II
show that the presence of ATH in the composite gradually decreases the mean mass loss rate with the
addition of ATH. This indicates that ATH is affecting the mean mass loss rate by reducing the rate of
both degradation and decomposition processes. Effective heat of combustion as calculated from total
heat release and total mass loss is substantially reduced. For example, the addition of 180 phr of ATH
reduced the total mass loss rate by about 35% as shown in Table II. The results of smoke parameter
measurements can be expressed in a number of different ways. Table II displays the mean specific
extinction area, which is the total obstruction area of smoke produced divided by the total mass loss
during the burn. This is reduced appreciably as the ATH loadings were increased. Another important
smoke parameter measurement is the total smoke released during the test. The results in Table II show
indicative decrease for the total smoke release with increasing ATH contents. An explanation of the
experimental findings is provided below: In addition to the high heat capacity of ATH, it undergoes
endothermic decomposition reaction when heated. During that it releases its water of crystallization,
which cools down the surroundings above the burning polymer and dilutes the combustible gases
concentration so that it becomes lower than the flammability limit concentration required for
combustion. These cooling and diluting effects of ATH retard as well as reduce the gasification and
degradation phases. Consequently, the HRR of that phase is reduced, and TT increases by the addition
of the ATH. The ceramic Al2O3 layer, which is formed after the release of water from the ATH, acts as
a protective barrier, retarding further decomposition of the composite as well as preventing the oxygen
contact with the polymer. This layer contributes largely in the observed reduction in the first peak HRR
as the loadings of the ATH were increased. With the absorption of heat flux, fine cracks are gradually
produced on the surface of the protective layer. Consequently, the heat will be released simultaneously,
and the second heat release peak is created. Of course the thicker the formed layer due to the increase
of the ATH loadings, the more protection occurs, and might also explain the reduction of the smoke
released as the concentrations of the ATH were increased [15–20].

4. CONCLUSION

The addition of ATH to thermoplastic rubber nanocomposite based on EPDM and LLDPE reinforced
with 30/20 amorphous silica and CB N 115 has significant effect on mechanical, thermal, and
flammability characteristics of the composites. Increasing ATH in the composite impaired the tensile

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Fire Mater. 2016
DOI: 10.1002/fam
 M. A. KHATTAB ET AL.

stress and strain for unaged samples compared with the aged. The presence of ATH decreased the
conductivity of the composites to certain extent. The thermal and flammability properties of the
composite have improved greatly with increasing ATH concentrations in the composite. The
properties obtained by the addition of 180 phr ATH make the composite suitable materials to be
used in wires and cable insulation under low and medium voltage proposed by Brazilian Society for
Technical Standards (ABNT).

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DOI: 10.1002/fam