Coir-fiber-based fire retardant nano filler for epoxy composites

Coir-fiber-based fire retardant nano filler has been developed for epoxy resin (ER). At first, the coir fiber was brominated with saturated bromine water and then treated with stannous chloride solution. After drying, it was grinded to nano dimension and mix well with ER for composites preparations. FTIR, DSC, and TG techniques were used to characterize the brominated coir fiber. Gravimetric analysis shows only 10% by mass of bromination on coir fiber. Bromination decreases the thermal stability of the coir fiber, but it does not affect the final stability of the composites. This study concentrates on the thermal, fire retardant, and morphological properties of nanocomposites prepared by direct mixing. The fire retardancy properties (smoke density and limiting oxygen index) of coir-epoxy nanocomposites have increased significantly.