Effect of flame retardants on flame propagation and flammability properties of oil palm fibre reinforced polyester composite

Oil palm fibre reinforced polyester composite (OPFC) was modified with aluminium tri-hydroxide (ATH), ammonium phosphate and gum arabic (APP-GAP) intumescent compound, and their hybrid (ATH/APP-GAP) flame retardants (FRs) at 0%, 12%, and 18% proportion using hand lay-up compression moulding technique. The effect of the FR loadings on impact strength, flammability properties, and flame propagation were examined using an impact tester, cone calorimeter apparatus (CCA), and flame spread apparatus (FSA), respectively. The results shows that the FRs added to OPFC enhanced the impact strength of the composite showing greater absorbed energy for 0%OPFC and 12%APP-GAP specimens. CCA results reveal that 18%ATH/APP-GAP hybrid specimen enhanced the flammability properties better at 50 kW m(-2), while at 25 kW m(-2), the performance of the specimens varied in properties with content and type of FR loadings. FSA results reveal that with 18%ATH/APP-GAP hybrid specimen, weakest flame energy for propagation and less flame travel distance could be achieved and suggests a better FR. This paper concludes that the hybrid FR specimen can be of great benefit to the building and transportation industries.