Nguyen, Van Thuong
(2014)
Characterization And Flammability Of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
(Eva)/Zeolite Composites.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
This thesis describes the fabrication, characterization and properties of natural zeolite as
filler in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) composites. One of the main objectives of this research is
to determine the effect of zeolite loading on properties of EVA matrix composites. EVA
composites at different loading of zeolite (5-25 vol. %) were prepared using Thermo Haake
Polydrive internal mixer and were then compression molded according to standard test specimen.
Tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were performed to characterize the
mechanical properties of EVA/zeolite composites. The tensile test can also be explained from the
analysis of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrograph of the tensile fractured surfaces.
Besides, the influences of surface modifications on the properties of EVA/zeolite composites
were also investigated. The interfacial interactions between EVA and zeolite were modified by
crosslinking of EVA with dicumyl peroxide (DCP); cation exchange method using organic
surfactant (octadecylamine) and also silane treatment using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane
(AMPTES). In addition, Fourier Transform Infra red (FTIR) spectra analyses were performed in
order to study the interaction between the composites and functional group of the surface
modifiers. The application of surface modifications was proved to enhance the mechanical and
morphological properties of EVA/zeolite composites. Thermal properties of the composites were
also characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC). Intumescent flame retardant system consisting of ammonium polyphosphate
(APP)/ pentaerythritol (PER) was used to enhance the thermal properties and fire retardancy of
EVA/zeolite composites. The mechanical properties examined by tensile test indicated that the
introduction of both flame retardants lead to deterioration of tensile strength and elongation at
break of EVA/zeolite composites. However, the tensile modulus of the composites was
significantly enhanced attributed to the rigidity of APP particles. The results of DSC and TGA
showed that both types of flame retardants have the ability to enhance the thermal stability of
EVA/zeolite composites. Meanwhile the results of vertical burning testing (UL-94-V) and
limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurement revealed that the flame retardants could also reduce
the flammability of the composites by achieving V-0 UL94-v rating and increased LOI value,
respectively.
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