Final Report Summary - FLARETPOL (Development of an innovative, cost-effectice technology to produce halogen-free, high-performance flame retarded poliolefins)
The project aimed to produce advanced nanocomposites of polypropylene homopolymer and copolymers with surface treated micro- and nano-sized inorganic materials to imbue flame retardency to the polymer matrix while retaining the desired physical properties of the material. This removed the need to use toxic and environmentally hazardous materials and enabled the development of materials functional at higher temperatures than existing materials for certain applications.
The first six-months of the project involved investigation of competing materials and the setting up of detailed specifications of the products to be developed and definition of prototype materials to be replicated using the new technology by the end-user partners.
In addition, preliminary work on development of the surface treatment agents to be used for compatibilisation of the micro- and nano- fillers was carried out and a range of materials were identified for use in promotion of compatibilisation and property improvement of the matrix polymers.
In the second six month period work was concentrated on research into the synthesis of Reactive Oligomers and their precursors together with investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles.
In the third six month period work was concentrated on research into the synthesis, preliminary tests of scale-up and characterisation of new Reactive Oligomers together with investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles.
In the fourth six month period work was concentrated on research into the following areas: scale-up and characterisation of new Reactive Oligomers; investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles according to different routes on a larger scale; compounding of polyolefins with MH and nanoclays; mechanical and fire retardant testing of the blends obtained.
In the fifth six month period partners carried out research into the synthesis of new monomers and Reactive Oligomers and the investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide particles according to different routes on a larger scale.
Compounding experiments of polyolefins with MH and nanoclays and mechanical and fire retardant testing of the blends obtained led to the selection of the best PP/MH-composite formulations based on the first envisaged route, namely blending with modified MH microparticles. The best formulations for the industrial production of prototypes were selected.
In the sixth six month period research focused on the production of Kg-size batches of monomers and Reactive Oligomers for the industrial production of prototypes.
In the seventh six month of the project work involved the industrial production of prototypes, namely cables and automotive details, and the evaluation of their processability, mechanical performance, fire resistance. The recyclability of formulations and prototypes produced was evaluated.
An alternative processes for the industrial production of the peroxide-containing monomer used as precursor of the Reactive Oligomers for MH modification was established.
The feasibility of the industrial production of formulations, cables and automotive details was assessed.
The first six-months of the project involved investigation of competing materials and the setting up of detailed specifications of the products to be developed and definition of prototype materials to be replicated using the new technology by the end-user partners.
In addition, preliminary work on development of the surface treatment agents to be used for compatibilisation of the micro- and nano- fillers was carried out and a range of materials were identified for use in promotion of compatibilisation and property improvement of the matrix polymers.
In the second six month period work was concentrated on research into the synthesis of Reactive Oligomers and their precursors together with investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles.
In the third six month period work was concentrated on research into the synthesis, preliminary tests of scale-up and characterisation of new Reactive Oligomers together with investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles.
In the fourth six month period work was concentrated on research into the following areas: scale-up and characterisation of new Reactive Oligomers; investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide (MH) particles according to different routes on a larger scale; compounding of polyolefins with MH and nanoclays; mechanical and fire retardant testing of the blends obtained.
In the fifth six month period partners carried out research into the synthesis of new monomers and Reactive Oligomers and the investigation of the polymeric coating of magnesium hydroxide particles according to different routes on a larger scale.
Compounding experiments of polyolefins with MH and nanoclays and mechanical and fire retardant testing of the blends obtained led to the selection of the best PP/MH-composite formulations based on the first envisaged route, namely blending with modified MH microparticles. The best formulations for the industrial production of prototypes were selected.
In the sixth six month period research focused on the production of Kg-size batches of monomers and Reactive Oligomers for the industrial production of prototypes.
In the seventh six month of the project work involved the industrial production of prototypes, namely cables and automotive details, and the evaluation of their processability, mechanical performance, fire resistance. The recyclability of formulations and prototypes produced was evaluated.
An alternative processes for the industrial production of the peroxide-containing monomer used as precursor of the Reactive Oligomers for MH modification was established.
The feasibility of the industrial production of formulations, cables and automotive details was assessed.
