A Study of Fire Retardant Effect in Natural Fiber Composite Panels with Magnesium Hydroxide and Zinc Borate as Additives

摘要

The objective of this study is to investigate the fire retardancy effect of coconut coir, rice husk and sawdust panels which are incorporated with magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)_2) and zinc borate (2ZnO·3B_2O_3·3.5H_2O) as additives. The natural fiber and additives are mixed and cured for one week, with polyester resin and hardening catalyst as binders. Fire retardancy of these panels are tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Horizontal (D 365) and Vertical Burning (D 3801) tests. Principle of fire retardants and mechanism of polymer combustion are shown in this study too. The study revealed that the sawdust panels with both additives have the highest fire retardancy compared to rice husk and coconut coir panel with both additives.