International Journal of Research in Advanced Engineering and Technology

Authors
Rahmah M, SM Syed Anas, Mohd Nurazzi N, Rashidan K, Wan Bahira

Abstract
Flame retardancy is an important characteristic in the flame and fire safety field to both prevent and limit the effects of material ignition and flame consumption. The preparation and characterization of Unsaturated Polyester Resin (UPR) filled recycled Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) composite systems were systematically investigated. Additives such as organic nanocrystal (ONC) and silica aerogel powder were added to the composite for imparting suitable characteristics to the composite. The result obtained from comparing the current study against its predecessor reveals that Liquid Natural Rubber (LNR) is significantly more flammable than Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), but aerogel utilization can negate this effect. It can be concluded that the use of additive could also affect its flame retardancy and thermal properties. Further studies of the materials could be done in determining and/or confirming the actual mechanisms to which ONC and aerogel produces this effect on flammability.