Performance evaluation of melamine derivatives as flame retardant additive in chicken feather containing thermoplastic polyurethane biocomposites

The objective of this research is to examine the potential use of melamine derivatives namely melamine cyanurate (MC), melamine phosphate (MP), and melamine polyphosphate (MPP) as flame retardant additives in chicken feather (CF) containing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The performances of the composites are evaluated using limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical UL-94 (UL-94 V), and mass loss calorimeter (MLC) tests. The V0 rating is achieved with the addition of 10 wt% MC, 20 wt% MP, and MPP. The performances of the additives are ranked in the ascending order of MC, MP, and MPP in LOI test. MP and MPP show distinct better performance than MC in the condensed phase. However, the gas phase action of MC is much better. than MP, and MPP. The lowest pHRR (103 Kw/m(2)), THE (39 MJ/m(2)), and THE/TML ratio (1.4 MJ/m(2)g) are observed with the use of 20 wt% MPP, MP, and MC, respectively.