USE OF GLASS FIBERS AND GLASS SPHERES TO IMPROVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HUNTITE AND HYDROMAGNESITE REINFORCED FLAME RETARDANT COMPOSITES

In our previous studies, we observed excellent flame retardant properties of mineral reinforced polymer composites. However, it was investigated that some mechanical properties of the composites were deteriorated concurrently with adding minerals. In this study, it was aimed to improve those features by using glass fibers and glass spheres. Polyproplyene is used as a matrix material. Huntite hydromagnesite and glass fibers/spheres were embedded to the matrix in different loading levels. Prior to the composite production, crushing, grinding and screening processes were applied to the mineral. After fabrication of the mineral and glass fibers/spheres reinforced polyproplyene composite samples, they were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to investigate the elemental analysis and morpology. Tensile and flexural tests were applied to determine the mechanical behaviours. Finally Flame retardancy test was undertaken to observe the flame retardant properties of the composites. It was concluded that the use of glass fibers is a beneficial way to improve mechanical properties of mineral reinforced flame retardant composites.