Analysis of the Influence of Organophosphorus Compounds and of Aluminium and Magnesium Hydroxides on Combustion Properties of Epoxy Materials

This paper presents the influence of selected flame retardant additives on heat release rate and thermokinetics properties of epoxy materials made of epoxy resin—Epidian 5. The epoxy resin underwent flame retardant modification with the use of organophosphorus compounds (Roflam F5, Roflam B7) and Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2. The fire characteristics of the analysed epoxy resin were determined using the cone calorimeter method, and thermal analysis of epoxy resin and the surface morphology of the analysed epoxy materials was with the use of an SEM microscope with an EDS attachment. The lowest value of the heat release rate was recorded for hardened epoxy resin containing one component additive 5% by weight of Mg(OH)2, as well as two component additive 10% by weight of Roflam F5 and 5% by weight of Al(OH)3. Moreover, the initial temperature of thermal decomposition of phase I of the modified epoxy resin samples with Mg(OH)2 (sample 5M) or organophosphorus compounds and Mg(OH)2 (samples 5B + 10M and 5F + 10M) were higher compared to the unmodified epoxy resin for these samples. Considering the surface morphology of the samples with Mg(OH)2, it can be concluded that the additives cause a homogeneous charred layer

Analysis of the Influence of Organophosphorus Compounds and of Aluminium and Magnesium Hydroxides on Combustion Properties of Epoxy Materials

This paper presents the influence of selected flame retardant additives on heat release rate and thermokinetics properties of epoxy materials made of epoxy resin—Epidian 5. The epoxy resin underwent flame retardant modification with the use of organophosphorus compounds (Roflam F5, Roflam B7) and Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2. The fire characteristics of the analysed epoxy resin were determined using the cone calorimeter method, and thermal analysis of epoxy resin and the surface morphology of the analysed epoxy materials was with the use of an SEM microscope with an EDS attachment. The lowest value of the heat release rate was recorded for hardened epoxy resin containing one component additive 5% by weight of Mg(OH)2, as well as two component additive 10% by weight of Roflam F5 and 5% by weight of Al(OH)3. Moreover, the initial temperature of thermal decomposition of phase I of the modified epoxy resin samples with Mg(OH)2 (sample 5M) or organophosphorus compounds and Mg(OH)2 (samples 5B + 10M and 5F + 10M) were higher compared to the unmodified epoxy resin for these samples. Considering the surface morphology of the samples with Mg(OH)2, it can be concluded that the additives cause a homogeneous charred layer

A cascade impactor as a method of collecting nano-objects for microscopic analysis

Pył zawieszony może być szkodliwy dla zdrowia ludzkiego, a ryzyko wystąpienia szkodliwych skutków zwiększa się z czasem narażenia. Obecnie grupami zawodowymi potencjalnie narażonymi na działanie nanomateriałów są ci, którzy je wytwarzają i dostarczają. Dlatego konieczne jest stosowanie urządzeń do zbierania i analizy cząstek stałych z wyłączeniem frakcji mikrometrycznej. W pracach badawczych pobierano cząstki zawarte w spalinach z silnika wysokoprężnego przy użyciu impaktora kaskadowego i analizowano z zastosowaniem skaningowej mikroskopii elektronowej. Obserwacje ujawniły duże rozbieżności między średnicami odcięcia d50 a średnicami ekwiwalentnymi obliczonymi na podstawie obrazów SEM, a także różnorodną morfologię zdeponowanych cząstek stałych pochodzących z silnika Diesla. Zakres tematyczny artykułu obejmuje zagadnienia zdrowia oraz bezpieczeństwa i higieny środowiska pracy będące przedmiotem badań z zakresu nauk o zdrowiu oraz inżynierii środowiska.Particulate matter can be harmful to human health and the risk of harmful effects increases with the duration of exposure. Currently, the occupational groups that are potentially exposed to nanomaterials are those who manufacture and supply them. Therefore, it is necessary to use devices for the collection and analysis of solid particles with the exclusion of the ambient fraction. In this study, Diesel soot generated using Diesel engine has been collected with cascade impactor and analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy. Observations revealed large discrepancies between the cut off diameter d50 and equivalent diameter calculated from SEM images and a number of types of Diesel particulate matter. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering

Effective removal of odors from air with polymer nonwoven structures doped by porous materials to use in respiratory protective devices

Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices (FRPD) is not typically evaluated for exposure to volatile compounds, even though they significantly affect their protective performance. Such compounds are released into the atmosphere by industrial processes and pose serious health risks in people inhaling them. The adsorbent materials currently used to prevent those risks include activated carbon (AC). Zeolites and mesoporous silica materials (MCM) are very popular among the sorption materials. Due to their physical and chemical properties, they are able to adsorb significant amounts of volatile compounds from air. The melt-blown technology was used to produce filtering nonwovens with modifiers. As a result, polymer nonwoven structures with modifiers in the form of AC, zeolite (NaP1 type), molecular sieves (SM, SM 4Å) and mesoporous silica materials (MCM-41) were produced. The use of ACs (AC1 from Zgoda and AC2 from Pleisch) and their mixtures with others modifiers allowed to obtain satisfactory sorption, protective and utility properties. The longest breakthrough time against cyclohexane (approx. 53 min) was afforded by a variant containing AC, against ammonia (approx. 12 min) for the variant with AC2 and a mixture of AC2 and MCM-41. In the case of acetone vapor satisfactory breakthrough times were found for the variants with AC2 and AC1+SM (~20–25 min.). The present work deals with scientific research to improve workers’ and society’s health and safety by pursuing a better working life, and creating a safe social environment

Pressure Drop Dynamics during Filtration of Mixture Aerosol Containing Water, Oil, and Soot Particles on Nonwoven Filters

The pressure drop dynamics during the filtration of three-component mixture aerosols are investigated and compared with two and single-component aerosols. The main area of interest is the effect of the addition of a small quantity of liquid (oil) and solid (soot) particles during the filtration of aerosol containing water mist. In addition, calculations of the change in filter mass during oil aerosol filtration have been carried out and compared with the experimental results. The new, improved filtration efficiency model takes into account a better coefficient fitting in the filtration mechanism equations. The limitations in the change in fibre diameter and packing density resulting from the filter loading have been implemented in the model. Additionally, the calculation model employs the fibre size distribution representation via multiple average fibre diameters. The changes in fibre diameter are dependent on each fibre’s calculated filtration efficiency. The improved filtration model has been utilised to predict the mass change of the filters during the filtration of pure and mixture aerosols. The pressure drop calculation model based on changes in filter mass has been formulated. The model is then utilised to calculate pressure drop changes resulting from the filtration of the oil aerosol and water and oil mixture aerosol

Correction: Sałasińska et al. Burning Behaviour of Rigid Polyurethane Foams with Histidine and Modified Graphene Oxide. <i>Materials</i> 2021, <i>14</i>, 1184

In the original article [...

Burning Behaviour of Rigid Polyurethane Foams with Histidine and Modified Graphene Oxide

Since rigid polyurethane (PU) foams are one of the most effective thermal insulation materials with widespread application, it is an urgent requirement to improve its fire retardancy and reduce the smoke emission. The current work assessed the fire behavior of PU foam with non-halogen fire retardants system, containing histidine (H) and modified graphene oxide (GOA). For investigated system, three loadings (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) were used. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, cone calorimetry (CC) and smoke density chamber tests as well as pre- and post-burning morphological evaluation using scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed. Moreover, TGA combined with FT-IR was conducted to determine the substances, which could be evolved during the thermal decomposition of the PU with fire retardant system. The results indicated a reduction in heat release rate (HRR), maximum average rate of heat emission (MAHRE), the total heat release (THR) as well as the total smoke release (TSR), and maximum specific optical density (Dsmax) compared to the polyurethane with commercial fire retardant, namely ammonium polyphosphate (APP). A significantly improvement, especially in smoke suppression, suggested that HGOA system may be a candidate as a fire retardant to reduce the flammability of PU foams

Multilayer Nonwoven Inserts with Aerogel/PCMs for the Improvement of Thermophysiological Comfort in Protective Clothing against the Cold

This study aimed to assess the developed nonwoven inserts with aerogel/PCM (phase change material) microcapsules for use in protective clothing against cold in terms of properties related to thermophysiological comfort. These inserts were obtained by the thermal bonding of a multilayer system consisting of needled-punched nonwovens and silica aerogel particles and/or PCM microcapsules evenly distributed between them. The influence of aerogel and PCM microcapsules on the basic physical properties of inserts, their microstructure, air permeability, and water vapor resistance was investigated and analyzed. The thermal insulation properties of inserts were assessed based on thermal conductivity results. The inserts with PCMs were also tested for their ability to regulate the temperature in the undergarment microclimate using the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and the &ldquo;skin model&rdquo; device. The research showed that the use of aerogel allowed for reducing the thermal conductivity of the insert by approximately 13% compared to the insert without additives. The high values obtained of the melting and crystallization enthalpy of inserts with PCMs confirmed their high efficiency in the heat absorption and release. Thus, the use of aerogel and PCMs in protective clothing against cold seems to be an effective solution for improving its protective properties and actively adapting its thermal insulation to the changing temperature conditions and the activity level of employees

Moisture Resistance, Thermal Stability and Fire Behavior of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Modified with L-histidinium Dihydrogen Phosphate-Phosphoric Acid

In this paper, the fire behavior of unsaturated polyester resin (UP) modified with L-histidinium dihydrogen phosphate-phosphoric acid (LHP), being a novel intumescent fire retardant (IFR), was investigated. Thermal and thermomechanical properties of the UP with different amounts of LHP (from 10 to 30 wt. %) were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) as well as dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Reaction to small flames was studied by horizontal burning (HB) test, while fire behavior and smoke emission were investigated with the cone calorimeter (CC) and smoke density chamber. Further, the analysis of volatile products was conducted (TGA/FT-IR). It was observed that the addition of LHP resulted in the formation of carbonaceous char inhibiting the thermal decomposition, burning rate and smoke emission. The most promising results were obtained for the UP containing 30 wt. % of LHP, for which the highest reduction in maximum values of heat release rate (200 kW/m2) and total smoke release (3535 m2/m2) compared to unmodified polymer (792 kW/m2 and 6895 m2/m2) were recorded. However, some important disadvantage with respect to water resistance was observed

The Effect of Manufacture Process on Mechanical Properties and Burning Behavior of Epoxy-Based Hybrid Composites

The production of hybrid layered composites allows comprehensive modification of their properties and adaptation to the final expectations. Different methods, such as hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, and resin infusion were applied to manufacture the hybrid composites. In turn, fabrics used for manufacturing composites were made of glass (G), aramid (A), carbon (C), basalt (B), and flax (F) fibers. Flexural, puncture impact behavior, and cone calorimetry tests were applied to establish the effect of the manufacturing method and the fabrics layout on the mechanical and fire behavior of epoxy-based laminates. The lowest flammability and smoke emission were noted for composites made by vacuum bagging (approximately 40% lower values of total smoke release compared with composites made by the hand lay-up method). It was demonstrated that multi-layer hybrid composites made by vacuum bagging might enhance the fire safety levels and simultaneously maintain high mechanical properties designed for, e.g., the railway and automotive industries