Effect of glass frits on ceramifiable properties of polyethylene composites

Abstract

AbstractCeramification of polymer composites is an excellent method for enhancing the flame retardancy of the materials. The low temperature softening glass frit added in the composites plays a key role in the ceramification process of the composites. Ceramizable polyethylene (PE)/wollastonite fiber (WF) composites are processed by mixing with three types of glass frit. The ceramic residues formed were characterized by the linear shrinkage, weight loss, flexural strength, apparent porosity, and self‐supporting property measurements. The density and strength of the ceramic increased with the increasing sintering temperature, but were affected by the wettability and fluidity of the glass frit. The addition of glass frit can increase the thermal decomposition temperature of PE. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis found the form of a new phase of hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) in the ceramifiable PE/WF composites by adding phosphate glass frit, which improved the self‐supporting properties of the ceramic residues.