44658 2018 eng lecture 0 -- -- -- Thermoplastic starch polymer blends as biodegradable materials are well known and used mainly as packaging material. In order to exploit new application fields for these materials, additional properties such as flame retardancy or increased mechanical strength are required. This work focuses on the flammability and fire behavior of a thermoplastic starch/polyester blend reinforced with natural fibers derived from Mexican industry processes wastes, such as keratin fibers from the tannery industry or coconut fibers[1]. Different fiber contents as well as combinations of varying contents of aluminum trihydroxide, expandable graphite or ammonium polyphosphate were tested in LOI, UL94, cone calorimeter and TG-FTIR in order to investigate and assess the concentration dependence of the fibers and flame retardants as well as synergistic effects between both components. In combination with ammonium polyphosphate, the coconut fibers induce a synergistic effect by reinforcing the char residue and creating a more stable heat barrier during forced flaming combustion in the cone calorimeter. Synergism is also observed in the oxygen test. The recycling of otherwise wasted material is a true challenge in material development, thus this work is a first step in the direction of sustainable and biodegradable materials. Second International Conference on ECO-friendly Flame Retardant Additives and Materials (ECOFRAM) Metz, France 28.03.2018 29.03.2018 0 Sebastian Rabe eng uncontrolled Biocomposite eng uncontrolled Natural fibres eng uncontrolled Industry processes wastes eng uncontrolled Flammability eng uncontrolled Sustainable Ingenieurwissenschaften und zugeordnete Tätigkeiten Ingenieurbau Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") Präsentation