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The synergistic behavior of different silicon compounds is investigated in flame retardant biocomposites with aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) as the main flame retardant. The paper shows a new approach towards sustainable biocomposites through the implementation of thermoplastic starch (TPS), leather fibers from industrial waste streams, and non-hazardous flame retardants and synergists. In these multicomponent systems, the different components address different modes of action in the fire scenario. When ATH is partially substituted by glass frits or layered silicates, fire performance is enhanced without changing the total amount of filler in the polymer. In a biocomposite with 25 phr of fiber and 90 phr of ATH, substituting 5 phr of ATH for layered silicates increased the LOI from 31.5 vol % to 34.8 vol %, decreased the peak of heat release by 20%, and increased the UL 94 rating from V-1 to V-0.
The use of coconut fiber (CF) agricultural waste was considered as an environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative in flame retarded biocomposites. To decrease the high content of aluminum trihydrate (ATH) required, the thermal decomposition (thermogravimetry), flammability [oxygen index (LOI) and UL 94 test] and fire behavior (cone calorimeter) of a combination of CF and ATH were investigated in a commercial blend of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and cellulose derivatives. CF induced some charring activity, slightly decreasing the fire load and burning propensity in cone calorimeter test. ATH decomposes endothermically into water and inorganic residue. Significant fuel dilution as well as a pronounced residual protection layer reduces the fire hazards. Replacing a part of ATH with coconut fibers resulted in improved flame retardancy in terms of ignition, reaction to small flame, and flame-spread characteristics [heat release rate (HRR), fire growth rate (FIGRA), etc.]. The observed ATH and CF synergy opens the door to significant reduction of the ATH contents and thus to interesting flame retarded biocomposites.