Effects of introducing bamboo charcoal on thermo-physical properties and combustion behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The thermo-physical properties and combustion behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composite formulations that contain bamboo charcoal (BC) fillers are studied. The experimental results showed that the volume resistance decreased sharply but with little effect on thermal conductivity, when PET was loaded with more than bamboo charcoal. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that higher bamboo charcoal loading was associated with a higher onset temperature of 50% degradation (T_d50%). The SEM images and filter test results showed a strong coupling effect between bamboo charcoal and PET and uniform dispersion of bamboo charcoal in a PET matrix. A flammability test was performed using cone calorimetry, and 3 wt% bamboo charcoal filler in PET was found to give the best flame retardancy and the most effective smoke suppression. The rheological properties of dynamic viscosity, modulus and yield stress revealed that a higher bamboo charcoal loading was associated with greater shear thinning and thus viscosity at higher frequencies.