Flammability of Polymer Compositions Filled with Wheat Bran

The article presents the results of flammability tests on polymer compositions with wheat bran (WB) as the applied filler, and polyethylene (PE) or poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) as the matrix material. Tests were conducted using samples of compositions containing 10, 30 and 50%wt wheat bran. The test samples were manufactured by injection moulding from compositions previously produced by extrusion pelleting. For comparative purposes, samples made only of the plastics used for the composition matrix were also examined. Flammability tests were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of EN 60695-11-10 Part 11–10 with horizontal and vertical positioning of the sample, using a universal flammability-test-stand. During the flammability tests, changes in the temperature field in the area of the burning sample were also recorded, using a thermal imaging camera. Sample residues after flammability tests were also examined with infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to assess their thermal destruction. The results of the study showed a significant increase in flammability with bran content for both PE and PBS matrix compositions. Clear differences were also found in the combustion behaviour of the matrix materials alone. Both the burning rate and maximum flame temperature were lower in favour of PBS. PBS compositions with wheat bran also showed lower flammability, compared with their PE matrix counterparts.