Flame Retardant Behavior of Cable Compound with Graphene

Graphene is a new form of solid carbon. The microstructure analysis showed that graphene is a flat exfoliated layer of carbon atoms tightly packed into a two dimensional honey comb-like structure with the thickness in a nano-scale. It is as intrinsically electrically conductive as carbon black and also thermally conductive, which are practical properties in a wire and cable application. One of key features of graphene is very high surface area and high aspect ratio. In this study, it was investigated about effect of graphene in polymer nanocomposites in a flame retardant application. It was found that graphene in polyethylene compounds demonstrated to increase oxygen index in comparison to a carbon black system while resulting in self-extinguishing behavior by forming homogeneous intumescent chars in horizontal burning test. It also reduced average heat release rate in comparison to carbon black system in a Cone calorimeter test.