Effect of sepiolite on wood flame-retardation and smoke-suppression and its synergistic effect with K2CO3/ Mg(OH)2

Sepiolite has excellent absorbability and fine thermal capacity, and the elements like magnesium and silicon are possess are themselves excellent halogen-free flame-retardant, and are nontoxic, harmless and abundantly available, presenting great potential in flame retarding and smoke suppression. In this paper, sepiolite was added in poplar wood flour after it was treated by water or acid, and then compressed into boards. CONE and TG-DSC were used to analysis the combustion properties, smoke-release properties, and charring characteristics of samples. Further study on the synergistic function of acidified sepiolite and K₂CO₃/ Mg(OH)₂ on flame retarding and smoke suppression was also conducted. Results show that sepiolite can effectively reduce the heat release rate (HRR), total heat release quantity (THR), smoke produce rate (SPR) and total smoke release quantity (TSR) of the Poplar wood flour, showing remarkable effect on flame retarding and smoke suppression. While modified sepiolite extends a even superior effect, mainly because that with acid pickling and water washing, impuritie in the sepiolite have been eliminated and channels been dredged to enlarge the surface area and improve the absorbability of the sepiolite. Moreover, the acidified sepiolite and K₂CO₃/ Mg(OH)₂ share an excellent synergistic effect on flame retarding and smoke suppression.