Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Silicone Rubber Composites Filled with Inorganic Fire-proof Fillers and Expandable Materials

In this study, mechanical properties and thermal stability of silicone rubber (SR) composites filled with various inorganic fire-proof fillers and expandable materials were evaluated. A fire resistance tested by gas torch flame tests and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of Mineral fiber/SR (F/SR) composites were superior to wollastonite/SR (W/SR) and Mica/SR (M/SR) composites. W was well dispersed in SR observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the mechanical strength of W/SR composites was greatest analyzed by universal material analyzer (UTM). Expandable graphite (EG)/SR composites had improved a fire resistance than that of expanded vermiculite (EV)/SR composites. Especially, the fire resistance of EG/SR composite was superior to the EV/SR composite. However, the mechanical properties of EV/SR composites were only slightly higher than those of EG/SR composites.