Improvement in Thermal Properties, Flammability Performance, and Emission on GFRP Composite by Adding Nano Silica Pumice and Sodium Silicate

ABSTRACT Adding flame‐retardant fillers to Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites used for cabin car panels can improve flammability resistance and enhance passenger safety. Research on GFRP composites with nano Active Filler of Pumice Particle (nAFPP) and Sodium Silicate (SS) fillers has been conducted to evaluate the composites with FTIR, thermal properties (TGA‐DSC), flammability performance (ASTM D 635), and emission (smoke particle matter). The GFRP composite with 5 wt.% nAFPP and 5 wt.% SS exhibits the highest burning residue at 27.5% among the others, whereas the filler‐free composite shows the lowest burning residue at 20.99%. The DTG test indicates that composites with fillers decompose longer than those without. All composites with fillers exhibit amorphous nAFPP, indicated by sharp exothermic curves of crystallization. The DSC test shows higher heat flow during crystallization and melting, indicating exothermic and endothermic processes, respectively. Adding SS filler offers greater flammability resistance advantages than nAFPP. The filler‐free composite has the lowest flammability resistance with a burning rate of 0.494 mm/s, whereas the specimen with 7 wt.% nAFPP and 3 wt.% SS achieved the best flammability resistance with a burning rate of 0.215 mm/s. The SS proves more effective in enhancing flammability resistance. The use of fillers reduces smoke‐particle pollutants in GFRP composites, and SS is a better inhibitor of particle matter in smoke. Industries have an opportunity to improve GFRP composite products, and further investigation is needed to achieve the excellence of GFRP composites.