Breakthrough in fire safety for interior plastics in future mobility

A research team led by Professor Eom Young-ho of the Department of Organic and Nano Engineering has developed a sustainable coating technology using aramid nanofibers (ANFs) recycled from waste para-aramid (p-aramid) fibers. The technology significantly enhances the flame retardancy of various interior plastics used in automobiles. This research is expected to contribute both to sustainable resource utilization and to fire safety in future mobility applications.

Birth of a sustainable upcycling technology

Aramid is a high-performance polymer known for its exceptional mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability. However, its insolubility has limited its application across diverse materials. The research team successfully upcycled waste aramid into a stable ANF coating solution dispersed in ethanol. This solution demonstrated strong adhesion and uniform coating on five major types of automotive interior plastics: PE, PP, PET, PC, and PMMA.

Achieving flame retardancy and anti-drip performance

The ANF coating imparted anti-drip and self-extinguishing properties to each plastic substrate, effectively preventing flame propagation. In terms of flame resistance, the ANF coating increased the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of all tested plastics. Notably, the LOI of polycarbonate (PC) rose from 22.4% to 28.8%, surpassing the threshold for self-extinguishing plastics. Furthermore, the ANF layer formed a dense char with a high carbonization yield of 42.1% during combustion, effectively preventing dripping of molten material during fires.

“This study not only transforms industrial waste aramid into a high-value material contributing to a circular resource economy,” said Professor Eom, “but also offers an innovative solution to the critical challenge of fire safety in future mobility.”

The study was published in the international journal ACS Nano (IF=16.0), with contributions from researcher Kim Hyun-jung and Kim Hyun-ji, a master’s student in the Department of Organic and Nano Engineering at Hanyang University. The team’s findings present a new paradigm for mitigating fire risks in future mobility by offering an effective strategy to suppress the flammability of various interior plastics.