The Effect of Acacia senegal Leaf Extract on the Flammability of Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Baffa Abubakar; P. O. Ikeh; U. Z. Faruq; H. M. Maishanu

Baffa Abubakar Department of Agronomy, Jigawa Research Institute, Kazaure, Jigawa State, Nigeria.
P. O. Ikeh Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2346, Sokoto Sokoto State, Nigeria.
U. Z. Faruq Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2346, Sokoto Sokoto State, Nigeria.
H. M. Maishanu Department of Botany, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2346, Sokoto Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Add on, afterglow, char, flame propagation rate, flame retardants, ignition time, polyurethane, GC-MS

Abstract

Health and environmental consequences of conventional flame retardants necessitated the incorporation of new plant based flame retardants. According to Australlian Plant Society all Acacia species can be used as fire retardants which lead to the selection of the leaves of Acacia senegal as a flame retardant on flexible polyurethane foam. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds. Add on percentage ranged from 10-20%, Ignition time from 8-17 seconds, flame propagation rate ranged between 0.33-0.10 cm/s, after glow time ranged from 25-5 seconds and char formation ranged from 23-30%. The flammability characteristics of the flexible polyurethane foam was improved upon doping with the extract of the leaves of this plant.