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Comparing the ignition and burning hazards of sugar‐cane bagasse and hemp epoxy composites

The feasibility of using sugar‐cane bagasse as a reinforcement for natural fiber composites and the performance of these composites under fire conditions was investigated. Plies were manufactured using a process, which involved alkali‐treating bagasse, blending, pressing, and drying. Soaking durations of 30 minutes and 24 hours were compared. Composites were then made with these plies using a light resin transfer molding process. The composites were characterized and compared to a commercial hemp fabric using thermogravimetric analysis for thermal stability and char yield, isotropic hot disc method for thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity, and cone calorimeter for flammability. The investigation found that bagasse plies could be successfully used in composite manufacture, but posed a greater ignition hazard, and a comparable burning behavior hazard to the commercial product when tested at a radiant heat flux of 35 kW/m2. Thirty minutes treating resulted in a ply, which resulted in a char yield of 28%. Although in the composite form, there were no significant differences between all sample groups. With regards to ignition, the hemp composite had the latest time‐to‐ignition of 137 seconds. Comparison of the thermal properties to the ignition times showed that higher values of thermal properties resulted in later ignition times. The composite with the 30‐minute treated bagasse had a total heat release of 159 MJ/m2 and average heat release rate of 263 kW/m2, while the peak heat release rate was lower for the 24‐hour treated bagasse at 537 kW/m2. Overall, no significant differences in the two treatment durations were observed.