Experimental study of fire spreading CFRP based on the addition of rice husk ash silica for an Automotive Component
Himawan Hadi Sutrisno (a*), Catur Setyawan Kusumohadi (a), Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan (b), Layla Najwa Husaini (a), and Anissa Intan Audrya (a)

a) Fire Safety Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
*Himawan-hadi[at]unj.ac.id
b) Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty og Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is the material of choice in various fields of the manufacturing industry, especially in the aircraft industry, as a body component. However, the automotive industry also makes extensive use of this material because it is lighter than other materials. To enhance CPRP^s safety, the fire-propagation resistance of this material was improved in this study. Using experimental methods, the effect of adding RHA silica on CFRP fire resistance was evaluated across 5 variations in the volume composition of the thermoset matrix: no additional RHA silica, 5%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The CFRP production process uses the Hand Lay Up method. Using a fire rate equipment test, the largest Rice Husk Ash (RHA) silica composition in CFRP provides a significant fire spreading effect compared to other compositions. In addition to the fire spread test, the mass loss rate (MLR) was also evaluated. Therefore, incorporating silica from rice husk ash (RHA) into Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites shows significant potential for automotive applications, particularly in parts exposed to elevated temperatures or near engine heat sources. The improved flame resistance, delayed ignition time, and reduced burning rate achieved by adding RHA silica can enhance the safety and reliability of these components under service conditions.

Keywords: CFRP- Silica- Fire Spreading- Fire Resistance

Topic: Material Physics