New solid state epoxy resins based on diglycidyl ether of 1,1-dichloro-2,2 bis (4-hydroxyphenyl), ethylene (BPC) and BPA epoxy resins in the reaction with BPC and BPA were developed. Solid epoxy resins were synthesised by the use of two different heating methods: conventional and microwave reactor. The use of microwave radiation as novel heating medium as an alternative to the conventional methods, which provide a quicker and more effective synthesis. The solid epoxies have high melting points higher than 100°C and the polycondensation degree remains between n ϭ 4 -12. Epoxy value stays low and occurs around 0,02-0,1. BPA epoxy resins and diglycidylether of BPC II were compared in terms of reaction speed. It can be seen that the reaction of BPC diglycidylether occurs approximately 20% quicker given the same reaction conditions of temperature, and balance of catalyst.

Solid state epoxy resins were synthesized in the reactions of the systems: 1,1-dichloro--2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene (BPC II) and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A), mixed in various weight ratios, with one of two low-molecular weight epoxy resins, Epidian 5 ® or diglycidylether of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene (DGEBC II). Additionally the series of the samples synthesized with use of DGEBC II but with addition of red phosphorus as flame retardant were prepared. It was found, on the basis of limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, that the flammability of the samples decrease (higher values of LOI) with increase in BPC II weight part in the mixture with bisphenol A, for all the series of samples prepared. Solid state resins synthesized with the use of DGEBC II were less flammable than similar samples with bisphenol A. Addition of red phosphorus increased significantly LOI values, however, caused deterioration of optical properties of the resins investigated. The samples characterized with low flammability were selected for the syntheses with addition of zinc stannate (ZS) or zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) as flame retardants. The values of LOI of the products obtained were determined (Table 2). It was found that the addition of 2-3 wt. % of ZS or ZHS significantly improves LOI values not causing the deterioration of optical properties.

The curing system for newly developed solid state fire safe epoxy resins using dicyandiamide (DICY) was introduced. Composites of epoxy resins obtained from diglycidyl ether of 1,1-dichloro-2,2bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene bisphenol-C (BPC) and bisphenol-A (BPA) epoxy resins in the reaction with BPC and BPA and DICY hardener were studied. Solid epoxy resins were synthesised by the use of two different heating methods: conventional and microwave reactor. The quantities of DICY additions were 0.5–5.0 %, optimum was found to be 3 %. Limited oxygen index (OI) tests for different epoxy resins and addition of flame – retardants were carried out. The highest value of OI was 34.6. As additional flame-retardants were used zinc stannates (ZS, ZHS). Evident OI increase was noted from 27.0 for classical epoxies, 34.6 for BPC cured epoxies and 44 for cured composites with the addition of Zn/Sn flame-retardants.

The nature of the dispersion of a clay platelet in a resin composite will play an important role in the process of enhancement of the physical properties of that material. This paper describes studies of ultrasonically and mechanically mixed dispersion of various clays in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and reports the effects of organic surface modification on the rheology, suppression of settlement of filled systems, cure characteristics and final mechanical properties.