Towards Selection Charts for Epoxy Resin, Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Their Fibre-Fabric Composites with Flame Retardants

Abstract

Epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins are the most used thermosetting polymers. They are commonly used in electronics, construction, marine, automotive and aircraft industries. Moreover, reinforcing both epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins with carbon or glass fibre in a fabric form has enabled them to be used in high-performance applications. However, their organic nature as any other polymeric materials made them highly flammable materials. Enhancing the flame retardancy performance of thermosetting polymers and their composites can be improved by the addition of flame-retardant materials, but this comes at the expense of their mechanical properties. In this regard, a comprehensive review on the recent research articles that studied the flame retardancy of epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin and their composites were covered. Flame retardancy performance of different flame retardant/polymer systems was evaluated in terms of Flame Retardancy index (FRI) that was calculated based on the data extracted from the cone calorimeter test. Furthermore, flame retardant selection charts that relate between the flame retardancy level with mechanical properties in the aspects of tensile and flexural strength were presented. This review paper is also dedicated to providing the reader with a brief overview on the combustion mechanism of polymeric materials, their flammability behaviour and the commonly used flammability testing techniques and the mechanism of action of flame retardants.

Flame Retardancy of Lightweight Sandwich Composites

“…Different solutions have been tested in the literature. These solutions were recently reviewed by Ramadan et al, who even proposed a selection chart for polyester and their fibre-fabric composite [6]. Among the most-used FR additives in UPR, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) has been the most investigated.…”

Modification of Glass/Polyester Laminates with Flame Retardants

“…Comparatively expensive to other flame retardants [177]. Incompatibility of ammonium polyphosphate and melamine polyphosphate with some resins (e.g., epoxy), leading to phase separation [178].…”

Industrial Implementation of Aluminum Trihydrate-Fiber Composition for Fire Resistance and Mechanical Properties in Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Roofs

“…Several previous studies have revealed the effect of fire retardants on GFRP composites, both on their mechanical and physical properties [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The type of fire retardant used, as well as its load, significantly affects the mechanical properties.…”

“…The type of fire retardant used, as well as its load, significantly affects the mechanical properties. In general, adding a fire retardant reduces mechanical properties [ 4 ]. The addition of ATH to GFRP as a filler has been observed to weaken tensile strength, which decreases due to poorer bonding between the filler powder, matrix, and the glass fiber used [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”