Mechanisms of the Action of Fire-Retardants on Reducing the Flammability of Certain Classes of Polymers and Glass-Reinforced Plastics Based on the Study of Their Combustion

In the present review, using an integrated approach based on the experimental and theoretical study of the processes of thermal decomposition and combustion of practically important polymers, such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, and glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin, the features of the mechanism for reducing the combustibility of these materials with phosphorus-containing flame-retardants (FR), as well as graphene, are identified. A set of original experimental methods was developed and applied that make it possible to study the kinetics of thermal decomposition and the thermal and chemical structure of the flames of the studied materials, including those with FR additives, as well as to measure the flame propagation velocity, the mass burning rate, and the heat fluxes from the flame on the surface of a material. Numerical models were developed and tested to describe the key parameters of the flames of the studied polymeric materials. An analysis of the experimental and numerical simulation data presented showed that the main effect of phosphorus-containing fire-retardants on reducing the combustibility of these materials is associated with the inhibition of combustion processes in the gas phase, and the effect of adding graphene manifests itself in both gas and condensed phases.

Liquid Oxygen Compatibility and Ultra-Low-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Modified epoxy Resin Containing Phosphorus and Nitrogen

Endowing epoxy resin (EP) with prospective liquid oxygen compatibility (LOC) as well as enhanced ultra-low-temperature mechanical properties is urgently required in order to broaden its applications in aerospace engineering. In this study, a reactive phosphorus/nitrogen-containing aromatic ethylenediamine (BSEA) was introduced as a reactive component to enhance the LOC and ultra-low-temperature mechanical properties of an EP/biscitraconimide resin (BCI) system. The resultant EP thermosets showed no sensitivity reactions in the 98J liquid oxygen impact test (LOT) when the BSEA content reached 4 wt% or 5 wt%, indicating that they were compatible with liquid oxygen. Moreover, the bending properties, fracture toughness and impact strength of BSEA-modified EP were greatly enhanced at RT and cryogenic temperatures (77 K) at an appropriate level of BSEA content. The bending strength (251.64 MPa) increased by 113.67%, the fracture toughness (2.97 MPa·m^1/2) increased by 81.10%, and the impact strength (31.85 kJ·m^-2) increased by 128.81% compared with that of pure EP at 77 K. All the above results demonstrate that the BSEA exhibits broad application potential in liquid oxygen tanks and in the cryogenic field.

Investigation of Fire Protection Performance and Mechanical Properties of Thin-Ply Bio-Epoxy Composites

Hybrid composites composed of bio-based thin-ply carbon fibre prepreg and flame-retardant mats (E20MI) have been produced to investigate the effects of laminate design on their fire protection performance and mechanical properties. These flame-retardant mats rely primarily on expandable graphite, mineral wool and glass fibre to generate a thermal barrier that releases incombustible gasses and protects the underlying material. A flame retardant (FR) mat is incorporated into the carbon fibre bio-based polymeric laminate and the relationship between the fire protection properties and mechanical properties is investigated. Hybrid composite laminates containing FR mats either at the exterior surfaces or embedded 2-plies deep have been tested by the limited oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test and cone calorimetry. The addition of the surface or embedded E20MI flame retardant mats resulted in an improvement from a base line of 33.1% to 47.5% and 45.8%, respectively. All laminates passed the vertical burning test standard of FAR 25.853. Cone calorimeter data revealed an increase in the time to ignition (TTI) for the hybrid composites containing the FR mat, while the peak of heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (TTR) were greatly reduced. Furthermore, the maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE) values indicated that both composites with flame retardant mats had achieved the requirements of EN 45545-2. However, the tensile strengths of laminates with surface or embedded flame-retardant mats were reduced from 1215.94 MPa to 885.92 MPa and 975.48 MPa, respectively. Similarly, the bending strength was reduced from 836.41 MPa to 767.03 MPa and 811.36 MPa, respectively.

Review of Hybrid Fiber Based Composites with Nano Particles-Material Properties and Applications

The present review article provides an overview of the properties of various natural and synthetic fibers for the fabrication of pure natural composites and the combination of both natural/synthetic fibers-based hybrid composites, bio-based resins, various fabrication techniques, chemical and mechanical properties of fibers, the effect of chemical treatment and the influence of nanoparticles on the composite materials. Natural fibers are becoming more popular and attractive to researchers, with satisfactory results, due to their availability, ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, biodegradable nature and being environmentally friendly. Hybrid composites made up of two different natural fibers under the same matrix material are more popular than a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Recent studies relevant to natural fiber hybrid composites have stated that, due to their biodegradability and the strength of individual fibers causing an impact on mechanical properties, flame retardancy and moisture absorption, natural fibers need an additional treatment like chemical treatment for the fibers to overcome those drawbacks and to enhance their better properties. The result of chemical treatment on composite material properties such as thermal, mechanical and moisture properties was studied. Researchers found that the positive influence on overall strength by placing the filler materials (nanoparticles) in the composite materials. Hybrid composites are one of the fields in polymer science that are attracting consideration for various lightweight applications in a wide range of industries such as automobile, construction, shipping, aviation, sports equipment, electronics, hardware and biomedical sectors.

Organo-Inorganic Hybrid Intumescent Fire Retardant Coatings for Thermoplastics Based on Poly(Vinylphosphonic Acid)

Thin coatings of crosslinked poly(vinylphosphonic acid), PVPA, display good adhesion and excellent intumescent, fire-retardant barrier properties when applied to the surfaces of a typical thermoplastic, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), but perform relatively poorly in water-soak tests. To strengthen and further improve the barrier properties of the intumescent char and to make the coating more hydrophobic, PVPA has been complexed with various inorganic and organic species. The chars formed from coatings of some of these hybrid materials are less friable than chars from coatings synthesized from crosslinked PVPA alone, and show higher levels of water tolerance with no significant reduction in dry adhesion to the substrate.

Synthesis of K-Carrageenan Flame-Retardant Microspheres and Its Application for Waterborne Epoxy Resin with Functionalized Graphene

In this article, the intumescent flame-retardant microsphere (KC-IFR) was prepared by inverse emulsion polymerizations, with the use of k-carrageenan (KC) as carbon source, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as acid source, and melamine (MEL) as gas source. Meanwhile, benzoic acid functionalized graphene (BFG) was synthetized as a synergist. A "four-source flame-retardant system" (KC-IFR/BFG) was constructed with KC-IFR and BFG. KC-IFR/BFG was blended with waterborne epoxy resin (EP) to prepare flame-retardant coatings. The effects of different ratios of KC-IFR and BFG on the flame-retardant properties of EP were investigated. The results showed that the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values increased from 19.7% for the waterborne epoxy resin to 28.7% for the EP1 with 20 wt% KC-IFR. The addition of BFG further improved the LOI values of the composites. The LOI value reached 29.8% for the EP5 sample with 18 wt% KC-IFR and 2 wt% BFG and meanwhile, UL-94 test reached the V-0 level. In addition, the peak heat release (pHRR) and smoke release rate (SPR) of EP5 decreased by 63.5% and 65.4% comparing with EP0, respectively. This indicated the good flame-retardant and smoke suppression property of EP composites coating.

Flame Retardancy of Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Resin Composites

In order to study the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the flame retardancy of carbon fiber (CF)/epoxy resin (EP) composites, CF/EP and CNTs/CF/EP composites were prepared by solution blending. The flame retardancy and thermal stability were studied by cone calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that CNTs and CF had a certain synergistic effect on improving flame retardancy and thermal stability of EP. The peak heat release rate of F7N7, which represents the EP composites with 0.7 wt % CF and 0.7 wt % CNTs, was minimal. The total smoke production of F5N5 which represents the EP composites with 0.5 wt % CF and 0.5 wt % CNTs was the smallest, which was decreased by 43.04% more than the EP. The initial decomposition temperature of F7N7 was about 14 °C higher than that of F7, and the mass loss at Tmax was greatly reduced. The apparent activation energy of F7N7 is 2.7 kJ·mol−1 more than EP. Finally, the tensile and flexural strength of the composites were also improved, so it could be applied to a high-performance matrix of CF/EP composites, which are usually used as the advanced composites in the aerospace field.

Preparing the Degradable, Flame-Retardant and Low Dielectric Constant Nanocomposites for Flexible and Miniaturized Electronics with Poly(lactic acid), Nano ZIF-8@GO and Resorcinol Di(phenyl phosphate)

Degradable, flame retardant, and flexible nanocomposite films with low dielectric constant were prepared with poly (lactic acid) (PLA), nano ZIF-8@GO, and degradable flame-retardant resorcinol di(phenyl phosphate) (RDP). The SEM results of the fractured surfaces indicated that ZIF-8@GO and RDP were dispersed uniformly in the PLA matrix. The prepared films had good mechanical properties and the tensile strength of the film with 1.5 wt% of ZIF-8@GO was increased to 48.2 MPa, compared with 38.5 MPa of pure PLA. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite films were flexible due to the toughing effect of RDP. Moreover, above 27.0% of limited oxygen index (LOI) and a VTM-0 rating were achieved for the nanocomposite films. The effects of nano ZIF-8@GO hybrids and RDP on the dielectric properties were investigated, and the results showed that ZIF-8@GO and RDP were beneficial in reducing the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the nanocomposites.

Experimental Study on the Fire Properties of Nitrocellulose with Different Structures

In order to ensure the safety of inflammable and explosive chemical substance such as nitrocellulose (NC) mixtures in the process of handing, storage, and usage, it is necessary to obtain the fire properties of NC with different exterior structures. In present study, fire properties of two commonly used nitrocelluloses with soft fiber structure and white chip structure were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the ISO 5660 cone calorimeter. Experimental findings revealed that the most important fire properties such as ignition time, mass loss rate and ash content exhibited significant differences between the two structures of NC. Compared with the soft fiber NC, chip NC possesses a lower fire hazard, and its heat release rate intensity (HRRI) is mainly affected by the sample mass. In addition, oxygen consumption (OC) calorimetry method was compared with thermal chemistry (TC) method based on stoichiometry for HRRI calculation. HRRI results of NC with two structures obtained by these two methods showed a good consistency.

Flame Retardancy of Sorbitol Based Bioepoxy via Combined Solid and Gas Phase Action

Flame-retarded bioepoxy resins were prepared with the application of commercially available sorbitol polyglycidyl ether (SPE). The additive-type flame retardancy of the cycloaliphatic amine-cured SPE was investigated. Three-percent phosphorus (P)-containing samples were prepared with the application of the liquid resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), the solid ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and by combining them. Synergistic effect was found between the inorganic APP and the organophosphorus RDP, when applied in combination: formulations applying RDP or APP alone showed increased limiting oxygen index (LOI) values, however, their UL-94 standard ratings remained HB. When the same amount of P originated from the two additives, V-0, self-extinguishing rating and LOI value of 34% (v/v) was reached. By the combined approach the heat release rate of SPE could be lowered by approximately 60%. The assumed balanced solid and gas phase mechanism was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analysis (of the gases formed during laser pyrolysis), attenuated total reflection-infrared spectrometry (ATR-IR) analysis (of the charred residues), as well as by mechanical testing (of the char obtained after combustion).

Fire and mechanical properties of a novel free-radically cured phenolic resin based on a methacrylate-functional novolac and of its blends with an unsaturated polyester resin

A novel free-radically curable phenolic novolac resin bearing methacrylate functional groups has been synthesized by reaction of the novolac with methacryloyl chloride.

Intumescent multilayer hybrid coating for flame retardant cotton fabrics based on layer-by-layer assembly and sol–gel process

A new intumescent coating is layer-by-layer deposited on cotton, leading to fire being extinguished after ignition on the fabric during vertical fire testing.

Influence of ferrite yellow on combustion and smoke suppression properties in intumescent flame-retardant epoxy composites

A series of intumescent flame-retardant epoxy resins (IFREP) were prepared based on bisphenol A epoxy resin (EP) as matrix resin, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and pentaerythritol as intumescent flame retardants (IFRs), and ferrite yellow (goethite) as smoke suppressant. Then, the synergistic flame-retardant and smoke suppression properties of α-FeOOH on IFR epoxy composites were intensively investigated using cone calorimeter test and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal degradation process of IFR epoxy composites were studied using thermogravimetric analysis–infrared spectrometry under nitrogen atmosphere. Then, the pyrolysis kinetics parameters were investigated using Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. The results showed that goethite can significantly reduce heat release rate, total heat release, smoke production rate, and total smoke release. There are obvious synergistic flame-retardant and smoke suppression effects between goethite and IFRs in epoxy composites.