The effect of metal oxide decorated graphene hybrids on the improved thermal stability and the reduced smoke toxicity in epoxy resins

Study of the thermal decomposition of flame-retarded unsaturated polyester resins by thermogravimetric analysis and Py-GC/MS

Smoke is considered to be the main fire hazard but its production depends on major variables, principally the chemical character and the burning rate of the polymer plus the availability of oxygen and hence ventilation. The main aim of this work is to study the effect of smoke suppressants on flammability and smoke production of flame retarded unsaturated polyester resin-nanocomposites using four different testing regimes representing different fire scenarios. Samples containing zinc borate, zinc stannates, ammonium polyphosphate with and without nanoclay are analyzed for smoke generation using cone calorimetry (well-ventilated fire), a tube furnace (fully developed fire), and a smoke density chamber (under-ventilated fire). Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements using thermogravimetry-evolved gas analysis (TG-EGA), cone calorimetry, and tube furnace have also been analyzed and compared. Results have confirmed that the production of smoke, CO, and CO2 depend upon smoke suppressants and...

Smoke, CO, and CO2 Measurements and Evaluation using Different Fire Testing Techniques for Flame Retardant Unsaturated Polyester Resin Formulations

SUMMARY
The fire behavior and the smoke emission of an unsaturated polyester resin modified by the addition of three phosphorus-based fire-retardant materials (ammonium polyphosphate (APP), silane-coated APP, and melamine pyrophosphate) at two concentration levels (20% w/w, 35% w/w) have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy analysis have been performed to verify the dispersion and the action mechanism of additives within the resin. Results from cone calorimetric tests demonstrated that the incorporation of the fire retardants at 35% w/w has a strong effect on flammability and smoke suppressant properties with respect to both the neat resin and the loaded systems at 20% (w/w). In particular, the smoke formation and smoke parameters are reduced by 50% and 80%, respectively, leading to the conclusion that APP can be used single-handedly without combination with specific smoke suppressors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fire behavior and smoke emission of phosphate–based inorganic fire-retarded polyester resin

Evaluation of intumescent fire retardants and synergistic agents for use in wood flour/recycled polypropylene composites

The mechanism of action of tin compounds as flame retardants and smoke suppressants for polyester thermosets

The use of thermal methods in the study of flammability and fire retardant action is discussed and compared with the standard test methods. This paper provides an overview with examples drawn from continuing studies on polyester resins, especially those containing halogenated monomers. Thermal analysis and cone calorimetry results are complemented byanalysis of the gaseous and solid products using a wide range of analytical methods.

Studies of Fire-Retardant Polyester Thermosets Using Thermal Methods

A study of flame retarded polymers by thermal methods

Polyester thermosets have been prepared from maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, dibromoneopentyl glycol, and styrene, and their thermal degradation has been studied. Thermogravimetry has shown that degradation in air occurs in three main stages. For the 10% bromine polyester, the weight losses corresponded to 16.3%, 69.7%, and 13.9% of the original polymer weight—the temperatures of the DTG peak maxima being 217°C, 345°C, and 530°C, respectively. Infrared analysis of the residues showed that above 250°C there was a gradual reduction in the absorbance of all peaks with increasing temperature, indicating the degradation of all parts of the 3-dimensional polymer structure was occurring in a simultaneous manner. Degradation of the dibromoneopentyl glycol polyesters at 530°C in air proved to be a very complex process since a mixture of organic products was produced which gave rise to well over 100 peaks in the capillary column chromatograms. Under the conditions used, the low temperature degradation products proved to be rich in phthalic anhydride with no benzaldehyde being detected. The yields of benzene, toluene, styrene, and naphthalene increased with increase in temperature.

Thermal degradation of polyester thermosets prepared using dibromoneopentyl glycol

A study has been made of the effect of molybdenum trioxide on the thermal degradation of a series of chlorinated and brominated polyester thermosets. Like antimony oxide, it showed flame retardant activity in all the halogenated polyesters. It was shown to affect the char yield, and the temperature and weight loss of each degradation step. X-Ray diffraction studies of the degraded dibromoneopentyl glycol polyesters showed that in air a near-quantitative yield of molybdenum trioxide was present above 550 °C. Some dioxide was present before the final char oxidation step occurred. In a nitrogen atmoshphere the trioxide was reduced to the dioxide at first, but this finally reacted to give the carbide at around 900 °C. Infrared spectroscopy showed that inclusion of the molybdenum trioxide resulted in structural changes in the high-temperature polyester residues which were more prominent when bromine was present. Elemental analysis of the residues indicated that the presence of the trioxide in the brominated polyesters accelerated the release of bromine at high temperatures and confirmed its char-promoting tendencies.

P. J. Haines

Papers

The mechanism of action of tin compounds as flame retardants and smoke suppressants for polyester thermosets

Studies of Fire-Retardant Polyester Thermosets Using Thermal Methods

A study of flame retarded polymers by thermal methods

Thermal degradation of polyester thermosets prepared using dibromoneopentyl glycol

Thermal degradation studies of molybdenum containing polyester thermosets