Epoxy/glass fiber/organo-montmorillonite hybrid composites with triaryl phosphates and decabromodiphenyl oxide flame retardants were prepared by vacuum-assisted resin infusion technique. The effects of triaryl phosphates and decabromodiphenyl oxide on the flammability properties of epoxy/glass fiber/organo-montmorillonite composites were evaluated through UL-94 vertical flammability test and limiting oxygen index. Epoxy/glass fiber/organo-montmorillonite hybrid composite showed no rating in UL-94 test up to 40 phr of triaryl phosphates. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed the amount of char formed increased, denser char structure and better coverage of glass fibers as triaryl phosphates loading increased. Interestingly, the hybridization of 30 phr decabromodiphenyl oxide with respect to 10 phr triaryl phosphates flame retardants showed V-0 rating with limiting oxygen index of 33%.
LudaMPBalabanovichAIZanettiM. Thermal decomposition of fire retardant brominated epoxy resins cured with different nitrogen containing hardeners. Polym Deg Stab2007; 92: 1088–100.
2.
AhamadTAlshehriS. Thermal degradation and evolved gas analysis of epoxy (DGEBA)/novolac resin blends (ENB) during pyrolysis and combustion. J Thermal Anal Calorimet2013; 111: 445–451.
3.
WuKShenM-MHuY. Thermal degradation and intumescent flame retardation of cellulose whisker/epoxy resin composite. J Thermal Anal Calorimet2011; 104: 1083–1090.
4.
DoddsNGibsonAGDewhurstD. Fire behaviour of composite laminates. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2000; 31: 689–702.
5.
LevchikSVWeilED. Thermal decomposition, combustion and flame-retardancy of epoxy resins—a review of the recent literature. Polym Int2004; 53: 1901–1929.
6.
GreenJ. 25 Years of flame retarding plastics. J Fire Sci1997; 15: 52–67.
7.
WeilEDLevchikS. A review of current flame retardant systems for epoxy resins. J Fire Sci2004; 22: 25–40.
8.
WeilEDLevchikSV. Flame retardants in commercial use or development for polyolefins. J Fire Sci2008; 26: 5–43.
9.
ClarkeFB. The effects of brominated flame retardants on the elements of fire hazard: a re-examination of earlier results. Fire Mater1999; 23: 109–116.
10.
HardyML. Regulatory status and environmental properties of brominated flame retardants undergoing risk assessment in the EU: DBDPO, OBDPO, PeBDPO and HBCD. Polym Deg Stab1999; 64: 545–556.
11.
DauengauerSAUtkinaOGSazanovYN. Thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of polystyrene in the presence of bromine-containing flame retardants. J Thermal Anal Calorimet1988; 33: 1213–1219.
12.
ToureBCuestaJMLGaudonP. Fire resistance and mechanical properties of a huntite/hydromagnesite/antimony trioxide/decabromodiphenyl oxide filled PP-PE copolymer. Polym Deg Stab1996; 53: 371–379.
13.
GilmanJWJacksonCLMorganAB. Flammability properties of polymer-layered-silicate nanocomposites. Polypropylene and polystyrene nanocomposites. Chem Mater2000; 12: 1866–1873.
14.
GrauseGIshibashiJKamedaT. Kinetic studies of the decomposition of flame retardant containing high-impact polystyrene. Polym Deg Stab2010; 95: 1129–1137.
15.
WuQZhangCLiangR. Combustion and thermal properties of epoxy/phenyltrisilanol polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites. J Thermal Anal Calorimet2010; 100: 1009–1015.
16.
MorganABHarrisRHKashiwagiT. Flammability of polystyrene layered silicate (clay) nanocomposites: Carbonaceous char formation. Fire Mater2002; 26: 247–253.
17.
ToldyAAnnaPCsontosI. Intrinsically flame retardant epoxy resin – fire performance and background – Part I. Polym Deg Stab2007; 92: 2223–2230.
18.
BartholmaiMSchartelB. Layered silicate polymer nanocomposites: new approach or illusion for fire retardancy? Investigations of the potentials and the tasks using a model system. Polym Adv Technol2004; 15: 355–364.
19.
SongRWangZMengX. Influences of catalysis and dispersion of organically modified montmorillonite on flame retardancy of polypropylene nanocomposites. J Appl Polym Sci2007; 106: 3488–3494.
20.
SamynFBourbigotSJamaC. Fire retardancy of polymer clay nanocomposites: Is there an influence of the nanomorphology?Polym Deg Stab2008; 93: 2019–2024.
21.
LeeYHKubokiTParkCB. The effects of clay dispersion on the mechanical, physical, and flame‐retarding properties of wood fiber/polyethylene/clay nanocomposites. J Appl Polym Sci2010; 118: 452–461.
22.
CaminoGTartaglioneGFracheA. Thermal and combustion behaviour of layered silicate–epoxy nanocomposites. Polym Deg Stab2005; 90: 354–362.
23.
ParkYAyokoGKristofJ. Thermal stability of organoclays with mono- and di-alkyl cationic surfactants. J Thermal Anal Calorimet2012; 110: 1087–1093.
24.
SchartelBBartholmaiMKnollU. Some comments on the main fire retardancy mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites. Polym Adv Technol2006; 17: 772–777.
25.
HuYWangSLingZ. Preparation and combustion properties of flame retardant nylon 6/montmorillonite nanocomposite. Macromol Mater Eng2003; 288: 272–276.
ChowWS. Water absorption of epoxy/glass fiber/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites. Exp Polym Lett2007; 1: 104–108.
28.
MazlanNAbu BakarAChowWS. Effects of organo-montmorillonite on the mechanical and morphological properties of epoxy/glass fiber composites. Polym Int2007; 56: 512–517.
ChowdhuryFHHosurMVJeelaniS. Studies on the flexural and thermomechanical properties of woven carbon/nanoclay-epoxy laminates. Mater Sci Eng A2006; 421: 298–306.
36.
ManfrediLBSantisHDVázquezA. Influence of the addition of montmorillonite to the matrix of unidirectional glass fibre/epoxy composites on their mechanical and water absorption properties. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2008; 39: 1726–1731.
37.
DorigatoAPegorettiAQuaresiminM. Thermo-mechanical characterization of epoxy/clay nanocomposites as matrices for carbon/nanoclay/epoxy laminates. Mater Sci Eng A2011; 528: 6324– 6333.
38.
BarbezatMBrunnerAJNecolaA. Fracture behavior of GFRP laminates with nanocomposite epoxy resin matrix. J Compos Mater2009; 43: 959–976.
39.
VelmuruganRMohanTP. Epoxy-clay nanocomposites and hybrids: synthesis and characterization. J Reinf Plast Compos2009; 28: 17–37.
40.
ChangLNJaafarMChowWS. Thermal behavior and flammability of epoxy/glass fiber composites containing clay and decabromodiphenyl oxide. J Thermal Anal Calorimet2013; 112: 1157–1164.
41.
LewinMWeilEDMechanisms and modes of action in flame retardancy of polymers. In: HorrocksARPriceD (eds). Fire retardant materials, Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing, 2001, pp. 31–68.
42.
ElakeshEOHullTRPriceD. Effect of plasticizers on the thermal decomposition of chlorinated polyvinylchloride. J Vinyl Additive Technol2005; 11: 21–27.
43.
LideDR. Handbook of chemistry and physics, Florida: CRC Press, 2005.
44.
LevchikSVWeilED. Combustion and fire retardancy of aliphatic nylons. Polym Int2000; 49: 1033–1073.
45.
Mouritz AP and Gibson AG. Fire properties of polymer composite materials. Netherlands: Springer, 2006.
46.
HorrocksARSmartGNazaréS. Quantification of zinc hydroxystannate and stannate synergies in halogen-containing flame-retardant polymeric formulations. J Fire Sci2010; 28: 217–248.
47.
GreenJ. A review of phosphorus-containing flame retardants. J Fire Sci1996; 14: 353–366.
48.
PriceDAnthonyGCartyPIntroduction, polymer combustion, condensed phase pyrolysis and smoke formation. In: HorrocksARPriceD (eds). Fire retardant materials, Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing, 2001, pp. 1–30.
49.
XiaoWHePHeB. Improving the toughness and flame retardancy of cured epoxy resin with brominated castor oil. J Appl Polym Sci2002; 86: 2530–2534.
