Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative Study on Flame Retardancy, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites with Ammonium Polyphosphate, Expandable Graphite, and Aluminum Tri-hydroxide

  • Research Article - Chemical Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enhance the flame retardant property of the glass fiber reinforced polyester composites by using intumescent flame retardants such as ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and/or expandable graphite (EG) in addition to aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH). Flame retardant properties of the composites were tested by limiting oxygen index and UL-94 tests. Chemical characterization of the materials was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile test, and surface morphology analysis was performed by using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Thermal properties of the composites were characterized by thermogravimetry/differential thermal analyzer. The results showed that the flame retardancy of the composites was significantly improved by the addition of intumescent flame retardants with no considerable adverse effect on the mechanical properties. Thermal analysis data revealed that intumescent flame retardants increased the char yields of the composites. Also, the APP containing formulations yielded lower weight loss rates. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polyester composite comprising ATH, APP, and EG in dual- or triple-flame retardant formulations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nguyen, Q.; Ngo, T.; Tran, P.; Mendis, P.; Zobec, M.; Aye, L.: Fire performance of prefabricated modular units using organoclay/glass fibre reinforced polymer composite. Constr. Build. Mater. 129, 204–215 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Zhang, Z.; Yuan, L.; Liang, G.; Gu, A.: A strategy and mechanism of fabricating flame retarding glass fiber fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites with simultaneously improved thermal stability, impact and interlaminar shear strengths. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 125, 49–58 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Zhao, X.; Yang, L.; Martin, F.H.; Zhang, X.-Q.; Wang, R.; Wang, D.-Y.: Influence of phenylphosphonate based flame retardant on epoxy/glass fiber reinforced composites (GRE): flammability, mechanical and thermal stability properties. Compos. Part B Eng. 110, 511–519 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Dholakiya, B.: Use of non-traditional fillers to reduce flammability of polyester resin composites. Polimeri 30(1), 10–17 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jiang, S.; Gui, Z.; Shi, Y.; Zhou, K.; Yuan, B.; Bao, C.; Lo, S.; Hu, Y.: Bismuth subcarbonate nanoplates for thermal stability, fire retardancy and smoke suppression applications in polymers: a new strategy. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 107, 1–9 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lu, S.-Y.; Hamerton, I.: Recent developments in the chemistry of halogen-free flame retardant polymers. Prog. Polym. Sci. 27(8), 1661–1712 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Brits, M.; de Vos, J.; Weiss, J.M.; Rohwer, E.R.; de Boer, J.: Critical review of the analysis of brominated flame retardants and their environmental levels in Africa. Chemosphere 164, 174–189 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Alaee, M.; Arias, P.; Sjödin, A.; Bergman, Å.: An overview of commercially used brominated flame retardants, their applications, their use patterns in different countries/regions and possible modes of release. Environ. Int. 29(6), 683–689 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Levchik, S.V.; Weil, E.D.: A review of recent progress in phosphorus-based flame retardants. J. Fire Sci. 24(5), 345–364 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Laoutid, F.; Bonnaud, L.; Alexandre, M.; Lopez-Cuesta, J.-M.; Dubois, P.: New prospects in flame retardant polymer materials: from fundamentals to nanocomposites. Mater. Sci. Eng. R Rep. 63(3), 100–125 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang, W.; He, K.; Dong, Q.; Zhu, N.; Fan, Y.; Wang, F.; Xia, Y.; Li, H.; Wang, J.; Yuan, Z.: Synergistic effect of aluminum hydroxide and expandable graphite on the flame retardancy of polyisocyanurate–polyurethane foams. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 131(4), 39936 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hapuarachchi, T.; Peijs, T.: Aluminium trihydroxide in combination with ammonium polyphosphate as flame retardants for unsaturated polyester resin. eXPRESS Polym. Lett. 3(11), 743–751 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Ge, L.L.; Duan, H.J.; Zhang, X.G.; Chen, C.; Tang, J.H.; Li, Z.M.: Synergistic effect of ammonium polyphosphate and expandable graphite on flame-retardant properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 126(4), 1337–1343 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Jin, J.; Dong, Q.-X.; Shu, Z.-J.; Wang, W.-J.; He, K.: Flame retardant properties of polyurethane/expandable praphite composites. Proc. Eng. 71, 304–309 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Morgan, A.B.; Wilkie, C.A.: The Non-halogenated Flame Retardant Handbook, vol. 1. Wiley, New York (2014)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  16. Krassowski, D.; Hutchings, D.; Qureshi, S.: Expandable graphite flake as an additive for a new flame retardant resin. In: Fire Retardant Chemicals Association, Fall Meeting, Naples, Florida, pp. 137–146 (1996)

  17. Kandola, B.K.; Krishnan, L.; Ebdon, J.R.: Blends of unsaturated polyester and phenolic resins for application as fire-resistant matrices in fibre-reinforced composites: effects of added flame retardants. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 106, 129–137 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Liu, Y.; He, J.; Yang, R.: Effects of dimethyl methylphosphonate, aluminum hydroxide, ammonium polyphosphate, and expandable graphite on the flame retardancy and thermal properties of polyisocyanurate-polyurethane foams. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 54(22), 5876–5884 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Knuutinen, U.; Kyllonen, P.: Two case studies of unsaturated polyester composite art objects. e-Preservation Sci. 3, 11–19 (2006)

  20. Zhao, H.; Pang, X.; Zhai, Z.: Preparation and antiflame performance of expandable graphite modified with sodium hexametaphosphate. J. Polym. 2015, 821297 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kuẓdẓał, E.; Cichy, B.; Kicko-Walczak, E.; Rymarz, G.: Rheological and fire properties of a composite of unsaturated polyester resin and halogen-free flame retardants. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 134(2), 44371 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Petersen, M.R.; Chen, A.; Roll, M.; Jung, S.; Yossef, M.: Mechanical properties of fire-retardant glass fiber-reinforced polymer materials with alumina tri-hydrate filler. Compos. B Eng. 78, 109–121 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Ren, Y.; Wang, Y.; Wang, L.; Liu, T.: Evaluation of intumescent fire retardants and synergistic agents for use in wood flour/recycled polypropylene composites. Constr. Build. Mater. 76, 273–278 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Han, Z.; Dong, L.; Li, Y.; Zhao, H.: A comparative study on the synergistic effect of expandable graphite with APP and IFR in polyethylene. J. Fire Sci. 25(1), 79–91 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Shih, Y.-F.; Wang, Y.-T.; Jeng, R.-J.; Wei, K.-M.: Expandable graphite systems for phosphorus-containing unsaturated polyesters. I. Enhanced thermal properties and flame retardancy. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 86(2), 339–348 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Haurie, L.; Fernández, A.I.; Velasco, J.I.; Chimenos, J.M.; Cuesta, J.-M.L.; Espiell, F.: Synthetic hydromagnesite as flame retardant. Evaluation of the flame behaviour in a polyethylene matrix. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 91(5), 989–994 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Manfredi, L.B.; Rodríguez, E.S.; Wladyka-Przybylak, M.; Vázquez, A.: Thermal degradation and fire resistance of unsaturated polyester, modified acrylic resins and their composites with natural fibres. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 91(2), 255–261 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by TUBITAK in the scope of Industry Oriented Undergraduate Thesis Support Program (Project No. 1139B411600466). The authors would like to thank Fibrosan Glass Reinforced Polyester Industry and Trade Inc. for their collaboration, Poliya Polyester Industry, and Trade Inc. for the LOI test and Dokuz Eylul University, Center for Fabrication and Applications of Electronic Materials for UL-94 test.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dokuz Eylul University, Tinaztepe Campus, Buca, 35390, Izmir, Turkey

    Oylum Colpankan Gunes, Remzi Gomek, Alpay Tamar, Onur Kaan Kandemir & Aylin Ziylan Albayrak

  2. Fibrosan Glass Reinforced Polyester Industry and Trade Inc., Izmir, Turkey

    Aygul Karaorman

Authors
  1. Oylum Colpankan Gunes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Remzi Gomek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alpay Tamar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Onur Kaan Kandemir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Aygul Karaorman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Aylin Ziylan Albayrak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aylin Ziylan Albayrak.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gunes, O.C., Gomek, R., Tamar, A. et al. Comparative Study on Flame Retardancy, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites with Ammonium Polyphosphate, Expandable Graphite, and Aluminum Tri-hydroxide. Arab J Sci Eng 43, 6211–6218 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-018-3397-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-018-3397-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation