Novel functionalized polystyrenes having groups such as epichlorohydrin, epoxy, acetyl, C=C double bond, and carboxyl were synthesized by the reaction of polystyrene with epichlorohydrin, unsaturated hydrocarbons, and organic anhydrides in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts. The adhesion capability and corrosion resistance of the new synthesized functionalized polystyrenes to metals under various conditions were investigated. A very good relationship was observed between the quantity of functional groups bonded to the aromatic rings of the polystyrenes and the adhesion and corrosion resistance properties of the polyfunctionalized polystyrenes. It was also observed that the new polyfunctionalized polystyrenes obtained by chemical modification with maleic anhydride, acetic anhydride, isoprene, butadiene, and epichlorohydrin in the presence of cationic catalysts resulted in high adhesion and anti-corrosion properties.

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The glass fiber reinforced polyester composite materials were prepared with varying contents of boric acid, zinc borate, and magnesium hydroxide as flame retardants to improve the flame retardancy of the composites. Experimental results showed that boric acid exhibited a good flame retardant effect on the polyester composite. When boric acid content is used as 15 wt %, the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value of the composite reached upto 25.3. The increase in boric acid content from 15 to 30 wt %, the LOI values of composite were enhanced from 25.3 to 34.5 by 9.2 units. The LOI values of the composite samples increased with increasing boric acid content. The smoke density results showed that the addition of glass fiber and flame retardants decreased the smoke density of the unreinforced polyester resin. The mechanical properties of the composites have decreased by the addition of flame retardants. The scanning electron micrographs taken from fracture surfaces were examined. The flame retardants, such as boric acid, were well dispersed in the glass fiber reinforced polyester composites and obviously improved the interfacial interaction between glass fibers and polyester composites.