A Study on the Effect of Nano-Magnesium Hydroxide on the Flammability of Epoxy Resins

Abstract

In this work the effect of nano-magnesium hydroxide (nano-Mg(OH)2) on the flammability of epoxy composites is presented and compared with the traditional flame retardant used in just small amounts for epoxy resins, ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The fire reaction properties of epoxy composites were obtained by cone calorimeter tests. It was observed that the flammability of the unfilled resin is significantly changed with nano-Mg(OH)2 addition and reductions of 33, 22 and 23% in the epoxy composite heat release rate peak (PHRR) by incorporating 10%, 5 % and 1% of nano-Mg(OH)2, respectively, were achieved. Cone calorimeter analyses confirm the better behavior of APP composites compared with nano-Mg(OH)2 composites. SEM micrographs show some agglomerations on the distribution of nano-Mg(OH)2 in the epoxy matrix.

The effect of traditional flame retardants, nanoclays and carbon nanotubes in the fire performance of epoxy resin composites

“…The most unexpected values were the ones obtained with the addition of traditional flame retardants ATH and APP, which lead to considerable reductions in the T g of the composites. In a previous work , we have reported a slight increase in the Tg of a low viscosity epoxy resin with the addition of 5 wt% of APP. Similar results were also published, showing that usually these fillers do not impact or even improve the Tg of the epoxy resin system.…”

Solvent-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Epoxy Nanocomposites Containing Mg(OH)2Nanocrystal–Nanoparticle Formation Mechanism

“…Its flame-retardant action is reported to be strictly linked to decomposition during polymer combustion. 24 , 25 In fact, the decomposition absorbs heat, produces gas that dilutes the flame, and causes MgO particles to behave as a thermal shield and an oxygen barrier.…”

“…Mg­(OH) 2 with different shapes, such as nanorods, fibers, nanotubes, nanoflakes, nanoparticles, nanosheets, nanoplates, and nano- and microdisks were successfully obtained following various approaches. , The resulting morphology is strictly dependent not only on the production methodology but also on the specific conditions adopted for their synthesis. , Many Mg­(OH) 2 nanoparticles preparation methods, including precipitation, hydrothermal, and solvothermal as well as sol–gel, have been developed, although most of them are at laboratory scale. ,, Among the numerous applications of Mg­(OH) 2 listed above, flame-retardant applications to develop halogen-free flame retarding (HFFR) polymers are very important thanks to its nontoxicity, ,− ,, ability to suppress smoke, and tendency to decompose to give magnesium oxide and CO 2 . Its flame-retardant action is reported to be strictly linked to decomposition during polymer combustion. , In fact, the decomposition absorbs heat, produces gas that dilutes the flame, and causes MgO particles to behave as a thermal shield and an oxygen barrier.…”

Fire‐retardant carbon/glass fabric‐reinforced epoxy sandwich composites for structural applications

“…Epoxy matrices of the sandwich composites have short ignition times and therefore, release heat, smoke, and toxic gases after degradation at a temperature above 300°C 24 . So, for the improvement of fire properties, there is a need to modify the epoxy through reactive 25–27 or additive 28–32 approaches. Hörold et al 12 discussed the effect of different fire‐retardants and core materials on the fire properties of sandwich composites.…”