Fire Performance Evaluation of Different Resins for Potential Application in Fire Resistant Structural Marine Composites

Abstract

This work explores the possibility of reducing the flammability of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin, commonly used in marine composites, by co-blending with less combustible and char-forming resins such as phenol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde and furans. The compatibility and curing properties of UP, other resins and their blends in 50:50 wt-% ratios have been have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) techniques. Based on the successful establishment of curing conditions, plaques of resins have been cast and cured. Thermal stability has been studied by thermogravimetry (TGA), whereas the fire performance evaluation was carried out by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimtery at 50kW/m 2 heat flux. According to a fire risk assessment based on cone calorimetric data, the resole phenolic resins and their blends with UP achieved the highest fire safety rating.

Effects of sepiolite clay on degradation and fire behaviour of a bisphenol A-based epoxy

“…Among the others, the Fire Growth Rate Index (FIGRA) values, namely the ratio between the immediate HRR value and the time during which this value is recorded, is used to classify the fire performance of a material system. In general, this parameter is related to the burning propensity of a material [20] and it is computed according to the following relationship: Table 4 reports the computed FIGRA values for the performed cone calorimeter tests. The addition of sepiolite into the neat epoxy matrix, strongly reduces this parameter according to the amount by weight since the lowering of PHRR level is not coupled to a comparable increase of the occurring time (i.e.…”

Flame Retardance and Physical Properties of Novel Cured Blends of Unsaturated Polyester and Furan Resins

“…Polymers that cross-link during degradation produce less volatile material but more cross-linked char, and as a consequence are less flammable than those that undergo primarily chain scission or chain stripping to produce more volatile fragments, most of which will be flammable. Within organic matrix resins, PHs are inherently more char-forming than EP, UP and VE resins [10], and hence have lower flammability [4,[11][12][13]. Other char-forming resins of interest are melamine-formaldehyde and furan resins, both of which are less flammable than UP [12] and VE.…”

“…Within organic matrix resins, PHs are inherently more char-forming than EP, UP and VE resins [10], and hence have lower flammability [4,[11][12][13]. Other char-forming resins of interest are melamine-formaldehyde and furan resins, both of which are less flammable than UP [12] and VE. Furan resins have particular advantages in that they are derived from bio-sources and are based on furfuryl alcohol, which is less toxic than the formaldehyde used for synthesis of PH resins.…”

“…In our recent research at Bolton we have taken advantage of the char-forming ability of PH resins by blending them with UP resin and co-curing the blended resin to produce systems with improved flame retardancy, but that still have good physical and mechanical properties [4,8,[11][12][13]. We have published extensively on the use of PH resoles [4,11,13] which, being liquids, are easy to use in this capacity.…”

Fire Behavior of Natural Rubber Filled with Intumescent Flame Retardant Containing Graphite

“…MARHE, FGI, and FPI are used to evaluate the fire performance of NR and its composites. The definitions and importance of these parameters are found in details in references . The data in Table show that MARHE value of NR cuts down with increasing MPP‐G loading level.…”