Novel flame retardant epoxy curing agents from renewable resources
Researchers have prepared two novel bio-based phosphorus-containing epoxy curing agents derived from myrcene and castor oil and investigated the comprehensive properties of their combined cured products.
The molecular structures of both epoxy curing agents (MMDOPO and MAPDGR) were characterised by FTIR, 1H and 1HNMR. Then they were mixed at different weight ratios to form new curing agents for epoxy resin (E-51).
Improved flame retardation and toughness
Results show the tensile and flexural strength of the cured epoxy materials first increase and then decrease with increase of MMDOPO content. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) shows the glass transition temperature (Tg) rises significantly with the increase of MMDOPO. The material’s thermal stability and flame retardant properties were also investigated. The initial decomposition temperature (Ti) and limiting oxygen index (LOI) both are elevated while the residue decreases with increase of MMDOPO. When the MMDOPO/MAPDGR weight ratio is 25:75, the mechanical properties are relatively balanced with a high elongation at break of 160.8% and a moderate tensile strength of 9.95 MPa, and bending test indicates that the sample exhibits a flexible failure behavior with a yielding point.
The study is published in: Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 110, September 2017, Pages 195–203
Renewable resources are in the focus of the European Coatings Technology Forum Coatings From Renewable Resources in Berlin in September. One month later, the European Coatings Fire Forum highlights interesting projects from industry and academia regarding fire-retardant coatings as well as the newest development in legislation.
