Low-flammability carbon fiber reinforced composites based on low-viscosity phosphorus-containing epoxy binders for transfer molding methods

Abstract

This study is the first investigation into the possibility of low viscosity phosphorus-containing epoxy binders using triglycidyl phosphate for carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) production by resin transfer molding (RTM). Rheological studies and flammability evaluations were carried out to determine the optimum concentrations of triglycidyl phosphate in the epoxy binder. The introduction of triglycidyl phosphate into the epoxy composition was shown to produce self-extinguishing epoxy polymers. In addition, the curing kinetics of the phosphorus-containing epoxy binder was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to optimize the curing process. The impregnation process of the product in the PAM-RTM software package was modeled to evaluate the possibility of obtaining large-size CFRP parts based on the developed binder by transfer molding methods. The physical-mechanical and fire-resistant tests of CFRPs showed significant improvement in flame-retardant properties in the modified samples, while maintaining high values of strength and elastic modulus. The study concluded that the introduced triglycidyl phosphate significantly affects the binder properties by reducing the viscosity, and increasing the flame retardancy, thus opening a promising direction for developing advanced composite materials.