Optimization of Flame Retardant Amount for Epoxy Anti-Sliding Surface Layer

Abstract

To improve the flame retardant ability of anti-skid epoxy surface material in the tunnel, the paper conducted study on influence of inorganic flame retardant magnesium hydroxide (abbrev. MH), organic flame retardant decabromodiphenylethane (abbrev. DBDPE) and antimony trioxide (abbrev. AO) on the performance after they were applied in anti-skid epoxy surface material. The mechanical properties, rheological properties, combustion properties and thermal stability of epoxy surface with different flame retardants were tested. After optimizing the blending amount to determine the optimal proportion, flame retardant efficiency of those was evaluated. The analysis showed that organic flame retardant DBDPE and AO have a better performance at the same dosage. The oxygen index of DBDPE/AO epoxy cement increased much faster than MH with the amount of flame retardant. When content reached 16%, the oxygen index of the DBDPE/AO reached 31.8%, which meant that it was a flame retardant material and had little effect on other properties of the cement. It is not a good treatment to add too much flame retardant in the epoxy anti-sliding surface, otherwise the rheological properties and mechanical properties would be influenced largely. When the content of composite flame retardant DBDPE/AO got to 12%, each performance index would meet the design requirements. The excessive content of MH was unsuitable because it would greatly reduce the mechanical properties and the ease of construction of epoxy cement. Based on comprehensive performance analysis, 9% DBDPE/AO is recommended as the flame retardant for anti-skid epoxy surface.