Pultruded glass fiber reinforced brominated-epoxy composites: Dynamic mechanical and flame retardant properties

Abstract

With the improvements in quality of life and better awareness about the requirement for a secure environment, fire-resistant materials have gradually attracted the world’s attention and recognition. This paper investigates a proprietary process to manufacture glass fiber (GF) reinforced brominated-epoxy (BEP) flame retardant composites through pultrusion. BEP resin is manufactured with fillers as matrices, GF as reinforcements for pultrusion. The dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) and flame retardant properties of the GF reinforced BEP composites manufactured through pultrusion have been investigated. The DMA test showed higher dynamic storage modulus [Formula: see text] and lower curve of tan [Formula: see text] of pultruded composites when the filler content, postcure temperature and postcure time increased. At the same time, the glass transition temperature [Formula: see text] of the pultruded composites were shifted to a higher temperature when the filler content, postcure temperature and postcure time increased. From the flame retardant test for UL-94 and limited oxygen index (LOI), all of the pultruded GF reinforced BEP composites as well as the BEP resin showed excellent flame retardant properties.