Abstract
A k-carrageenan–iron complex (KC–Fe) was synthesized by complexation between degraded KC and FeCl3. Furthermore, KC–Fe and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were simultaneously added into waterborne epoxy (EP) to improve its flame retardancy and smoke suppression performance. The structure and properties of KC–Fe were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD). The analysis showed that KC–Fe was successfully synthesized and exhibited good thermal properties with a 49% char residue at 800 °C. The enhanced flame retardancy and smoke suppression performance of waterborne epoxy were evaluated using a limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL-94. Moreover, the flame retardancy of waterborne epoxy coated on a steel plate was also investigated using cone calorimetry. The results showed that the flame-retardant waterborne epoxy blend exhibited the best flame retardancy when the mass ratio of APP and KC–Fe was 2:1. The total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) was decreased by 44% and 45%, respectively, which indicated good fire safety performance and smoke suppression properties. Analysis of the residual char using FTIR, SEM, and elemental analysis (EDS) indicated that the action of KC–Fe was promoted by the presence of APP. The formation of a dense thermal stable char layer from an intumescent coating was essential to protect the underlying materials.
Highlights
Waterborne epoxy has been used in various fields, such as adhesives, surface coatings, and composites, because of its superior chemical and physical properties [1,2,3]
The results showed that the flame-retardant waterborne epoxy blend exhibited the best flame retardancy when the mass ratio of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and KC–Fe was 2:1
Based on extensive research by our lab on flame retardants in polymers, this paper mainly explores the effect of different mass ratios of KC–Fe and APP on the flame retardancy and smoke explores the effect of different mass ratios of KC–Fe and APP on the flame retardancy and smoke suppression performance of waterborne epoxy resin with the total weight fraction at 30 wt%
Summary
Waterborne epoxy has been used in various fields, such as adhesives, surface coatings, and composites, because of its superior chemical and physical properties [1,2,3]. Waterborne epoxy contains a high level of aromatic ring structures, which can generate a large amount of heat and toxic fumes when undergoing combustion. The inhalation of lethal smoke is a major cause of death when a large fire occurs [8,9,10,11]. It is of great practical significance to improve the flame retardancy of waterborne epoxy and to reduce the amount of released smoke from the burning of waterborne epoxy. It has been found that the addition of metal oxides and flame-retardants simultaneously into polymer composites can significantly improve the flame-retardant
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