Halogen-Free Boron-Based Hybrid System for Enhancing Flame Retardancy, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy

Abstract

This study aims to increase the flame retardancy of epoxy-based composites by using various flame retardants together with colemanite filler (CLM), which is a very mineral-rich boron type. As a flame retardant, aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and boron-containing compounds: borax (BRX) and natural minerals (tincal (TNC) and colemanite (CLM)), as well as barium metaborate (BaMB) synthesized by us were used. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), contact angle (CA), and particle size analysis were used to characterize the composites and additives. All boron compounds increased the thermal stability of the composites. Except for the ER/CLM-BaMB composite, other composites' surface contact angles were over 90°. In terms of both combustion and thermal properties, the best CLM-BaMB-Al(OH)3-TNC ratio was determined as 15:5:15:15. The tensile strength, self-extinguishing time, estimated and experimental Limited Oxygen Index (LOI) values for this composite were determined as 96 MPa, 65 s, 29.6%, and 25%, respectively. In addition, ANOVA was applied to determine the effect of hybrid filler type and different weight ratios on the mechanical properties of composites. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of Applied Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.