Reinforced polymer composite having improved fire retardant properties

SANTOSH C. BHUVA¹, KANUPRASAD D. PATEL¹*, BHARATKUMAR Z. DHOLAKIYA² and TRUPTI K. DARJI¹

¹Chemistry Department, V. P. & R. P. T. P. Science College, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 120 (India). ²Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, SVNIT, Ichhanath, Surat (India).

Received on August 08, 2009 and accepted on October 15, 2009

ABSTRACT

Unsaturated polyester resin has been synthesized using phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride and propylene glycol. Epoxy resin was synthesized using tetrabromobisphenol-A and epichlorohydrine. The synthesized halogenated epoxy resin was added to unsaturated polyester resin in different weight proportions, ranging from 0 to 20%. Composites were prepared using the prepared resin and glass fibre with benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The composites were tested for flexural strength, impact strength and rockwell hardness. The fire retardant property of the unsaturated polyester resin was also determined by Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) test. The unsaturated polyester resin has shown good fire retardant property.

Keywords : polyester resin, halogenated epoxy resin, IR spectra, Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)