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Preparation of Flame-Retardant Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion Process with Deep
Changzeng Wang1,2, Jihui Wang1,2, Pengyu Li1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.
Polymers
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Deep eutectic solvents (DES) improve flame-retardant epoxy resin processability and performance. This study demonstrates their effectiveness in creating high-performance flame-retardant composites using vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Composite Materials
Background:
- Flame resistance is crucial for expanding epoxy resin applications.
- Incorporating flame retardants often complicates processing due to shortened gel times.
- Developing efficient flame-retardant epoxy systems with good processability is essential for composite manufacturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the processability of flame-retardant epoxy resins using deep eutectic solvents (DES) as curing agents.
- To investigate the fire retardancy and mechanical properties of DES-cured flame-retardant epoxy resins and composites.
- To demonstrate an effective method for manufacturing flame-retardant composites.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DES) as a curing agent for flame-retardant epoxy resins.
- Characterizing processability through gelation time and viscosity measurements at 60 °C.
- Evaluating fire retardancy using UL-94 tests and limiting oxygen index (LOI).
- Manufacturing flame-retardant epoxy composites via vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI).
Main Results:
- DES-cured flame-retardant epoxy resins exhibited excellent processability with a viscosity of 430 mPa·s at 60 °C.
- The epoxy resin achieved a V0 rating in UL-94 tests and an LOI of 36.8%.
- Mechanical properties of the epoxy resin were slightly enhanced.
- Flame-retardant composites (E-MC) prepared by VARI showed a V2 UL-94 rating and superior mechanical performance.
- DES facilitated homogeneous dispersion and curing, leading to excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- Deep eutectic solvents (DES) offer an effective solution for improving the processability of flame-retardant epoxy resins.
- DES-cured epoxy resins and their composites demonstrate excellent fire retardancy and mechanical properties.
- This approach provides an inexpensive and efficient method for producing high-performance flame-retardant composites via VARI, broadening flame retardant application in materials.
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