Novel glycerol-based polymerized flame retardants with combined phosphorus structures for preparation of high performance unsaturated polyester resin composites

Owing to poor flame retardant efficiency and compatibility of traditional flame retardants, it is difficult to prepare unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) composites with excellent flame retardant properties. In this research, novel glycerol-based polymeric flame retardants (PCH(3)PG, PBPG and POPG) were synthesized. The effect of different side chains, phosphorus contents and combined structures on flame retardancy efficiency of UPR composites were explored. It has been found POPG was more conducive to improving char formation under high temperatures than PCH(3)PG and PBPG. However, PCH(3)PG and PBPG exhibited better flame retardant efficiency in flame retaradant UPR composites. Especially for UPR/PCH(3)PG, the flame retardant performance increased rapidly with increasing PCH(3)PG contents. With only 15 wt% of PCH(3)PG in UPR, UPR/PCH(3)PG 15% reached UL-94 VO and 29% of LOI. When PCH(3)PG contents increased to 20 wt%, the LOI of UPR/PCH(3)PG 20% increased to 30%, and PHRR and THR were reduced by 67.93% and 57.22%, compared with pure UPR. The thermal degradation products and flame retardant mechanism in gaseous and condensed phase were studied. It was found the most efficient PCH(3)PG was mainly played flame retardant effect in gaseous phase, supplemented by the barrier effect of condensed phase. Additionally, the polymeric glycerol-based flame retardants exhibited good compatibility with UPR matrix. This work explores the high-efficiency flame retardant structures with good compatibility for UPR, promoting the wide application of UPR materials.

Automated summary

Due to the ineffective flame retardant efficiency and compatibility of traditional flame retardants, it is challenging to prepare unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites with excellent flame retardant properties. In this research, novel glycerol-based polymeric flame retardants were synthesized and their effects on flame retardancy efficiency of UPR composites were investigated. Among the different structures, PCH(3)PG and PBPG exhibited better flame retardant efficiency, while POPG was more conducive to improving char formation at high temperatures. The polymeric glycerol-based flame retardants also showed good compatibility with the UPR matrix.