Flame retardant epoxy complex produced by addition of montmorillonite and carbon nanotube

Flame retardant additives of montmorillonite (MMT) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were embedded in epoxy resin to improve the resin's resistance to oxidation. The MWCNTs reduced the degradation rate of the epoxy complex and increased the char yield, and also increased the limiting oxygen index in a first order relationship with char yield. MMT acted as an energy storage medium to hinder thermal transfer within the epoxy complex. The thermal activation energy increased upon addition of MMT/MWCNT. Addition of MMT and MWCNT significantly improved the flame retardant and anti-oxidation properties of the epoxy complex. (C) 2010 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.