Effect of halogenated flame-retardant additives in the pyrolysis and thermal degradation of polyester/sisal composites

An unsaturated polyester/sisal flame retardant composite was formulated using decabromine diphenyl oxide associated with antimony trioxide as additives. The development and use of natural or vegetable fiber reinforced composites is increasing worldwide, since natural fibers come from renewable sources and their use contributes to the so-called 'green technology'. In the present study, the synergic effect of a bromine/antimony (3:1 molar ratio) based flame retardant system with 7.5% Br (mass/mass) added to composites investigated by TG, UL-94V and pyrolysis on a coupled Pyr-GC/MS device. The efficiency of the flame retardant system is confirmed by TG and UL-94V test where the composite containig flame retardant system obtained the highest classification (V-0).