Preparation of highly efficient flame retardant unsaturated polyester resin by exerting the fire resistant effect in gaseous and condensed phase simultaneously

The unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) were usually applied in electronic equipment, but the intrinsic flammability severely retrained their application. A mono-component flame retardant poly (piperazine methylphosphonic acid neopentylglycol ester) (PPMPNG) made in our lab was selected and applied to improve their flame retardant performance. The UPR thermosets achieved UL-94 V-0 grade during vertical burning tests and the limiting oxygen index was as high as 32.1% when 15 wt% PPMPNG was incorporated. PPMPNG promoted the decomposition and carbonization of UPR materials in advance during heating process, and the residual mass was effectively enhanced at high temperature. The flame retardant mechanism of UPR/PPMPNG thermosets was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry tests, and the measurement of the morphologies and chemical components of the char residue. The phosphine oxygen radical was generated and then quenched the active free radicals in gas phase. Moreover, the av-EHC of FR-UPR was declined from 15.8 MJ kg(-1) of pure UPR to 8 9 MJ kg(-1) corresponding a reduction of 43.6%, which also verified the flame retardant effect in gas phase. The compact, integrated, and graphitized char layer was produced on materials surface and then exerted excellent barrier effect in condensed phase. Thus, the UPR/PPMPNG composites were conferred superior flame retardant properties.