Improving the flame retardancy and thermal property of organotitanate-modified epoxy resin for electronic application via a simple method

The development of halogen-free epoxy resins (EPs) has become a major concern in the field of electronic packaging materials because flame retardants containing halogen release toxic chemicals during combustion. In this article, a type of modified EP possessing multiple functionalities, including high flame retardancy and thermal property as well as low hygroscopicity, was prepared via a simple method by taking advantage of synergistic effects of organotitanate and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO). The mechanical and thermal properties of the as-prepared EP/titanium (Ti)/DOPO system were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, glass transition temperature, differential scanning calorimetry, and so on. The results showed that the incorporation of organotitanate and DOPO into EP can not only enhance the decomposition temperature and residual char but also increase the glass transition temperature and limiting oxygen index (LOI) value. The EP/Ti/DOPO system reached UL94 V-0 rating with an LOI of 34.7%. Compared to pure epoxy, the peak heat release rate, heat release capacity, and total heat release of EP/Ti/DOPO were decreased by 33.3%, 35.1%, and 16.7%, respectively.