UV-curable behavior of phosphorus- and nitrogen-based reactive diluent for epoxy acrylate oligomer used for flame-retardant wood coating

Multifunctional phosphorus and nitrogen containing tris-diethanolamine spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphorate reactive diluent (TDSPBRD) for epoxy acrylate oligomer was synthesized from spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphorate diphosphoryl chloride, diethanolamine, and allyl chloroformate. The synthesized reactive diluent was utilized to formulate ultraviolet (UV)-curable wood coating. The weight fraction of reactive diluent in the coating formulation was varied from 5 to 25 wt% with constant photoinitiator concentration. The molecular structure of the reactive flame retardant was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ³¹P NMR spectral analysis and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX). Further, the effectiveness of the flame retardant behavior of the coatings was evaluated using the limiting oxygen index and UL-94 vertical burning test. Thermal stability was estimated from thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of varying the concentration of TDSPBRD on the viscosity of the coating formulation along with the optical, mechanical and chemical resistance properties of the coatings were evaluated. The coatings gel content, water absorption behavior, and stain resistance were also studied.     

Flammability behavior of unsaturated polyesters modified with novel phosphorous containing flame retardants

Two phosphorous containing reactive flame retardants namely Triallyl phosphate (TAP) and diethylene glycol modified tetra‐allyl phosphate (DTAP) are synthesized and incorporated successfully in commercial Unsaturated polyester (UPR) in various amounts (5, 10, and 15 phr) to yield flame retardant unsaturated polyester (FRUPR) composites. The structures of reactive flame retardant monomers are confirmed by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy. Further, FRUPR composites are characterized for their mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties. It is observed that tensile strength and hardness of composites are enhanced with the addition of flame retardants; however, flexural strength and impact resistance are lowered. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) study reveals that there is a significant increase in glass transition temperature with the addition of flame retardants suggesting the formation of dense and crosslinked structure in FRUPR composites. Thermal stability and the flame retardant properties are also observed to be improved with the increase in concentration of flame retardant in UPR as evidenced from Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA). Beyond 10 phr concentration of flame retardants, all composites show V‐0 rating on UL‐94 test. Also, increase in phosphorous content in composites leads to gradual improvement in limiting oxygen index values. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1483–1491, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and characterization of water‐dispersed flame‐retardant polyurethane resin using phosphorus‐containing chain extender

In this research, a flame‐retardant water‐dispersed polyurethane resin was synthesized through incorporating phosphonate groups into the polyurethane structure in the chain‐extension step. A phosphorus‐containing reactive flame‐retardant compound was synthesized for this purpose. First, bis(4‐nitrophenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide was synthesized and then converted to bis(4‐amino phenyl)phenyl phosphine oxide (BAPPO) by reducing its nitro groups into amines. The obtained products were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ³¹P‐NMR, and the thermal properties of the polymers were determined by DSC analysis. The BAPPO‐containing polyurethane showed physical properties that were almost similar to those of phosphorus‐free polyurethane and exhibited good flame resistance with a limiting oxygen index value of 27. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1314–1321, 2004     

Improvement in flame retardancy of polyurethane dispersions by newer reactive flame retardant

A novel phosphorus containing reactive flame retardant was synthesized and incorporated successfully in polyurethane backbone to obtain flame retardant aqueous polyurethane dispersions (FRPUDs). The reactive flame retardant compound was synthesized by using phosphorus oxychloride (1 mole) and N-methylaminoethanol (3 mole). The structure of synthesized phosphorus containing triol was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectrometry. Further, polyurethane prepolymer was modified with phosphorus containing triol compound in various amounts (30, 40 and 50% on equivalent basis) and FRPUDs were prepared. PUD films were applied on wood and mild steel panels and air dried. It was then characterized for mechanical, chemical, thermal and flame retardant properties. It was observed that all FRPUDs exhibited good mechanical properties and improved flame retardancy as compared to the conventional one. The maximum limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 37 was obtained for FRPUD containing 0.8 mass% of phosphorus and 1 mass% of nitrogen. The flame retardancy was greatly depending on the phosphorus content and increased with increase in phosphorus content.     

Synthesis of a phosphorus and sulfur‐containing aromatic diamine curing agent and its application in flame retarded epoxy resins

A novel curing agent of epoxy resins (EPO), bis(3‐amino‐2‐thienyl) phenylphosphine oxide (ABTPPO), was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, and ³¹P NMR. ABTPPO was used as a flame retardant curing agent, and a novel halogen‐free flame retardant EPO composite was prepared. The flame retardant properties of ABTPPO‐cured EPO were evaluated in terms of limiting oxygen index and vertical burning test (UL‐94), while the combustion and thermal degradation behaviors were investigated by cone calorimeter test (CONE) and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The cured EPO composite passed the UL‐94 V‐1 and V‐2 rating when the sample thickness is 3.0 and 1.6 mm, respectively, and the limiting oxygen index value reached 38.3%. The morphological structures of char residue tested by scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that ABTPPO benefited to the formation of a more compact and homogeneous char layer on the materials' surface during burning, which protected the underlying matrix from decomposition and enhanced the flame retardancy of materials. The cured EPO showed excellent fire performance after the water resistance test because of the low water uptake (0.6 wt%), which demonstrated that the flame retardant EPO composite possessed excellent water resistance property. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boron-containing UV-curable oligomer-based linseed oil as flame-retardant coatings: synthesis and characterization

A boron-containing UV-curable oligomer was derived from linseed oil, phenylboronic acid and glycidyl methacrylate to use in flame-retardant coating applications. The synthesized UV-curable oligomer was characterized for its structural and physicochemical properties by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H and ¹¹B-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques. The boron-containing UV-curable oligomer (BELO) was added to a conventional polyurethane acrylate (PUA) at varying concentrations ranging from 10 to 40 wt% in the presence of a photoinitiator and a reactive diluent. LOI and UL-94 tests were performed to understand the flame-retardancy behavior of the synthesized BELO oligomer, and the results revealed that the flame retardancy of UV-curable coatings enhanced as the percentage of BELO oligomer in the coating formulations increased. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and thermal stability of cured coatings were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The TGA analysis showed that char yield at 600 °C increased by increasing the BELO oligomer content. The mechanical properties, and stain, solvent, and chemical resistance and thermal behavior of the coatings were investigated. Incorporation of BELO into the PUA coating formulations and the comparison of the properties of BELO-incorporated PUA coatings with those of the conventional PUA coating exhibited interesting results.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel charring agent and its application in intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

A novel halogen‐free charring agent bi(4‐methoxy‐1‐phospha‐2, 6, 7‐trioxabicyclo [2.2.2]‐octane‐1‐sulfide) phenylphosphate (BSPPO) was synthesized from phenylphosphonic dichloride (PPDC), and 4‐hydroxymethyl‐1‐phospha‐2, 6, 7‐trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]‐octane‐1‐sulfide (SPEPA) which was synthesized from pentaerythritol and thiophosphoryl chloride in this article. The structure of BSPPO and SPEPA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and ³¹P‐NMR. Combined with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and melamine pyrophosphate (MPP), the flame retardance and dripping resistance of BSPPO added in polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The fire performance of the flame retardant PP system was investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), and cone calorimeter. The thermal stabilities of the composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The flame retardance mechanism was investigated by FTIR and scanning electronic micrograph (SEM). The mechanical properties and water solubility were also investigated. The residue of BSPPO is 40.6% at 600°C, which indicates BSPPO has excellent charring ability. The char residue of the polypropylene intumescent flame retardant (PP‐IFR) system is 22% at 600°C, which suggests that the flame retardation synergy of APP, BSPPO, and MPP is good. With the optimum formulation, the LOI of the IFR‐PP system is 32.0, and the UL‐94 is V‐0 rating. The heat release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), smoke production rate (SPR), total smoke production (TSP), and mass loss rate (MLR) of IFR‐PP with the optimum formulation decrease significantly comparing to pure PP from cone calorimeter analysis. The FTIR and SEM results indicate that the char properties and the char yield have direct effect on the flame retardance and antidripping behaviors. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Influence of a long‐side‐chain‐containing reactive diluent on the structure and mechanical properties of UV‐cured films

The dimethacrylate reactive diluent (HEMA‐DDSA), a long‐side‐chain‐containing reactive diluent, was prepared by reacting 2‐dodecen‐1‐ylsuccinic anhydride with two equivalents of hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Its structure was characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. This new diluent was added into the formulation of UV‐curable epoxy acrylate networks. Results show that the formulation with the addition of HEMA‐DDSA has massively reduced viscosity and shows several attractive properties of epoxy acrylate oligomers. The mechanical resistance of the films is dramatically enhanced with the incorporation of long alkyl groups derived from HEMA‐DDSA, the plastic deformation zone expands, thus decreasing the inner stress of the polymer structure. Moreover, the cured coatings have a higher glass transition temperature as the percentage of HEMA‐DDSA is increased up to 5 wt%. Due to the excellent integrated performance of the polymeric films, HEMA‐DDSA proved to be an effective reactive diluent, which is of potential interest for applications in high performance materials. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and characterization of new flame retardant polyurethane composite and nanocomposite

In this work, a new flame retardant additive [2‐phenyl‐1,3,2 oxazaphospholidine 2‐oxide (POPO)] containing phosphorus and nitrogen is synthesized using phenyl phosphonic dichloride, ethanol amine, and copper (II) chloride, as catalyst. POPO is characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and ³¹P‐NMR and used as additive in polyurethane composites. Moreover, two commercial flame retardant additives [tricalcium diphosphate and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)] as well as nanoclay are used to compare flame retardancy of the synthesized additive. Limited oxygen index (LOI) and time burning (flammability test) of polyurethane composites and nanocomposites are evaluated. The results of the LOI test demonstrate that POPO is an excellent flame retardant additive and can be used to improve flame retardancy of polyurethane composites. In addition, increasing the additive content leads to an improvement of the flame retardancy of the samples. The LOI results show, however, that POPO is a good flame retardant, but the high synthesis cost of this flame retardant is a major disadvantage. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that using POPO in polyurethane matrices leads to low thermal stability and high char residue. Moreover, the nanocomposite has better thermal stability than the other samples. Scanning electron microscope micrographs have been used to evaluate the char residue of the samples. These micrographs indicate that POPO is an intumescent flame retardant and HBCD follows a nonintumescent mechanism. Exfoliated/intercalated structures have been shown for nanocomposites by transmission electron microscope. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

A novel organophosphorus flame retardant: Synthesis and durable finishing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/cotton blends

A novel, hydroxy‐functional, organophosphorus flame retardant (FR), 2,2‐dihydroxymethylpropane‐1,3‐diolylbis(hydrogen phenylphosphonate) (DHDBP), was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, ³¹P‐NMR, and elemental analysis. Subsequently, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/cotton (T/C; 70/30) blends were treated via pad‐dry‐thermosol finishing with DHDBP, citric acid, and a catalyst. Its flame retardancy, durability effect, and thermal decomposition behaviors were investigated by limited oxygen index, vertical burning test, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that DHDBP was not only a reactive FR with a high efficiency but also a good char‐forming agent for the T/C blends. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

A high-efficiency DOPO-based reactive flame retardant with bi-hydroxyl for low-flammability epoxy resin

A high-efficiency DOPO-based reactive flame retardant (DPE) with bi-hydroxyl was successfully synthesized via reacting DOPO with imine obtained from the condensation of ethanolamine and 1,4-phthalaldehyde, and used as co-curing agent to improve the fire safety of epoxy resin (EP). Its chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, ¹H, ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and elemental analysis. The curing behavior, thermal properties, flame-retardant properties of EP/DPE systems were investigated. The results revealed that DPE slightly decreased the glass transition temperature (T_g), but accelerated the curing cross-linking reaction of EP. Furthermore, DPE decreased thermal degradation rate of epoxy matrix and promoted the formation of residual char at high temperature. After adding DPE, the flame retardant of epoxy thermosets was greatly improved. Especially, the thermoset modified with 5 wt% DPE achieved limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 33.6% and V-0 rating in UL-94 test, demonstrating the highly efficient flame retardancy. While its peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSP) were respectively decreased by 32.6%, 17.8%, and 13.9% compared with neat EP. Moreover, the research on flame retardant mechanism disclosed that DPE played dual flame-retardant effect in the gaseous and condensed phases.     

Blocked polyisocyanates containing monofunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as crosslinking agents for polyurethane powder coatings

Blocked polyisocyanate crosslinkers for powder coatings were synthesized using alicyclic diisocyanates (TMDI and IPDI), formic acid, (methylaminopropyl)hepta(isobutyl)Si₈O₁₂ (POSS), ?-caprolactam, dibutyltin dilaurate as well as triethylamine as catalysts. The chemical structures of these compounds were characterized by means of IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The three-dimensional surface topography and surface chemical structure of the resulting powder coatings were investigated by using confocal microscope and ATR FT-IR. The values of surface roughness parameters were calculated. The surface topography was correlated with the chemical structure of the coatings and macroscopic surface behaviour: surface free energy, abrasion resistance, hardness, adhesion to the steel surface and impact resistance. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed to assess the hardening property of powder coatings and the thermal decomposition processes.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane flame‐retardant coatings using pyrophosphoric lactone‐modified polyesters/isophorone diisocyanate–isocyanurate

Pyrophosphoric lactone‐modified polyester containing two phosphorous functional groups in one structural unit of base resin was synthesized to prepare a nontoxic, reactive flame‐retardant coatings. Then, the pyrophosphoric lactone‐modified polyester was cured at room temperature with isocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI)–isocyanurate to get a two‐component polyurethane flame‐retardant coatings (TAPPU). Comparing the physical properties of the films of TAPPU with the film of nonflame‐retardant coatings, no deterioration of physical properties was observed with the incorporation of a flame‐retarding component into the resin. Three kinds of flame retarding tests were conducted, including the 45° Meckel burner method, limiting oxygen index method (LOI method), and oxygen combustion method with Cone calorimeter. It was observed that the char lengths were 3.1～4.5 cm and LOI values were 27～30%. These results indicate that the prepared coatings are good flame‐retardant ones. It was also found that the flame retardancy of those coatings was increased with the contents of phosphorous. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2316–2327, 2001     

水性聚氨酯膨胀型阻燃涂料的研究进展

水性聚氨酯涂料若未经阻燃处理,存在引发火灾的隐患,因此水性聚氨酯的阻燃研究是水性聚氨酯功能化的重要方向之一。介绍了水性聚氨酯阻燃涂料的分类,按不同分类标准可分为共混复配型和反应型,膨胀型和非膨胀型。对水性聚氨酯阻燃涂料阻燃效应和阻燃机理进行了探讨,并重点介绍水性聚氨酯膨胀型阻燃涂料的研究现状。最后提出了现在水性聚氨酯膨胀型阻燃涂料存在的问题,并对水性聚氨酯膨胀型阻燃涂料的发展趋势进行了展望。     

Preparation,characterization and properties of a halogen‐free phosphorous flame‐retarded poly(butylene terephthalate) composite based on a DOPO derivative

A phosphorous flame retardant (DOPO‐MAH) was synthesized through the reaction between of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) and maleic anhydride (MAH) and confirmed by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ³¹P NMR techniques. The obtained flame retardant was then melt blended with poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) to prepare flame retardant PBT/DOPO‐MAH composites. The composites were characterized by LOI, UL‐94, and mechanical tests as well as scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. On adding 20 wt % DOPO‐MAH, LOI increased from 20.9 to 25.7 and the UL‐94 V‐0 rating was achieved, whereas the tensile and flexural properties were notably improved. Torque‐time profile during the melt blending and intrinsic viscosity of the composite indicated that DOPO‐MAH acted as both flame retardant and chain extender for the PBT matrix. The results showed that PBT/DOPO‐MAH composite is a promising material for its good comprehensive properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1301‐1307, 2013     

The flame retardant mechanism of polyolefins modified with chalk and silicone elastomer

This paper presents the current understanding of the flame retardant mechanism of Casico?. The study includes the flame retardant effect of each individual component: ethylene–acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer, as well as the formation of an intumescent structure during heating. The flame retardant properties were investigated by cone calorimetry and oxygen index tests. To obtain insight into the flame retardant mechanism, heat treatment under different conditions has also been performed. The results indicate that the flame retardant mechanism of Casico is complex and is related to a number of reactions, e.g. ester pyrolysis of acrylate groups, formation of carbon dioxide by reaction between carboxylic acid and chalk, ionomer formation and formation of an intumescent structure stabilized by a protecting char. Special emphasis is given to the formation of the intumescent structure and its molecular structure as evaluated from ¹³C MAS‐NMR and ²⁹Si MAS‐NMR, ESCA and XRD analysis. After treatment at 500°C the intumescent structure consists mainly of silicon oxides and calcium carbonate and after treatment at 1000°C the intumescent structure consists of calcium silicate, calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Construction of novel silicon‐phosphorus linear polymers with DDSQ and DOPO derivatives for effective flame retardancy of PC/ABS

Two kinds of novel silicon‐phosphorus linear polymers were synthesized by the hydrosilylation reaction of double‐decker‐shaped silsesquioxane (DDSQ) and 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐ phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO) derivatives and characterized using ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, and ²⁹Si NMR. Flame‐retardant polycarbonate/acrylonitric‐butadiene‐styrene (PC/ABS) blends were prepared with different contents of silicon‐phosphorus linear polymers. The flame‐retardant properties of silicon‐phosphorus linear polymers as well as the morphology were investigated in detail by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), (Underwriters Laboratory) UL‐94, microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The silicon‐phosphorus linear polymers containing DDSQ and DOPO units can synergistically improve the flame retardancy and thermal stability of PC/ABS blends. Flame‐retardant polymers with different linkers between DDSQ and phosphate units show comparable effect on the flame retardancy of PC/ABS.     

Development of a DOPO‐containing melamine epoxy hardeners and its thermal and flame‐retardant properties of cured products

In this study, a novel Schiff base of melamine used as flame‐retardant curing agent for epoxy resins, was synthesized via condensation reaction of 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde with melamine, followed by the addition of 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphen‐anthrene 10‐oxide (DOPO) to the resulting imine linkage. The structure of DOPO‐containing melamine Schiff base (P‐MSB) was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR) and ³¹P‐NMR. The compound (P‐MSB) was used as a reactive flame retardant in o‐cresol formaldehyde novolac epoxy resin (CNE) to prepare flame‐retardant epoxy resins for electronic application. The thermal and flame‐retardant properties of the epoxy resins cured by various equivalent ratios phenol formaldehyde novolac (PN) and P‐MSB were investigated by the nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry, the thermogravimetric analysis, and limiting oxygen index test. The obtained results showed that the cured epoxy resins possessed high T_g (165°C) and good thermal stability (T_5%, 321°C). Moreover, the P‐MSB/CNE systems exhibited higher limiting oxygen index (35) and more char was maintained in P‐MSB/CNE systems than that in PN/CNE system and the effective synergism of phosphorus–nitrogen indicated their excellent flame retardancy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Design and synthesis of bio-based UV curable PU acrylate resin from itaconic acid for coating applications

UV curable PUA resin was successfully synthesized from polyol based on sustainable resource originated from itaconic acid (IA), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). A polyol was synthesized by condensation reaction of IA with 16-hexanediol in the presence of p-Toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA). The synthesized PUA resin was characterized for its structural elucidation by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The synthesized UV curable PUA resin was incorporated in varying concentrations in conventional PUA coating system. The effects of varying concentration of synthesized UV curable PUA resin on rheology, crystallinity, thermal and coating properties were evaluated. The rheological behavior of the resins were evaluated at variable stress and result showed decrease in viscosity of resin as concentration of synthesized UV curable PUA resin increases in conventional PUA resin. The cured coatings have been evaluated for glass transition temperature (T_g) and thermal behavior by differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis respectively. The degree of crystallinity of the coatings was determined from X-ray diffraction patterns using the PFM program. It was found that increase in the mass proportion of IA based PUA in coatings, the coating becomes more rigid and crystalline. The synthesized UV curable PUA coatings showed interesting mechanical, chemical, solvent and thermal properties as compared to the conventional PUA. Further, cured coatings were also evaluated for gel content and water absorption.     

Flame retardant epoxy resins from bisphenol-A epoxy cured with hyperbranched polyphosphate ester

A novel hyperbranched polyphosphate ester (HPE) was synthesized via the polycondensation of bisphenol-A and phosphoryl trichloride. The formed HPE was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR to confirm its structure. Then, a series flame retardant epoxy resins from bisphenol-A epoxy cured with HPE and bisphenol-A were prepared. The combustion behavior of the flame retardant epoxy resins was studied using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimeter test. The LOI value increased from 23 to 32 when HPE, instead of bisphenol-A, was used as a curing agent. The cone calorimeter test data revealed that the cured bisphenol-A epoxy resin with HPE as a curing agent possessed improved flame retardancy. The photo graphs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of char residues confirmed the cone calorimeter results.