Influence of expandable graphite on flame retardancy and thermal stability property of unsaturated polyester resins/organic magnesium hydroxide composites

An eco-friendly flame retardant unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) material was prepared by combination organic magnesium hydroxide (OMH) and expandable graphite (EG). Different from direct addition of magnesium hydroxide (MH) in UPR matrix-like traditional method, OMH as a reactive monomer participates in the polycondensation reaction of UPR was more effective in improving the compatibility of flame retardant with matrix. Interestingly, the flame retardant UPR composites exhibited a more satisfactory flame retardant effect when a certain amount of 8 wt % EG was added into UPR/OMH matrix because of the synergistic effect between OMH and EG, resulted in the limited oxygen index from 21.7 to 28.5% and UL-94 test passed V-0 rating. Moreover, the peak heat release rate, total heat release, and smoke production rate of flame retardant UPR composites significantly reduced. The excellent flame retardancy was due to the formation of a dense and continuous carbon layer in the later stages of combustion. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 47881.