Fire performance evaluation of different resins for potential application in fire resistant structural marine composites

Abstract

This work explores the possibility of reducing the flammability of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin, commonly used in marine composites, by co-blending with less combustible and char-forming resins such as phenol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde and furans. The compatibility and curing properties of UP, other resins and their blends in 50:50 wt-% ratios have been have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) techniques. Based on the successful establishment of curing conditions, plaques of resins have been cast and cured. Thermal stability has been studied by thermogravimetry (TGA), whereas the fire performance evaluation was carried out by limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimtery at 50kW/m 2 heat flux. According to a fire risk assessment based on cone calorimetric data, the resole phenolic resins and their blends with UP achieved the highest fire safety rating.