Curing behavior, mechanical, and flame-retardant properties of epoxy-based composites filled by expandable graphite and ammonium polyphosphate

In this study, 4,4′-Diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) was exploited as hardener for diglycidyl ether of daidzein (DGED) and epoxy resin mixture (E-D). The composites were produced by blending with different contents of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and expandable graphite (EG) into E-D resin, named E-D/A-E composites. Firstly, E-D/A-E blends were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC to evaluate their curing behavior. The TGA was performed on the E-D/A-E composites to analyze their thermal stability, and the thermal properties of the composites were enhanced by adding APP-EG (A-E) flame retardants. The mechanical properties and the fractured surfaces of the E-D/A-E composites were studied by tensile, impact tests and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, through torch burning test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL-94) and micro-calorimetry tests, the influence of A-E flame retardants contents on flammability of composites were evaluated. The results showed that the UL-94 V-0 rating was obtained for the E-D/A-E composites and the composites exhibited a self-extinguishing phenomenon. When A-E flame retardants content reached 9.1 wt%, the LOI value reached 34.5%, and total heat release (Total HR) was reduced by 20.2% compared with E-D/A-E 1.