Thermal Degradation and Flame Retardancy of Epoxy Resin/Modified β-Cyclodextrin

The flammability of epoxy resin (EP) limits its application. Thus, improving the flame retardancy of EP has important practical significance for improving the fire safety of EP and expanding its applications. Biomass flame retardant EP could meet demands for environmental protections. Because of the molecular activity of biomass material β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), it was modified with the reactive intermediate phosphate diacid chloride. Then the modified β-CD (mβ-CD) was added into the EP matrix. It is found that the addition of mβ-CD could significantly increase the residue char amount of EP, and the flame retardancy of EP is been improved obviously. When the mass fraction of mβ-CD is 25% in EP, the oxygen index (LOI) is increased to 28.7%, and the vertical combustion test (UL-94) reaches the V-0 level. EP/mβ-CD composites could form stable and high-quality char layers when the materials are burned, so that the amounts of heat and toxic smoke released are suppressed effectively. ©2021, Editorial Board of Polymer Materials Science & Engineering. All right reserved.