Epoxy/iron alginate composites with improved fire resistance, smoke suppression and mechanical properties

A balance of sustainability and high fire resistance and smoke suppression is important for the preparation of epoxy resins (EPs). Herein, bio-based iron alginate was used to ameliorate the fire safety of EP matrix. The addition of iron alginate reduced the initial decomposition temperature and temperature at maximum weight-loss rate of EP matrix, whereas obviously improved the char residues at the higher temperature zones. The peak heat release rate, smoke production rate and total smoke production were dramatically decreased by 61.3%, 60.4% and 42.2%, respectively, compared with those of EP matrix. And the presence of iron alginate obtained obviously smoke-suppressant effect on EP/iron alginate composites. Furthermore, the incorporation of iron alginate had no seriously destructive effect on the mechanical properties of EP matrix, while EP/iron alginate-3 exhibited a 13.5% improvement in the impact strength, compared with that of EP matrix. Such desirable features including higher fire resistance and proper smoke suppression make iron alginate a significant strategy for producing fire-safety EP compositions.