Flame retardancy, thermal behavior and mechanical properties of an epoxy resin and cyanate ester resin copolymer containing a bio phytate-based flame retardant

In this research, a bio-based flame retardant (DNPA), was fabricated via a reaction involving a DOPO derivative (DOPO-NH2) and phytic acid, and was conducted by 1H NMR and FTIR. Then DNPA was incorporated into epoxy resin and cyanate ester resin copolymer (EPCE) to fabricate EPCE/DNPA composites. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to evaluate both the fire behavior, thermal performance and mechanical properties of the composites. Notably, the EPCE composite with 10 wt% DNPA (EPCE/10DNPA) achieved a V-0 rating and exhibited a 28.3 vol% LOI value. The EPCE/10DNPA demonstrated a 16.2 % decrease in the peak heat release rate value and a 13.9 % reduction in the total heat release value, respectively, compared to EPCE.