Synthesis and properties of phosphorus-containing epoxy resins by novel method

Novel phosphorus-containing epoxy resins (1–3% phosphorus content) were synthesized by the reaction of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO) and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and then cured with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone or phenol novolac. Differential scanning calorimetry, high performance liquid chromatography, and epoxide equivalent weight titration were used to trace the reaction between the DOPO and the epoxy. The thermal stability and flame retardancy were checked by thermal gravimetric analysis, the limiting oxygen index, and the UL-94 vertical test. The glass transitions were measured by dynamic mechanical analysis. The relation between these properties (thermal stability, flame retardancy, and glass transition) and the DOPO contents (phosphorus content) were discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3903–3909, 1999