Usage of antimony trioxide, aluminum hydroxide and zinc borate in GRP composite production as fire-retardant additives: An experimental research

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the usability of compounds in inorganic structure and the effect of these compounds used in composites on the mechanical properties of composites in order to give fire retardant properties to glass fiber reinforced polyester composites (CTP). Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and zinc borate (2ZnO3.BrO3.3H2O) were added by different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%) to resin blends to improve the non-flammability of the composites. In experimental study, the combustion behavior of the doped CTP composites produced using different inorganic compounds was determined by international combustion standards ASTM D-635, ASTM D-3801 and ASTM D-5048. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was applied in order to determine the thermal behavior of the produced GRP composites due to temperature increase and tensile test were applied according to ASTM 638-14.As a result, when the flame retardant additive ratio is 15% or more in the GRP composites, the hand lay production became difficult due to the increase in viscosity. According to ASTM D-3801, when 30% AH is used, non-combustible material in V1 class can be produced. All FRP composites containing flame retardants were included in the HB - slowly burning material class. Flame retardant use generally reduced the tensile strength of GRP composites, but it was found that 10% increase in AT-doped CTPs.