Thermal behaviour and fire and mechanical performance of carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy composites coated with flame-retardant epoxy gelcoats

Abstract We investigated the industrial applicability of multifunctional flame-retardant epoxy gelcoats based on flame retardants containing phosphorus (P), in particular ammonium polyphosphate (APP, which acts solid phase), resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP, mainly gas phase) and their combination. It was possible to apply most formulations via spraying with use a diluent, while RDP were sprayable without diluent. The presence both provided excellent fire performance, Shore D hardness decreased significantly, is favourable terms flexibility. compared effect composite (wet compression moulding vacuum infusion) gelcoat manufacturing (brushing spraying) technologies behaviour. Both infusion significantly peak heat release rate total coated samples during mass loss type cone calorimetry tests. composites prepared by showed best overall performance. Heat rates, three-point bending test results dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that retardancy base itself can be omitted.