Post-fire flexural performance of epoxy-nanocomposite matrix glass fibre composites containing conventional flame retardants

This paper investigates the effect of varied nanoparticles (silicate nanoclays and double-walled carbon nanotubes) and micro-sized flame retardants (FRs) on the post heat/fire flexural performance of glass fibre-reinforced (GFR) epoxy composites. The fire reaction properties of GFR epoxy composites containing different combinations of nano- and micro-sized FRs were studied at varied incident heat fluxes (35–75 kW/m2). The flexural stiffness and modulus values of radiant heat-damaged GFR composites decreased rapidly with increasing incident heat flux. On another hand, the post-fire flexural properties of these specimens exposed for 30–90 s post-ignition at 50 kW/m2 retained only 20% of their room temperature flexural properties. Despite significant improvements in the fire reaction properties, their post-fire flexural performance was least affected. This suggests that, while these flame retardants are effective in promoting char formation, the formed char networks are not consolidated enough to effectively constrain the fibre reinforcements.