Jatropha curcas oil based alkyd/epoxy resin/expanded graphite (EG) reinforced bio-composite: Evaluation of the thermal, mechanical and flame retardancy properties

Bio-composites were prepared from blends of Jatropha curcas oil based alkyd and epoxy resin with different weight percentage of expanded graphite (EG). The effect of EG loading on the thermal, mechanical, flame retardancy and water absorption properties of the bio-composites were studied. Significant improvement in thermal and mechanical properties was observed with 5 wt% EG loading. The prepared bio-composites were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry and tensile strength measurement. Morphological study showed the homogeneous dispersion of the EG sheets in the resin matrix. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the bio-composites showed a noticeable improvement in flame retardancy in comparison to neat blend of alkyd and epoxy resin. In vitro degradation of the bio-composites showed low degradation in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4).