The synergistic effect of borax and chlorinated paraffin as flame – retardants for epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins

In this investigation , borax (B) (additive I) and chlorinated paraffin (CP.) (additive II) ,were used as flame retardants for each of epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins in the weight ratios of 2,4,6, 8% by preparing films of (130×130×3) mm dimensions. Also films of these resins with a mixture of [50%(B.)+50%(CP.)] (additive III) in the same weight ratios were prepared in order to study the synergistic effect of these additives on the flammability of the two resins . Three standard test methods were used to measure the flame retardation which are : 1-ASTM : D-2863 2-ASTM : D-635 3-ASTM : D-3014 The results obtained from these tests indicated that the additives (B),(CP.) and their mixture , gave a good effect as flame retardants for each epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins , but their synergistic effect was more effective than each of them alone . Finally , the compatibility between the additives and resins (which showed a clear effect on retardation) was also studied .