SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, THERMAL, AND FLAME-RETARDANT PROPERTIES OF PHOSPHATE-BASED EPOXY-RESINS

A new phosphorus-containing oxirane bis-glycidyl phenylphosphate (BGPP ), and a diamine, bis(4-aminophenyl)phenylphosphate (BAPP), were synth esized. Both of these two phosphorus-containing compounds lead to phos phate-containing epoxy resin via curing reaction. The kinetics of the curing reaction of BGPP with various curing agents, including BAPP, we re studied. The introduction of electron-withdrawing group into the co mpounds increases the BGPP and decreases the BAPP reactivity in the cu ring reaction. The thermal and the weight loss behavior of the cured e poxy resins were studied by TGA. High char yields (32-52%) as well as high limiting oxygen index (LOI) values (34-49) of these phosphorylate d resins were found, confirming the usefulness of these phosphorus-con taining epoxy resins as flame retardants. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.