Synthesis of a Flame Retardant and Hydrophobic Epoxy Resin with Multiple Elements Synergistic Effect for Tunnel Seepage Prevention Application

Abstract

Epoxy resin (EP) mortar usually used to repair the cracking of concrete structure under damp environment, but EP is extremely flammable, thus it’s extremely imperative to design a novel multifunction EP grouting materials with flame retardancy and waterproofness for the practical application. Targeting ingenious decoration of EP grouting materials, multiple flame retardant elements (phosphorus, nitrogen and fluorine) are concurrently introduced into a fire retardant and the fire retardant defined as DDM-FNP. The obtained DDM-FNP/EP grouting composite possess high thermal stability, flame retardancy and hydrophobicity. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of DDM-FNP/EP composites has a significant improve, which is increased from 26.7 (EP-0) to 35.8 (EP-4). Composites with more than 10 wt% of DDM-FNP could pass UL-94 V-0 rating without dripping. Compared with EP-0, the PHRR and THR of EP-4 are decreased by 31.1% and 21.6%, respectively. In addition, due to the introduction of the F element, the water contact angle of EP composites is changed from 75.2° (hydrophilicity) to 98.6° (hydrophobicity) after the introduction of a certain amount of DDM-FNP flame retardant. Therefore, this work provide a new perspective to design a multifunction EP grouting composite and improve the value of practical application on seepage prevention of tunnel.