The Effect of Glycidyl Silane as Coupling Agent in Intumescent Flame Retardant System

Abstract

The effect of different carbonizing agents; ethylene glycol, glycerol, and pentaerythritol to the char formation were studied in this research. After burning process, formulation with ethylene glycol, glycerol, and pentaerythritol showed chars thickness of 10 mm, 32 mm, and 45 mm. The chars’ strength at peak force was recorded at 3.20 N, 7.75 N, and 9.48 N while the burning rate of each sample were 5.23 x 10-4 mm/s, 4.20 x10-4 mm/s, and 6.24 x10-4 mm/s respectively. Formulation with glycerol as carbonizing agent showed the lowest burning rate as compared to the other formulations. Additional formulation with glycidyl silane as coupling agent in glycerol formulation was also studied. The formation of chemical bonding between silane, glycerol, and epoxy glycerol was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) absorption peak at 767.25 cm-1. The burning rate was 1.44 x 10-5 mm/s after silane treatment. Thermal degradation of the silane-treated resin started at 220°C as measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).