Epoxy composites are a type of polymeric material that uses an epoxy resin to create a polymer matrix that is reinforced with fibers or other fillers. This matrix is highly versatile and can be used to meet the requirements of many applications, but it has insufficient fire resistance. For this reason, there is an increasing need to investigate and predict the deformation behavior of epoxy-based composite materials under general load conditions. In this article, we will discuss the chemical composition and structural properties of the epoxy polymer as a matrix in composites, as well as the effects of the morphological properties of epoxy and fillers on deformation behavior.
We will also focus on an overview of the literature dealing with damage mechanisms and rupture of epoxy-based composite materials and the criteria for predicting deformation behavior under general load conditions. We will also explore the different types of high-performance matrix resins, their application ranges and the selected flame retardant formulations. We will discuss advances in the design and application of inorganic and phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon-based flame retardants (FRs), as well as synergistic flame retardant blends. The results of studies on the impact of fiber reinforcement on the fire behavior of epoxy-based materials will be presented, as well as the influence of FRs on material properties.
Finally, we will discuss the state of the art of science and technology, along with future challenges in the flame retardancy of epoxy-based materials. Epoxy-based composites are widely used in the manufacture of automotive components, including radiator brackets, bumper bars, fenders, bonnets, roof panels, cover caps and many other exterior and interior body components. Synthetic fiber-reinforced epoxy polymer composites are increasingly used for aircraft structures due to their superior structural performance, such as long fatigue life, high stiffness, high strength and low density. For novices in composite materials, fortunately, there is hope, and it lies in the fact that these materials can be easily understood and applied. Epoxy hardened with thermoplastics and reactive rubber compounds added to counteract brittleness due to the high degree of crosslinking has become the norm in high-percentage composite fuselages.
The observation of SEM showed that the higher content of curing agent carrier decreased the surface fatigue of epoxy compounds through their self-healing with released core fluids. Epoxies come in liquid, solid and semi-solid forms and are usually cured by reaction with amines or anhydrides. Epoxy composite materials (EMF) are a group of composite materials typically made of woven glass cloth surfaces and non-woven glass core combined with epoxy synthetic resin. It is intuitive that the higher the deformability of a given compound, the lower the content of the fabric reinforcement. In addition, epoxy compounds with two-part self-healing functionality also showed significant improvement in fracture toughness with a higher content of curing agent carrier.
The calendering route for manufacturing nanocomposites has recently gained increasing attention due to its uniform shear, scalable and solvent-free mixing characteristics. It could be concluded that the incorporation of curative agent carriers was an effective way to achieve the multifunctional properties of epoxy compounds. Absorbed energy, impact force and impacted energy were better for the hybrid composite than for the hemp-epoxy composite. Remember that NF may be a preferred reinforcement for SMEP because its presence imparts the deformability of the corresponding composite to a lesser extent than traditional reinforcing fibers. Specific AC conductivity as a function of frequency for fully processed bulk epoxy compounds containing 0.01% by weight of MWNT exposed to AC and DC electric fields during curing was also observed. The coating composition for protecting iron and steel structures contains particulate zinc, conductive pigments and hollow glass microspheres.
