Use of polishing alumina as flame retardant in orthophthalic polyester resin matrix composites

Abstract

abstractEN: Within the field of Civil Engineering Materials, a use for a range of industrial waste products as substitutes has been found which are as effective as standard construction materials but which have the bonus of providing an ecologically sound alternative for materials that wouldotherwise become an environmental concern. The use of waste materials in polymer composites is a prime example of this practice. These composites display excellent mechanical properties but need to be adapted to control the combustibility properties. This paper reports on a study aimed to produce polymer concrete composites using waste alumina from metallurgic industrial processing.The composites have an ortophtalic polyester resin as a binder, river sand as aggregate and fly ashas filler. Two kinds of flame retardants were used: the first is a residue, polishing alumina and thesecond a other virgin commercial alumina which were used in four different percentages in relation to the mass of the resin. The samples were subjected to flexural strength testing, temperature changes of 125, 225 and 325°C and porosity by mercury addition.score: 7collation: 209-21