This paper discusses the effect of nanoclays on thermal degradation of unsaturated polyester resin
with and without conventional flame retardants. Unsaturated polyester nanocomposites were
prepared by in-situ polymerization with exfoliated structures. Simultaneous DTA-TGA analysis
showed that nanoclays reduce thermal stability of the unsaturated polyester resin below 6000C and
after that there was no change. Nanoclays also reduce the onset of degradation temperature of the
resin. Above 600 0C, char formation is enhanced but not to the same extent as reported in literature
for other polymer (e.g., nylon, polystyrene, etc.) – nanocomposite structures. The effect of
conventional flame retardants - ammonium polyphosphate, melamine phosphate with and without
dipentaeythritaol and alumina trihydrate on thermal degradation of resin was also studied. All these
flame retardants enhance char formation of the resin above 4000C and presence of nanoclays
promotes further increase. Analysis of the thermogravimetric data indicates that this enhancement
in char formation is not as much as expected when compared with similar other polymer -
nanocomposite structures
