abstract |
An epoxide resin for the manufacture of a fibre-reinforced composite material having fire retardant properties and/or for use as an adhesive or hot-melt adhesive having fire retardant properties, the epoxide resin being halogen-free and phenolic resin-free, the epoxide resin comprising:n A. a mixture of (i) at least one first non-halogenated multifunctional epoxide-containing resin which has an epoxide functionality of greater than 2 and (ii) at least one second non-halogenated multifunctional epoxide-containing resin which has an epoxide functionality of less than or equal to 2; B. at least one catalyst for curing the mixture of epoxide-containing resins to form a cured epoxy resin; and C. at least one fire retardant additive for forming an intumescent char when the cured epoxy resin is exposed to a fire, wherein the at least one fire retardant additive comprises expandable flake graphite and wherein the expandable flake graphite is present in a concentration of from 0.09 to 2.5 wt % based on the weight of the epoxide resin. |