1. Interaction of Resin, Glass, and ATH in FR Laminate by Mike Mathews, Hexion Specialty Chemicals

2. Variables Investigated :
Different Mean Diameter Particle Size Alumina Tri-Hydrate (ATH)
ATH loading levels
Glass fiber content

3. Laminating Technique Low glass with high ATH percentage
High glass with low ATH percentage

4. ATH Particle Packing Variables
"Standard" : mean particle diameter of 15.5 micron
60/40 "Efficient" : ratio between 15.5 and 2 microns
60/40 "Coarse" : ratio between 18.5 and 3.5 microns
80/20 "Coarse" : ratio between 18.5 and 3.5 microns

5. Laminate Construction
Materials (Wt.%)
Standard Mix
Efficient 60/40
Coarse 60/40
Coarse 80/20
FR Resin 48
E-Glass 20 40
ATH, (18.5 µ)
19.2
25.6
7.2
9.6
ATH, (3.5 µ)
12.8
6.4
4.8
2.4
ATH, (15.5 µ) 32 12
ATH, (2 µ)

6. Property Testing
Viscosity / Wet Out
Mechanical
Flame

7. Mechanical Testing ASTM D 638 Tensile Peak tensile strength at break
Tensile modulus for determining stiffness
Elongation at break
ASTM D 790 Flexural
Peak Flexural strength at break
Flexural modulus for determining stiffness

8. Flame Testing ASTM D 2863 Limited Oxygen Index (LOI)
Measures the minimum amount of oxygen in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just support combustion.
Oxygen Index = O2
O2 + N2

9. Smoke Testing ASTM E 662 (NBS)
Measures the specific optical density of smoke (Ds) generated
Ds at 1.5 minutes
Ds at 4 minutes

10. Results / Discussion

11. Brookfield Viscosity (LVT#3 at 50rpm)
20% Glass / 32% Filler / 48% Resin
Standard Mix : 604 cps
Efficient 60/40 : 580 cps
Coarse 60/40 : 616 cps
Coarse 80/20 : 562 cps

12. Brookfield Viscosity (LVT#3 at 50rpm)
40% Glass / 12% Filler / 48% Resin
Standard Mix : 309 cps
Efficient 60/40 : 294 cps
Coarse 60/40 : 306 cps
Coarse 80/20 : 291 cps

13. 20% Glass Peak Strengths

14. 40% Glass Peak Strength

15. Typical Smoke Criteria for Surface Mass Transit Vehicles
Ds (1.5 minute) less than or equal to 100
Ds (4.0 minute) less than or equal to 200

16. 20% Glass Fire Properties

17. 40% Glass Fire Properties

18. Combined Ratings (20% Glass) Smaller the value the better the results
Standard
Efficient
Coarse
(100/0)
(60/40)
(80/20)
Viscosity 2 4 3 1
LOI
Smoke (1.5 Ds)
Smoke (4.0 Ds)
Tensile
Flexural
Total 11 14 19 10

19. Combined Ratings (40% Glass) Smaller the value the better the results
Standard
Efficient
Coarse
(100/0)
(60/40)
(80/20)
Viscosity 2 3 1
LOI
N/A
Smoke (1.5 Ds)
Smoke (4.0 Ds)
Tensile
Flexural
Total 11 9

20. Conclusion Particle Sizing
Viscosity , Larger Size Particles
Glass % , Small Size Particles
Smoke , Larger Size Particles

21. Conclusion ATH Loading
The higher concentration of ATH yields greater resistance to flaming.
LOI is not affected by particle sizing but by the amount of ATH and resin in the laminate.

22. Conclusion Glass Loading
Does not effect flame properties
Increases mechanical properties