Modified flame retardant active filler particle of pumice, aluminum trihydrate and boric acid on glass fiber reinforced polymer composites based on unsaturated polyester resin

Aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) and boric acid (H3BO3) are good flame retardant fillers for use in the Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) composite applications with unsaturated polyester resin matrix. However, the decrease in the mechanical properties of composites is an important problem that must be solved. This study aims to develop a composite material based on unsaturated polyester resin with good fire resistance while maintaining mechanical properties by modifying the polymer matrix with active filler nanosilica (AFN). The fiber reinforcement used is chopped strand mat (CSM) and woven roving (WR) with AFN, ATH and H3BO3. The fire resistance will be tested with ASTM D635 standards, while the mechanical tests, namely bending and impact tests, will follow the ASTM D790 and ASTM D256 standards. The results of the fire resistance test show that GFRP composites with ATH, H3BO3 and AFN as fillers can be a barrier to the combustion rate. The addition of AFN is quite effective to improve the mechanical properties of the composite. The results of the flexural and impact tests showed that the mechanical properties increased along with the increase in the AFN content in the GFRP composite.