Abstract
Sustainable, biogenic flame retardant adjuvants for epoxy resins are receiving increased focus. Zoological products like insects, bone meal, and eggshells are available in large quantities, but remain uninvestigated as functional fillers to epoxy resins, although they are potential synergists to flame retardants. The efficacy and flame retardancy of "non-vegan" additives in combination with flame retardants is investigated and the fire behavior and thermal decomposition of bio-sourced epoxy resin composites is characterized. By comparing the fire performance of composites containing flame retardants or fillers at varying loadings (5, 10, and 20%), their role as synergists that enhance the function of organophosphorus flame retardants in bio-epoxy composites is identified and quantified. Peak heat release rates were 44% lower in composites containing both filler and flame retardant versus those containing only flame retardants, and fire loads were reduced by 44% versus the pure resin, highlighting the ability of "non-vegan" fillers to function as synergists. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.