General schematic diagram of flame-retardant performance prediction and assessment. Credit: IMDEA Materials Institute
Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based strategy to predict and assess the fire resistance of epoxy resins, one of the most widely used polymers in industry.
The new system, published in Polymer Degradation and Stability, enables the rapid and cost-effective identification of safer and more efficient materials, overcoming the lengthy and expensive trial-and-error cycles associated with traditional methods.
Epoxy resins are used in sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics and aerospace. However, their inherent flammability poses a significant safety risk, limiting their use in critical applications.
To address this challenge, flame-retardant additives are incorporated into these materials. Among them, phosphorus-based flame retardants (P-FRs) are considered one of the most promising and safer alternatives because they do not contain halogens.
