Our Fire-Resistant Resin Product Group

Our Flame-Retardant Resin Group Polres Polyester was established in 2003 in Gebze Plastics Organized Industrial Zone (GEPOSB). It is a domestically-capitalized company that manufactures saturated and unsaturated polyester resins, gel coat, adhesive paste and pigment paste. Through continuous research and development activities, Polres has established itself as a competitive manufacturer in the global polyester resin market. Unsaturated polyester resins are the most widely used thermoset resins in the world. More than 2 million tonnes of unsaturated polyester resin is used globally for the production of a broad range of products, including high-performance components for pipes, tanks, sanitary ware and construction, marine, electrical and automotive industries. High thermal and heat stability, low shrinkage and excellent mechanical properties are typical of polymers. These applications, in addition to mechanical and electrical properties, require that materials also possess good flame-retardant properties. Contemporary chemistry of polymers and polymeric materials faces extraordinarily high requirements for production processes and product properties, including lower flammability and lower emissions of toxic compounds produced as a result of thermal degradation of polymer materials. This applies primarily to structural polymer materials encountered in daily life (construction, transport, home accessories and sports equipment). Commonly used structural polymers include unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins. Therefore, the problem of reducing the flammability of polyester and epoxy resins is currently one of the most serious and at the same time most difficult challenges in the latest technologies for the production of these materials. [caption id="attachment_144870" align="aligncenter"] Figure 1. Polyester resin without flame-retardant properties[/caption] Flame retardants, when added to thermoplastics, are chemicals that minimize fire risk that could be initiated through contact with a heat source or electrical fault. In the event of ignition, the flame retardant slows combustion and often prevents the flame from spreading to other components. Therefore, flame-retardant thermoplastics make ignition difficult and extinguish flames, delay flame spread or prevent possible fires. Flame-retardant thermoplastics operate through various mechanisms listed below: Gas phase; Additives decompose and prevent oxygen contact. Solid phase; Additives form an insulating layer. This layer acts as a barrier against oxygen and heat. Cooling; Additives release water to cool the surface and extinguish the flame. Unsaturated polyester resins and polyester glass laminates produced with these resins emit significant quantities of thick black smoke when burning. This smoke, particularly if halogenated flame-retardant polyester resins are used, is accompanied by emissions of toxic gases (HCl, HBr, CO). These toxic gases complicate, or even render impossible, rescue operations. For this reason, it is important to obtain polyester resins that do not sustain the combustion process and are also characterized by appropriate levels of flame retardancy and reduced smoke emissions. [caption id="attachment_144871" align="aligncenter"] Figure 2. Polyester resin with flame-retardant properties[/caption] Although the addition of halogenated compounds or the inclusion of a chemically bonded halogen in the structure of these polymers is very effective in reducing the flammability of thermoset materials and primarily demonstrates positive synergistic effects in halogen-antimony systems, it is characterized by emissions of toxic products, particularly hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, during combustion. The strong caustic and irritant effects resulting from the use of aromatic brominated compounds are a reason to limit the use of this method and seek alternative solutions. [caption id="attachment_144872" align="aligncenter"] Figure 3. UL-94 Combustion Test[/caption] Within the framework of these global developments, our research and development activities continue to focus more on the development of halogen-free products. With halogenated or halogen-free product groups, our company meets the flame-retardant polyester resin requirements demanded by the market. Our PRE-1640 and 1660 series halogenated flame-retardant polyester, and PRE-1650 series halogen-free filled flame-retardant polyester resin groups are produced in line with our customers' requirements. As a result of research and development work carried out with PRE-1650, one of our halogen-free flame-retardant polyester resins, we have earned UL-94 V0 certification from an accredited body. In our research and development efforts to expand the field of application of our flame-retardant resins, we continue certification studies for BS-476 Part 7 and EN 45545 for use in railways. [caption id="attachment_144873" align="aligncenter"] Figure 4. BS-476 Combustion Test[/caption] [caption id="attachment_144874" align="aligncenter"] Figure 5. EN-45545 Combustion Test[/caption]     Research and Development Team Polres Polyester