News — Laboratory of Polymer Composites

Review: thermal stability and fire resistance of vinyl ester resin composites (Technobius Physics)

Technobius Physics (2026), 4(2), 0053 · review article

Thermal Stability and Fire Resistance of Vinyl Ester Resin Composites: Effect of Various Fillers on Thermal Degradation and Flame Retardancy

Authors: Marzhan Akhmetova, Nurgul Zhanturina, Abish Taskaliyev, Amirbek Bekeshev.

This review systematizes published data on the thermal stability and fire resistance of vinyl ester resin (VER) composites filled with various inorganic and organic flame retardants — aluminum and magnesium hydroxides, DE@DMMP, ammonium polyphosphate, expandable graphite, and others.

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New publication: kinetic modeling of vinyl ester resins (Reports of NAS RK)

Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2026), 2(358), 272–285

Simulation of kinetic parameters of vinyl ester resin samples with diatomite and dimethyl methylphosphonate fillers

Authors: Nurtai Zh., Orynbassar R., Aimaganbetova Z.K., Zhanturina N.N.

Using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Netzsch Kinetics Neo software, the kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition were predicted for vinyl ester resin (VER) composites containing diatomite and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP).

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New publication: thermal behavior and fire resistance of vinyl ester resins (Technobius Physics)

Technobius Physics (2026), Vol. 4, Issue 1, article 0047

Thermal behavior and Fire resistant properties of Vinyl Ester Resines Modified with Dimethyl Methylphosphonate and Diatomite

Authors: Bekeshev A., Uzakbayeva S., Zhanturina N., Aimaganbetova Z., Serikbayeva G.

The paper studies the thermal behavior and fire-resistant properties of vinyl ester resin modified with dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and diatomite.

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New publication: flame retardancy of vinyl ester resins (DE@DMMP)

Polymer Degradation and Stability (2026), article 111963 · Q1 journal

Boosting the Flame Retardancy of Vinyl Ester Resins via a DE@DMMP Hybrid: Reducing Migration and Improving Fire Performance

Authors: Jinxin Xie, Akhmetova Marzhan, Zhanturina Nurgul, Yanbei Hou, Bekeshev Amirbek, Weizhao Hu, Xin Wang, Yuan Hu, Fukai Chu.

The study introduces a DE@DMMP hybrid to boost the flame retardancy of vinyl ester resins (VER). The approach reduces flame-retardant migration from the polymer matrix while improving the material's overall fire performance.

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New publication in Polymer Degradation and Stability (2026)

Available online 8 April 2026 · Polymer Degradation and Stability, Volume 249, article 112127

Reactive phosphorus-containing monomers combined with modified diatomite fillers: A double-barreled approach to highly fire-safe vinyl ester resins

Authors: Ya-Fei Tian, Bibinur Iztleuova, Akhmetova Marzhan, Zhanturina Nurgul, Bekeshev Amirbek, Xin Wang, Yuan Hu, Lei Song.

A reactive flame-retardant co-monomer (DHP) containing phosphorus in two different oxidation states (+3 and +5) was synthesized and combined with modified diatomite to prepare flame-retardant vinyl ester resin (VER) composites. At a DHP loading of 30%, the composite achieved a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 27.1% and passed the UL-94 V-0 vertical burning test. Replacing 5% DHP with 5% modified diatomite maintained the V-0 rating and raised the LOI to 27.3%, while the peak heat release rate and total heat release decreased by 35.8% and 42.0%, respectively, compared with neat VER. The study proposes a synergistic flame-retardant strategy combining a dual-valence phosphorus-containing co-monomer with modified diatomite.

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Program-Targeted Funding (PTF)

Program Objective

To modify the surface of inorganic minerals (such as basalt ocher and diorite) and evaluate their application as flame-retardant additives for producing high-performance composites based on vinyl ester resin.

Program Tasks

  1. Investigate the morphology and structure of modified inorganic minerals using liquid-phase exfoliation, hydrothermal synthesis, mechanical milling, and related methods.
  2. Study the dispersion state of modified minerals within the vinyl ester resin matrix.
  3. Examine the influence of modified minerals on the rheological properties of vinyl-ester-based composites during processing.
  4. Evaluate the effects of modified minerals on thermal, flame-retardant, and mechanical properties of vinyl-ester composites.
  5. Clarify correlations between mineral morphology/structure and composite performance (thermal stability, flame retardancy, mechanical strength).
  6. Study thermal decomposition products to understand flame-retardant mechanisms in both the condensed and gas phases.
  7. Develop a machine-learning–based predictive model of thermal stability and flame-retardant behavior for vinyl-ester composites containing modified minerals.
  8. Validate the predictive model against experimental data to optimize composite formulations with modified minerals.

Explanation of Tasks

Task 1. Determines morphology and structure of modified minerals, ensuring uniform composite properties.

Task 2. Analyzes particle distribution uniformity and level of agglomeration within the polymer matrix.

Task 3. Examines viscosity, flow behavior, and processing parameters of resin systems.

Task 4. Evaluates thermal stability and mechanical strength of the materials.

Task 5. Studies structure–property relationships between fillers and composite performance.

Task 6. Analyzes gas-phase and condensed-phase processes during thermal degradation.

Task 7. Applies machine learning to predict material properties.

Task 8. Compares model predictions with experimental data to refine composite composition.