This paper presents a review of flame retardants used for glass/polyester laminates. It concerns flame retardants withdrawn from use such as compounds containing halogen atoms and flame retardants currently used in the industry, such as inorganic hydroxides, phosphorus and nitrogen-containing compounds, antimony, and boron compounds, as well as tin-zinc compounds. Attention is also drawn to the use of nanoclays and the production of nanocomposites, intumescent flame retardant systems, and mats, as well as polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes. The paper discusses the action mechanism of particular flame retardants and presents their advantages and disadvantages.
Keywords: flame retardants; flammability; glass/polyester laminates; unsaturated polyester resin.