FLAME RETARDANTS | ADDITIVES
Producers of
performance flame retardants are developing grades that meet increasingly stringent global regulations covering safety and sustainability. Mikell Knights reports
Regulation shapes flame retardant developments
The global plastics industry is seeing a growing emphasis on flame retardants that offer reduced toxicity risk but provide equal or improved perfor- mance, durability and processibility. This includes traditional as well as bio-based and non-halogenat- ed types derived from an expanding range of source materials that includes minerals, clays, phosphorous-based inorganics and more. At the same time, developments in traditional brominated flame retardants are focusing on delivering performance while meet increasingly stringent regulatory demands. This article reviews progress. The Exolit OP Terra line from Clariant is said to
particularly useful for use with bio-based polyam- ides such as PA 5,6, PA 10T, PA 6,10 to reduce carbon footprint. The organic phosphorus Terra grades are based on renewable carbon feedstocks such as plant residues, so are not food competing. The company says the use of mass balance certified renewable ethylene means there is no loss of performance and there is no need for additional testing or approvals.
www.compoundingworld.com Progress is also claimed in the development of
new Exolit flame retardant grades based on its Exolit OP 1240 for polyester injection moulding applications. The new blends are showing im- proved Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) and hydrolysis stability required for applications including high voltage connectors in orange colour. Clariant says it has also gained its first approvals for its latest Exolit OP grades for polyam- ides addressing high Glow Wire Ignition Tempera- ture (GWIT) requirements for unattended house- hold appliances. The company’s Exolit OP1400 phosphinate-
based grade is being used in polyamides for e-mobility, appliance, and consumer electronics applications as well as in energy storage. High thermal stability permits high output in compound- ing and injection moulding processes and per- forms well when it comes to recycling, the com- pany says, citing a study by Fraunhofer LBF that shows that PA6 and PA66 GF containing Exolit OP 1400 maintains a UL 94 V-0 rating when recycled
December 2023 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 13
Main image: Stricter regulation and tightening environmental regulations are driving
development of new flame retardant solutions
IMAGE: BIOENVISION
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