TECHNOLOGY | WIRE & CABLE
extrusion properties of our products.” Padanaplast introduced five grades for building and construction and two targeted at applications in automotive. Except for one all-thermoplastic sheathing grade, all these compounds are silane- crosslinkable products of the Cogegum GFR series based on Sioplas process technology.
Left: Cogegum AFR and GFR are the latest HFFR grades from Padanaplast
Right: Halguard cable compounds from Teknor Apex are aimed at meeting “global” specifications
Global compliance Teknor Apex featured its Halguard low-smoke HFFR compounds, which are designed to enable compliance with the newly implemented fire safety requirements in Europe while also meeting standards adhered to in North America and other regions. The company points out that fire safety is a critical issue for buildings, regardless of the region they are located. However, North American fire safety standards for cables are significantly different from those used in Europe and many other regions of the world. It says the new Hal- guard compounds enable manufacturers to meet the growing demand for “global” products that can enable compliance with fire codes in multiple jurisdictions. Among Halguard compounds now available are products suitable for supporting Euroclass B2 and below while also being able to pass UL 1666 Riser flame test. While PVC continues to be the preferred solution for many wire and cable applications, Teknor Apex developed its Halguard technology for custom- ers that sell to jurisdictions or applications where halogen-free compounds are the required alternative. “Halguard compounds overcome the limitations of other LS HFFR compounds by being generally more flexible for an equivalent level of flame retardance and easier to extrude,” says David Braun, the company’s Wire and Cable Industry Manager. The need for materials that comply with
specifications in different global markets is echoed by Denise Wallace, Marketing Manager Compounds BU (USA) in the Vinyl Business Group at Mexichem Specialty Compounds (MSC). She says the company’s broad range of compound types helps the many cable makers looking for compounds that will answer both the US fire standards (NEC hierarchy from UL 1581 to NFPA 262 performance) as well as CPR. “Often times, they are seeking one material that will perform globally or they are looking for synergies to streamline their portfolio while focusing on next-generation performance,” she says. Wallace also notes that fibre optic cable manufacturers are looking to expand their
20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2018
product offerings by pushing the low temperature limitations of traditional materials. “They are seeking solutions that can be installed indoors and outdoors without compromising the integrity of the cable,” she says. For cables needing to meet the most stringent US NEC flame testing standard, Mexichem’s plenum-capable compound, Smokeguard, is said to provide a solution while also addressing factors such as low temperature or indoor/outdoor performance criteria. “When facing CPR classes such as B2, MSC’s LS HFFR compound Megolon has earned its place based on its heat release and low smoke production capabilities,” says Wallace. “For cables needing minimal flame performance, MSC’s Garaflex TPE series of compounds allows for the flexibility needed for applications such as electric vehicle cables.” Also at Wire 2018, Spanish additives company
Tolsa shone the spotlight on the latest advances in its Adins Clay high-performance flame retardant (FR) synergists. These are based on what Tolsa calls a “breakthrough technology” using natural silicates, which makes it possible to replace part of flame retardant systems used at high loadings to allow better processing. The synergists work with standard wire and cable formulations based on halogen and halogen- free solutions. Tolsa says they have proven to be very efficient in HFFR systems based on EVA/ PE and alumina trihydrate (ATH) and/or magnesium hydroxide. Now, Tolsa says there are also important gains when using the additives in other base polymers including EPDM rubbers and silicones. Tolsa is also looking to complement its special additives portfolio for wire and cable by developing additives for chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). Preliminary studies with its Adins additives have shown good fire retardancy performance and reduced smoke production and ATO content, it says. It will complete its study with formulation readjust- ments during the year. Meanwhile, Nabaltec has developed a new mineral-based masterbatch, Apyral AOH EXL 500-17-C, which it claims is a highly efficient flame-retardant synergist for ATH. It can be easily blended with mineral fillers and is highly compatible with numer- ous polymers, the supplier says. At addition levels of only 4 wt%, the additive is said to improve fire retardancy significantly compared to ATH on its own. Corina Neumeister, R&D/Technical Service
www.compoundingworld.com
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