Asahi Glass launches inorganic flame retardant

MATERIALS =a Asuhi Glass launches inorganic flame retcwdant Japanese

company

Asahi Glass

Co. has introduced

a new inor-

ganic flame retardant.

The

company says that the material can be used in most thermoplastic resins with a softening point in the range IOO-300°C. These include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PVC, polystyrene, nylon and polycarbonate. The flame retardant ly a low melting significant

is primari-

glass with a

phosphorus

con-

tent. In a combustion the additive material

process,

turns into a glassy

containing

phosphor-

ic acid, which covers the surface of the polymer and cuts off the oxygen supply. This suppresses

the flames and

smothers

the fire. The compa-

ny says that in applications requiring small quantities of flame retardant, the new material is more effective aluminium

hydroxide

Supplier compoun&d black plast.& can o&S Lmperiorw protection to that g$ned by convention&+x&&m-added masterbatches, &&ding to s~~~~,~I Com$?+P& : in ~‘~,“~~OUC the ~~~~~~~ c&S ~~~~y used sue to tbzir x&xi+ &se of installation iid o* maintenance. ‘Tjrl+&y, t&e insulation is a cto&&ked polyethylene containing2SM carbon black-as spe&ed in most , international standards. The carbon black screens out W light from sur$ght that would orbe* lead to rapid I .+gradation of the materiaI. ’ ~_~~~ adds that in

order for this to woik &ciently, it is essential that only the smallest @rt&les of carbon black are used. In turn, these particles are unifbrml~ dispersed wit&i the poiyetbylene substrate. The company adds that the addition of black m+terbatcb at the extruder may not achieve &cient W protection in that the dispersion in the substtste is at best random, not uniform, and the finest par&& of carbon black may not be used. AEI Compounds believes that for the best W performance, 2Onm carbon black should,p used. The company says that it evaluated the&&t of masterbatch mixing ‘and cornpd

polymers,

than

and

Our job is simple: We meet your needs.

such as PVC,

the flame retardant

also acts as

a smoke suppressant

by form-

Our approach is straightforward: We find solutions for you.

ing a char on the surface of the burning

CO?&ZC$.. AEIC6mpoun.& Fax: 44 1474 s&z3&$ ,

magnesium hydroxide. When used in chlorine-containing

&em with compoun$d grades. The studies involved analysis uf pbotomicrographs to reveal the qualiiy &the carbon black dispersiotn and particle S~ZGThis w+ then related to the ef&ct o;W ageing an the mechanical properties ofthe~extruded samples. AH Cotaponnds says that several of the+poorer combinations showed cracking of tbc insularion, *bile even the best masterbatchmized combinatian,did not provide the W perfortnance of the better predispersion in the compounded mat&ials.

material. This reduces

flames and suppresses formation.

that when the flame retardant is used with PVC, then the amount of smoke produced is reduced by 90%. Compounds using this flame retardant

are said to be easy to

mould. Applications housings automotive sheathing.

for electronic

h!m

smoke

Asahi Glass claims

include devices,

AMSPEC

Compounded

Materials

- Ignition Retardants Concentrates

:g~~gtion - Crosslinking agents

Flame Retardant

Chemicals Budenheim Iberica (US & Canada) Intumescent Flame retardants - Melamine Cyanurate - Dimelamine - Pyrophosphate - Modified Ammonium Pohhosphate, phase II

- Antimony Trioxide (various grades) - Aluminum Trihydrate - Magnesium Hydroxide - Zinc Borate - Ammonium Cktamolybdate

parts and cable

Contact: Further details are

Amspec

Chemical

and

Custom

Compounding

available on yet.Z.com - the technology transfer website.

RES No.007

- USE THE FAST NEW ENQUIRY @I www.addcomp.com

SERVICE

Plastics Additives & Compounding April 200 I