Advantages of inorganic low smoke halogen-free flame retardants
Inorganic low-smoke halogen-free flame retardants with their unique performance advantages have significant competitiveness in environmental protection, safety and application range, the following are its main advantages:
1. Environmental protection
Halogen-free ingredients
It does not contain halogens (such as chlorine, bromine), and does not release toxic and corrosive gases such as hydrogen halide (HCl, HBr) during combustion to avoid secondary hazards to the environment and human body.
Comparison: Traditional halogenated flame retardants (such as decabDE) will produce a lot of toxic smoke when burned, and their use has been restricted by EU regulations such as RoHS.
Comply with environmental regulations
Meet RoHS, REACH, WEEE and other international environmental standards, suitable for export products and high-end markets.
2. Low smoke
Low smoke generation
The smoke density (SDR) during combustion is much lower than that of halogenated flame retardants, reducing the obstruction of smoke to personnel evacuation and rescue during fire.
Case: In confined Spaces such as subways and high-speed railways, low-smoke flame-retardant materials can significantly reduce the fire fatality rate.
Non-corrosive smoke
It does not release acidic gas, avoid corrosion of electronic equipment and metal components, and extend the service life of equipment.
3. High security
Non-toxic and harmless
Combustion products are mainly water vapor and inorganic oxides (such as alumina, magnesium oxide), non-toxic to human beings, in line with fire safety standards.
Comparison: The substances such as dioxins released by halogenated flame retardants during combustion are carcinogenic.
anti-dripping
Some inorganic flame retardants (such as zinc borate) prevent the material from dripping molten material while burning, reducing the risk of fire spread.
4. High thermal stability
High temperature resistance
High decomposition temperature (such as aluminum hydroxide about 200-300 ° C, magnesium hydroxide about 340-490 ° C), suitable for long-term high temperature environment (such as wire and cable, engine room, etc.).
Application: In new energy vehicle battery packs, inorganic flame retardants can withstand the high temperature when the battery is thermal out of control.
Long-term stability
Not easy to aging, migration, to ensure the durability of the flame retardant properties of the material.
5. Synergistic flame retardant effect
Synergistic with other flame retardants
It can be used in combination with phosphorus and nitrogen flame retardants to form a “gas-condensed phase” cooperative flame retardant mechanism, which significantly improves the flame retardant efficiency.
Example: Aluminum hydroxide + ammonium polyphosphate (APP) compound system, while burning to produce heat absorption and cooling and carbon oxygen separation effects.
Add less
Through the synergistic effect, the addition amount of a single flame retardant can be reduced (such as the addition amount of ATH can be reduced from 60% to 40%), and the mechanical properties of the material can be improved.
6. Cost-effectiveness
Wide range of raw materials
The main raw materials (such as bauxite, magnesium ore) are abundant and the price is relatively low.
Comparison: Phosphorous flame retardants (such as red phosphorus) are more expensive and need to be microencapsulated to solve the moisture absorption problem.
Low overall cost
Although the amount of inorganic flame retardants added is large, in the long run, its environmental protection and safety can reduce fire losses and compliance costs.
7. Enhance material properties
Improve mechanical properties
Some inorganic flame retardants (such as nano silica, silicate) can enhance the strength, toughness and wear resistance of the material.
Case: Adding 5% nano-silica to plastic can increase tensile strength by 20%.
Improved workability
The surface modification technology can improve the compatibility between the flame retardant and the substrate and reduce the impact on the fluidity of the material.
8. Wide range of applications
Wire and cable
It replaces halogenated flame retardants and meets low smoke halogen-free cable standards (e.g. IEC 60332-3).
Building material
Used for fire-proof board, thermal insulation materials, improve the fire rating of buildings.
Electronic appliance
As a flame-retardant filler for circuit board and shell material, it ensures the safety of equipment.
transportation
Used in automotive and high-speed rail interior materials to reduce fire risk.
Sum up
Inorganic low-smoke halogen-free flame retardants take environmental protection, safety and efficiency as the core advantages, and show irreplaceable value in many fields through the characteristics of collaborative flame retardancy, low cost and performance enhancement. With the tightening of environmental regulations and people’s attention to safety, its market demand will continue to grow.
