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What are the Common Types of Flame Retardants for TPE Compounds?
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) products are widely used, but their flammability is particularly worrying. In order to ensure safety, adding flame retardants to curb the spread of fire and resist burning for a long time has become the general trend today. There are many types of flame retardants, each with its own functions. In TPE materials, the common ones can be listed in the number of ends:
One is halogens, mostly bromine and chlorine compounds. The key is that when heated and decomposed, free halogens can prevent chain reactions, cut off free radicals, and extinguish flames. They are often used with antimony trioxide to increase efficiency. However, due to the prevalence of environmental protection, the dosage has gradually decreased.
The second is halogen-free flame retardant, which refers to organic phosphorus and nitrogen series. Its mechanism is either carbon formation, or expansion, and residual carbon isolates the air, and does not welcome external inflammation. Common such as red phosphorus, intumescent flame retardants, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. The latter two release water when heated, absorb heat, reduce the temperature of the system, and have a dilution effect, making combustion unsustainable.
Third, coated flame retardants are mainly composed of particles and wrapped with polymer materials to improve compatibility with TPE, effectively maintain the physical properties of the material, and reduce the migration and precipitation of flame retardants. This method is especially suitable for high-demand products.
The fourth is synergistic flame retardant, which is not a single agent, but a combination of multiple agents, each developing its own strengths, or synergy, or complementarity. For example, the combination of phosphorus and nitrogen has the effect of both carbon formation isolation and gas release flame retardant, making the flame retardant performance more significant.
In general, the choice of flame retardants must be weighed against its environmental performance, cost, processing characteristics and performance. In today's world, environmental protection regulations are being emphasized, and halogen-free flame retardant is gradually becoming the mainstream, and the trade-off of its addition method and dosage is also the key to technology. Therefore, those who make TPE composites should be familiar with its principles and understand its changes, so as to meet the complex practical needs.
What is the general addition ratio of Flame Retardant for TPE Compounds?
The compatibility of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), fire performance is particularly critical. In the commercial process, taking flame retardants to add to TPE, it is necessary to test not only its dosage, but also its composition, so as to get the best of both worlds. Today's commonly used flame retardants such as organophosphorus, aluminum salts, magnesium hydroxide, bromine compounds and intumescent materials show their effectiveness. However, the addition ratio of each type cannot be generalized.
The use of flame retardants is intended to improve the self-extinguishing properties of TPE materials and reduce the precipitation of combustion fumes and toxic gases. To achieve a flame retardant grade such as UL94-V0, the content of flame retardants must be moderate. However, if the proportion is too small, the effect will not be obvious; if the proportion is too large, the mechanical properties will be damaged, and the material body will become brittle, which is not suitable. Therefore, the flame retardant is usually measured in percentage in the process. For those who use magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and other inorganic fillers as flame retardants, 25% to 60% are often applied, depending on the TPE base material and performance requirements. Phosphorus-based and brominated organic flame retardants, 10% to 25% are used more. If the high-efficiency synergistic system and nano-composite flame retardant formula are used, there are also those with less than a few centimeters, and the effect is more unusual. The dosage of intumescent flame retardants is about 15% to 30%, taking into account the effects of smoke suppression and charcoal formation and fire resistance.
The specific gravity of flame retard The initial formula should be tested in medium and equal proportions, preferably 20% to 30%. The performance can only be lifted or lowered if the performance meets the standard. If the product needs to be flexible and has good flame retardant, it should be selected as a high-efficiency flame retardant, or added in combination. Do not make one thing unique, in order to prevent the loss of mechanical properties too much.
In addition, the original flame retardant data must refer to ISO, UL and other relevant standards. Different uses of TPE, such as cables, auto parts, and daily products, have different flame retardant requirements, and the amount may be increased or decreased. It is advisable to observe the needs in detail, make small samples, and gradually increase them. Observe the flame retardant grade and mechanical strength changes before making a decision.
It is important to keep in mind that as the proportion of flame retardants increases, it is necessary to pay attention to its impact on processing fluidity, color stability and environmental safety. If you want to take into account high flame retardancy and superior performance, it is advisable to weigh the formula in multiple ways, and do not pursue one end and lose its essence. In this way, TPE flame retardant can be optimized.
Does Flame Retardant for TPE Compounds Affect the Physical Properties of TPE?
Plasticity, it is a good material for OEM, and it is widely used in many fields such as daily necessities, plastics, and steam. However, safety is involved, and it is necessary to take care of flame retardancy. Therefore, the use of flame retardancy is prosperous. However, the benefits of flame retardancy may also be due to its nature. The reason lies in the compatibility, addition amount and shape of the flame retardant TPE base.
The ancients said: "The device is still used for profit, and the product is used for this purpose." TPE, the nature of the product is in the flexibility, durability and ease of forming. Where flame retardant is used, it is mostly not effective. Such as oxidation and oxidation, the properties are not fixed, but the particles are large, uneven dispersion, and easy to increase the strength of the material, so that the tensile strength, elongation or flexural resistance are at risk of weakening. In addition, the processing flow also has an impact, and it is easy to produce poor processing.
Even if there are flame retardants, such as bromine, phosphorus or nitrogen, it is often necessary to be compatible with the effect, or the viscous group. If the compatibility is appropriate, the consumption is minimal. However, if the compatibility is not good, it is easy to accumulate and precipitate, and the mechanical resistance will decrease over time, or the surface will frost. And some of the flame retardants are high and the lower the temperature, and the performance of this product is low.
There is a long-term guarantee, and the bio-based flame retardant is not good, and the physical impact of TPE is unknown, so it needs to be carefully estimated. Therefore, the flame retardant can improve the flame retardant performance, but the physical performance is still completely free. To improve the flame retardant efficiency and physical performance, it is necessary to take care of the same aspects of flame retardant, flame retardant, assembly, and assistance.
Due to the use of flame retardant, the impact of TPE physical properties is a multi-faceted consideration, which is not good. Those who adhere to the way of material use, technology and safety performance can meet the needs of the workers.
Does Flame Retardant for TPE Compounds comply with environmental regulations?
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) have excellent performance and are widely used in products. However, the production of products, fire retardant and flame retardant, is a real priority. In today's technology, the application of flame retardants to TPE is more and more important. However, as we all know, flame retardants have been used since ancient times, and the relevant environmental regulations have become more and more stringent. Internationally, there are European Union REACH regulations, RoHS directives, California Proposition 65, etc., all aimed at protecting human health and environmental cleanliness. Our country also has regulations such as the "Hazardous Chemicals Safety Management Regulations" and the "Restricted Chemicals Use Catalogue" to coordinate the application of various hazardous substances. Therefore, today's flame retardants must be clear whether they comply with such regulations.
Common flame retardants include halogen compounds, phosphorus series, nitrogen series, inorganic substances, etc. Halogen flame retardants, although they are efficient and cheap, are prone to produce carcinogenic organic halogens when burned, polluting the environment. The European Union has long restricted their use by decree; our country has also gradually restricted their scope. Phosphorus series, nitrogen series and inorganic flame retardants, such as antimony trioxide, hydrotalcite, aluminum hydroxide, etc., are less toxic and have better environmental compatibility, making them the mainstream today. However, impurities or associated organisms, such as heavy metal impurities and synergists, also need to strictly control the content, otherwise it is difficult to meet environmental protection requirements.
Today, qualified flame retardant TPE formulations use halogen-free flame retardant technology and carefully select raw materials to ensure compliance with European Union RoHS limits, harmful metals and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) testing. Manufacturers need to obtain authoritative test reports such as SGS and CTI for quality assurance. And they need to constantly pay attention to regulatory changes and adjust formulations in a timely manner. Only by carefully examining its production process and raw material safety data can they assert its environmental compliance.
In summary, whether TPE flame retardants comply with regulations requires detailed investigation of their composition structure, sources and management of pollution emissions. If the halogen-free environmental protection scheme is adopted, the limit detection of harmful substances is strictly adhered to, and the authoritative third-party report is obtained, the environmental protection standards at home and abroad can be met. However, environmental health cannot be ignored because of the flame retardant power. When each product comes out, compliance is the first.
How is Flame Retardant for TPE Compounds Evaluated?
To evaluate the flame retardant effect of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), a series of rigorous methods are covered. The international standard, flame suppression, is mostly tested with UL-94. Its grade is high and low, and it is distinguished by the combustion rate, extinguishing time and dripping phenomenon. Secondly, the oxygen index test (LOI), which measures the mixture of different volumes of oxygen and nitrogen in atmospheric air to determine the oxygen concentration required for the material to maintain spontaneous combustion. The higher one indicates superior flame retardant performance. Then a cone calorimeter is used to measure its heat release rate, flue gas and gas emissions, etc., to study the actual performance in the fire.
At the beginning of the test, a standard sample of TPE composite material needs to be taken to make its size and shape meet the specifications. In experiments such as UL-94, the flame is ignited from under the sample to observe the continuation of the flame and whether the dripping ignites the cotton. With the LOI method, the proportion of oxygen is increased. If the flame self-extinguishes and does not continue, the oxygen concentration is taken as the material limit oxygen index. The cone calorimetry irradiates the sample with a certain heat flow, collects the heat release rate, total smoke and toxic gas generation during continuous combustion, and summarizes various data for comparison. Although the methods are different, they all aim to reveal the flame retardant nature and safety limit of the material in the ignition source.
Also need to consider the distribution and migration of flame retardants. If the distribution of flame retardants is uneven, although it appears to be in line with the standard, it is actually locally flammable. Under the fire, the protection is weak. Chemical analysis is also indispensable, such as infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis, to verify that the flame retardant components are indeed embedded in the TPE matrix. Long-term aging can also affect the flame retardant performance, and environmental tests such as thermal aging and ultraviolet exposure should be used to test its durability. Therefore, if you want to evaluate the flame retardant performance of TPE, you must choose a variety of methods to confirm each other to ensure safety and reliability. To sum up, evaluating the flame retardant effect of TPE composites requires not only one method, but also a comprehensive combustion test, chemical test and durability test to determine its flame retardant method in detail.