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What are the main ingredients of Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam?
Plain flame retardants are widely used in polyurethane foam, but their combustion often produces toxic fumes and corrosive gases, which damage the human body and the environment. In today's world, people consider its harm and compete for halogen-free flame retardants instead. Flame retardants are used in flexible polyurethane foam, and there are many main components. First, phosphorus-based compounds, especially organophosphonates, such as tripolyphosphonic acid, triphenyl phosphate and its derivatives, can release phosphate radicals when entering the fire, which can help carbonize and block oxygen from burning. Second, nitrogen-based compounds, commonly used melamine and its salts, release nitrogen when burning, generate inert gas, cool the foam, dilute the oxygen trace flame, and help delay the fire. Third, the composite flame retardant system uses both phosphorus and nitrogen systems, and the same effect is superimposed to complement each other. Carbonization and cooling are carried out simultaneously, and the flame retardant benefits are more obvious.
In addition, synergistic agents are often added, such as inorganic metal oxides, such as aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. It is safe to add an appropriate amount into the world. Crystal water is released at high temperature to absorb combustion heat and generate a thick protective layer to stop heat and suppress flames. This number is compatible and evenly distributed in polyurethane foam, which not only maintains flexibility, but also obtains flame retardant effect, taking into account the environment and human health. It is widely respected in today's products.
Overall, halogen-free flame retardants are mainly phosphorus and nitrogen compounds, supplemented by inorganic fillers, which are used in conjunction. Its flame resistance mechanism is first carbonization barrier, and then inert gas cooling, while no odor and toxic smoke escape. Scientific technology, rigorous proportions, both safety and ecological protection. It is difficult to achieve, and it is widely used in bedding, sofas, and car interiors. It is the best choice for contemporary green materials.
How does Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam enhance the flame retardancy of polyurethane foam?
Polyurethane soft foam is a commonly used polymer material today and is widely used in furniture, automobiles, buildings and other fields. However, it is flammable by nature, and burns rapidly in case of fire, generating a large amount of smoke and toxic gases, endangering personal and property safety. Today, people hope that it has excellent flame retardant properties, so halogen-free flame retardants have been developed to meet the needs. Halogen-free flame retardants are more environmentally friendly than halogen flame retardants, and do not produce harmful hydrogen halides when burned, which is conducive to sustainable development.
Halogen-free flame retardants can be roughly divided into phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, phosphorus-nitrogen composite and inorganic fillers. Among them, phosphorus-based flame retardants can decompose into phosphoric acid or polyphosphoric acid in case of fire, which promotes the formation of carbon layers on the surface of polyurethane foam. This carbon layer isolates oxygen and heat, suppresses the flame potential and suppresses the flame. Nitrogen-based flame retardants decompose at high temperatures, releasing inert gases such as ammonia and nitrogen, which dilute the concentration of flammable gases around the foam and reduce the rate of combustion. Phosphorus-nitrogen composite flame retardants combine the strengths of the two and work synergistically to enhance the flame retardant effect. Inorganic fillers such as aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide release moisture when heated at high temperatures, absorb heat and cool and form an insulating layer on the surface of the foam, blocking the spread of fire.
Material design should take into account the dispersion and compatibility of flame retardants to ensure that they are evenly distributed inside the polyurethane matrix to maximize flame retardant performance. Molecular structure innovation is also a shortcut to improve flame retardant performance. For example, the use of reactive flame retardants makes it tightly linked to the polyurethane chain, which is not easy to migrate and has stronger compatibility. A variety of flame retardant systems can be combined appropriately, and the principle of synergy can be used to improve flame retardant efficiency, reduce the amount of a single component, and slow down the decline of material properties.
In addition, the preparation process is also very critical. Adopting a suitable process makes the flame retardant and polyurethane raw materials mix evenly, which can greatly exert its performance. The structural characteristics such as pore size and density of polyurethane foam also affect its flame retardant performance. A fine and uniform foam structure should be obtained by controlling the foaming process, which is conducive to the flame retardant to block the fire source.
In summary, halogen-free flame retardants can effectively improve the flame retardancy of polyurethane soft foam by promoting multiple mechanisms such as the formation of carbon layer, the release of inert gas, and the formation of heat insulation layer. The best policy is to take into account environmental safety and material physical properties.
Does Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam affect the softness and physical properties of the foam?
Halogen-free flame retardants are used in flexible polyurethane foams, and their effects on foam softness and physical properties should be analyzed. Polyurethane foams are flexible and elastic, and are widely used in places that require a good touch, such as sitting and lying, packaging, etc. The application of flame retardants is required for fire safety, but its compatibility, dispersion, and addition amount with the foam body are all related to the quality of the final performance. Halogen-free flame retardants, compared with traditional halogens, have the benefits of low toxicity and low smoke. However, their chemical structures are different, and they play a special role in the reaction of polyurethane.
If its molecular structure is suitable for polyurethane, it can be dissolved in the reaction system, or if it has a certain reactivity, it can be covalently combined with the main chain or side chain, the impact on the microstructure of the foam can be minimized, and its softness and elasticity attenuate very little. If the flame retardant has a large particle size, or is poorly polymerized with the matrix, it is easy to form phase separation in the system, or causes porosity disorder during foam nucleation and expansion, the mechanical properties and softness of the foam will be damaged, and even the uniformity of the foam pores will be unbalanced, weakening the elasticity and resilience.
The amount of flame retardant should not be excessive, and the appropriate amount can take into account both flame retardant and soft ends in one fell swoop; if it is excessive, the foam filler effect will appear, the density will increase, the cell will shrink, and the flexibility and feel will be reduced. Physical properties such as tensile and tear strength are also at risk of decline. In addition, if some flame retardants are solid, it is easy to make the cell structure dense, increase the foam compressive stress, and damage the durability.
Today's polymer scientists mostly start with chemical modification to design synergistic flame retardants that can participate in the reticulation of polyurethane, or surface coating technology to improve the dispersion of flame retardants, which not only has the effect of solid flame retardancy, but also maintains flexibility. In fact, if a halogen free flame retardant is selected for flexible polyurethane foam, its softness and physicality are affected, but if the process is proper and the dosage form is adjusted, the impact can be minimized, which is both safe and comfortable.
From this point of view, halogen free flame retardants are like double-edged devices. If used properly, they can be used both, and if used inadvertently, the essence will be damaged. To reconcile the two, only scientific evaluation and reasonable compatibility are required.
What is the percentage of Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam?
The addition ratio of flame retardant polyurethane foam (ie Flexible PU Foam) depends on the raw material, flame retardant, and its most effective use. Usually, the amount of additives used in the industry is 5% to 25% of the formula weight. If the pursuit of basic flame retardant, such as in accordance with UL 94 HF-1, etc., more than 8% to 15%. If higher flame retardant, etc., is required, the upper limit is often taken, or the phase is adjusted according to the standard.
Flame retardant, phosphorus-based, nitrogen-based, and expansion-based flame retardants are mostly used. Its main function is to inhibit the ignition speed of the foam at the beginning of the flame, reduce the harmful growth of the foam, and do not release elements or other harmful trace elements, which meets the needs of environmental friendliness. The addition ratio is based on the flame retardant compatibility and dispersion. If the PU stock solution is mixed evenly, the performance will be determined and the foam feel will not be affected. Generally speaking, if the flame retardant particles are small and hydrophobic, the dosage can be slightly reduced. If the flame retardant PU initiation is reversed, the flame retardant efficiency can be improved in one step, and the proportion of use can be slightly reduced, up and down by 10%.
During the operation, the flame retardant foam cell, density and mechanical properties can be affected. High dosage, easy to cause foam cell shape, rough surface, and even cracks, so it is not advisable to blindly increase the ratio. In case of high temperature, such as steam seats, packaging or special fire-resistant building materials, etc., it is necessary to improve the flame retardant performance and durability, and modify the ratio of high temperature. Some high-efficiency flame retardants, the phosphorus content exceeds 25%, or can be reduced to 8% to 10%, which has the same flame retardant effect.
As mentioned above, the commonly used ratio of flame retardant to PU foam should be adjusted according to the product, application and boundary. Generally, it is recommended to control the ratio of 5% to 25% of the raw materials, high-quality foam performance, and low-quality flame retardant requirements. Only by considering the ratio, labor and functional requirements can we achieve the best effect.
Does Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam comply with environmental and safety regulations?
The requirements of the "Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam" are in accordance with the legal requirements of the law, and whether it is appropriate or not. It is the flame retardant added to the original polyurethane foam, and the list does not contain high-quality elements, which is intended to avoid the flammability of high-quality flame retardants, such as dioxin, furan, etc., which have been protected against diseases. The current formula, its basic development, is in line with the international community's initiative to protect public safety in the environment.
According to the REACH law of the European Union and the RoHS directive, the chemical substances involved in the product of the product are subject to additional control, such as polybrominated benzene, brominated diphenyl ether and other flame retardants. It has long been listed and restricted. Flame retardant materials are mainly based on phosphorus, nitrogen, or other materials, which are not easy to burn, and are less harmful to combustion. They have been classified as mainstream. The US and California Proposal 65 has also determined the standards for harmful substances. Among them are GB/T 20284-2006, etc., and flame retardant materials also have standards, including the toxicity of release, the amount of ash generation, etc., which are clearly specified. If the flame retardant material is determined according to the standard, its density and toxicity are controlled within the legal standards, and it is self-consistent.
However, safety protection does not depend on the material, nor does it depend on the whole life cycle. The source of raw materials, energy consumption in the process, material handling, and decomposition of raw materials are all important. If its main components include phosphorus, phosphorus oxides, etc., they have already been notified of safety, assessed in the environment, and communicated with each other. Such as Ecolabel of the United States, UL 94 V-0, etc., the combination of them is especially effective.
It is widely respected in the world today, and it can be developed. However, the production of materials batches, the orientation of products, and the management are still the same, and they still need to be finalized and verified. However, it is necessary to make "Halogen Free Flame Retardant for Flexible PU Foam" comply with the safety law, and it can be expected from time to time.