In the quest for product safety and quality, flame retardants have become indispensable in many industries. Flame retardant masterbatches impart fire retardancy properties to plastic products, reduce the flammability of plastics, and delay the ignition and spread of fire. In this blog, we discuss flame retardant masterbatch, shedding light on their role in ensuring safety and protecting products against fire hazards.
Main Factors Influencing Flammability in Plastic Products
Ease of Ignition: How quickly does the plastic material ignite
Flame Spreadability: How quickly the fire spreads across the plastic surface
Fire Endurance: How quickly the fire penetrates around the surrounding
Thermal Conductivity: This is the physical quantity that represents the material’s ability to conduct heat.
Decomposition Temperature: Polymers with lower thermal decomposition are highly flammable.
What is a Flame Retardant Masterbatch?
A flame or fire retardant masterbatch is the ultimate solution incorporated in polymers to enhance their resistance to ignition, reduce flame spreading, suppress smoke generation, and prevent dripping.
When thermoplastics are exposed to higher temperatures, they become flammable and immediately burn. Plastics are hydrocarbons that burn with heat and pyrolyze their chain structure, transforming them into volatile hydrocarbons. These components, generated by the combination of oxygen, produce heat, causing the fire to spread. This is why flame retardant masterbatches are incorporated to ensure the final products are more resilient to fire, delaying the onset of fire. The spread of ignition takes much longer, making it easier to extinguish it without any damage. Incorporating the flame retardant masterbatch by Perfect Colourants & Plastics Pvt.Ltd- the leading Flame Retardant Masterbatch manufacturer in Kenya assures safety and extends the durability of your product.
How Does Flame Retardant Masterbatch Work?
The flame retardant works on the following mechanism:
Endothermic Decomposition
In this process, heat energy is released when the flame retardant breaks down to create a cooling effect on the plastic material, reducing the temperature and slowing down ignition.
Flame Inhibition
This happens when the flame retardant slows down the chemical reaction that causes combustion by interfering with one or more fundamentals to slow down the rate of fire and reduce the generation of burn and smoke.
Fire-resistant Char Barrier
Flame retardants form a protective char barrier on the surface of the material to prevent the spread of fire and protect the product.
Flame retardancy masterbatches and compounds are specifically developed to help manufacturers achieve performance standards in accordance with stringent fire regulations without impacting the mechanical properties of the end products. PCPPL’s flame retardant masterbatch solutions are meticulously formulated to be highly effective against fire combustion while maintaining the mechanical properties of plastic products.
Types of Flame Retardant Masterbatches
Halogenated Flame Retardants
Halogenate flame retardants are the most commonly used flame retardant MBs in plastics. They halt exothermic processes by trapping free radicals and replacing them with halide radicals. These halide radicals interfere with the burning process, cooling the system and reducing the supply of flammable gases.
Non-halogenated Flame Retardants
Halogen-free flame retardant masterbatch works by releasing water or inert gases upon decomposition that prevent or suppress the spread of fire. Zero-halogen flame retardant masterbatches are commonly used in electric & electronic equipment, textiles, building & construction materials, and other applications where fire safety is crucial.
Phosphorus-based Flame Retardants
Phosphorus-based flame retardant masterbatches are highly efficient. They form a char barrier around the polymer materials and protect them from burning.
When it comes to formulating flame retardant masterbatches, mechanical properties, processing temperatures, melt strength, reaction between ingredients, water removal, and other factors need to be considered. At PCPPL, we ensure high-quality & precisely formulated flame retardant masterbatches for your applications. Our flame retardants are compatible with various polymer systems and comply with relevant industry standards, ensuring your end products meet safety requirements. To discuss your flame retardancy requirements, call us today.
