Additives for Polymers March 1994

MATERIALS

Non-polymer HALS fire retardant

Cyasorb 3853 is a non-polymeric HALS from Cytec Industries. (It is between a monomeric and an oligomeric HALS in terms of molecular weight). It has a relatively low volatility and a good solubility/migration balance. It is offered as a general-purpose light stabilizer for use in ABS and other styrene-based polymers, filled polypropylene, nylons, and olefinic elastomers. Contact: Cytec Industries Inc, West Paterson, New Jersey, USA.

Precipitated hydrate range of fire retardants

Lonza Incorporated provides a series of precipitated hydrates, trade-named Martid 104LE, Martinal 107LE, and Martinal 1llLE for a variety of applications, notably insulation and jacketing for wire and cable. These precipitated products have improved uniformity and consistence over the ground materials. Contact: Lonza Inc. 17-17, Rte 208, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, USA. Tel: +1-201-794- 2400. Fax: + I-201 - 7942695.

Low-tint alumina trihydrate fire retardant

Truetint 40 is one of a series of low-tinting ATH products from Anzon, which are for use in PVC sheet and film. Contact: Anzon America Inc, 2545 Aramingo Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA. Tel: i-l-215-427-3oo0,

Zinc borate fire retardants

The latest grade of Firebrake from Borax, Firebrake 500, is an anhydrous zinc borate with high thermal stability, and is designed for use in engineering plastics processed at

high temperatures. Other grades from Borax include Firebrake 290 and 415 (experimental) which are hydrated zinc borates. Borax say that Firebrake 415 is suited to engineering plastics and as a smoke suppressant in PVC when used with ATH. Contact: Borax Consolidated Ltd, Borax House, Carlisle Place, London, SWlP IHT, UK. Tel: +44-71-834~$@70.

Intumescent fire retardant

Hostaflam TP AP750 from Hoechst Celanese is an intumescent compound designed for polyolefins. (It is basically an upgraded version of the company’s Exolit IFR23). It features improved plate-out and reduced water absorption. It achieves a UL 94 V-O rating with 26% loading in a l/16-inch-thick specimen. Contact: Hoe&t Ceianese, 52m Center Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217, USA. Tel: +l- 704-559-6038. Fax: + I- 704-559-6780.

Low halogen fire retardant for polyolef ins

Himont USA says that its low-halogen fire retardant, trade-named Spinflam MB92, imparts low emission levels during burning of polypropylene. Other cited advantages include: easy processability, preservation of original polymer properties, colourability , low corrosivity, reduced smoke emission on burning, good surface finish, and wide melt flow range. Contact: Himont USA Inc, 1313 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19894, USA. Tel: + I-302-594-5500

Non-halogenated fire retardants

NH-1511 and NH-1197 from Great Lakes are nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fire retardants for use in polyolefins and thermoplastic polyesters. These non-halogen products are intended for use in applications where corrosive gases must be avoided.

2 “1994 Elsevier Science Ltd