| Customization: | Available |
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| CAS No.: | Xxxx |
| Formula: | Xxxx |
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Flame retardants are functional additives designed to inhibit or delay material combustion, enhancing fire safety in plastics, textiles, coatings, electronics, and construction materials. Key characteristics include high efficiency, low smoke/toxic emission, heat resistance, and environmental compatibility. They operate through mechanisms such as heat absorption, chemical interruption of combustion chains, or formation of heat-insulating char layers. Main categories include halogen-free variants (e.g., phosphorus-based, inorganic hydroxides), intumescent types (expanding under heat to block oxygen), and bio-based alternatives (derived from renewable resources), ensuring material compatibility and eco-friendliness. Applications span preventing short-circuit fires in electronics, reducing flame spread in automotive interiors, and improving fire resistance in buildings. Advanced products offer additional features like anti-dripping, hydrophobicity, or UV resistance for complex scenarios. With tightening environmental regulations, low-VOC, heavy-metal-free, and biodegradable flame retardants have become focal points in R&D, balancing safety with sustainability.
| Type | Mechanism of Action | Key Components | Chemical Properties | Typical Decomposition Temp. (°C) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus-based | Promotes char formation to isolate oxygen and heat; captures free radicals in gas phase | Phosphates, red phosphorus, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) | Endothermic decomposition produces phosphoric/polyphosphoric acids, catalyzes carbonization; some N-P synergistic systems enhance efficiency | 200-300 | Low smoke, halogen-free, but may reduce material strength |
| Halogen-based | Releases halogen radicals (Cl/Br) to interrupt combustion chain reactions | Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPO), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) | High temperature releases HX (HBr/HCl) to suppress flames; efficient but may produce toxic gases and corrosive substances | 200-400 | Being phased out by halogen-free alternatives; restricted in EU |
| Inorganic | Endothermic decomposition releases H2O/CO2 to dilute flammable gases; residual oxides provide heat insulation | Aluminum hydroxide (ATH), magnesium hydroxide (MDH) | High loading required (50-60%); ATH decomposes at 200°C, MDH has higher heat resistance (>300°C) | ATH: 180-200 MDH: 300-330 |
Eco-friendly, low cost, but affects material processability |
| Nitrogen-based | Decomposes to produce inert gases (NH3, N2) to dilute oxygen; synergizes with phosphorus to enhance char stability | Melamine, melamine cyanurate (MCA) | Endothermic sublimation reduces surface temperature; combines with phosphorus to form intumescent char | 300-350 | Low toxicity, but low efficiency when used alone |
| Silicon-based | Forms Si-O-Si protective layer for heat insulation; promotes surface ceramification | Silicone compounds, nano-silica | Forms stable silicate layer at high temperatures; improves heat resistance and mechanical properties | 400-600 | High temperature resistance, low smoke, but higher cost |
| Intumescent | Synergistic acid source + carbon source + gas source to form porous char layer | APP (acid) + pentaerythritol (carbon) + melamine (gas) | Multi-component reaction creates foaming expansion (10-100x volume increase) for physical flame barrier | 250-350 | High efficiency, low smoke, but requires precise formulation |
| Bio-based | Natural polymers (e.g., lignin, chitosan) carbonize or graft flame retardant groups | Phytic acid, starch derivatives, lignosulfonates | Renewable materials with hydroxyl/phosphate groups for char formation; requires modification for better thermal stability | 150-250 | High eco-potential but needs thermal stability improvement |
Products: Circuit boards, wires & cables, electronic housings, batteries, chargers, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Prevent fires caused by short circuits or overheating (e.g., thermal runaway protection in lithium-ion batteries).
·Reduce toxic gas emissions during combustion (halogen-based retardants are being phased out for eco-friendly alternatives).
·Improve flame resistance of plastic housings (e.g., ABS, PC) to meet UL94, IEC, and other standards.
Products: Insulation materials, fireproof coatings, drywall, steel structure fireproofing, electrical conduits, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Prevent fire spread in insulation materials like polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PU) foam.
·Extend fire resistance time; e.g., intumescent coatings expand under heat to form insulating layers.
·Reduce smoke and toxic gas emissions during fires, improving evacuation safety.
Products: Automotive interiors (seats, dashboards), aircraft cabin materials, ship insulation/soundproofing, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Slow combustion of vehicle/aircraft interior materials (e.g., flame-retardant polypropylene for car interiors).
·Comply with strict standards like FAA FAR 25.853 (aviation) and IMO FTP Code (marine).
·Lower smoke toxicity during fires to enhance passenger survival rates.
Products: Fire-resistant curtains, carpets, upholstery foam, protective clothing, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Provide self-extinguishing properties to cotton, polyester, etc. (e.g., children's sleepwear must meet CPSC 16 CFR 1610).
·Prevent rapid ignition of furniture foam (e.g., PU), reducing residential fire risks.
·Enhance heat resistance in industrial protective gear (firefighter suits, welding apparel).
Products: Solar panel backsheets, wind turbine blades, transformer insulation, energy storage systems, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Improve fire resistance of photovoltaic backsheets (e.g., PET films) to prevent high-temperature ignition.
·Flame-retardant epoxy resins in wind turbine blades mitigate lightning strike fire hazards.
·Ensure fireproofing for battery housings (e.g., lithium batteries) to prevent thermal runaway explosions.
Products: Machinery housings, logistics packaging (e.g., electronics), 3D printing materials, etc.
Role of Flame Retardants:
·Prevent plastic component combustion in high-temperature industrial environments (motors, chemical equipment).
·Safeguard hazardous material transport packaging against accidental fires.
·Enable flame-retardant 3D printing materials (PLA, nylon) for aerospace and harsh environments.
·Combustion Suppression: Delay fire progression for emergency response and evacuation.
·Smoke & Toxicity Reduction: Minimize secondary hazards (e.g., CO, HCN).
·Material Safety Enhancement: Help plastics, textiles, and rubbers meet fire safety standards.
·Eco-Friendly Evolution: Halogen-free, low-smoke, and bio-based retardants replace hazardous traditional options.
Weifang Phoenix New Material Co., Ltd
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