Flame Retardant Masterbatch
Flame Retardant masterbatches are used to prevent the detonation or spread of flame in different plastic materials.
How does Flame Retardant Masterbatch work?
Flame Retardant masterbatches are used to prevent the detonation or spread of flame in different plastic materials. For a fire to begin, fuel, oxygen, and a source of ignition must be present. Flame retardants work by interfering with one or more of these fundamentals, either physically or chemically. Flame retardant chemistry ensures end products slow the rate of fire and decrease the generation of burn and smoke. This unique technology is created in order to achieve precise performance standards in accordance with strict fire safety regulations, without affecting other properties.
Bajaj flame retardant masterbatches are specially formulated to be effective against fire initiation and dissemination while maintaining the balance and the mechanical properties of plastic products.
Why use Flame Retardant Masterbatch in plastic products?
Most plastics are carbon-based materials. They are highly flammable and will burn quickly when in contact with an open flame. When burning, the plastic is giving off gases and smoke when subjected to an open flame, causing harmful effects.
By adding Flame Retardant Masterbatch to the manufacturing process of different plastics, the final product will be much more resilient to fire, causing less damage. When incorporated into plastics, the Flame Retardant Masterbatch is delaying the onset of fire and its spread. The spread of fire and flame will take much longer, making it easier to take over the fire and extinguish it without extreme harm to the plastics and the environment.
Flame Retardants Masterbatch can be used across different industries that are using plastic. For example, electric products. Many electric coils, applications, and components are coated with plastic or come in contact with plastic. Being highly flammable, it is crucial for the plastic that surrounds them to exhibit flame-retardant qualities that can hinder fire and flames. These unique masterbatches can also be added to the construction industry. Different applications in the construction industry incorporate plastics and require flame-retardant qualities to increase safety.
Key benefits of Flame Retardants Masterbatch
Other than making plastic products resilient to fire, Bajaj Flame Retardant Masterbatch provided a few more important benefits for plastic manufacturers across different industries. Here are some of the key benefits of Flame Retardant Masterbatches:
Safe for continuous use
Combining Bajaj Flame Retardant Masterbatch with plastic products will assure top safety and extend the product’s durability. The masterbatch will make the products safe for continuous use while maintaining their properties such as colour, strength, and more.
Meeting the most rigorous standards
Safety comes first. These unique masterbatches allow the manufacturing of the end products to comply with fire regulations, making them resilient and fireproof.
In line with environmental requirements
Bajaj Flame Retardant Masterbatch is manufactured according to strict fire regulations. By mixing it in the batch, the products become safer and of better overall quality, maintaining the legal fire requirements.
Highly customizable to product needs
These top-quality masterbatches can be used across many different industries. Plastic manufacturers can combine them in the manufacturing process of various products, customized according to specific needs.
In conclusion, most thermoplastics are flammable, burning easily when heated to a very high temperature. Flame Retardant Masterbatch is added to polymers to increase resistance to ignition, reduce flame spread, and suppress smoke formation. The primary goal of adding this type of masterbatch to plastics is to delay the ignition and burning of materials. Bajaj high-quality Flame Retardant Masterbatch will make the products much more durable and fire resilient, ensuring top safety.
What is UL 94?
UL 94 is a safety standard to determine the flammability of plastic materials. This test is released by Underwriters Laboratories of the United States. It measures:
- The ability of the plastic part to extinguish or spread the flame after ignition.
- Its dripping behavior in response to a small open flame or radiant heat source under controlled laboratory conditions.
This test is a preliminary sign to check the flammability of plastics used in any application. For example, plastic parts used in electronic devices and appliances.
What factors influence flammability?
The factors that influence flammability are:
- Ease of ignition– how rapidly a material ignites
- Flame spread– how rapidly fire spreads across a polymer surface
- Fire endurance– how rapidly fire penetrates a wall or barrier
- Rate of heat release– how much heat is released and how quickly
- Ease of extinction– how rapidly the flame chemistry leads to extinction
- Smoke evolution
- Toxic gas generation
Why is it important to examine how plastics burn?
The study of how plastics burn has been, and continues to be, a major area of research to examine:
- The nature of the burning phenomenon in plastics.
- Various methods to reduce plastics flammability, and
- Methods to test flammability.
What are the main types of flame ratings to classify plastics?
The UL standard classifies plastics according to the minimum thickness at which it stops burning when tested in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The flame ratings covered under these orientations include:
- Vertical burning tests (V-0, V-1, V-2, 5V, 5VA, 5VB, VTM-0, VTM-1, VTM-2)
- Horizontal burning tests (HB, HBF, HF-1, HF-2)
Testing Methods
UL94 flammability test includes the following 4 methods:
1. Horizontal burning test for UL94 HB rated materials;
2. Vertical burning test for UL94 V-0, V-1, and V-2 rated materials;
3. Vertical burning test for UL94 5V-rated materials;
4. Vertical burning test for UL94 VTM-0, VTM-1 and VTM-2 rated materials.
Standard Procedure
Basic Information
UL94 HB
Specimen: 5″ × 1/2″ × thickness (typical thickness = 1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″)
Procedure:
Three specimens of each thickness are to be tested. Before the test, the specimens are placed under 20°C & 50% RH conditions for 48 hours, parallel to the long axis and at a 45° angle to the short axis. For each specimen, draw two lines respectively 1″ and 4″ long from one end, place a 1″ high blue flame at the end of the specimen that is suspended in the air, burn it for 30 seconds and then remove the flame. If the specimen continues to burn after the flame is removed, measure the burning time of the specimen between the two width marks, and burn rate is calculated by inches per minute.
Rating Requirements:
94HB
A: For specimens with a thickness between 0.120″ and 0.500″, the burn rate cannot exceed 1.5″ per minute, i.e., spanning greater than 3.0″, or
B: For specimens with a thickness of 0.120″, the span cannot exceed 3.0″, or
C: Before the flame reaches the 4.0″ mark, the specimen ignites spontaneously.
UL94 V-0 / V-1 / V-2
Specimen: 5″ × 1/2″ × thickness (typical thickness = 1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″)
Procedure:
A total of 10 specimens (2 sets) are tested for each thickness. 5 specimens of each thickness are tested after being placed under 23°C and 50% RH conditions for 48 hours. 5 specimens of each thickness are tested again after being placed under 70°C conditions for 7 days.
The specimen is placed and installed perpendicular to the long axis. When installing, keep the lower end of the specimen 3/8″ away from the top of the combustion tube. Place a 3/4″ high blue flame at the center of the lower end of the specimen and burn for 10 seconds.
If the specimen drips drop by drop, the liquid will fall on the layer of unsurgically treated cotton placed 12″ below the specimen.
Rating Requirements:
94 V–0
A: No specimen burns with flame for more than 10 seconds after the test flame is removed;
B: For each set of 5 specimens, after 10 ignitions, the total time of burning with flame does not exceed 50 seconds;
C: No specimen burns with flame spreading to the fixture;
D: No specimen produces flaming dripping that ignites the cotton located 12″ below;
E: No specimen continues to burn with glowing combustion for more than 30 seconds after the 2nd removal of the test flame.
94 V–1
A: No specimen burns with flame for more than 30 seconds after the test flame is removed;
B: For each set of 5 specimens, after 10 ignitions, the total time of burning with flame does not exceed 250 seconds;
C: No specimen burns with flame spreading to the fixture (including flaming and glowing combustion);
D: No specimen produces flaming dripping that ignites the cotton located 12″ below;
E: No specimen continues to burn with glowing combustion for more than 60 seconds after the 2nd removal of the test flame.
94 V–2
A: No specimen burns with flame for more than 30 seconds after the test flame is removed;
B: For each set of 5 specimens, after 10 ignitions, the total time of burning with flame does not exceed 250 seconds;
C: No specimen burns with flame spreading to the fixture (including flaming and glowing combustion);
D: Allow specimen to produce flaming dripping that ignites the cotton located 12″ below, but the cotton only burns for a very short period of time;
E: No specimen continues to burn with glowing combustion for more than 60 seconds after the 2nd removal of the test flame.
About Bajaj Polyblends Pvt. Ltd.
Bajaj Polyblends Pvt. Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality masterbatch solutions, dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and cutting-edge technology, we are committed to delivering superior products that meet the evolving needs of the polymer industry.
