IMERYS MICAS x AN EXTENDER FOR HALOGEN FREE FLAME

T EC HNI C A L IN F O RM AT IO N | P L ASTI C S
IMERYS MICAS x AN EXTENDER FOR HALOGEN FREE FLAME
RETARDANT POLYOLEFINS
IMERYS MICA GRADES FOR PLASTICS provide cost-effective reinforcement in electrical appliances, and other
applications where heat and fire risk are a concern.
CHAR POMOTER AND FLAME RETARDANT EXTENDER
Plastics used in electrical applications have to reduce fire risk in the
event of an exposure to external sources of ignition or electrical
defect. Imerys Mica, while known for its reinforcing properties for
increased heat deflection temperatures, flex modulus and reduced
shrinkage and warping, has also demonstrated that it can be used as
a char promoter and flame retardant extender.
Loading levels of 30-35% Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP), a halogen
free flame retardant (FR) system for polyolefins, is commonly required
to meet UL94 requirements such as V-0 ratings or better. In addition
to adding significant material costs to polyolefin compounds, APP
diminishes physical properties such as tensile strength. However,
replacing up to one third of APP flame retardants with IMERYS
Mica provides reinforcement for boosting tensile properties and
material integrity.
Change in Tensile Strength
CHANGE IN TENSILE | ASTM D638
* Control = 30% APP Loading
14
Partially replacing expensive APP with Mica maintains UL94 V-0 performance
while improving char promotion and afterglow in electrical applications such
as wire jacketing and household electrical appliances.
12
Typical examples of electrical applications for Imerys Mica
% Increase
10
8
a Electrical household
appliances
a Electrical conduit
6
4
a Electrical tools
a Electrical raceway
2
a Plug connectors
0
0
1:0*
5:1
2:1
Flame Retardant to Mica Ratio
Change in Flex Modulus
CHANGE IN FLEX MODULUS | ASTM D790
40
* Control = 30% APP
% Increase
30
20
10
0.0
0
1:0*
5:1
Flame Retardant to Mica Ratio
2:1
a Wire jacketing
TECH NI C A L I NF O R M AT IO N | P L AST I C S
It has been observed that as particle size decreases, surface area
increases, providing improved flame retardant properties.
This combination of properties allows for maintained performance in
plastics used in electrical applications.
UL94 V-0 performance is maintained for ratios of 2:1 APP to mica at
3.2 mm and 5:1 APP to mica at 1.6 mm. Additionally char promotion
and afterglow are improved.
AFTER GLOW
| UL 94 atat3.2mm
HDPE,V0
V-0
RATING
After Glow|UL94
3.2mmIN
in HDPE,
Rating
TOTAL BURN
TIMETime|UL94
| UL 94 atat3.2mm
HDPE,V0V-0
RATING
Total Burn
3.2mm IN
in HDPE,
Rating
* Control = 30% APP Loading
7
3.5
3
After Glow Time, sec
Total Burn Time, sec
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
* Control = 30% APP Loading
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1:0*
5:1
0
2:1
0
1:0*
Ratio of FR to Mica
5:1
2:1
Ratio of FR to Mica
RECOMMENDED GRADES | IMERYS MICA FOR HALOGEN FREE FLAME RETARDANT POLYOLEFINS
Type
Appearance
Particle Size (µm)
D50 Cilas
Particle Size (µm)
D50 Sedigraph
Aspect Ratio
Jenning’s Factor
Process Method
C-4000
Muscovite
Off-White
17
5
50:1
Micronized
C-3000
Muscovite
Off-White
25
6
85:1
Micronized
WG 325
Muscovite
Off-White
35
8
85:1
Wet Ground
4K
Muscovite
Off-White
45
13
50:1
Dry Ground
1K
Muscovite
Off-White
55
20
40:1
Dry Ground
100K
Muscovite
Off-White
60
20
50:1
Dry Ground
325 HK
Phlogopite
Bronze
25
8
80:1
Micronized
325 S
Phlogopite
Bronze
35
8
80:1
Micronized
80 SF
Phlogopite
Bronze
45
12
70:1
Dry Ground
200 S
Phlogopite
Bronze
55
16
60:1
Dry Ground
200 HK
Phlogopite
Bronze
60
17
55:1
Dry Ground
150 NY
Phlogopite
Bronze
90
24
65:1
Dry Ground
150 S
Phlogopite
Bronze
150
34
90:1
Dry Ground
L-135
Muscovite
Off-White
165
38
90:1
Dry Ground
60 S
Phlogopite
Bronze
250
-
100:1+
Dry Ground
200 HK
Phlogopite
Bronze
60
17
55:1
Dry Ground
325 PO
Phlogopite
Bronze
35
8
80:1
Micronized
200 PO
Phlogopite
Bronze
55
16
60:1
Dry Ground
200 PE
Phlogopite
Bronze
55
16
60:1
Dry Ground
Fine to Medium Grades
Surface Treated Grades
Although the information in this document is believed to be accurate, it is presented without warranty of any kind and Imerys assumes no liability with respect to its use.
No license to any intellectual property right is granted or implied. Statements or suggestions concerning possible use are made without representation or warranty that
any such use is free of patent infringement, and are not to be construed as suggestions or inducements to infringe any patent.
IMERYS
1732 North First Street, Suite 450, San Jose, CA 93109 USA
t: +1 408-643-0200 | e: [email protected]
www.imerys-perfmins.com/usa
01/2013 | © 2013 IMERYS. All Rights Reserved. All products are trademarks of Imerys.
Flake Grades