Flame retardants
Introduction
Plastics are synthetic organic materials composed of carbon and often high hydrogen contents. This makes them combustible. However, for applications in the building, electrical, transportation, mining, and other industries, plastics must meet fire safety standards set by law. To accomplish this, flame retardants are added to plastics to increase ignition resistance and reduce rate of flame spread. Polyolefins are flammable and in addition to burning in the presence of air, they will melt and then drip molten polymer. Polyolefins are flammable because of the long chain saturated hydrocarbon structure.
Types of Flame Retardants
- ATH
- MDH
- Brominated flame retardants
- Antimony trioxide
- Phosphorous based
Classification
94 V-0
• No specimen shall have flaming combustion for more than 10 seconds after each ignition.
• No specimen will burn up to the holding clamp.
• No specimen can drip and ignite the cotton.
• No specimen will have glowing combustion persisting 30 seconds after the second removal of the test flame.
94 V-1
- No specimen shall have flaming combustion for more than 30 seconds after each ignition.
- No drip
- No specimen will burn up to the holding clamp.
- No specimen will have afterglow of more than 60 seconds.
94 V-2
• Same criteria as V-1 except specimens are allowed to drip and ignite the dry surgical cotton below the specimen.