A9

Formulations of

Flame-Retarded

Selected

Thermoplastics

In the following formulations the fire performance properties of flame-retarded thermoplastics are
compared with those of the base resin, the properties of the latter being given in brackets. The test
methods used are: ASTM-D 633-77, the value for average time of burning (ATB) given in seconds
and that for average extent of burning (AEB) in millimeters; ASTM 2863-77, limiting oxygen index (LOI)
in % O2.

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

90.5%

LDPE

6.0%

Chlorinated paraffin (70% chlorine)

3.5%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(160)

AEB

18

(100)

LOI

23.75

(17.5)

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

89.9%

HDPE

5.0%

Octabromodiphenyl

1.6%

Chlorinated paraffin (70% chlorine)

3.5%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(210)

AEB

20

(100)

LOI

25.75

(16.75)

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Polypropylene

94.5%

Polypropylene

3.5%

Bis-dibromopropylether of tetrabromobisphenol A

2.0%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

5

(195)

AEB

14

(100)

LOI

27.5

(18.25)

Polystyrene

a.

Crystal Polystyrene

97%

Polystyrene

3%

Hexabromocyclododecane

Properties

ASTM-D635

ATB

!

5

(117)

AEB

28

(100)

b.

Impact Polystyrene

80%

Impact polystyrene

15%

Octabromoldiphenyl

5%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(150)

AEB

17

(100)

LOI

25.0

(16.5)

c.

Polystyrene Foam

82%

Polystyrene

13%

Decabromodiphenyl ether

5%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(90)

AEB

19

(100)

Plasticized PVC

53.5%

Suspension PVC

27.7%

Dioctylphthalate

4.9%

Epoxidized oleic acid ester

4.9%

Pentabromodiphenyl ether

8.3%

Tricresyl phosphate

0.5%

Lubricant

0.4%

Stabilizer (butyltin carboxylate)

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[The formulation passes the FMVSS 302 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) test used for the

assessment of the burning behavior of materials used for vehicle interiors. A specimen of 35.5!10.0!
max. 13 cm is mounted horizontally and ignited for 15 sec. The rate of flame spread should not exceed
10 cm/min.]

ABS Terpolymer

82%

ABS

13%

Octabromodiphenyl ether

5%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(195)

AEB

10

(100)

LOI

24

(18)

Saturated Polyester

a.

Polyester

88%

Poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBTP)

8%

Octabromodiphenyl

4%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(240)

AEB

16

(100)

LOI

28.5

(22.0)

b.

Polyester with Glass Fiber Reinforcement

87%

PBTP (30% glass fiber)

9%

Decarbromodiphenyl

4%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

LOI

33

(19)

Polycarbonates

Flame-ratarded polycarbonates preferably contain tetrabromobisphenol-A as flame-retardant added
before polycondensation. Untreated polycarbonate can be processed to a flame-retardant product as
follows:

93.1%

Polycarbonate

5.0%

Decabromodiphenyl ether

1.9%

Antimony trioxide

Formulations of Flame-etarded Selection Thermoplastics

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Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(17)

AEB

12

(24)

LOI

40

(25)

Polyamides

a.

Nylon-6

84%

Nylon-6

10%

Decabromodiphenyl ether

6%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

ASTM

ATB

!

5

(178)

AEB

17

(60)

LOI

22.75

(21.75)

b.

Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon-6

53%

Nylon-6

22%

Fiberglass

18%

Dechlorane 602

7%

Antimony trioxide

Properties

LOI

32

(21)

A9-4

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2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC