without halogenFlame retardancy

Transparent PMMA with flame retardancy rating V-0.

For many years, plastics developers have been struggling with the following problem: as soon as halogenous flame retardant additives are added to polymethyl methacrylate, transparency and light transmission are largely lost. But now it seems an innovative solution is within reach: As a world first, compounder MOCOM is launching a halogen-free, flame-retardant PMMA with maximum transparency.

When a combination of crystal clarity, flame retardancy and high impact strength is required, PC has usually been the polymer of choice. If the application is outdoors, UV protection additives must also be added or a subsequent protective coating (which also increases scratch resistance) must be applied. In some applications, the addition of halogens to improve flame retardancy is no longer desired. In this case, only glass could be used as an alternative until now.

Thanks to a new PMMA compound, it is now possible to open up these areas of application. It is crystal clear, weather and scratch resistant (without further additives or protective coating) and has the ecological advantage of a halogen-free flame retardant finish. The applications are diverse: from the display of an e-charging station and its ancillary components, to a cell phone display, to a wide variety of lighting applications in the electronics sector.

In more and more applications, halogens are seen as critical because they release toxic fumes in the event of fire as well as posing a health threat to firefighters. But the market has already reacted in this field. Numerous plastic additives are already offered that are halogen-free, including flame retardants. Until now, however, it has not been possible to achieve certain material properties for polymethyl methacrylate.

Opening up the potential of new markets

New markets are being opened up by PMMA FR development, as the advantages of PMMA in terms of scratch resistance, high transmission and UV resistance can now be combined with flame retardancy.

Applications are, for example, touch applications like HMI (Human Machine Interface), mobile phone displays, LCD and TV screens as well as any kind of electronic display, eMobility (charging station display other illuminated components).

“We are opening up entirely new markets for the application of PMMA.”

Eric Möller, Product Specialist,
MOCOM GmbH & Co. KG

Eric Möller, Product Specialist,
MOCOM GmbH & Co. KG

Turning visions into reality together.

MOCOM & LEHVOSS create new fire retardant innovations

The solution was developed by compounder MOCOM in close cooperation with the Hamburg-based additive specialists from LEHVOSS. The subsidiary of the Otto Krahn Group, which is also based in the Hanseatic city, specializes in thermoplastic polymers and has long been known for setting ecological benchmarks with halogen-free compounds. MOCOM is certified to ISO 14001 for its environmental management system.

MOCOM’s newly developed PMMA compound opens up completely new markets for the use of highly transparent polymethyl methacrylate as a complement to polycarbonate when it comes to scratch-resistant or UV-resistant displays or covers. Eric Möller, the product development specialist heading the project, explains: “PMMA can be used in all areas where installed electronic components require a higher level of flame retardancy. These could be plastic displays on e-charging stations, in cars or on cell phones and TV screens.”

The transparency and light transmission values of the new PMMA formula achieve similar values to glass and polycarbonates.

Close cooperation between Inovia Materials and LUVOADD

IONIC BOOSTER FOR HALOGEN-FREE FLAME RETARDANT ADDITIVES.

Inovia Materials LLC, based in Colorado, is a global leader in the development of a new generation of halogen-free flame retardants and flow enhancers based on ionic liquids. These aim to replace and expand the applications of traditional additive products by offering improved performance and properties. At the same time, due to the “design-nature” of ionic liquids, they have mild and negligible effects on the mechanical properties of plastics.

“Inovia Materials LLC, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, had been known for years for its innovative research in the field of additives.

We are excited to be the exclusive distributor of this ground-breaking halogen-free flame-retardant additive from Inovia through our LUVOADD business division.”

Nadia Kursawe, Global Business Team Manager Masterbatches and Plastic Additives, Lehmann&Voss

The new generation of halogen-free flame retardants includes:

  • Halogen-free flame retardants for PMMA + PC

    The special feature here is that transparency is not affected.
Can be used in compounds as well as extruded sheet + film.

  • Halogen-free flame retardants for glass fiber reinforced PA6 + PA66 Compounds

    It is a halogen-free flame retardant for up to 30% glass fiber filled PA6 and 66 compounds.
    The newly developed halogen-free flame retardant for PA6/66 with GF can achieve UL94 V0 at a dosage of 17% (PA66) or 20%(PA6) and a thickness of 0.8mm / 1.6mm.

Broschüre Download (PDF)

Testing until the wires glow: In the glow wire test according to GWFI at a temperature of 960 °C, the plastic met the strict requirements – with a layer thickness of 2 mm.

High flame retardancy rating achieved

In order to test the properties of PMMA for example, a series of laboratory tests were carried out. In the GWFI (Glow Wire Flammability Index) test, the testers determined the reaction to electrical ignition sources. A requirement for passing the test was an after-burn time of less than 30 seconds after removal of the glow wire. At the same time, no glowing or burning material was allowed to drip off. In addition, the glow wire test was used to determine the burning behavior according to GWIT (Glow Wire Ignition Temperature). Here, the above test was performed at different glow wire temperatures. The GWIT is defined as the temperature that is 25°C above the maximum test temperature and does not cause ignition.

In the UL 94 fire test, the material was exposed to an open flame in vertical (V classification) and horizontal (HB classification) orientations to determine both burning and afterglow time, as well as dripping behavior. In the vertical test, flaming lasts 10 seconds and was used twice. The best classification (V-0) is achieved when the sample burns for less than 5 seconds. In addition, no drippage is allowed.
In the horizontal test, the flaming lasts 30 seconds. The HB classification is achieved when the burning rate does not exceed a maximum value (depending on specimen thickness) or the specimen extinguishes after the flame is removed.

Both test methods were carried out with layer thicknesses of 0.8 to 3.2 millimeters. Testing thinner layers plays an important role as the weight of components and equipment becomes increasingly lighter and thinner plastic sheets are therefore used.

  • Electrical ignition sources
  • GWFI
  • GWIT
  • UL-Norm
  • UL746A
  • UL746A
  • IEC-Norm
  • IEC 60695-2-12
  • IEC 60695-2-13
  • Electrical ignition sources
  • UL 94 V vertical
  • UL 94 HB horizontal
  • UL-Norm
  • UL 94
  • UL 94
  • IEC-Norm
  • IEC DIN EN 60695-11-10B
  • IEC DIN EN 60695-11-10A

Injection moldable thermoplastics can be dyed any RAL color in opaque or translucent versions.

Do you have any questions about the respective products and their advantages? We provide the answers. Get in touch!

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Tel. +49 (0)40 / 44 19 75 22

Just give us a call or send us an e-mail: nadia.kursawe@lehvoss.de
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