· LANXESS offers alternatives to red phosphorus flame retardant polyamide 66 compounds

· Halogen-free flame retardant polyamide 6 and 66 compounds

· Excellent thermal and mechanical properties

Red phosphorus is a flame retardant additive that is matured for use in polyamide 66. Even a small amount of red phosphorus is sufficient to provide thermoplastics with good fire resistance properties with little effect on mechanical properties. However, the recent price increase of polyamide 66 is due to the increase in the price of polyamide 66 base resin and red phosphorus. As a result, the specialty chemicals company, LANXESS, noted that there is a growing demand for high performance alternatives to polyamide 6 and polyamide 66 that are otherwise effective in flame retardant applications, particularly in the electrical/electronic and IT industries. “Our product range includes suitable halogen-free flame retardant compounds that have similar effective flame retardant properties and, in some cases, even better results. Among them, polyamide 6 compounds are extremely cost effective,” says High Performance Materials. Introduced by Alexander Radeck, application developer for the HPM Business Unit. Through the HiAnt service, LANXESS can help customers meet standards for requirements, delivery, etc. when changing materials.

The HiAnt service that LANXESS offers to its development partners includes standards-compliant flame retardant testing such as glow-wire testing.

Produces light-colored products without causing contact corrosion

Unlike red phosphorus compounds, LANXESS compounds can be of any color, including light colors. This is a great bonus because color is an important element in the design process and is a feature of component safety signs in many applications. Another advantage of these compounds is that they are less prone to corrosion when the metal is in contact with the flame retardant additive in a warm, humid environment. In addition, these compounds are also easier to handle from an occupational health perspective.

Higher resistance to electric traces

The red phosphorus flame retardant polyamide 66 compound typically contains from 20% to 40% glass fibers. Alternative materials for compounds having a glass fiber content of 25% include Durethan AKV25FN04 polyamide 66, especially including Durethan BKV25FN04 polyamide 6. Both have similar tensile modulus, breaking strength and elongation at break, simply supported beam impact strength and density. When the voltage is 600V, the electrical tracking resistance (relative tracking index CTI A, IEC 60112) is slightly higher. Durethan AKV25FN04 is especially suitable for applications requiring high heat distortion temperatures or V-0 fire ratings (sample thickness 0.4 mm) (according to UL 94 flammability testing by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., US test facility). Durethan BKV25FN04 has a fire rating of V-0 at a sample thickness of 0.75 mm. Both compounds are UL's f1 certified (sample thickness is not less than 0.75 mm). This means that they are also suitable for components that are exposed to water and UV radiation outdoors, such as connectors for photovoltaic systems.

Better flame retardant performance

Durethan AKV30FN04 polyamide 66 and Durethan BKV30FN04 and BKV45FN04 polyamide 6 compounds are excellent alternatives to polyamide 66 compounds containing red phosphorus and about 35% glass fibers. All three materials have a better fire rating in the UL 94 test, reaching the V-0 standard (0.4 mm). According to UL 746B, their heat resistance (relative temperature index, RTI) is also higher. Durethan BKV45FN04 contains 45% glass fiber reinforcement to meet stringent strength and rigidity requirements. Thanks to its excellent flame retardant properties, the product has passed the requirements of the European standard DIN EN 45545 (highest grade: risk class 3) for rail vehicle fire protection. This applies to the components listed in the requirements set R22 and R23, such as choke coils.