If safety and environmental
compatibility is precious to you
EXOLIT® FLAME RETARDANTS
FOR THERMOPLASTICS
2
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Quick performance matters –
and without a doubt, especially
in areas where the protection
of life and property is key.
In that context, modern flame
retardants have to fulfill
additional demanding material
requirements in addition to
their most prominent role as
an additive to slow down or
even fully prevent starting fires.
Contents
3
Introduction
2
Profile of modern flame retardants
4
Standard polyamides (6 and 66)
8
High performance polyamides
12
Polyesters
14
Thermoplastic elastomers
18
Polyolefins
20
Clariant development and costumer support
22
Profile
of modern
Flame Retardants
Influence on compound properties
The influence on mechanical and electrical properties, a good melt
flow behavior and a robust processing window are critical points,
especially in the electronics industry where miniaturization plays
a vital role. For electrical properties like comparative tracking index
(CTI), Exolit grades offer the best solution available. Compared to
other flame retardants, Exolit products often have a smaller impact
on mechanical properties due to their comparably low dosage.
An additional feature is the low density which can be a convincing
reason for their usage e.g. in the transport industry where weight
reduction is becoming more and more important.
glow wire test
4
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Influence on the surroundings in case of a fire
Already a small, starting fire develops smoke and it is the toxic
smoke that kills by far most fire victims. In addition, dense smoke
can make visual orientation impossible and people may not be able
to escape from e.g. a building, ship or train. If the smoke contains
corrosive substances (e.g. from halogen containing polymers or
flame retardants), equipment not effected by the fire itself can
also be damaged. Exolit flame retardants show less toxic smoke
development compared to other solutions.
5
Profile
of modern
Flame Retardants
Environmental and legislative criteria
The topic of sustainability is receiving more and more attention
when deciding about new materials or designs. Aspects like use
of hazardous materials, carbon footprint, recycling behavior, and
life cycle analysis gain importance throughout the value chain
and even for the end consumer. Clariant’s Exolit range is a good answer to these environmental concerns:
·Exolit flame retardants do not contain restricted heavy metals,
bromine or chlorine as regulated e.g. in Europe by the Directive
on the Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances in EEE
(RoHS, 2011/65/EU).
·Other regions of the world are coming up with similar legislation.
Hence, Exolit OP flame retardants are a preferred choice for
electric and electronic equipment (EEE).
·Most commercial Exolit grades are globally registered in
chemical inventories and all of the sales products are preregistered or fully registered under the European legislation
on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction
of Chemicals (EC 1907/2006, REACH).
·Exolit products have shown in practice that they meet the
performance levels expected and needed in modern applications.
6
In addition, Exolit flame retardants have been extensively tested
in studies by independent researchers and public authorities.
For example, the EU-funded collaborative research project
ENFIRO (www.enfiro.eu) which ran from 2009 to 2012 studied
the properties of various non halogenated flame retardants as
alternatives to established brominated products. Furthermore,
the material and fire performance as well as life cycle aspects
were compared. Exolit OP (designated as »Alpi« in the project)
was amongst the best rated products and a good environmental
and health profile was confirmed. Another example are the
»Design for Environment« projects of the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) some of which
studied alternatives to major brominated flame retardants for
printed circuit boards, polyurethane foams and thermoplastics
(www.epa.gov/dfe). Exolit OP and Exolit AP were amongst
the candidates studied – only minor hazards were identified.
Together with other member companies of the Association
for non-halogenated Phosphorus, Inorganic and Nitrogen Flame
Retardants (pinfa.org), Clariant engaged in a pilot project
for a »Green Screen« assessment of its flame retardants
(www.cleanproduction.org/Greenscreen.php) with positive results.
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Consequently, in 2012
Clariant doubled the capacity
for Exolit OP phosphinates
with another state of the art
plant at the Knapsack site
near Cologne, Germany,
where we have over 100 years
of experience with
phosphorus and chemicals.
7
Standard polyamides (6 and 66)
Exolit OP 1312
Exolit OP 1314
Exolit OP 1400 TP*
·UL 94 V-0 down to 0.4 mm
·CTI of up to 600 V
·Low material density
·Low impact on mechanical properties
·Good colorability
·Good contrast in laser marking
·Halogen free
Plastics in general exhibit excellent insulation properties combined
with low weight and high mechanical strength – an important
feature for the electric and electronic (E&E), transportation and
appliances industry. In these industries, glass fibre reinforced polyamides are increasingly used due to their well balanced properties.
However, they can start a fire when exposed to an ignition source.
In order to ensure the fire safety, flame retardants are added to
meet the various fire classes.
Exolit OP 1312, Exolit OP 1314 and Exolit OP 1400 TP* are blends
containing an organic aluminium phosphinate and synergists.
While Exolit OP 1312 and Exolit OP 1314 are fully established and
globally used flame retardants, Exolit OP 1400 TP* contains a
new substance which is currently under registration in various
chemical inventories.
For current registration status please contact Clariant’s corporate
product stewardship. As a newly developed product, Exolit OP 1400
TP* is currently available from a semi-commercial production.
Exolit OP 1400 TP* does not contain any hazardous substances.
TECHNICAL DATA
Delivery form
Phosphorus content
[ % ]
UL 94 V-0 at 0.4 mm
(PA 66 GF30) [ % ]
Decomposition temperature
[ °C ]
EXOLIT OP 1312
White powder
18.7 - 19.7
18 - 20
> 330
EXOLIT OP 1314
White powder
20.5 - 21.5
20
> 330
EXOLIT OP 1400 TP*
White powder
23.5 - 26.0
20
> 350
* Test Product
8
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Circuit breaker
Advantages
Clariant’s Exolit OP 1312, OP 1314 and the newly developed
OP 1400 TP* offer many advantages compared to other types
of flame retardants on the market:
·Compounds made with Exolit OP have a low density and
combine good mechanical properties with high CTI values.
·Exolit OP 1312 is the most efficient grade regarding UL 94
and glow wire ignition temperature (GWIT) test performance.
·Exolit OP 1314 and OP 1400 TP* provide an enhanced thermal
stability and are therefore especially suitable for high processing
temperatures and compounds which are injection molded into
complex cavities.
·Exolit OP 1400 TP* extends the application range
with its better stability to hot and humid environments.
Reinforced polyamides with UL 94 V-0 classification down to
0.4 mm thickness can be achieved with the Exolit OP products.
Exolit OP 1312 can be used to obtain a glow wire ignition
temperature (GWIT) of 775°C, optionally in combination with
melamine polyphosphate. A glow wire flammability index (GWFI)
of 960°C can be attained with Exolit OP 1312, 1314 and 1400 TP*
within the range of typical UL 94 V-0 dosages.
PA 66GF 30: Dielectric strength**
PA 66GF 30: Density**
PA 66GF 30: CTI**
[ kV/mm ]
[ g/cm ]
[ V ]
40
2.0
3
600
35
500
1.8
30
25
400
1.6
20
300
1.4
15
10
200
1.2
100
5
0
1.0
PA without
FR
* Test Product
** dry as molded
9
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
0
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
Standard polyamides (6 and 66)
Exolit OP 1312
Exolit OP 1314
Exolit OP 1400 TP*
Material Performance
The main application of Exolit OP is in glass fibre reinforced
polyamides. The glass fiber content will typically be varied from
10 to 50 %. Exolit OP can also be used in non-reinforced polyamides, resulting in a non-dripping V-0. The loadings required for
UL 94 V-0 ratings are in the same range as for reinforced grades.
Exolit OP 1312/1314/1400 TP* are suitable for polyamides based
on renewable raw materials as well, e.g. PA 6.10.
Compared to polyamides flame retarded with brominated polystyrene (polystyrene/antimony trioxide) polyamides with Exolit OP
achieve higher CTI values up to 600 V. Compared to compounds
with red phosphorus, polyamides with Exolit OP obtain UL 94 V-0
classifications down to 0.4 mm and are suitable for color matching
and laser marking. Furthermore, no specific workplace precautions
against potential phosphine formation and emissions are necessary.
Flame retarded polyamides with Exolit OP can be used for laser
marking on light and dark colors and show good contrasts.
The compounds are suitable for laser welding. Polyamides with
Exolit OP provide a lower smoke density than compounds with
brominated flame retardants combined with antimony trioxide
or compounds with red phosphorus.
Lasermarking:
PA 66 GF 30 with
20 % Exolit OP 1400 TP*,
0.3 % Lazerflair 835 and
1 % Renol black MB
(Nd:YAG - Laser;
wavelength 1064 nm)
PA 66GF 30: E-Modulus**
PA 66GF 30: Tensile strength at break**
PA 66GF 30: Elongation at break**
[ Mpa ]
[ N/mm ]
[ % ]
12,000
200
4.0
2
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
175
3.5
150
3.0
125
2.5
100
2.0
75
1.5
50
1.0
25
0.5
0
5,000
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
0
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
* Test Product
** dry as molded
10
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Mechanical Properties
100
80
Smoke
GWIT
60
polyamide 66-GF: Spider web diagram
40
n Exolit OP
n Red Phosphorus
n Br-PS
20
UL 94
Performance
CTI
Processing/
handling
Safety
PA 66GF 30: Impact strengt**
PA 66GF 30: Notched impact strength**
[ kJ/m ]
[ kJ/m2 ]
100
12
2
90
10
80
70
8
60
6
50
40
4
30
20
2
10
0
0
PA without
FR
* Test Product
** dry as molded
11
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
Color
0
PA without
FR
with
Exolit OP
with
Br/Ato
High performance polyamides
Exolit OP 1230
·UL 94 V-0 down to 0.4 mm
·High thermal stability
·Excellent electrical properties
·Good colorability
·Halogen free
Properties of Exolit OP 1230
EXOLIT OP 1230
Delivery form
Decomposition
temperature
[ °C ]
Typical UL 94 V-0
at 0.4 mm
White powder
> 350 °C
12 - 15 %
Within the last years, high performance polyamides (HPPA) have
experienced a tremendous growth. The use of aromatic monomers
like terephthalic acid or isophthalic acid increases their mechanical
strength as well as temperature and chemical resistance. They
are used wherever a standard polyamide or polyester is not stable
enough. Due to their high thermal stability as well as their easy
processing, HPPAs are a very competitive choice versus liquid
crystal polymers (LCP).
12
Most of these HPPA compounds need to be flame retarded
according to UL 94 rating in order to fulfill the requirements
in their specific applications. HPPAs used as insulating materials
have to be stable against tracking (high comparative tracking
index (CTI) is often required).
High processing temperatures and the trend towards miniaturization challenge the performance of flame retardants in HPPAs.
Additionally, when applied in the SMT process (surface mounting
technology) used for printed circuit boards, HPPAs have to resist
high temperatures in lead-free reflow soldering.
Exolit OP 1230 is the first non-halogenated flame retardant which
can withstand the demanding requirements of this high end
segment of engineering plastics. Exolit OP 1230 has proven to be
effective in bio based HPPAs as well.
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
CTI
100
80
Elasticity
Water uptake
60
40
Spider web diagram
of HPPA with Exolit OP 1230 vs. LCP
20
UL 94
n HPPA with Exolit OP 1230
n LCP
Flowability
0
Flashing
Weld line strength
Surface
Stiffness
Blistering test of HPPA with Exolit OP 1230
HPPA compound with Exolit OP 1230 pass the blistering test. The
plates were pretreated according to JDEC-J-STD 020C (MSL 2)
and did not show any changes after exposing them three times to
the reflow soldering temperature profile with a peak temperature
of 260 °C. Plates of the same HPPA containing a competitive flame
retardant showed heavy blistering under these conditions.
HPPA GF 30
HPPA GF 30
HPPA GF 30
without flame retardant
13
with competitive flame retardant
with 15 % Exolit OP 1230
Polyesters
Exolit OP 1240
·UL 94 V-0 down to 0.4 mm
·For reinforced and unfilled polyesters
·Excellent electrical properties
·Good colorability
·Versatile use with synergists
·Halogen free
Exolit OP 1240 is a flame retardant based on an organic aluminium
phosphinate which is a thermally stable white solid without any
hazard classification or labeling. It can be easily compounded into
polyesters and subsequently processed again to manufacture flame
retarded parts used in consumer or industrial products.
One of the most widely used engineering polymers is polybutylene
terephthalate (PBT) and to a lower extent the related polyethylene
terephthalate (PET). These thermoplastic polyesters feature
excellent dimensional stability due to low moisture absorption,
a good resistance against solvents and high insulating capacity
making them preferred polymers for many applications in the
automotive, E&E- and appliances industry. Many of these PBT
or PET materials, especially glass fiber reinforced grades, need
to be flame retarded to fulfill international safety requirements
like the classifications of the UL 94 standard.
TECHNICAL DATA Key properties of Exolit OP 1240
EXOLIT OP 1240
14
Delivery form
Phosphorus content
[ % ]
UL 94 V-0 at 0.4 mm
(PBT GF30) [ % ]
Decomposition temperature
[ °C ]
White powder
23.3 - 24.0
20
> 350
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Melamine
Polyphosphate
Increased
efficiency
nanometric
metal oxide
Increased
efficiency
Melamine
cyanurate
Synergistic components
Cost reduction
Exolit OP 1240
POLYPHOSPHONATE
Phosphinate
Increased
GWIT
organic
phosphazene
Improved
elongation
boehmite
Cost
reduction
By showing an outstanding flame retardant efficiency (see LOI
increase in PBT compound) Exolit OP 1240 meets the demand for
halogen free flame retardants in polyester applications. It works
as a very good flame extinguisher by interrupting the chemical
process of burning in the gas phase, comparable to the mechanism
of halogen containing flame retardants. In addition, it forms a thin
char barrier on the surface of the polyester.
[ % ]
55
50
Limiting oxygen index
Improved
elongation
Exolit OP 1240 can be used at relatively low loadings on its own
but can be combined with many synergistic components as well.
Optimised ratios of components can be provided by our technical
service on request. This helps to match a variety of flame retardant
and other requirements specified by equipment manufacturers.
Depending on the application the focus of design engineers will be
on certain electrical or mechanical properties of the PBT material.
PBT compound – LOI increase by addition of Exolit OP 1240**
45
40
35
30
25
20
0
5
10
Dosage FR [ % ]
** dry as molded
15
Aryl
Phosphates
15
20
Apart from the technical profile required for the application recipe
costs and other criteria will be considered as well. Compared to
a PBT containing a brominated flame retardant combined with
antimony oxide, the halogen free materials based on Exolit OP 1240
in general have a lower density. The values are typically in the range
of 1.5 versus 1.7 kg/l, depending on the synergists and the ratios
applied. This allows a more lightweight construction and production of more molded parts per weight unit of compounded PBT.
Polyesters
Exolit OP 1240
Exolit OP 1260 TP*
Material performance
Exolit OP 1260 TP* is a new synergistic blend achieving UL 94 V-0
at 0.8 mm thickness with 18 wt % loading only, while enhancing
melt flow and mechanical properties of polyester compounds
as well.
The table below summarizes the performance of a few other synergistic combinations based on Exolit OP 1240 compared to Exolit OP
1260 TP*. Each compound shows at least one specific strength.
Exolit OP 1240 is an even more efficient flame retardant in either
glass reinforced or unreinforced PET compounds. Only 13 to 15 %
of flame retardant in total is needed to reach a UL 94 V-0 rating
at 0.8 mm thickness and a high GWIT (see table on the left). For
achieving the preferred GWIT level of 775 °C, once again synergistic
components are helpful, like melamine cyanurate (MC) or a small
amount of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). As indicated in table 1
already, flame retarded PET/PBT blends with excellent properties
can be manufactured with Exolit OP 1240 as well.
PBT GF30 Formulations based on Exolit OP 1240 in comparison to a brominated flame retardant with antimony oxide
FR loading
[ %]
UL 94
(0.8 mm)
Elongation
at break
[ %]
CTI
GWIT (1 mm)
[ V ]
[ °C ]
Notched impact
strength
[kJ/m2 ]
Br / ATO
15
V-O
2.4
225
700
8.1
Exolit OP 1240
20
V-O
1.9
600
725
7
Exolit OP 1240 + MC
20
V-O
1.6
500
750
6.4
Exolit OP 1240 + MPP
20
V-O
2
550
750
7.3
Exolit op 1260 TP*
18
V-O
2.6
575
750
8
Exolit op 1240 + mpp + pc
18
V-O
2.3
425
775
6.6
Exolit op 1240 in pet / PBT
15.3
V-O
2.2
560
750
7.2
FR loading
Glass fibers
GWIT (1 mm)
[ %]
[ %]
UL 94
(0.8 mm)
[ °C ]
Notched impact
strength
[kJ/m2 ]
Exolit OP 1240
15
30
V-O
725
8.1
Exolit OP 1240 + MC
13
30
V-O
800
8
Exolit OP 1240
15
0
V-O
700
6.6
Exolit OP 1240 + PTFE
15
0
V-O
825
7.2
PET formulations
* Test Product
16
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Polyesters
Exolit OP 950
·Melt blendable phosphinate
with a melting point of 208 °C
and decomposition > 350 °C
·Forms a highly viscous, polymer melt
under polyester processing conditions
·For PET fibers with LOI > 30 %
·Phosphorus content 20 %
Exolit OP 950 is an organic zinc phosphinate showing polymerlike properties. In contrast to Exolit OP 1240, it melts during
compounding and can therefore be blended into polymers easily.
For PET fibers, Exolit OP 950 can be used as an additive flame
retardant. With a dosage of 5 % the LOI increases to 33 %.
Exolit OP 950 can be used in PBT and PET for injection moulding
as well, favourably in combination with Exolit OP 1240 and
further synergists.
Exolit OP 950 is under registration in various chemical inventories.
For the current status please check the material safety datasheet
or contact Clariant’s Product Stewartship. Exolit OP 950 is labeled
according to CLP (Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, as amended)
with H318 »Causes serious eye damage« and H410 »Very toxic to
aquatic life with long lasting effects«.
17
Thermoplastic elastomers
Exolit
Exolit
Exolit
Exolit
OP
OP
OP
OP
1230
935
1311
1312
·UL 94 V-0 / VW-1 passed
·Low smoke toxicity
·Good electrical and mechanical properties
·Good hydrolysis resistance
·Halogen free
TPE-Es combine toughness and resilience with excellent resistance
to creep, impact, tearing as well as flexural fatigue. Exolit OP 935 can
effectively flame retard these elastomers. A loading of 20 - 30 % flame
retardant is recommended depending on the chemical structure of
the polymer. Adding small amounts of PTFE can prevent dripping in
the UL 94 test. In some cases, the addition of nitrogen containing
synergists can improve fire resistance. Flame retarded TPE-Es are
used for cable extrusion, wire coating, connectors, plugs, conveyer
belts or corrugated pipes.
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) are materials combining the
processing advantages of thermoplastics with the flexible, low
modulus properties of elastomers. Block copolymer TPEs include
thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), copolyesters (TPE-E) and
polyether block amides (PEBA). Due to various demands, a huge
number of TPE grades are on the market ranging from Shore A 10
to Shore D 75. Exolit OP can effectively balance mechanical
properties and flame retardancy in TPEs.
Stress-strain diagram of TPU (UL 94 V-0) with Exolit OP, MC = melamine cyanurate
[ MPa ]
25
Tensile stress
20
15
10
5
0
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Elongation [ % ]
n Exolit OP 1311 (22.5 %) + MC (7.5 %)
18
n Exolit OP 935 (15 %) + MC (15 %)
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
900
Exolit OP in TPE-E (GWIT = Glow Wire Ignition Temperature, GWFI = Glow Wire Flammability Index)
UL 94 test
(1.6 mm)
GWIT
(1 mm )
GWFI
(1 mm)
Elongation
at break
(DIN 53504*)
[ % ]
Notched
Shore D
impact str.
(ISO 868)
(Charpy,
ISO 179/1eA)
Melt flow
rate
Spiral flow
[ °C ]
Tensile
strength
(DIN 53504*)
[ kJ/m2 ]
[ °C ]
[ g/10 min ]
[ cm ]
Exolit OP 935 (20-22 %)
TPE-E (Shore D55)
V-O
775
960
20.5
322
13.1
56
42
47
Exolit OP 935 (20-22 %)
TPE-E (Shore D40)
V-1
650
900
16.9
547
no break
38
20
42
TPU is easy to ignite and difficult to flame retard. By adding 25 - 35 %
Exolit OP 1311 or OP 1312 the UL 94 class V-0 can be achieved.
Exolit OP 1230 can also be combined with other flame retardant
synergists. Applications for flame retarded TPU are cable extrusion
but also various injection moulded parts and artificial leather.
Recommendation of products for TPEs
EXOLIT OP 935
Micronized metal phosphinate with
d95 of max. 10 μm and d50 of 2 - 3 μm
EXOLIT OP 1230
Metal phosphinate with
d50 of 20 - 40 μm
EXOLIT OP 1311/1312
Powder blends of Exolit OP 1230 and
nitrogen synergists
19
Polyolefins
Exolit AP 760
Exolit AP 765
Exolit AP 766
Hostavin® NOW
·UL 94 V-0 at 1.6 and 3.2 mm
·Low smoke density
·Low smoke gas corrosivity
·Good electrical and mechanical properties
·Excellent UV stability
·Good recyclability
·Halogen free
Exolit AP 760
· Standard grade for PP and PE
· Injection molding applications
Exolit AP 765
· Better stability for PP extrusion
· Less water uptake in compounding
Exolit AP 766
· Higher efficiency
· Especially for glass fiber reinforced PP
20
In E&E equipment a variety of different
thermoplastic materials is used. In many
cases they need to be flame retarded in
order to comply with fire safety standards.
Intumescent flame retardants like the
Exolit AP 76x range have been designed
for polyolefins to pass the V-0 rating
according to the UL 94 flammability test.
In PP based compounds loadings of 22 - 30 %
of flame retardant are needed to meet the
test criteria.
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
Technical data of Exolit AP 76x
Phosphorus
[ % by wt.]
Nitrogen
[ % by wt.]
Density
[ g/ml]
Bulk density
[ g/ml]
Moisture content
[ % by wt.]
Exolit AP 760
20.0
14.0
1.8
0.4
< 0.5
Exolit AP 765*
21.0
18.0
1.7
0.6
< 0.5
Exolit AP 766*
24.0
15.4
1.7
0.6
< 0.5
* For registration status please contact Clariant‘s Product Stewartship.
Compound properties of PP homopolymers (V-0, 1.6 mm) containing Exolit AP 76x
MFR
Tensile modules
Tensile yield stress
[ g/10 min ]
[ mPa ]
PP blank
12.0
exolit AP 760 (30 %)
[ N/mm2 ]
Elongation at break Impact strength
(Charpy)
[ % ]
[ kJ/m2 ]
Notched impact
strength
[ kJ/m2 ]
1550
35
> 50
90
3.0
14.7
2270
24
6.9
19
2.0
Exolit AP 765* (25%)
10.9
2000
25
14.4
21
1.4
Exolit AP 766* (22%)
10.8
1870
25
10.5
26
1.5
Compared to the use of other non-halogenated flame retardants
like metal hydroxides the Exolit grades show a better processability. In addition, mechanical properties are less affected due to
the lower dosage needed. In case of a starting fire Exolit AP 76x
products offer advantages compared to halogenated flame retardants. Peak heat release and smoke density from the polyolefins
are much lower resulting in a significantly reduced spread of flame
and better chances for people to escape from a fire. Moreover, the
lower smoke corrosivity can avoid severe damage of electrical
equipment installed close to the fire source.
Hostavin NOW solutions
Hostavin NOW XP is a new additive that acts simultaneously
as a flame retardant and as a UV light stabilizer. Its innovative
technology, based on polymeric aminoether-HALS (hindered amine
light stabilizer), makes Hostavin NOW XP compatible with a variety
of polymers, especially polyolefins. Typical loadings are between
1 and 3 %. For instance, melt spinning Hostavin NOW in a PP fiber
results in a significant increase in the LOI (limiting Oxygen Index)
without influencing the color (no yellowing).
The tailor-made Hostavin NOW FR XP blend can be added to
polyolefin films to reach B2 classification according to the German
DIN 4102 without influencing the transparency of the films.
21
Clariant development
and Costumer Support
Clariant offers a wide range of polymer
additives: flame retardants, waxes, antioxidants,
UV stabilizers, and antistatic agents.
In order to efficiently respond to customers’
needs Clariant’s Additives Business Unit
operates its own application technology
plastics center. Our dedicated technical
service offers support regarding individual
recipe development and optimization of flame
retardant and additive packages.
22
exolit® Flame retardants for thermoplastics
State-of-the-art plastics processing allows compounding and
masterbatch preparation including strand and under-water
pelletizing as well as die-face cutting. Test specimens are
produced via injection molding, profile extrusion and blow
moulding of films. Flammability tests (UL 94, LOI, GWFI/
GWIT, DIN 4102 B2, CTI, FMVSS 302) are completed by
a wide range of standard methods to characterize plastics
properties (e.g. mechanical and rheological data).
Clariant’s analytical labs assist with most suitable and up
to date methods such as, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
(NMR) spectroscopy, High Pressure and Gas Chromatography
(HPLC, GC), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC),
Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier-Transform
Infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis etc. which are accurate
and reliable analytical techniques for development work.
23
Clariant International Ltd
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz
Switzerland
Business Unit Additives
Business Line Flame Retardants
Phone + 41 (0) 61 469 79 12
Fax + 41 (0) 61 469 75 50
www.exolit.com
This information corresponds to the present state of our knowledge and is intended as a general
description of our products and their possible applications. Clariant makes no warranties, express or
implied, as to the information’s accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency or freedom from defect and assumes
no liability in connection with any use of this information. Any user of this product is responsible for
determining the suitability of Clariant’s products for its particular application. * Nothing included in this
information waives any of Clariant’s General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which control unless it agrees
otherwise in writing. Any existing intellectual/industrial property rights must be observed. Due to possible
changes in our products and applicable national and international regulations and laws, the status of our
products could change. Material Safety Data Sheets providing safety precautions, that should be observed
when handling or storing Clariant products, are available upon request and are provided in compliance
with applicable law. You should obtain and review the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet information
before handling any of these products. For additional information, please contact Clariant.
* For sales to customers located within the United States and Canada the following applies in addition:
NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
®Trademark of Clariant registered in many countries.
©2013 Clariant International Ltd
Edition | 06.2013
www.clariant.com