Glass-filled nylon FR system has lower density, higher tracking index than halogenated compounds

01-Apr-09

Chem Polymer, an engineering thermoplastics unit of Teknor Apex Company, recently unveiled a new 25% glass fiber-reinforced nylon 6 compound which is claimed to provide injection molders with an alternative to halogenated flame retardant (FR) formulations while meeting stringent requirements for flame retardance. Chemlon® 225 GVNH has a UL 94 flammability listing of V0 at thicknesses down to 0.032 in. (0.8 mm). Its comparative tracking index of 600 V is more than double that of a comparable compound with a halogenated (typically brominated) FR formulation. These characteristics provide for superior electrical performance in automotive, residential, and appliance applications such as housings with snap-fit assembly, circuit breakers, charger covers, and safety switches. The new compound is also 14% less dense, yielding lighter parts. Although the Chemlon product is currently UL-recognized only in black formulations, its FR formulation is expected to provide a broader range of colorability than brominated FR systems and non-halogenated ones based on red phosphorus, according to Richard Barnes, technical manager.