Radiation and materials technology combo provides UL yellow card coverage for electrical devices

Beam or Gamma rays post treatment technology, when combined with newly developed specialty compounds, provides full UL yellow card coverage for various electrical device and connector applications. SABIC Innovative Plastics' has launched 4 grades of LNP Starflam specialty compounds. Four new LNP Xtreme Starflam compounds were launched including two grades featuring non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardants for compliance with such environmental regulations as the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directives, and other eco labels. By applying this technology on molded applications it is possible to optimize the material without manipulation of the parts, directly in their packaging, by a crosslinking post-treatment. The Starflam grade is unique in the fact that it has a UL94 yellow card covering the entire range and dose of crosslinking, between 0 and 105 kGy, and for the 2 types of radiations, E-Beam and Gamma. SABIC IP developed Starflam to provide electrical device and connector manufacturers with a lower-cost alternative to traditional materials like thermosets or special high heat polymers, while delivering excellent short-term heat performance. These polyamide (PA)-based materials, can reduce system costs by up to 20% vs. thermosets via increased production yields and decreased molding cycle times. The new Xtreme LNP Starflam compounds, including halogen-free flame retardant (FR) grades, are ideal for demanding electrical applications such as contactors and circuit protection equipment. This technology can offer a solution for the high temperatures encountered in the lead-free soldering processes that the electrical and electronics industry is forced to use under the RoHS directive. In high heat environments like arch quenching or lead-free soldering, producers are usually forced to use thermosets with their higher processing (molding) costs or more expensive high heat materials. Xtreme LNP Starflam PA's can be an excellent lower cost alternative in these kinds of applications. The Xtreme LNP Starflam compounds are based on a technology that forms chemical bonds between the PA macromolecules (crosslinking) under E-Beam or Gamma radiation. After crosslinking the material is able to withstand exposure to temperatures decades higher than standard PA. Where a standard PA would melt or deform, Xtreme LNP Starflam maintains its rigidity and mechanical integrity. IONISOS is a service company for the treatment by ionizing radiations (E-Beam and Gamma rays) and has 5 sites, 4 in France and 1 in Spain.