Number

072-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

This document concerns an evaluation of several halogen-free flame retardants. The evaluation also presents some new types of flame retardants, which are fully functional, commercially available and cost-efficient alternatives to traditional halogenated flame retardants. The details, strengths and limitations of all alternatives are listed below.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

PBT
ecotoxicity

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: DecaBDE is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH candidate list for authorization, according to Article 59 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). It also fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH candidate list for authorization, according to Article 59 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006(REACH Regulation). It also fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), according to the IARC Monographs. It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: None of the alternatives are present in the SUBSPORTplusDatabase Selection Criteria (SDSC). Red phosphorus is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC) The possible adverse effects of several of the halogenated flame retardants that these additive formulations could substitute are however far greater since many of the halogenated flame retardant have PBT-properties.

Description of Substitution

The substitutions detailed in this case study describe different ways to improve flame retardancy in polypropylene formulations. The aim of the study is to reduce flame retardants based on halogen containing compounds. Previous studies by the same author have concluded that the easiest way to improve flame retardancy in a material is to add suitable additives to the polymeric material. In the study described here 18 different additive formulations were tested for their flame retardant properties. The study was made by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency in cooperation with PP Polymer, a plastics manufacturer. All recipes used in the experiment are property of PP Polymer and therefore only the main ingredients and not the full recipe are shown in the case study. Main ingredients in the diverse additive formulations are N-P compounds, red phosphorus, expandable graphite, conventional aluminium hydroxide (ATH), magnesium hydroxide, molybdates, borates and organoclays in different concentrations. The different additive formulations were tested with regard to density, thermal degradation, heat deformation and visco-elastic properties. The results showed that the additive formulations worked well and that flame retardant materials without halogens could be made without affecting the manufacturing process or the properties of the material. Since all ingredients are commercially available, it was estimated that a flame retardant polypropylene based on any of the additive formulations tested in this report would not be significantly more expensive than the flame retardants available on the market presently. Please note that all recipes are owned by PP Polymer AB. For specific questions regarding ingredients use the contact information provided below.

Case/substitution evaluation

Negative aspects of many of the most commonly used halogenated flame retardants have been observed for a long time. Alternatives that provide the same amount of flame retardancy but with less negative effects on the environment are therefore important. The alternatives described here do not contain any halogens and are not individually considered dangerous to the environment making them a promising alternative. A full evaluation is however difficult to do since not all ingredients are public.

State of implementation

Pilot study

Availability ofAlternative

All ingredients in the recipes examined in this report are commercially available.

Producer/Provider

http://pppolymer.se/

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor

Contact

The report which this case study has been based on have been prepared by the Swedish company PP Polymer on behalf of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. https://www.msb.se/en/

Further information

http://pppolymer.se/we-have-developed-halogen-free-flame-retarded-pp/ US EPA: Partnership to Evaluate Flame Retardant Alternatives to DecaBDE An Alternatives Assessment for the Flame Retardant Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE), Final Report (PDF) (901 pp, 11 MB, January 2014)

Type of publication and availability

Freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

http://pppolymer.se/ https://www.msb.se/en/

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020