Clariant launches new tailor-made flame retardant solutions for high-temperature thermoplastics

Muttenz, October 17, 2013 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, expands its toolbox of cutting-edge, efficient phosphinate flame retardants with new tailor made synergistic formulations for thermoplastics used in demanding environments. Exolit® OP 1400 (TP) for polyamides and Exolit OP 1260 (TP) for polyesters offer the plastics industry new opportunities to improve both fire safety and processing and mechanical performance at the same time.

Clariant’s new synergistic formulations overcome the traditional challenge for flame retardants posed by the high processing temperatures of polyamides and the high temperatures where engineering thermoplastic polyesters are used. Both Exolit OP 1400 (TP) and Exolit OP 1260 (TP) achieve UL 94V-0 classification down to 0.4mm thickness and CTI values of 600 Volt.

“New Exolit OP 1400 (TP) and OP 1260 (TP) build on the capabilities of Clariant’s existing OP grades already widely used in polyamides and polyesters, mainly in reinforced compounds,” comments Michael Grosskopf, Head of Business Unit Additives, Clariant. “As synergistic formulations they go a step further, responding to market and regulatory demands for more environmentally-friendly solutions that can be tailored to the fire protection and particular performance challenges of engineering thermoplastics.”

Exolit OP 1400 (TP) provides enhanced thermal stability to polyamides which makes it especially suitable for high processing temperatures and compounds that are injection molded into complex cavities. This avoids problems such as polymer degradation, formation of decomposition products and discoloration, which can occur during processing in case of insufficient thermal stability of the flame retardant additive.

Its superior thermal stability extends the application range of flame retarded polyamides in hot and humid environments and creates productivity benefits during processing. Compared to the former Exolit OP grades for polyamides, the throughput of compounding machines can be increased, making the processing steps more efficient.

The synergistic blend Exolit OP 1260 (TP) provides a new flame retardancy solution to manufacturers looking to use halogen free reinforced polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) in applications such as insulating parts in the electrical and electronic (E&E) industry. Reinforced PBT has a lower melting point and heat distortion temperature than its commonly used counterpart polyethylene terephthalate (PET) but is a better electrical insulator. The strength and stiffness of reinforced PBT also enables its use in thinner wall sections. This generates both efficiency advantages and helps to miniaturize end-products, delivering more opportunities for manufacturers and OEMs.

Exolit OP 1260 (TP) addresses fire safety and the performance requirements of PBT for specific applications without the need for an additional flame retardant additive. It enhances melt flow and improves the mechanical properties of PBT used in injection molding, achieving UL 94 V-0 even at 0.4mm thickness.

For more information on both developments visit Clariant at Hall 8a Booth #J11 at K 2013.

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