3 Aug 2004

GE ADVANCED MATERIALS INTRODUCES NEW FLAME RETARDANT STARFLAM® COMPOUNDS TO AID CUSTOMER COMPLIANCE WITH EU DIRECTIVES

ECO-FR TECHNOLOGY FROM LNP PROVIDES A HIGH PERFORMANCE HALOGEN-FREE AND RED PHOSPHORUS-FREE SOLUTION THAT SATISFIES THE UPCOMING WEEE DIRECTIVE FOR E&E APPLICATIONS

BERGEN OP ZOOM - The Netherlands, June 29, 2004 – Six new grades of STARFLAM® ECO-FR compounds have been added today to the LNP Product Line of GE Advanced Materials, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE). The new materials which are based on glass fiber reinforced PA6, PA66 and PA66/6 have been combined with the new X-GEN ECO-FR technology to provide a wide range of performance options coupled with halogen-free and red phosphorus-free flame retardancy.

Key is that the new STARFLAM ECO-FR compounds will help electrical and electronic application OEMs to avoid the cost and administrative impact of upcoming EU legislation, which will impose new rules on the end of life disposal of components containing halogenated flame retardants.

Each of the new STARFLAM ECO-FR compounds has been developed to provide a wide range of properties that include excellent impact performance, tight tolerance, high modulus and excellent electrical properties together with V-0 flame retardancy.

Compliant with current and anticipated European directives on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS), the new STARFLAM ECO-FR compounds will enable OEMs to meet the increasing demand for eco-label applications.

Now commercially available, the new product line comprises:

Commercial Grade	Development grade	Resin base	Glass Reinforcement
STARFLAM® PF1005Z270	EXCP4005	PA6	25Wt% GF
STARFLAM® PF1007Z270	EXCP4002	PA6	35Wt% GF
STARFLAM® RF1004Z270	EXCP4007	PA66	20Wt% GF
STARFLAM® RF1005Z270	EXCP4004	PA66	25Wt% GF
STARFLAM® RF1007Z270EM	EXCP4006	PA66/6	35Wt% GF
STARFLAM® RF1009Z270EM	EXCP0275	PA66/6	45Wt% GF

All of the new grades are characterized generally by their robust flammability –

UL94 V-O at 0.8mm thickness (previously only achievable using a halogen formulation), high CTI – 600 Volts, GWFT at 1.5mm 960°C and HDT from 200°C up to 250°C. Moreover, they offer very good surface finish, are available in all colors and are laser markable.

STARFLAM PF1005Z270 and PF1007Z270 resin, respectively 25% GF and 35% GF PA6 based products, combine a very robust UL94 VO performance and excellent processing behavior together with higher mechanical properties that include an E modulus above 9 GP and tensile strength of more than 145 MPa. STARFLAM RF1004Z270 and RF1005Z270 resin, respectively 20% GF and 25% GF PA66 based products, have been developed to meet additionally the needs of high heat resistant applications. STARFLAM RF1007Z270EM and RF1009Z270EM resin, respectively 35% GF and 45% GF, PA66/6 based products, have been designed specifically to meet the highest mechanical requirements including an E modulus above 11 GP and tensile strength of more than 160 MPa combined with good processing behavior.

Kamel Gueyouche, STARFLAM product manager for GE Advanced Materials, says: “We are very excited about these new STARFLAM compounds. After many years of development we are now able to offer a strong combination of a flammability performance as good as that of brominated products and a mechanical performance in line with grades containing Red Phosphorus; in addition these compounds are based on ECO-FR technology and available in all colors. The ECO-FR compositions drive elimination of emissions and contact erosion while their good flow characteristics enable the easy molding of small intricate parts with best-in-class surface finish.

We are now able to meet the requirements for most types of applications, from MCCB’s using low filled PA 6 STARFLAM compounds to very demanding industrial applications, such as High Voltage switchgears, contactors and relay housings, where high glass filed 6/6.6 STARFLAM copolymers offer high mechanical properties, coupled with high CTI and excellent dielectric strength, as well as excellent processing behavior a

Reader enquiries

GE Plastics
Plasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands

Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com

Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands

+31 164 29 20 97

helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com

www.geplastics.com

Notes for editors

GE Advanced Materials

GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:

• Plastics is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, which serves customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging (https://www.geplastics.com).

• Silicones, which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offers silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer (https://www.gesilicones.com).

• Quartz provides high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, water purification, and various other industries (https://www.gequartz.com).

• GE (NYSE:GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at https://www.ge.com.

STARFLAM is a registered trademark of General Electric Company

Related images

Six new grades of STARFLAM® ECO-FR compounds have been added today to the LNP Product Line of GE Advanced Materials, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE). The new materials which are based on glass fiber reinforced PA6, PA66 and PA66/6 have been combined with the new X-GEN ECO-FR technology to provide a wide range of performance options coupled with halogen-free and red phosphorus-free flame retardancy.

Key is that the new STARFLAM ECO-FR compounds will help electrical and electronic application OEMs to avoid the cost and administrative impact of upcoming EU legislation, which will impose new rules on the end of life disposal of components containing halogenated flame retardants.