TECHNOLOGY AND SOULTIONS FOR HFFR CABLE APPLICATIONS (17-Sep-2009)
Certain cables need to exhibit flame retardant or fire resistant properties. Fire retardancy is conventionally achieved by (i) halogenated additives, (ii) synergistic nitrogen-phosphorus additives, or (iii) hydrated mineral fillers. It is desirable to provide technology and solutions for halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) applications, including power cable jackets, control cable insulation, fiber optic buffers and jackets, and telecommunication cable jackets. This publication describes HFFR technology utilizing hydrated mineral fillers, highlighting The Dow Chemical Company’s UNIGARD® RE non-halogen flame retardant compound.
The following presentation was presented on December 10, 2008, at the
36th General Meeting Intercable [International Cablemakers & Cable equipment producers association - Moscow, Russia]
Technical symposium , 9-10 December 2008, Luzern.
"Flame retardant and fire resistant cables: their state and development prospects, manufacturing equipment, measuring devices and materials"
From the program of this Scientific and Technical Symposium :
(…)
10th December
(…)
10.20 – 11.00
12. “Technology and products for halogen free cable applications.” (Talk 1),
“Novel olefin block copolymers and their use in halogen free cable formulations” (Talk 2),
S. Cree and E. Groot-Enzerink, Dow Wire & Cable (Switzerland)
(…)
Note: Talk 1 and Talk 2 were combined into the following presentation.
1
1
2
2
Potential Fire Hazards of Cables
Ignition point from electrical short circuit or overloading
Pathway to propagate the flame
Contributor to generation of smoke and corrosive and toxic gases.
Failure of emergency communication and lighting during the fire due to damaged cables
Therefore certain cables need to exhibit flame retardant
or even fire resistant properties
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3
Halogen compounds (either polymer or additive)
| Act as radical traps inhibiting free radical reactions |
| Synergistic compounds with antimony trioxide |
| Dow Unigard® HP products |
Intumescent formulations (halogen free synergistic nitrogen-phosphorus compounds)
| Additives which form protective char layer |
Hydrated mineral fillers
| Dilute the concentration of flammable material |
| Decompose below the ignition temperature of the polymer releasing water, removing heat from the system (heat sink) |
| Can be combined with calcium carbonate, zinc borate, talc, nano-fillers |
| Dow Unigard® RE products |
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Advantages of Hydrated Mineral Filler Halogen Free Cable Systems
Low smoke generation
| Improved visibility |
| Increased time to exit the fire area |
Reduced release of corrosive gases
| Acid gases from halogens corrode and damage equipment during and after fire |
Environmentally green image
| Zero halogens promote recyclability |
| No heavy metal incorporation |
UNIGARD® RE - Reduced Emission
| Non-halogen Polyolefin compounds |
| based on metal hydrate fillers |
| crosslinked and thermoplastic |
| black (BK) and natural/colourable (NT). |
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Market
Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) applications include Power cable jackets, control cable insulation, fiber optic buffer...
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