
25 Oct 2004
Rhodia Engineering Plastics reinforces its position in the E&E market with an innovative range of halogen and red phosphorous-free flame retardant compounds
Brussels, June 8, 2004 - Rhodia Engineering Plastics, a world leader in Polyamide resins and compounds continues to demonstrate its dedication to one of the fastest growing market segment, the Electric and Electronic market.
The E&E market is attractive through its size and growth, yet very demanding in terms of technical and quality requirements. Rhodia is working closely with customers worldwide to identify their specific changing needs and respond with robust innovative solutions.
The company’s three R&D centers in Europe, South America and Asia have been focusing on continuously developing better solutions, both in terms of cost and properties. Eight production facilities in five countries fulfill the most stringent quality requirements and give customers access to a global product range everywhere in the world.
For the past few years, Rhodia has focused its efforts on broadening its conventional flame retardant polyamide range (based mainly on phosphorus and halogenated additives) with innovative halogen and red phosphorus free solutions. The new products respond to evolving safety regulations, rising environment awareness and increasing cost pressure.
The new product range offers glass fiber or mineral filled as well as unfilled grades, all with excellent mechanical properties. They cover flammability categories ranging from UL94 V-2 + Glow Wire Flammability Index (GWFI) 960°C to UL94 V-0 + Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) 775°C and all compounds can be colored in dark and light tones. The key segments targeted with the new products are appliances, industrial control, power distribution and connectors.
High performance halogen-free flame retardant PA for Appliances and Industrial Control application
Designers working to develop new high mechanically stressed products for electrical applications have historically been hampered by the lack of suitable thermoplastics. Concessions on material performance were made as no complete solution was available to answer to their needs and expectations, as expressed below;
• Excellent flame retardancy (UL94 V-0 and glow wire test).
• High mechanical properties
• Light colour
• Acceptable for the environment (halogen free)
Rhodia Engineering Plastics has developed a new range of products that combine all the required properties thanks to the use of an innovative flame retardant technology.
These products have been developed using a PA6.6 base resin (TECHNYL® A 60G1 V30) and also on a high flow PA6 base resin (TECHNYL STAR™ S 60G1 V30). They are reinforced with 30% glass fibre to provide the necessary high mechanical performance.
Both references are UL94 V-0 rated, meet the GWIT requirement of 775°C and have a current tracking index (CTI) of 600 volts. They are both light colour and can be laser printed.
These new products are well adapted for applications that combine the need of high mechanical performance coupled with the highest safety requirements of flame retardancy, which are a prerequisite in the demanding Industrial Control and Appliance markets.
The household electrical market is highly influenced by two conflicting regulations, one concerning the fire safety and the other related to environmental recycling needs:
1. The safety requirement IEC 60335-1 specifies that elements used in the construction of unattended electric household appliances (dishwasher, laundry driers, etc...) and which carries a current higher than 0,2 amps must undergo a Glow Wire Test (GWT) at 750°C without igniting during the application (i.e. Glow Wire Ignition Temperature of 775°C). This standard supports the use of products containing halogen flame retardants as they have historically been the sole solution.
2. However, in addition to this safety regulation a new recycling European Directive 2002/96CE (WEEE) has been announced that obliges the producers to recycle a given mass of the electric household appliances, and to separate halogen flame retardant parts from non-halogen containing parts. This regulation comes into full force from Au
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France
Notes for editors
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Rhodia Engineering Plastics, headquartered in Lyon, France, is the world wide specialist in polyamide engineering thermoplastic materials. The company has a sales network that spans the world, with manufacturing plants and technical development centres in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. For further details about the Company, visit Rhodia Engineering Plastics’ website at: www.rhodia-ep.com
Rhodia
Rhodia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals. Providing a wide range of innovative products and services to the consumer care, food, industrial care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, automotive, electronics and fibers markets, Rhodia offers its customers tailor-made solutions based on the cross-fertilization of technologies, people and expertise. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated net sales of €5.5 billion in 2003 and employs 23,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges. For further details about the Group, visit Rhodia’s website at: www.rhodia.com
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Editorial enquiries
Christine Bourguignon
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
christine.bourguignon@eu.rhodia.com
Alan Flower
EMG