Angela Schöffel, Georg H Luh, summarised developments in Expandable Graphite as a PIN flame retardant. Different suppliers (see pinfa Newsletter n°128) now offer expandable graphite with an “onset” temperature of 270°C, thus enabling use in polymers which are processed at such temperatures. Test data in polyamide were presented and expandable graphite can also by used in polypropylene and polyethylene. Formulation of expanded graphite in smaller particles (companies are today supplying at 300 µm) ensure better processing and more regular expansion, so better fire performance. Expandable graphite offers advantages of process lubrification and of conductivity and electromagnetic protection (EMC) in the final product, but applications are limited by the black colour.
Angela Schöffel, Georg H Luh
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