Product identity
| Chemical name |
Diethylphosphinate, aluminium salt |
| CAS |
225789-38-8 |
| ECN |
607-114-5 |
| ISO |
40 |
Regulatory status
| H phrases according to GHS Labelling |
none |
| REACH Regsitered |
2010 |
| URL |
|
Suppliers / trade names (pinfa member companies)
| Supplier |
Trade name |
|
| Clariant | Exolit® OP | More Info |
Application groups
| Group |
Substrate |
Application |
| Solid Thermoplastics | Themoplastic elastomers | Could be applied |
| Polyamide (PA) | Could be applied |
| PET | Applicable |
| PBT | Applicable |
| Textiles/Paints/Adhesives | Other textile fibers | Could be applied |
| Thermosets | Acrylic resins | Applicable |
| Epoxy resins | Applicable |
| Wire and cables | TPU | Applicable |
Description
Diethylphosphinate, aluminium salt (DEPAL) is a white, fine-grained powder which is non-hygroscopic and has low solubility in water and organic solvents. DEPAL acts as a flame retardant in the condensed phase in contributing to charring of the polymer matrix and thus protecting the substrate against heat and oxygen attack. In parallel it acts in the gas phase by radical reactions removing from the combustion zone the high energy H- and OH-radicals, which determine flame propagation and heat release. DEPAL is used as a halogen-free flame retardant for polyamides, polyesters, thermoset resins (e.g. epoxies) in electrical engineering and electronics (E&E) applications for switches, plugs, PC fans, and structural and housing components. Smartphones, washing machines, and airplane parts, among others, contain the product. Other applications include thermosetting resins and adhesives as well as cable sheaths and insulation made from thermoplastic elastomers. DEPAL is often used in combination with other halogen-free flame retardant additives like melamine polyphosphate or melamine cyanurate. This phosphinate flame retardant technology was developed by Hoechst, later by Clariant Chemicals and Ticona is covered by many patents worldwide.
With the exception of being persistent and thus not readily biodegradable, DEPAL has been shown to have a favourable environmental and health profile. This is reflected in a GreenScreen Benchmark 3 “Use but Still Opportunity for Improvement” and the coverage in numerous third-party studies (see references below).
References
1. Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_diethyl_phosphinate
2. Clariant EcoTain Label for DEPAL products: see tab “EcoTain” here
3. Recycling of Polyamides with DEPAL products: Article in Kunststoffe (2018) here
4. US Environment Protection Agency Design for Environment projects on Alternatives to brominated Flame Retardants (2014) more
5. ENFIRO research project funded by the European Commission (2013): video, final report, website www.enfiro.eu
6. S. Molyneux, AA Stec and T. R. Hull, The effect of gas phase flame retardants on fire Effluent toxicity, Polymer Degradation and Stability, September 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.09.013
7. Beard A, Hoerold S (2013): Are halogens really necessary? Kunststoffe Int. pp. 25-26, available online
8. German Environment Protection Agency (UBA, 2008): Brominated Flame Retardants: Guardian Angels with a bad Streak? English and German
9. Marzi T., Beard A. (2006): The ecological footprint of flame retardants: A case study. FR 2006 Conference Paper online
