Presentations underlined the value of PIN flame retardants in enabling lightweight, fire-safe component performance, in particular protection in case of battery thermal runaway.
The AMI conference “Plastics in Electric Vehicles”, Cologne 4-5 June 2024, sponsored by pinfa, with nearly 100 participants, showed the high level of innovation in polymer materials to meet demanding requirements of EVs, in particular electrical performance, ligh Presentations underlined the value of PIN flame retardants in enabling lightweight, fire-safe component performance, in particular protection in case of battery thermal runaway. tweighting, fire and battery thermal runaway protection. Several presentations showed the essential role of PIN FRs in achieving this whilst meeting sustainability objectives.
Philipp Genders and Julian Haspel, Envalior, presented PIN FR polymer-composite material solutions for battery enclosures, with fire tests showing that these offer high resistance to thermal runaway (considerably better than aluminium), whilst offering design flexibility, physical toughness and recyclability. Resistance to battery and cooling fluids is also essential. Envialor also offers bio-based and recycled polymer composites.
Guillaume Blancard, Renault Group, explained the company’s classification of polymer materials to fire performance requirements specifically defined for electric vehicles, based on UL 94 V-0 and Glow Wire Ignition Test (both @ 1.6 mm). Additional requirements are that FRs are resistant to and not leached by battery immersive cooling fluids. PIN FRs offer the benefits of not deteriorating material electrical properties (CTI) and not emitting toxic fumes, but can impact material properties or cause degradation. PFAS restrictions are likely to impact the anti-drip agent PTFE, requiring to find other solutions.
Corina Neumeister, Nabaltec, presented inorganic PIN FRs used within battery cells and battery packs, for electrodes, cell separators, adhesives and tapes, fillers, … Nabaltec now offers a ceramifying PIN FR for battery casings which can enable polyamide plates to resist temperatures up to 1650°C (burn through time > 20 minutes,), whilst retaining bending strength.
Sebastian Harms, Budenheim, presented development of materials with high electrical performance (Comparative Tracking Index), which is important in high-voltage EV applications, by combining two PIN FRs (phosphinate and melamine polyphosphate) in PBT polymer. PIN flame retardants can achieve mechanical performance including electrical characteristics, whilst offering positive environmental profiles, such as no hazard labelling, GreenScreen Benchmark 3 and recyclability.
AMI “Plastics in Electric Vehicles”, Cologne 4-5 June 2024, sponsored by pinfa, https://www.ami-events.com/event/1dd8f1ff-1dbd-4c36-8b6b-3646026cc494/summary