Flame retardant selection tips:

1. High flame-retardant efficiency

   Flame-retardant efficiency affects the amount of flame retardant added to the base material. Since flame retardants, especially halogen-free ones, can impact the physical properties of the base material, higher amounts result in greater influence. Additionally, flame retardants generally cost more than base materials, significantly affecting costs.

2. Resistance to leaching

   In phosphorus-nitrogen halogen-free flame retardants, if the reaction is incomplete, small molecules may remain, or the flame retardant may decompose when heated, leading to leaching on the surface. Temperature changes can also cause crystalline state variations, resulting in leaching of the flame retardant. Therefore, it's best to conduct leaching resistance tests when selecting a flame retardant.

3. Dispersion

   The dispersion of flame retardants is crucial during various molding processes. Poor dispersion can cause surface defects, uneven flame-retardant performance, and reduced overall flame-retardant standards. Causes of poor dispersion include uneven particle size distribution, excessively fine particles, and high viscosity. Thus, dispersion is an important criterion when choosing a flame retardant.

4. Thermal stability

   Halogen-free flame retardants have certain temperature tolerances, typically between 250°C and 350°C. If the processing temperature of the product exceeds this range, the flame retardant may decompose, greatly reducing its effectiveness and negatively impacting the product's surface quality and physical properties. Therefore, selecting a flame retardant with suitable thermal stability meets requirements while controlling costs.

5. Compatibility with base material

   As flame retardants are usually added in amounts exceeding 10%, their compatibility with the base material directly impacts processing techniques and physical properties. Poor compatibility can also lead to leaching. Many flame retardants undergo surface treatment and synergistic treatment to enhance compatibility with the base material.

6. Environmental friendliness

   The EU's RoHS directive requires the absence of specified toxic substances, indicating growing environmental awareness. Since flame retardant raw materials come from minerals, they may contain harmful substances. Therefore, when selecting a flame retardant, it must meet RoHS standards.