Directions for Flame Retardant Directions for Flame Retardant Research and Product Research and Product

DevelopmentDevelopment

Environmental SummitEnvironmental Summit

New Orleans, May 2007New Orleans, May 2007

Ray DawsonAlbemarle Corporation

How do Flame Retardants work?How do Flame Retardants work?

Three components are necessary for fire:Three components are necessary for fire:– FuelFuel– HeatHeat– OxygenOxygen

Flame retardants interfere with the Flame retardants interfere with the availability of one or more of these factors availability of one or more of these factors in the generation of fire.in the generation of fire.

FR MechanismsFR Mechanisms

Physical and Chemical EffectsPhysical and Chemical Effects– Vapor phase active FRSVapor phase active FRS– Condensed phase active FRSCondensed phase active FRS– Combination of bothCombination of both

FR action is not an instantaneous single event, buta combination of events over a wide range of temperature

Types of FR AdditivesTypes of FR Additives

Halogenated FRs.Halogenated FRs.– Mainly bromine containing, some chlorine.Mainly bromine containing, some chlorine.

Phosphorus containing FRs.Phosphorus containing FRs.– Mainly phosphatesMainly phosphates

Inorganic Materials.Inorganic Materials.– Primary FRs and SynergistsPrimary FRs and Synergists

Other additives.Other additives.– Nitrogen, boron based & others.Nitrogen, boron based & others.

Criteria for FR selectionCriteria for FR selection

For a given resin FR criteria :For a given resin FR criteria :– Provide adequate flame-retardancyProvide adequate flame-retardancy

– Thermal stability relative to polymer stabilityThermal stability relative to polymer stability

– Maintain physical characteristics to acceptable level in Maintain physical characteristics to acceptable level in use & over timeuse & over time

– Cost effectivenessCost effectiveness

– Ease of useEase of use

– Environmental impactEnvironmental impact

– Human Health impactHuman Health impact

– End of Life issuesEnd of Life issues

Environmental & Health ImpactEnvironmental & Health Impact

Need broad considerationNeed broad consideration– Basic evaluation of the candidate itselfBasic evaluation of the candidate itself

» Testing & modelingTesting & modeling

» Product formProduct form

– Raw material & manufacturing implicationsRaw material & manufacturing implications– Breakdown productsBreakdown products– Down stream useDown stream use– End of lifeEnd of life

Environmental & Health ImpactEnvironmental & Health Impact

Atom efficiencyAtom efficiency Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency Minimize emissions potentialMinimize emissions potential

– Product formProduct form– Reactive candidatesReactive candidates– VECAPVECAP

RecyclabilityRecyclability– Resin Resin – Chemical recoveryChemical recovery– Energy recoveryEnergy recovery