Shawn Osborn, Ascend Performance Materials – In response to more stringent customer requirements and the environmental demands for non-halogenated flame retardants, Ascend has increased its product catalogue to meet global customers’ needs in promoting PIN FR product offerings.
These versatile materials are suitable for a range of electrical applications and are even making their way into the automotive sector to provide increased fire safety performance in electrical and electronic components and connectors incorporated in the high-voltage environments of hybrid and electric vehicles. Furthermore, the trend toward miniaturisation of electrical components demands improved flammability requirements of UL94 V0 down to 0.4 and even 0.2mm. While halogen-containing formulations are able to meet the current V0 specification, their primary drawback is their inability to attain a comparative tracking index (CTI) of >400 volts, while the majority of PIN FRs are able to achieve the maximum 600 volt rating. Ascend provides flame retardant polyamide formulations with high levels of processability, colorability, and thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. Shawn Osborn sees the AMI Fire Retardants in Plastics conference as an indispensable opportunity for obtaining the latest information on additive technologies and for networking throughout the industry.
Ascend is the world’s leading manufacturer of polyamide Nylon 66 with integrated production and compounding of formulations adapted to a wide range of industries and applications, including automobile and E&E www.ascendmaterials.com