Flame retardant synergists are widely used as plastic additives for the safer use-in-service of the resulting plastic materials. For many applications such as wire and cable and electric and electronic applications the use of fire and flame retardant additives as part of the non-conducting insulation materials is mandatory.
Flame retardants are types of polymer additives and chemicals added to materials such as plastics to prevent them from burning.
There are hundreds of different flame retardants, often grouped by their chemical structure and properties.
The most common flame retardants in plastics are halogenated compounds, especially bromine-based flame retardants. Other common flame retardants include: Phosphorus-based, melamine, phosphate, metal hydroxide, silicon-based.
TINTOLL Flame retardants can be active or reactive. Reactive flame retardants are incorporated into polymers during the manufacturing process, while reactive flame retardants are inserted into polymer molecules. Both types can suppress fires in vapor and condensate states.
Flame retardants can prevent materials from catching fire, slow or extinguish fires, and protect materials from heat. They do not stop charring or melting, or increase the heat resistance of a material.