When working with any type of electrical properties, whether it be in a residential setting or something more commercial, fire safety is always a top priority. That is why anyone working in the trades needs to know about flame resistant, flame retardant and high temperature materials.
While all three of those categories sound like they mean the same thing, they actually do not. Each has a defined level of fire and heat that they are protected against, and some are more resistant than others. When looking for wiring accessories, it is best to understand the difference between flame resistant vs flame retardant vs. high temperature, so you can get the right product for the job.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) defines flame (heat) resistant as &#;the ability of a material, product, or assembly to withstand fire or give protection from it for a period of time.&#; Essentially, flame resistant means that it can handle the heat for a while, but will ultimately break down after extended exposure.
For our purposes, flame resistant products refers to our line of cable ties and accessories designed to work in environments where they may be exposed to limited heat and fire. Items like our heat stabilized cable ties, meant for use in continuous or extended exposure to high temperatures (up to 250°F), are specially certified for this application.
To be deemed flame resistant, Nelco products are tested to meet UL standards for electrical applications. We offer a flame resistant spiral wrap, ideal for bundling and harnessing a wide variety of wiring applications.
&#;A liquid, solid, or gas that tends to inhibit combustion when applied on, mixed in, or combined with combustible materials,&#; is how the NFPA categorizes flame retardant materials. The next step up from flame resistant, flame retardant products can withstand direct contact with fire and still maintain their integrity.
Our most popular flame retardant cable tie is made from nylon 6.6 that meets the UL 94V-0 flammability rating. These ties also offer chemical resistance and low smoke density. For jobs that face the most potential for direct flame exposure, these are the most ideal accessories.
Thorough UL testing is required to be deemed flame retardant &#; these are the Nelco products that meet those standards.
High temperature is a somewhat unclear term, and many high temperature properties are the same as flame resistant. Some of our high temperature products are even approved by the Department of Defense.
Our PEEK high temperature cable ties are heat resistant up to 500°F (260°C) and are rated for heavy duty application. These cable ties can be effectively utilized in harsh conditions where extreme heat or radiation is a concern, providing a resistance profile superior to that of traditional nylon ties.
No matter what your wiring application is, it is vital that you make sure you have the proper materials and tensile strength for the job. To make sure you&#;re using the right product, contact one our sales representatives. We&#;re always happy to help you with all your wiring accessory needs.
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With the increased demand for safety and health hazards, companies are now developing materials that are non-hazardous, safe and flame retardant. It is now understood that smoke and poisonous fumes can be a greater risk to lives than that of fire alone. This training focuses on how to formulate a low hazard, safe and halogen free flame retardant plastic material compounds.
At the same time it gives an overview on the different flame retardants fillers and additives available on the market, including their price range, mode of action and safety profile. In this training a closer look will be given to the materials used in the wire & cable applications, especially those compounds that are based on halogen free polyolefins and metallic hydroxides like ATH which is the most used flame retardant filler of all. Moreover, very interesting insight will be given to new nanofiller additives that are increasingly used in plastic recipes as they act as char promoters, gas barrier and reinforcement/nucleating agents. Last but not the least, a practical cable case study and useful summary of the main key players in the flame retardant plastic market will be presented.
In order to learn about the flame retardant solutions that are offered to compounds designers that can now choose the way to make safer and lower hazard plastic products. The training is also useful to those professionals that are working with PVC plastic compounds as they can now test new safer and alternative solutions instead of Antimony Trioxide (ATO) flame retardant synergist. It is also useful to those working in a quality control and R&D development position, as topics such as compounding and lab equipments will also be covered. Last but not the least, very useful training for college and University students that would like to find out the challenges and possibilities in the flame retardant plastic job market.
Flame retardant polymer compounds designers, formulators expecting excellent safety and performances, raw materials purchasing managers, quality control and lab personnel and students from colleges and Universities. Product manufacturers will also find it useful in terms of polymer selections.
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FR Specialist
Francesco VALLORANI holds a Master Science degree in Chemistry, and after working five years in England as physical chemist in an Agrochemical R&D centre, he moved back to Italy in and started a new profession as Halogen Free and Flame Retardant compound designer and Technical Service Manager for wire & cable applications with well-known Italian plastic compounds manufacturers like Fainplast and Vipa Polimeri. Since he has been working as a flame retardant material development freelance Specialist where he gained a good experience with continuous compounding equipments and nanoclays doped plastic compounds. His expertise covers low hazard, halogen free & flame retardant plastic compound formulation, characterization and production, which is supported by a strong problem solving talent coupled with economic and strategic insight.
Are you interested in learning more about Flame Retardant PE Cable Materials Manufacturing? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!