- Author
- Swedish Institute of Production Engineering Research
- Title
- Alternatives to Halogenated Flame Retardants in electronic and Electrical Products. Results From a Conceptual Study.
- Coporate
- Swedish Institute of Production Engineering Research, Stockholm, Sweden
- Sponsor
- Swedish Fire Reserch Board, Stockholm, Sweden Narings- och teknikutvecklingsverket, Sweden Institute for Verkstadsteknisk Forskning, Sweden
- Report
- IVF Research Publication 99824; ISRN IVF-S-00/924-SE, 1999, 121 p.
- Keywords
- flame retardants | electronics | industries | UL 94 | laminates | plastics | toxicology | standards | cables | enclosures
- Abstract
- The electronics and electrical industry and their suppliers are facing an increasing need to find halogen-free alternatives to flame retardancy in their products due to legislative actions and market pressure. A shift towards halogen-free alternatives requires a wide range of issues to be considered, such as the availability and technical peformance of halogen-free materials, life-cycle costs, environmental impact, timing and sourcing. In order to support development of corporate actions, an international multiclient conceptual study has been carried out. The study addressed alternatives to halogenated flame retardants (HFR), the term "halogenated" refering to the addition of halogenated organic compounds to a polymer in order to achieve a flame retardancy function. The study comprised a market survey of halogen-free materials, an analysis of liability aspects and factors governing the use of halogenated flame retardants, a characterisation of design options, an initial assessment of life-cycle costs as well as an initial toxicological characterisation of flame retardants in printed wiring board (PWB) laminates and a technical assessment of PWB laminates. The shift towards halogen-free alternatives is currently mainly created by legal actions, environmental labelling schemes, problems with dioxin emissions in Japan, customer requirements, public perception and corporate actions. The study shows, among others, that corporate initiatives are becoming a major driving force and that a wide range of Br-free materials is available on the market meeting the UL94 V-O requirement. The shift towards "halogen-free" creates market and business opportunities. The key issue is probably to choose the right timing and corporate procedure (what to do with whom). However, there is a potential risk that legislative actions will force industry into the use of halogen-free solutions with unknown environmental impact or, even worst, larger environmental impact than the halogenated flame retardants cause. There is a need for additional R&D to be carried out. A major issue is to fully assess the environmental performance of the alternative materials.