Why Has Halogen-free Flame Retardancy Become The New Safety Standard in Electronics, Transportation, And Construction?

Why has halogen-free flame retardancy become the new safety standard in electronics, transportation, and construction?

Non-halogen flame retardant materials, with their dual advantages of being environmentally friendly and highly efficient, are expanding from traditional fields to a broader range of application scenarios. Below are six key directions for their application expansion:

I. Electronics and Electrical Appliances: From "Basic Safety Requirement" to "Performance Upgrade"

In the electronics and electrical appliances sector, non-halogen flame retardant materials have evolved beyond basic fire prevention to the synergistic optimization of functionality and safety. For instance, the non-halogen flame retardant PP material developed by Jushi Chemistry, certified to UL94 V-0, is used in appliance housings and coil frames. It not only provides flame retardancy but also achieves a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) of 120°C through UV resistance modification, enabling its use in outdoor equipment. Nylon non-halogen flame retardant materials, known for their excellent electrical and mechanical properties, have become the preferred choice for precision components such as connectors and terminals. Nylon material with 15% non-halogen flame retardant additive only experiences a 5% reduction in notched impact strength and passes the GWIT 775/1.5mm glow wire test, meeting the stringent safety standards for electronic components.

In the new energy sector, non-halogen flame retardant materials are a core safeguard for energy storage systems. The 125°C irradiation-resistant non-halogen olefin-based energy storage cable material developed by Meiyu New Materials, enhanced by electron beam irradiation technology, operates stably between -40°C and 125°C. When burning, its smoke density rating (SDR) is only 25, much lower than the traditional material’s 120, effectively reducing smoke toxicity during fires. CATL’s battery module turnover boxes, using phosphorus-nitrogen synergistic masterbatches, achieve self-extinguishing upon removal from flame and have a recyclability rate of 90%, perfectly balancing safety and circular economy.

II. Transportation: From "Single Fire Prevention" to "Full-Scenario Adaptation"

The demand for non-halogen flame retardant materials is particularly urgent in rail transportation. The FRPP303-V0 material developed by Keyuan Company, certified to EN 45545-2 HL3, is used in high-speed train seats and walls. It not only meets flame retardancy standards but also enhances char layer strength through nanoscale montmorillonite modification, remaining intact under 800°C flames for 3 hours. In the maritime field, IMO and SOLAS standards require materials to be low-smoke, halogen-free, and salt fog-resistant. For example, DOPO-modified epoxy resin coatings, used in ship cable insulation layers, release ammonia gas during burning to dilute oxygen and form a char layer resistant to high salt fog corrosion, ensuring long-term stability in humid marine environments.

Battery pack materials for new energy vehicles face stricter challenges. The PP non-halogen flame retardant thermoforming sheets, used in battery pack covers, have a shrinkage rate of less than 3% at 150°C, excellent insulation properties capable of withstanding over 5000V of voltage, and UL94 V-0 certification, making them the preferred solution for mainstream automakers.

III. Construction Engineering: From "Passive Protection" to "Active Fire Control"

Non-halogen flame retardant materials are reshaping fire protection logic in construction. The nanocomposite intumescent fire-resistant coating developed by Yaoko, leveraging a "nanoscale montmorillonite + intumescent char layer" dual mechanism, limits steel bar temperatures to just 320°C (compared to 550°C with traditional coatings) under 800°C flames for 3 hours. It has been included in the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development’s "Fire Protection Specifications for Supertall Buildings" as a recommended material. The non-halogen flame retardant hydromagnesite developed by Hebei Shouzheng Nano Technology has been widely applied in projects such as the new CCTV building and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Polypropylene insulation boards with 15% of this material added see their vertical combustion rating upgraded from V-2 to V-0, with over 95% flexural strength retention. Certified by the EU’s REACH, it achieves "flame retardancy without increased toxicity."

In the field of steel structure protection, non-halogen flame retardant coatings, using "flexible resin + nanoparticles" technology, can adhere directly to rusty steel surfaces. During fires, they expand 15 times to form a honeycomb-like insulating layer with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.03W/m·K, superior even to air.

IV. Packaging: From "Functional Support" to "Green DNA"

Non-halogen flame retardant materials are driving the packaging industry toward low carbon and high value. Huawei’s phone packaging boxes, using phosphorus-nitrogen synergistic masterbatch modified PP materials, achieve UL94 V-0 certification while reducing carbon footprint by 32%, setting a benchmark for consumer electronics packaging. In food packaging, non-halogen flame retardant coating technology enables "fire resistance and safety coexistence." For example, coating layers with non-halogen flame retardant masterbatches decompose rapidly to absorb heat and release inert gases upon exposure to fire, preventing food contamination during fires.

The logistics sector also benefits. JD.com’s intelligent warehouses use HDPE flame retardant pallets, doubling their lifespan and reducing annual waste by 120,000 pallets. Their halogen-free characteristics eliminate dioxin pollution from traditional pallet incineration.

V. Textile and Apparel: From "Rigid Protection" to "Soft Safety"

Non-halogen flame retardant materials are rewriting textile safety standards. Flame retardant Lyocell fibers, integrating nanoscale flame retardants with cellulose, maintain the softness of natural fibers while achieving an oxygen index of over 28%. They serve as the core material for firefighters’ proximity combat uniforms. Their biodegradable waste addresses the rigidity and non-recyclability issues of traditional flame retardant fibers. The AP1035 non-halogen flame retardant developed by Pule Chemical, added at 20%, enables cotton, polyester, and other fabrics to pass vertical combustion tests with less than 5% impact on color fastness. It is widely used in hotel curtains and airport carpets.

In high-end applications, phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant functional fabrics can withstand instantaneous temperatures of 500°C and are used in the inner layers of space suits, achieving "no melting or dripping, no open flame" extreme protection.

VI. Military and Aerospace: From "Specialized Needs" to "Technological Breakthroughs"

In the military sector, the application of non-halogen flame retardant materials is shifting from "auxiliary components" to "core equipment." Professor Yu Xinhai’s team developed a wire and cable insulation membrane resistant to high vacuums and temperatures up to 450°C, used in the control systems of supersonic transport vehicles. Its halogen-free formula maintains stable insulation performance under extreme conditions. Military PVC fabric coatings, using halogen-free flame retardants without antimony, pass the U.S. military standard MIL-F-18241 test and maintain flexibility between -60°C and 150°C, making them ideal for tactical tents and camouflage nets.

In the aerospace field, halogen-free flame retardant epoxy resin-based composite materials are used in rocket engine compartments. Their char layers remain structurally intact at 2000°C and have a gas toxicity index (ITC) of less than 1 during combustion, far superior to the traditional 3.5, ensuring the safe evacuation of astronauts in emergencies.

VII. Technical Trends: From "Single-Point Breakthroughs" to "System Integration"

The future application of non-halogen flame retardant materials will exhibit three trends:

1. Intelligent Response: For example, coatings with thermally sensitive intumescent agents can automatically foam to form insulating layers in the early stages of a fire, achieving "prevention-suppression-extinguishing" full-process control.

2. Cross-Field Integration: For instance, combining graphene with phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardants enhances thermal conductivity and char layer strength, suitable for high-heat-dissipation scenarios like 5G base stations.

3. Circular Economy: The emergence of biobased flame retardant masterbatches (e.g., PLA carriers) enables packaging materials to be compostable after disposal, truly achieving "from nature, back to nature."

With the advancement of policies such as the EU' s New Battery Regulation and China' s "dual carbon" goals, non-halogen flame retardant materials are transitioning from an "option" to a "necessity." Their dual breakthroughs in application breadth and technological depth will continue to build a safer and more sustainable future for humanity. Yinsu actively responds by committing to the development of non-halogen flame retardants. Its red phosphorus flame retardant series, known for high efficiency and low smoke, is widely used in electronics, electrical appliances, and construction fields, effectively reducing fire risks and safeguarding lives and property. The organic phosphorus flame retardant YS-9003, with its superior thermal stability and environmental performance, excels in new energy vehicle battery packs and high-end packaging materials. It enhances material safety and supports the dual goals of safety and sustainable development, contributing to environmental protection.