Teijin develops new phosphorus flame retardant for resins

Fireguard FCX-210 is a new type of phosphorus flame retardant, developed using Teijin’s proprietary molecular design technology, which lends high flame retardancy to a broad range of plastics widely used in office equipment, electronic appliances, game consoles, and automobiles. These include styrene resins such as ABS and polystyrene and polyamide resins such as nylon, with which conventional phosphorus flame retardants are less effective.

Adding conventional phosphorus flame retardants to resins generally reduces their effectiveness. But Fireguard FCX-210 loses none of its flame resistance and can be added without changing the original characteristics of the resin. Additionally, only a relatively small amount is necessary. With high impact polystyrene, for example, the necessary amount of flame retardant is reduced by approximately 40%.

Fireguard FCX-210 is also a halogen-free product, making it safer for end-users and more environmentally friendly.

Along with rapid performance improvements in office equipment, electronic appliances, and automobiles, consumers have come to expect safer and more environmentally friendly products as well. Flame retardants -- additives that make flammable materials, such as plastics, difficult to burn -- are widely used to achieve this.

Phosphorus flame retardants are a key type of retardant and highly effective especially when added to polycarbonate and polyester resins. Fireguard FCX-210 answers to strong customer demand for the development of flame retardant that can also be applied to other types of resin, and does not reduce the heat resistance of materials on which it is used.

The Teijin Group is also developing applications and processing methods for Fireguard FCX-210 using other Teijin materials.

Teijin