Halogen-Free Rubber Mixture for Flame-Retardant Elastomeric Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastomeric articles face challenges in meeting increased flame and fire protection standards without using halogen-containing flame retardants, which are toxic and poorly biodegradable, and existing alternatives like expanded graphite coatings can detach under load, posing health and production risks.
Innovation Solution
A rubber mixture devoid of halogen-containing flame retardants, incorporating hydrotalcite and sepiolite, optionally combined with other halogen-free flame retardants, is used to achieve improved flame retardancy, particularly when combined with chlorosulfonated polyethylene or its alkylated variant, ensuring compliance with stringent smoke density and toxicity limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If halogen-containing flame retardants are used to achieve flame retardancy, then flame retardant properties are improved, but toxic effects and poor biodegradability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing halogen-containing flame retardants with a combination of hydrotalcite and sepiolite. This substitution maintains flame retardant effectiveness while eliminating the toxic effects associated with halogen compounds, directly resolving the contradiction between flame retardancy and toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining two different inorganic materials (hydrotalcite and sepiolite) to achieve the flame retardant properties previously obtained from halogen-containing compounds. This composite material system provides both the desired flame retardancy and improved environmental compatibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrotalcite and sepiolite are used to replace halogen-containing flame retardants, then toxic effects are reduced, but flame retardancy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining hydrotalcite and sepiolite to achieve flame retardancy without toxic effects. The synergistic interaction between these two inorganic materials provides sufficient flame retardant properties to meet the requirements of standard EN 45545, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the proportions of hydrotalcite (5-20 phr) and sepiolite (4-20 phr) in the rubber mixture to achieve the desired balance between reducing toxic effects and maintaining flame retardancy. These parameter adjustments ensure that the non-toxic flame retardant system meets the required safety standards.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The rubber mixture effectively enhances flame retardancy, reducing halogen content and production risks, while meeting stringent fire protection standards without additional processing steps or health hazards, as demonstrated by improved physical properties and fire protection test results.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrotalcite has the ability to bind acids through the gradual release of aluminum hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
the rubber mixture shows sufficient flame retardancy, particularly in conjunction with chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) and/or alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene (ACSM)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a rubber mixture that has good flameproofing properties and to an elastomeric article that contains the rubber mixture. The rubber mixture is free of halogen-containing flameproofing agents and contains hydrotalcite and sepiolite.