NEW RED PHOSPHORUS MASTERET(S): HSE IMPACT OPTIMIZATION FOR NEW APPLICATIONS, FROM NYLONS TO POLYOLEFINS

摘要

The term Red-phosphorus is used for describing one of the allotropic forms of Phosphorus, a largely amorphous inorganic polymer described as a complex three-dimensional polymer. Red Phosphorus had been known as a highly effective flame retardant in many polymer applications for more than 20 years. Its flame retarding effect reduces the formation of toxic smokes and the heat release, preventing the outbreak of large fires even from small ignition sources. It has found its most important application in the flame retardancy of glass fibre reinforced nylons where its high efficiency at low loading guarantee to maintain the excellent mechanical and electrical properties of the polymer while obtaining the highest flame proofing characteristics. The use of red phosphorus in glass fiber reinforced nylons is discussed in this paper, not only from the performance point of view, but also from the point of view of handling and processability safety. In particular, the use of Masteret, red phosphorus concentrates, the safest, environmentally friendly and most convenient way of handling and processing it, introduced by Italmatch Chemicals in 1996, gave the engineering plastic industry a boost in the area of high performance flame retardancy technology. Masteret product range has traditionally been geared to improving Red Phosphorus processability, simplifying tasks, reducing costs and improving quality for the final customer. The increased safety in red phosphorus use give a boost in taking maximum advantage of its chemistry in other applications in thermoplastics, in addition to the consolidated ones, with particolar regard to polyolephins (LDPE/HDPE, PP), HIPS and PBT.