Recyclability of FR-PC/ABS Composites using Non-Halogen Flame Retardants

摘要

With a new public consciousness over the life cycle of plastics, manufacturers are designing products with the intent to recycle. This is especially true with computer and office equipment manufacturers where both industry and consumers rely on a desktop, laptop and/or a PDA to organize their day to day lives. PC/ABS composites are used extensively for electronic housing components and as a result, are becoming more significant in the plastic waste stream. For many of these systems, some form of flame retardancy either through system design or component materials is used. Relative to environmental concerns, these systems may use non-halogen flame retardants such as triaryl bis-phosphate flame retardants. This paper will look at current non-halogen options for FR-PC/ABS, measuring properties relative to recycling issues and present property performance in a realistic recycling program using techniques common to the industry. While phosphate esters are known to be susceptible to hydrolysis, this study also considers composites utilizing additives found useful as stabilizers.