Chemical Resistance of Polymeric Compounds to Replace PVC used for Personal Electronics Wiring

摘要

Concerns about potential human health and environmental impacts of compounds based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exist due to the chemistry that is involved in the production of PVC resin as well as the presence of additive chemicals found in finished PVC products. Issues surrounding these concerns extend not only to PVC as it is manufactured and produced, but to finished PVC products as they are used, the disposal of PVC as solid waste in landfills or as fuel in waste incinerators, accidental or deliberate burning of PVC, recycling and use of PVC-containing materials (1, 2). Such concerns have raised the demand for halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) compounds for PVC replacement due to continually growing pressure to move away from PVC and its additives. For example, Apple Computer has publicly stated their desire to phase out polymers such as PVC and Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which have helped to reduce the risk of fire in their devices, in order to support their campaign of "A Greener Apple,"by moving away from the use of halogenated compounds. Other companies in line to do so include HP, Dell and Lenovo. They have also publicly said that they plan to eliminate the use of PVC and BFRs in their products over time (3). The primary objective of this study was to benchmark the chemical resistance of common household materials on a non-halogenated, but flame-retardant and flexible material designed to replace PVC. There have been a number of studies in the literature, where impact of various chemicals, solvents, and other common fluids has been studied on different polymeric systems. However, in the present case, the primary application requires good chemical resistance of the intended jacket (and potentially wire insulation) material to various common household chemicals such as mustard, ketchup, soda, and several others which are frequently used by consumers near their personal electronics (cell phone charger, power cord for personal computers, cords for music player, etc). Retention of mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break after prolonged exposure in a controlled humid environment will be used to evaluate chemical resistance performance of the non-PVC material. Flexibility and surface aesthetics after exposure will also be discussed.