Plastics for Compliance: Precertified resins help Vestel White Goods meet tough new flammability standards

摘要

Vestel White Goods had been using halogenated flame-retardant polyamide (PA66) to mold printed circuit board (PCB) holders for its washing machines. However, recent changes to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60335 standard for unattended-household appliances made the standard more rigorous. Vestel, one of Turkey's leading appliance manufacturers, found it needed a replacement material that could comply. One test in particular, the Glow Wire Ignition Test (GWIT) for flammability, presented an especially difficult challenge. The strict GWIT test is used to simulate material ignition and flammability that may come about in malfunctioning, unattended appliances. The plastic material is put in contact with a wire heated to 750℃ for 30 seconds. During that time, the plastic cannot ignite for more than 2 seconds, after which it must self-extinguish.