Solvay launches a new type of halogen-free flame-retardant composite material

September 24, 2014, Shanghai, China——Recently, Solvay’s Specialty Polymers Division, a leading international supplier of special polymer materials, has further expanded its composite material product line and officially launched Cogegum? Cogegum® GFR 380, a brand new grade of Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) compound, can be used in the cable sheathing process of railway, marine, industrial and oil and gas industries. Compared with similar silane-grafted halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) materials, the new Cogegum? GFR 380 has better flexibility and extraordinary flame-retardant properties, and will be exhibited at the 6th China International Cable and Wire Technology Exhibition (Wire China 2014) is grandly launched for the Asian market.

"This new grade is a major technological breakthrough made by Solvay in the field of silane-grafted halogen-free flame retardant materials," said Luigi S. Dalpasso said. "Cogegum? GFR 380 was developed based on a new technology platform, and its performance and functions have been improved to an unprecedented height. It was born to meet customer needs, and brought to the extremely demanding application field of cable sheathing very important value.”

Ordinary silane-grafted halogen-free flame retardant materials are generally stiff due to the lack of plasticizing components. The new grade of Cogegum? GFR 380 breaks through this inherent limitation. It has a Shore D hardness of 38, which is softer and more flexible than similar silane-grafted halogen-free flame-retardant materials with a coefficient of 45 to 50. This advantage is especially important in rail and marine applications where wiring space is tight and bending capability is important.

Cogegum? GFR 380 can also provide unrivaled flame retardant properties of similar silane grafted halogen-free flame retardant materials. This material is in a compact carbonized state when it is fired, which can prevent the cable from accelerating burning; the new grade also has the same excellent chemical resistance as the previous grades, and can withstand various oils, fuels, acids, alkalis, working fluids, etc. Corrosion test of similar chemical substances.

In addition, Cogegum? GFR 380 masterbatch also contains special additives to improve cross-linking and aging reactions. Its formulation includes an anti-ultraviolet (UV) formulation for enhanced weather resistance. According to the evaluation results, it can be used in the high temperature of 90°C (194°F), and it can also be adapted to the high temperature of 105°C (221°F) in the specific application environment.

"The release of this new material is the result of Solvay's in-depth research and development plan. We not only pay attention to the formulation and synthesis of materials, but also pay attention to the specific characteristics of each production plant to help enterprises improve production efficiency and results," Suo Dr. Du Zhizhong, General Manager of Business Operations in Greater China and Southeast Asia, Ervie Specialty Polymers Division, said, "Cogegum® GFR 380 is now commercialized in China and the wider Asian market. Regardless of how the technology platform expands in the near future , or how new silane-grafted halogen-free flame retardant materials emerge, power cables, data and signal cables will always be in the key application areas of the industry.”

Cogegum? GFR series room temperature curing, cross-linkable halogen-free flame retardant compounds provide excellent solutions for wire and cable insulation and sheathing, and are suitable for a wide operating temperature range, complying with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) And can withstand a variety of chemicals.