Application of halogen-free flame retardant TPU/TPE in wire and cable field and solutions to some...

time:2022-11-26

Since 2008, people who are slightly sensitive in the field of electric wires have felt the trend of halogen-free flame retardancy around the world, which is becoming increasingly fierce. In the years before 2008, halogen-free materials were used instead of halogen-free and flame retardant materials. But it has also been widely used. Since last year, some enterprises have become active in response to the trend of halogen-free flame retardancy. They have researched and developed countless product formulas. It is certain that they have made great contributions to this cause. Although the technology is not very mature, it is not far from success. This can be seen from some enterprise product applications with strong R&D strength.


Fortunately, I was engaged in the sales of halogen-free flame retardant TPU/TPE wire coating materials. I knew and saw it from its germination to its practical application. I objectively viewed some practical problems and solutions in the market application from the perspective of market and engineering technology.


In the market, I was exposed to the determination of Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, BenQ, HP, Microsoft and other large companies to switch their earphone cables, charger cables, and computer peripheral cables with halogen-free flame retardant, as well as the turmoil of power cables, military cables, nuclear cables, slingshot cables, and automotive cables in the market. What's more, many European and American countries have started to use rules to promote their application in the market, even the Bird's Nest and Water Cube in Beijing, China. It can be predicted how large the market is. It can also be imagined that the switch of halogen-free flame retardant is inevitable and unstoppable. Environmental protection must be the future trend!


From the first contact with halogen-free flame retardant TPE/TPU to the deepening of the market, various wire manufacturers have different requirements for halogen-free flame retardant materials, and end customers such as Nokia have strict requirements for materials. The problems and solutions of halogen-free flame retardant materials faced by most TPE/TPU manufacturers in the world are summarized.


1. Price


It is undeniable that the price of halogen-free flame retardant TPE/TPU products is really high, more than 5 times that of ordinary PVC. The selling price in the market is between 45-150 yuan/kg. It is difficult to reduce the price in the short term. It is not that the manufacturer does not want to, but that the cost is so much. For example, the flame retardant in the raw materials costs more than 60 yuan per kilogram, which generally accounts for about 30% of the proportion of the materials themselves. For the stability of the products, most manufacturers choose the genuine SEBS and pure TPU from super brand manufacturers. This price is also very high, accounting for about 50%. What are the surface treatment agents, slip agents, etc. In a word, the cost is high. This is also the reason why many end customers are difficult to switch immediately, although the cost proportion of a line in their finished products is poor. Therefore, our manufacturers of halogen-free flame retardant TPE/TPU must find ways to reduce the cost, and it is the hard truth to get practical applications from customers. Otherwise, your products are good, but they are expensive. Only a few people can buy them without effective promotion. Our goal is halogen-free popularization!


2. Finished product line precipitation


Up to now, no company in the world can guarantee that the materials will not separate completely, including Heisman, Nuoyu, Taiwan Rubber and Jiaobao. Specifically, the surface is white, foggy or oily and shiny. These are caused by the imbalance between macromolecules and small molecules after a period of time. With current technology, this problem has not been solved. It is recommended that customers should choose materials with slightly white surfaces when selecting them. Such precipitation will not affect their physical and electrical properties. Do not use materials with oil on the surface, which are easy to fall off and peel during use. In addition, precipitation can also be light or heavy. The precipitation of a good material is slight and light, and it is not easy to happen in a short time, even if it happens, just wipe it gently with your hand. Here, please forgive me for telling the truth in sales: In fact, there is nothing in the world that can not be really done. I know that a good friend of mine can solve the problem of precipitation, as well as an elderly Taiwanese. We hope their technology can be applied.


3. Surface whitening and peeling


The whitening is caused by the addition of PP and PE in the material, which can be improved. There are also some manufacturers who have achieved that their products will not be covered, but TPE is more difficult than TPU. It's really wrong to lose skin and glue. It's really wrong for a world-class company like Huntsman to have such a problem. Fortunately, our products have solved this problem.


4. The performance of the over safety regulation part is not up to the standard


For example, insulation resistance, aging and temperature resistance, thermal shock, voltage resistance, withstand cracking, heating deformation, etc. These reasons are all related to the selection of raw materials. This is not the case for most good materials. It is likely that the manufacturer uses poor raw materials to save costs or fails to find suitable raw materials. Of course, it is also related to the synthesis technology. If the technology is not improved, no matter how good the materials are, they cannot meet the standards. For example, we are one of five factories in the world that can withstand 105 ° C and 136 ° C baking for 168 hours and maintain 75% or more. Therefore, the general price of flame-retardant TPE/TPU on the market that can pass the safety regulations is about 65 yuan. Now many customers have used one kind of material for safety regulation and another for making goods. Can our manufacturer carry out targeted synthesis and modification?


5. Difficult processing


The processing speed is relatively slow, usually within the range of 50 to 80 meters/minute, which is about 50% slower than PVC. It's not easy to adjust the temperature. It's too bright when it's high and too foggy when it's low. A lot of materials are wasted when adjusting the machine. In addition, the machine needs to be washed before making goods, which is a waste. These are unavoidable. In production, sometimes the first few meters are OK, and the next few meters have problems.... If there is such a thing, it can only show that you are likely to buy cheap deck materials. The second brand material is very unstable. The time is good and the jet lag is bad. Sometimes I can't buy it. It's very difficult to buy the same goods every time. I suggest not to buy a second brand. It's too risky. There is no guarantee for yourself and customers!


6. TPE printing is difficult


Flame retardant TPE and TPU printing is relatively easy to solve, and many manufacturers can do it. However, ordinary TPE printing is not easy to solve, and no ordinary TPE printing can pass the UL standard. It still needs technical breakthrough. My good friend made a great breakthrough in this respect.


7. The surface is granulated, numb, uncomfortable and slippery


TPU is relatively good in this respect. Generally, manufacturers with better synthesis technology will not have this kind of thing, and only TPE will often have this kind of thing. Generally, it is caused by the temperature not being adjusted properly and the washing machine not being clean. It may also be caused by the deformation of the mold head and eye mold, foreign matters, or incorrect mold selection. Of course, this is also related to the manufacturer's formula. If your machine can make some formulas better, its formula is just like this, and you can't help it. My product performs very well in this respect!


8. Swing and bonding


There are many standards for swaying, mainly depending on the structure of the wire itself, which has little to do with the external materials. Generally, it is enough to adjust the copper wire twist. Of course, a good coating can still play a certain role in anti sway damage. The poor bonding is mostly caused by the mutual confrontation between the plug and the wire when they are bonded. Pay attention when selecting materials. My product can swing up to 100000 times at 90 degrees.


In a word, the flame retardant TPE/TPU is a very unique material, and other problems emerge when improving one problem. Therefore, it is better for both sellers and buyers to clarify all requirements before cooperation, so that a good cooperation can start. If you don't say anything or say a little, you may waste a lot of time and energy on samples. It takes a lot of detours to just work hard. I used to walk this way, and I became smart when I was bending around. In particular, when I came into contact with Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, BenQ, HP, Microsoft and other companies' charger cables, headphone cables, computer peripheral cables, flat cables, power cables, nuclear cables, and slingshot cables, they played an indelible role in the technical growth of my company and me. Now we can proudly say that we are ahead of the world in the field of fireproof TPE/TPU wires, and surpass international major companies in some aspects of physical and electrical performance. Our company also beat them in some projects in the market, which shows our company's technical strength. ha-ha... The above is just some experience I gained from a series of business programs, such as actual operation, conversation, understanding, testing, cooperation, etc., with hundreds of customers. I believe that all manufacturers I have not contacted will have the above problems more or less.