When plastics burn: how flame retardants influence fire behavior
Direct comparison of the fire behavior of PA, PA V0, and PPS
Plastics have become indispensable in many applications in the construction and engineering industries. But what actually happens when plastics burn? And how do flame retardants specifically affect fire behavior? Flame-retardant profiles are more than just a safety feature—they are indispensable for safety and meet key requirements for fire protection and functionality in a wide variety of scenarios.
What is the difference?
In our video, we show the fire behavior of three technical plastic profiles in direct comparison:
PA (polyamide without flame retardant)
This profile has good mechanical properties, but without flame retardants it is more susceptible to fire. During the classic combustion of a plastic, burning droplets can be seen. These can cause a fire to spread.
PA V0 (UL94 V0 flame retardant)
Here, the effect of flame retardancy is evident: ignition is more difficult and droplet formation is prevented. The PA V0 profile is ideal for applications with high fire protection requirements.
PPS (polyphenylene sulfide)
The PPS profile demonstrates its flame retardancy in the test. The visible, bright flame on the extruded plastic profile does not lead to droplet formation. Ideal for critical applications where thermal safety is a priority.
Why is this important?
The demonstration clearly shows the visual difference: in contrast to the polyamide without flame retardant, no dripping was observed with either the flame-retardant PA or the PPS. In addition, both profiles exhibited self-extinguishing behavior.
The right choice of material with coordinated flame retardancy can be crucial in an emergency to prevent the spread of fire and ensure safety in buildings and technical applications.