Posted By: ITA-Admin | Date: April 30th, 2013
Fireproof, an ITA Labs service, is delighted to announce new developments in fire-retardant technologies for automotive applications. There is an increasing need for more effective flame retardants for use in automotive interior materials, particularly since fire regulations in this sector are likely to become more stringent in the years ahead. Furthermore, many flame retardants are facing increased scrutiny due to their inherent toxicity and negative impacts on the environment. Fireproof has recently carried out work on novel, non-toxic tin systems, which act effectively as both flame retardants and smoke suppressants.
Dr. Paul Cusack, Fire & Polymers Manager at Fireproof, was recently invited to present a paper on this new research at the International Polymer Technology Conference & Exhibition 2013 (IPTCE’13) in Malaysia. His presentation was well received by its attendees which included overseas professors, industrial speakers and post-graduate students. Dr Paul Cusack has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and has authored and presented over 100 technical papers in the field.
“Although the automotive sector is the largest consumer of plastics in the transportation market, fire safety requirements are generally less severe in this sector than in other transportation areas. However, fire fatalities and serious injuries do represent significant numbers;” comments Dr. Paul Cusack. “At Fireproof, we have recently developed non-toxic tin fire-retardant systems, primarily based on proprietary nano-particulate and coating technologies. These halogen-free additives offer considerable potential in interior foams and fabrics, wires and cables, and other plastic components found in motor vehicles.”
Fireproof can carry out a comprehensive range of small-scale fire tests in its laboratories based at the offices of ITA Labs, in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. This fire-testing laboratory can offer fire retardant product formulation and reformulation, polymer processing and small scale materials testing.
Further information on the services offered by Fireproof can be found at:
www.italabs.co.uk or by emailing Mark Dowling at; mark.dowling@italabs.co.uk
