The result is a series of directives that are fundamentally changing the manufacturing process, with the goal to “encourage the design and production of E&E which takes into full account and facilitates their repair, possible upgrading, reuse, disassembly and recycling” also “substitution by safe or safer materials”.
RoHS and WEEE are example of these directives, applicable to household appliances as well IT equipment. The regulation REACH also implies a big change in the Chemistry legislation where plastics are included as well.

LATI, a European leader in the production of special compounds, has always dedicated extra care to its traditional core business that is the flame retarding thermoplastics.
To meet its valuable Customers’ new needs, LATI has developed a range of FR products that fulfils the widest range of requirements.
Both the E&E and home appliance sector can thus be supplied, respecting stringent parameters stated by the newest norm as, e.g., ISO/IEC 60335-1 (4^th Edition).

In order to respect constant inquires coming from the market and the current legislation, Lati is introducing the HF1 range, featuring halogen and antimony free FR materials, all rated UL94 V0 and fulfilling RoHS restrictions.

• LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0HF1
• LATAMID 6 H2 G/30-V0HF1
• KELON B FR H2 CEG/500-V0CT3

Being two of the most recent winning grades developed by LATI, LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0HF1 and LATAMID 6 H2 G/30-V0HF1 offer a very interesting compliance to IEC 60335 requirements and are totally halogen and red phosphorous free.

Flammability	Standard	SI Units
		LATAMID 6 H2 G/30-V0HF1	LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0HF1
Oxygen Index	ASTM D 2863	32 %	32 %
Flammability Rating
3,00 mm thickness	UL 94	Class V-0	Class V-0
1,50 mm thickness	UL 94	Class V-0	Class V-0
0,75 mm thickness	UL 94	Class V-0	Class V-0
GWFI - Glow Wire Flammability Index
1,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-12	GWFI: 960/1.0	GWFI: 850/1.0
2,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-12	GWFI: 960/2.0	GWFI: 960/2.0
GWIT - Glow Wire Ignition Test
1,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-13	GWIT: 800/1.0	GWIT: 800/1.0
2,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-13	GWIT: 800/2.0	GWIT: 825/2.0
Status of UL approvals (file LATI: E 54080)
Flammability values – comparison: LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0HF1 and LATAMID 6 H2 G/30-V0HF1

Outstanding FR performance is achieved by UL94-V0 rating, from 3 down to 0.75 mm, GWIT 800°C at 1 mm and an outstanding GWFI exceeding IEC60335 specs.

Electrical performances are extremely good as well, with a CTI of 600V.
Nevertheless, mechanical performance of the described compounds is excellent despite the rich FR formulation and the fibre content allows PA to withstand up to 150 MPa as stress at break (tensile), an elastic modulus close to 10000 MPa and a good elongation at break confirming the total lack of brittleness.

An overview of global performance indicates the V0HF1 grades as the perfect candidate for most of the typical E&E structural applications, as connectors, housings etc.
The choice between PA6 or PA66 is left to the Customer, on the basis of necessary thermal performances.

When highest dimensional stability is required, mineral filled compounds must be taken into consideration.

The KELON B FR H2 CEG/500-V0CT3 is a 50% mineral filled PA6 offering not only an excellent respect of dimensional tolerances and moulding ease, but even a vastly reduced smoke emission in case of accidental fire. These features guarantee the KELON to be among the best product to be used also when risks related to fire hazards must be reduced to minimum level, as in any application dedicated to public use. Its formulation is completely halogen and red phosphorous free and overall fire performances can suit the IEC norm as well.

Flammability	Standard	SI Units
KELON B FR CEG/500-V0CT3
Oxygen Index	ASTM D 2863	42 %
Flammability Rating
3,00 mm thickness	UL 94	Classe V-0
1,50 mm thickness	UL 94	Classe V-0
0,75 mm thickness	UL 94	Classe V-1
GWFI - Glow Wire Flammability Index
1,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-12	GWFI: 960/1.0
2,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-12	GWFI: 960/2.0
GWIT - Glow Wire Ignition Test
1,00 mm thickness	IEC 695-2-13	GWIT: 775/1.0
Status of UL approvals (file LATI: E 54080)
Flammability values - KELON B FR CEG/500-V0CT3

•    LARAMID G/35-V0HF1

In order to offer a complete range of halogen free polyamide based compounds, LATI is fine tuning LARAMID G/35-V0HF1.
This grade guarantees high-end thermal performances of the semi-aromatic polymer PPA and the structural reinforcement offered by 35% glass fibre.
Flame retardancy features a V0 performance at 0.75 mm, GWIT, GWFI and CTI are ok for IEC 60335.
The material is actually undergoing the approval and certification process.

•    LATER 4 G/30-V0HF1
•    LATER 4-V0HF1

The same considerations apply to the equivalent PBT formulation where the same flame performances of the foretold PA grades are achieved on a PBT based halogen free formulation.
LATER 4 G/30-V0HF1 and LATER 4-V0HF1 guarantee a complete reply to all market requirements, providing a solution even where natural moisture absorption of PAs can be an issue.
New halogen free PBT formulations are available in both reinforced and unreinforced versions.

•    LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0KB4

LATAMID 66 H2 G/25-V0KB4 is the latest success of the red phosphorous based FR formulations.
The KB4 compound offers a complete compliance to IEC 60335 requirements: UL94-V0 down to 0.75 mm, GWIT=775°C and GWFI=960°C both at 1 mm, CTI=500V.
This said, the KB4 shows up as one of the best candidates for typical E&E application as switches, fuses boards, housings etc.

•      NANOFILLERS

Compounds featuring a reduced content of flame retardants additives have been obtained by LATI R&D taking advantage of nano-composite technology.
The product range is still under development but results already show much better flame resistance properties, with a faster and more efficient self-extinguishing mechanism and a remarkably reduced smoke emission.
Environmental advantages are evident and for this reason LATI keeps on studying this particular range:
the mission of LATI must be fully respectful of environment and human health, taking care of eco-sustainability as well.

Smoke evolution of a PA66 FR/reinforced + nanofillers compared with the same PA66 without nanofillers

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