Teijin develops new phosphorus flame retardant for electronics and automotive markets

Teijin Limited announced that it has developed a new phosphorus flame retardant, Fireguard FCX-210, usable for a wide range of resins. It is targeting applications with particular focus on the electronics and automotive markets.

Fireguard FCX-210 is a new type of phosphorus flame retardant, developed using Teijin's proprietary molecular design technology, which lends high flame retardancy to a broad range of plastics widely used in office equipment, electronic appliances, game consoles, and automobiles. These include styrene resins such as ABS and polystyrene and polyamide resins such as nylon, with which conventional phosphorus flame retardants are less effective.

Adding conventional phosphorus flame retardants to resins generally reduces their effectiveness. But Fireguard FCX-210 loses none of its flame resistance and can be added without changing the original characteristics of the resin, according to Teijin.

Additionally, only a relatively small amount is necessary. With high impact polystyrene (PS), for example, the necessary amount of flame retardant is reduced by approximately 40%.

Fireguard FCX-210 is also halogen-free, making it safer for end-users and more environmentally friendly, emphasizes the company.

Phosphorus flame retardants are a key type of retardant and highly effective especially when added to polycarbonate and polyester resins. Teijin is also developing applications and processing methods for Fireguard FCX-210 using other Teijin materials. The company expects to generate 4 billion yen revenue from its flame retardant business by fiscal 2018.