Tin Technology leads project on halogen-free, flame retardant systems

Tin Technology leads project on halogen-free, flame retardant systems

Keywords: Printed circuit boards, Flame resistant

Tin Technology will be leading a project to develop halogen-free,flame-retardant systems in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and encapsulated electronic components. The UK government’s Department of Trade and Industry is funding this project under its “Sustainable Technologies Initiative”.

This project is extremely relevant to the proposed EU restriction of hazardous substances in waste electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS/WEEE)directive that will phase out certain bromine-containing flame retardants by 1st January 2006, provided that alternative flame retardants can meet the minimum fire safety standards. Current bromine-containing flame retardants are to be phased out due to their toxicity and their reported generation of highly toxic dioxin species during incineration processes.

Tin Technology will act as Project Leader, in charge of a six strong industrial partner consortium. Tin Technology will be drawing on its extensive experience and knowledge of tin-based fire retardants. The consortium aims to produce flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant systems which will be more environmentally acceptable than current brominated compounds. In order to achieve this, the project aims to develop formulations that show markedly reduced emissions of smoke and toxic gases during combustion.

For further information, visit: http://www.tintechnology.com