APPLICATION OF ZINC BORATE

Zinc Borate has been used extensively in flexible PVC as a partial replacement for antimony oxide, such as wall coverings, wire and cables, roofing membranes, conveyor belts, carpet backing, auto upholstery, and tenting materials. In contrast to antimony trioxide, this material has a refractive index similar to that of most polymer systems, which allows the use of lower pigment loading.

Zinc Borate has been used as a fire retardant in polyolefin wire & cables, as well as electrical parts. In halogen-containing systems, Zinc Borate is used in conjunction with antimony oxide, while in halogen-free systems, it is normally used in conjunction with alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, or red phosphorus. It should be noted that the use of Zinc Borate can also improve elongation properties of polyolefins.

Zinc Borates with different chemical compositions that provide flame retardant properties and improved resistance against electrical degradation processes in many flame retardant polyamides. The combination of zinc and borate moieties provides unique functionalities. Zinc Borate also perform as synergists with brominated flame retardants to tailor FR properties and CTI. These combinations have also been shown to increase melt stability, and can be used in regrinding processes without a reduction in the original CTI values.

Zinc Borate has been used extensively as a fire retardant in elastomers for applications such as conveyor belting, wire & cables, roofing membranes, flooring material, and foamed insulation products.

Zinc Borate is a flame retardant synergist of halogen sources such as chlorinated resins, decabromodiphenyl oxide, and tetrabromobisphenol-A. Depending on the halogen source used, Zinc Borate can either partially or completely replace antimony oxide. Zinc Borate has been used extensively as a fire retardant in epoxies for applications such as intumescent coatings, glass-reinforced laminates, and encapsulation of electrical components.