Flame Retardants for Polyethylene

Achieving flame retardant polyethylene, which is required in many applications such as wire and cable, is challenging due to its flammability. The flame-retardants in use today consider dif ferent flame retardant mechanisms such as endothermic decomposition, gas phase reaction, and intumescence. Therefore, available solutions range from the addition of mineral fillers through brominated and phosphorus compounds to radical generators. A suitable flame retardant has to be selected according to the application, the standards to be fulfilled, and the influence of the selected flame retardant on the overall properties of polyethylene.