The Flame Retardant Significance of Plastic Films
The flame retardancy of plastic films refers to their ability to resist flame combustion and delay the spread of fire. Flame retardant plastic films are widely used in fields such as building decoration, transportation, electronics and electronics, aerospace, etc., to reduce fire risks and protect personnel and property safety.
Types of plastic films
1. Polyethylene (PE) film: It has the characteristics of being colorless, odorless, semi transparent, and non-toxic, making it a good insulation material. It is commonly found in food packaging bags, containers, etc. Although difficult to print, good results can be achieved after processing.
2. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film: It has good light resistance, aging resistance, and tear resistance. This clean, colorless, and transparent film is commonly used for packaging bags, book covers, etc.
3. Polystyrene (PS) film: Soft and tough, it has the characteristics of being resistant to freezing and not easily aging when not containing plasticizers.
4. Polyester (PET) film: colorless, transparent, moisture resistant, non breathable, soft, strong, acid alkali oil ester and solvent resistant, commonly used in packaging and composite materials.
5. Polypropylene (PP) film: It has good luster, transparency, heat resistance to acid and alkali, solvent resistance, friction resistance, tear resistance, and breathability. But it cannot be heat sealed below 160 ℃.
6. Nylon (PA) film: Strong, odorless, non-toxic, bacteria resistant, oil resistant, ester resistant, resistant to boiling water and most solvents. Commonly used in heavy-duty, wear-resistant packaging and cooking packaging.
The manufacturing process of plastic film
1.Raw material preparation: Select appropriate plastic resin as the raw material and mix according to the requirements of the product. Common plastic raw materials include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.
2.Extrusion: Extrusion is one of the most commonly used processes for manufacturing plastic films. In the extrusion process, pre mixed plastic particles are heated and melted through an extruder, and then extruded out through the screw of the extruder to form a continuous plastic film. During the extrusion process, the thickness and width of the film can be controlled through the design and adjustment of the mold.
3.Blowing film: Blowing film is another commonly used process for manufacturing plastic films. In the blow molding process, plastic particles are heated and melted, and then blown into a hollow cylindrical shape by a blow molding machine, which is stretched on both sides to form a tubular plastic film. Subsequently, the film is formed and sorted through processes such as cooling and edge pressing.
4.Rolling: Rolling is a process of extruding molten plastic and rolling it into a thin film. In the rolling process, the molten plastic is extruded into a thicker sheet shape by an extruder, and then gradually stretched and flattened by the pressure and temperature control of the rollers, ultimately forming a flat plastic film.
5.Coating: Coating is the process of coating a plastic resin solution or molten plastic onto the surface of a substrate to form a plastic film. The coating process can be achieved through coating heads, rollers, or spraying, and the coated plastic forms a uniform thin film on the surface of the substrate.
These processes can be applied individually or in combination, and suitable manufacturing methods can be selected based on the requirements of the product and the characteristics of the production process.
The flame retardant application of plastic films
mainly involves the following fields:
1.Construction and decoration: In construction and decoration, plastic film is usually used to cover parts such as floors, walls, or ceilings. Especially in public places or high-rise buildings, it is required to use flame-retardant plastic films to reduce the likelihood of fire and increase the time window for personnel evacuation.
2.Transportation: In vehicles such as cars, trains, and airplanes, plastic film is used to manufacture vehicle interiors, seat materials, or external coverings. The application of flame retardant plastic film can reduce the risk of internal fires in transportation vehicles and ensure the safety of passengers and drivers.
3.Electronic and Electrical: In the field of electronics and electrical engineering, plastic films are commonly used to manufacture insulation layers for wires and cables, casings for electrical equipment, or packaging materials for electronic products. Flame retardant plastic film can improve the safety of electronic and electrical equipment and reduce fire accidents caused by electrical faults.
4.Aerospace: In the field of aerospace, there are extremely high requirements for material safety and reliability. Therefore, plastic films typically need to have flame retardant properties in aerospace applications to ensure the safe operation of spacecraft, aircraft, and related equipment.
Conclusion: It should be noted that when selecting flame retardant films, it is necessary to confirm whether they meet the flame retardant performance standards of fire regulations, and choose appropriate colors and sizes based on their use. In addition, different flame retardants can also be used to improve the flame retardancy of plastics, such as halogen, phosphorus, nitrogen, etc The selection of flame retardant films should be determined based on specific needs and application scenarios.