Various metal oxides can be found in plastic formulations as filler, acid acceptor or thickener. Magnesium hydroxide is a non-acid and halogen-free flame retardant and smoke suppressant filler with many advantages compared with ATH.
Magnesium oxide belongs to the group of high-temperature ceramic materials.
It has good electrical insulation properties at high temperatures and a very good thermal conductivity.
This makes magnesium oxide an ideal material for the production of cartridge heaters, helical heaters, thermocouple cables, heating cables, fire-proof cables, etc.
Flame Retardant / Smoke Suppressant
Flame retardants are chemical additives used in plastics, coatings, and other products to inhibit flame sustenance. Magnesium hydroxide is used with a resin or similar base material as a flame retardant filler. This magnesia compound is physically mixed with the base material ( and “additive flame retardant”).
The basic mechanisms of retardancy can function in the gaseous and solid phase. When flame retardant chemicals act in the gaseous phase, they can also suppress smoke. Magnesium hydroxide is such a retardant.
Benefits:
It allows inclusion in various polymer types
It is made synthetically with high purity raw materials
It decomposes endothermically with release of water which dilutes the fuel supply present in the gas phase and reduces the thermal energy available to degrade the plastic
It is thermally stable
It is is non-halogenated
It is low toxicity [LD50 (oral/rat) > 5,000 Mg/Kg]
It is is non-corrosive as compared to halogen or phosphorous containing flame retardants
It responds well to surface modifiers