Engineered Tapes

The Chemistry of Burning

Diagram (1) depicts how heat contributes to burning (combustion). It also illustrates the areas (X) where the chemical mechanisms, incorporated in the Polyonics FlameGard technology, actively help retard the burn cycle. Heat causes thermal degradation of polymers which in turn generates flammable gasses (fuel). Burning occurs when this fuel combines with oxygen in the presence of an ignition source. The process generates additional heat and gases creating a self-sustaining burn cycle.

Diagram (2) illustrates the role temperature plays in accelerating this cycle. At temperature (T1) very few of the molecules (area under the curve) have enough energy (activation energy Ea) to burn. Adding more heat raises the temperature to (T2) causing more molecules to have enough energy to become fuel and burn.

At (T3), the majority of molecules have become fuel and a sustainable fire is likely. Conversely, if the temperature can be lowered from (T3) to (T1), the fire will self extinguish.

Polyonics employs resins and polymers that are dimensionally stable and don’t generate significant amounts of flammable gasses when exposed to heat and flame. In addition, upon initial combustion, the fire retardant tapes create a char layer (Diagram 1) that acts as a heat shield (physical mechanism) slowing the rate of thermal oxidation and reducing thermal degradation.

These design features combine to create the flame retardant mechanisms to;

• Reduce heat.
• Remove oxygen.
• Reduce the concentration of gasses.

 

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Product Selection

Ideal for hand and die cut parts in electrical, electronics, automotive, aerospace and medical industries where flame retardant and flame/ESD protection is required.

Click on name to download technical bulletin.

Name	Feature	Film/face	Surface	Adhesive	Liner	Description/ Application
XT-624	Flame Retardant	1 mil amber polyimide	-	1 mil FR acrylic	SCK	Halogen-free flame retardant, high temperature - meets  UL94 VTM0. Excellent electrical and thermal insulation and prevention of flame propagation between electric devices and components. -40 to 572°F (-40 to 300°C)
XT-625	Flame Retardant	2 mil amber polyimide	-	1 mil FR acrylic	SCK	Halogen-free flame retardant, high temperature - meets  UL94 VTM0. Excellent electrical and thermal insulation and prevention of flame propagation between electric devices and components. -40 to 302°F (-40 to 300°C)
XT-626	Flame Retardant/ESD	1 mil amber polyimide	Static dissipative	1 mil FR acrylic	SCK	Halogen-free flame retardant, high temperature, low surface resistance (105-109 Ohm) static dissipative - meets UL94 VTM0. High temperature where flame initiation is due to static discharge. -40 to 302°F (-40 to 150°C)
XT-628	Flame Retardant	2 mil  polyester PET	-	1 mil FR acrylic	SCK	Halogen-free flame retardant meets UL94 VTM1. Prevention of flame propagation. -40 to 302°F (-40 to 150°C)
XT-631	Flame Retardant	2 mil aluminum	-	1 mil hi-temp FR acrylic	SCK	Flame retardant meets UL94  VTM1. Electromagnetic and RF absorption and isolation, heat dissipation, vapor barrier, PCB mask for wave solder and prevention of flame propagation. -40 to 302°F (-40 to 150°C)
XT-702	Hi temp, opacity & flame resistant	0.5 mil black polyimide	-	1 mil hi-temp acrylic	Glassine	High opacity , temperature resistant and meets UL94 VTM0. PCB masks during wave solder, electrical insulation between flex circuits and thermal insulation for electrical motors. -40 to 572°F (-40 to 300°C)
Double Coated Flame Retardent Tapes
Name	Feature	Film/face	Surface	Adhesive	Liner	Description/ Application
XT-657	Double Coated Flame Retardant	2 mil amber polyimide	-	1 mil FR acrylic	SCK	High temperature bonding system that prevents the propagation of flames. UL 94 VTM0, FAR 25.853 and BSS 7238/7239 compliant. Thin, conformal bond line. -40 to 5772°F (-40 to 300°C).

LEGEND:

• SCK: Polycoated Kraft
• FR: Flame Retardant
• MOQ: 9” x 1604’ (for polyimide and polyester)
  and 9” x 1000’ (for aluminum and double-coated tapes)

NOTES for Flame Retardant product with Electrostatic Dissipation:

• All tapes are REACH and RoHS compliant
• Flame retardant tapes are not recognized by UL, but have been tested to the UL94 standard by Polyonics.
• The surface on which the tape is to be applied should be clean, dry and free of any surface contamination, such as dust, oil or rust. Isopropyl alcohol would be a recommend solvent to clean the surface.
• See Polyonics document esd_ss_11 for additional information on electrostatic dissipation feature.