Engineered Tapes

The Fire Problem

The ever-increasing and widespread use of electronic devices, such as laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDA’s) and smart phones is requiring longer and longer battery life. The batteries become increasingly more powerful and simultaneously more of a potential fire hazard with every new generation of device. Naturally, the possibility of a fire in an electronic device is a major worry for the electronics industry.

The cost of a potential fire far exceeds the warranty cost and ill-will of users. The potential harm to humans is incalculable, i.e. heat, flames, hazardous fumes, etc. With customers using these devices nearly ‘around the clock’, and expected product lifetimes extending for decades, the risk of potential harm to humans extends well into the future.

How does fire start in an electronic device? A good example is a battery malfunctioning during recharge generating an extraordinary amount of heat (one of the primary conditions necessary for burning). As a result, it begins to thermally decompose and even physically distorts due to internal pressures from the formation of flammable gases (a second condition of burning). With sufficient oxygen (the third condition), fire can begin.

As the fire heats the surfaces of nearby materials, they too decompose generating additional flammable gases, allowing the fire to spread or become self-sustaining.

FlameGard™ Technology

Polyonics halogen-free flame retardant tapes are specifically designed composites using its FlameGard technology. The proprietary technology combines several chemical and physical mechanisms to effectively control heat transfer, oxygen availability, material decomposition and generation of flammable gases and help prevent the propagation of fire.

The single coated tapes include 1 and 2 mil polyimide and 2 mil polyester films and 2 mil aluminum foils. One tape also includes electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties using Polyonics’ proprietary TriboGard™ technology. Other custom constructions are readily accommodated.

Polyonics understands the chemistry and combustion of polymers and has developed a wide variety of flame retardant tapes to address a spectrum of applications.

Product Selection...

Proven Science and Manufacturing Technology…
Polyonics is a world renowned manufacturer of high performance, custom label, film and tape materials for extreme temperatures and harsh environments. The Polyonics international reputation has been built solidly on integrating polymer science and technology with rigorous product research, design, development and ISO 9001:2008 registered, patented manufacturing processes. These innovations result in a unique portfolio of polyimide, polyester and aluminum tapes incorporating a variety of flame retardant elements. Using Polyonics flame retardant tapes and films on components or products that may be exposed to the potential of flames will dramatically reduce the threat of damage. All products are rigorously tested for compliance to the most stringent industry standards including dielectric breakdown, adhesion, shear, tack and flammability. Polyonics tapes achieve a UL 94 VTM-O flammability rating with the aluminum taps receiving a UL 94 VO flammability rating.

…and Technical Support
Polyonics also places strong emphasis on the technical support aspect of each project through its technical support team. The Polyonics Tech Support Team knows that solving flame problems can be quite complex. And that careful design and testing of possible solutions need to be well coordinated, understood and documented in order to achieve the best possible results for its customers. The team works closely with customers to carefully develop initial product specifications and closely monitors the product while it’s being manufactured. They also work in concert with specialty die cutters and follow the product right through to final installation at the OEM’s facility. Polyonics Tech Support helps guarantee that the right products are specified and that installations are successful.