MoldX® P18 Optimized Alumina Trihydrate (ATH)The Perfect Flame Retardant and Smoke Suppressant for Pultrusion Applications

T E C H N I C A L B U L L E T I N

MoldX® P18 Optimized Alumina Trihydrate (ATH)

Why is ATH an Advantage in Pultrusion Applications? • Regulationsincreasinglycallforlow-smokeand fire retardant parts in components like gratings, cable trays, ladders, electrical support rods (high voltage silicone rubber insulators and cable supports), structural profiles (grating systems), window frame profiles, building panels, power system components, and transportation panels

• Oneofthemosteconomicalfireretardant technologies

• Non-halogen,non-toxicandeasytohandleand process

• Impartsfireretardanceandsmokesuppression due to the ATH decomposition mechanism

What is Important for Pultrusion Processing?

MoldX® P18 optimized ATH is designed to impart fire retardance and smoke suppression for pultruded compounds while processing with lower pull force. As a result, faster line speeds are possible in a variety of pultrusion applications.

At 220ºC (428ºF), ATH decomposes in an endothermic reaction to form aluminum oxide and water. Aluminum oxide is an inert ingredient. This decomposition reaction removes heat thereby lowering the rate of pyrolysis of the polymer. The lower pyrolysis rate results in a reduction of heat release and smoke suppression. Therefore, the higher the ATH loading, the higher the level of flame retardance achieved.

•Lowerpullforce •Fasterlinespeed •Mixeseasygivinganexcellent dispersion •Excellentmechanicalproperties

•Continuousprocessing - Reduced fiber breakage - Reduced potential for die lock-up - Reduced sedimentation in resin bath

100 phr ATH in Modar 875 fire-retardant resin stored at room temperature after five days.

ATH Settling Results Comparison

Huber’s SB-432

(9 Microns)

MoldX® A105 Optimized ATH

(6 Microns)

MoldX® P18 Optimized ATH (5.5 Microns)

6 Micron Competitive ATH Product

12 Micron Competitive ATH Product

ATH Settling Behavior in Modar®

Fire-Retardant Resin 875 at 25°C

Settling resistance is desirable for pultrusion to allow longer operating times between clean outs.

Why is Huber’s MoldX® P18 Optimized ATH an Outstanding Choice for Pultrusion?

3 VersatilityThe product can be used in all types of pultrusion applications and has the following advantages: •Lowerpullforceat50-75 weight % of fiberglass •25 to 200 phr ATH loading depending on weight % of fiberglass and resin type •Eitherunsaturatedpolyesteroracrylicresinsorblends •Evenathighloadings,compoundshaveverylowpullforce •Higherloadingswiththesameorfasterlinespeedsand lower total compound cost •Maintainsmechanicalproperties

3 Consistency in Manufacturing •Greatlyreducedpossibilityofdielock-up •Reducedsedimentationresultinginlessdowntimeforresin bath clean-out

Note: The data in this technical bulletin was generated in side-by-side testing of one sample of each product.

0

4

8

12

16

0 24 48 72 96 120 144

Sedi

men

tatio

n, m

m

Time (Hours)

12 Micron Competitive ATH

6 Micron Competitive ATH

Huber's SB-432 ATH

MoldX® A105 Optimized ATH (6 Microns)

MoldX® P18 Optimized ATH (5.5 Microns)

THERE ARE NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Refer to Huber’s Standard Conditions of Sale for the only express warranties applicable to the Huber products. Products incorporating Huber products are not warranted by Huber. In no event is Huber liable for consequential damages. MoldX® is used, applied for, or registered as a trademark of the J.M. Huber Corporation for optimized alumina trihydrate in various countries around the world. Modar® is a registered trademark of Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC. ©2013 J.M. Huber Corporation ATH/MoldXP18/Nov2013

Huber’s technical team of experts developed MoldX® P18 optimized ATH to impart low pull force based on significant testing of various ingredients. It has been proven to work in multiple applications. The Huber MoldX product portfolio offers unparalleled flexibility by allowing for higher loadings with low viscosity technology, while imparting outstanding mold flow characteristics. Huber Engineered Materials is your flame retardant and smoke suppression expert with over 30 years of experience offering product use guidance and a dedicated technical team for strong customer focus and support. Before things heat up, contact us today. Let us consult with you about the reasons why MoldX P18 is the perfect solution for your next pultrusion application.

Call: 1-866-JMHUBER (1-866-564-8237)Click: www.hubermaterials.com/moldxEmail: hubermaterials@huber.com

Call: 1-866-JMHUBER (1-866-564-8237)Click: www.hubermaterials.com/moldxEmail: hubermaterials@huber.com

MoldX® P18 ATH Means Lower Pull ForceFormulation Ingredients

Isophthalic Polyester Resin

Competitive ATH – 2 Microns

Competitive ATH – 6.5 Microns

MoldX® P18 Optimized ATH – 5.5 Microns

Fiberglass (Weight %)

Performance Comparison

Viscosity @25C #6 Spindle 10 rpm

Pull Force (Pounds)

Formulation I

100

100

--

62%

2,890

1,130

Formulation II

100

-

100-

62%

2,490

6,634

3 Predicting Fast Line Speeds and Low Pull Force•CompoundviscositydoesNOThaveadirectcorrelationwithpullforceandinfact, compounds with high viscosity can have either low or high pull force •Medianparticlesizedoesnotalwayscorrelatewithpullforce Note: the table below shows compounds with two different ATH products (columns 2 and 3), each with median particle sizes of about 6 microns which have very different pull force. Columns 1 and 3 show similar pull force, despite their median particle sizes being very different.

Formulation III

100

--

100

62%

1,630

930