Less is more

•	LANXESS is developing halogen-free, flame-retardant plastics for thick-walled components
•	Focus on applications in the field of electromobility
•	Wide processing window and high-quality component surfaces
•	Exceptionally easy-flowing material settings in the future, too

Cologne, September 22, 2021 – LANXESS is expanding its range of halogen-free, flame-retardant, glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 compounds to include Durethan BKV30FN01 and Durethan BKV30FN04 DUS064. Both products are designed for use in thick-walled components with specially optimized requirements regarding fire resistance. Potential applications include power tools, household appliances and industrial equipment. “These structural materials also offer outstanding potential in the field of electromobility and its periphery – for components such as thick-walled battery covers or charging plugs and the associated connector holders,” says Alexander Radeck, expert in flame-retardant plastics at LANXESS. 

The new products are derived from Durethan BKV30FN04, which is already successfully deployed in the mass production of flame-retardant components. This compound meets the requirements of the UL 94 flammability test of the US testing institute Underwriters Laboratories Inc., achieving an outstanding V-0 classification with a test body thickness of 0.4 millimeters.

Less flame retardant

Simply summarized, the thinner the wall, the more flame retardant is required in the compound in order for it to be eligible for V-0 classification. Many components requiring a high degree of flame resistance, however, are much thicker than 0.4 millimeters, which means that they can be manufactured using compounds to which less flame retardant has been added but that still offer sufficient fire resistance. 

Durethan BKV30FN01 and Durethan BKV30FN04 DUS064 are specially designed for components with wall thicknesses of 0.75 - 1.5 millimeters and more. The compounds have a UL V-0 classification with 0.75 millimeters (Durethan BKV30FN01) and 1.5 millimeters (Durethan BKV30FN04 DUS064). “Due to the specially optimized flame-retardant package, the material types offer excellent processability during injection molding. They also ensure high-quality surfaces, even with large, planar component geometries,” says Radeck.

LANXESS is planning to expand the Durethan BKV FN range to include exceptionally easy-flow variants for thick-walled components. 

You can find more detailed information about flame-retardant compounds from LANXESS – as well as about the new material types for thick-walled components – at www.flame-retardancy.lanxess.com. 

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.1 billion in 2020. The company currently has about 14,800 employees in 33 countries. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, specialty chemicals and plastics. LANXESS is listed in the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI World and Europe) and FTSE4Good.

Forward-Looking Statements
This company release contains certain forward-looking statements, including assumptions, opinions, expectations and views of the company or cited from third party sources. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause the actual results, financial position, development or performance of LANXESS AG to differ materially from the estimations expressed or implied herein. LANXESS AG does not guarantee that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors, nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this presentation or the actual occurrence of the forecast developments. No representation or warranty (expressed or implied) is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, any information, estimates, targets and opinions contained herein, and no liability whatsoever is accepted as to any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein, and accordingly, no representative of LANXESS AG or any of its affiliated companies or any of such person's officers, directors or employees accepts any liability whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from the use of this document.

Information for editors:
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