Polymer Technology & Services (PTS, Murfreesboro, Tennessee / USA; www.ptsllc.com), a manufacturer of flame-retardant engineering thermoplastic compounds, has added four halogen-compliant grades to its “Tristar” portfolio of PC-based materials. The new grades, certified to 746R and 746H standards by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), are designed for use in electrical and telecommunication devices, business machines and small and large appliances. They will be commercially available in North America and Asia by the end of this year, and in Europe during the first quarter of 2017.

The compounds are Tristar PC-HC, Tristar PC-FR-HC, Tristar PC-FRN-HC and Tristar PC-10GF-HC, with ratings varying from V-0 to 5VA. A V-2 rating is applied for products that are not powered by electricity but require the strength of PC, such as hand tools, cases and sports equipment. Attended electrical devices such as powered hand tools and appliances require a V-0 rating while unattended electrical devices require the more stringent 5VA classification.

Phil Berg, vice president of technology, said the grades’ numerous UL certificates have been achieved by using the latest flame-retardant technology and advanced manufacturing process control. “Companies in the electrical and electronics industries, especially in consumer electronics, are increasingly calling for plastics that comply with UL 746R and 746H. Our materials not only have excellent performance in their first life, but also offer increased flexibility for reuse and recycling,” he said.

A UL 746R certification shows the material conforms to the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, while UL 746H certifies a material complies with non-chlorine and non-bromine requirements in IEC 61249 and is subject to ongoing monitoring by UL.