Magnesium Hydroxide Powder as a Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant and Smoke Suppressant

Magnesium Hydroxide Powder as a Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant and Smoke Suppressant

Flame retardants are chemical additives used in plastics, coatings, and other products to inhibit flame sustenance. Magnesium hydroxide powder is used with a plastic resin or similar base material as a non-halogenated flame retardant. This magnesia compound is physically mixed with the resin and other additives.

The basic mechanisms of flame retardancy can function in the gaseous and solid phase. When flame retardant chemicals act in the gaseous phase, they can also suppress smoke. Magnesium hydroxide powder is such a flame retardant. Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties’ magnesium hydroxide powder for flame retardancy and smoke suppression is offered under the MagShield^® brand name.

MagShield^® magnesium hydroxide powder benefits:

• Allows inclusion in various polymer types
• Made synthetically with high purity raw materials
• Decomposes endothermically with release of water which dilutes the fuel supply present in the gas phase and reduces the thermal energy available to degrade the plastic
• Thermally stable
• Non-halogenated
• Low toxicity [LD50 (oral/rat) > 5,000 Mg/Kg]
• Non-corrosive as compared to halogen or phosphorous containing flame retardants
• Responds well to surface modifiers

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