Huber’s Unique Vertex® 100 Series: Surface-Treated Magnesium HydroxidesOutstanding Fire Retardant Performance in Wire and Cable Jacketing Compounds

VERTEX®

100 SERIES6

2

Vertex® 100 SP and Vertex® 100 SV surface-treated magnesium hydroxides from Huber Engineered Materials impart outstanding fire retardance and smoke suppression in wire and cable jacketing applications.

What is Important for Jacketing Compounds? • EnvironmentallyFriendlyAdditives • PassesStringentSmokeGenerationRequirements • LowRateofHeatRelease • SlowBurnRate • ExcellentBalanceofTensileStrengthandElongation • LowTemperatureFlexibility • EasytoManufacture

More Strict Flame Retardance RequirementsNumerous options exist to impart fire retardants in jacketing compounds. However, recent regulatory and market changes have narrowed the choices, all but excluding compounds containing halogen, which generate toxic smoke.

Metal hydroxides such as Alumina Trihydrate (ATH) and Magnesium Hydroxide (MDH) are desirable because they are non-halogen, environmentally friendly and economical. However, they are not as efficient as halogenated fire retardant additives. In order to achieve outstanding fire retardant performance in highly flammable, halogen-free resin systems such as polyolefins, high loadings of ATH and MDH are needed. These high loadings can compromise mechanical properties.

Metal Hydroxides in JacketingATH is used in both PVC and non-halogen jacketing compounds. In some applications, ATH alone will not allow the compounder to achieve the desired performance. If the processing temperature exceeds 200°C, ATH cannot be used as it can start to decompose during compounding.

MDH is commonly used by itself or in blends with ATH in polyolefin compounds because it does an excellent job of imparting fire retardance and smoke suppression. At 330°C, MDH decomposes to form magnesium oxide and water in an endothermic reaction. This reaction takes heat away from the flame giving low rates of heat release.

Untreated vs. Treated MDHUnlike non-polar polyolefin polymers, untreated MDH is quite polar, and these two are not compatible. It takes a significant amount of energy to get MDH well-dispersed in polyolefin compounds. Further, it is difficult to maintain good physical properties and low temperature performance at high loadings. Also, untreated MDH has a relatively short shelf-life because it attracts moisture from the air and becomes difficult to process.

As a result of over 30 years experience supplying metal hydroxides with surface treatments, Huber has developed the unique Vertex® 100 Series of products. We are excited to introduce Vertex® 100 SP surface-treated MDH and Vertex® 100 SV surface-treated MDH. These two products transform the untreated MDH particles with a polar surface into MDH particles with a non-polar surface. The latter particle mixes in faster than untreated MDH. This same surface treatment also enables high loadings in jacketing compounds while maintaining an excellent balance of elongation and tensile strength. And the hydrophobic treatment greatly extends its shelf-life.

Not All MDH Products Perform the SameIn a side-by-side study comparing different MDH products, Huber has found that the fire retardant performance of Vertex® 100 SP and Vertex® 100 SV surface-treated MDH far surpasses the fire retardance of a leading competitive MDH product, while the mechanical properties were relatively similar.

The Rate of Heat Release and Rate of Smoke Production shown at right comparing Vertex 100 SP with a competitive treated MDH are based on jacket formulations described in the table (see page 4).

Although the peak rate of heat release is similar, the above graph shows that the jacket containing Vertex® 100 SP surface-treated MDH burns slower with a less violent flame. This allows for longer escape time.

The slower burning jacket containing Vertex 100 SP surface-treated MDH has an additional benefit. It generates far less smoke in the first 10 minutes of the burn, which is highly desirable. The widely different performance is due to particle size distribution, surface area and surface treatment differences between the two Vertex products.

Rate of Heat Release

Rate of Smoke Production

250

200

150

100

50

0

5.04.54.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.50.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

kW/m

21/

s

Time, Seconds

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Time, Seconds

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

0

110

100

90

80

70

60100 200 300 400 500 600

Wei

ght

Lo

ss (%

)

Temperature (˚C)

ATHMDH

Rate of Heat Release

Rate of Smoke Production

250

200

150

100

50

0

5.04.54.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.50.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

kW/m

21/

s

Time, Seconds

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Time, Seconds

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

0

110

100

90

80

70

60100 200 300 400 500 600

Wei

ght

Lo

ss (%

)

Temperature (˚C)

ATHMDH

Rate of Heat Release (RHR)

Rate of Smoke Production (RSP)

>Huber’s Trusted MDH Performance

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Huber’s Vertex® 100 Series MDH for Use in Wire and Cable Jacketing CompoundsHuber recommends its Vertex® 100 series MDH products for jacketing compounds because they offer better economics and improved flame retardant performance, such as power and control tray table jackets. However, the electrical conductivity is too high for these products to be considered for insulation compounds.

CompetitiveTreated MDH

Thermoplastic

100

170

2.6

272.6

CompetitiveTreated MDH

Thermoplastic

7373

1405

1441

247

-3.5*

Fail*

>250*

214.5*

70.4

5.8

283.9

3.8

0.4

5.4 E+15

Yes

Yes

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDH

Thermoplastic

100

170

2.6

272.6

Vertex 100 SP Surface-Treated MDH

Thermoplastic

7660

1340

1350

224

-14*

V0*

14*

205.4*

79.5

4.1

213.1

4

1.1

1.2 E+15

Yes

No

Vertex® 100 SVSurface-Treated MDH

Thermoplastic

100

170

2.6

272.6

Vertex 100 SVSurface-Treated MDH

Thermoplastic

7517

1270

1374

175

V0*

23*

Yes

No

Vertex® 100 MDH

Thermoplastic

100

170

2.6

272.6

Vertex 100 MDH

Thermoplastic

8565

1404

1466

124

-11*

V0*

20*

4.3

2.7

3.6 E+14

Yes

No

Ingredient

EVA (28% VA Content)

MDH

Organic Peroxide

Process Aids/Antioxidant

Total

Test ID

Compounding Torque byBatch Mixer (meter grams)

100% Modulus (psi)

Maximum Tensile Strength (psi)

Elongation @ Break (%)

Low Temperature Brittleness (˚C)

UL-94 Vertical Burn (1/16 inch)

T1 + T2 Total Time (seconds)(Meets V0 <30 seconds; no dripping)

Peak Rate of Heat Release (kW/m2)

Time to Ignition (seconds)

Avg. Mass Loss Rate (10% to 90%) (g/m2s)

Avg. Specific Extinction Area (m2/kg)

Dielectric Constant

Dissipation Factor

Volume Resistance

Recommended for:

Jacketing Compounds

Insulation Compounds

All Formulations Represented in PHR *Vertex® 100 Series Key Areas of Advantage and Differentiation

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDH

Cross-linked

100

170

1.6

2.6

274.2

Vertex 100 SP Surface-Treated MDH

Cross-linked

8906

1777

2457

233

V1*

39*

4.2

1.4

5.2 E+14

Yes

No

Competitive Treated MDH

Cross-linked

100

170

1.6

2.6

274.2

Competitive Treated MDH

Cross-linked

8810

2204

2914

233

Fail*

>250*

3.6

0.4

4.6 E+15

Yes

Yes

Comparing Jacketing Compounds with Different MDH Grades The table below compares Huber’s Vertex® 100 Series of MDH products versus a major competitive MDH grade. While the mechanical properties are similar, both Vertex MDH products show superior flame retardance and smoke suppression performance. We invite you to peruse the formulation, applications testing and recommendations outlined.

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Rate of Heat Release

Rate of Smoke Production

250

200

150

100

50

0

5.04.54.03.53.02.52.01.51.00.50.0

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

kW/m

21/

s

Time, Seconds

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

Time, Seconds

Vertex® 100 SP Surface-Treated MDHCompetitive Treated MDH

0

110

100

90

80

70

60100 200 300 400 500 600

Wei

ght

Lo

ss (%

)

Temperature (˚C)

ATHMDH

Neither ATH nor MDH contain halogen. When exposed to heat, these metal hydroxides decompose to form water molecules in an endothermic reaction. This results in reduced flame spread and smoke generation.

The graph above shows that MDH decomposes at a higher temperature than ATH, making it useful for engineering thermoplastic resins such as polyamides and polypropylene.

Thermal decomposition reaction (endothermic):

2Al(OH)3 ¨ Al2O3 + 3H2O ∆H = -280 cal/g

Mg(OH)2 ¨ MgO + H2O ∆H = -328 cal/g

•Takeheatawayfromtheflame

•Watervaporsdilutevolatilepolymerdecomposition products(fuel)

•Formprotectivemetaloxidelayeronpolymersurface

Thermal decomposition reaction (endothermic):

2Al(OH)3 ¨ Al2O3 + 3H2O ∆H = -280 cal/g

Mg(OH)2 ¨ MgO + H2O ∆H = -328 cal/g

•Takeheatawayfromtheflame

•Watervaporsdilutevolatilepolymerdecomposition products(fuel)

•Formprotectivemetaloxidelayeronpolymersurface

>Comparing ATH and MDH

VERTEX®

100 SERIES

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. Vertex® is used, applied for, or registered as a trademark of J.M. Huber Corporation for magnesium hydroxide in various countries around the world.©2015 J.M. Huber Corporation MDH/Vertex100Series/Jacketing/June2015

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About Huber Engineered MaterialsHuber Engineered Materials, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.), develops engineered specialty ingredients that enhance the performance, appeal and processing of a broad range of products used in industrial, paper and consumer-based applications. Its inorganic expertise has resulted in advancing the art in specialty alumina trihydrate (ATH), molybdate compounds, magnesium hydroxide (MDH), precipitated silicas and silicates, barium sulfate and natural calcium carbonate.

Huberhasover30yearsofexperienceproducingnumerousgradesofATHandMDHranginginparticlesizesfrom sub-micronto80microns.

Call: 866-JMHUBER (866-564-8237)Click: www.hubermaterials.com/vertex100Email: hubermaterials@huber.com