October 2008

Bayer MaterialScience has published a new brochure entitled “Flame retardance concepts for the future with Bayblend® FR” that introduces the performance profile of the chlorine-, bromine- and antimony-free flame-retardant polycarbonate+ABS blends (PC+ABS) of the Bayblend® FR range.

Bayer MaterialScience has published a new brochure entitled “Flame retardance concepts for the future with Bayblend® FR” that introduces the performance profile of the chlorine-, bromine- and antimony-free flame-retardant polycarbonate+ABS blends (PC+ABS) of the Bayblend® FR range. “In doing so, we are responding to the increased demand for our blends, for example for use in flame-retardant plastics in electrical and electronic devices,” explains Axel Winkes, Head of the IT & Communication regional business segment of the Polycarbonates Business Unit, adding: ”When it comes to the rapidly growing market for LCD screens in particular, our Bayblend® FR portfolio enables us to deliver outstanding properties in terms of mechanics, design freedom, flame retardance and ecology. Bayblend® FR makes it easier to fulfill stricter ecological and disposal regulations and standards and attain the levels entitling products to bear the more stringent environmental labels.”

The brochure begins with a brief look at the key regulatory requirements with which flame-retardant plastics must comply, such as the glow-wire tests prescribed under the IEC 60335-1 standard for domestic appliances, and the demands of EU directives RoHS and WEEE (Restriction of the Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). It then provides an overview of what Bayblend® FR can deliver and how it fulfills the regulatory requirements. In addition, all the grades of Bayblend® FR with their respective characteristic properties and specific strengths are listed in table format. Housings for televisions are then used to demonstrate how standards and regulations are limiting the overall range of available materials to just a few options such as Bayblend® FR. The brochure concludes with a chapter detailing the services Bayer MaterialScience offers customers not only in relation to flame retardance, but also throughout all stages of component development and beyond – from the initial idea for a molded part to its construction and the start of production.

The new brochure is available to download at www.plastics.bayer.com under “Brochures” in the drop-down menu “Library”.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2007 sales of EUR 10.4 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2007, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 15,400 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.

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