Fire resistance
Fire safety is a major concern. Regulations are increasingly drastic and aim to limit the risk of fire starting and limit its spread.
Beyond characterization, Materia Nova supports its clients in adapting and developing tailor-made flame-retardant formulations, according to the regulatory, sectoral and aesthetic requirements specific to each application, by:
- Improving their resistance to ignition,
- Reducing their ability to propagate fire,
- Lowering smoke release levels.
The expertise carried out at Materia Nova in this area covers:
• Chemical modification of polymers to improve their fire resistance,
• The design of new flame retardant additives, including biosourced flame retardants,
• Optimization of Flame Retardant systems through the development of synergy effects,
• The development of protective surface treatments, using dry (Plasma) or wet (Sol-gel, paints, etc.) methods.
Our fire testing laboratory allows us to:
- Determine heat release levels (cone calorimetry, ISO 17554),
- Measure the Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI),
- Determine the UL-94 fire classification,
- Carry out vertical flammability tests (EN ISO 11925-2),
- Carry out Glow Wire Tests, suited to plastic materials used in electrical and electronic products and household appliances,
- CTI – Comparative Tracking Index (IEC 60112 standard): assessment of the electrical tracking resistance of insulating materials, a key electrical and fire safety parameter for electronics, household appliances and electrical/e-mobility applications,
- Measure the density of smoke released from the combustion or decomposition of plastic materials (ASTM D2843),
- Simulate SBI (Single Burning Item, EN 13501-1) results based on cone calorimeter data,
- Assess post-test functional properties (e.g. whiteness) according to the needs of the targeted application.
As part of the development of its activities in the battery field, Materia Nova is currently in the process of acquiring a new piece of equipment dedicated to the UL 2596 (Torch & Grit) test.
This equipment will make it possible to reproduce the extreme conditions associated with thermal runaway, combining exposure to a high-intensity flame with the projection of abrasive particles.
Its commissioning, scheduled in the coming months, will enable Materia Nova to offer advanced testing capabilities for the screening and evaluation of flame-retardant materials.
Our strengths:
- The work undertaken at Materia Nova covers all stages of development, from the preparation of formulations (from a few tens of grams to a few kilograms), to the evaluation of their fire resistance and the characterization of their functional properties.
