How to reduce the heavy metal content in flame-retardant PVC cable materials through formula optimization?- Hangzhou Meilin New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

Reducing the heavy metal content in flame-retardant PVC cable materials is one of the important challenges facing the current cable industry, especially in the context of increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Reducing the heavy metal content through formula optimization while maintaining the flame retardant and mechanical properties of the material requires comprehensive consideration of material selection, additive substitution, process adjustment and other aspects. The following are specific optimization strategies:

ZJ-70 70℃ PVC Flame Retardant Soft Insulation Plastic

1. Choose lead-free or low-lead stabilizers
The commonly used heat stabilizers in PVC cable materials (such as lead salt stabilizers) are one of the main sources of heavy metals. The heavy metal content can be effectively reduced in the following ways:
Use calcium-zinc composite stabilizer: Calcium-zinc stabilizer is a lead-free alternative with good thermal stability and transparency. Although its stabilizing effect may be slightly lower than that of lead salt stabilizers, satisfactory stabilization effects can be achieved by optimizing the formula and process.
Organotin stabilizer: Organotin stabilizer is another lead-free heat stabilizer option with high efficiency and low toxicity. Although the cost is high, it can significantly reduce the heavy metal content.
Rare earth stabilizers: Composite stabilizers of rare earth elements (such as lanthanum and cerium) have good thermal stability and processing properties, and do not contain heavy metals.

2. Optimize the selection of flame retardants
Flame retardants commonly used in traditional PVC cable materials (such as bromine-containing compounds) may synergize with heavy metal stabilizers, resulting in increased heavy metal content. The flame retardant system can be optimized in the following ways:
Use halogen-free flame retardants: Halogen-free flame retardants (such as red phosphorus, intumescent flame retardants, etc.) can not only reduce the heavy metal content, but also reduce the release of smoke and toxic gases during combustion.
Nano flame retardants: Nano materials (such as nano silica, nano alumina) can significantly improve the flame retardant properties of PVC, while reducing the amount of traditional flame retardants, thereby reducing the heavy metal content.
Compound flame retardant system: By reasonably matching a variety of flame retardants (such as phosphorus and nitrogen flame retardants), a synergistic flame retardant effect can be achieved, the amount of a single flame retardant can be reduced, and the risk of heavy metals can be reduced.

3. Use environmentally friendly plasticizers
Plasticizers used in traditional PVC cable materials (such as phthalates) may contain heavy metals or be harmful to the environment. The selection of plasticizers can be optimized in the following ways:
Non-phthalate plasticizers: Environmentally friendly plasticizers such as epoxidized soybean oil and citrate esters are not only free of heavy metals, but also have good biodegradability.
Phthalate-free composite plasticizers: Through reasonable formula design, the use of a composite system of multiple environmentally friendly plasticizers can improve the flexibility and processing performance of the material.

4. Optimize other additives in the formula
In addition to stabilizers, flame retardants and plasticizers, PVC cable materials may also contain other additives (such as fillers, lubricants, etc.), which may also contain heavy metals or be harmful to the environment. The formula can be optimized in the following ways:
Choose fillers without heavy metals: Natural mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate and talcum powder, which are not only free of heavy metals, but also can reduce costs.
Use environmentally friendly lubricants: Lead-free lubricants such as calcium stearate and zinc stearate can replace traditional lead-containing lubricants.

5. Process optimization and quality control
Formula optimization requires not only the selection of suitable raw materials, but also process optimization to ensure material performance:
Precise control of processing temperature: By optimizing the temperature and speed of the extrusion process, thermal decomposition and heavy metal precipitation can be reduced.
Strict quality testing: During the production process, the heavy metal content in the material is regularly tested to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Cooperation with suppliers: Select reliable raw material suppliers to ensure that the raw materials used meet environmental standards.