DiGao halogen-free ink system

1、 What is halogen?

Halogen is a non-metallic element in Group IIA, which includes five elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, collectively known as halogen. Astatine is a radioactive element, and the halogens commonly referred to are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Halogen compounds are often used as flame retardants: PBB, PBDE, TBBP-A, PCB, hexabromododecane, tribromophenol, short chain chlorinated paraffin, etc., applied in electronic components and materials, product casings, plastics, etc. This type of flame retardant cannot be recycled and releases harmful substances during combustion and heating, posing a threat to human health, the environment, and future generations.

What is Halogen?

Halogen: Group VIIA in periodic table which is non-metal elements including Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine and Astatine. Since Astatine is a radioactive element, halogens are normally means Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine.

2、 Application of Halogen

Flame retardants, refrigerants, solvents, organic chemical raw materials, pesticides and insecticides, bleaching agents, wool degreasers.

2. Use of Halogen

Halogen is being used in a wide range of electronic device and its sub-parts including machine case, printed circuit board, cable wire, plastic parts and packaging material. Halogenated materials posses of high heat resistance which limits its combustion in a fire and provides excellent fire safety performance.

3、 The hazards of halogens

Toxicity to the immune system, impact on the endocrine system, impact on reproduction and development, carcinogenic effects, other toxicities (mental and psychological disorders), and most halides are environmental hormone substances.

Adding halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) to polymer products such as plastics to increase their ignition point has the advantage of having a higher ignition point than ordinary polymer materials, with an ignition point of approximately 300 ℃. During combustion, halogenated gases (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) are emitted, which quickly absorb oxygen and extinguish the fire. However, its disadvantage is that when the concentration of chlorine gas released is high, the visibility will decrease, making it difficult to identify escape routes. At the same time, chlorine gas has strong toxicity and affects the respiratory system of humans. In addition, the halogen gas released from the combustion of halogenated polymers, when combined with water vapor, will produce corrosive and harmful gases (hydrogen halides), causing corrosion to some equipment and buildings.

3. Harmfulness of Halogen

Halogenated plastic materials will release corrosive and toxic gases if ignited in a fire. The corrosive element (i.e. Chlorine) of these gases has the risk to damage electronics function. The toxic element may also affect human immune and endocrine system. Toxicity study has also classified these toxic elements are potentially carcinogenic, heterogenic risk in human.

4、 International regulations restricting halogens

4. Restriction on Halogens Freeinogenic, Heterogenic Risk in Human