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Flammability Ratings

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Burning behavior of compounded thermoplastics is not just a material characteristic. It also depends on the shape and wall thickness of your application. Under faulty or overload conditions, components or parts may reach a temperature which causes them to melt or lose shape, or they may ignite parts in the nearby area.

To prevent such problems, compliance agencies establish performance criteria applicable to one or more countries. They test compounded thermoplastics for flammability; if test results are acceptable, the material is rated and categorized as "listed", "certified", or "recognized" by the rating agency.

In North America

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Underwriters Laboratories Inc.® (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that leads North American product safety testing, certification, and management systems assessment and registration. It is also the leading standards-writing organization, with extensive representation on standards-development bodies worldwide.

UL recognition of your product can be a very valuable asset. From material selection and design optimization to production start-up, RTP Company offers knowledgeable support in expediting UL yellow card recognition. Our testing laboratory is UL certified, ensuring you of accurate flammability assessment and speedy completion of new material listings.

Hundreds of RTP Company compounds are already recognized under the Component Recognition Program of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. The UL Yellow Cards section of the RTP Company website contains yellow card data for all recognized components.

In Europe

Component flammability is tested using Glow Wire Tests according to IEC 60695-2-10 and/or the Needle Flame test according to IEC 60695-2-2. The specimen is considered to have withstood the GWT if one of the following applies:

  • There is no flame and no glowing on the sample.
  • Flames or glowing of the sample extinguish within 30 seconds after removal of the glow wire, and if the cotton or the paper underlay doesn't ignite or burn.
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