Value of 3D-printing thermoset resin in UL94 V0 flame retardant parts

Although not always visible, flame retardant plastics are used in a wide range of applications. From machine parts, to train parts. From parts for aviation to parts in household electronics and equipment. In many cases you would not know that a special plastic is used. In the basics a very few amount of plastics – often exotic types- are flame retardant, like some grades of polyetherimide (PEI). Other thermoplastics like PP, PA, PC, ABS and HIPS can achieve a good flammability rating when packed with additives.

The most important flammability tests for instance the UL94 and the aviation standards require that the material should self-extinguish within a certain amount of time. And that there are no (burning) drops of plastic falling off the part within a certain time. The last one can be tricky, as a the temperature of a flame will easily rise above 1000°C / 1832°F. At these temperatures all thermoplastics will be melting. Thus the additives have to cool the plastic long enough until the test time of 20 – 60 seconds passes.

3D-printing resins are thermosetting plastics. These types of resins do not melt at elevated temperatures. They will straight go to the burning phase above 400°C. As they will not melt, the parts won’t drip and there is no hazard for flaming drips. Of course the temperature of the flame is above the temperature that a resin can handle. The additives do have a slightly easier job as the degradation temperature of the plastics are higher compared to their thermoplastics counterparts.

Looking for a UL94 V0 Flame Retardant 3D-printing resin, perhaps our Liqcreate Flame Retardant HDT material can be of interest for your project.