Silicon inorganic flame retardant

Silicone chemistry is a marriage of organic polymers and inorganic ceramics, which has produced synergistic benefits in abhesion, low-temperature flexibility, high-temperature stability, flame-retardance, electrical resistance, water resistance, and physiological inertness, leading to a family of elastomers and thermoset plastics with a wide variety of specialized applications. 

The moulding compounds used for encapsulation are a mix of a resin (either epoxy or silicone), a hardener (for epoxies either a novolac or an anhydride), an inorganic filler (such as silica or alumina) together with a mould-release agent, a flame retardant and proprietary ingredients used to optimise some characteristics of the moulding compound. 

Many other inorganic fillers are used for adding a function to adhesive. O Table 13.8 shows the additional function of fillers. Aluminum oxide (flame retardant), lead (radiation shielding), mica or clay (electrical resistance), and silica and silicon carbide (abrasion resistance) are used to add additional function to the adhesive formulation. 

Although silicone rubber because of its basic inorganic nature burns less readily than most halogen-free organic rubbers, its burning characteristics are readily modified. The traditional halogen-containing flame retardant... 

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