Overview of Plasticiser Solutions

Transcription

1 Overview of Plasticiser Solutions The new horizons of the PVC cables industry Lyon Matthias Pfeiffer BASF SE representing European Plasticisers

2 Our mission As the voice of the European plasticisers industry, we provide factual information on plasticisers and promote their use and benefits in everyday life. Our vision Plasticisers are recognised and appreciated for their sustainable contribution to everyday wellbeing. Our values Evidence-based Responsible Proactive Innovative 2

3 Members 3

4 Plasticisers at a glance 4

5 Which plasticisers are used 5

6 Where plasticisers are used 6

7 Wire and Cable the largest plasticized PVC application General requirements for power cables Safe Permanent insulation Durable (remain flexible) Flexibility over a wide range of temperature Fire resistance - Does not propagate fire 7

8 PVC Wire and Cable - properties High insulation characteristics High versatility in terms of formulations High thermal stability - resistance to degradation at operating temperatures from 70 C up to 125 C Flexibility over very long life span, at high and low temperatures well below -30 C High productivity and energy efficiency during cable manufacture at relatively low cost Resistance to hydrocarbons Flame retardancy and fire preventing ignition and propagation Recyclability of PVC cables 8

9 Plasticiser selection for cable manufacturing Plasticiser selection is determined by the performance specification of the insulation and jacketing (cable performance) and with respect to the process requirement in dry blending and extrusion. High Temperature specification requires thermally stable and permanent plasticisers Low temperature specification require plasticisers with high flexibility even at lowest temperature Resistance to hydrocarbons require high molecular weight or polymeric plasticisers 9

10 Key plasticiser requirements How to translate cable requirements into plasticiser characteristics Good compatibility with PVC. Good stability High permanency.. Low temperature flexibility Cost effective Similar polarity like PVC Thermal (oxidative) stability & hydrolyses resistant High molecular mass low vapor pressure, low neat volatility low migration, high resistance to extraction In general a high degree of linearity Low density, good efficiency Good processing; high extrusion throughput Safety Safe in Use Retained flexibility over time - permanency Regulatory compliance 10

11 Main plasticisers used for the production of wire & cable in Europe High ortho-phthalates Durable, ageing resistance, good efficiency and processing characteristics DINP, DIDP, DPHP are the preferred standard phthalate plasticisers DTDP (C11-C14, C13 rich) and linear phthalates (C9-C11, DUP (Linear C11) for e.g. automotive cables Trimellitates: TOTM, higher molecular weight, lower volatility but higher processing temperature Linear trimellitates (C8-C10) for high AND low temperature performance. 11

12 Main plasticisers used for the production of wire & cable in Europe Terephthalates: Can meet low operating temperature cables requirements. Their lower polarity require adjustments to e.g. dry blending Cyclohexanoates Used in some niche cable application Chlorinated paraffin To influence flame retardancy or as secondary plasticiser to lower costs but with poorer compatibility ESBO (mainly as co-stabiliser for PVC) Aliphatics Adipates or azelates for better low temperature performance, but with poorer compatibility and higher volatility Polymerics (mainly polyadipates) with a high resistance to hydrocarbons, not easy to handle due to high viscosity Phosphates Alkyl aryl and triaryl phosphates to influence flame retardancy but at higher costs and poorer low temperature performance 12

13 Performance requirements after ageing Cable requirements and test conditions are described in various standards (e.g. DIN EN / VDE or UL)* The choice of plasticiser depends on the maximum operating temperature for the cable type This operating temperature defines the ageing conditions (ageing temperature and duration) Operating temperature ageing temperature *see e.g. DIN EN / VDE 0207 Insulating and sheathing compounds for cables and flexible cords; PVC sheathing compounds (VDE = Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker) DIN EN / VDE 0472 Testing of cables, wires and flexible cords UL = Underwriters Laboratories UL83 Thermoplastic-insulated Wires UL 1581 Reference standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords 13

14 Ageing performance indication for C8-C10 ortho-phthalates 7d / 80 C C8 C9 C10 7d / 100 C C8* C9 C10 10d / 100 C C8 C9* C10 7d / 113 C 7d / 121 C C8 C9 C10* C8 C9 C10 Higher phthalates (> C10) or trimellitates to be used Test passed Test failed * Test result depending on specimen wall thickness 14

15 PVC cables market share decreased in the past years to 46% in 2016* * Source: AMI Consulting PVC-free marketing of B2C companies Functional competition targeting fire safety issues with PVC cables New EU cable fire safety regulation within the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Cable performances included are: reaction to fire resistance to fire release of dangerous substances (during dismantling, recycling and normal operation without during fire ) (How) will the cable market further change...? 15

16 What can PVC4cables do for the cable industry Circular Economy Demonstrate Sustainability Cost / performance Demonstrate high performance and formulation flexibility Development Development of low smoke PVC cables. looking forward to further fruitful discussion Strategic partnership via PVC4cables 16

17 Contacts Michela Mastrantonio Communications mim@cefic.be Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4 Box 1 B-1160 Brussels Belgium Francesca Ianni Assistant

18 Backup slides 18

19 Example: Selected criteria for a YM1 Cable jacket (TM1 according harmonised standard) Parameter Unit Value Usage Temperature C 70 Ageing Temperature C 80 Ageing duration days 7 Mechanical data BEFORE Ageing Tensile strength min. N/mm 2 12,5 Elongation at break min. % 125. Changes AFTER Ageing Weight loss max. mg/cm 2 2 Tensile strength max. % 20 Elongation at break max. %

20 General guidelines in technical literature see e.g. Richard F. Grossman Handbook of Vinyl Formulating 2 nd Edition page table 7.14 &

21 Further criteria for plasticiser selection Mixing / Dry Blend Viscosity Compatibility Absorption characteristics Processing / Extrusion Gelation Efficiency Volatility Output Product performance Migration Extraction resistance Weathering characteristics Regulations / Sustainability Industry specifications Circular economy Market perception 21