Our Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding Services

Safeguard your products with our industry-leading flame-retardant injection molding services. Specializing in FR plastic molding for EV, electronics, and aerospace, we deliver UL 94 V-0 parts—from thin-wall 0.3 mm components to large structural parts—with halogen-free options and rapid UL listing support. Partner with experts in fire-resistant polymer molding to balance fire safety, performance, and design freedom.

flame retardant plastics injection molding
flame retardant plastics injection molding

What Is Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding?

Flame-retardant injection molding is a specialized manufacturing process that produces plastic parts engineered to resist ignition, slow flame spread, or self-extinguish. Unlike standard injection molding, FR plastic molding focuses on integrating flame-retardant (FR) additives (e.g., aluminum phosphinate, nitrogen intumescent) into thermoplastics to meet strict fire safety standards—most notably UL 94 V-0 (the gold standard for flammability).​

At its core, fire-resistant polymer molding transforms FR-enhanced resins into self-extinguishing plastics via controlled heating, injection, and cooling. Our thermoplastic FR service simplifies this technology: we explain how ignition-resistant molding differs from conventional processes—emphasizing its focus on additive dispersion, uniform part cooling, and post-mold testing to ensure flame-proof injection parts perform reliably in high-risk environments (e.g., EV battery housings, circuit breakers).​

Key terms in fire-safe plastic components production include:​

  • UL 94 V-0: A standard where parts self-extinguish within 10 seconds of removing the ignition source (tested at 0.4 mm thickness).​
  • Halogen-Free FR: FR additives 不含 bromine/chlorine (eco-friendly, low smoke emission).​

5 VA Rating: A higher UL 94 standard (parts don’t burn through, even after multiple ignitions).

Our Flame Retardant Plastics Molding Capabilities

We offer a comprehensive suite of flame-retardant injection molding capabilities tailored to industries where fire safety is non-negotiable. Below is a detailed breakdown of our core strengths:​

Capability​Key Features​Typical Applications​
UL-Certified FR MoldingProduces parts meeting UL 94 V-0/5 VA, GWIT 775 °C, CTI ≥ 600 V; in-house UL testing support​EV battery housings, circuit breaker housings​
Multi-Shot FR Parts2–3 shot cycles; bonds FR resins (e.g., FR-PC) with non-FR materials (e.g., TPE); reduces assembly​Power-tool casings (FR body + soft grip), 2-shot FR/TPE seals​
Insert Molding FRIntegrates metal inserts (threads, terminals) into FR parts; no loss of fire safety​Connector FR (FR-PA66 + copper terminals), server chassis components​
Clean-Room FRClass 8 clean rooms; ISO 14001 compliant; suitable for medical/electronics​Medical FR devices (sterilizable FR-PEEK), LED drivers (dust-free)​
Thin-Wall FR MoldingMolds parts as thin as 0.3 mm; maintains UL 94 V-0 (tested at 0.4 mm)​FR-LCP antenna (0.2 mm), micro-electronics FR enclosures​
Large-Part FR MoldingMolds parts up to 1.5m in length; uses 800+ ton presses​Railway FR parts (seat frames), aerospace interior panels​
Global FR SupplyWarehouses in 5 regions (NA, EU, APAC, MEA, SA); 4–6 day delivery for UL-certified parts​Multi-national EV makers, global electronics brands​

Our rapid UL listing support also streamlines certification—we handle testing documentation and liaison with UL, cutting listing time by 30%.

The Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding Process

The flame-retardant injection molding process is optimized to preserve FR additive performance and ensure consistent fire safety. Below is a step-by-step overview with critical parameters:​

Step 1: Material Preparation​

  • Moisture Pre-Dry: FR resins (e.g., FR-PA66, FR-PC) undergo 4 hours of drying at 80–100°C to remove moisture—critical for avoiding defects (moisture causes bubbles, which weaken FR performance).​
  • Additive Handling: FR additives (e.g., red-phosphorus PA, aluminum phosphinate) are pre-compounded with resins to ensure uniform dispersion (poor dispersion leads to inconsistent flammability ratings).​

Step 2: Injection Setup​

  • Melt Temperature: 220–320°C (material-dependent: FR-ABS = 220–260°C; FR-PEEK = 300–320°C); precise temp control (±5°C) prevents additive degradation.​
  • Mold Temperature: 60–100°C (maintained via water heating); uniform temp ensures consistent part density (density affects fire resistance).​
  • Screw Design: Low-shear screw (20:1 L/D ratio) to avoid breaking down FR additives (shear reduces additive effectiveness).​

Step 3: Injection & Monitoring​

  • Hot-Runner Valve Gate: Precise flow control; maintains melt temp to avoid cold spots (cold spots create weak points in FR performance).​
  • Venting for Additives: Enhanced venting (0.02 mm gap) to release gas from FR additives (trapped gas causes voids).​
  • Uniform Fill Speed: 30–50 mm/s fill speed to ensure even resin flow (uneven flow leads to inconsistent additive distribution).​

Step 4: Post-Molding & Testing​

  • Post-Mold Anneal: 1–2 hours at 80–120°C to relieve internal stress; critical for thin-wall FR parts (stress causes warping, which fails UL tests).​

CTQ Fire Testing: 100% of parts undergo Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) testing (e.g., UL 94 vertical burn, GWIT) in our in-house lab to ensure compliance.

Flame Retardant Plastics Materials: Options for Fire-Safe Performance

The right FR plastic balances fire safety, mechanical strength, and cost. We offer a range of FR resins tailored to industry needs:​

Material Type​Key Fire Safety Ratings​Mechanical Properties​Ideal Applications​
FR-PC (Polycarbonate)UL 94 V-0 (0.4 mm); CTI ≥ 600 V​Impact strength: 60 kJ/m²; heat resistance: 120°C HDT​EV battery covers (0.6 mm V-0), consumer electronics casings​
FR-PA6/66 (Nylon)UL 94 5 VA (1.6 mm); GWIT 775 °C​Tensile strength: 80–90 MPa; glass-filled (30%) for rigidity​Connector FR, power-tool casings, railway parts​
FR-PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)UL 94 V-0 (0.4 mm); halogen-free options​Chemical resistance; dimensional stability​Relay housings, LED drivers, automotive sensors​
FR-PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)UL 94 V-0 (0.2 mm); continuous use temp: 250°C​High strength; autoclavable​Medical FR devices, aerospace engine components​
FR-LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer)UL 94 V-0 (0.1 mm); low warpage​High flow; micro-scale precision​5G antenna FR (0.2 mm), micro-electronics enclosures​
FR-PP (Polypropylene)UL 94 V-0 (1.0 mm); lightweight​Flexible; recyclable​Consumer goods (FR food containers), automotive trim​

All materials meet global standards: UL 94 (flammability), IEC 60695 (fire testing), and IATF 16949 (automotive).

Surface Treatment for Flame Retardant Plastic Parts

Flame-retardant injection molding parts often need surface treatments to enhance functionality—without compromising fire safety. Our options are designed to work with FR resins:​

Treatment Type​Key Features​Benefits​Target Industries​
Conductive Coating FRSilver-based coating; surface resistance: 10⁻³ Ω/sq​Antistatic; prevents static-induced fires​EV battery housings, server chassis​
EMI Shield FRCopper/nickel coating; shielding effectiveness: 40–60 dB​Blocks electromagnetic interference; fire-safe​Connector FR, electronics enclosures​
Laser Mark FRPermanent, high-contrast marks (0.1 mm line width); no impact on UL rating​Traceability (UL yellow-card info), branding​All industries (part numbering, compliance marks)​
Anti-Drip SealSilicone-based seal; prevents molten plastic drips during fire​Meets UL 94 anti-drip requirements​Circuit breakers, LED drivers​
UV-Stable Top-CoatUV-resistant (5+ years outdoor use); no effect on FR performance​Prevents yellowing; maintains aesthetics​Aerospace interiors, outdoor FR parts​

Key Advantages of Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding

Flame-retardant injection molding offers unmatched fire safety and performance over traditional materials (metal, non-FR plastics). Here’s how it delivers value:​

Advantage​Performance Metric​Why It Matters​
UL 94 V-0 CertificationSelf-extinguishes in <10 seconds (0.4 mm thickness); 5 VA option for severe conditions​Meets global fire safety regulations (e.g., IEC 60950 for electronics)​
Halogen-Free OptionsNo bromine/chlorine; smoke density < 200 (ASTM E662); low toxic gas emission​Eco-friendly; safer for humans (reduces smoke inhalation risk)​
High Thermal StabilityGWIT 775 °C (temperature at which ignition doesn’t occur); CTI ≥ 600 V (tracking resistance)​Withstands high heat (e.g., EV battery thermal events); prevents electrical fires​
Lightweight vs. Metal40–60% lighter (FR-PC = 1.2 g/cm³; steel = 7.8 g/cm³)​Reduces weight for EV range (5–10% improvement) and aerospace fuel efficiency​
Design FreedomMolds complex shapes (e.g., 2-shot FR/TPE seals, micro-LCP antennas); no post-welding​Custom parts that metal can’t match (e.g., curved EV battery covers)​
Cost-Effective50% cost reduction vs. metal (e.g., FR-PA66 connector vs. brass); high-volume production friendly​Lowers total cost of ownership for mass-market products (1M+ EV FR trays/yr)​

Industry Applications of Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding

Our flame-retardant injection molding services support critical applications across industries where fire safety is a top priority:​

  • Electric Vehicles (EV): EV battery housings (FR-PC 0.6 mm V-0), FR wiring harnesses, and EV FR trays (1M pcs/yr global program); protect against thermal runaway.​
  • Electronics: Connector FR (FR-PA66+GF30 5 VA), circuit breaker housings (FR-PBT halogen-free), and server chassis (FR-ABS conductive coating); prevent electrical fires.​
  • Aerospace: Aerospace interiors (FR-PC UV-stable), cargo hold components, and wire insulation (FR-PEEK); meet FAA fire safety standards (14 CFR 25.853).​
  • Railway: Railway FR parts (FR-PA66 seat frames, FR-PP floor panels); comply with EN 45545 (railway fire safety).​
  • Medical: Medical FR devices (FR-PEEK surgical tool handles, FR-PC diagnostic equipment); autoclavable and fire-safe for hospital use.​

Power Tools: Power-tool casings (2-shot FR-ABS/TPE), drill housings (FR-PA66); withstand heat from motor operation.

Case Studies: Success with Flame Retardant Plastics Molding

Our clients rely on our flame-retardant injection molding expertise to solve their most critical fire safety challenges. Here are 3 standout projects:​

Case 1: EV Battery Cover (FR-PC)​

  • Challenge: A global EV maker needed a FR-PC battery cover (0.6 mm thick) that met UL 94 V-0, weighed 30% less than aluminum, and withstood 150°C thermal events.​
  • Solution: Used halogen-free FR-PC (aluminum phosphinate additive); optimized low-shear screw and uniform fill speed for additive dispersion; added conductive coating FR for antistatic protection.​
  • Result: Cover passed UL 94 V-0 (0.6 mm) and 150°C heat tests; weight reduced by 35% vs. aluminum; 500k units delivered annually; EV range improved by 7%.​

Case 2: Halogen-Free FR-PBT Relay​

  • Challenge: An electronics firm needed a halogen-free PBT relay housing that met GWIT 775 °C (for high-temperature environments) and CTI ≥ 600 V (for electrical safety).​
  • Solution: Used nitrogen intumescent FR-PBT; implemented venting for additives to avoid voids; tested in our in-house UL lab (24 h fire-test pass).​
  • Result: Relay passed GWIT 775 °C and CTI 600 V tests; halogen-free design met EU RoHS; 1M units sold to industrial clients (circuit breakers, HVAC systems).​

Case 3: 2-Shot FR/TPE Power-Tool Casing​

  • Challenge: A power-tool brand needed a 2-shot casing (FR body + soft TPE grip) that met UL 94 V-0, was impact-resistant, and reduced assembly time.​
  • Solution: Used FR-ABS for the body and flame-retardant TPE for the grip; optimized multi-shot FR molding to bond materials without adhesives; added laser mark FR for branding.​

Result: Casing passed UL 94 V-0; assembly time reduced by 40% (no separate grip attachment); 800k units delivered annually; customer satisfaction improved by 25%.

Why Choose Our Flame Retardant Plastics Injection Molding Services?

We’re the trusted leader in flame-retardant injection molding for industries where fire safety can’t be compromised. Here’s what sets us apart:​

  1. FR Expertise: 18+ years as a FR molding leader; our engineers specialize in FR additive selection (halogen-free vs. brominated) and UL 94 optimization—we’ve helped 500+ clients achieve UL listing.​
  1. In-House Testing: UL 94 in-house lab (certified by UL) for real-time testing; reduces certification time by 30% vs. outsourcing.​
  1. Certifications: IATF 16949 (automotive), ISO 14001 (environmental), and Class 8 clean-room certified—critical for EV, medical, and aerospace clients.​
  1. Simulation & Design: CAE fire-flow simulation predicts FR additive dispersion and fire performance before production; DFM support optimizes parts for UL compliance.​
  1. Speed: Rapid FR prototyping (5-day turnaround for samples); 24/7 production lines for high-volume orders (1M+ pcs/yr).​
  1. Sustainability: We offer sustainable halogen-free resins and recycle 90% of FR scrap; help clients meet eco-friendly goals (e.g., EV carbon neutrality).​

One-Stop Solution: From design to one-stop UL listing (documentation + testing) and global delivery; on-time global logistics (99% on-time rate for critical orders).

FAQ

Scroll to Top