Polycarbonate Resin offers flame resistance.November 15, 2004 - Using fly ash, a by-product of thermal power plants, Polycarbonate Resin provides high level of flame resistance necessary for housing plastics used in electronic products industry without addition of toxic materials such as halogen compounds. Fly ash offers flame resistance, due to its strong adhesion to polycarbonate resin, which facilitates thermal degradation resistance and promotes carbonization.
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Original Press release
NEC Corporation
7-1, Shiba 5-chome
Tokyo, , 108-8001
Japan
NEC Corporation Announces Development of Low-Energy-Produced Flame Resistant Polycarbonate Using Fly Ash
Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 12, 2004 - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced that it has succeeded in the development of a flame resistant polycarbonate resin, which cuts manufacturing energy consumption by over 20% through the use of fly ash that is a by-product of thermal power plants. The fly ash boasts a high level of flame resistance necessary for housing plastics in electronic products such as in PCs, without the addition of toxic materials such as halogen compounds that are conventionally found in housing plastics. Use of fly ash results in a reduction in material costs, promotion of the protection of the environment thanks to safety measures regarding the elimination of the use of halogen compounds, and a reduction in manufacturing energy consumption.
The fly ash used in this research is a by-product of thermal power plants, and although it has been used as a cheap source material for cement, etc, it has to date not been effectively used as a component in housing materials. NEC has discovered the flame resistance properties of the fly ash for polycarbonate resin as a result of repeated research surrounding high reactivity on the fly ash surface. The flame resistance is due to the strong adhesion of the fly ash to the polycarbonate resin, which enhances thermal degradation resistance of the resin, and in addition, promotes its carbonization.
This research, through the optimization of the added volume and particle size of the fly ash, as well as the original composition of additives including a fluidity-enhancing agent, along with the ability to control the decrease of the strength and fluidity of the polycarbonate resin when the fly ash is added, provides an environmentally friendly flame resistant polycarbonate resin that can be used in desktop electronic equipment.
Furthermore, in addition to the elimination of the use of toxic materials and a reduction in manufacturing energy consumption, the flame resistant polycarbonate resin realizes a reduction in basic material costs, contributing to the expansion of the spread of environmentally friendly materials.
NEC is strengthening its R&D in this field toward practical use of the new material in housings of electronic products in the Japan market within 2005. NEC will announce this development at the 13th Polymer Material Forum held by the Society of Polymer Science, Japan, on November 12, 2004.
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of 4,906 billion yen (approx. $47 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2004.For further information, please visit the NEC Corporation home page at: www.nec.com
Contact
In Japan
Diane Foley
NEC Corporation
d-foley@ax.jp.nec.com
+81-3-3798-6511
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