Flame Retardant / Smoke Suppression

Applications
• Building Wire
• Power / Utility Cable and Accessories
• Electrical / Electronic Cable and Components
• Security Cable
• Transit / Transportation Cable
• Mining Cable
• Communications / Data Cable
• Automotive Wire
• Appliance Cable
• Windmill Cable

Huber Wire and Cable Capabilities

Huber’s technical and commercial expertise is the
foundation to developing innovative products that meet the
exacting performance requirements for each application.
Huber Engineered Materials is a supplier of metal hydroxide
products (alumina trihydrate [ATH] and magnesium
hydroxide [MDH]) used for fire retardant material
applications. Huber specializes in the design, manufacture
and marketing of a comprehensive product portfolio based
on ATH, MDH, metal molybdates and phosphate.

Fire Testing Capabilities

• ASTM E1354: Cone Calorimeter
• ASTM D7309: Microscale Combustion Calorimeter
• ASTM E662: NBS Smoke Chamber
• ASTM E162: Vertical Radiant Panel
• ASTM D3806: Two-Foot Tunnel
• ASTM D2863: Limiting Oxygen Index
• UL 94: Horizontal and Vertical Burn Tests

Huber Engineered Materials: Over a Century of

Advancing Technology
Huber Engineered Materials is part of J.M. Huber
Corporation, one of the largest family-owned companies
in the United States. J.M. Huber Corporation is a global
company with a diverse portfolio of businesses serving
a wide range of industries. Huber Engineered Materials
develops engineered specialty ingredients that enhance
the performance, appeal and processing of a broad
range of products used in industrial, paper and
consumer-based applications.

2
Huber Fire Retardant Additive Solutions:
Exceeding the Requirements of Wire
and Cable Compounders and Producers
Huber Engineered Materials offers a broad array of high performing
non-halogen fire retardant additives to surpass the needs of wire and cable
compounders and producers. The following are the primary brands of Huber
flame retardants and smoke suppressants that meet the most demanding
performance requirements of our customers:
• Hydral® Precipitated Ultrafine Aluminum Trihydrate
• Micral® Alumina Trihydrate
• Hymod® Surface-Treated Alumina Trihydrate
• Vertex® Magnesium Hydroxide
• Zerogen® Surface-Treated Magnesium Hydroxide
• Kemgard® Flame Retardants and Smoke Suppressants (Molybdate Compounds)

Alumina Trihydrate (ATH) and Magnesium Hydroxide (MDH)

Alumina trihydrate (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MDH) are widely used to
make low-smoke and/or halogen-free flame retardant wire and cable compounds
for a range of insulation and jacketing applications. ATH and MDH serve to retard
both flame and smoke via an endothermic reaction that releases water when
heated to decomposition. The metal oxide by-product from decomposed ATH and
MDH, Al2O3 and MgO respectively, also helps form a char on the polymer, which
insulates the polymer from heat and oxygen.
The chart below compares the decomposition characteristics of ATH and MDH.
ATH decomposes at about 220˚C while MDH decomposes at about 330˚C, thus,
having a higher thermal stability allowing for a wider window for compounding
processing. In some applications, blending ATH and MDH can help to achieve
an improved balance of flame retardance and mechanical properties.

Thermal Stability Comparison of ATH and MDH

110
Proper
100 Physical
Particle
Weight Loss (%)

Color
90 Specific
pH Valu
80 Mohs H
Refracti
Decomp
ATH
70 Heat of
MDH Theoreti

60
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Temperature ( ˚C)

Decomposition temperature of aTH and mDH

measured by TGA.
Product Particle Size, Product
3 Microns Description
Micral® 932 2.1 Fine particle size, ground ATH
ATH Micral® 1500 1.5 Fine particle size, ground ATH
Hydral® 710 1.1 Ultrafine precipitated ATH, low elec
Hydral® PGA-SD 1.1 Ultrafine precipitated ATH, spray-d
 ATH and MDH: Ideal Solutions for the Most Demanding Wire and Cable Applications
ATH is suitable to use in PVC- and polyolefin-based wire and cable
compounds where compounding processing temperatures are
typically below 220˚C. MDH is preferred for formulating compounds
that need to be processed at temperatures near or above the ATH
decomposition temperature, such as polypropylene and engineering
thermoplastics. Use of MDH also enables processing of PVC or
polyolefin compounds at higher temperatures not permissible for ATH,
thus, enhancing the compounding efficiency or extrusion throughput.
Key material parameters considered when selecting an ATH
or MDH product for flame retardant wire and cable applications
are particle size, particle size distribution, surface area, particle
shape or morphology, chemical purity and color. These parameters
will directly affect compounding performance and compound
properties. Other common considerations may include the type
and level of surface treatment based on the polymer type and
compound performance requirements.

The ATH or MDH particle properties directly affect compound performance. For your specific application, let Huber assist
110
you with a product recommendation based on our technical expertise.
Property ATH
100 Physical Form Powder
Physical
110 Property Comparison of ATH and MDH Particle Morphology Hexagonal
gonal platelet
pla Hex
(%) Loss (%)

Property ATH MDH Color Property ATH

White
90 Specific Gravity, g/cm3 2.42
100 Form
Physical Powder Powder Physical Form Powder
pH Value
Particle Morphology 9-10platelet
Hexagonal
gonal pla Hex
Weight

Particle Morphology Hexagonal

gonal platelet
pla Hexagonal platelet
80 Mohs
Color Hardness 2.5-3.5
White
Color White White
Weight Loss

90 Refractive Index g/cm3

Specific Gravity, 1.57
2.42
Specific Gravity, g/cm3 2.42 2.36
Decomposition Temperature 220˚C / 428˚F 3
pH Value ATH 9-10 10-11 pH Value 9-10
70 Heat of Decomposition, cal/g 280
Mohs
80Hardness 2.5-3.5 2.0-3.0 Mohs Hardness 2.5-3.5
MDH Theoretical Loss on Ignition, % 34.6%
Refractive Index 1.57 1.58 Refractive Index 1.57
60
Decomposition Temperature 220˚C / 428˚F 330˚C / 626˚FDecomposition Temperature 220˚C / 428˚F 3
ATH
70of Decomposition,
Heat 0 100 cal/g 200 300 280 400 500 600 328 Heat of Decomposition, cal/g 280
MDH
Theoretical Loss on Ignition, % 34.6% 31.0% Theoretical Loss on Ignition, % 34.6%
Temperature ( ˚C)
60
600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Huber’s Untreated ATH and MDH Products for Wire and Cable Applications
Temperature ( C) ˚
Product Particle Size, Product Recommended Uses
Microns Description Jacketing Insulation
Micral® 932 2.1 Fine particle size, ground ATH •
uct ATH Micral
Product
®
1500
Recommended Uses 1.5
Particle Size, Fine particle size, ground ATH
Product • •
Recommended Uses
ription Hydral® 710
Jacketing Insulation
Microns
1.1 Description
Ultrafine precipitated ATH, low electrolytes • •
Jacketing Insulation
article size, ground ATH
Hydral
Micral ® PGA-SD
®
932
•
1.1
2.1 Ultrafine
Fine precipitated
particle size, ATH,ATH
ground ••
spray-dried bead •
article size, ground ATHATH
Vertex ®
60
Micral® 1500
• •
2.7
1.5 Broad particlesize,
Fine particle sizeground
distribution
ATH •• •
ne precipitated ATH,MDH
Vertex
low electrolytes
®
® 100
Hydral 710
• •
1.5
1.1 Fine,
Ultrafine precipitated size
uniform particle ATH,distribution ••
low electrolytes •
ne precipitated ATH, spray-dried
Zerogen
Hydral
®
50
beadPGA-SD
®

• •
1
1.1 Fine particle
Ultrafine size, low ATH,
precipitated electrolytes ••
spray-dried bead ••
particle size distribution Vertex® 60100 SP Surface-Treated
Zerogen ®

•
0.8
2.7 Ultrafine particle
Broad particle size,
size ••
very low electrolytes
distribution •
uniform particle size MDH Vertex® 100
distribution • 1.5 Fine, uniform particle size distribution •
article size, low electrolytes Zerogen ®
50
•
Type® 100 SP Surface-Treated •
Polymer System
1
Performance
Fine particle size, low electrolytes
Benefits
• •
Huber’s Surface-Treated
Zerogen
ne particle size, very low electrolytes • ATH •and MDH
0.8 Products for
Ultrafine Wire
particleand Cable
size, very •
Applications
low electrolytes •
Surface state-of-the-art
Huber’s ST (Fatty
(Fatt Acid)surface Polyolefins; PVC enhance
treatments Processability, dispersion of the untreated fire retardant additives listed below.
the performance
Treatments SG (Alkyl Silane) Polyolefins; Elastomers Processability, dispersion, hydrophobicity
Benefits Type Polymer System
SA (Aminosilane) Polyamides; Polyolefins Performance
Low temperatureBenefits
properties, mechanical properties
Surface SP (Vinyl
ST (Fatty Silane)
(Fatt Acid) Polyolefins; Elastomers
Polyolefins; PVC Mechanical properties,
Processability, dispersionflame retardant (FR)
spersion
PK (Polymeric) Polyolefins; Elastomers Processability, FR
Treatments SG (Alkyl Silane) Polyolefins; Elastomers Processability, dispersion, hydrophobicity
spersion, hydrophobicity
SV
SA (Proprietary)
(Aminosilane) Polyolefins
Polyamides; Polyolefins FRLow(Lower smoke, properties,
temperature higher limiting oxygen index
mechanical [LOI])
properties
e properties, mechanical properties
SF
SP (Phenyl
(Vinyl Silane) PVC
Silane) Polyolefins; Elastomers Dynamic thermal
Mechanical stability,
properties, hydrophobicity
flame retardant (FR)
perties, flame retardant (FR)
R PK (Polymeric) Polyolefins; Elastomers Processability, FR
SV (Proprietary)
e, higher limiting oxygen index [LOI]) Polyolefins FR (Lower smoke, higher limiting oxygen index [LOI])
Product SF (Phenyl
l stability, hydrophobicity
Product Description
Silane) PVC DynamicPerformance
thermal stability,Benefits
hydrophobicity
Kemgard® 70 700Z Zinc molybdate / Zinc borate complex High efficiency smoke suppressant and char former
Kemgard® 911B Basic zinc molybdate complex High efficiency smoke suppressant and char former
Product® 911C Zinc
mance Benefits Kemgard Product Description
molybdate / Magnesium silicate complex Performance Benefits
4 smoke
Cost-effective suppressant
Kemgard
Kemgard ® 1100
®

700Z
70 Zinc
Zinc molybdate
molybdate // Magnesium silicate complex
Zinc borate complex Cost-effective
High efficiency smokesuppressant,
smoke suppressantsuitable
and charforformer
thin
ficiency smoke suppressant and char former gauge wire applications
Kemgard® 911B
ficiency smoke suppressant
®
Basic zinc molybdate complex High efficiency smoke suppressant and char former
Kemgardand char former
HPSS Basic zinc molybdate / Smoke suppressant and char former
Kemgard® 911C Magnesium
fective smoke suppressant Zinc molybdate / Magnesium
hydroxide complexsilicate complex Cost-effective smoke suppressant
Kemgard
fective smoke suppressant,
®
1100for Zinc
suitable thin molybdate / Magnesium silicate complex Cost-effective smoke suppressant, suitable for thin
ecipitated ATH, spray-dried bead
Zerogen® 100 SP • •
Zerogen® 50 SP

6644 mg
cle size distribution
110 •

1142 psi
1123 psi

5576 mg
m particle size distribution • Property ATH MDH
e size, low electrolytes • •

291%
rticle size, very100 Physical Form Powder Powde
low electrolytes • • Particle Morphology Hexagonal
gonal platelet
pla Hexagonal p

0.007
Weight Loss (%)

0.005
Color White White

75%

65
90 Specific Gravity, g/cm3 2.42 2.36

55
efits
pH Value 9-10 10-11
ion Tensile Elongation Brightness Dissipation Compounding Mohs Hardness 2.5-3.5 2.0-3.
80
ion, hydrophobicityStrength ® Factor Torque
Introducing Zerogen 100 SP MDH: Refractive Index 1.57 1.58
erties, mechanical properties
Delivering Enhanced Compound Performance
ATH Decomposition Temperature 220˚C / 428˚F 330˚C / 6
, flame retardant70
(FR) Heat of Decomposition, cal/g 280 328
MDH
Zerogen® 100 SP Zerogen® 50 SP Theoretical Loss on Ignition, % 34.6% 31.0%

6644 mg
her limiting oxygen index [LOI])
1142 psi

42 210 4 phr Sb2O3

1123 psi

5576 mg
60
ility, hydrophobicity
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
40 178
2 phr Sb2O3
291%

5 phr Kemgard HPSS

Temperature ( ˚C) 0.007
No Sb2O 3
ce Benefits 38 106
0.005

10 phr Kemgard HPSS

75%

65

cy smoke suppressant and char former

55

LOI* NBS smoke (D max)

cy smoke suppressant and char former
*Limiting Oxygen Index
e smoke suppressantTensile Elongation Brightness Dissipation Compounding 64% of MDH in EVA
Product
Strength Particle Size,
Factor Torque Product Recommended Uses
e smoke suppressant, suitable for thin Microns Description (28% VA, 2 MI)
pplications Jacketing Insulation
Micral
essant and char former
Zerogen® Micral
100 SP
®
932 2.1
is a new MDH product introduced
Fine
to offerFine
particle
improved
size, ground
mechanical
ATH
property
•
®
ATH and enhanced
balance
1500
electrical and color
1.5
performance benefits
particle size,
when high
ground ATH
temperature wet
• •
Hydral 710
®

electrical properties are needed. Zerogen 100

1.1 Ultrafine precipitated ATH, low electrolytes
SP is designed for wire and cable applications • •
Hydral® PGA-SD 1.1 Ultrafine precipitated ATH, spray-dried bead
where electrical® and mechanical performance considerations are most critical. The chart above • •
Vertex 60
highlights improved
2.7 Broad particle size distribution
performance for EVA compounds made with silane-treated Zerogen 100 •
SPMDH
Vertex ®
100
versus a similarly
1.5 Fine, uniform particle size distribution
treated Zerogen 50 additive. Zerogen 100 SP also provides enhanced
® •
Zerogen® 50
compounding rheology as shown.
1 Fine particle size, low electrolytes • •
®
Zerogen 100 SP Surface-Treated 0.8 Ultrafine particle size, very low electrolytes • •
Kemgard® Flame Retardants and Smoke Suppressants
Huber’s Kemgard® products are molybdate-based flame retardants and smoke suppressants used
in EVA and PVC Type wire and cablePolymer
compounds. System
When the Performance
compound Benefits
burns, molybdates chemically
influence
Surface the formation
ST (Fatty
(Fatt Acid)of organic char, effectively
Polyolefins; PVC insulating the polymer
Processability, dispersionfrom the heat and oxygen
source, thereby
Treatments SGlowering smokePolyolefins;
(Alkyl Silane) and heatElastomers
release. Kemgard grades
Processability, are manufactured
dispersion, hydrophobicityby patented
processes in which molybdatesPolyamides;
SA (Aminosilane) are precipitated on an
Polyolefins inert
Low mineral core.
temperature Thismechanical
properties, “coated core” approach
properties
makes more efficient use of thePolyolefins;
SP (Vinyl Silane) molybdate species by
Elastomers maximizing
Mechanical the active
properties, flamesurface
retardantarea,
(FR) and at a Kemgard products are
much lower cost than pure molybdate
PK (Polymeric) chemicals,
Polyolefins; Elastomerssuch as ammonium
Processability, FR octamolybdate (AOM).
CompoundersSVcan(Proprietary) Polyolefins
utilize Kemgard FR (Lower
products to replace AOMsmoke, higher limiting
or partially replace oxygen index [LOI])
antimony oxide to
available with hydrophobic,
SF (Phenyl
achieve desirable smoke Silane) PVC
suppression performance Dynamic thermal stability,
while reducing costs and hydrophobicity
minimizing regulatory non-functional surface
concerns over antimony oxide use.
treatments to reduce moisture
Product Product Description Performance Benefits
pick-up, improve powder flow
Kemgard® 70
700Z Zinc molybdate / Zinc borate complex High efficiency smoke suppressant and char former
Kemgard® 911B Basic zinc molybdate complex High efficiency smoke suppressant and char former properties and ensure better
Kemgard® 911C Zinc molybdate / Magnesium silicate complex Cost-effective smoke suppressant
Kemgard® 1100 Zinc molybdate / Magnesium silicate complex Cost-effective smoke suppressant, suitable for thin dispersion in the polymer matrix.
gauge wire applications
Kemgard® HPSS Basic zinc molybdate / Smoke suppressant and char former
Magnesium hydroxide complex

Kemgard® Smoke Reduction Performance

42 210 4 phr Sb2O3

2 phr Sb2O3
40
42 178
210 4 phr Sb O3
5 phr Kemgard2 HPSS
No Sb2O 3 2 phr Sb2O3 This chart shows how substituting
38
40 106
178 antimony oxide (Sb2O3) with
10 phr Kemgard HPSS
5 phr Kemgard HPSS
Kemgard HPSS results in lower
106NBS smoke
LOI* No Sb2O 3 (D max)
38
10 phr Kemgard HPSS smoke and LOI values.
*Limiting Oxygen Index
LOI* NBS smoke (D max)
*Limiting Oxygen Index

5
Zerogen® 100 SP Zerogen® 50 SP
6644 mg
1142 psi
1123 psi

5576 mg
291%
 Technical Papers
Huber offers an array of technical papers offering guidance in using its fire retardant performance additives in wire and
cable applications. The following articles are available upon request:
Improving Fire Retardant and Smoke Suppression Performance in Cable Jackets Using Specialty-Treated
Magnesium Hydroxides
AMI Polymers in Cables, 2015
Molybdate / Borate Complexes for Enhanced Cable Compound Fire Performance
60th International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2011
Fire Performance Synergies of Metal Hydroxides and Metal Molybdates in Antimony-Free Flexible PVC
SPE Vinyltec, 2010
Flame Retardant (FR) Olefinic Polymers Containing Metal Hydroxides – Fire Performance vs. Other Properties
Optimization by Surface Modification
2010 BCC Conference on Flame Retardant Polymeric Materials
Enhanced FR Performance Enabled by Magnesium Hydroxide with Metal Molybdates in EVA Wire and Cable Compounds
Earned the Jack Spergel Memorial Award for Outstanding Technical Paper
58th International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2009
Synergies of Metal Hydroxides and Metal Molybdates in Low-Smoke Flexible PVC
57th International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2008
New Magnesium Hydroxides Enabling Low-Smoke Cable Compounds
Wire and Cable Technology International, January 2008
Non-Halogen Flame Retardant Polyolefin Compounds via Synergistic Blends of Metal Hydroxides and Mineral Fillers
SPE International Polyolefins Conference, 2007
Low-Smoke Flexible PVC Compounds via Metal Hydroxides as Flame Retardants
SPE Vinyltec, 2006
Synergistic Benefits of Metal Hydroxides and Zinc Borate in Flame Retardant Wire and Cable Performance Compounds
54th International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2005
Use of Surface-Modified Magnesium Hydroxide for Low-Smoke Flame Retardant Thermoplastics Applications
Intertech’s Conference on Functional Fillers for Plastics, 2005
Effects of Morphological and Surface Characteristics of Magnesium Hydroxide on Performance of Flame Retardant
Wire and Cable Compounds
53rd International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2004
Comparison of Ground vs. Precipitated Fine Aluminum Trihydrate for Flame Retardant Wire and Cable Applications
52nd International Wire and Cable Symposium, 2003

For more information or to sample our

products, please contact us:

Email: hubermaterials@huber.com
Click: hubermaterials.com/nofire or kemgard.com
Call: 1-866-JMHUBER (1-866-564-8237)

THERE ARE NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Refer to Huber’s Standard Conditions
of Sale for the only express warranties applicable to the Huber products. Products incorporating Huber products are not warranted by Huber. In no event is Huber
liable for consequential damages. Hydral® is used, applied for, or registered as a trademark of Huber Specialty Hydrates, LLC in various countries around the world.
Hymod® and Micral® are used, applied for, or registered as trademarks of J.M. Huber Corporation for alumina trihydrate in various countries around the world. Kemgard®
is used, applied for, or registered as a trademark of J.M. Huber Corporation for flame retardants and smoke suppressants in various countries around the world. Vertex®
is used, applied for, or registered as a trademark of the J.M. Huber Corporation for magnesium hydroxide in various countries around the world. Zerogen® is used, 6
applied for, or registered as a trademark of the J.M. Huber Corporation for mineral flame retardants in various countries around the world.
©2015 J.M. Huber Corporation FireRetardantAdditives/WC/RevVI/Oct2015