My original post diverged into a couple of different directions. Here are my observations and comments.
Halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) materials are available (at least for evaluation purposes). We've looked at a couple and are still looking for the "right" material. My problem is trying to find a material that matches a "No-flow" FR4 prepreg. I've not found one. I'm pretty certain Isola A11 is not halogen-free.
These systems can rely on various mechanisms to provide flame resistance. One of the best papers I've seen on this is "High Tg Bromine Free Laminates for PWB Applcations" by Marty Choate from IPC Expo in 2001. It is available in the Technical Paper section of Isola's website. He explains how bromine and the new alternatives work.
https://www.isola-usa.com/isolaus.nsf/main?OpenFrameset
Phosphorous is one of the compounds that is used, though it seems it's fallen out of favor. Some of the newer HFFR materials emphasize that they are "phosphorous free".
I hope Geoff's comments on the "exclusion" of TBBA are true. I'll have to look into it.
Mike McMaster
RF Product Engineer
Merix Corporation
503-992-4263
----------
From: Geoff Layhe[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Reply To: TechNet E-Mail Forum.;Geoff Layhe
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Halogen-free No-flow Materials
Daan,
The flame retardant used in Fr4 is (usually) tetra bromo bisphenol A (TBBA)
this is different from poly-brominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated
diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
There is more information at http://www.ebfrip.org/publications.html.
Geoff Layhe
-----Original Message-----
From: d. terstegge [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 April 2003 09:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Halogen-free No-flow Materials
Excerpt from the directive 2002/95/EC:
"Member States shall ensure that,from 1 July 2006,new electrical and
electronic equipment put on the market does not contain
lead,mercury,cadmium,hexavalent chromium,poly-brominated biphenyls
(PBB)or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)."
Are these different materials than in the "standard" FR4 ?
Daan Terstegge
Thales Communications
Unclassified mail
Personal Website: http://www.smtinfo.net
>>> [log in to unmask] 04/16/03 10:32am >>>
Don't know whether it is halogen, free but check out Isola's A11 No
Flo
pre-preg.
It's listed as a general purpose epoxy with a UL flammability rating of
HB
so it is not an FR4.
By the way as far as I understand the situation the bromine flame
retardant
used in "standard" FR4 (TBBA) is not on the European list of banned
substances.
Geoff Layhe
-----Original Message-----
From: Mcmaster, Michael [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 April 2003 20:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Halogen-free No-flow Materials
I'm hoping that there are at least a few laminate manufacturers among
the
800 or so remaining subscribers.
I'm looking for a no- or controlled-flow prepreg that will qualify as
halogen-free. Preferably FR4-type but I'll consider other materials.
If
anyone has any recommendations I'd like to hear about it. Feel free
to
contact me off-line if you're a material supplier and fear
recriminations
for being too capitalistic ;-).
Mike McMaster
RF Product Engineer
Merix Corporation
503-992-4263
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