Revaguard RG69P
Masterbatch RG69P – an Eco-Friendly Flame-Retardant Compound
RG69P can replace pure antimony trioxide (ATO) at a 1:1 ratio across different plasticizer loadings while achieving the same fire-performance requirements.
Fire performance is one of the most important properties of polymer compounds used in cable PVC compounds, roofing materials, and critical construction profiles. In PVC formulations used for these applications, antimony trioxide is the most widely used and effective flame-retardant synergist. However, it also has drawbacks, including high cost and processing challenges.
Therefore, the development and production of a more cost-effective and easier-to-process alternative to antimony trioxide that delivers comparable flame-retardant performance is of great importance. We offer exactly such a product — masterbatch RG69P.
RG69P exhibits better flowability than antimony trioxide, is easier to transfer from storage silos to high-speed mixers, and generates virtually no deposits inside mixing equipment.
Testing of Formulations Containing RG69P Masterbatch
The comparative test results below demonstrate the performance of PVC cable compounds formulated with antimony trioxide (ATO, Sb2O3) and its more economical alternative, masterbatch RG69P.
I. Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Flammability and Physical Properties of Formulations 1–4
| Component | Formulation 1 | Formulation 2 | Formulation 3 | Formulation 4 |
| PVC | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| TOTM | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Zinc Stearate | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Ca/Zn Stabilizer | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Microcalcite | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Sb2O3 | 4 | 8 | ||
| RG69P | 4 | 8 | ||
| Oxygen Index, % | 30.4 | 30.5 | 32.35 | 33.05 |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Peak Heat Release Rate (HRR) (Cone Calorimeter Test at 50 kW/m²)
| Sample | Sb2O3 (4 phr) | RG69P (4 phr) |
| Peak Heat Release Rate (kW/m²) | 168.93 | 138.64 (↓17.93%) |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Total Heat Release (THR) (Cone Calorimeter Test at 50 kW/m²)
| Sample | Sb2O3 (4 phr) | RG69P (4 phr) |
| Total Heat Release (MJ/m²) | 47.8 | 43.5 (↓9.0%) |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Physical Properties
| Property / Sample | Sb2O3 (4 phr) | RG69P (4 phr) |
| Relative Density (g/cm³) | 1.431–1.435 | 1.425–1.432 |
| Shore A Hardness | 85–86 | 85–86 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 15.9–16.8 | 15.9–16.4 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 422–456 | 441–472 |
As shown by the results above, replacing antimony trioxide with an equal amount of masterbatch RG69P provides a slight improvement in flame-retardant performance while leaving the physical properties virtually unchanged.
The results of additional tests using dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) as a plasticizer and aluminum trihydrate as an additional mineral flame retardant are presented below.
II. Further Evaluation of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P
| Component / Formulation | Sb2O3 | RG69P |
| PVC | 100 | 100 |
| DOTP | 40 | 40 |
| Zinc Stearate | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Calcium-Zinc Stabilizer | 5 | 5 |
| Microcalcite | 30 | 30 |
| Aluminum Trihydrate | 20 | 20 |
| Sb2O3 | 3.2 | – |
| RG69P | – | 3.2 |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Peak Heat Release Rate (HRR) (Cone Calorimeter Test at 50 kW/m²)
| Samples | Sb2O3 | RG69P |
| Peak Heat Release Rate (kW/m²) | 139.14 | 110.52 (↓20.56%) |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Total Heat Release (THR) (Cone Calorimeter Test at 50 kW/m²)
| Samples | Sb2O3 | RG69P |
| Total Heat Release (MJ/m²) | 36.8 | 37.0 |
Effect of Replacing Sb2O3 with RG69P on Oxygen Index, Physical Properties and Thermal Stability
| Property / Sample | Sb2O3 | RG69P |
| Oxygen Index (%) | 32.4 | 32.8 |
| Relative Density (g/cm³) | 1.492 | 1.485 |
| Shore A Hardness | 90 | 89 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 17.8 | 17.4 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 440 | 413 |
| Congo Red Thermal Stability (min) | 66 | 61 |
The data above show that replacing antimony trioxide with an equal amount of masterbatch RG69P results in only minor changes to physical properties and thermal stability, while fire-performance indicators such as oxygen index and peak heat release rate improve.
Conclusions
- Using PVC cable compounds formulated with different plasticizers (TOTM and DOTP) as examples, it was demonstrated that replacing antimony trioxide with masterbatch RG69P has virtually no effect on physical properties or thermal stability. Moreover, formulations containing RG69P exhibit a higher oxygen index than those containing antimony trioxide.
- In PVC cable compounds, replacing antimony trioxide with masterbatch RG69P results in a lower heat release rate and lower total heat release during combustion.
- Masterbatch RG69P is a highly effective flame-retardant additive that provides better fire performance and improved processability compared with antimony trioxide, while also offering a lower overall cost.
