How to improve fire resistance?
Last update on Jan 15, 2026
Fire-resistant plastics are essential for ensuring safety in various critical applications, including medical devices, toys, sports equipment, appliances, food processing machinery, kitchen utensils, bathroom products, garbage bins, and electronics.
Thermoplastics are inherently not fireproof, because they start to degrade when exposed to fire. Although no plastic can be rendered entirely fire proof, flame retardant thermoplastics can delay ignition and fire spread, which increases escape time, making them a critical part of product design1.
Pre-requisites
While not a magic bullet, flame retardants significantly improve the fire safety of polymers, making them suitable for a wider range of applications. However, certain parameters can qualify preferred polymers for initial resistance:
- High thermal stability: The polymer needs to decompose at a high temperature without readily igniting. This can be achieved through strong chemical bonds within the polymer structure.
- Low flammability: Ideally, the polymer should not readily ignite when exposed to a flame. Some polymers have inherent flame-retardant properties due to their chemical structure.
- Char formation: During decomposition, the polymer should form a char layer. This char acts as a barrier, slowing down the decomposition process and preventing further heat transfer to unburned material.