Halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) cable compounds use safe materials that prevent the release of toxic and corrosive gases during a fire. Materials produced using aluminum-based compounds instead of halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine provide high fire resistance. They also offer a more sustainable solution for human health and the environment.

What Are Halogens?

Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are elements belonging to the halogen group and are located in the seventh main group of the periodic table. These elements are found in various chemical compounds. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of these compounds. Thanks to its robust structure, it has been preferred for many years in cable insulation and many technical products. However, when chlorine and other halogens are used as additives to delay flame spread, certain risks arise. The most important of these is the release of compounds harmful to health during combustion. For this reason, the use of halogen-free plastics in cable production has become increasingly important today.

What is Halogen-Free Cable Compound? 

Halogen-free cable compound is produced from materials that do not contain halogens in their plastic composition. Plastics containing halogens contain elements such as chlorine, fluorine, or bromine in their structure. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chloroprene rubber, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and fluorinated polymer rubber fall into this group.

Halogen-free cable compound, on the other hand, consists of materials such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and ethylene propylene diene rubber. These types of compounds do not contain heavy metal-based stabilizers or plasticizers. Flame retardant additives are environmentally friendly and offer advantages in terms of fire safety.

Other Terms Used for HFFR Compounds

Halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) cables are referred to by various abbreviations in different regions, standards, and manufacturer approaches. Commonly encountered terms include LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) and LS0H (Low Smoke Zero Halogen). These definitions mean low smoke density and no halogens in the structure. FRNC (Flame Retardant Non-Corrosive) refers to cables that are flame retardant and do not emit corrosive gases during combustion.

Although these abbreviations are widely used within the industry, they alone are not sufficient to define a cable's performance. Properties such as flame retardancy rating, toxic gas formation, corrosive effect, or light attenuation can only be determined by the standard test data provided by the manufacturer.

Advantages of Halogen-Free Cables 

Halogen-free cables significantly reduce the formation of harmful corrosive gases and acids in the event of overheating or combustion. This feature provides a significant advantage, particularly in public areas, transportation infrastructure, and buildings where fire safety is critical. Low smoke density reduces loss of visibility, making escape routes easier to find and rescue operations safer.

The HFFR compound varieties produced by LYS Polychem support the performance of halogen-free cables, contributing to high safety standards. These materials exhibit flame-retardant properties and increase functional durability in the event of a fire. This allows communication and electrical transmission to continue despite fire in energy, data, and control systems.

Halogen-free cables offer solutions that protect both human life and critical infrastructure during a fire. They increase the level of safety with less toxic gas, lower smoke density, and higher functional durability. For this reason, they are the preferred cable solution in modern facilities and security-focused applications.

LYS Polychem HFFR Compound Varieties

LYS Polychem offers high standards in fire safety with its HFFR compound varieties developed for the cable industry. Halogen-free cable compounds are a sustainable raw material that does not release toxic and corrosive gases during combustion. Different HFFR cable granule varieties such as HFFR 1020, HFFR CP45, HFFR CCP13, etc., for HM-2, HM-4, HM-5, CPR, CHARFORMING applications provide superior performance according to standards in cable sheathing, core, filling, and bedding applications. 

LYS Polychem offers reliable, sustainable, and long-lasting halogen-free flame-retardant compound products for professional projects, with the ability to develop custom solutions based on customer requirements and rigorous quality controls.