Melamine Cyanurate (MCA) is a halogen-free nitrogen-based flame retardant used primarily in engineering plastics like polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 66 (PA66). It offers excellent flame-retardant performance through the release of inert gases and promotes the formation of a protective barrier during combustion.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Melamine Cyanurate |
| CAS No. | 37640-57-6 |
| Appearance | White fine powder |
| Nitrogen Content | ≥ 48% |
| Decomposition Temp. | > 300 °C |
| Moisture | < 0.2% |
| Average Particle Size | ≤ 5 μm |
| Suggested Loading | 10–20 wt% |
| Customer Challenge | MCA Advantage |
|---|---|
| Need halogen-free solution for PA66 | MCA is a proven solution for UL94 V-0 ratings |
| Minimize impact on mechanical strength | Low influence on elongation and modulus |
| Fine dispersion in extrusion | Small particle size enables uniform blending |
| High thermal stress in molding | Thermally stable above 300 °C |
Q1: Is MCA compatible with glass fiber-reinforced nylon?
Yes, MCA performs very well in GF-PA6/PA66 systems.
Q2: What processing methods are suitable?
Extrusion, injection molding, and compounding with twin-screw extruders.
Q3: Can MCA be used in other resins besides PA?
Its best performance is in polyamides. For other systems, alternative FRs may be preferred.
