You’ve chosen a flame-retardant (FR) plastic, run your parts through testing, but the results still fail. Frustrating, right? You’re not alone. Many customers assume that simply selecting an FR-grade resin guarantees UL94 or other flame resistance certification. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
From the Customer’s Perspective“
We specified V0 grade plastic and passed the material certificate to our client, but the final part didn’t meet the required rating in testing. Why?”
This is one of the most common frustrations we hear. Here’s the reality: flame resistance is influenced not only by the resin formulation but also by your part design, wall thickness, additives, and even processing conditions.
Common Reasons Why FR Parts Fail Testing:
1. Wall Thickness Too Thin
UL94 ratings (like V-0, V-1) are only valid above certain minimum wall thicknesses. If your part is too thin, it may not self-extinguish in time.
2. Incorrect Processing Parameters
Overheating the material during injection molding can degrade flame-retardant additives, reducing effectiveness.
3. Regrind Usage or Contamination
Mixing in recycled material or contamination from other resins can compromise flame performance.
4. Incompatible Additives
Some colorants or fillers may interfere with flame-retardant agents.
How Samland Solves It:
At Samland, we don’t just sell FR resins — we engineer flame resistance for your specific application.
We offer:
Wall-thickness-matched FR grades (V-0 at 0.8mm, 1.5mm, etc.)
Pre-evaluation of mold designs for flame risk zones
Consistent batch-to-batch compound control to avoid failures due to variance
Support in processing optimization to prevent additive degradation
We provide PA, PC, ABS, PBT, PC/ABS, and other engineering plastics with certified UL94 V-0 performance, and we simulate performance in your actual design conditions, not just lab samples.
Practical Tips for Customers:
Check your minimum wall thickness vs. the UL94 rating of your material.
Avoid excessive melt temperatures or long residence times in molding.
Use virgin materials for critical parts; avoid regrind in FR components.
Consult your supplier early — a small formula tweak can make a big difference.
Let Samland Help You Pass — Not Guess
Failure in flame testing costs time, money, and trust. Let us help you get it right the first time with materials that are tested, validated, and optimized for your real-world use.
