Developing bioplastics that use plant resources as a
substitute for the petroplastics commonly used in casings
of electronic equipment is vital from the viewpoint of
protecting oil resources and preventing global warming.
The bioplastics used until now lacked strength and heat resistance and had insufficient flame retardancy characteristics. NEC's bioplastic material, in contrast, is both strong and highly heat resistant due to the addition of kenaf, which is also very effective against global warming (Note 1). And plastics used in the main parts (casings, etc.) of many electronic devices, such as PCs and projectors, must meet stringent standards for flame resistance (Note 2).
NEC has developed a flame-retardant bioplastic (polylactic-acid-based) with superior flame resistance by using safe inorganic endothermic materials, thus eliminating the use of hazardous flame retardants. This new bioplastic provides flame resistance equivalent to that of conventional petroplastics treated with advanced flame retardants.
NEC is further promoting its research and development in this area to encourage more widespread use of this new material in electronic devices.
Note 1: NEC achieved a 1.7-fold
increase in strength and heat resistance by adding kenaf
fiber to polylactic acid. This achievement earned
NEC the Ecology Award of the Fourteenth Nikkei BP Technology
Awards.
Note 2: Flame resistance standards: UL standards
Standards for flame resistance are established by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (U.S.); these standards are used as global de-facto standards for electronic devices.
Flame resistance is measured on a five-level scale based on the after-flame time of a test specimen after it has been exposed to direct flames. The levels are 5V, V-0, V-1, V-2, and NOTV-2, with 5V being the most flame-resistant and NOTV-2 being the least flame-resistant. Normal electronic devices must achieve at least level V-1.
NEC's new bioplastic material achieves the highest level, 5V, which means that it can be used in almost all electronic devices.
