FordaGard
FordaGard is the range of fine Aluminium trihydrate (ATH) products manufactured by LKAB Minerals in Europe.

FordaGard origins
Aluminium trihydrate, also known as aluminium trihydroxide, ATH, or alumina trihydrate, is derived from bauxite ore. This natural ore is refined to a fine white powder via the Bayer process. After washing and drying it is used as the feedstock for a wide range of alumina chemicals. The raw material used for the FordaGard products is from a high purity source.

FordaGard product uses

• FordaGard is a key ingredient in the composite material referred to as solid surfacing (or artificial stone or synthetic marble / onyx). Solid surfacing that is widely used for kitchen, bathroom and laboratory counter tops benefits from the addition of ATH as it assists with most of the properties required for this material.

• Within polymer materials FordaGard is used in applications such as glass reinforced plastic (GRP), rubber carpet backing, latex flexible foams, thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers. FordaGard is compatible with a wide range of polymer types and provides the final product with fire retardancy and smoke suppression. If the ATH filled polymer is exposed to a fire it will reduce further combustion and flame spread.

• ATH is used in coatings for fire retardancy and because of its high whiteness.

• Within adhesives and sealants FordaGard provides flame retardancy and smoke suppression.

FordaGard properties
Flame retardant action
FordaGard decomposes when exposed to heat yielding aluminium oxide and water by the following reaction:

2Al(OH)3 - Al2O3 + 3H2O

The decomposition starts at 180oC and is endothermic with a heat change of -1050J/g, a total loss of 34.7% of the original weight is seen. When incorporated into organic materials such as plastics, textiles and wood, the takes heat away from the flame front. Water vapour near the surface of the burning material leads to oxygen depletion reducing the burning rate of the gases.

Smoke suppression action
One reason for using FordaGard in flame retardant formulations is its action as a smoke suppressant. The high surface area aluminium oxide formed as a result of decomposition absorbs the combustion products responsible for the formation of soot particles.

FordaGard standard grades

• FordaGard M6B, M10B, M15B, M20B and M25B

• Low viscoity grade: FordaGard B302