What is the definition of halogen-free?

Halogen Free 无卤素添加（无卤化）

1.  Context & Origin

• Green Initiatives: Related to RoHS (Lead Free) and REACH.
• Origin: European market concerns regarding environmentally unfriendly substances.
• Nature of Effort: Consumer and group-driven demand, not a government mandate (aiming to remove toxic materials).

2.  The 5 Halogen Elements

• General Properties: Salt-forming, highly reactive, low melting points. Used for flame-retardant and high-temperature resistance.
  • Chlorine (Cl) 氯: Bleach, disinfectant. Risk: Creates poisonous gas if ignited.
  • Fluorine (F) 氟: Refrigerants, aerosols, rocket fuels.
  • Iodine (I) 碘: Halogen lamps (extends filament life).
  • Bromine (Br) 溴: Flame-proofing, pesticides, dyes.
  • Astatine (At) 砹: Radioactive, unstable, no practical use.

3.  Risks & Concerns

• Environmental Impact: Generally not harmful during normal use.
• Danger Scenarios:
  • Fires: Release dangerous toxins.
  • Improper Disposal: Burning electronics at end-of-life (common in developing countries) releases toxins.

4.  Definition & Standards

• Standard: IEC 61249-2-21 (Restriction Use of Halogen).
• Thresholds:
  • Chlorine or Bromine: < 900 parts per million (ppm).
  • Total Halogens: < 1500 ppm.

5.  Industry Impact (Barcode Labels)

• Reason for Concern: Labels identify plastic/electronic products; inks and materials must be compliant.
• Benefits of Halogen-Free Labels:
  • Better for the environment.
  • Lower smoke toxicity if exposed to fire.
  • Reduce damaging corrosion to electronic devices.

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