Comply with new safety norms with Walki’s flame-retardant refrigerator backings
We tend to focus on what is inside our refrigerators. Forgetting what’s in the back may become a safety hazard. Walki has developed a flame-retardant refrigerator backing that enhances both fire safety and energy efficiency.
The refrigerator is a household appliance you should never buy without proper research. Opting for an energy-efficient refrigerator not only saves you a pretty penny; is also a good choice. Fire safety is also important: the refrigerator is on 24/7, and should a fire occur, chances are you’re either asleep or out of the house.
The fire regulation is getting more stringent with the regulatory body International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) updating the safety norms for refrigerators. Suppliers’ two-year window to comply with standards for safety as well as energy-efficiency is closing as the deadline is the end of this year.
To support customers in this transition, Walki has drawn on its extensive experience from high performance laminates to develop a flame-retardant refrigerator backing that not only complies with the new safety norms but also tends to the demands for energy efficiency.
Several layers
The refrigerator backing is the material in the back of the refrigerator that ensures a stable temperature inside the refrigerator. It is usually compiled as a multi-layer laminate consisting of an inner casing material, thermal insulation, and outer casing material.
To maintain a stable temperature, you need thorough insulation for which you typically use a foam layer. Easily ignitable, it needs to be protected by flame-retardant layers. This is typically a multilayer laminate consisting of paper board, a PE layer and aluminium foil.
“We need a good combination of aluminium layers and thick paper board. To make it flame-retardant you also need a FR treated board that is placed in the middle of facing. Laminate protects the foam from catching fire”, explains Heikki Viitanen, Technical Service & Development Engineer at Walki Group.
What makes Walki’s laminate really stand out is the fire treated board that is produced in the Valkeakoski plant in Finland.
“FR treatment gives the facing the needed properties. FR multilayer laminate facings behave like a shield to protect the foam. Our Valkeakoski plant has developed this fire-treated board for several years and what makes it special is the high processability for these FR treated papers and boards along with multilayer laminate facings”, says Viitanen.
In addition, the FR chemicals and adhesives used to attach the different layers together do not contain any hazardous chemicals. To attach FR treated paper or board to the aluminium foils, Walki uses PE in the extrusion. It’s also possible to use tall oil based biopolymer, a side product in pulp production.
Refrigerators come in different models and sizes. Walki can run very wide sets of facing sheets in its plant, offering customers flexibility.
The backings have fared well in various tests.
“We have received very positive results from our customers who have tested our materials”, Viitanen adds.