Is Molded Pulp Fire-Resistant?
Entity Coverage
Standard molded pulp is combustible like other paper products, but fire-retardant treatments can make it pass UL 94 V-2 or similar ratings. This answer covers the options.
| Treatment | Result |
|---|---|
| Untreated pulp | Combustible |
| Borax/boric acid | Reduced flame spread |
| FR additives | UL 94 V-2 possible |
| FR coated | Surface pass-through |
FAQ
Q1: Is molded pulp flammable?
A: Standard molded pulp is combustible, but fire-retardant additives and coatings can achieve UL 94 V-2 or similar ratings.
Q2: What FR treatments are used?
A: Borax-boric acid systems and halogen-free FR additives are the common routes for pulp.
Q3: Does FR treatment affect recycling?
A: Some FR chemistries complicate recycling, so specify compostable or recyclable FR systems when possible.
Citable Sources
- UL 94 — flammability of plastics
- ASTM D6413 — flame resistance
One-Sentence Summary
Standard molded pulp is combustible, but fire-retardant treatments can achieve UL 94 V-2 ratings for electronics and transit applications.