In applications ranging from networking and computer equipment to industrial machine controls, engineers and project managers are encountering new material requirement that are driving new offerings of alternative "halogen-free" wire management products. As environmental and other trends lead toward future growth of these products, confusion exists among those who must specify their use. What does halogen-free mean? why is it important? and in what applications is a halogen fee product needed, now and in the future?

What does Halogen Free mean?

The halogens are five non - metallic elements found in Group 7 of the periodic table. The term "halogen" means "salt former" and compounds containing halogens are called "salts"

The Halogens are :

Fluorine
Chlorine
Bromine
Iodine
Astatine

Halogen free does not alone indicate that a product enhances safety, health or is better environmentally for a given application

While cable insulation and sheathing materials incorporating halogenated ingredients may be more flame retardant, they also emit a smoke when exposed to fire that can become toxic and corrosive under fire conditions. Specifically, halogens released from exposure to fire react with normally-occurring hydrogen to form hydrogen halide.
When mixed with water ( for example the water used to fight a fire) hydrogen halides form hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid or hydrobromic acid. These acids can damage or destroy critical structure, components and equipment and increase toxicity. Cables containing halogenated materials also produce significantly higher levels of carbon monoxide (CO) gas during combustion, further escalating their potential danger.

The demand of HF (Halogen Free) cables are increasing for installation in small, confined spaces and wider environments where the risk of corrosion and toxicity from smoke generated in a fire would be particularly problematic

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