Fire Retardant Polychloroprene

Manufacturer: Why is polychloroprene preferred to natural rubber for fire retardant products in the transport industry?
 
John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): Since polychloroprene is halogenated i.e. containing chlorine atoms (or Organohalogen compounds), it has good fire retardancy. 

Therefore, unlike natural rubber, when polychloroprene rubber is burnt with a Bunsen burner or a lighter, it will burn but extinguishes itself (i.e. self-extinguishing) immediately once the lighter is removed whereas natural rubber would continue to burn. This is one reason why polychloroprene is used in place of natural rubber in many products, particularly in the building and transport industries (e.g. seating cushions) due to safety reasons. You can therefore “label” your products as “Fire-retarding “or “Fire retardant”.