CN103146152A

CN103146152A - Flame retardant copolyether ester composition and product comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN103146152A
Application number: CN2011104029999A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 倪勇
Original assignee: EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Current assignee: EIDP Inc
Priority date: 2011-12-07
Filing date: 2011-12-07
Publication date: 2013-06-12

Abstract

The invention discloses a flame retardant copolyether ester composition, comprising (a) at least one copolyether ester; (b) about 5-35 wt% of at least one halogen-free flame retardant; (c) about 0.1-20 wt% of at least one nitrogen-containing compound; (d) about 0.1-10 wt% of at least one aromatic phosphate ester, and (e) about 0.1-10 wt% of at least one phenoxy resin. The invention also discloses a product comprising parts prepared by the flame retardant copolyether ester composition.

Description

Flame-retardant copolyether ester composition and product containing same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to flame retardant copolyetherester compositions and articles comprising the copolyetherester compositions.

Background

Polymer compositions based on copolyetherester elastomers have been used to make parts of motorized vehicles and electrical/electronic devices due to their excellent mechanical properties (e.g., tear strength, tensile strength, flex life, and abrasion resistance). However, an arc and a high temperature may be formed in an area under a hood of a vehicle and inside an electric/electronic device in general. It is therefore desirable that such copolyetherester-based compositions have low flammability and high thermal stability while retaining their mechanical properties.

Various flame retardant systems have been developed and used in polymeric materials (e.g., polyesters) to improve their flame retardancy. However, halogen-free flame retardants are receiving increased attention from the viewpoint of toxicity. Among various halogen-free flame retardants, phosphorus compounds (e.g., phosphinates or diphosphinates) are most commonly used for their stability and flame retardant effectiveness. The prior art has also shown that various synergistic compounds can be used as synergists to further maximize their flame retardant effectiveness in conjunction with the phosphorus compounds. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,992 discloses the use of synthetic inorganic compounds, such as silica compounds, magnesium compounds, carbonates of metals of the second main group of the periodic table, red phosphorus, zinc compounds, aluminum compounds, or combinations of these, as flame retardant synergists; us patent 6,716,899 discloses the use of organic phosphorus-containing compounds as flame retardant synergists; U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,071 discloses the use of nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g., melamine cyanurate, melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, or melamine diborate) as flame retardant synergists; U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,371 discloses the use of a reaction product of phosphoric acid and melamine or a condensation product of melamine (e.g., melamine polyphosphate (MPP)) as a flame retardant synergist.

In particular, european patent publications EP1883081 and PCT patent publications WO2009/047353 and WO2010/094560 respectively disclose flame retardant elastomeric compositions useful for forming insulation layers and/or jackets for wires or cables. In those publications, the following classes of substances: (i) combinations of metal salts of phosphinic and/or diphosphinic acids, (ii) nitrogen-containing compounds (e.g., melamine polyphosphate), and (iii) inorganic compounds (e.g., zinc borate) are considered to be preferred flame retardant combinations. In addition, korean patent KR 2010038701 discloses a suitable combination of flame retardants in copolyetheresters, comprising organic phosphinate metal salts, melamine cyanurate and aromatic phosphoric acid esters. However, as shown in the examples below, the applicant has found that when the flame retardant combination of the prior art is used in a copolyetherester composition, the flame retardant tends to migrate to the surface over time and cause bleeding. Therefore, there is still a need to develop flame retardant copolyetherester compositions that do not leach out.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a flame retardant copolyetherester composition comprising: (a) at least one copolyetherester; (b)5 to 35 wt% of at least one halogen-free flame retardant; (c)0.1 to 20% by weight of at least one nitrogen-containing compound; (d)0.1 to 10 wt% of at least one aromatic phosphoric acid ester; and (e)0.1 to 10 weight percent of at least one phenoxy resin, wherein the total weight percent of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 weight percent, and wherein the at least one halogen-free flame retardant comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: phosphinates of formula (I), diphosphinates of formula (II), and combinations or polymers thereof.

Wherein R is₁And R₂Are the same or different, and R₁And R₂Each being hydrogen, straight-chain, branched or cyclic C₁-C₆Alkyl radicals, or C₆-C₁₀An aryl group; r₃Is straight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₀Alkylene radical, C₆-C₁₀Arylene radical, C₆-C₁₂An alkyl-arylene group, or C₆-C₁₂An aryl-alkylene group; m is selected from the group consisting of calcium, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, antimony, tin, germanium, titanium, iron, zirconium, cerium, bismuth, strontium, manganese, lithium, sodium, potassium, and combinations thereof; and m, n and x are each the same or different integers of 1 to 4.

In one embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the at least one copolyetherester is present in an amount ranging from 15 to 95 wt%, alternatively from 40 to 90 wt%, wherein the total wt% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 wt%.

In another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, in the at least one halogen-free flame retardant, R₁And R₂Each hydrogen, or the at least one halogen-free flame retardant is aluminum hypophosphite.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the content of the at least one halogen-free flame retardant is from 5 to 30% by weight, alternatively from 7.5 to 30% by weight, wherein the total% by weight of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100% by weight.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of (i) melamine cyanurate, (ii) a condensation product of melamine, (iii) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and melamine, and (iv) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and a condensation product of melamine, or the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is melamine cyanurate.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the content of the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is from 1 to 15 wt%, alternatively from 2 to 15 wt%, wherein the total wt% of all components of the copolyetherester composition amounts to 100 wt%.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the at least one aromatic phosphate ester is selected from: triaryl phosphate, tri (alkylaryl) phosphate, and combinations of two or more thereof, or the at least one aromatic phosphate ester is selected from the group consisting of: triphenyl phosphate, tris (4-methylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), bisphenol a bis (diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), resorcinol bis (dixylyl) phosphate) (XDP), hydroquinone bis (diphenyl phosphate), resorcinol bis [ bis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate ], 4' -biphenylbis (di- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate) and combinations of two or more thereof.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the at least one phenoxy resin has the structure of formula (IV):

wherein n is an integer from 30 to 100 or from 50 to 90.

In yet another embodiment of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition, the content of the at least one phenoxy resin is from 0.1 to 7.5% by weight, alternatively from 0.1 to 5% by weight, wherein the total weight% of all components of the copolyetherester composition amounts to 100% by weight.

The present disclosure also provides articles comprising at least one part made from the above flame retardant copolyetherester composition, preferably the article is selected from motorized vehicle parts and electrical/electronic devices. In one embodiment, the article is selected from insulated wires and cables, preferably comprising one or more insulating layers and/or insulating sheaths made from the flame retardant copolyetherester composition described above.

In light of the present disclosure, when a range is expressed as a specific endpoint, it is understood that the range includes any value within the two specific endpoints and any value equal to or about equal to either endpoint of the two endpoints.

Detailed Description

Disclosed herein are flame retardant copolyetherester compositions comprising,

(a) at least one copolyetherester;

(b) about 5 to 35 weight percent of at least one halogen-free flame retardant;

(c) about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of at least one nitrogen-containing compound;

(d) about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of at least one aromatic phosphate ester; and;

(e) about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of at least one phenoxy resin.

Copolyetheresters suitable for use in the compositions disclosed herein can be copolymers containing a plurality of repeating long-chain ester units and repeating short-chain ester units joined end-to-end by ester linkages, said long-chain ester units being represented by the formula (I):

and the short-chain ester unit is represented by formula (II):

wherein,

g is a divalent group remaining after removal of terminal hydroxyl groups from a polyether diol having a number average molecular weight of about 400-6000;

r is a divalent group remaining after removal of carboxyl groups from a dicarboxylic acid having a number average molecular weight of about 300 or less;

d is a divalent group remaining after removal of hydroxyl groups from a diol having a number average molecular weight of about 250 or less, and

wherein,

the at least one copolyetherester comprises about 1-85 weight percent of the repeating long-chain ester units and about 15-99 weight percent of the repeating short-chain ester units.

In one embodiment, the copolyetheresters for use in the compositions disclosed herein comprise from about 5 to about 80 weight percent of said repeating long-chain ester units and from about 20 to about 95 weight percent of said repeating short-chain ester units.

In another embodiment, the copolyetheresters useful in the compositions disclosed herein comprise from about 10 to about 75 weight percent of said repeating long-chain ester units and from about 25 to about 90 weight percent of said repeating short-chain ester units.

In yet another embodiment, the copolyetheresters useful in the compositions disclosed herein comprise from about 40 to about 75 weight percent of said repeating long-chain ester units and from about 25 to about 60 weight percent of said repeating short-chain ester units.

As used herein, "long-chain ester units" refers to the products resulting from the reaction of long-chain diols and dicarboxylic acids. Suitable long chain diols are poly (alkylene ether) diols having a number average molecular weight of about 400-6000, or about 600-3000 containing terminal hydroxyl groups, including but not limited to poly (tetramethylene ether) diol, poly (trimethylene ether) diol, polypropylene oxide diol, polyethylene oxide diol, copolymers of the above poly (alkylene ether) diols, and block copolymers such as ethylene oxide capped poly (propylene oxide) diol. The long-chain diol may also be a mixture of two or more of the above diols. In one embodiment, the poly (alkylene ether) glycol used herein is poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol.

As used herein, "short-chain ester units" refers to the reaction product of a low molecular weight diol or ester-forming derivative thereof and a dicarboxylic acid. Suitable low molecular weight diols are those having a number average molecular weight of about 250 or less, alternatively from about 10 to about 250, alternatively from about 20 to about 150, alternatively from about 50 to about 100, and include, without limitation, aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, alicyclic dihydroxy compounds, and aromatic dihydroxy compounds (including bisphenols). In one embodiment, the low molecular weight diol for use herein is a dihydroxy compound containing 2 to 15 carbon atoms, for example, ethylene glycol; propylene glycol; iso-butylene glycol; 1, 4-butanediol; 1, 5-pentanediol; 2, 2-dimethylpropanediol; 1, 6-hexanediol; 1, 10-decanediol; dihydroxycyclohexane; cyclohexanedimethanol; resorcinol; hydroquinone; 1, 5-dihydroxynaphthalene, and the like. In another embodiment, the low molecular weight diol for use herein is a dihydroxy compound containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms. In yet another embodiment, the low molecular weight diol for use herein is 1, 4-butanediol. Suitable bisphenols for use herein include bis (p-hydroxy) biphenyl, bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) methane and bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) propane, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

Ester-forming derivatives of low molecular weight diols for use herein include those derived from the low molecular weight diols described above, such as ester-forming derivatives of ethylene glycol (e.g., ethylene oxide or ethylene carbonate) or resorcinol (e.g., resorcinol diacetate). In this context, the above number average molecular weight ranges apply only to the low molecular weight diols. Thus, compounds that are ester-forming derivatives of diols and have a number average molecular weight greater than 250 may also be used herein, provided that the corresponding diol has a number average molecular weight of about 250 or less.

"dicarboxylic acids" for reaction with the long chain diols or low molecular weight diols described above are those aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic dicarboxylic acids of low molecular weight (i.e., number average molecular weight of about 300 or less, or about 10 to 300, or about 30 to 200, or about 50 to 100).

As used herein, the term "aliphatic dicarboxylic acid"refers to those carboxylic acids containing two carboxyl groups each attached to a saturated carbon atom. If the carbon atom to which the carboxyl group is attached is saturated and is in an aliphatic ring, the acid is referred to as an "alicyclic dicarboxylic acid". The term "aromatic dicarboxylic acid" as used herein refers to those dicarboxylic acids that contain two carboxyl groups each attached to a carbon atom in an aromatic ring structure. The two carboxyl functional groups in the aromatic dicarboxylic acid are not necessarily attached to the same aromatic ring. When more than one aromatic ring is present, it may be bonded via one or more aliphatic or aromatic divalent radicals or groups such as-O-or-SO₂-is linked.

Aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids for use herein include, but are not limited to: sebacic acid; 1, 3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; 1, 4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; adipic acid; glutaric acid; 4-cyclohexane-1, 2-dicarboxylic acid; 2-ethylsuberic acid; cyclopentanedioic acid; decahydro-1, 5-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 4, 4' -dicyclohexyldicarboxylic acid; decahydro-2, 6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 4, 4' -methylenebis (cyclohexyl) carboxylic acid; 3, 4-furandioic acid and combinations of two or more thereof. In one embodiment, the dicarboxylic acid for use herein is selected from the group consisting of cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, and combinations of two or more thereof.

Aromatic dicarboxylic acids for use herein include, but are not limited to: phthalic acid; terephthalic acid; isophthalic acid; dibenzoic acid; dicarboxylic acid compounds containing two benzene nuclei (e.g., bis (p-carboxyphenyl) methane; p-oxy-1, 5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; 2, 6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; 2, 7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; or 4, 4' -sulfonyldibenzoic acid); and C of the above aromatic dicarboxylic acid₁-C₁₂Alkyl and ring substituted derivatives (e.g., halo, alkoxy, and aryl derivatives thereof). The aromatic dicarboxylic acid for use herein may also be, for example, a hydroxy acid such as p- (. beta. -hydroxyethoxy) benzoic acid.

In one embodiment of the compositions disclosed herein, the dicarboxylic acid used to form the copolyetherester component can be selected from aromatic dicarboxylic acids. In another embodiment, the dicarboxylic acids may be selected from aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing about 8 to 16 carbon atoms. In yet another embodiment, the dicarboxylic acid may be terephthalic acid alone or a mixture of terephthalic acid with phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid.

Further, dicarboxylic acids for use herein may also include functional equivalents of dicarboxylic acids. In preparing the copolyetheresters, the functional equivalents of dicarboxylic acids react with the long chain and low molecular weight diols described above in essentially the same manner as dicarboxylic acids. Useful functional equivalents of dicarboxylic acids include esters or ester-forming derivatives of dicarboxylic acids, such as acid halides and anhydrides. As used herein, the above number average molecular weight ranges apply only to the corresponding dicarboxylic acid and not to its functional equivalent (e.g., an ester or ester-forming derivative thereof). Thus, compounds that are functional equivalents of dicarboxylic acids and have a number average molecular weight greater than 300 are also useful herein, provided that the corresponding dicarboxylic acid has a number average molecular weight of about 300 or less. In addition, the dicarboxylic acid can further comprise any substituent group or combination thereof that does not substantially interfere with the preparation of the copolyetherester and the use of the copolyetherester in the compositions disclosed herein.

The long chain diol used to prepare the copolyetherester component of the compositions disclosed herein can also be a mixture of two or more long chain diols. Similarly, the low molecular weight diol and dicarboxylic acid used to prepare the copolyetherester component can also be a mixture of two or more low molecular weight diols and a mixture of two or more dicarboxylic acids, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, in formulas (I) and (II) above, at least about 70 mole% of the groups represented by R are 1, 4-phenylene groups, and in formula (II) above at least 70 mole% of the groups represented by D are 1, 4-butylene groups. When two or more dicarboxylic acids are used for the preparation of the copolyetheresters, it is preferred to use a mixture of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, while when two or more low molecular weight diols are used, it is preferred to use a mixture of 1, 4-butanediol and 1, 6-hexanediol.

The at least one copolyetherester contained in the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein can also be a mixture of two or more copolyetheresters. The copolyetheresters contained in the mixture do not have to meet the above-mentioned weight percentage requirements for short-chain and long-chain ester units, respectively. However, the mixture of two or more copolyetheresters must meet the above-mentioned values for the copolyetheresters on a weighted average basis. For example, in a mixture containing equal amounts of two copolyetheresters, one copolyetherester may contain about 10% by weight of the short-chain ester units and the other copolyetherester may contain about 80% by weight of the short-chain ester units, with a weighted average of about 45% by weight of the short-chain ester units in the mixture.

In one embodiment, at least one copolyetherester component contained in the flame retardant copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein is obtained by copolymerizing a dicarboxylic acid ester selected from the group consisting of terephthalate, isophthalate and mixtures thereof with a lower molecular weight diol (i.e., 1, 4-butanediol) and a long chain diol (i.e., poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol or ethylene oxide-terminated polypropylene oxide diol). In another embodiment, the at least one copolyetherester is obtained by copolymerizing terephthalate esters (e.g., dimethyl terephthalate) with 1, 4-butanediol and poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol.

The copolyetheresters for use in the compositions disclosed herein can be prepared according to any suitable method known to those skilled in the art, for example, using conventional transesterification reactions.

In one embodiment, the process comprises heating a dicarboxylic acid ester (e.g., dimethyl terephthalate) with a poly (alkylene ether) glycol and a molar excess of a low molecular weight diol (e.g., 1, 4-butanediol) in the presence of a catalyst, then distilling off the methanol formed by the transesterification reaction, and continuing the heating until methanol evolution is complete. Depending on the choice of temperature and catalyst type and the amount of the low molecular weight diol used, the copolymerization can be completed in minutes to hours and results in the formation of low molecular weight prepolymers. Such prepolymers can also be prepared by a number of alternative esterification or transesterification steps, for example, by reacting a long chain diol with a short chain ester homopolymer or copolymer in the presence of a catalyst until randomization has occurred. The short-chain ester homopolymer or copolymer can be prepared by transesterification between the above dimethyl esters (e.g., dimethyl terephthalate) and low molecular weight diols (e.g., 1, 4-butanediol), or between the free acid (e.g., terephthalic acid) and glycol acetate (e.g., 1, 4-butanediol diacetate). Alternatively, the short-chain ester homopolymer or copolymer can be prepared by direct esterification of an appropriate acid (e.g., terephthalic acid), anhydride (e.g., phthalic anhydride), or acid chloride (e.g., terephthaloyl chloride) with a diol (e.g., 1, 4-butanediol). Alternatively, the short-chain ester homopolymer or copolymer may be prepared by any other suitable method, such as by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with a cyclic ether or carbonate.

In addition, the prepolymer obtained as described above can be converted into a high molecular weight copolyetherester by distilling off excess low molecular weight diol. Such a step is called "polycondensation". Additional transesterification occurs during the polycondensation step to increase the molecular weight and to arrange the copolyetherester units randomly. Generally, for best results, the polycondensation can be conducted at a pressure of less than about 1mmHg and a temperature of about 240 ℃ and 260 ℃ in the presence of an antioxidant (e.g., 1, 6-bis [ (3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) aminophenylacetone ] hexane or 1, 3, 5-trimethyl-2, 4, 6-tris [3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl ] benzene) for less than about 2 hours. In order to avoid the possibility of irreversible thermal decomposition at high temperatures for too long a time, it is advantageous to use a transesterification catalyst. A variety of catalysts may be used herein, including without limitation: organic titanates (e.g., tetrabutyl titanate alone or in combination with magnesium or calcium acetate), titanate complexes (e.g., derivatives of alkali or alkaline earth metal alkoxides with titanates), inorganic titanates (e.g., lanthanum titanate), calcium acetate/antimony trioxide mixtures, lithium and magnesium alkoxides, stannous catalysts, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

The copolyetheresters for use in the compositions disclosed herein can also be obtained from dupont, U.S. e.iDu Pont de Nemours and Company (hereinafter "DuPont") under the trade name of DuPont

Are commercially available.

The at least one copolyetherester can be present in an amount ranging from about 25 to 95 weight percent, alternatively from about 40 to 90 weight percent, based on the total weight of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

Halogen-free flame retardants suitable for use in the compositions disclosed herein can be selected from the group consisting of phosphinates of formula (I), diphosphinates of formula (II), and combinations or polymers thereof

Wherein R is₁And R₂May be the same or different, and R₁And R₂Each being hydrogen, straight-chain, branched or cyclic C₁-C₆Alkyl radicals, or C₆-C₁₀An aryl group; r₃Is straight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₀Alkylene radical, C₆-C₁₀Arylene radical, C₆-C₁₂Alkyl-arylene radicals or C₆-C₁₂An aryl-alkylene group; m is selected from the group consisting of calcium, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, antimony, tin, germanium, titanium, iron, zirconium, cerium, bismuth, strontium, manganese, lithium, sodium, potassium, and combinations thereof; m, n and x are each the same or different integers of 1 to 4. Preferably, R₁And R₂Can be independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and phenyl; r₃Can be selected from methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, isopropylene, n-butylene, tert-butylene, n-pentylene, n-octylene, n-dodecylene, phenylene, naphthylene, and methylPhenylene, ethylphenylene, tert-butylphenyl, methylnaphthylene, ethylnaphthylene, tert-butylnaphthylene, phenylmethylene, phenylethylene, phenylpropylene and phenylbutylene; and M may be selected from aluminum ions and zinc ions. More preferably, the phosphinate salt used herein may be selected from aluminum methylethylphosphinate, aluminum diethylphosphinate, and combinations thereof.

Halogen-free flame retardants for use herein may also be available under the trade name Exolit from Clariant International Ltd^TMOP was obtained commercially.

In yet another embodiment, the halogen-free flame retardant used herein is aluminum hypophosphite, available from Italian speciality Chemicals, Inc. (Italmatch Chemicals) under the trade name Phoslite^TMIP-A is commercially available.

The at least one halogen-free flame retardant can be present in an amount ranging from about 5 wt% to about 35 wt%, alternatively from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, alternatively from about 7.5 wt% to about 30 wt%, based on the total weight of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

The nitrogen-containing compounds used herein may include, without limitation, those described in, for example, U.S. Pat. nos. 6,365,071 and 7,255,814.

In one embodiment, the nitrogen-containing compound used herein is selected from: melamine, 2, 4-diamino-6-phenyl-1, 3, 5-triazine, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, allantoin, glycoluril, cyanoguanidine, guanidine, and carbodiimide, and derivatives thereof.

In another embodiment, the nitrogen-containing compound used herein may be selected from melamine derivatives, including, without limitation, (i) melamine cyanurate, (ii) a condensation product of melamine, (iii) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and melamine, and (iv) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and a condensation product of melamine. Suitable condensation products may include, without limitation, melem, melam, and melon (melon), as well as higher derivatives and mixtures thereof. The condensation products of melamine can be prepared by any suitable method (e.g., those described in PCT patent publication WO 9616948). The reaction product of phosphoric acid with melamine or of phosphoric acid with a melamine condensation product is understood herein to be a compound resulting from the reaction of melamine with phosphoric acid or of a condensation product of melamine (for example melem, melam, or melon) with phosphoric acid. Examples include, but are not limited to: dimelamine phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melam polyphosphate, melon polyphosphate (melon polyphosphate), and melem polyphosphate, as described, for example, in PCT patent publication W09839306.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one nitrogen-containing compound for use herein is selected from the group consisting of melamine phosphate and melamine cyanurate. In yet another embodiment, the at least one nitrogen-containing compound used herein is melamine cyanurate.

The at least one nitrogen-containing compound can be present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent, alternatively from about 1 to about 15 weight percent, alternatively from about 2 to about 15 weight percent, based on the total weight of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

The aromatic phosphoric acid ester used herein may be represented by the following general formula (III):

in formula (III), n represents an integer of 0 or more, and the compound may be a mixture having different integer n. k and m each represent an integer of 0 to 2, and (k + m) is an integer of 0 to 2. Preferably, k and m are each an integer of 0 or 1; more preferably, k and m are both 1. Ar in the formula (III)¹、Ar²、Ar³And Ar⁴Identical or different and each represents a phenyl group or is an organic group which is free of halogenA substituted phenyl group. Specific examples thereof include, but are not limited to, phenyl groups, tolyl groups, xylyl groups, isopropylphenyl groups, mesitylphenyl groups, naphthyl groups, indenyl groups, anthryl groups, and the like. Preferably phenyl groups, tolyl groups, xylyl groups, isopropylphenyl groups and naphthyl groups; more preferred are a phenyl group, a tolyl group and a xylyl group. Finally, X in formula (III) represents any one of the following:

in these, R²-R⁹Are identical or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Specific examples of said alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms are: methyl groups, ethyl groups, n-propyl groups, isopropyl groups, n-butyl groups, sec-butyl groups, tert-butyl groups, and the like. Of these, preferred are a hydrogen atom, a methyl group and an ethyl group; more preferred are hydrogen atoms. Y represents a key, O, S, SO₂、C(CH₃)₂、CH₂Or CHPh, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group.

Examples of aromatic phosphate esters for use herein include, without limitation: triaryl phosphates (e.g., triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tris (dimethylphenyl) phosphate, tolyldiphenyl phosphate) and tris (alkylaryl) phosphates (e.g., octyl ester diphenyl phosphate). Preferably, the aromatic phosphate esters used herein are selected from: triphenyl phosphate, tris (4-methylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), bisphenol a bis (diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), resorcinol bis (dixylyl phosphate) (XDP), hydroquinone bis (diphenyl phosphate), resorcinol bis [ bis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate ], 4' -biphenylbis (di- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate) and the like.

The aromatic phosphate ester used herein may also be obtained from Daihachi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan under the trade name PX-200 (resorcinol bis [ di (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate ]), CAS No: 139189-30-3) or PX-202(4, 4' -biphenylbis (di- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate), CAS No.: 147263-99-8) are commercially available.

The at least one aromatic phosphate ester can be present in an amount from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent, alternatively from about 0.1 to about 7.5 weight percent, alternatively from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

The phenoxy resins used herein are high molecular weight thermoplastic condensation products of bisphenol a with epichlorohydrin and their derivatives. In one embodiment, the phenoxy resin for use herein has the following basic formula (IV)

In formula (IV), n is an integer of 30 to 100 or 50 to 90.

Phenoxy resins for use herein may also be made from eastern Japan (Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd.) under the trade name Photohto^TM YP-50、Phenotohto^TM YP-50S、Phenotohto^TM YP-55、Phenotohto^TMYP-70 or FX 280; or from Japan Epoxy Resins co., ltd. under the trade names JER1256, JER4250 or JER 4275; or commercially available from InChem Corporation of America under the trade names PKHB, PKHC, PKHH, PKHJ, PKFE, PKHP-200, PKHP-80, PKHB-100, or PKHB-300.

The at least one phenoxy resin may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent, alternatively from about 0.1 to about 7.5 weight percent, alternatively from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

The flame retardant copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein may further comprise other additives, for example, colorants, antioxidants, uv stabilizers, uv absorbers, heat stabilizers, lubricants, tougheners, impact modifiers, reinforcing agents, viscosity modifiers, nucleating agents, plasticizers, mold release agents, scratch and mar modifiers, emulsifiers, pigments, optical brighteners, antistatic agents, fillers, and combinations of two or more thereof. Suitable fillers may be selected from calcium carbonate, silicates, talc, carbon black and combinations of two or more thereof. Such additional additives may be present in an amount of about 0.01 to 20 weight percent, alternatively about 0.01 to 10 weight percent, alternatively about 0.2 to 5 weight percent, alternatively about 0.5 to 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition disclosed herein.

The copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein are melt-mixed mixtures in which all of the polymeric components are well dispersed within each other and all of the non-polymeric components are uniformly dispersed and confined within the polymeric matrix, such that the mixture forms a unified whole. Any melt mixing method can be used to mix the polymeric and non-polymeric components of the compositions disclosed herein.

As mentioned in the background section, when halogen-free flame retardant additives are used in copolyetherester compositions, the flame retardant additives often migrate to the surface of the final product. PCT patent application WO2011/120225 teaches that the problem of precipitation can be solved by adding a solid phosphate ester (such as XDP or resorcinol bis [ di (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate ]) instead of a liquid phosphate ester (such as BDP or RDP) to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. However, as shown in the examples given below, precipitation cannot be prevented even when resorcinol bis [ bis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate is added to the copolyetherester. However, the addition of a phenoxy resin was found to solve the precipitation problem.

Also disclosed herein are articles comprising one or more parts made from the flame retardant copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein, wherein the articles include, without limitation, motorized vehicles, electrical/electronic devices, furniture, footwear, roof structures, outdoor apparel, water management systems, and the like.

In one embodiment, the article is selected from motorized vehicles. In such embodiments, the flame retardant copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein can be used to make parts, for example, air intake ducts, constant velocity joint universal (CVJ) boots, and the like.

In another embodiment, the article is selected from electrical/electronic devices. In such embodiments, the flame retardant copolyetherester compositions disclosed herein can be used to make insulation or jacketing for wire and cable. More specifically, the article may be selected from the group consisting of wires and cables comprising an insulation layer and/or a jacket made from the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein. For example, the article can be an insulated wire or cable comprising two or three conductive cores, two or three layers of insulation each surrounding one of the conductive cores, and optionally an insulating jacket surrounding the conductive core and the insulation layer, wherein the insulation layer and/or the insulating jacket is made from the flame retardant copolyetherester composition disclosed herein.

Examples

Materials:

·copolyether ester-1:from DuPont under the trade name

3078 copolyether ester elastomer obtained;

·copolyether ester-2: fromDupont under the trade nameG4074, a copolyether ester elastomer;

·AO-1：from Bass GermanyIrganox, trade name of Fuffian (BASF)^TM1010 obtained hindered phenolic antioxidant;

·AO-2：irgafos, trade name from BASF corporation^TM168 obtained triaryl phosphite processing stabilizer;

·FR: flame retardant masterbatch comprising 60 wt.% of aluminium hypophosphite (available from Sulzer, Ltd under the trade name Phoslite^TMIP- ｃA) and 40% by weight of ｃA copolyetherester (available from dupont under the trade name dupont)

3078 obtained);

·MC: melamine cyanurate from Jersey flame retardant chemical Limited, Hangzhou, under the trade designation JLS-MC15

·Aromatic phosphoric acid ester: trade name of Daba chemical industries Co LtdObtained by PX-200Resorcinol bis [ bis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate]；

·Phenoxy resin: phenoxy resins available from InChem Corporation under the trade name PKHB.

Comparative example CE1 and example E1

In each of the comparative examples and examples, a copolyetherester composition resin was prepared as follows: appropriate amounts of copolyetherester, flame retardant and other additives were dried, premixed and melt-mixed in a ZSK26 twin-screw extruder (available from Coperion Werner & Pfleiderer GmbH & Co., Germany) set at a temperature of 190-210 ℃, a rotational speed of 300rpm and an extrusion throughput of 20 kg/hr.

In various embodiments, the resin obtained above was used to prepare insulated wires, wherein each insulated wire had a circular cross-section and a diameter of about 2mm, and wherein each insulated wire had an insulating sheath made of a copolyether ester composition and surrounding a conductive core made of 91 strands of copper wire. The insulated wires thus obtained were measured for flammability (VW-1), tensile strength and ultimate elongation according to UL1581, and the results are tabulated in Table 1 below.

In each example, a 100X 2mm plaque (molding plaque) was prepared by injection molding, wherein the temperature of the injection molding machine was set at 190 ℃ and 210 ℃ and the temperature of the mold was 50 ℃. The hardness of the panels was then determined according to ISO868 and the results are tabulated in Table 1.

Finally, in each example, the panels were placed in a controlled climate chamber set at 65 ℃ and 95% Relative Humidity (RH) for 3 days. Thereafter, the sample after the standing was visually inspected for the presence or absence of precipitation.

The results show that when halogen-free flame retardant additives are used in copolyetherester compositions, the flame retardant additives often migrate to the surface of the final product. However, it was found that the addition of a phenoxy resin could solve the precipitation problem. In addition, when the copolyetherester composition is used to make an insulation jacket, its VW-1 flammability rating (pursuant to UL1581) is also improved by the addition of a phenoxy resin.

TABLE 1

¹Y: deposits of powder-like or liquid-like material were observed;

²n: no deposits of powder-like or liquid-like material were observed.

Claims

1. A flame retardant copolyetherester composition comprising:

(a) at least one copolyetherester;

(b)5 to 35 wt% of at least one halogen-free flame retardant;

(c)0.1 to 20% by weight of at least one nitrogen-containing compound;

(d)0.1 to 10 wt% of at least one aromatic phosphoric acid ester; and

(e)0.1 to 10% by weight of at least one phenoxy resin,

wherein the total weight% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 weight%, and wherein the at least one halogen-free flame retardant comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of phosphinates of formula (I), diphosphinates of formula (II), and combinations or polymers thereof:

wherein R is₁And R₂Are the same or different, and R₁And R₂Each being hydrogen, linear, branched, or cyclic C₁-C₆Alkyl radicals, or C₆-C₁₀An aryl group; r₃Is straight-chain or branched C₁-C₁₀Alkylene radical, C₆-C₁₀Arylene radical, C₆-C₁₂An alkyl-arylene group, or C₆-C₁₂An aryl-alkylene group; m is selected from the group consisting of calcium, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, antimony, tin, germanium, titanium, iron, zirconium, cerium, bismuth, strontium, manganese, lithium, sodium, potassium, and combinations thereof; and m, n and x are each the same or different integers of 1 to 4.

2. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one copolyetherester is present in an amount ranging from 15 to 95 wt%, alternatively from 40 to 90 wt%, wherein the total wt% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 wt%.

3. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein in the at least one halogen-free flame retardant, R₁And R₂Each hydrogen, or the at least one halogen-free flame retardant is aluminum hypophosphite.

4. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the content of the at least one halogen-free flame retardant is 5-30 wt%, or 7.5-30 wt%, wherein the total wt% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 wt%.

5. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of: (i) melamine cyanurate, (ii) a condensation product of melamine, (iii) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and melamine, and (iv) a reaction product of phosphoric acid and a condensation product of melamine, or wherein the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is melamine cyanurate.

6. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the content of the at least one nitrogen-containing compound is from 1 to 15 wt%, or from 2 to 15 wt%, wherein the total wt% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 wt%.

7. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one aromatic phosphate is selected from the group consisting of triaryl phosphate, tris (alkylaryl) phosphate, and combinations of two or more thereof, or wherein the at least one aromatic phosphate is selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphate, tris (4-methylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphate, tris (2, 6-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphate, resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), bisphenol A bis (diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), resorcinol bis (dixylyl phosphate) (XDP), hydroquinone bis (diphenyl phosphate) Resorcinol bis [ bis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate ], 4' -biphenyl bis (bis- (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate), and combinations of two or more thereof.

8. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one phenoxy resin has the structure of formula (IV):

wherein n is an integer from 30 to 100 or from 50 to 90.

9. The flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one phenoxy resin is present in an amount of 0.1-7.5 wt.%, or 0.1-5 wt.%, wherein the total wt.% of all components of the copolyetherester composition totals 100 wt.%.

10. An article comprising at least one part made from the flame retardant copolyetherester composition of any one of claims 1-9, preferably selected from the group consisting of automotive vehicle parts and electrical/electronic devices.

11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the article is selected from insulated wires and cables, preferably comprising one or more insulating layers and/or insulating sheaths made from the flame retardant copolyetherester composition according to any one of claims 1-9.