Flame retardant polycarbonate compositions

1. A flame retardant polycarbonate resin composition comprising:

(A) at least one aromatic polycarbonate resin;

(B) at least one anti-drip agent; and

(C) at least one salt having the Formula M + Q − wherein M + is a cation selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium and cesium; and wherein Q − is an anion selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate and 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate.

2. The composition of claim 1 having about 100 parts of component (A), about 0.01 to about 5.0 parts of component (B), and about 0.001 to about 2.0 parts of component (C).

3. The composition of claim 2 having about 100 parts of component (A), and about 0.1 to about 3.0 parts of component (B).

4. The composition of claim 2 having about 100 parts of component (A), and about 0.01 to about 1.0 parts of component (C).

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one aromatic polycarbonate resin is prepared from the reaction of diphenylcarbonate and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein component (B) comprises poly-tetrafluoroethylene.

7. The composition of claim 6 wherein component (B) comprises poly-tetrafluoroethylene micropowder or poly-tetrafluoroethylene dispersion.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said salt comprises potassium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate or potassium 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate.

9. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of (1) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbents, light stabilizers, internal lubricants, and flame retardants or flame retarding aids, mold release agents, antistatic agents, coloring agents, and combinations thereof; (2) at least one filler; and (3) combinations thereof.

10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein an antioxidant comprises a hindered phenol, ester of phosphorous acid, ester of phosphoric acid or amine; an ultraviolet absorbent comprises a benzotriazole or benzophenone; a light stabilizer comprises a hindered amine; an internal lubricant comprises an aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, paraffin, silicone oil or polyethylene wax; a mold release agent comprises pentaerythritol or glycerol; and a filler is selected from the group consisting of potassium titanate whisker, mineral fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, metallic fiber, aluminum borate whisker, silicon nitride whisker, boron fiber, zinc oxide whisker of tetrapod-shape, talc, clay, mica, pearl mica, aluminum foil, alumina, glass flake, glass beads, glass balloon, carbon black, graphite, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium silicate, titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, silica, asbestos, and quartz powder.

11. The composition of claim 9 , wherein a filler is present at about 1 part to about 70 parts by weight.

12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein component (B) comprises poly-tetrafluoroethylene, and component (C) comprises the sodium or potassium salt of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate or 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate.

13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein component (A) is prepared from the reaction of diphenylcarbonate and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, component (B) comprises poly-tetrafluoroethylene, and component (C) comprises the sodium or potassium salt of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonate or 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanesulfonate.

14. A method for preparing a flame retardant polycarbonate article from the composition of claim 1 , the method comprising:

(a) mixing the components of the polycarbonate resin composition as defined in claim 12 to form a mixed composition;

(b) forming the mixed composition into particles;

(c) melt forming the particles of step (b) into a flame retardant polycarbonate article.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mixing is carried out using a Banbury mixer, a single-screw extruder, a twin-screw extruder, of a multi-screw extruder.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the melt forming is carried out using injection molding, blow molding, extrusion molding, compression molding, calender molding, or rotation molding.

17. A flame retardant polycarbonate article comprising a flame retardant polycarbonate resin composition according to claim 1 , selected from the group consisting of glazing or sheet; an automotive component; a home appliance; packaging; an electrical, electronic, or technical component; a medical or health care related article; and a leisure or safety article.

18. A flame retardant polycarbonate article according to claim 17 selected from the group consisting of a component of a window for an airplane, a train, a school, a high speed aircraft canopy, automotive headlamp assembly, automotive interior instrument panel, automotive bumper, automotive window glazing, a houseware item, a houseware power tool, a refillable water bottle, a refillable milk bottle, an electrical connector, telephone network device, outlet box, computer housing, business machine housing, instrument panel, membrane switch, insulator, protective goggles, safety glasses, safety sideshields, eyeglasses, mask, sports helmet, motorcycle helmet, and a safety helmet for firefighters or construction workers.