METALLIC COMPOUNDS IN NON-BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANT EPOXY RESINS

1 . A composition comprising:

a) an epoxy resin;

b) a hardener; and

c) a stabilizer comprising a metal-containing compound, said metal-containing compound comprising a metal selected from the Group 11-13 metals and combinations thereof, and wherein said composition contains a non-halogen flame retardant.

2 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stabilizer is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of said composition.

3 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a solvent in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 95 wt %.

4 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 further comprising inert fillers selected from the group consisting of talc, silica, alumina, and combinations thereof.

5 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said non-halogen flame retardancy enhancing compound is a phosphorus-containing compound.

6 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said epoxy resin is produced by contacting a glycidyl ether with a bisphenol compound to form oxazolidinone moieties.

7 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said epoxy resin is produced by contacting a glycidyl ether with a bisphenol compound and a polyisocyanate.

8 . A composition in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bisphenol compound is bisphenol A.

9 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said metal is zinc.

10 . A composition in accordance with claim 9 wherein said metal containing compound is selected from the group consisting of a zinc salt, zinc hydroxide, zinc oxide, zinc acetylacetonate, an organic zinc compound and combinations of any two or more thereof.

11 . A composition in accordance with claim 10 wherein said metal containing compound is zinc oxide.

12 . A composition in accordance with claim 10 wherein said metal containing compound is a zinc dithiocarbamate.

13 . A composition in accordance with claim 10 wherein said metal containing compound is zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate

14 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said epoxy resin is selected from the group consisting of a phenolic resin, a benzoxazine resin, an aryl cyanate resin, an aryl triazine resin, a maleimide resin, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

15 . A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said composition has at least one nucleophilic nitrogen source wherein a dative bond is formed between said metal and said nucleophilic nitrogen source.

16 . A composition in accordance with claim 15 wherein said at least one nucleophilic nitrogen source is selected from the group consisting of an imidazole, an oxazolidinone, dicyandiamide and combinations thereof.

17 . A varnish produced from the composition of claim 1 .

18 . A prepreg prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .

19 . An electrical laminate prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .

20 . A coating prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .

21 . A composite prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .

22 . A casting prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .

23 . An adhesive prepared from the varnish of claim 17 .