FLAME RETARDANT FLEXIBLE THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION, METHOD OF MAKING, AND ARTICLES THEREOF
A flexible thermoplastic composition includes among its components: (i) a poly(arylene ether); (ii) a polymeric compatibilizer; (iii) a polyolefin comprising a functional group; and (iv) magnesium dihydroxide. The flexible thermoplastic composition may be used for making electrical wires.
1 . A flexible thermoplastic composition comprising:
(i) 25 to 55 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);
(ii) a polymeric compatibilizer;
(iii) a copolymer of ethylene and octene, wherein the copolymer comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of epoxy, carboxyl, and an acid anhydride groups;
(iv) a copolymer of ethylene and octane without a functional group;
(v) a linear low density polyethylene; and
(vi) magnesium dihydroxide, wherein the combined amount of the copolymer of ethylene and octane and linear low density polyethylene is 8 to 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is essentially free of an alkenyl aromatic resin.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) is present in an amount of 25 to 60 weight percent, with respect to the total weight of the composition.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of the polyolefin comprising functional groups relative to the total amount of polyolefin is 5 to 95 weight percent.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric compatibilizer comprises a block copolymer.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric compatibilizer comprises two block copolymers.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , where in the polymeric compatibilizer is present in an amount of 2 to 30 weight percent, with respect to the total weight of the composition.
8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the magnesium dihydroxide has a median particle size of 0.01 to 15 micrometers.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the magnesium dihydroxide is present in an amount of 5 to 40 weight percent with respect to the total weight of the composition.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a plasticizer.
11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a flexural modulus of 2,000 to less than 18,000 kilograms per square centimeter as determined by ASTM D790-03.
12 . An electrical wire comprising:
a conductor; and
a covering disposed over the conductor,
wherein the covering comprises a thermoplastic composition as described by claim 1 .
13 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the conductor comprises a single strand or a plurality of strands.
14 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the composition is essentially free of an alkenyl aromatic resin.
15 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) is present in an amount of 25 to 60 weight percent, with respect to the total weight of the composition.
16 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the amount of the polyolefin comprising a functional group relative to the total amount of polyolefin is 5 to 95 weight percent.
18 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the polymeric compatibilizer comprises a block copolymer.
19 . The electrical wire of claim 12 , wherein the magnesium dihydroxide is present in an amount of 5 to 40 weight percent with respect to the total weight of the composition.