Albemarle Corporation

Ethyl Corporation

Elbert F Feske

Arthur G Mack

Jeffrey Todd Aplin

Nelson E Clark

Flame retardant formulations comprised of at least one bromine-containing polyol are produced by a process which comprises:

Flame retardants with high halogen content and low viscosity

A flame retardant formulation which is the combination of at least (1) at least one bromine-containing polyol flame retardant formed from the reaction of (a) tetrabromophthalic anhydride, (b) an aliphatic polyol, and (c) an epoxide, and (2) at least one aliphatic diester of an alkane dicarboxylic acid, with the proviso that the formulation has a viscosity at 25&#xb0; C. of about 20,000 cps or less, and a bromine content of at least about 40 wt %. A flame retardant compound formed from A) tetrabromophthalic anhydride; B) diethylene glycol; C) at least one alpha-omega alkane diol, or at least one alpha-omega alkane diol and at least one aliphatic monool; and D) at least one alkylene oxide; with the proviso that the compound has a viscosity at 25&#xb0; C. of about 60,000 cps or less, and a bromine content of at least about 43 wt %. Polymer compositions formed from (a) a polyurethane or a polyisocyanurate and (b) a formulation of the invention.

Methods and apparatus for testing flammability properties of cellular plastics are described. Heat is applied to the underside of a heat-conductive plate on which is placed a specimen of the cellular plastic. A plurality of spaced-apart heat sensing devices are positioned below the specimen and in direct or close contact with the plate, one such heat sensing device being centrally positioned relative to the plate and serving as the setpoint sensor. A plurality of spaced-apart heat sensing devices are also disposed above the specimen and in direct or close contact with the top surface of the specimen, one such heat sensing device being centrally positioned relative to the top of the specimen. The sensing devices are adapted to provide signals convertible into information regarding the temperatures at their respective locations. At a preselected elevated temperature as sensed by the setpoint sensor, the time for the sensors on top of the specimen to sense a rise in temperature and/or to reach a preselected temperature is/are measured. Preferably, physical characteristics of the cellular plastic on completion of the test are also inspected.

Method and apparatus for testing flammability properties of cellular plastics

Polyol compositions comprising a polyol and a halogenated flame retardant are stabilized for storage and handling by the addition of a stabilizing amount of an amine.

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Denham Springs, LA, United States of America

Elbert F Feske