College of William and Mary

College of William Mary

William Herbert Starnes, Jr

Bin Du

Robert D Pike

Soungkyoo Kim

We describe novel compositions and methods for reducing fire and smoke hazards associated with rigid and flexible PVC. Cone calorimetry studies have identified several copper additives that are highly effective as combustion inhibitors for PVC. Mixed-metal oxides of copper(II) are especially attractive in this regard, some of which are strongly synergistic for smoke suppression when they are combined, in particular CuTiOand Cu(MoO)(OH). These novel combinations are useful for PVC applications wherein color is not of primary importance.

Smoke and fire inhibitors for PVC

A novel organic thiol stabilizer for PVC is described herein. Specifically, this novel thiol stabilizer for PVC is dipentaerythritol hexakis(mercaptoacetate). The organic thiol stabilizer of the present invention, when blended with halogen-containing polymers such as PVC, or derivatives thereof, provides advantages in cost and/or performance relative to existing organic stabilizers for PVC.

Organic thiol stabilizers and plasticizers for halogen-containing polymers

Methods are described for preparing graft copolymers from poly(vinyl chloride) or vinyl chloride copolymers comprising reacting these materials with sources of selected metal-centered free radicals in the presence of one or more monomers that can undergo free-radical addition polymerization. The metal-centered free radicals used are capable of abstracting chlorine atoms from the starting polymer to form C-centered radicals that add to the monomer(s) in order to start the growth of branches via a free-radical route. This method is an effective method for producing PVC graft copolymers, and can be used to produce PVC graft copolymers having novel compositions. The methods of the invention are particularly useful for providing highly branched PVC graft copolymers.

PVC graft copolymer methods and compositions

Organic thiol compounds based on pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol are described herein. More specifically, the compounds of the present invention are mixed esters of pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol having at least one sulfhydryl group and preferably a plurality of sulfhydryl groups as well as at least one non-thiol-containing group. The organic thiol compounds are utilized to plasticize and/or heat stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. The compositions are substantially free or free of metal-based stabilizers, Lewis acids and terpenes. The compounds of the present invention are ideally utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change which can occur during processing of the polymer or exposure of the polymer to certain environments and surprisingly also serve as excellent plasticizers.

Organic thiol metal-free stabilizers and plasticizers for halogen-containing polymers

Aromatic and aliphatic organic thiol compounds are disclosed which can be utilized to plasticize and/or stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions, especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. Compounds of the present invention are utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change, which typically occurs during processing of the polymer or exposure to certain environments.

Organic thiol compounds including mercaptophenylcarboxylates are disclosed which can be utilized to plasticize and/or stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions, especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. Compounds of the present invention are utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change, which typically occurs during processing of the polymer or exposure to certain environments.

Organic thiol compounds including aromatic, aliphatic, and diester ether compounds containing sulfhydryl groups are disclosed which can be utilized to plasticize and/or stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions, especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. Compounds of the present invention are utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change, which typically occurs during processing of the polymer or exposure to certain environments.

Organic thiol compounds are disclosed which can be utilized to plasticize and stabilize halogen-containing polymer compositions, especially poly(vinyl chloride) compositions. Compounds of the present invention are utilized in polymers normally susceptible to deterioration and color change, which typically occurs during processing of the polymer or exposure to certain environments.

Growing community of inventors

Williamsburg, VA, United States of America

William Herbert Starnes, Jr