Arc-extinguishing composition and articles manufactured therefrom

Abstract

An arc-interrupting compound, such as melamine, and to a method of extinguishing an arc by disposing the composition along the path of the arc, for contacting the arc. In one embodiment, the binder, or at least a portion of the binder, is a polymer that contains a functional group that binds to a coupling agent that is included in the arc-extinguishing composition. The coupling agent ties the polymeric binder to the arc-extinguishing compound, e.g., melamine, to provide new and unexpected physical strength and stability to the composition. In this embodiment, the molded composition, including the arc-interrupting compound coupled to the binder, maintains excellent arc-interrupting capability, while providing chemical stability and electrical insulating properties as well as unexpected physical strength.

1 . An arc-extinguishing composition comprising an effective amount of an arc-extinguishing compound; 
 a polymeric binder for the arc-extinguishing compound; and    a coupling agent that binds the arc-extinguishing compound to the polymeric binder.    
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric binder includes a functionality selected from the group consisting of anhydride, hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amine, amide, ether, lactam, lactone, epoxy, ester, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfinate, sulfamate, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polymeric binder includes a functionality selected from the group consisting of anhydride, carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine, amide, ether, ester, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the binder comprises a polyamide.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the polyamide is a nylon.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the nylon is selected from the group consisting of nylon 4/6, nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 11 and nylon 6/12.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the arc-extinguishing compound is selected from the group consisting of melamine, guanidine, guanidine acetate, guanidine carbonate, 1,3-diphenylguanidine, a cyanurate, a melamine cyanurate, hydantoin, allantoin, urea, urea phosphate, benzoguanidine, dithioammelide, ammeline, a cyanuric halide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the arc-extinguishing compound is selected from the group consisting of melamine, benzoguanidine, dithioammelide, ammeline, a cyanuric halide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the arc-extinguishing compound is melamine.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 200 μm.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 100 μm.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 50 μm.  
   
   
       13 . An arc-extinguishing composition comprising an effective amount of an arc-extinguishing compound; 
 a polymeric binder for the arc-extinguishing compound; and    a coupling agent that binds the arc-extinguishing compound to the polymeric binder; and    a compatible plasticizer for said polymeric binder.    
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the polymeric binder includes a functionality selected from the group consisting of anhydride, hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amine, amide, ether, lactam, lactone, epoxy, ester, sulfate, sulfonate, sulfinate, sulfamate, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the polymeric binder includes a functionality selected from the group consisting of anhydride, carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine, amide, ether, ester, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the binder comprises a polyamide.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the polyamide is a nylon.  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the nylon is selected from the group consisting of nylon 4/6, nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 11 and nylon 6/12.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the arc-extinguishing material is selected from the group consisting of melamine, guanidine, guanidine acetate, guanidine carbonate, 1,3-diphenylguanidine, a cyanurate, a melamine cyanurate, hydantoin, allantoin, urea, urea phosphate, benzoguanidine, dithioammelide, ammeline, a cyanuric halide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the arc-extinguishing compound is selected from the group consisting of melamine, benzoguanidine, dithioammelide, ammeline, a cyanuric halide, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the arc-extinguishing compound is melamine.  
   
   
       22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 200 μm.  
   
   
       23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 100 μm.  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the melamine has a particle size such that at least 90% by weight of the melamine particles have a size less than 50 μm.  
   
   
       25 . An arc-extinguishing composition comprising an effective amount of melamine having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% by weight of melamine particles have a size less than 200 μm; and a binder for the melamine.  
   
   
       26 . An arc-extinguishing sheath disposed to surround an electrical fuse, said sheath formed from the composition of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       27 . An arc-extinguishing sheath disposed to surround an electrical fuse, said sheath formed from the composition of  claim 13 .  
   
   
       28 . An arc-extinguishing sheath disposed to surround an electrical fuse, said sheath formed from the composition of  claim 25.