Flame-retardant filament and method of manufacture thereof and protective sleeves constructed therefrom

Abstract

A continuous halogen-free flame-retardant filament and method of forming thereof includes providing MC, a phosphorus compound, and PET, and then, forming a mixture of the MC, phosphorus compound, and PET. And lastly, extruding the mixture to form the halogen-free flame-retardant filament. The filament can be braided, woven or knitted into a variety of fabric constructions, such as, for example, sleeves for protecting wires.

1 . An extruded halogen-free flame-retardant continuous elongate filament, consisting of:
 melamine cyanurate;   phosphorus compound; and   poly(ethylene terephthalate).   
     
     
         2 . The filament of  claim 1  wherein said phosphorus compound is incorporated in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         3 . The filament of  claim 2  wherein said melamine cyanurate is compounded with said P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         4 . The filament of  claim 1  wherein said melamine cyanurate and said phosphorous compound are incorporated in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form MC-P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         5 . A method of forming a halogen-free flame-retardant continuous elongate filament, consisting of the steps of:
 providing melamine cyanurate;   providing a phosphorus compound;   providing poly(ethylene terephthalate);   forming a compound of said melamine cyanurate, said phosphorous compound and said poly(ethylene terephthalate); and   extruding said compound to form said filament.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the forming a compound step includes incorporating said phosphorus compound in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the forming a compound step includes compounding said melamine cyanurate with said P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the forming a compound step includes incorporating said melamine cyanurate and said phosphorus compound in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form MC-P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible, fire-resistant fabric sleeve for protecting elongate members, comprising:
 at least one yarn, said yarn consisting of:   melamine cyanurate;   a phosphorus compound; and   poly(ethylene terephthalate).   
     
     
         10 . The fabric sleeve of  claim 9  wherein said at least one yarn is a monofilament. 
     
     
         11 . The fabric sleeve of  claim 9  wherein said at least one yarn is a multifilament. 
     
     
         12 . The fabric sleeve of  claim 9  wherein said phosphorus compound is incorporated in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         13 . The fabric sleeve of  claim 12  wherein said melamine cyanurate is compounded with said P-FR-PET. 
     
     
         14 . The fabric sleeve of  claim 9  wherein said melamine cyanurate and said phosphorous compound are incorporated in a stage of polycondensation of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymerization process to form MC-P-FR-PET.