Flame retardant flexible thermoplastic composition, method of making, and articles thereof

Abstract

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.