Flame retardant polyurethanes and polyisocyanurates, and additives therefor

A free-flowing non-viscous liquid flame retardant composition comprised of or formed by mixing together components comprised of:

• A) about 15 to about 55 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• B) about 15 to about 75 wt % of at least one liquid alkyl or chloroalkyl phosphate or at least one liquid alkyl phosphonate ester, or mixture of any two or more of these;
• C) about 5 to about 45 wt % of at least one diester/diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride;
• and optionally
• D) at least one phenolic antioxidant;
• wherein the percentages of A), B) and C) are based on the total weight of only components A), B) and C).

A free-flowing non-viscous liquid flame retardant composition comprised of or formed by mixing together components comprised of:

• A) about 20 to about 40 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• B) about 20 to about 70 wt % of at least one liquid alkyl or chloroalkyl phosphate or at least one liquid alkyl phosphonate ester, or mixture of any two or more of these;
• C) about 10 to about 40 wt % of at least one diester/diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride;
• and optionally
• D) at least one phenolic antioxidant;
• wherein the percentages of A), B) and C) are based on the total weight of only components A), B) and C).

A free-flowing non-viscous liquid flame retardant composition comprised of or formed by mixing together components comprised of:

• A) about 35 to about 40 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• B) about 50 wt % of a tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate;
• C) about 10 to about 15 wt % of a mixed ester of tetrabromophthalic anhydride with diethylene glycol and propylene glycol;
• and
• D) optionally up to about 2000 ppm (wt/wt) of at least one phenolic antioxidant;
• wherein the total wt % of A), B), and C) adds up to 100 wt %.

A free-flowing non-viscous liquid flame retardant composition comprised of or formed by mixing together components comprised of:

• A) about 50 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• B) about 20 wt % of a tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate;
• C) about 20 wt % of diethylethanephosphonate;
• D) about 10 wt % of a mixed ester of tetrabromophthalic anhydride with diethylene glycol and propylene glycol;
• and
• E) optionally up to about 2000 ppm (wt/wt) of at least one phenolic antioxidant.

A free-flowing non-viscous liquid flame retardant composition comprised of or formed by mixing together components comprised of:

• A) about 35 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• B) about 35 wt % of a tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate;
• C) about 5 wt % of triethylphosphate;
• D) about 25 wt % of a mixed ester of tetrabromophthalic anhydride with diethylene glycol and propylene glycol;
• and
• E) optionally up to about 2000 ppm (wt/wt) of at least one phenolic antioxidant.

A flame-retardant composition which comprises a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer formed in the presence of flame retardant components comprised of:

• 1) about 15 to about 55 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• 2) about 15 to about 75 wt % of at least one liquid alkyl or chloroalkyl phosphate or at least one liquid alkyl phosphonate ester, or mixture of any two or more of these;
• 3) about 5 to about 45 wt % of at least one diester/diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride;
• and optionally
• 4) at least one phenolic antioxidant;
• wherein the percentages of 1), 2) and 3) are based on the total weight of only components 1), 2) and 3).

A flame-retardant composition which comprises a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer formed in the presence of flame retardant components comprised of:

• 1) about 20 to about 40 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• 2) about 20 to about 70 wt % of at least one liquid alkyl or chloroalkyl phosphate or at least one liquid alkyl phosphonate ester, or mixture of any two or more of these;
• 3) about 10 to about 40 wt % of at least one diester/diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride;
• and optionally
• 4) at least one phenolic antioxidant;
• wherein the percentages of 1), 2) and 3) are based on the total weight of only components 1), 2) and 3).

A process of preparing a rigid polyurethane foam or polyisocyanurate foam, which process comprises polymerizing at least one organic polyisocyanate with at least one isocyanate-reactive compound in the presence of components comprised of or formed from components comprised of at least one polymerization catalyst, at least one blowing agent and flame retardant components comprised of:

• 1) about 15 to about 55 wt % of tetrabromobisphenol-A;
• 2) about 15 to about 75 wt % of at least one liquid alkyl or chloroalkyl phosphate or at least one liquid alkyl phosphonate ester, or mixture of any two or more of these;
• 3) about 5 to about 45 wt % of at least one diester/diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride;
• wherein the percentages of 1), 2) and 3) are based on the total weight of only components 1), 2) and 3), and wherein said flame retardant components 1), 2) and 3) are added to the polymerization mixture individually and/or as one or more preformed mixtures.