Flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane containing melamine cyanurate

A process for producing a flame retarded thermoplastic polyurethane composition comprising mixing:

• (a) at least one thermoplastic polyurethane polymer;
• and
• (b) from about 28 to about 50 weight percent of melamine cyanurate as the sole organic flame retardant additive;
• wherein said thermoplastic polyurethane composition has an ultimate tensile strength greater than 1500 psi and a weight average molecular weight (Mw), as measured on said thermoplastic polyurethane polymer in a finished article, greater than 70,000 Daltons.

A wire and cable construction capable of passing both the requirements of UL-1581 section 1080 and UL-1581 section 1080 subject 758 section G tests comprising:

• (a) at least one metal conductor wherein said conductor is insulated with a non-conducting polymeric material;
• and
• (b) a flame retarded jacket covering said insulated metal conductor;
• wherein said jacket is a thermoplastic polyurethane composition comprising:
• (i) at least one thermoplastic polyurethane polymer;
• and
• (ii) from about 28 to about 50 weight percent of melamine cyanurate as the sole organic flame retardant additive and wherein said thermoplastic polyurethane composition has an ultimate tensile strength greater than 2900 psi and a weight average molecular weight (Mw), as measured on said thermoplastic polyurethane polymer in a finished article, greater than 100,000 Daltons.

A process for producing a wire and cable construction capable of passing both the requirements of UL-1581 section 1080 and UL-1581 section 1080 subject 758 section G tests comprising:

• (a) extruding an insulation layer of a non-conducting polymeric material onto at least one metal conductor;
• and
• (b) extruding a flame retardant jacket to cover said insulated metal conductor;
• wherein said jacket is a thermoplastic polyurethane composition comprising:
• (i) at least one thermoplastic polyurethane polymer;
• and
• (ii) from about 28 to about 50 weight percent of melamine cyanurate as the sole organic flame retardant additive and wherein said thermoplastic polyurethane composition has an ultimate tensile strength greater than 2900 psi and a weight average molecular weight (Mw), as measured on said thermoplastic polyurethane polymer in a finished article, greater than 100,000 Daltons.