Brominated copolymer flame retardant additives having improved color characteristics and related method

A method of imparting flame retardancy to a thermoplastic material without deleteriously impacting the color thereof comprising the step of:

• adding a brominated copolymer to the thermoplastic material, wherein the copolymer is a copolymer which consists of styrene and an acrylate or methacrylate monomer defined by the formula ##STR8## where R.sub.1 is a methyl group or hydrogen and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having between one and about 18 carbon atoms, said copolymer being produced by bromination of the unbrominated copolymer.

A brominated copolymer comprising:

• a copolymer which consists of styrene and an acrylate or methacrylate monomer defined by the formula ##STR9## where R.sub.1 a methyl group or hydrogen and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having between one and about 18 carbon atoms, said copolymer being produced by bromination of the unbrominated copolymer and having a bromine content of at least about 52 percent by weight.