Abstract: The present invention relates to intumescent fire retardant compositions for polymers such as olefin polymers, polyester resins, polyurethane resins etc. According to the invention, the intumescent fire retardant compositions contain a thermolized product obtained from a system comprising P.sub.2 O.sub.5 or a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 -precursor together with triethanolamine. The ratio between the constituents is between 0.5 to 2.0 parts by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to 1 part triethanolamine. The intumescent fire retardant compositions according to the present invention obviate the need for using of halogen-containing fire retardants which produce acid vapors during decomposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fire retardant compositions, based on the compounds 2-bromomethyl-2-hydroxy-methylpropane-1,3-diol, 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol, 2-bromomethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dibromopropane, and mixtures thereof, the compositions having a general formula (BrCH.sub.2).sub.m C[CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 O).sub.x H].sub.4-m wherein m is between 1.6 to 2.3 and x is between 0.75 to 1.10. These compositions are characterized by their particular infra-red spectra.The novel fire retardant compositions are produced by the reaction of formaldehyde or its polymeric forms with the above compounds, followed by the removal of water from the reaction system.The fire retardant compositions according to the present invention are suitable as active or additive fire retardant ingredients for various polymeric materials, such as polyurethane, polyester or epoxide resins.