Abstract: Polymer compositions which comprise (a) a major amount of a polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one olefin and (b) a minor amount of a pseudoboehmite are stabilised against degradation in melt processing. The polymer is suitably a polyketone.

Abstract: Oxidatively stabilized polyolefin polymers containing an antioxidant are made more resistant to loss of antioxidant by converting at least some of the antioxidant comprising a polymer of dicyclopentadiene and a phenolic compound into a form non extractable with cyclohexane. The conversion is preferably by reaction in the melt phase in the presence of a radical initiator. Addition of organotin esters, sulphides, oxides or thioethers reduces the color.

Abstract: A polymer composition stabilised against degradation during melt processing which comprises (a) major amount of a linear alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide, ethylene, and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 normal olefin (b) a minor effective amount of a first stabiliser comprising an aluminium trialkoxide, an aluminium phenoxide or an aluminium containing hydrolysis product of such compounds and (c) a minor effective amount of a second stabiliser comprising an organic epoxy containing compound. The aluminium trialkoxide is suitably aluminium isopropoxide and the organic epoxy containing compound is, for example, epoxidised soybean oil.

Abstract: A photodegradable polymer composition comprising 50 to 99 weight percent based on the total weight of photodegradable polymer composition of a thermoplastic addition polymer and 1 to 50 weight percent based on the total weight of the photodegradable polymer composition of a photodegrading agent, said photodegrading agent being a polyketone which is a linear copolymer consisting of units of --CO(C.sub.2 H.sub.4)-- and units --CO(B')-- where B' is derived from olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of CHR.sub.4 .dbd.CHR.sub.5 (I) and CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(R.sub.6)(CHR.sub.7 R.sub.8) (II), wherein R.sub.4 is a hydrocarbyl group, R.sub.5 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, R.sub.6 is a hydrocarbyl group, and R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are individually hydrogen or hydrocarbyl groups.

Abstract: A flame retardant polymer composition which is substantially free of halogen compounds and of organometallic salts comprises (A) an organic polymer, at least 40% by weight of which is a copolymer of ethylene with one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and vinyl acetate, (B) a silicone fluid or gum and (C) an inorganic filler which is a compound of a metal of Group II A of the Periodic Table of Elements but which is neither a hydroxide nor a substantially hydrated compound. Suitable inorganic fillers are magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate, the latter being the most preferred. The compositions are particularly suitable for use in wire and cable applications.