Abstract: The present invention relates to fire retardant polymer compositions possessing a non-liner structural configuration resulting by the reaction of N-tribromo-phenylmaleimide, with or without comonomer, with a preformed backbone polymer, in which the bromine content is above 1.2% by weight bromine. The polymer is selected from polystyrene, polyolefins, polyamides, rubbers, polyesters, acrylics, polymeric dienes and mixtures or copolymers thereof. The comonomer present with the N-tribromophenyl-maleimide is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, styrene and vinyl chloride. According to the invention the non-linear structural configurations are obtained either by grafting or crosslinking of the N-tribromophenylmaleimide onto the preformed backbone polymer in the presence of free radical producing means. Optionally, synergistic fire retardant additives such as antimony oxide are incorporated in the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fire retardant polymer compositions obtained by the blending of monomeric N-tribromophenylmaleimide, as a fire retardant additive with a polymer. The preferred amount of bromine in the composition is above 0.5% by weight thereof. The polymer is selected from styrenic polymers and copolymers, polyolefine, rubbers, epoxy resins, plasticized PVC and polyurethane. If desired, one or more additional fire retardant(s) may be incorporated in the composition. Optionally, synergistic fire retardant additives such as antimony oxide, or organo-phosphorus compounds are also incorporated. The flame retardant polymer compositions have improved properties compared with those obtained with known flame retardant reagents. It was also unexpectedly found that the fire retardant additive provides to the polymer composition stability against ultraviolet light irradiation.