The invention relates to a polymer which is useful as flame-retardant polymer. The invention also relates to a method of preparing said polymer and to a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising said polymer. The thermoplastic polymer composition can be used for the production of molded articles having excellent flame-retardant properties in order to ensure adequate fire protection.

The present invention provides a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) having a glass transition temperature between an ambient temperature and normal body temperature, wherein the TPU contains dicarboxyphenyl polyester structure represented by Formula 1 or 10-(2,3-dicarboxypropyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide n(DOPO-ITA) polyester structure represented by Formula 2. The present invention also provides a polyester polyol containing DOPO-ITA polyester structure represented by Formula 2, a molar percentage of the 10-(2,3-dicarboxypropyl)-9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-oxide polyester structure in the whole polyester polyol ranges from 30% to 70%.

The present invention further provides an article thereof.

##STR00001##

in Formula 1, R is C2 to C8 alkylene group or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2;

##STR00002##

in Formula 2, R is C2 to C8 alkylene group or CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2.

The subject invention provides a means for modifying existing polyester polymers to optimize characteristics for solid state polymerization and for utilization in a wide array of specific applications. For instance, the modification technique of this invention may be used to adjust the melting point, crystallization temperature (either from the solid or on cooling from the melt), glass transition temperature, natural stretch ratio, barrier properties, melt strength, and/or solid state polymerization characteristic of the polyester. Application of the instant invention could result in a polymer with substantially different physical properties, potentially allowing its use in heretofore high cost, specialty applications. A further advantage of the invention is that recycled polymer may be modified to broaden its potential uses into more demanding higher performance applications.

This disclosure relates to polymer compositions comprising blends of polyesters and phosphonate oligomers or polymers as well as methods of making them and articles of manufacture made from such blends.

The invention relates to a polymer which is useful as flame-retardant polymer. The invention also relates to a method of preparing said polymer and to a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising said polymer. The thermoplastic polymer composition can be used for the production of molded articles or yarns having excellent flame-retardant properties in order to ensure adequate fire protection.

A process for producing a flame-retardant polyester includes step (a) and step (b). In step (a), a combination of a bis-hydroxy alkyl terephthalate monomer and an organic diacid monomer mixture which includes an aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomer and a carboxy-phosphinic acid monomer is subjected to an esterification reaction to form an esterification reaction product. In step (b), the esterification reaction product is subjected to a polycondensation reaction.

A stabilizer for producing a polyester resin comprises a phosphate ester composition which includes a phosphate ester compound having Formula (I), ##STR00001##
wherein X.sup.1 represents ##STR00002##
and X.sup.2 represents H or ##STR00003## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a linear C.sub.2-C.sub.4 alkylene group, a branched C.sub.3-C.sub.4 alkylene group, and a combination thereof.

There is provided herein a flame retardant and curing agent compound for curing thermosetting resins, e.g., epoxy resins, a composition comprising a thermosetting resin, e.g., an epoxy resin and the curing agent, an article comprising the curing agent, and a method of making the curing agent.

There is provided herein a composition containing (A) a phosphorus-containing aromatic polyester of the general formula (I) described herein which has a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 20,000 and which is concurrently a flame retardant O and an active ester curing agent, and, (B) a solvent, such as a solvent commonly used in thermosetting resin formulations and copper-cias laminate preparation.

A phosphorus (P) containing oligomer, a polyester resin having excellent flame retardancy and a high degree of polymerization by including a constitutional unit derived from the phosphorus containing oligomer, a thermoplastic resin composition including the polyester resin, and a molded article using the thermoplastic resin composition are provided.