Brominated epoxy oligomers

New fire retardants not related to the chemistry of diphenyl ethers have been developed for more environmentally friendly applications.61-62 Among these newer compounds available for use in styrenic copolymers are a proprietary compound, brominated trimethylphenyl indan, brominated epoxy oligomers, and tris(tribromophenyl) cyanurate. 

Brominated epoxy oligomers are available in a number of different forms, with variations in molecular weight and eqdcapping. In general, these are nonblooming soluble flame retardants with good UV stability. 

F-2016 is a brominated epoxy oligomer with around 50% bromine and a molecular weight of 1600 designed to ensure optimal properties in styrenic copolymers. Brominated epoxy oligomers offer a combination of high flame retardant efficiency, UV stability, good mechanical properties and thermal stability. They are non-blooming due to their physicochemical properties and polymeric... 

F-3020 is an end-capped brominated epoxy oligomer with 56% of bromine and a molecular weight of 2000. It has been developed to give a better compromise of UV stability and impact properties in styrenic copolymers than other brominated epoxy oligomers. 

Saytex CP-2000 is widely used for printed wiring boards laminates made from FR4 epoxies. It is reacted into the epoxy, so that there is no potential for leaching out of the resin. The FR meets the German Dioxin Rule. It is environmentally acceptable, thermally stable at high temperatures and does not disrupt resin properties when soldered. It can be used as an additive in ABS and also as a raw material in brominated epoxy oligomers in ABS and high impact polystyrene (HIPS). 

DSBG markets brominated epoxy oligomers to improve the burning behaviour of styrene polymers, and some of them use an antimony synergist. 

Great Lakes has estimated the total flame retarded polymer sold in 2003 at 1.67 M tonnes worldwide. Three-quarters of this was destined for electrical and electronic products, including cable, while 24% was sold to the building and construction industry (i.e., 400,000 tonnes) and 1% went into transport applications. The amoimt of flame retardant polymer compound used in internal electrical components was estimated at 450,000 t/y, and 31% of this was thought to use polyamide. Altogether 14,000 tonnes of FR additive were used in polyamides, and 15,000 tonnes were incorporated into thermoplastic (saturated) polyesters. The majority of FRs used in PET and PBT polyesters are either brominated carbonate oligomers or brominated epoxy oligomers, while the majority of FRs used in polyamides are either brominated or polybrominated polystyrenes. 

Use of brominated epoxy oligomer is gradually increasing due to its excellent weather resistance and heat resistance, and it is suitable for preparing the heat-resistant flame-retardant ABS resin, since it is possible to prepare high heat resistance products according to their molecular weights. 

Tribroinophenol and derivatives (also known as brominated epoxy oligomers) are used with ABS and styrenes, polycarbonate, polyamide, PS, and PU foams, and thermosetting resins not suitable with polyolefins and PVC. 

Renewed development and marketing effort is expected with brominated epoxy oligomers, now in the hands of Resolution Performance Products, following a sell-off from Shell. These materials are well established for thermosets, such as epoxy resins, phenolics, and vinyl esters, but modified grades have recently been introduced aiming at thermoplastics, such as styrenic and (significantly, because of its potential in electrical and electronics equipment) ABS. Thermoplastic polyesters, elastomers, and polyolefins can also be flame retarded with these materials which have a bromine content of 50-60% weight... 

Brominated Epoxy Oligomers (BEO) [68928-70-1] as Additives. The reaction of tetrabromobisphenol A with epichlorohydrin can be conducted in a ratio to make either diglycidyl ether or to make oligomers of reduced epoxy functionality, or end capped with tribromophenol to avoid functionality. These oligomers are mainly used as melt-blendable additives useful in many thermoplastics, notably in ABS, HIPS, and polyamides. Processing and UV stability advantages are often superior to those of decabromodiphenyl ether, and a good balance of properties is obtained for use in ABS in business machine applications (37). These... 

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