RU2808998C2 - Fire-retardant polyolefin composition - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: textile materials.

SUBSTANCE: fire-retardant polyolefin composition is proposed containing from 20 to 90 wt.% ethylene-based plastomer with a density in the range from 0.850 to 0.915 g/cm³ and a melt flow rate under a load of 2.16 kg (MFR₂) in the range from 0.5 to 30 g/10 min, propylene-based plastomer with a density in the range from 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm³ and MFR₂ in the range from 0.01 to 30 g/10 min and a fire retardant, the use of the proposed fire-retardant polyolefin composition for coating fabric a substrate, a method of applying the proposed fire-retardant polyolefin composition to a fabric substrate, a fabric substrate containing the proposed fire-retardant polyolefin composition and a product made from the proposed fabric substrate.

EFFECT: production of textile materials with a fire-resistant polymer coating that have high physical and mechanical characteristics, such as bending, tensile strength, and color fastness to UV radiation.

16 cl, 1 dwg, 7 tbl, 27 ex

Description

The present invention relates to a fire retardant polymer composition, in particular to a composition containing a mixture of two plastomers and a fire retardant. The present invention also relates to substrates and articles coated with said polyolefin composition, and to the use of said composition for coating a substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Polymer-coated textile materials are used in a variety of products such as carpets, mattresses, pillows and seat upholstery for office furniture, car interiors, etc. It is desirable that such materials are soft enough, as well as resistant to abrasion and ultraviolet radiation. It is also important that said materials meet safety standards regarding fire resistance. With growing consumer demand and new legislation, the development of new systems is a continuous process.

Today, the most widely used polymer in such coatings is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When PVC products burn, hydrogen chloride gas is formed. This inhibits the combustion process in the gas phase by eliminating high-energy H and OH radicals, causing the burning material to be deprived of oxygen. However, such corrosive fumes can cause additional problems such as corrosion. Perhaps more significant are the environmental concerns associated with the use of PVC. PVC is not biodegradable; in fact, it is not degradable at all and is very difficult to recycle. Thus, there remains a need to find alternative polymers that are suitable replacements for PVC.

Polyurethane has also been used, but its use is not always compatible with environments that use aggressive cleaning agents or disinfectants. In addition, if it is exposed to too much humidity or variable temperatures, cracking may occur.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly discovered that a polyolefin composition containing a mixture of an ethylene-based plastomer and a propylene-based plastomer, as well as a fire retardant, has flame retardant properties that meet industry standards. Ideally, such compositions also have good UV resistance and attractive mechanical properties. Of particular value would be a polyolefin system that is highly recyclable, up to 100% recyclable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In terms of one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fire retardant polyolefin composition comprising:

a) ethylene-based plastomer with a density in the range from 0.850 to 0.915 g/cm ³ and MFR ₂ in the range from 0.5 to 30 g/10 min;

b) propylene-based plastomer with a density in the range from 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm ³ and MFR ₂ in the range from 0.01 to 30 g/10 min; And

c) fire retardant

In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a flame retardant polyolefin composition as defined herein for coating a substrate, preferably a fabric substrate.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of coating a substrate with a flame retardant polyolefin composition as defined herein, comprising applying said composition to the surface of said substrate.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a support, preferably a fabric support, coated with a flame retardant polyolefin composition as defined herein.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides an article comprising at least one component derived from a coated substrate as defined hereinabove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention contain an ethylene-based plastomer and a propylene-based plastomer together with a fire retardant.

As used herein, the term “ethylene-based plastomer” refers to a plastomer in which the amount of polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the weight of the plastomer) is a major portion, which plastomer may optionally contain at least one comonomer.

As used herein, the term “propylene-based plastomer” refers to a plastomer in which the amount of polymerized propylene monomer (based on the weight of the plastomer) is a major portion, which plastomer may optionally contain at least one comonomer.

Ethylene based plastomer

Ethylene-based plastomer has a density ranging from 0.850 to 0.915 g/cm ³ and an MFR ₂ (190 °C) ranging from 0.5 to 30 g/10 min. It should be understood that by “ethylene-based” plastomer we mean a plastomer in which the majority by weight consists of ethylene monomer units. The ethylene content of suitable ethylene-based plastomers is from 60 to 95% by weight, preferably from 65 to 90% by weight. and more preferably from 70 to 88 wt%. The comonomer contribution is preferably up to 40% by weight, more preferably up to 35% by weight. The comonomer content of conventional ethylene plastomers is known to one skilled in the art.

The ethylene-based plastomer is preferably a copolymer of ethylene and propylene or a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin. Suitable C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha olefins include 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene, preferably 1-butene or 1-octene and more preferably 1-octene. Ideally, only one comonomer is present. Preferably, copolymers of ethylene and 1-octene are used.

The density of the ethylene-based plastomer is from 0.850 to 0.915 g/cm ³ , preferably from 0.855 to 0.910 g/cm ³ , for example from 0.858 to 0.903 g/cm ³ .

The MFR ₂ (melt flow rate) (ISO 1133; 190 °C; 2.16 kg) of suitable ethylene-based plastomers is 0.5 to 30 g/10 min, preferably 2.0 to 20 g/10 min or more preferably from 5.0 to 15.0 g/min.

Melting points (measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ISO 11357-3:1999) of suitable ethylene-based plastomers may be below 130 °C, preferably below 120 °C, more preferably below 110 °C and most preferably below 100 °C C. An acceptable lower limit for the melting temperatures of suitable ethylene-based plastomers may be 30 °C. The typical melting point range is from 33 to 115 °C.

In addition, suitable ethylene-based plastomers may have a glass transition temperature Tg (measured using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) according to ISO 6721-7) below -40 °C, preferably below -54 °C, more preferably below -58 °C .

The Mw/Mn value of the ethylene-based plastomer, which is the molecular weight distribution (MWD), is preferably 1.5 to 5.0, more preferably 2.0 to 4.5, more preferably 2.5 to 4 ,0.

The ethylene-based plastomer can be unimodal or multimodal, preferably unimodal.

The polyethylene-based plastomer is preferably a polymer produced by metallocene-catalyzed polymerization, although polyethylene plastomers produced by Ziegler-Natta catalyst-catalyzed polymerization are also possible.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based plastomer is a thermoplastic plastomer.

Although it is within the scope of the present invention to use a single ethylene-based plastomer, it is also possible to use a mixture of two or more ethylene-based plastomers as defined herein.

Suitable ethylene-based plastomers can be any copolymer of ethylene and propylene or ethylene and a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin having the properties defined above, and these plastomers can be purchased, for example, from Borealis AG (Austria) under the trade name Queo , from DOW Chemical Corp (USA) under the brand name Engage or Affinity, or from Mitsui under the brand name Tafmer.

Alternatively, the ethylene-based plastomer can be produced by known methods in a one-step or two-step polymerization process, including solution polymerization, suspension polymerization, gas-phase polymerization, or combinations thereof, in the presence of suitable catalysts such as vanadium oxide catalysts or single-layer catalysts. polymerization site, for example metallocene catalysts, or hindered catalysts known to those skilled in the art.

Such ethylene-based plastomers are preferably produced by a one-step or two-step solution polymerization process, in particular by a high temperature solution polymerization process at temperatures above 100 °C.

These methods are essentially based on the polymerization of a monomer and a suitable comonomer in a liquid hydrocarbon solvent in which the resulting polymer is soluble. Polymerization is carried out at a temperature above the melting point of the polymer, resulting in a polymer solution. This solution is subjected to rapid evaporation to separate the polymer from unreacted monomer and solvent. The solvent is then recovered and recycled into the process.

The solution polymerization method is preferably a high temperature solution polymerization method using a polymerization temperature above 100 °C. The polymerization temperature is preferably at least 110°C, more preferably at least 150°C. The polymerization temperature can be up to 250 °C.

The pressure in such a solution polymerization process is preferably 10 to 100 bar, preferably 15 to 100 bar, and more preferably 20 to 100 bar.

The liquid hydrocarbon solvent used is preferably a C _5-12 hydrocarbon, which may be unsubstituted or substituted with a C _1-4 alkyl group such as pentane, methyl pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane and hydrogenated naphtha. More preferably, unsubstituted C _6-10 hydrocarbon solvents are used.

A known solution-based technology suitable for use in the method of the present invention is Borceed technology.

It is understood that the ethylene-based plastomer may contain standard polymer additives.

Ethylene-based plastomer may be present in amounts ranging from 20 to 90% by weight, but is typically present in the range of 30 to 90% by weight. relative to the weight of the polymer composition, while the indicated values of % wt. refer to the total mass of the composition as a whole. According to a preferred embodiment, in the polymer composition, the ethylene-based plastomer constitutes from 35 to 75 wt.%, for example, from 40 to 65 wt.%. (relative to the total mass of the composition as a whole).

Propylene based plastomer

The compositions of the present invention contain a propylene-based plastomer with a density of 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm ³ and an MFR ₂ (230 °C/2.16 kg) ranging from 0.01 to 30 g/10 min. Within the scope of the present invention is a composition containing only one propylene-based plastomer as defined herein. Alternatively, a mixture of at least two of these propylene-based plastomers can be used. Additional propylene-based plastomers with properties different from those described herein for the “propylene-based plastomer” may also be used in the compositions of the present invention.

The propylene-based plastomer of the present invention is typically a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin, such as a copolymer of propylene with ethylene, butene, hexene or octene. It should be understood that propylene is the main component in propylene-based plastomer. Propylene is usually present in amounts from 55 to 95% by weight. If the comonomer is ethylene, the ethylene content of the propylene-ethylene copolymer is preferably 5 to 30% by weight, for example 7.5 to 20% by weight.

In any case, the propylene-based plastomer has a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm ³ . In a preferred embodiment, the density of the propylene-based plastomer is from 0.863 to 0.905 g/cm ³ , for example, from 0.865 to 0.900 g/cm ³ .

The propylene-based plastomer preferably has a molecular weight distribution (MWD), defined as the weight average molecular weight divided by the number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn), of 3.5 or less; or 3.0 or less; or from 1.8 to 3.0.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the propylene-based plastomers of the present invention can vary widely, but is typically
from about 10,000 to 1,000,000 (it is understood that the only limit on the minimum or maximum value of Mw is the value determined by experience).

The propylene-based plastomer of the present invention can be produced by any method and includes copolymers produced by catalysis using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, CGC (constrained geometry catalyst), metallocene and non-metallocene catalyst, metal-centered catalyst, heteroaryl ligand containing catalyst. Ideally, the propylene-based plastomers of the present invention are prepared using metallocene-type catalysts.

In some embodiments, the propylene-based plastomer is characterized as containing substantially isotactic propylene sequences. “Substantially isotactic propylene sequences” means that the sequences contain an isotactic triad (mm) measured by ¹³ C NMR to be greater than 0.85; alternatively more than 0.90; in another alternative, more than 0.92; and in yet another alternative, more than 0.93. Isotactic triads are well known in the art and are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,504,172 and International Publication No. WO 00/01745, which refers to an isotactic sequence like triad unit in the molecular chain of a copolymer as determined by ¹³ C NMR spectra.

Such copolymers include random copolymers, block copolymers, and graft copolymers, although it is preferred that the copolymers have a random configuration. In one embodiment, the propylene-based plastomer is preferably a plastomer with a random distribution of ethylene within otherwise isotactic propylene chains. Therefore, such a plastomer can be considered as a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene. However, it is not a heterophasic copolymer.

The propylene-based plastomers used in the present invention are commercially available and can be purchased from polymer suppliers. Examples include plastomers sold by Dow Chemical Company under the trade name VERSIFY or by ExxonMobil Chemical Company under the trade name VISTAMAXX.

Propylene-based plastomer typically ranges from 5 to 45% by weight. relative to the polymer composition, with the indicated values of % wt. refer to the total mass of the composition as a whole. According to a preferred embodiment, the propylene-based plastomer in the polymer composition comprises from 8 to 40% by weight, for example from 10 to 35% by weight. (relative to the total mass of the composition as a whole).

Fire retardant

The polyolefin composition contains a fire retardant. It should be understood that in the context of the present invention, a "flame retardant" means a substance that is activated in the presence of a source of ignition and prevents or retards the further development of inflammation through various physical and chemical means.

Any suitable fire retardant known in the art may be used. A single fire retardant may be used, or a mixture of two or more fire retardants may be used.

Examples of flame retardants include boron phosphate flame retardants; magnesium oxide; dipentaerythritol, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymers; phosphate ester flame retardants (eg tricresyl phosphate); minerals such as aluminum hydroxide (ATH), magnesium hydroxide (MDH), huntite and hydromagnesite, antimony trioxide, aluminum trihydrate, red phosphorus and boron compounds such as borates; inorganic phosphinates and/or metal phosphinates, such as salts of phosphinic acids and/or diphosphinic acids or polymer derivatives thereof; organohalogen compounds such as organochlorine compounds such as chlorendic acid derivatives and chlorinated paraffins; organobromine compounds such as decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), decabromodiphenylethane, polymeric brominated compounds such as brominated polystyrenes, brominated carbonate oligomers (BEOs), brominated epoxy oligomers (BEOs), decabromodiphenyl oxide, ethylene bis(tetrabromophthalimide), tetradecabromodiphenoxybenzene, these flax- bis(dibromonorbornanedicarboximide), tetrabromophthalic anhydride, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD); phosphate salt fire retardants such as metal salts of phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, amine phosphate, melamine phosphate, dimelamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, melamine polyphosphate, ethylenediamine phosphate, melamine nitrilotrisphosphonate, or a combination thereof; organophosphorus compounds, in particular aromatic phosphates, including aromatic monophosphates, aromatic diphosphates, aromatic triphosphates, or any combination thereof. Other organophosphorus compounds include triphenyl phosphate (TPP), resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), bisphenol A diphenyl phosphate (BADP), and tricresyl phosphate (TCP); phosphonates such as dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP); and phosphinates such as aluminum diethyl phosphinate. In one important class of flame retardants, the compounds contain both phosphorus and halogen. These compounds include tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (brominated Tris) and chlorinated organophosphates such as tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (chlorinated Tris or TDCPP) and tetrakis(2-chloroethyl) dichloroisopentyl diphosphate (V6).

Other known flame retardants that can be used include halogenated and/or melamine-based flame retardants, as well as ammonium polyphosphate flame retardants.

Melamine derivatives include melamine polyphosphate, melamine pyrophosphate and melamine cyanurate and mixtures of two or more of these materials. The halogenated flame retardants used in the compositions of the present invention may be selected from organic aromatic halogenated compounds such as halogenated benzenes, biphenyls, phenols, ethers or esters thereof, bisphenols, diphenyl oxides, aromatic carboxylic acids or polyacids, their anhydrides, amides or imides; organic cycloaliphatic or polycycloaliphatic halogenated compounds; and organic aliphatic halogenated compounds such as halogenated paraffins, oligo- or polymers, alkyl phosphates or alkyl isocyanurates. The listed components are widely known in the art.

The flame retardant will generally be present in an amount of from about 1.5 to 30 wt%, preferably from 2.0 to 30 wt%, more preferably from 5.0 to 30 wt%, in particular from 10 to 30 wt.%, for example from 15 to 20 wt.%. relative to the total weight of the composition as a whole.

The fire retardant can be added in pure form or as part of a polymer masterbatch. The polymer masterbatch may contain a fire retardant at a concentration of, for example, from about 2.5% to about 60% by weight.

Ideally, a fire retardant does not contain halogens.

The fire retardant preferably contains ammonium polyphosphate.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fire retardant contains a mixture of ammonium polyphosphate and a silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer.

The weight ratio of ammonium polyphosphate to silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer may be from 9:1 to 1:9, preferably from 5:1 to 1:5, even more preferably from 3:1 to 1:3, for example 1:1.

Ammonium polyphosphate can be any inorganic salt of polyphosphoric acid and ammonia. Ammonium polyphosphates (APPs) are usually represented by the formula [NH ₄ PO ₃ ] _n . The chain length (n) of such a polymer compound is both variable and branched, and can be greater than 1000. Short and linear chain APPs (n < 100) are more water sensitive (hydrolysis) and less thermally stable than longer chain APPs (n >1000), exhibiting very low solubility in water (<0.1 g/100 ml).

Ammonium polyphosphates are stable, non-volatile compounds.

Ammonium polyphosphates for use in the flame retardants of the present invention are commercially available and can be purchased from many suppliers. Examples include ADK STAB FP-2000 series flame retardants available from Adeka Polymer Additive Europe or IC FR5110 flame retardants available from Into Chemicals.

A silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer is a copolymer(a) of ethylene containing units containing silane group(s). The silane group(s) containing units may be present as a comonomer of the ethylene copolymer or as a compound chemically grafted onto the polymer.

Accordingly, in cases where silane group(s) containing units are included in the polymer (a) as a comonomer, such silane group(s) containing units are copolymerized as a comonomer with the ethylene monomer during the polymerization of the polymer (a). In the case where silane group(s) containing units are incorporated into a polymer by grafting, such silane group(s) containing units undergo a chemical reaction (also called grafting) with the polymer (a) after polymerization of the polymer (a). The chemical reaction, i.e. grafting, is usually carried out using a radical-forming agent such as peroxide. Such a chemical reaction may occur before or during the lamination process of the present invention. In general, copolymerization and grafting of silane group(s) containing units to ethylene are well known processes and are well documented in the polymer preparation art and are within the skill of the skilled artisan. Examples of technologies include the Sioplas and Monosil processes.

In one embodiment, the silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer is preferably an ethylene polymer (a) selected from:

- (a1) a copolymer of ethylene and a comonomer containing silane group(s);

- (a2) a copolymer of ethylene with one or more polar comonomer(s) selected from (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate or (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl-(C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate comonomer(s) ), wherein the copolymer (a2) contains units containing silane group(s), and wherein the copolymer (a2) is different from the ethylene polymer (a1); or

- (a3) a copolymer of ethylene with one or more (C ₃ -C ₁₀ )-alpha-olefin comonomers, which is different from the ethylene polymer (a1) and the ethylene polymer (a2) and to which units containing silane group(s) have been grafted .

It is well known that the use of peroxide in the described grafting embodiment reduces the melt flow rate (MFR) of the ethylene polymer due to the simultaneous occurrence of the crosslinking reaction. As a result, such a grafting embodiment may impose restrictions on the selection of the MFR polymer (a) as the starting polymer, and the selection of the MFR may have a negative impact on the quality of the polymer in the final application. In addition, by-products generated from peroxide during the grafting process can have a negative impact on the life of the polymer composition in its final application.

Copolymerization of the silane group(s)-containing comonomer to form a polymer backbone allows for more uniform incorporation of units compared to unit grafting. Moreover, compared to grafting, copolymerization does not require the addition of peroxide after polymer production.

Accordingly, the silane group(s) containing units are preferably present in polymer (a) as a comonomer, that is, included in polymer (a1) as a comonomer with an ethylene monomer, and in the case of polymer (a2) as a comonomer together with a polar comonomer and ethylene monomer. Thus, polymer (a2) contains two different comonomers, a comonomer containing silane group(s) and a polar comonomer as defined above, that is, polymer (a2) is a terpolymer. However, it should be understood that in the polymer (a2), the silane group(s) containing units may also be present as units that have been grafted onto a copolymer of ethylene and one or more polar comonomer(s).

“Silane group(s)-containing comonomer” referred to herein above, below, or in the claims means that silane group(s)-containing units are present as a comonomer.

The silane group(s)-containing unit or preferably the silane group(s)-containing comonomer of the ethylene polymer (a) is preferably a hydrolyzable unsaturated silane compound represented by formula (I):

R ¹ SiR ² _q Y _3-q , (I)

where R ¹ represents an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy or (meth)acryloxy hydrocarbyl group,

each R ² independently represents an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbyl group,

Y, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrolyzable organic group, and

q is 0, 1 or 2.

Additional suitable comonomer containing silane group(s) is, for example, gamma-(meth)acryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, gamma-(meth)acryloxypropyl-triethoxysilane and vinyltriacetoxysilane, or combinations of two or more of these compounds.

One suitable subgroup of the compound of formula (I) is an unsaturated silane compound or preferably a comonomer of formula (II)

CH ₂ =CHSi(OA) ₃ , (II)

where each A independently represents a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, suitably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The silane group(s)-containing unit or preferably the silane group(s)-containing comonomer according to the present invention is preferably a compound of formula (II), which is vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl-bis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, more preferably vinyltrimethoxysilane or vinyltriethoxysilane, more preferably vinyltrimethoxysilane .

The amount (mol %) of silane group(s) containing units present, preferably present as a comonomer, in the polymer (a) is preferably from 0.01 to 2.0 mol. %, preferably from 0.01 to 1.00 mol. %, suitably from 0.05 to 0.80 mol. %, suitably from 0.10 to 0.60 mol. %, suitably from 0.10 to 0.50 mol. %, when determined according to “Comonomer Content”, as described below in the “Methods of Determination” section.

In one embodiment (A1), polymer (a) is an ethylene polymer containing a comonomer (a1) containing silane group(s). According to such an embodiment of A1, the polymer (a1) does not contain, that is, does not include, the polar comonomer defined in the description of the polymer (a2). The silane group(s) containing comonomer is preferably the only comonomer present in the polymer (a1). Accordingly, polymer (a1) is preferably obtained by copolymerizing an ethylene monomer in a high pressure polymerization process in the presence of a silane group(s)-containing comonomer using a radical initiator.

The silane group(s)-containing comonomer is preferably the only comonomer present in the ethylene polymer (a1).

According to said one of the preferred embodiments (A1), the polymer (a1) is preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (I), more preferably with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (II), more preferably with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (II), more preferably with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (II) selected from vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinylbis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane or vinyltrimethoxysilane comonomer as defined above or in the claims. Most preferably, polymer (a1) is a copolymer of ethylene with a vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyl-bis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane or vinyltrimethoxysilane comonomer, preferably with a vinyltrimethoxysilane or vinyltriethoxysilane comonomer, most preferably with a vinyltrimethoxysilane comonomer.

In another embodiment (A2), polymer (a) is an ethylene polymer with one or more polar comonomer(s) selected from (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate or (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl(C ₁ - C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate comonomer(s) (a2), wherein said copolymer (a2) contains units containing silane group(s). According to such embodiment (A2), polymer (a2) is a copolymer of ethylene with one or more, preferably one, polar comonomer(s) selected from (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate or (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate comonomer(s) and comonomer containing silane group(s). The polar comonomer of the ethylene polymer (a2) is preferably selected from one of a (C ₁ -C ₆ )-alkyl acrylate comonomer, preferably methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate or butyl acrylate comonomer. More preferably, polymer (a2) is a copolymer of ethylene with a polar comonomer selected from methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate or butyl acrylate comonomer and a comonomer containing silane group(s). The polymer (a2) is most preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a polar comonomer selected from methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate or butyl acrylate comonomer, and with a silane group(s) containing comonomer of the compound of formula (I). In such an embodiment, the polar comonomer and the preferred silane group(s)-containing comonomer are preferably the only comonomers present in the ethylene copolymer (a2).

The content of polar comonomer present in the polymer (a2) is preferably from 0.5 to 30.0 mol. %, from 2.5 to 20.0 mol. %, preferably from 4.5 to 18 mol. %, preferably from 5.0 to 18.0 mol. %, preferably from 6.0 to 18.0 mol. %, preferably from 6.0 to 16.5 mol. %, more preferably from 6.8 to 15.0 mol. %, more preferably from 7.0 to 13.5 mol. % when measured according to “Comonomer Content” as described below in the “Methods of Determination” section.

According to said other preferred embodiment (A2), the polymer (a2) is preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a polar comonomer as defined herein above, below or in the claims, and with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (I), more preferably with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (II), more preferably with a silane group(s) containing comonomer according to formula (II) selected from vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyl-bis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane or vinyltrimethoxysilane comonomer as defined above or in the claims. Polymer (a2) is preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate or butyl acrylate comonomer and with a vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl bis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyl triethoxy silane or vinyl trimethoxy silane comonomer, preferably with a vinyl trimethoxy silane or vinyl triethoxy silane comonomer. More preferably, polymer (a2) is a copolymer of ethylene with a methyl acrylate comonomer and with a vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl-bis-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane or vinyltrimethoxysilane comonomer, preferably with a vinyltrimethoxysilane or vinyltriethoxysilane comonomer.

Accordingly, polymer (a2) is most preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a methyl acrylate comonomer together with a silane group(s)-containing comonomer as defined above, more preferably a copolymer of ethylene with a methyl acrylate comonomer and a vinyl trimethoxysilane or vinyl triethoxysilane comonomer, preferably with a methyl acrylate comonomer and a vinyl trimethoxysilane comonomer .

Without being bound by any theory, methyl acrylate (MA) is the only acrylate that cannot undergo ester pyrolysis reaction because it does not follow such a reaction path. Therefore, the polymer (a2) with MA comonomer does not form any harmful decomposition products of the free acid (acrylic acid) at high temperatures, whereby the polymer (a2) of ethylene and methyl acrylate comonomer contributes to the good quality and service life of its final product. This does not apply, for example, to vinyl acetate units of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), since EVA forms harmful decomposition products of acetic acid at high temperatures. Moreover, other acrylates, such as ethyl acrylate (EA) or butyl acrylate (BA), can undergo ester pyrolysis reactions and, if decomposed, can form volatile olefin byproducts.

In another embodiment (A3), the polymer (a) is a polymer (a3) that is a copolymer of ethylene with one or more (C ₃ -C ₁₀ )-alpha-olefin comonomer, which is different from the ethylene polymer (a1) and the ethylene polymer (a2) and to which units containing silane group(s) have been grafted. The polymer (a3) is preferably a polymer of ethylene with one or more, preferably one, comonomer(s) selected from a (C ₃ -C ₈ ) alpha-olefin comonomer. In such embodiments, the polymer (a3) may be further defined in any of the embodiments described above in the description of the ethylene-based plastomer.

Most preferably, polymer (a) is selected from polymer (a1) or (a2).

The melt flow rate, MFR ₂ , of the polymer is preferably less than 20 g/10 min, preferably less than 15 g/10 min, preferably 0.1 to 13 g/10 min, preferably 0.2 to 10 g/10 min, preferably 0.3 to 8 g/10 min, more preferably 0.4 to 6 g/10 min (according to ISO 1133 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg load).

Polymer (a) preferably has a melting point of 120°C or less, preferably 110°C or less, more preferably 100°C or less, and most preferably 95°C or less when measured according to ASTM D3418. The melting point of the polymer (a) is preferably 70°C or more, more preferably 75°C or more, even more preferably 78°C or more.

The density of the ethylene polymer (a) is typically greater than 855 kg/m ³ . The density preferably does not exceed 970 kg/m ³ and is preferably between 920 and 960 kg/m ³ according to ISO 1183:1987.

The preferred polymer (a) is a polymer of ethylene (a1) with vinyl trimethoxysilane comonomer or a copolymer of ethylene (a2) with methyl acrylate comonomer and vinyl trimethoxysilane comonomer. The most preferred polymer (a) is a copolymer of ethylene (a2) with a methyl acrylate comonomer and a vinyl trimethoxysilane comonomer.

Polymer (a) of such a composition may, for example, be commercially available or may be prepared according to or similar to known polymerization methods described in the chemical literature.

According to a preferred embodiment, polymer (a), i.e. polymer (a1) or (a2), is prepared by suitable polymerization of ethylene with silane group(s)-containing comonomer (=silane group(s)-containing units present as comonomer), as as defined above, and in the case of polymer (a2) also with polar comonomer(s), in a high pressure (HP) process using free radical polymerization in the presence of one or more initiator(s) and optionally using a chain transfer agent (CTA) for regulation of polymer MFR. The high pressure reactor may be, for example, a well known tubular or autoclave reactor, or a combination thereof; a tubular reactor is suitable. High pressure (HP) polymerization and adjustment of process conditions to further tailor other properties of the polymer depending on the desired end application are well known and described in the literature and can be easily used by one skilled in the art. Suitable polymerization temperatures are up to 400 °C, suitably from 80 to 350 °C and pressure is from 70 MPa, suitably from 100 to 400 MPa, suitably from 100 to 350 MPa. High pressure polymerization is typically carried out at pressures ranging from 100 to 400 MPa and temperatures ranging from 80 to 350 °C. Such methods are well known and well documented in the literature and will be further described below.

Incorporation of comonomer(s) into the ethylene monomer, if present, including the preferred form of silane group(s) containing units as comonomer, and control of the comonomer feed to obtain the desired final content of said comonomer(s) can be done in a well known manner. method and is within the competence of a qualified specialist.

Further details of the preparation of ethylene (co)polymers by high pressure radical polymerization can be found, among others, in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 6 (1986), pp. 383-410 and Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.: “Polyethylene: High-pressure, R. Klimesch, D. Littmann and F.-O. Mähling pp. 7181-7184.

This high-pressure polymerization results in a so-called low-density ethylene polymer (LDPE), in this case polymer (a1) or polymer (a2). The term LDPE has a well-known meaning in the polymer field and describes the nature of polyethylene produced at high pressure, that is, typical properties such as different branching architecture, which distinguishes LDPE from polyethylene produced in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst (also known as complex catalyst ). Although the term LDPE is an abbreviation for low-density polyethylene, it is intended that the term does not limit the range of densities but includes low-, medium-, and higher-density LDPE-like high-density polyethylenes.

Polymer (a3) may be commercially available or may be produced by a polymerization process using a complex catalyst, typically a Ziegler-Natta catalyst or a single site catalyst, as described in detail in the literature. The choice of method, process conditions and catalyst is within the competence of a qualified specialist. Alternatively, polymer (a3) can be produced by the method described above for the ethylene-based plastomer.

Composition

It should be understood that, in addition to the ethylene-based plastomer and the propylene-based plastomer, the composition of the present invention may contain additional polymer components. Such components can be added to improve the properties of the composition.

Examples of additional polymers include ethylene-, propylene-, or butylene-based polymers and copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-acrylic ester copolymers, and rubbers such as silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, and butyl rubber. Preferably, all additional polymers are chlorine-free, that is, the composition does not contain chlorine-containing polymers.

As a rule, additional polymer components are added in an amount of 0.5 to 20 wt.%, for example, from 1 to 10 wt.%, for example, 3 wt.%. relative to the total weight of the composition as a whole.

As used herein, "polymer component(s)" does not contain any flame retardant carrier polymer(s) and/or optional additive(s), such as the carrier polymer(s) used in the flame retardant masterbatch(s) or additive(s). ), optionally present in the proposed composition.

In one preferred embodiment, in addition to the ethylene-based plastomer and the propylene-based plastomer as defined hereinabove, the present composition further comprises a high melt flow propylene-based plastomer. By “high melt flow rate” we usually mean MFR ₂ (230 °C) greater than 5000 g/cm ³ , for example greater than 7000 g/cm ³ .

The high melt flow propylene plastomer of the present invention is typically a propylene-ethylene copolymer or a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin, most preferably a propylene-ethylene copolymer. It should be understood that propylene is a major component in a high melt flow propylene based plastomer. Propylene is usually present in an amount of from 55 to 95% by weight, with ethylene being a comonomer, the ethylene content is preferably from 5 to 30% by weight, for example from 7.5 to 20% by weight.

In all cases, the high melt flow propylene based plastomer preferably has a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm ³ . In a preferred embodiment, the density of the high melt flow propylene plastomer is 0.865 to 0.905 g/cm ³ , for example 0.870 to 0.900 g/cm ³ .

The high melt flow plastomer is preferably a plastomer having a random distribution of ethylene with otherwise isotactic propylene chains. Therefore, such a plastomer can be considered as a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene. Examples of commercially available propylene-based plastomers with high melt flow rates include Vistamaxx 8880 from ExxonMobil.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the high melt flow propylene based plastomer acts as a compatibilizer to promote a more uniform composition.

In another embodiment, the composition of the present invention further comprises a propylene copolymer, which is different from the propylene-based plastomer and the high-melt-flow propylene-based plastomer defined above. Such a copolymer may be a propylene-ethylene copolymer or a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin.

In one embodiment, said propylene copolymer may be a heterophasic propylene copolymer comprising a random copolymer (R-PP) matrix (M) of propylene and an elastomeric propylene copolymer (E) dispersed in said matrix (M).

A heterophasic propylene copolymer typically contains random copolymer (R-PP) propylene in an amount of 60.0 to 85.0 wt%. based on the total weight of the heterophasic propylene copolymer and the elastomeric copolymer (E) of propylene in an amount from 15.0 to 40.0% wt. based on the total weight of the heterophasic propylene copolymer. The propylene random copolymer (R-PP) comonomers and/or propylene elastomeric copolymer (E) comonomers may be ethylene and/or C ₄ -C ₈ α-olefins. Suitable commercially available heterophasic propylene copolymers containing random propylene copolymer as a matrix phase include Bormed™ SC876CF, available from Borealis Polyolefine GmbH (Austria).

It should be understood that one or more additives known in the art of polymer processing may also be included in the composition. Suitable additives include fillers; lubricants; technological additives; antioxidants, for example, phenolic antioxidants such as Lowinox TBM-6, available from Addivant, and IRGANOX 1010, which is pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, or IRGANOX 1035, which is are octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, available from BASF, or amine antioxidants such as Vulcanox HS and Flectol H, which are polymerized 2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,2-dihydroquinoline; metal deactivators and/or copper inhibitors, for example hydrazides such as oxalic acid benzoylhydrazide (OABH) or Irganox 1024, which is 2,3-bis-((3-(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)proponyl)propionohydrazide; UV absorbers, e.g. UV absorbers such as Tinuvin or HALS; light stabilizers; nucleating agents; foaming or blowing agents which may be either endothermic or exothermic, e.g. p-oxybis (benzenesulfonyl hydrazide), azoisobutyronitrile and azodicarbonamide; process stabilizers and/or thermal stabilizers, for example tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite (phosphite based), pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate), octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, 3,3',3',5,5',5'-hexa-tert-butyl-a, a', a' -(mesitylene-2,4,6-triyl)tri-p-cresol (phenolic based) and dioctadecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate (thioether based); and pigments, for example, inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide and carbon black, and organic pigments.

Additives may be present in amounts from 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight. relative to the total weight of the composition as a whole.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that the present composition is halogen-free, that is, it does not contain any components that include halogens, in particular chlorine.

The composition according to the present invention can be prepared by any suitable method. Ideally, a method is used that allows one to obtain a homogeneous mixture of the various components. As a rule, compounding is used. Compounding typically involves mixing and/or combining various components in a molten state, often by extrusion. Such methods will be well known to those skilled in the art.

Applications

The compositions of the present invention have flame retardant properties and, therefore, can be used in various applications where fire resistance is required. In particular, the compositions of the present invention can be used to coat a support, such as a fabric support.

Thus, according to a further embodiment, the present invention provides the use of a flame retardant polyolefin composition as defined herein above for coating a substrate, preferably a fabric substrate.

The present invention also relates to a support, preferably a fabric support, coated with a flame retardant polyolefin composition as defined herein above.

Said support may contain any natural and/or synthetic materials. Substrates may include fabrics, paper, aluminum foil, and polymer foil (eg, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)). Typically the backing is a fabric backing. Synthetic materials include, for example, various synthetic materials based on polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), nylon, jersey, polyester, polyurethane (eg, spandex material), and mixtures or combinations thereof. Natural materials include, for example, cotton, linen, hemp, silk, leather or mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the fabric backing may be a nonwoven material. A "non-woven" fabric is a fabric or similar material made from fibers bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. This term is used to refer to fabrics, such as felt, that are not woven or knitted.

In an alternative embodiment, the fabric backing layer is a woven material. The woven fabric includes a knitted fabric, in particular a polypropylene knitted fabric.

In one embodiment, the fabric backing contains a material weighing from 100 to 500, more typically from 150 to 400, and even more typically from 200 to 350 grams per square meter ( ^gsm ). In one embodiment, the fabric backing is made from polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

It is within the scope of the present invention to include a fabric backing, such as the fabric backings defined above, itself containing a fire retardant. Such flame retardants may be any of the flame retardants defined herein above and may be the same or different from the flame retardant(s) present in the composition of the present invention.

The composition of the present invention can be applied to a substrate by any suitable method known in the art, for example, by extrusion, calendering using, for example, a roller system, lamination and knife coating (after dissolving the composition in water with additives).

One example of a coating method uses a calender coating equipment, shown in Figure 1, consisting of two heated rolls onto which the starting material or compounded polymer is placed in pellet form. The rollers are used to mix the polymer until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, then the front roller is used to transfer the molten coating onto the backing fabric at a given thickness (the total thickness of the backing and the coating combined), while the surface texture is applied using a water-cooled embossing roller before re-winding the fabric into roll.

Alternatively, when using dry mixes (individual components - not compounded), such mixtures do not mix sufficiently to obtain a uniform coating, and therefore these mixtures can first be compounded using a twin-screw extruder and, if possible, pulled through a water bath in granulator for the production of complex pellets. These pellets can then be placed on heated rollers for coating. More elastic mixtures may be too soft to cut into pellets. For such coatings, the compound can be extruded directly onto a metal spatula and then transferred to rolls.

Once applied to a substrate, the composition of the present invention may be further coated with one or more additional materials, such as a varnish (eg, polyurethane varnish), for example, to improve scratch resistance and reduce transfer of coatings to clothing.

The present invention also relates to an article containing at least one component derived from a coated substrate as defined herein above. Examples of products include office furniture, automobile interiors, seat cushions, seatback cushions, pillows, upholstered furniture, bed mattresses, wall coverings, footwear (e.g., tongue, front, heel, heel), sports bags, ski boot liners, sports equipment (e.g. boxing gloves, boxing balls), carpets, rubber boats, PVC swimming pools, life jackets, bags, wallets, tablecloths, napkins, stationery (e.g. books and wood inlays), seat bags, tool bags .

The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting figures and examples.

Figure 1: Equipment for roll coating by calendering

Test methods

Density

The density of the materials was measured according to ISO 1183-1:2012 using isopropanol-water as a gradient fluid. The cooling rate of the plates during crystallization of the samples was 15 ^o C/min. The conditioning time was 16 hours.

Melt Flow Rate (MFR) or Melt Index (MI)

Melt flow rate (MFR) was determined according to ISO 1133 and reported in g/10 min. MFR is a measure of the melt viscosity of a polymer. MFR was determined at 190 °C for polyethylene and at 230 °C for polypropylene. The load at which the melt flow rate is determined is usually indicated as a subscript, for example, MFR ₂ is measured at a load of 2.16 kg, MFR ₅ is measured at a load of 5 kg, or MFR ₂₁ is measured at a load of 21.6 kg.

Molecular weights, molecular weight distribution, Mn, Mw, MWD

The weight average molecular weight Mw and molecular weight distribution (MWD = Mw/Mn, where Mn is the number average molecular weight and Mw is the weight average molecular weight) were measured by a method based on ISO 16014-4:2003.

Comonomer content

The comonomer content (% wt and mol %) was determined using ¹³ C-NMR. ^13C -NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer at 130 °C on samples dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene/benzene- _d6 (90/10 w/w). Conversion % wt. in the pier % can be done by calculation.

Cigarette test

Flammability assessment was carried out according to BS EN 1021-1:2006 test using a smoldering cigarette.

Fire resistance

Fire resistance was assessed using a double cone calorimeter FTT R1771 according to ISO 5660:2015.

Tensile strength

Tensile strength was measured according to BS EN ISO 1421:2016.

Schildknecht bend test

Conducted in accordance with Schildknecht Flexing ISO 7854:1997 METHOD B

Measurements using UV radiation

UV color fastness was tested according to ASTM G155-05a. The test was carried out for 200 hours using a xenon arc lamp - the test passed with no noticeable color change.

experimental part

Materials

Propylene plastomer (PP plastomer): random metallocene plastomer of propylene and ethylene, density = 0.862 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (230 °C, 2.16 kg) = 20 g/10 min

Ethylene-based plastomer (1) (PE plastomer 1): metallocene ethylene-octene plastomer, density = 0.870 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (190 °C/2.16 kg) = 6.6 g/10 min

Ethylene-based plastomer (2) (PE plastomer 2): metallocene ethylene-octene plastomer, density = 0.902 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (190 °C/2.16 kg) = 10 g/10 min

Ethylene-based plastomer (3) (PE plastomer 3): metallocene ethylene-octene plastomer, density = 0.902 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (190 °C/2.16 kg) = 3 g/10 min

High MFR PP plastomer (1): propylene and ethylene statistical metallocene plastomer, density = 0.879 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (230 °C, 2.16 kg) = 7715 g/10 min

Polypropylene copolymer (PP copolymer): random heterophasic copolymer of propylene and ethylene, density = 890 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (230 °C, 2.16 kg) = 3.8 g/10 min

Fire retardant 1 (FR1): ammonium polyphosphate (commercially available ADKSTAB FP2500S)

Fire Retardant 2 (FR2): ethylene methyl acrylate vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) copolymer, density = 0.946 g/cm ³ , MFR ₂ (190 °C/2.16 kg) = 3 g/10 min

Fire Retardant 3 (FR3): Ammonium Polyphosphate (commercially available IC FR5110)

Receiving Songs

Twenty-two compositions according to the present invention were prepared by gravimetrically feeding various components into a twin-screw extruder.

Preparation of coated substrates and cigarette test results

Five additional compositions according to the present invention (IE23 - IE27) were prepared in the same way as compositions IE1-IE22, and were applied to fabric substrates using the following methods. Laboratory calender coating equipment was used (FIG. 1), consisting of two heated rolls onto which the starting material or compounded polymer was placed in pellet form. Rollers were used to mix the polymer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, then a front roller was used to transfer the molten coating onto the backing fabric at a given thickness (the total thickness of the backing and coating combined), with the surface texture applied using a water-cooled embossing roller before re-winding the fabric into roll. Dry mixes (individual components - not compounded) were not mixed sufficiently to produce a uniform coating. Therefore, these mixtures were first compounded using a twin-screw extruder and, if possible, pulled through a water bath into a granulator to produce complex pellets. These pellets were then applied to heated rollers for coating. The more elastic mixtures were too soft to cut into pellets. For these coatings, the compound was extruded directly onto a metal spatula and then transferred to rolls.

Polyurethane varnish was then added and the materials were tested using cigarettes. The compositions used and test results are shown in Table 2. Tables 3-7 show fire resistance, flexural, tensile strength and UV color fastness test data for selected compositions.

Table 1: Process data for compositions according to the present invention (given in parts by weight)

PP
plastomer P.E.
plastomer 1 PE plastomer 2 PE plastomer 3 PP plastomer with high MFR PP copolymer FR1 FR2 FR3 Technological additive Emulsifier (glycerol monostearate) Additive for UV stabilization Antistatic additive Pigment IE1 10 40 - - - 10 16 - - - - - IE2 10 40 - - - 10 16 2.5 - - - - IE3 10 40 - - - 10 22 5 - - - - IE4 10 40 - - - 10 22 2.5 - - - - IE5 10 40 thirty - - 10 4 - - - - - IE6 9 36 36 - - 9 3.6 2.5 - - - - IE7 thirty 43 - - 3 - - 10 12 8 3 2 - 3 IE8 thirty 43 - - 3 - - 10 12 6 3 2 3 3 IE9 thirty 43 - - 3 - - 10 12 6 3 2 4 3 IE10 thirty 43 - - 3 - - 10 12 6 3 2 6 3 IE11 thirty 43 - - 3 - - 10 12 6 3 2 10 3 IE12 thirty 43 - 6 1 - - 10 12 8 3 2 - 3 IE13 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 6 8 3 2 3 3 IE14 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 - 8 3 2 3 3 IE15 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 12 8 3 2 3 3 IE16 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 18 8 3 2 3 3 IE17 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 15 24 8 3 2 3 3 IE18 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 12 8 3 2 3 3 IE19 thirty 43 - - 1 - - 10 12 - 3 2 - 3 IE20 31 41 - - 1 10.3 - 5.2 6.2 - - 2.1 - 3.1 IE21 28.9 38.9 - - 1 9.7 - 4.9 11.7 - - 2 - 2.9 IE22 26.9 35.9 - - 0.9 9 - 6.7 16.1 - - 1.8 - 2.7

Table 2: Coated Substrate Compositions and Cigarette Test Results (Values in parts by weight)

Substrate P.E.
plastomer 1 Pigment PP
plastomer PP plastomer with high MFR Fire retardant 1 Fire retardant 2 Additive for UV stabilization Varnish Trial
cigarettes IE23 PP knitted fabric 43 3 thirty 3 12 10 2 P.U. Successfully passed White IE24 PP knitted fabric 43 3 thirty 3 12 10 2 P.U. Successfully passed Orange IE25 PP - FR* 43 3 thirty 3 2 10 2 P.U. Successfully passed Blue IE26 PP knitted fabric 43 3 thirty 3 18 10 2 P.U. Successfully passed Blue IE27 PP - FR* 43 3 thirty 3 18 10 2 P.U. Successfully passed Blue

*Polypropylene backing containing fire retardant

Table 3: Fire Test Results

Characteristic Observations Comments IE2 IE4 IE6 Initial ignition The surface began to collapse after 5 seconds The surface began to collapse after 4 seconds The surface began to collapse after 4 seconds Doesn't matter Burn mark length The sample burned completely in 180 seconds 27 cm 19 cm EU Guide – maximum 25 cm Burning rate after 3 min 60 mm/s >120 mm/s 15 mm/s

Table 4: Fire resistance test results (test performed using composition only, without fabric)

IE24 IE26 Burning time With 138 177.5 Burn time #1 With 230 305 Burning time SD With 130.1 180.3 A comment Formation of char Heat release rate kW/ ^m2 97.56 92.6 Heat release rate #1 kW/ ^m2 97.56 92.6 Heat release rate SD kW/ ^m2 0 0 Ignition time With 138 177.5 Ignition time #1 With 46 50 Ignition time #2 With Ignition time SD With 130.1 180.3 Oxygen content % 19 21

Table 5: Tensile Strength Test Data

IE8
(open eye lining) Breaking force
(N) Force at 45%
tensile strength (N) Force at 100%
tensile strength (N) Force at 150%
tensile strength (N) Stretching
at rupture (%) Base 1
(longitudinal direction) 915.3 540.5 --- --- 89.3 Base 2
(longitudinal direction) 915.3 549.4 --- --- 88.9 Base 3
(longitudinal direction) 925.1 553.4 --- --- 90.8 The basis
(longitudinal) Average value 920.2 546.4 No data No data 89.7 Duck 1
(in the transverse direction) 321.8 111.8 158 191.7 131.6 Ducks 2
(in the transverse direction) 336.5 107.2 152.1 186.1 141.6 Ducks 3
(in the transverse direction) 351.2 109.9 156 192.1 144.4 Ducks
(lateral) Average value 336.4 109.7 156 189.9 139.2 IE15
(knitted lining) Breaking force
(N) Force at 45%
tensile strength (N) Force at 100%
tensile strength (N) Force at 150%
tensile strength (N) Tension at break (%) 86.4 Base 2
(longitudinal direction) 894.7 558.2 --- --- 841 Base 3
(longitudinal direction) 922.1 571.9 --- --- 85 The basis
(longitudinal) Average value 918.2 561.8 No data No data 84.1 Duck 1
(in the transverse direction) 345.3 138 142.8 165.3 167 Ducks 2
(in the transverse direction) 322.7 102.8 136.8 159.2 161.6 Ducks 3
(in the transverse direction) 310 105 139.7 162.1 156.4 Weft (crosswise) Average 326.1 114.8 139.8 162.2 161.7

Table 6: UV Color Fastness Test Data

IE20 IE21 IE22 UV color fastness test results Successfully passed Successfully passed Successfully passed

Table 7: Schildknecht bend test data

Claims (19)

1. Fire retardant polyolefin composition containing: a) from 20 to 90 wt.% relative to the total mass of the composition as a whole plastomer based on ethylene with a density in the range from 0.850 to 0.915 g/cm ³ and a melt flow rate under load of 2.16 kg (MFR ₂ ) in the range from 0, 5 to 30 g/10 min; b) propylene-based plastomer with a density in the range from 0.860 to 0.910 g/cm ³ and MFR ₂ in the range from 0.01 to 30 g/10 min; And c) fire retardant. 2. The fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said ethylene-based plastomer is a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin. 3. Fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said propylene-based plastomer is a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or a C ₄ -C ₁₀ alpha-olefin. 4. Fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, containing from 5 to 45 wt.% propylene-based plastomer relative to the total weight of the composition as a whole. 5. Fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that said fire retardant is present in an amount of from 1.5 to 30 wt.%, preferably from 2.0 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 5.0 to 30 wt.%, in particular from 10 up to 30 wt.% relative to the total weight of the composition as a whole. 6. Fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, additionally containing a propylene-based plastomer with a high melt flow rate. 7. Fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, characterized in that said fire retardant contains a mixture of ammonium polyphosphate and silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer. 8. The flame retardant polyolefin composition according to claim 7, characterized in that said silane-functionalized ethylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene with a methyl acrylate comonomer and a vinyl trimethoxysilane comonomer. 9. The use of a fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8 for coating a fabric backing. 10. A method of applying a coating of a fire-retardant polyolefin composition to a fabric substrate according to any one of claims. 1-8, comprising applying said composition to the surface of said fabric substrate. 11. Fabric backing coated with a fire-retardant polyolefin composition according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8. 12. Fabric backing according to claim 11, characterized in that said fabric backing is a woven or non-woven fabric, preferably a knitted fabric. 13. An item selected from the group consisting of office furniture, car interiors, seat cushions, seat back cushions, pillows, upholstered furniture, bed mattresses, wall coverings, footwear, sports bags, ski boot liners, sports equipment, carpets, rubber boats, polyvinyl chloride swimming pools, life jackets, bags, purses, tablecloths, napkins, stationery, saddle bags and tool bags, containing at least one component derived from a coated fabric backing according to claim 11 or 12. 14. The product according to claim 13, characterized in that it is the tongue, front, heel or back of the shoe. 15. Product according to claim 13, characterized in that the sports equipment is boxing gloves or boxing balls. 16. The product according to claim 13, characterized in that the stationery is made of books or inlays made of wood.