Ultra-Low Petroleum Plastics

Abstract

Plastic-like compositions having ultra-low contents of petroleum derived materials are provided. The materials comprise up to about 80% by weight of an inorganic salt having an average particle size between about 0.001 and about 300 μm and a plastic binder. The compositions have a low propensity to ignite or smoke in the presence of heat or flame.

1 . A composition comprising: (a) about 10 to about 80% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer and (b) about 20 to about 80% by weight of an inorganic salt having an average particle size between about 0.001 and about 300 μm, wherein the composition has a reduced propensity to ignite or smoke in the presence of heat or flame as compared to the thermoplastic polymer alone, and wherein the composition meets the U.S. Government standard for flammability resistance FAR 25.853(b) and/or passes the ASTM E-84 test with a Class A rating. 
     
     
         2 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyvinyl polymer. 
     
     
         10 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the inorganic salt comprises an ammonium salt. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the inorganic salt comprises a salt of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the inorganic salt comprises an ammonium salt of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the inorganic salt comprises ammonium sulfate. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the inorganic salt has an average particle size between about 0.01 and about 100 μm. 
     
     
         18 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, blending resins, pigments, and impact modifiers. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24  wherein the one or more additives are present in an amount between about 0.05% and about 35% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         26 . A composition comprising: (a) about 10 to about 80% by weight of a thermosetting polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, epoxy resins, polyester resins, and combinations thereof; (b) about 20 to about 80% by weight of an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts of sulfuric and phosphoric acid; the inorganic salt having an average particle size between about 0.1 and about 100 μm; and (c) one or more additives selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, blending resins, pigments, and impact modifiers; wherein the composition has a reduced propensity to ignite or smoke in the presence of heat or flame as compared to the thermosetting polymer alone, and wherein the composition meets the U.S. Government standard for flammability resistance FAR 25.853(b) and/or passes the ASTM E-84 test with a Class A rating. 
     
     
         27 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 26  wherein the one or more additives comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43  wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount between about 0.05% and about 35% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         45 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A composition comprising a plurality of inorganic salt particles having an average particle size between about 0.001 and about 300 μm held in a homogenous physical unit by a plastic polymeric binder, wherein the composition meets the U.S. Government standard for flammability resistance FAR 25.853(b) and/or passes the ASTM E-84 test with a Class A rating. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the plastic polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         49 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 48  wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the plastic polymer comprises a thermosetting polymer. 
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 56  wherein the thermosetting polymer comprises an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 56  wherein the thermosetting polymer comprises a polyester resin. 
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the inorganic salt comprises an ammonium salt. 
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the inorganic salt comprises a salt of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 59  wherein the inorganic salt comprises an ammonium salt of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 61  wherein the inorganic salt comprises ammonium sulfate. 
     
     
         63 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the inorganic salt has an average particle size between about 0.01 and about 100 μm. 
     
     
         64 - 69 . (canceled)