Self-extinguishing polyamide compositions

Abstract

Self-extinguishing polyamide moulding compositions containing as a flame retardant agent melamine, a derivative of melamine or the melamine condensation product .[.melam.]. .Iadd.MELAM.Iaddend..

We claim: .[.1. A self-extinguishing polyamide moulding composition comprising a polyamide having recurring carbonamide linkages in the polymer chain and 0.5 to 25% by weight based on the moulding composition, of a melamine compound selected from the group consisting of melamine, melam, and a melamine derivative containing at least one N substituent and having the formula ##STR2##  in which R and R' are the same or different and represent hydrogen, 
     
        methyl, ethyl, ethylene, phenyl, toluyl or halogenophenyl..]. .[.2.  The composition of claim 1 which contains from about 18 to about 27% by weight based on the moulding composition of a fiber material..]. .[.3. The composition of claim 2 in which the fiber is glass fiber..]. .[.4. A self-extinguishing polyamide moulding composition of claim 1 wherein said moulding composition contains up to 80% by weight, based on the moulding composition of a fiber material..]. .[.5. A self-extinguishing polyamide moulding composition of claim 4 said fiber material being a glass fiber 
     
     
        material..]. .Iadd.6.  A self-extinguishing fiber-reinforced polyamide moulding composition consisting essentially of a fiber, a polyamide having recurring carbonamide linkages in the polymer chain, and 5.0% to 12.5% by weight based on the moulding composition of a melamine compound selected from the group consisting of (a) melamine;   (b) a melamine condensation product of the formula ##STR3## (c) a melamine derivative containing at least one N-substituent and having the formula ##STR4## in which R and R' are the same or different and represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, ethylene, phenyl, toluyl, or halogenophenyl. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.7.  The composition of claim 11 which contains from about 18 to about 27% by weight based on the moulding composition of a fiber material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The composition of claim 7 in which the fiber is glass fiber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The composition of claim 11 wherein said moulding composition contains up to 80% by weight, based on the moulding composition, of a fiber material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The composition of claim 9 wherein said fiber material is a glass fiber material. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.11.  A method of rendering a fiber-reinforced moulding composition comprising a polyamide having recurring carbonamide linkages in the polymer chain self-extinguishing comprising incorporating into the moulding composition from 5.0% to 12.5% % by weight based on the moulding composition, of a melamine compound selected from the group consisting of (a) melamine;   (b) a melamine condensation product of the formula ##STR5## (c) a melamine derivative containing at least one N-substituent and having the formula ##STR6## in which R and R' are the same or different and represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, ethylene, phenyl, toluyl, or halogenophenyl. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.12.  The method of claim 11, wherein the moulding composition contains up to 80% by weight based on the moulding composition, of fiber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The method of claim 11 wherein the moulding composition contains from about 18% to about 27% by weight based on the moulding composition, of fiber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The method of claim 13 
     
     
        wherein the fiber is glass fiber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.  The method of claim 12, wherein the fiber is glass fiber. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A self-extinguishing polyamide moulding composition consisting essentially of a polyamide having recurring carbonamide linkages in the polymer chain and 5.2% to 7% by weight based on the polyamide of a melamine compound selected from the group consisting of (a) melamine;   (b) a melamine condensation product of the formula ##STR7## (c) a melamine derivative containing at least one N-substituent and having the formula ##STR8## in which R and R' are the same or different and represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, ethylene, phenyl, toluyl, or halogenophenyl. .Iaddend.