High voltage component

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-voltage component, in particular for an electric vehicle, comprising a polymer composition based on at least one polyamide and 10, 10 '-oxybis-12H-phthalazin-12-one, and to the use of 10, 10'-oxybis-12H-phthalazin-12-one for the production of polyamide-based products, in particular for electric vehicles, comprising a polymer composition based on at least one polyamide and 10, 10 '-oxybis-12H-phthalazin-12-one, and to the use of 10, 10'-oxybis-12H-phthalazin-12-one. The condition is the color difference [Delta] Elt of the L * a * b * coordinate of the color number starting at "2" in the RAL colorimetric chart; the invention further relates to the use of the 10, 10 '-oxybis-12H-phthalazin-12-one for marking polyamide-based products as high-pressure components, in particular for marking polyamide-based products as high-pressure components.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 202080035748.9, with the application date of March 12, 2020 and the invention name being “High-voltage Components”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a high-voltage component, in particular for an electric vehicle, comprising a polymer composition based on at least one polyamide and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one, and to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing products based on polyamide, with the proviso that the color difference (color distance ΔE) of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is <20, and finally to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for the labeling of products based on polyamide as high-voltage components. Background Art

[0003] Technical thermoplastics such as polyamides are important materials, particularly in the field of motor vehicle components, owing to their good mechanical stability, chemical resistance, very good electrical properties and good processability.

[0004] Polyamides have been an essential component in the manufacture of demanding motor vehicle components for many years. While the internal combustion engine has been the dominant drive concept for many years, the search for alternative drive concepts has also led to new requirements for material selection. Electric vehicles play a key role in this regard, where the internal combustion engine has been partially (hybrid vehicles [HEV, PHEV, BEV Rex]) or completely (electric vehicles [BEV, FCEV]) replaced by one or more electric motors, which typically draw their electrical energy from batteries or fuel cell units. While conventional vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE) as their sole propulsion system typically make do with a 12V onboard voltage system, hybrid and electric vehicles with electric motors as their drive units require significantly higher voltages. This poses significant additional risks to the immediate area and immediate surroundings of such high-voltage components, which is becoming increasingly important in technical specifications in standards and other areas. Clear marking of these hazardous areas plays a crucial role in preventing accidental contact with people (especially drivers, mechanics, etc.), and clear color coding of these high-voltage components is therefore particularly important.

[0005] For example, at https: / / avt.inl.gov / sites / default / files / pdf / hev / hevtechspecr1.pdf, the Advanced Vehicle Team of the Idaho National Laboratory for HEV has published recommended technical specifications for all devices subject to high voltages of 60 V or higher, including those explicitly marked as high voltage, and also recommends the use of orange marking in this regard.

[0006] However, due to the high processing temperatures of >300°C in some cases during compounding and injection molding, the choice of suitable colorants for the color orange is very limited, especially for technical thermoplastics.

[0007] WO 2005 / 084955 A1 discloses laser-weldable compositions, inter alia based on polyamides, which comprise dyes, wherein the dye used may be Solvent Orange 60, for example.

[0008] EP 0 827 986 A2 relates to bridged perinones, quinophthalones, and perinophthalone-quinophthalones, processes for their preparation, and their use for the mass coloration of plastics. Preferred plastics listed are polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polycarbonates, and polymethacrylates; polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene are particularly preferred. Example 16 explicitly mentions 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one.

[0009] EP 0 041 274 B1 describes fluorescent compositions capable of changing the wavelength of light, molded articles based on such compositions as light-wave conversion elements, and devices using such elements to convert light energy into electrical energy. Examples in EP 0 041 274 B1 specifically use 12H-phthaloperin-12-one in polyethylene terephthalate (PET). EP 0 041 274 B1 also specifically proposes its use in polyamides.

[0010] 12H-Phthalopyrin-12-one [CAS No. 6925-69-5], also known as Solvent Orange 60, is available, for example, from Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Cologne, as Macrolex® Orange 3G. However, a disadvantage is that under extreme demands, particularly those found in electric vehicles, Solvent Orange 60 tends to migrate from the plastic matrix, resulting in a loss of color intensity at high temperatures. Solvent Orange 60 migrates to the plastic surface (blooming). From there, it can be rubbed off, washed off, or dissolved, evaporate (fogging), or migrate to other materials, such as adjacent plastic or rubber parts (bleeding). The concentration of Solvent Orange 60 in the original plastic decreases, causing a loss of color intensity. Migrated Solvent Orange 60 has another disadvantage: it can be transported to adjacent components through mechanical or physical processes, where it can impair performance. An example of this is increased resistivity in switch contacts, which can result from the decomposition of Solvent Orange 60 on the surface of the electrical contacts. In the field of electrical components, therefore, migration of components out of the plastic is generally undesirable, since it can influence the properties of the plastic and spatially adjacent parts, with the result that the functionality of the electrical component is no longer guaranteed in some cases.

[0011] Starting from the teaching of EP 0 041 274 B1, the present invention addresses the problem of providing orange-colored polyamide-based polymer compositions for high-voltage components, in particular for use in electric vehicles, which are less susceptible to migration, and in particular less susceptible to color bleeding, than the 12H-phthalopyrin-12-one-based solutions of EP 0 041 274 B1. Ideally, the orange-colored polyamide-based high-voltage components of the present invention should have improved lightfastness compared to products based on the above-cited prior art, with the original color achieved immediately after injection molding being retained for a longer period of time under UV light than with 12H-phthalopyrin-12-one-based components. Finally, improved thermal stability of the orange-colored high-voltage components of the present invention under thermal stress is desirable compared to 12H-phthalopyrin-12-one-based components. Ideally, in one embodiment, the orange high voltage component of the present invention should ideally be laser transparent / laser transmissive for light wavelengths in the range from 800 nm to 1100 nm, so as to thereby allow conditions for transmission laser welding for another component that absorbs in the listed wavelength range.

[0012] It has now surprisingly been found that high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, containing thermoplastic polymer compositions based on polyamide and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one of the formula (I) [CAS No. 203576-97-0] meet the specified requirements.

[0013] (I)

[0014] Color bleeding

[0015] In the context of the present invention, bleed is determined as follows:

[0016] First, plastic sheets with a size of 60.40.2 mm³ were produced from the colorant-containing polyamide composition to be examined. A plasticized PVC film with a size of 30.20.2 mm³ was then sandwiched between the two initially produced plastic sheets, and the entire sheet was stored in a hot air drying cabinet at 80°C for 12 hours. The colorant that had migrated from the two plastic sheets into the plasticized PVC was then visually assessed using a gray scale according to ISO 105-A02, where '5' means that the PVC film showed no color change (no visually discernible colorant transfer from the polyamide plastic sheet to the PVC film), and '1' means that the PVC film showed a significant color change (significant visually discernible colorant transfer from the polyamide plastic sheet to the PVC film).

[0017] Lightfastness

[0018] The measure of light fastness used in the context of the present invention is the discoloration of the above-mentioned plastic sheets of the colorant-containing polyamide composition after UV storage to be examined with UV light of the type from a Suntest CPS+, an air-cooled Atlas xenon lamp, 1500 W, 45-130 klx, a wavelength of 300-800 nm and a window glass filter 250-267 W / m from Atlas Material Testing Technology GmbH, Linsengerich, Germany. 2 In the context of the present invention, the color change was visually assessed based on the blue wool scale according to DIN EN ISO 105-B02, where '8' indicates excellent light fastness (slight color change) and '1' indicates very low light fastness (significant color change). Summary of the Invention

[0019] The present invention provides polymer compositions comprising at least one polyamide and 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one. Preference is given to those polymer compositions in which the nylon used is nylon-6 (PA6) or nylon-66 (PA66).

[0020] The invention further relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for marking polyamide-based products as high-voltage components.

[0021] However, the present invention also relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for marking high-voltage components based on polyamide, preferably high-voltage components for electric vehicles, with the signal color orange.

[0022] Further preference is given to polymer compositions in which, per 100 parts by mass of polyamide, 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one are used, provided that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0023] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising at least one polyamide and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one, with the proviso that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0024] The present invention also provides high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, comprising at least one polyamide and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one, wherein the polyamides used are nylon-6 and nylon-66, with the proviso that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0025] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, with the proviso that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0026] The present invention also relates to the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing polyamide-based polymer compositions, preferably polyamide-based high-voltage components, in particular polyamide-based high-voltage components for electric vehicles, with the proviso that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0027] The polymer composition of the invention is formulated for further use by mixing the reactants A) and B) in at least one mixing apparatus. This provides molding compounds based on the composition of the invention as intermediates. These molding compounds may consist entirely of components A) and B) or may also contain at least one additional component in addition to components A) and B).

[0028] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention includes all definitions and parameters cited below in general terms or specified in preferred ranges in any desired combination. This also applies to the combination of the individual components in the amounts described in connection with the claimed methods and uses. The standards cited in the context of this application relate to the versions current at the filing date of the present invention.

[0029] high pressure

[0030] In paragraph 2.17 of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation No. 100 - Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles relating to specific requirements for electrical powertrain systems [2015 / 505], the term “high voltage” is described as the classification of electrical components or circuits if their operating voltage is > 60 V and ≤ 1500 V (direct current) or > 30 V and ≤ 1000 V (alternating current) root mean square (rms) (V = volts).

[0031] This classification of “high voltage” corresponds to voltage class B of ISO 6469-3:2018 (“Electrically propelled road vehicles - Safety specifications - Part 3: Electrical safety”). Section 5.2 also includes requirements for marking electrical components for voltage class B with an appropriate hazard symbol or the color “orange.”

[0032] High-voltage components and high-voltage components for electric vehicles

[0033] According to the present invention, a "high-voltage component" is understood to mean a component or product that is subjected to an operating voltage according to section 2.17 of the aforementioned United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation No. 100. According to the present invention, a "high-voltage component for an electric vehicle" preferably refers to a component in an electric vehicle that is subjected to an operating voltage of not less than 30 V (direct current) or not less than 20 V (alternating current), and more preferably - according to voltage class B of ISO 6469-3:2018 - greater than 60 V direct current or greater than 30 V alternating current.

[0034] According to the present invention, high-voltage components for electric vehicles include not only such components that are in direct contact with voltage-conducting parts, but also those that are directly adjacent thereto or spatially close thereto to serve as touch guards, warning signs or sheathing devices. According to the present invention, components that are in direct contact with voltage-conducting parts are preferred.

[0035] The high-voltage component for an electric vehicle according to the present invention is preferably colored orange, wherein the color shades corresponding to the color numbers RAL 2001, RAL 2003, RAL 2004, RAL 2007, RAL 2008, RAL 2009, RAL 2010 and RAL 2011 in the RAL color system are particularly preferred, and the color shades corresponding to the color numbers RAL 2003, RAL 2008 and RAL 2011 in the RAL color system are very particularly preferred.

[0036] A "similar color" permissible according to the present invention is a color whose color difference in the L*a*b* system from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart has a ΔE of < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5. For an explanation of the ΔE defined in EN ISO 11664-4, see, for example:

[0037] https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Delta_E.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the high-voltage components for electric vehicles of the present invention are designed by adding additional components so that they absorb laser light having a wavelength in the range from 800 nm to 1100 nm, thereby enabling a combination of a laser-transparent configuration and a laser-absorbing configuration to impart laser weldability.

[0039] orange color

[0040] In the context of the present invention, orange is understood to mean a color in the RAL color system according to https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / RAL-Farbe#Orange which has a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart. Specifically, at the filing date of the present invention, orange hues are distinguished according to Table 1:

[0041] Table 1

[0042]

[0043] Table 1 shows the device-independent CIE L*a*b* color values ​​for each RAL value: L* represents lightness, a* = D65, and b* = 10°. The color model is standardized in EN ISO 11664-4, "Colorimetry -- Part 4: CIE 1976 L*a*b* Color space." For more information on the L*a*b* color space (also known as CIELAB), see: https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Lab-Farbraum. Each color in the color space is defined by a color point with Cartesian coordinates {L*, a*, b*}. The a*b* coordinate plane is constructed using the theory of opposite colors. Green and red are at opposite ends of the a* axis, while the b* axis runs from blue to yellow. Complementary hues are 180° opposite each other; the midpoint between them (the coordinate origin a* = 0, b* = 0) is gray.

[0044] The L* axis describes the lightness (brightness) of a color, with values ​​ranging from 0 to 100. In the diagram, it is positioned perpendicular to the a*b* plane at the origin. Since all achromatic colors (gray shades) are contained between the endpoints of black (L* = 0) and white (L* = 100), it is also called the neutral gray axis. The a* axis describes the percentage of green or red in a color, with negative values ​​representing green and positive values ​​representing red. The b* axis describes the percentage of blue or yellow in a color, with negative values ​​representing blue and positive values ​​representing yellow.

[0045] The a* values ​​range from approximately -170 to +100, and the b* values ​​range from -100 to +150, with the maximum values ​​only reached at medium brightness for some chromaticities. The CIELAB color solids have their maximum extent in the medium brightness region, but this varies in height and size across the color range.

[0046] The present invention encompasses orange-like chromaticities having a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5 between the L*a*b* coordinates of the polymer composition and the L*a*b* coordinates of a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart.

[0047] Transmission laser welding

[0048] Another technical area used for amorphous and semi-crystalline polyamides is transmission laser welding, also known as laser transmission welding or simply laser welding. Transmission laser welding of plastics is based on radiation absorption in the molding compound. It is a joining process in which two joining partners, typically made of thermoplastics, are joined at the molecular level. To achieve this, one joining partner has a high transmission coefficient, and the other has a high absorption coefficient within the wavelength range of the laser used. The joining partner with a high transmission coefficient is irradiated by the laser beam without substantially heating. Upon contact with the joining partner with a high absorption coefficient, the incident laser energy is absorbed in the near-surface layer, converting it into heat and melting the plastic. Due to heat conduction processes, the laser-transparent joining partner also plasticizes in the region of the joining zone. Common laser sources used in laser transmission welding emit radiation in the wavelength range of approximately 600 to 1200 nm. High-output diode lasers (HDL, X = 800-1100 nm) and solid-state lasers (such as Nd:YAG lasers, X = 1060-1090 nm) are particularly commonly used. Many non-addition polymers are largely transparent or translucent to laser radiation, meaning they absorb it only poorly. Suitable colorants and further additives such as fillers and reinforcing agents enable controlled absorption and thus conversion of the laser light into heat. Absorbing pigments are often added to absorptive linker partners, which in the case of darkly colored linker partners are typically carbon black pigments. This approach is not possible with laser-transparent linker partners, as polymers colored with carbon black, for example, exhibit insufficient transmission for the laser light. The same applies to many organic dyes, such as aniline black. Therefore, there is a need for molded parts that, despite their coloration, still exhibit sufficient transmission for the laser light so that they can be used as laser-transparent components in transmission laser welding.

[0049] The basic principles of transmission laser welding are known to those skilled in the art from Kunststoffe 87 (1997) 3, 348-350, Kunststoffe 87 (1997) 11, 1632-1640, Kunststoffe 88 (1998) 2, 210-121, Plastverarbeiter 46 (1995) 9, 42-46, and Plastverarbeiter 50 (1999) 418-19. The transmittance of polymer moldings for lasers with a wavelength of 600 to 1200 nm can be measured, for example, using a spectrophotometer and an integrating sphere photometer. This measurement setup also enables the determination of the diffuse fraction of the transmitted radiation. Suitable laser sources for laser transmission welding emit radiation in the aforementioned wavelength range of approximately 600 to 1200 nm and use the aforementioned high-output diode lasers or solid-state lasers. With regard to the polyamide-based polymer compositions used for producing molded parts for transmission laser welding, reference is made to the following details. For the production of laser-transparent molded parts, essentially no components that absorb in the wavelength range of the laser used for transmission laser welding are used. This applies in particular when at least one of components C) fillers and reinforcing agents, D) flame retardants, or E) additives is added to the composition for the laser-transparent molded parts. Preferably, for the production of laser-transparent molded parts, no further additives E) that absorb or scatter in the wavelength range relevant for laser processes are used, in addition to component B) used according to the invention.

[0050] The polyamide composition for producing molded parts for transmission laser welding is produced by processes known per se. These typically involve first mixing the components in the relevant mass fractions. The components are preferably mixed by combined blending, mixing, kneading, extrusion, or rolling at high temperatures. The temperature during mixing is preferably in the range of 220°C to 340°C, more preferably in the range of 240°C to 300°C, and in particular in the range of 250°C to 290°C. Premixing the individual components can be advantageous. It is further possible to produce molded parts directly from physical mixtures produced at significantly lower melting temperatures than the corresponding polyamides of the premixed components and / or the individual components (dry blend). The temperature during mixing of the dry blend is preferably in the range of 0°C to 100°C, more preferably in the range of 10°C to 50°C, in particular at ambient temperature (25°C ± 3°C). The molding compound can be processed to obtain molded parts by conventional processes, preferably by injection molding or extrusion.

[0051] Currently, there are no standards that form the basis for the necessary laser transparency measurements. Therefore, those skilled in the art perform the following measurements: Laser transparency is measured at five defined measuring points on each of five sheets with dimensions of 60 mm x 60 mm x 2 mm and a highly polished surface. These values ​​are used to calculate the average laser transparency. To this end, the sheets are packaged in barrier PE bags (PE = polyethylene) before the measurement and tested in an analyzer in the dry, molded state 24 hours later. See: K.F. Feddersen, “Laserdurchstrahlschweißen - die Lösung für nichtlösbare Verbindungen” [Laser Transmission Welding - the Solution for Unpartable Bonds], Österreichische Kunststoffzeitschrift 1 / 2 2018, pp. 50-52. In the context of the present invention, dry molded state means that the specimen to be examined in the context of the present invention is stored immediately after injection molding at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 10% relative humidity for at least 16 hours until the respective investigation is carried out. For the determination of the water content, reference is made to ISO 15512:2009-10.

[0052] The transparency of the samples analyzed in the context of the present application was measured using a specimen having the dimensions 60 mm·60 mm·2 mm with an LPKF TMG3 transmission analyzer from LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, Garbsen, Germany (previously calibrated with analysis standards generated in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025) according to DVS-Richtlinie [German Welding Society information sheet] 2243 (01 / 2014) “Laserstrahlschweißen thermoplastischer Kunststoffe” [Laser Beam Welding of Thermoplastics (Laser Beam Welding of Thermoplastics)] at a laser wavelength of 980 nm in the near infrared (NIR); see: LPKF AG 101016-DE: “Einfache Transmissionsmessung für Kunststoffe LPKF TMG3” [Simple Transmission Measurement for Plastics LPKF TMG3 (Simplified Transmittance Measurement of Plastic LPKF TMG3)].

[0053] In the context of the present invention, "laser transparent" or "laser transmissive" is used to describe a polymer composition or a high-voltage component having a transmittance of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm. In the context of the present invention, "laser absorbing" is understood to mean a transmittance of less than 0.5% as measured by the above-mentioned method through a sample block having a thickness of 2 mm as described above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to compositions or high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, comprising thermoplastic polymer compositions, which, in addition to components A) and B), further comprise C) at least one filler and / or reinforcing agent in an amount of preferably 1 to 150 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 80 parts by mass, most preferably 10 to 50 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A), with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is <20 and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to compositions or high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, comprising thermoplastic polymer compositions, which, in addition to components A) to C) or instead of C), further comprise D) at least one flame retardant in an amount of preferably 3 to 100 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 5 to 80 parts by mass, most preferably in an amount of 10 to 50 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A), with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is <20 and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to compositions or high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, comprising thermoplastic polymer compositions, which, in addition to components A) to E) or instead of C) and / or D), further comprise E) at least one further additive in addition to components B), C) and D), preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, most preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A), with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is <20 and the laser transparency is at least 10%.

[0057] Component A)

[0058] The polyamides used according to the invention as component A) can be produced by various methods and synthesized from various monomers within the context of the present invention. Numerous procedures for preparing polyamides are known, and depending on the desired end product, different monomer units and chain transfer agents can be used to establish the desired molecular weight, or monomers with reactive groups can be used for post-processing as desired at a later stage.

[0059] Industrially relevant processes for preparing polyamides often proceed by polycondensation in the melt. In this context, the hydrolytic polymerization of lactams is also considered to be polycondensation.

[0060] Useful reactants include aliphatic and / or aromatic dicarboxylic acids, such as adipic acid, 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyladipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid; aliphatic and / or aromatic diamines, such as tetramethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, nonane-1,9-diamine, 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylenediamine, the isomeric diaminodicyclohexylmethanes, diaminodicyclohexylpropane, bisaminomethylcyclohexane, phenylenediamine, and xylenediamine; aminocarboxylic acids, such as aminocaproic acid; or the corresponding lactams. Caprolactam, especially ɛ-caprolactam, is particularly preferred. Copolyamides of multiple of the aforementioned monomers are also included.

[0061] Preferred polyamides are semicrystalline polyamides which are preparable from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and / or lactams having at least 5 ring members or the corresponding amino acids.

[0062] Particularly preferred polyamides are nylon-6, nylon-66, nylon-46 and / or semiaromatic copolyamides. Preferred semiaromatic copolyamides are PA6T / 6, PA6T / 66, PA6T / 6I or PA6T / 6I / 66.

[0063] Very particularly preferred polyamides according to the invention are nylon 6 and nylon 6,6, and nylon 6 is very especially preferred.

[0064] The nomenclature used for polyamides in the context of this application corresponds to the international standard ISO 1874-1, with the first digit or digits representing the number of carbon atoms of the starting diamine and the last digit or digits representing the number of carbon atoms of the dicarboxylic acid. If only one digit is shown, as in the case of PA6, this means that the starting material is an α,ω-aminocarboxylic acid or a lactam derived therefrom, i.e., ε-caprolactam in the case of PA6.

[0065] PA6 [CAS No. 25038-54-4] preferably used as component A) according to the present invention preferably has a viscosity value in the range of 80 to 180 ml / g, more preferably in the range of 85 to 160 ml / g and most preferably in the range of 90 to 140 ml / g, measured in a 0.5% by weight solution in 96% by weight sulfuric acid at 25° C. according to ISO 307. Nylon 6 preferably used as component A) according to the present invention is available, for example, as Durethan® B26 from Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Cologne.

[0066] Nylon 6,6 [CAS No. 32131-17-2] preferably used as component A) preferably has a viscosity value in the range of 80 to 180 ml / g, even more preferably in the range of 85 to 160 ml / g, particularly preferably in the range of 90 to 140 ml / g, measured in a 0.5% by weight solution in 96% by weight sulfuric acid at 25° C. in accordance with ISO 307. Nylon 6,6 used according to the invention as component A) is obtainable, for example, as Ultramid® A24E01 from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen.

[0067] The polyamide used as component A) according to the invention can also be used in admixture with at least one other polyamide and / or at least one other polymer. Preferred other polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS). When at least one additional polyamide or at least one other polymer is used, this is preferably or optionally combined with the use of at least one compatibilizer.

[0068] Conventional additives known to those skilled in the art, preferably mold release agents, stabilizers and / or flow aids, can be admixed already in molten form to the polyamide used as component A).

[0069] According to the invention, polymer compositions comprising at least nylon-6 and 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one are therefore preferred.

[0070] Furthermore, polymer compositions comprising nylon-6,6 and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one are preferred according to the invention.

[0071] Further preferred is a polymer composition in which 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one is used per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6.

[0072] Further preferred is a polymer composition in which 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one is used per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6.

[0073] Further preferred is a polymer composition in which 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one is used per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6,6.

[0074] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising at least one nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

[0075] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising nylon-6 and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

[0076] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising nylon-6,6 and 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

[0077] The present invention also provides high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, which contain 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6.

[0078] The present invention also provides high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, especially high-voltage components for electric vehicles, which contain 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6.

[0079] The present invention also provides high-voltage components, especially high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions containing 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6,6.

[0080] The present invention also provides laser-transparent high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions having a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm. These polymer compositions contain 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is <20.

[0081] The present invention also provides laser-transparent high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions having a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, wherein the polymer compositions contain 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is <20.

[0082] The present invention also provides laser-transparent high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions having a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, wherein the polymer compositions contain 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon 6,6, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is <20.

[0083] The present invention also provides laser-absorbing high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, particularly high-voltage components for electric vehicles, comprising 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6 or nylon-6,6, and at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE from the L*a*b* coordinates of a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart is less than 20. Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide are particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred. The laser absorber is preferably used as additive E) in an amount of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, most preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0084] The present invention also provides laser-absorbing high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, particularly high-voltage components for electric vehicles. These polymer compositions contain 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon-6 and at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart is less than 20. Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide are particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred. The laser absorber is preferably used as additive E) in an amount of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, most preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0085] The present invention also provides laser-absorbing high-voltage components based on polymer compositions, particularly high-voltage components for electric vehicles. These polymer compositions contain 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of nylon 6,6 and at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone, with the proviso that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart is less than 20. Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide are particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred. The laser absorber is preferably used as additive E) in an amount of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, most preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0086] The present invention also relates to the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing polymer compositions based on nylon-6 or nylon-6,6, preferably high-voltage components based on nylon-6 or nylon-6,6, in particular high-voltage components based on nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 for electric vehicles.

[0087] The present invention also relates to the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing nylon-6 based polymer compositions, preferably nylon-6 based high-voltage components, in particular nylon-6 based high-voltage components for electric vehicles.

[0088] The present invention also relates to the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing nylon-6,6-based polymer compositions, preferably nylon-6,6-based high-voltage components, in particular nylon-6,6-based high-voltage components for electric vehicles.

[0089] Finally, the invention relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for marking products based on nylon-6 or nylon-6,6 as high-voltage components.

[0090] Finally, the present invention relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for marking products based on nylon-6 as high-voltage components.

[0091] Finally, the present invention relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for marking products based on nylon-6,6 as high-voltage components.

[0092] Component B)

[0093] According to the present invention, the component B) used is 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one of formula (I) [CAS No. 203576-97-0]

[0094] (I).

[0095] 10,10′-Oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one can be prepared in Example 3) by the synthetic route specified in EP 1 118 640 A1 or can be obtained from Angene International Limited, UK Office, Churchill House, London.

[0096] 10,10′-Oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one can be used directly in powder form or in the form of masterbatches, compacts or concentrates, preferably masterbatches and particularly preferably masterbatches in a polymer matrix corresponding to the specific component A).

[0097] Component C)

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, at least one filler or reinforcing agent is used as component C). In this case, mixtures of two or more different fillers and / or reinforcing agents can also be used.

[0099] Preferably, at least one filler or reinforcing agent is used from the group consisting of carbon fibers [CAS No. 7440-44-0], glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali content of 1% (E glass) [CAS No. 65997-17-3], amorphous silicon dioxide [CAS No. 7631-86-9], quartz powder [CAS No. 14808-60-7], calcium silicate [CAS No. 1344-95-2], calcium metasilicate [CAS No. 10101-39-0], magnesium carbonate [CAS No. 546-93-0], kaolin [CAS No. 1332-58-7], calcined Kaolin [CAS No. 92704-41-1], chalk [CAS No. 1317-65-3], kyanite [CAS No. 1302-76-7], powdered or ground quartz [CAS No. 14808-60-7], mica [CAS No. 1318-94-1], phlogopite [CAS No. 12251-00-2], barium sulfate [CAS No. 7727-43-7], feldspar [CAS No. 68476-25-5], wollastonite [CAS No. 13983-17-0], montmorillonite [CAS No. 67479-91-8], pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate [CAS No. 12125-28-9] and talc [CAS No. 14807-96-6].

[0100] Among the fibrous fillers or reinforcing agents, glass fibers and wollastonite are particularly preferred, and glass fibers are very particularly preferred. In the case of laser-absorbing components / laser-absorbing high-voltage components, carbon fibers can also be used as fillers or reinforcing agents.

[0101] With regard to glass fibers, according to "http: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Faser-Kunststoff-Verbund", the person skilled in the art distinguishes between short-cut fibers (also known as staple fibers), long fibers, and continuous fibers, wherein short-cut fibers have a length in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm, long fibers have a length in the range of 1 to 50 mm, and continuous fibers have a length L > 50 mm. Short fibers are preferably used in injection molding technology and can be processed directly with an extruder. Long fibers can likewise still be processed in an extruder. These fibers are widely used in fiber jetting. Long fibers are often added to thermosetting materials as fillers. Continuous fibers are used in the form of rovings or fabrics in fiber-reinforced plastics. Products containing continuous fibers achieve the highest stiffness and strength values. Also available are frosted glass fibers, whose length after frosting is typically in the range of 70 to 200 µm.

[0102] Glass fibers preferably used according to the invention as component C) are chopped long glass fibers having an average starting length, determined by laser diffraction particle size analysis (laser granulometry / laser diffractometry) in accordance with ISO 13320, in the range of 1 to 50 mm, more preferably in the range of 1 to 10 mm, most preferably in the range of 2 to 7 mm. Regarding laser diffraction particle size analysis / laser diffractometry in accordance with ISO 13320, see:

[0103] https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Laserbeugungs-Partikelgr%C3%B6%C3%9Fenanalyse

[0104] The average fiber diameter of the glass fibers preferably used as component C) is determined by laser diffraction in accordance with ISO 13320 in the range from 7 to 18 μm, more preferably in the range from 9 to 15 μm.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the glass fibers preferably used as component C) are modified with a suitable size system or adhesion promoter / adhesion promoter system. Preferably, a silane-based size system or adhesion promoter is used. Particularly preferred silane-based adhesion promoters for treating the glass fibers preferably used as component C) are silane compounds of the general formula (II):

[0106] (X-(CH2) q ) k -Si-(O-CrH 2r+1 ) 4-k (II)

[0107] in

[0108] X is NH2-, carboxyl-, HO- or ,

[0109] q in formula (XI) represents an integer from 2 to 10, preferably 3 to 4,

[0110] r in formula (XI) represents an integer from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2, and

[0111] In formula (XI), k represents an integer from 1 to 3, preferably 1.

[0112] Particularly preferred adhesion promoters are silane compounds from the group consisting of aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, aminobutyltrimethoxysilane, aminopropyltriethoxysilane, aminobutyltriethoxysilane and the corresponding silanes which contain a glycidyl group or a carboxyl group as substituent X, very particular preference being given to a carboxyl group.

[0113] For the modification of glass fibers preferably used as component C), the adhesion promoter, preferably a silane compound of the formula (II), is preferably used in an amount of 0.05 to 2% by weight, more preferably in an amount of 0.25 to 1.5% by weight and most preferably in an amount of 0.5 to 1% by weight, based in each case on 100% by weight of component C).

[0114] By processing to give the composition or the product, the glass fibers preferably used as component C) can be shorter in the composition or in the product than the glass fibers originally used. Thus, the arithmetic mean value of the glass fiber length after processing, determined by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, is often only in the range of 150 to 300 μm.

[0115] According to http: / / www.rg.de / wiki / Glasfasern, glass fibers are produced by melt spinning (die drawing, rod drawing, and die blowing). In die drawing, a hot glass block flows under gravity through hundreds of holes in a platinum spinneret plate. The filaments can be drawn at speeds of 3-4 km / min, with no length restrictions.

[0116] A person skilled in the art distinguishes between different types of glass fibers, some of which are listed here by way of example:

[0117] E-glass, the most commonly used material with the best cost-benefit ratio (E-glass from R&G), has the following composition according to https: / / www.rg.de / wiki / Glasfasern: 53%-55% SiO2, 14%-15% Al2O3, 6%-8% B2O3, 17%-22% CaO, < 5% MgO, < 1% K2O or Na2O, and about 1% of other oxides;

[0118] H glass, hollow glass fiber for reduced weight (R&G hollow glass fiber fabric, 160 g / m 2 and 216 g / m 2 );

[0119] ●R, S glass, for high mechanical requirements (S2 glass from R&G);

[0120] ●D glass, borosilicate glass for high electrical requirements;

[0121] C glass, which has increased chemical resistance;

[0122] ●Quartz glass, with high thermal stability.

[0123] Further examples can be found at "http: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Glasfaser." E-glass fibers have achieved the greatest improvement in the reinforcement of plastics. E stands for electrical glass, as it was originally used, in particular, in the electrical industry. To produce E-glass, a glass melt is produced from pure quartz, to which limestone, kaolin, and boric acid are added. Silicon dioxide is also present, and these contain varying amounts of various metal oxides. The composition determines the properties of the product. According to the present invention, it is preferred to use at least one type of glass fiber from the group consisting of E-glass, H-glass, R-glass, S-glass, D-glass, C-glass, and quartz glass, with glass fibers made of E-glass being particularly preferred.

[0124] Glass fibers made from E-glass are the most commonly used reinforcement material. Their strength characteristics correspond to those of metals (e.g., aluminum alloys), while the specific gravity of laminates containing E-glass fibers is lower than that of metals. E-glass fibers are non-flammable, heat-resistant up to approximately 400°C, and stable to most chemicals and weathering.

[0125] Needle-shaped mineral fillers are also preferably used as component C). According to the present invention, needle-shaped mineral fillers are understood to mean mineral fillers with highly pronounced needle-shaped features. A preferred needle-shaped mineral filler used as component C) is wollastonite. The needle-shaped mineral filler preferably has a length:diameter ratio, determined by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography, in the range of 2:1 to 35:1, more preferably in the range of 3:1 to 19:1, and particularly preferably in the range of 4:1 to 12:1. The average particle size of the needle-shaped mineral filler determined by high-resolution X-ray computed tomography is preferably less than 20 μm, more preferably less than 15 μm, and particularly preferably less than 10 μm.

[0126] Also preferably used as component C) is non-fibrous and non-foamed ground glass having a particle size distribution with a d90 in the range of 5 to 250 μm, preferably in the range of 10 to 150 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 to 80 μm, most preferably in the range of 16 to 25 μm, determined by laser diffraction in accordance with ISO 13320. With regard to d90 values, their determination and their significance, reference is made to Chemie Ingenieur Technik [Chemical Engineering Technology] (72), pp. 273-276, 3 / 2000, Wiley-VCH Verlags GmbH, Weinheim, 2000, according to which the d90 value is the particle size below which 90% of the particles are present.

[0127] It is preferred according to the invention that the non-fibrous and non-foamed milled glass preferably has a particulate, non-cylindrical shape and has an aspect ratio, determined by laser diffraction according to ISO 13320, of less than 5, preferably less than 3, more preferably less than 2. It will be appreciated that a value of zero is not possible.

[0128] The non-foamed and non-fibrous mill glass particularly preferably used as component C) is further characterized in that it does not have the typical glass geometry of a fiber glass with a cylindrical or oval cross section, with an aspect ratio (L / D ratio) of greater than 5, determined by laser diffraction according to ISO 13320.

[0129] The non-foaming and non-fibrous ground glass, which is particularly preferably used as component C) according to the present invention, is preferably obtained by grinding the glass with a grinder, preferably a ball mill, and more preferably subsequently screening or sieving. Preferred starting materials for grinding the non-fibrous and non-foaming ground glass, which is used as component C) in one embodiment, also include glass waste, such as is generated as an unwanted by-product and / or as unqualified primary products (so-called unqualified materials), especially in the production of glass products. This includes in particular waste glass, recycled glass and cullet, such as can be obtained, in particular, in the production of window glass or bottle glass and in the production of glass-containing fillers and reinforcements, especially in the form of so-called melt cakes. The glass can be colored, but colorless glass is preferred as the starting material for component C).

[0130] Component D)

[0131] In a preferred embodiment, at least one flame retardant is used as component D). Preferred flame retardants are, in addition to component C), mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants.

[0132] Among the mineral flame retardants, magnesium hydroxide is particularly preferred. Magnesium hydroxide [CAS No. 1309-42-8] may be impure due to its source and production mode. Typical impurities include, for example, silicon-containing, iron-containing, calcium-containing and / or aluminum-containing substances, which can be inserted into the magnesium hydroxide crystals in the form of oxides, for example. The magnesium hydroxide used as a mineral flame retardant can be unsized or sized. The magnesium hydroxide used as a mineral flame retardant is preferably provided with a sizing based on stearate or aminosilicone, more preferably with aminosilicone. The magnesium hydroxide preferably used as a mineral flame retardant has a median particle size d50 in the range of from 0.5 μm to 6 μm, preferably in the range of from 0.7 μm to 3.8 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of from 1.0 μm to 2.6 μm, as measured by laser diffraction according to ISO13320.

[0133] Types of magnesium hydroxide suitable as mineral flame retardants according to the present invention include, for example, Magnifin® H5IV from Martinswerk GmbH, Bergheim, Germany or Hidromag® Q2015TC from Penoles, Mexico City, Mexico.

[0134] Preferred nitrogen-containing flame retardants are the reaction product of trichlorotriazine, piperazine, and morpholine with the CAS number 1078142-02-5, in particular MCA PPM Triazine HF from MCA Technologies GmbH, Biel-Benken, Switzerland, as well as melamine cyanurates and condensation products of melamine (in particular melem, melam, cyanuric acid imide, or more highly condensed compounds of this type). Preferred inorganic nitrogen-containing compounds are ammonium salts.

[0135] Furthermore, it is also possible to use salts of aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids and mineral flame retardant additives, in particular aluminum hydroxide or Ca—Mg carbonate hydrate (DE-A 4 236 122).

[0136] Also suitable as component D) are flame retardant synergists from the group of oxygen-, nitrogen- or sulfur-containing metal compounds. Preferred among these are zinc-free compounds, in particular molybdenum oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, titanium nitride, magnesium nitride, calcium phosphate, calcium borate, magnesium borate or mixtures thereof.

[0137] In alternative embodiments, however, zinc-containing compounds can also be used as component D, if desired. These preferably include zinc oxide, zinc borate, zinc stannate, zinc hydroxystannate, zinc sulfide and zinc nitride, or mixtures thereof.

[0138] Preferred phosphorus-containing flame retardants are organic metal phosphinates, aluminum salts of phosphonic acid, red phosphorus, inorganic metal phosphinates, metal phosphonates, derivatives of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO derivatives), resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) (including oligomers), bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP) (including oligomers), melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melamine poly(aluminum phosphate), melamine poly(zinc phosphate) or phenoxyphosphazene oligomers and mixtures thereof.

[0139] The preferred organic metal phosphinate is aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate).The preferred inorganic metal phosphinate is aluminum hypophosphite.

[0140] Further flame retardants used as component D) are char formers, more preferably phenol-formaldehyde resins, polycarbonates, polyimides, polysulfones, polyethersulfones or polyetherketones, and also anti-drip agents, especially tetrafluoroethylene polymers.

[0141] These flame retardants used as component D) can be added in pure form or via masterbatches or compacts.

[0142] However, in alternative embodiments—if desired and taking into account the disadvantages of the flame retardant's halogen-free properties—halogen-containing flame retardants can also be used as flame retardants. Preferred halogen-containing flame retardants are commercially available organohalogen compounds, more preferably ethylene-1,2-bistetrabromophthalimide, decabromodiphenylethane, tetrabromobisphenol A epoxy oligomers, tetrabromobisphenol A oligocarbonates, tetrachlorobisphenol A oligocarbonates, polypentabromobenzyl acrylate, brominated polystyrene, or brominated polyphenylene ether, which can be used alone or in combination with a synergist (especially antimony trioxide or antimony pentoxide). Among the halogen-containing flame retardants, brominated polystyrene is particularly preferred. The amount of brominated polystyrene used here is preferably in the range of 10% to 30% by weight, more preferably in the range of 15% to 25% by weight, based on the total composition, with at least one of the other components being reduced to such an extent that the sum of all weight percentages always reaches 100.

[0143] Brominated polystyrene is commercially available in a wide variety of product qualities. Examples are, for example, Firemaster ® PBS64 (Lanxess, Cologne, Germany) and Saytex ® HP-3010 (from Albemarle, Baton Rouge, USA).

[0144] Among the flame retardants used as component D), very particular preference is given to aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) [CAS No. 225789-38-8] and combinations of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and melamine polyphosphate or combinations of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and at least one aluminum salt of phosphonic acid, the latter combination being particularly preferred.

[0145] Aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) [CAS No. 225789-38-8] or a combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and melamine polyphosphate or a combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and at least one aluminum salt of phosphonic acid is preferably used in an amount of 5% to 35% by weight, more preferably in an amount of 10% to 30% by weight, most preferably in an amount of 15% to 25% by weight, based in each case on the entire composition, at least one of the further components being reduced to such an extent that the sum of all weight percentages always amounts to 100.

[0146] In the case of a combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and melamine polyphosphate or a combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and at least one aluminum salt of phosphonic acid, the proportion of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) is preferably 40 to 90 parts by weight, more preferably 50 to 80 parts by weight, most preferably 60 to 70 parts by weight, based in each case on 100 parts by weight of the combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and melamine polyphosphate or the combination of aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) and at least one aluminum salt of phosphonic acid.

[0147] An example of a suitable aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate) for use as component D) is Exolit from Clariant International Ltd. Muttenz, Switzerland. ® OP1230 or Exolit ® OP1240. Melamine polyphosphate is commercially available in a variety of product qualities. Examples include Melapur® 200 / 70 from BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Budit® 3141 from Budenheim, Germany.

[0148] Preferred aluminum salts of phosphonic acid are selected from the group consisting of:

[0149] Primary aluminum phosphonate [Al(H2PO3)3],

[0150] Basic aluminum phosphonate [Al(OH)H2PO3)2·2H2O],

[0151] Al2(HPO3)3·xAl2O3·nH2O, wherein x is in the range from 2.27 to 1 and n is in the range from 0 to 4,

[0152] Al2(HPO3)3·(H2O) q (III)

[0153] wherein q is in the range from 0 to 4, in particular aluminum phosphonate tetrahydrate [Al2(HPO3)3·4H2O] or secondary aluminum phosphonate [Al2(HPO3)3],

[0154] Al2M z (HPO3) y (OH) v (H2O) w (IV)

[0155] wherein M represents one or more alkali metal ions and z is in the range of from 0.01 to 1.5, y is in the range of 2.63-3.5, v is in the range of from 0 to 2 and w is in the range of from 0 to 4, and

[0156] Al2(HPO3) u (H2PO3) t (H2O) s (V)

[0157] wherein u ranges from 2 to 2.99, t ranges from 2 to 0.01 and s ranges from 0 to 4,

[0158] In this case, z, y and v in formula (IV) and u and t in formula (V) may only have such numbers that the corresponding aluminum salt of the phosphonic acid as a whole is uncharged.

[0159] Preferred alkali metals M in formula (IV) are sodium and potassium.

[0160] The aluminum salts of the phosphonic acids mentioned can be used individually or as a mixture.

[0161] Particularly preferred aluminum salts of phosphonic acid are selected from the group consisting of:

[0162] Primary aluminum phosphonate [Al(H2PO3)3],

[0163] Secondary aluminum phosphonate [Al2(HPO3)3],

[0164] Basic aluminum phosphonate [Al(OH)H2PO3)2·2H2O],

[0165] Aluminum phosphonate tetrahydrate [Al2(HPO3)3·4H2O], and

[0166] Al2(HPO3)3·xAl2O3·nH2O, wherein x is in the range of 2.27 to 1 and n is in the range of 0 to 4.

[0167] Very particular preference is given to secondary aluminum phosphonate Al2(HPO3)3 [CAS No. 71449-76-8] and secondary aluminum phosphonate tetrahydrate Al2(HPO3)3.4H2O [CAS No. 156024-71-4], and particular preference is given to secondary aluminum phosphonate Al2(HPO3)3.

[0168] For example, WO 2013 / 083247 A1 describes the preparation of the aluminum salt of phosphonic acid used as component D) according to the present invention. This typically involves reacting an aluminum source, preferably aluminum triisopropoxide, aluminum nitrate, aluminum chloride, or aluminum hydroxide, with a phosphorus source, preferably phosphonic acid, ammonium phosphonate, or an alkali metal phosphonate, and optionally a template, in a solvent at 20°C to 200°C for a period of up to four days. To this end, the aluminum and phosphorus sources are mixed, heated hydrothermally or under reflux, filtered, washed, and dried. Preferred templates are hexane-1,6-diamine, guanidine carbonate, or ammonia. The preferred solvent is water.

[0169] Component E)

[0170] Component E) is at least one additional additive in addition to components B) to D). Preferred additives for component E) include antioxidants, heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, gamma stabilizers, components for reducing water absorption or hydrolysis stabilizers, antistatic agents, emulsifiers, nucleating agents, plasticizers, processing aids, impact modifiers, lubricants and / or mold release agents, components for reducing water absorption, flow aids or elastomer modifiers, chain extender additives, colorants in addition to component B), and, in the case of laser-absorbing components or high-voltage components, laser absorbers. These additives can be used individually, in mixtures, or in the form of masterbatches.

[0171] Preferred heat stabilizers of component E) are sterically hindered phenols, especially those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group, and also phosphites, hypophosphites (especially sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2), hydroquinone, aromatic secondary amines, substituted resorcinols, salicylates, benzotriazoles and benzophenones, 3,3'-thiodipropionates and various substituted representatives of these groups or mixtures thereof.

[0172] In one embodiment, the heat stabilizer used in component E) can also be a copper salt, preferably in combination with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2). The copper salt used is preferably copper (I) iodide [CAS No. 7681-65-4] and / or (triphenylphosphine) copper iodide [CAS No. 47107-74-4]. Preferably, the copper salt is used in combination with sodium hypophosphite (NaH2PO2) or with at least one alkali metal iodide. A preferred alkali metal iodide is potassium iodide [CAS No. 7681-11-0].

[0173] The heat stabilizers used as component E) are preferably used in an amount of 0.01 to 2 parts by mass, more preferably in an amount of 0.05 to 1 part by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0174] UV stabilizers used as component E) are preferably substituted resorcinols, salicylates, benzotriazoles and benzophenones, HALS derivatives containing at least one 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl unit (“hindered amine light stabilizers”) or benzophenones.

[0175] The UV stabilizers used as component E) are preferably used in amounts of 0.01 to 2 parts by mass, more preferably in amounts of 0.1 to 1 part by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0176] Colorants used as component E) in addition to component B) are preferably inorganic pigments, in particular ultramarine blue, bismuth vanadate, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, zinc sulfide, zinc-titanium-zinc oxide [CAS No. 923954-49-8], and also organic dyes, preferably phthalocyanines, quinacridones, benzimidazoles, in particular Ni-2-hydroxynaphthylbenzimidazole [CAS No. 42844-93-9] and / or pyrimidine azobenzimidazole [CAS No. 72102-84-2] and / or Pigment Yellow 192 [CAS No. 56279-27-7], and also perylenes, anthraquinones, in particular CI Solvent Yellow 163 [CAS No. 13676-91-0], this list being non-exclusive.

[0177] In one embodiment, preferably in the case of laser absorbing components / high-voltage components, carbon black or aniline black is also used as colorant.

[0178] Nucleating agents used as component E) are preferably sodium or calcium phenylphosphinate, aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide, and most preferably talc, this list being non-exclusive.

[0179] The flow aid used as component E) is preferably a copolymer of at least one α-olefin and at least one methacrylate or acrylate of a fatty alcohol. Particularly preferred are copolymers in which the α-olefin is formed from ethylene and / or propylene, and the methacrylate or acrylate contains a linear or branched alkyl group with 6 to 20 carbon atoms as its alcohol component. 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is very particularly preferred. Copolymers suitable as flow aids are characterized not only by their composition but also by their low molecular weight. Therefore, suitable copolymers for use in these compositions according to the present invention to be protected against thermal degradation are particularly those having an MFI value of at least 100 g / 10 min, preferably at least 150 g / 10 min, and more preferably at least 300 g / 10 min, measured at 190°C and a load of 2.16 kg. The MFI (Melt Flow Index) characterizes the flow of thermoplastic melts and complies with standards ISO 1133 or ASTM D 1238. A particularly preferred glidant for use is a copolymer of ethylene and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate which has an MFI of 550 and is known as Lotryl® 37EH550.

[0180] The chain-extending additive used as component E) is preferably a bifunctional or polyfunctional branching or chain-extending additive containing at least two branching or chain-extending functional groups per molecule. Preferred branching or chain-extending additives include low molecular weight or oligomeric compounds having at least two chain-extending functional groups per molecule that are capable of reacting with primary and / or secondary amino groups and / or amide groups and / or carboxylic acid groups. The chain-extending functional groups are preferably isocyanates, alcohols, blocked isocyanates, epoxides, maleic anhydride, oxazolines, oxazines, oxazolones, and preferably epoxides.

[0181] Particularly preferred difunctional or polyfunctional branching or chain-extending additives are diepoxides based on diglycidyl ethers (bisphenols and epichlorohydrin), amine epoxy resins (aniline and epichlorohydrin), diglycidyl esters (alicyclic dicarboxylic acids and epichlorohydrin), either alone or in mixtures, and also 2,2-bis[p-hydroxyphenyl]propane diglycidyl ether, bis[p-(N-methyl-N-2,3-epoxypropylamino)phenyl]methane, and epoxidized fatty acid glycerides containing at least two epoxy groups per molecule.

[0182] Particularly preferred difunctional or polyfunctional branching or chain-extending additives are glycidyl ethers, most preferably bisphenol A diglycidyl ether [CAS No. 98460-24-3] or epoxidized fatty acid glycerides, and most preferably also epoxidized soybean oil [CAS No. 8013-07-8] and / or epoxidized linseed oil.

[0183] Plasticizers preferably used as component E) are dioctyl phthalate, dibenzyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, hydrocarbon oils or N-(n-butyl)benzenesulfonamide.

[0184] Elastomer modifiers preferably used as component E) include one or more graft polymers of:

[0185] E.1 5 to 95% by weight, preferably 30 to 90% by weight, of at least one vinyl monomer, and

[0186] E.2 95 to 5% by weight, preferably 70 to 10% by weight, of one or more graft bases having a glass transition temperature of <10°C, preferably <0°C, more preferably <-20°C, the percentages by weight being based on 100% by weight of the elastomer modifier.

[0187] The graft base E.2 generally has an average particle size d50 value, determined by laser diffraction in accordance with ISO 13320, of 0.05 to 10 μm, preferably 0.1 to 5 μm, more preferably 0.2 to 1 μm.

[0188] Monomers E.1 are preferably mixtures of:

[0189] E.1.1 50 to 99% by weight of vinylaromatic compounds and / or ring-substituted vinylaromatic compounds (especially styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene) and / or (C1-C8)-alkyl methacrylates (especially methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate), and

[0190] E.1.2 1 to 50% by weight of vinyl cyanides (especially unsaturated nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile) and / or (C1-C8)-alkyl(meth)acrylates (especially methyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate) and / or derivatives of unsaturated carboxylic acids (especially anhydrides and imides, especially maleic anhydride or N-phenylmaleimide), the percentages by weight being based on 100% by weight of the elastomer modifier.

[0191] Preferred monomers E.1.1 are at least one selected from the group consisting of styrene, α-methylstyrene, and methyl methacrylate; preferred monomers E.1.2 are at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate. Particularly preferred monomers E.1.1 are styrene and E.1.2 are acrylonitrile.

[0192] Suitable graft bases E.2 for the graft polymers used in these elastomer modifiers are, for example, diene rubbers, EPDM rubbers (i.e. those based on ethylene / propylene and optionally dienes), as well as acrylates, polyurethanes, silicones, chloroprene and ethylene / vinyl acetate rubbers. EPDM stands for ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.

[0193] Preferred graft bases E.2 are diene rubbers (especially based on butadiene, isoprene, etc.) or mixtures of diene rubbers, or copolymers of diene rubbers or mixtures thereof with further copolymerizable monomers (especially E.1.1 and E.1.2), with the proviso that component E.2 has a glass transition temperature of <10°C, preferably <0°C, more preferably <-10°C.

[0194] Particularly preferred graft bases E.2 are ABS polymers (emulsion, bulk, and suspension ABS), where ABS stands for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, as described, for example, in DE-A 2 035 390 or DE-A 2 248 242, or in Ullmann, Enzyklopädie der Technischen Chemie [Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry], Vol. 19 (1980), pp. 277-295. The gel content of the graft base E.2 is preferably at least 30% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight (measured in toluene).

[0195] The elastomer modifiers / graft polymers used as component E) are produced by free-radical polymerization, preferably by emulsion polymerization, suspension polymerization, solution polymerization or bulk polymerization, in particular by emulsion polymerization or bulk polymerization.

[0196] Particularly suitable graft rubbers also include ABS polymers which are produced by redox initiation according to US Pat. No. 4,937,285 using an initiator system consisting of an organic hydroperoxide and ascorbic acid.

[0197] Since, as is known, the graft monomers are not necessarily completely grafted onto the graft base in the grafting reaction, graft polymers according to the invention are also understood to mean those products which are produced by (co)polymerization of the graft monomers in the presence of the graft base and which are obtained in the workup.

[0198] Likewise suitable are acrylate rubbers based on the graft base E.2, which are preferably polymers of alkyl acrylates, optionally containing up to 40% by weight of other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers, based on E.2. Preferred polymerizable acrylates include C1-C8 alkyl esters, preferably methyl, ethyl, butyl, n-octyl, and 2-ethylhexyl esters; haloalkyl esters, preferably halo-C1-C8 alkyl esters, such as chloroethyl acrylate, glycidyl acrylate, and mixtures of these monomers. Graft polymers comprising butyl acrylate as a core and methyl methacrylate as a shell, in particular Paraloid® EXL2300 from Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, Michigan, USA, are particularly preferred.

[0199] As an alternative to ethylenically unsaturated monomers, crosslinking can be achieved by copolymerizing monomers having more than one polymerizable double bond. Preferred crosslinking monomers are esters of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms with unsaturated monohydric alcohols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, or saturated polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 4 OH groups and 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, allyl methacrylate; polyunsaturated heterocyclic compounds, preferably trivinyl cyanurate and triallyl cyanurate; polyfunctional vinyl compounds, preferably divinylbenzene and trivinylbenzene; and also triallyl phosphate and diallyl phthalate.

[0200] Particularly preferred crosslinking monomers are allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diallyl phthalate and heterocyclic compounds having at least three ethylenically unsaturated groups.

[0201] Very particularly preferred crosslinking monomers are the cyclic monomers: triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, triacryloylhexahydro-s-triazine, triallylbenzene. The amount of these crosslinking monomers is preferably 0.02 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 2% by weight, based on the graft base E.2.

[0202] In the case of cyclic crosslinking monomers having at least 3 ethylenically unsaturated groups, it is advantageous to limit the amount to less than 1% by weight of the graft base E.2.

[0203] Preferred "other" polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers (in addition to acrylic esters, which can optionally be used to produce the graft base E.2) are acrylonitrile, styrene, α-methylstyrene, acrylamide, C1-C6-alkyl vinyl ethers, methyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, butadiene. Preferred acrylate rubbers as graft base E.2 are emulsion polymers having a gel content of at least 60% by weight.

[0204] Suitable graft bases E.2 are further preferably silicone rubbers having grafting-active sites, such as are described in DE-A 3704 657, DE-A 3 704 655, DE-A 3 631 540 and DE-A 3 631 539.

[0205] Preferred graft polymers with silicone content are those with methyl methacrylate or styrene-acrylonitrile as shell and silicone / acrylate grafts as core. Styrene-acrylonitrile preferably used as shell is Metablen ® SRK200. The methyl methacrylate preferably used as the shell is Metablen ® S2001 or Metablen ® S2030 or Metablen ® SX-005. It is particularly preferred to use Metablen ® S2001. With the trade name Metablen ® The product is available from Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

[0206] Crosslinking can be achieved by copolymerizing monomers having more than one polymerizable double bond. Preferred examples of crosslinking monomers are esters of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms with unsaturated monohydric alcohols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, or saturated polyhydric alcohols having 2 to 4 OH groups and 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, allyl methacrylate; polyunsaturated heterocyclic compounds, preferably trivinyl cyanurate and triallyl cyanurate; polyfunctional vinyl compounds, preferably divinylbenzene and trivinylbenzene; and also triallyl phosphate and diallyl phthalate.

[0207] Preferred crosslinking monomers are allyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diallyl phthalate, and heterocyclic compounds having at least three ethylenically unsaturated groups.

[0208] Particularly preferred crosslinking monomers are cyclic monomers: triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, triacryloylhexahydro-s-triazine, triallylbenzene. The amount of these crosslinking monomers, based on the graft base E.2, is preferably 0.02 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 2% by weight.

[0209] In the case of cyclic crosslinking monomers having at least 3 ethylenically unsaturated groups, it is advantageous to limit the amount to less than 1% by weight of the graft base E.2.

[0210] Preferred "other" polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers (in addition to acrylic esters, which can optionally be used to produce the graft base E.2) are acrylonitrile, styrene, α-methylstyrene, acrylamide, C1-C6-alkyl vinyl ethers, methyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, butadiene. Preferred acrylate rubbers as graft base E.2 are emulsion polymers having a gel content of at least 60% by weight.

[0211] In addition to elastomer modifiers based on graft polymers, it is likewise possible to use elastomer modifiers which are not based on graft polymers and have a glass transition temperature of <10° C., preferably <0° C., more preferably <−20° C. These preferably include elastomers having a block copolymer structure, and also thermoplastic fusible elastomers, in particular EPM, EPDM and / or SEBS rubbers (EPM=ethylene-propylene copolymer, EPDM=ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and SEBS=styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer).

[0212] Lubricants and / or mold-release agents used as component E) are preferably long-chain fatty acids (especially stearic acid or behenic acid), their salts (especially calcium stearate or zinc stearate), and their ester derivatives (especially those based on pentaerythritol, especially fatty acid esters of pentaerythritol) or amide derivatives (especially ethylenebisstearamide), montan waxes and low molecular weight polyethylene waxes or polypropylene waxes.

[0213] Montan wax in the context of the present invention is a mixture of linear saturated carboxylic acids having a chain length of 28 to 32 carbon atoms.

[0214] According to the invention, particular preference is given to using lubricants and / or release agents from the group consisting of esters of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids having 8 to 40 carbon atoms with aliphatic saturated alcohols or amides of amines having 2 to 40 carbon atoms with unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids having 8 to 40 carbon atoms, instead of the corresponding carboxylic acid metal salts of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids having 8 to 40 carbon atoms.

[0215] Lubricants and / or release agents used as component E) are particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol tetrastearate [CAS No. 115-83-3], ethylene bisstearamide, calcium stearate, and ethylene glycol dimontanate. The use of calcium stearate [CAS No. 1592-23-0] or ethylene bisstearamide [CAS No. 110-30-5] is particularly preferred. The use of ethylene bisstearamide (Loxiol® EBS from Emery Oleochemicals) is very particularly preferred.

[0216] The hydrolysis stabilizer / component for reducing water absorption preferably used as component E) is preferably a polyester, preferably polybutylene terephthalate and / or polyethylene terephthalate, and particularly preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The polyester is preferably used in a concentration of 5 to 20% by weight and more preferably in a concentration of 7 to 15% by weight, based in each case on the entire polymer composition, with the proviso that the sum of all percentages, based on the weight of the polymer composition, always amounts to 100% by weight.

[0217] In the case of laser-absorbing components / laser-absorbing high-voltage components, at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone can be used as component E). Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide is particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred.

[0218] The laser absorber, in particular antimony trioxide, can be used directly as a powder or in the form of a masterbatch. Preferred masterbatches are those based on polyamide and / or polyolefin, preferably polyethylene. Very particular preference is given to using antimony trioxide in the form of a masterbatch based on nylon 6.

[0219] The laser absorber may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more laser absorbers.

[0220] Laser absorbers absorb laser light of a specific wavelength. In practice, this wavelength ranges from 157 nm to 10.6 µm. Examples of lasers with these wavelengths are described in WO 2009 / 003976 A1. Preferred lasers include Nd:YAG lasers, which can produce wavelengths of 1064, 532, 355, and 266 nm, and CO2 lasers.

[0221] Laser transparent high-voltage components

[0222] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising:

[0223] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0224] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one, and

[0225] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers,

[0226] The conditions are a color difference ΔE of <20 in the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0227] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising:

[0228] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0229] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0230] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0231] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants,

[0232] The conditions are a color difference ΔE of <20 in the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0233] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising:

[0234] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0235] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0236] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0237] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0238] The conditions are a color difference ΔE of <20 in the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0239] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions comprising:

[0240] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0241] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0242] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers,

[0243] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants, and

[0244] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0245] The conditions are a color difference ΔE of <20 in the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0246] According to the present invention, high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, are particularly preferred if the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is <20 and the laser transparency / laser transmittance at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%. For the measurement of laser transparency, see above and in particular KD Feddersen "Laserdurchstrahlschweißen - die laser beam fürnicht lösbare Verbindungen", Österreichische Kunststoffzeitschrift 1 / 2 2018, pp. 50-52.

[0247] Laser absorption high-voltage components

[0248] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions containing:

[0249] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0250] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one, and

[0251] E) at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone,

[0252] The condition is that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is <20. Particularly preferred laser absorbers are tin oxide, antimony trioxide or antimony tin oxide. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred.

[0253] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions containing:

[0254] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0255] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0256] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0257] E) at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone,

[0258] The condition is that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is less than 20.

[0259] According to the invention, preference is given to high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, based on polymer compositions containing:

[0260] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0261] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0262] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0263] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants, and

[0264] E) at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone,

[0265] The condition is that the color difference ΔE of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is less than 20.

[0266] method

[0267] The present invention further relates to a method for producing polymer compositions for use in high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, which have a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, the method being carried out by mixing A) at least one polyamide and B) 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one and optionally at least one of the further components C), D) or E), wherein E) does not represent a laser absorber, in particular not a laser absorber according to component E) as defined above.

[0268] In the method according to the invention, preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one is used per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide. The high-voltage component according to the method according to the invention has a laser transparency of at least 20% at a wavelength of 980 nm, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%.

[0269] The present invention further relates to a method for producing high-voltage components, particularly for electric vehicles, having a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, from the L*a*b* coordinates of a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm. The method comprises subjecting a polymer composition to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology), and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding. Prior to further processing, the polymer composition is optionally discharged to obtain strands, cooled until pelletizable, and optionally dried and pelletized. In one embodiment, the polymer composition is immediately stored in pelletized form. In this case, no laser absorbers, particularly those according to component E) defined above, are used. A laser transparency of at least 33%, more preferably in the range of 40% to 90%, is preferably achieved.

[0270] A corresponding method is also suitable for producing high-voltage components, wherein 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one is used per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and a laser transparency of at least 10% is achieved without using a laser absorber as component E). Preferably, a laser transparency of at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%, is achieved at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0271] More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, having a color difference ΔE <20, preferably ΔE <10, more preferably ΔE <5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, the method being carried out by: A) at least one polyamide and B) 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one, preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide are mixed with one another to give a polymer composition, extruded to give strands, cooled until pelletizable, dried and pelletized, and the polymer composition is then subjected to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology) and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding, wherein no laser absorber is used as component E), in particular no laser absorber according to the above definition of component E) is used.

[0272] For clarification, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention encompasses all definitions and parameters generally listed in the context of a composition or high voltage component or specified in the preferred areas in any combination of the methods of the present invention.

[0273] Regardless of the process variant, the laser welding process is highly dependent on the material properties of the joining partners. The laser transparency (LT) of the parts through which the laser passes directly influences the process speed due to the amount of energy that can be introduced per unit time. Semi-crystalline thermoplastics generally have lower laser transparency due to their inherent microstructure, which often takes the form of spherulites. These internal structures scatter the incident laser light more significantly than those of purely amorphous thermoplastics: backscatterers produce a reduced amount of total energy in transmission; diffuse (lateral) scatterers often lead to a broadening of the laser beam and, therefore, a loss of welding precision. While the semi-crystalline morphology generally hinders high laser transparency, it offers advantages in other properties. For example, semi-crystalline materials are mechanically durable even above their glass transition temperature and generally have better chemical resistance than amorphous materials. Fast-crystallizing materials also offer advantages in processing, particularly rapid demolding and, therefore, shorter cycle times. Therefore, a combination of semi-crystalline properties, fast crystallization, and high laser transparency is desirable. The selection of the further components C) fillers or reinforcing agents, D) flame retardant additives and E) heat stabilizers and any further additives must be made on the following premise: Firstly, the products to be produced according to the invention, the high-voltage components and the high-voltage components for electric vehicles have a color difference ΔE < 20 from the L*a*b* coordinates of the color numbers starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10%.

[0274] According to the invention, a method for producing high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, having a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm is preferred, the method being carried out by mixing A) at least one polyamide and B) 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one with one another to give a polymer composition, extruding to give strands, cooling until pelletizable, drying and pelletizing, and then subjecting the polymer composition to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology) and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods including profile extrusion or by blow molding, wherein the extrusion method uses

[0275] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0276] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one, and

[0277] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, without using the laser absorber as component E).

[0278] Preferably, a laser transparency of at least 20%, more preferably in the range from 25% to 90%, is achieved.

[0279] According to the invention, a method for producing high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, is preferred, which have a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color difference starting with "2" in the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, the method being carried out by:

[0280] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0281] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0282] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0283] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants,

[0284] are mixed with one another to give a polymer composition, extruded to give strands, cooled until pelletizable, dried and pelletized, and the polymer composition is then subjected to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology) and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding, without the use of a laser absorber as component E).

[0285] According to the invention, a method for producing laser-transparent high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, is preferred, which have a color difference ΔE <20, preferably ΔE <10, more preferably ΔE <5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color difference starting with "2" in the RAL color diagram, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, the method being carried out by:

[0286] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0287] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0288] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0289] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0290] are mixed with one another to give a polymer composition, extruded to give strands, cooled until pelletizable, dried and pelletized, and the polymer composition is then subjected to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology) and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding, without the use of a laser absorber as component E).

[0291] According to the invention, a method for producing laser-transparent high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, is preferred, which have a color difference ΔE <20, preferably ΔE <10, more preferably ΔE <5, of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color difference starting with "2" in the RAL color diagram, and a laser transparency of at least 10% at a wavelength of 980 nm, the method being carried out by:

[0292] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0293] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0294] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers,

[0295] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants, and

[0296] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0297] are mixed with one another to give a polymer composition, extruded to give strands, cooled until pelletizable, dried and pelletized, and the polymer composition is then subjected to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology) and PIT (projectile injection technology), by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding, without the use of a laser absorber as component E).

[0298] The high-voltage component or high-voltage component for an electric vehicle preferably has a laser transparency of at least 20%, in particular in the range of 25% to 90%, at a wavelength of 980 nm and therefore uses no laser absorbers, in particular no laser absorbers according to component E) defined above.

[0299] For clarification, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention encompasses all definitions and parameters generally listed in the context of polymer compositions or high pressure components or specified in the preferred areas in any combination of the methods of the present invention.

[0300] High-voltage components

[0301] The present invention further relates to high-voltage components, in particular for electric vehicles, having a color difference ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, from the L*a*b* coordinates of a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10%. These high-voltage components are obtainable from the polymer composition described above by further processing via injection molding, including the special methods of GIT (gas injection technology), WIT (water injection technology), and PIT (projectile injection technology), extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or blow molding, without the use of laser absorbers, in particular without the use of laser absorbers according to component E) defined above. In the case of high-voltage components, the laser transparency is measured at 980 nm on a shaped body having a thickness of 2 mm. It is preferably at least 20%.

[0302] High-voltage components based on polyamide, in particular for electric vehicles, preferably have a laser transparency of at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%, at a wavelength of 980 nm. The polyamide used is preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6.

[0303] When non-laser-transparent high-voltage components are required, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, component E) is at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone. Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide is particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred.

[0304] Alternatively, within the context of the present invention, titanium dioxide, carbon black, SiO2, metal compounds, in particular copper hydroxide phosphate or copper phosphate, can be used as laser absorbers in laser-absorbing high-voltage components, in the compositions of the present invention, and in the methods and uses of the present invention. See: DE-A 198 14 298, DE 10 2004 051 246 A1. These laser absorbers are preferably used as additives E) in amounts of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, and most preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based in each case on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0305] For clarification, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention encompasses all definitions and parameters generally listed in the context of polymer compositions or specified in preferred areas in any combination of the inventive high voltage component or high voltage component for electric vehicles.

[0306] Preferred high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles, as well as laser-transparent and laser-transmissive high-voltage components, can be used in electric drivetrains and / or battery systems. Particularly preferred high-voltage components are covers for electrical or electronic equipment, control devices, covers / housings for fuses, relays, battery cell modules, fuse holders, fuse plugs, terminals, cable supports, or jackets, in particular jackets for high-voltage busbars and high-voltage distribution busbars.

[0307] use

[0308] The present invention also relates to the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for the production of polyamide-based products, provided that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from a color number starting with "2" on the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency is at least 10%; see the above details under the heading "Orange" for the use claimed herein. The laser transparency of the injection-molded product is measured at a wavelength of 980 nm on a shaped body having a thickness of 2 mm. The latter is preferably at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%.

[0309] The present invention preferably relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for the production of high-voltage components based on polyamide, provided that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with “2” in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 10%.

[0310] The present invention more preferably relates to the use of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for the production of polyamide-based high-voltage components for electric vehicles, provided that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 10%.

[0311] When 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one is used to produce non-laser-transparent or laser-absorbing polymer compositions or high-voltage components, especially high-voltage components for electric vehicles, component E) is at least one laser absorber selected from the group consisting of antimony trioxide, tin oxide, tin orthophosphate, barium titanate, aluminum oxide, copper hydroxyphosphate, copper orthophosphate, potassium copper diphosphate, copper hydroxide, antimony tin oxide, bismuth trioxide, and anthraquinone. Tin oxide, antimony trioxide, or antimony tin oxide are particularly preferred. Antimony trioxide is very particularly preferred.

[0312] Alternatively, within the context of the present invention, titanium dioxide, carbon black, SiO2, metal compounds, in particular copper hydroxide phosphate or copper phosphate, can be used as laser absorbers in laser-absorbing high-voltage components. See: DE-A 198 14298, DE 10 2004 051 246 A1. These laser absorbers are preferably used as additives E) in amounts of 0.01 to 80 parts by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 50 parts by mass, and most preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of component A).

[0313] Currently, there are still no standards that form the basis for the necessary laser transparency measurements. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, the laser transmittance is determined at a wavelength of 1064 nm by thermoelectric measurement of the power. The measurement geometry can be described as follows: A reference beam with a power of 1 watt from a laser beam with a total power of 2 watts (a diode-pumped Nd-YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, FOBA DP50) is split at a 90° angle by a beam splitter (SQ2 non-polarizing beam splitter from Laser-optik GmbH). This beam strikes a reference sensor. The portion of the original beam that passes through the beam splitter forms the measurement beam, also with a power of 1 watt. This beam is focused by a mode shutter (5.0) outside the beam splitter to a focus with a diameter of 0.18 mm. The laser transparency (LT) measurement sensor is positioned at a distance of 80 mm below the focus. The test sample is positioned at a distance of 2 mm above the LT measurement sensor. Preferably, according to the present invention, the test sample is a 60·60·2 mm diameter laser beam. 3 Dimensional injection-molded test specimens with edge gates. The measurement is performed in the center of the specimen (intersection of the two diagonals). The total measurement time is 30 seconds, with the result determined in the last 5 seconds. The signals from the reference and measuring sensors are detected simultaneously. The measurement begins simultaneously with the insertion of the specimen. The transmittance, and therefore the laser transparency (LT), is given by the following formula:

[0314] LT = Signal 测量传感器 / Signal 参考传感器 x 100%

[0315] This measurement mode eliminates fluctuations in the laser system and subjective reading errors. For each sample, an LT average is formed from at least five measurements. This average is calculated for 10 samples per material. The average of the individual sample measurements is ultimately used to calculate the mean and standard deviation for the material being inspected.

[0316] Regardless of the process variant, the laser welding process is highly dependent on the material properties of the joining partners. The laser transparency (LT) of the parts through which the laser passes directly influences the process speed due to the amount of energy that can be introduced per unit time. Semi-crystalline thermoplastics generally have lower laser transparency due to their inherent microstructure, which often takes the form of spherulites. These internal structures scatter the incident laser light more significantly than those of purely amorphous thermoplastics: backscatterers produce a reduced amount of total energy in transmission; diffuse (lateral) scatterers often lead to a broadening of the laser beam and, therefore, a loss of welding precision. While the semi-crystalline morphology generally hinders high laser transparency, it offers advantages in other properties. For example, semi-crystalline materials are mechanically durable even above glass temperature and generally have better chemical resistance than amorphous materials. Fast-crystallizing materials also offer advantages in processing, particularly fast demolding and, therefore, shorter cycle times. Therefore, a combination of semi-crystalline properties, fast crystallization, and high laser transparency is desirable. The selection of the further components C) fillers or reinforcing agents, D) flame retardant additives and E) heat stabilizers and any further additives must be made on the following premise: Firstly, the products to be produced from the polymer composition, the high-voltage components and the high-voltage components for electric vehicles, have a color difference ΔE < 20 from the L*a*b* coordinates of the color numbers starting with "2" in the RAL color chart and a laser transparency of at least 10%.

[0317] According to the invention, the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing laser-transparent products based on polyamide is preferred, wherein the

[0318] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0319] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one, and

[0320] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers,

[0321] The conditions are that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, and the laser transparency at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 10%, wherein no laser absorbers are used, in particular no laser absorbers according to the above definition of component E) are used. Preferably, a laser transparency of at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%, is achieved.

[0322] According to the invention, the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing laser-transparent products based on polyamide is preferred, wherein the

[0323] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0324] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0325] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0326] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants,

[0327] The conditions are a color difference of ΔE < 20, preferably ΔE < 10, more preferably ΔE < 5, from the L*a*b* coordinates of a color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart, and a laser transparency of at least 10%, wherein no laser absorbers, in particular no laser absorbers according to the above definition of component E) are used. Preferably, a laser transparency of at least 20%, more preferably in the range of 25% to 90%, is achieved at a wavelength of 980 nm.

[0328] According to the invention, the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing laser-transparent products based on polyamide is preferred, wherein the

[0329] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0330] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0331] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers, and

[0332] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0333] The conditions are that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE <20, preferably ΔE <10, more preferably ΔE <5, and the laser transparency at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 10%, wherein no laser absorbers are used, in particular no laser absorbers according to the above definition of component E) are used.

[0334] According to the invention, the use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing laser-transparent products based on polyamide is preferred, wherein the

[0335] A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, preferably nylon 6 or nylon 6,6, in particular nylon 6,

[0336] B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one,

[0337] C) 1 to 150 parts by mass of at least one filler and reinforcing agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of glass beads or solid or hollow glass beads, or glass fibers, or ground glass, amorphous quartz glass, aluminoborosilicate glass with an alkali metal content of 1% (E glass), amorphous silicon dioxide, quartz powder, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, chalk, kyanite, powdered or ground quartz, mica, phlogopite, barium sulfate, feldspar, wollastonite, montmorillonite, pseudoboehmite of the formula AlO(OH), magnesium carbonate and talc, in particular glass fibers,

[0338] D) 3 to 100 parts by mass of at least one flame retardant additive, preferably selected from mineral flame retardants, nitrogen-containing flame retardants or phosphorus-containing flame retardants, and

[0339] E) 0.01 to 2 parts by mass of at least one heat stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of sterically hindered phenols, in particular those containing at least one 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group and / or 2-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl group; and also phosphites; hypophosphites, in particular sodium hypophosphite NaH2PO2; hydroquinone; aromatic secondary amines and 3,3'-thiodipropionates,

[0340] The conditions are that the color difference of the L*a*b* coordinates from the color number starting with "2" in the RAL color chart is ΔE <20, preferably ΔE <10, more preferably ΔE <5, and the laser transparency at a wavelength of 980 nm is at least 10%, wherein no laser absorbers are used, in particular no laser absorbers according to the above definition of component E) are used.

[0341] Preferably, a laser transparency of at least 20% at a wavelength of 980 nm is achieved, more preferably in the range from 25% to 90%.

[0342] 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one is preferably used for marking polyamide-based products as high-voltage components, in particular high-voltage components for electric vehicles.

[0343] For clarification, it should be noted that the scope of the present invention encompasses all definitions and parameters generally listed in the context of polymer compositions or high pressure components or specified in the preferred areas in any combination of uses of the present invention.

[0344] Examples

[0345] To demonstrate the improved properties described according to the invention, corresponding polyamide-based polymer compositions were first prepared by compounding. For this purpose, the individual components were mixed in a twin-screw extruder (ZSK 25 compounder, Coperion Werner & Pfleiderer GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany) at temperatures between 270°C and 300°C, discharged as a strand, cooled until pelletizable, and pelletized. After drying (typically at 80°C in a vacuum drying cabinet for two days), these pellets were processed by injection molding at temperatures ranging from 270°C to 290°C to produce standard test specimens for the corresponding tests.

[0346] In the context of this test, a measure of color bleeding is considered to be the color change of a 30·20·2 mm³ plasticized PVC film (P-PVC, FB110 white, standard low-temperature resistance, Jedi Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Eitorf, Germany) that has been stored in a hot air drying cabinet at 80°C for 12 hours between two 60·40·2 mm³ plastic sheets based on the composition shown in Table 2. This is followed by a visual assessment according to the gray scale of ISO 105-A02, where '5' means that the PVC film shows no color change and '1' means that the PVC film shows a significant color change.

[0347] In the context of the present invention, the measure of light resistance is considered to be the irradiation of the molding compounds described in Table 2 in the form of 60·40·2 mm³ plaques with UV light (Suntest CPS+, 300-800 nm, 45-130 klx, window glass filter 250-765 W / m from Atlas Material Testing Technology GmbH, Linsengerich, Germany). 2 ) Discoloration after 96 h of storage under UV. Discoloration was assessed visually based on the blue wool scale according to DIN EN ISO 105-B02, where '8' indicates excellent light fastness (slight color change) and '1' indicates very low light fastness (significant color change).

[0348] Reactants:

[0349] Component A) Nylon-6 (Durethan ® B26, LANXESS Germany GmbH, Cologne, Germany)

[0350] Component B): 10,10'-Oxy-bis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one [CAS No. 203576-97-0], from Aquin International Ltd., London

[0351] Component X / 1): 12H-phthalidopyrin-12-one [CAS No. 6925-69-5] in the form of Macrolex® Orange 3G from LANXESS Germany GmbH, Cologne

[0352] Table II

[0353]

[0354] The results in Table II show that Example 1 according to the invention exhibits laser transparency, has lower bleeding than the material pigmented according to the prior art composition X / 1 in Comparative Example 1, and also has higher lightfastness. The plastic sample examined in Example 1 according to the invention has an RAL color value of 2001 and a ΔE of <10. nd stands for "not determined" as of the filing date of this invention.

[0355] The laser transparency of the samples analyzed in the context of this application was measured using a sample block with the dimensions of 60 mm·60 mm·2 mm with an LPKF TMG3 transmission analyzer from LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, Garbsen, Germany (previously calibrated with analysis standards generated in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025) at a laser wavelength of 980 nm in the near infrared (NIR) in accordance with DVS-Richtlinie 2243 (01 / 2014) “Laserstrahlschweißenthermoplastischer Kunststoffe”; see: LPKF AG 101016-DE: “Einfache Transmissionsmessung für Kunststoffe LPKF TMG3”.

Claims

1. A polymer composition comprising at least one polyamide and 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

2. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein use A) per 100 parts by mass of at least one polyamide, B) 0.01 to 5 parts by mass of 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

3. The polymer composition according to claim 2, wherein In addition to components A) and B), C) at least one filler and / or reinforcing agent is used.

4. The polymer composition according to claim 3, wherein In addition to components A), B) and C) or instead of C), D) at least one flame retardant is used.

5. The polymer composition according to claim 4, wherein In addition to components A), B), C) and D) or instead of C) and / or D), E) at least one further additive in addition to components B), C) and D) is used.

6. The polymer composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The polyamide is nylon-6, nylon-66, nylon-46 and / or a semiaromatic copolyamide, and the semiaromatic copolyamide is PA6T / 6, PA6T / 66, PA6T / 6I or PA6T / 6I / 66.

7. A high-voltage component based on a polymer composition comprising at least one polyamide and 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalpyrin-12-one.

8. A high-voltage component based on the polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The high voltage component is selected from covers for electrical or electronic equipment, control equipment, covers / housings for fuses, relays, battery cell modules, fuse holders, fuse plugs, terminals, cable holders, or sheaths.

9. Use of 10,10'-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one for producing a polymer composition based on polyamide and / or for marking polyamide-based products as high-voltage components.

10. A method for producing a high-voltage component, characterized in that A) at least one polyamide and B) 10,10′-oxybis-12H-phthalopyrin-12-one are mixed with one another to give a polymer composition, extruded to give strands, cooled until pelletizable, dried and pelletized, and the polymer composition is then subjected to further processing by injection molding, including special methods such as gas injection technology, water injection technology and projectile injection technology, by extrusion methods, including profile extrusion, or by blow molding.

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