Flame retardant thermoplastic compositions

Abstract

A thermoplastic composition includes 10-90 wt% of a poly(alkylene arylate); a flame retardant composition including a non-fluorinated flame retardant; 1-20 wt% of a poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, or a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition; 5-75 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition, wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-1 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.

Description

24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) FLAME RETARDANT THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is based on European Patent Application No.24156303.0, filed February 7, 2025, and claims the benefits thereof under 35 U.S.C.119, and incorporates the entire contents thereof by reference. BACKGROUND

[0001] This disclosure relates to thermoplastic compositions, and in particular to flame- retardant thermoplastic compositions, methods of manufacture, and uses thereof, particularly in thin-wall articles.

[0002] Thermoplastic compositions, such as those including polyesters such as poly(alkylene terephthalates), have valuable characteristics including strength, toughness, high gloss, and solvent resistance. Thermoplastic compositions including polyesters therefore have utility as materials for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts to electric and electronic appliances. Because of their wide use, particularly in electronic applications, it is desirable for the thermoplastic compositions to have flame retardancy. Such properties may be particularly difficult to achieve in thin-wall applications. In addition, more stringent regulations are being put in place to reduce or eliminate the presence of halogens, in particular fluorine, in the final products.

[0003] There accordingly remains a need in the art for flame-retardant thermoplastic compositions suitable for thin-wall applications. It would be a further advantage if the compositions were essentially fluorine-free. SUMMARY

[0004] The above-described and other deficiencies of the art are met by a thermoplastic composition including: 10-90 wt% of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate);a flame retardant composition comprising a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent; 1-20 wt% of a poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, or a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide- siloxane); 5-75 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) sum of the wt% of the polyester, the flame retardant composition, the poly(etherimide) composition, the reinforcing agent, and the optional additive composition totals 100 wt%, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-1 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.

[0005] In another aspect, a method of manufacture includes combining the above- described components to form the above-described thermoplastic composition.

[0006] In yet another aspect, an article includes the above-described thermoplastic composition.

[0007] In still another aspect, a method of manufacture of an article includes molding, extruding, or shaping the above-described thermoplastic composition into an article.

[0008] The above described and other features are exemplified by the following detailed description, examples, and claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Polyesters are thermoplastic polymers with many desirable properties but are inherently flammable. Current design trends are focused on thinner designs for purposes of slimness, weight reduction, and size reduction of the overall final product, as well as to for the purpose of more complex designs. However, polyesters tend to drip when exposed to a flame, and this behavior worsens as the wall thickness decreases. The UL 94 flammability test includes both short flame out times and no dripping of flaming particles as requirements for a V-0 or V-1 flame test rating. Conventional low halogen compositions often incorporate fluorine-based anti- drip agents either alone or in combination with a non-fluorinated flame retardant in order to pass the UL94 flame test. Given that more stringent regulations are being put in place to reduce or eliminate the addition of halogenated materials, for example, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to the compositions used to make final products, there is a need in the art for thermoplastic compositions that may achieve a V-0 or V-1 flame test rating for thin-walled molded samples and / or thin films, while also minimizing and / or eliminating the addition of PFAS into the thermoplastic compositions used to make the molded samples and / or thin films.

[0010] The inventors hereof have discovered that filled thermoplastic compositions including: a polyester including a poly(alkylene arylate), a poly(etherimide) composition including a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-50 wt% siloxane repeating units, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane); and a flame retardant composition including a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent may provide the desired flame retardance while eliminating the need for halogenated additives, such as fluorinated flame retardants and anti-drip24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) agents. Surprisingly, unlike conventional compositions, fluorinated anti-drip agents may be omitted in the present thermoplastic compositions, thus eliminating added fluorine while providing improved flammability. Advantageously, the thermoplastic compositions may have a UL-94 flame test rating of V-0 at a thickness of 3.0 mm or thinner (i.e., 2.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.8 mm, or 0.6 mm) and be considered “essentially fluorine-free.”

[0011] As used herein, the phrase “essentially fluorine-free” can mean that the amount of added fluorine (i.e., the amount of fluorine known to be present in the components used to manufacture the thermoplastic compositions) is 1500 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less, less than 1000 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 100 ppm, or less than 50 ppm. For example, if 0.5 wt% encapsulated polytetrafluoroethylene, (e.g., TSAN, which is 50 wt% PTFE, where PTFE estimated to have 76 wt% fluorine content), is added to a composition, the amount of added fluorine due to the TSAN would be 1900 ppm. In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions have zero added fluorine, i.e., no component used in the manufacture of the compositions includes fluorine. An amount of added fluorine (e.g., calculated, intentionally added fluorine) may be calculated from the amount of fluorine in the components used to manufacture the compositions, or may be determined using known elemental analysis techniques.

[0012] As used herein, the phrase “essentially fluorine-free” can further mean that the total amount of fluorine present in the composition from any source (e.g., present in a component used to manufacture the thermoplastic composition, or introduced by contamination, for example cross-contamination during manufacture), is 1500 ppm or less, less than 1000 ppm, less than 500 ppm, less than 100 ppm, or less than 50 ppm or less than 20 ppm. It is to be understood that the present lowest detection limits of fluorine as determined in accordance with ASTM D7359-23 in the compositions is 20 ppm (20 mg / kg). Thus, the amount of total fluorine (from any source) present in the composition is bounded by this detection limit, and may be less than 20 ppm, such that the amount of fluorine in the compositions can be less than 20 ppm to 1500 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 1200 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 1000 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 500 ppm, less than 20 ppm to -400 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 380 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 300 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 200 ppm, less than 20 ppm to 100 ppm, less than 20 ppm

[0013] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions may have a UL-94 flame test rating of V-0 at a thickness of 3.0 mm or thinner and be considered “essentially halogen-free” per IEC 61249-2-21 or UL 746H. As used herein, the phrase “essentially halogen-free” is as defined by IEC 61249-2-21 or UL 746H. According to International Electrochemical Commission, Restriction Use of Halogen (IEC 61249-2-21), a composition should include 900 parts per million (ppm) or less of each of chlorine and bromine and also include 1500 ppm or24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) less of total bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content. According to UL 746H, a composition should include 900 ppm or less of each of added chlorine, bromine, and fluorine and 1500 ppm or less of the total added chlorine, bromine, and fluorine content. The bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content in ppm may be calculated from the components used to manufacture the thermoplastic composition or measured by elemental analysis techniques. Conventional flame retardants may include or exclude halogens, but commonly employed anti-drip agents include PTFE or PTFE-encapsulated styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (e.g., TSAN) and thus include fluorine. Non-fluorinated flame retardants that are not brominated, chlorinated, or fluorinated have been used in conventional thermoplastic compositions, but an anti-drip agent is usually present in combination with the non-fluorinated flame retardant, causing the halogen content of the composition to exceed the 1500 ppm total halogen limit per IEC 61249-2-21 and UL 746H. Similarly, when flame retardants that are not brominated or chlorinated, but are fluorinated are used in combination with a fluorinated anti-drip agent, then the halogen content of the composition due to the presence of fluorine exceeds the 1500 ppm total halogen limit per IEC 61249-2-21 or UL 746H. Therefore, it would be a particular advantage if conventional anti-drip agents could be minimized or eliminated, so that the anti-drip agent does not contribute halogen content to the total halogen content of the compositions. Accordingly, a variety of non- fluorinated flame retardants that include or exclude halogens may be used in thermoplastic compositions so that the compositions may be considered “essentially halogen-free” per IEC 61249-2-21 or UL 746H.

[0014] The thermoplastic compositions include a polyester including a poly(alkylene arylate), a poly(etherimide) composition including a poly(etherimide) composition including: a poly(etherimide) composition including a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-50 wt% siloxane repeating units, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide- siloxane); a flame retardant composition including a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent; and an reinforcing agent.

[0015] The polyesters of the thermoplastic compositions may include aromatic polyesters, poly(alkylene esters) including poly(alkylene arylates), and poly(cycloalkylene diesters). Aromatic polyesters may have a polyester structure according to formula (7)wherein J is a divalent group derived from a dihydroxy compound (including a reactive derivative thereof), and J may be, for example, a C1-10 alkylene, a C6-20 cycloalkylene, a C5-20 arylene, or a polyoxyalkylene in which the alkylene groups contain 2-6 carbon atoms, preferably 2, 3, or 4 carbon atoms; and T is a divalent group derived from a dicarboxylic acid (including a24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) reactive derivative thereof), and T may be, for example, a C2-20alkylene, a C5-20cycloalkylene, or a C6-20arylene. Copolyesters containing a combination of different T or J groups may be used. The polyester units may be branched or linear.

[0016] In some aspects, J is a C2-30 alkylene group having a straight chain, branched chain, or cyclic (including polycyclic) structure, for example ethylene, n-propylene, i-proplyene, 1,4-butylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, or 1,4-methylenecyclohexane. In another aspect, J is derived from a bisphenol of formula (3), e.g., bisphenol A. In another aspect, J is derived from an aromatic dihydroxy compound of formula (6), e.g, resorcinol.

[0017] Aromatic dicarboxylic acids that may be used to prepare the polyester units include isophthalic or terephthalic acid, 1,2-di(p-carboxyphenyl)ethane, 4,4'-dicarboxydiphenyl ether, 4,4'-bisbenzoic acid, or a combination thereof. Acids containing fused rings can also be present, such as in 1,4-, 1,5-, or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acids. Specific dicarboxylic acids include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, or a combination thereof. A specific dicarboxylic acid includes a combination of isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid wherein the weight ratio of isophthalic acid to terephthalic acid is 91:9 to 2:98.

[0018] Specific ester units may include ethylene terephthalate, n-propylene terephthalate, n-butylene terephthalate, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate, and ester units derived from isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and resorcinol (ITR)).

[0019] In some aspects, useful aromatic polyesters may include poly(isophthalate- terephthalate-resorcinol) esters, poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-bisphenol A) esters, poly[(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol) ester-co-(isophthalate-terephthalate-bisphenol A)] ester, or a combination thereof. Also contemplated are aromatic polyesters with a minor amount, e.g., 0.5-10 wt%, based on the total weight of the polyester, of units derived from an aliphatic diacid or an aliphatic polyol to make copolyesters. Poly(alkylene arylates) may have a polyester structure according to formula (7), wherein T includes groups derived from aromatic dicarboxylates, cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids, or derivatives thereof. Examples of preferably useful T groups include 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-phenylene; 1,4- and 1,5- naphthylenes; cis- or trans- 1,4-cyclohexylene; and the like. Preferably, where T is 1,4-phenylene, the poly(alkylene arylate) is a poly(alkylene terephthalate). In addition, for poly(alkylene arylate), preferably useful alkylene groups J include, for example, ethylene, 1,4-butylene, and bis-(alkylene-disubstituted cyclohexane) including cis- or trans-1,4-(cyclohexylene)dimethylene. Examples of poly(alkylene terephthalates) include poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(n-propylene terephthalate) (PPT). Also useful are poly(alkylene naphthoates), such as poly(ethylene naphthanoate) (PEN), and poly(butylene naphthanoate)24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) (PBN). A preferably useful poly(cycloalkylene diester) is poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT). A combination including at least one of the foregoing polyesters may also be used.

[0020] Copolymers including alkylene terephthalate repeating ester units with other ester groups may also be useful. Preferably useful ester units may include different alkylene terephthalate units, which may be present in the polymer chain as individual units, or as blocks of poly(alkylene terephthalates). Copolymers of this type include poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(ethylene terephthalate), abbreviated as PETG where the polymer includes 50 mol% of poly(ethylene terephthalate), and abbreviated as PCTG where the polymer includes greater than 50 mol% of poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate).

[0021] Poly(cycloalkylene diester)s may also include poly(alkylene cyclohexanedicarboxylate)s. Of these, a specific example is poly(1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol- 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PCCD), having recurring units of formula (31)wherein, as described using formula (7), J is a 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene group derived from 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and T is a cyclohexane ring derived from cyclohexanedicarboxylate or a chemical equivalent thereof, and may include the cis-isomer, the trans-isomer, or a combination thereof.

[0022] A combination of two or more poly(alkylene arylates)s may be used to achieve the desired intrinsic viscosity of the composition. The combination may include a poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.50-1.0 dL / g and a poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.00-1.50 dl / g. In some aspects, the combination may include a poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.7-0.8 dL / g and a poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.15-1.50 dl / g. In some aspects the weight ratio of poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.7-0.8 dL / g to poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.00-1.50 dl / g is 1:9 to 9:1, 1:5 to 5:1, 1:4 to 4:1, 1:3 to 3:1, 1:2 to 2:1, 1:1.5 to 1.5:1, or 1:1. In the foregoing aspects, the poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.00-1.50 dl / g may be present in an amount (wt%) less than the poly(alkylene arylate) having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.50-1.0 dl / g.

[0023] The polyesters may be obtained by interfacial polymerization or melt-process condensation as described above, by solution phase condensation, or by transesterification polymerization wherein, for example, a dialkyl ester such as dimethyl terephthalate may be transesterified with ethylene glycol using acid catalysis, to generate poly(ethylene terephthalate). A branched polyester, in which a branching agent, for example, a glycol having three or more24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) hydroxyl groups or a trifunctional or multifunctional carboxylic acid has been incorporated, may be used. Furthermore, it may be desirable to have various concentrations of acid and hydroxyl end groups on the polyester, depending on the ultimate end use of the composition.

[0024] The polyester may be present in an amount ranging from 10-90 wt%, based on the total composition. Within that range, the polyester may be present in amount ranging from 10-85 wt%, 20-85 wt%, 20-80 wt%, 25-75 wt%, 30-75 wt%, 40-75 wt%, 45-75 wt%, 45-70 wt%, 45-65 wt%, 50-75 wt%, 50-70 wt%, or 50-65 wt%, each based on the total composition.

[0025] In addition to a polyester, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition. The poly(etherimide) composition includes a poly(etherimide- siloxane) including 10-50 wt% siloxane repeating units, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane).

[0026] Poly(etherimide)s and poly(etherimide-siloxane)s include more than 1, for example 2-1000, or 5-500, or 10-100 structural units of formula (1)wherein each R is independently the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted divalent organic group, such as a substituted or unsubstituted C6-20 aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain C4-20 alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3-8 cycloalkylene group, in particular a halogenated derivative of any of the foregoing. In some aspects R is divalent group of one or more of the following formulas (2)wherein Q1is -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -P(Rd)(=O)- wherein Rdis a C1-8 alkyl or C6-12 aryl, -CyH2y- wherein y is an integer from 1-5 or a halogenated derivative thereof, or -(C6H10)z- wherein z is an integer from 1-4. In some aspects, R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or a diarylene sulfone, in particular bis(4,4’-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,4’-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,3’-24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) phenylene)sulfone, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, at least 10 mole percent or at least 50 mole percent of the R groups, for example up to 100 mole percent, or up to 80 mole percent, contain sulfone groups, and in other aspects no R groups contain sulfone groups.

[0027] Further in formula (1), T is -O- or a group of the formula -O-Z-O- wherein the divalent bonds of the -O- or the -O-Z-O- group are in the 3,3', 3,4', 4,3', or the 4,4' positions, and Z is an aromatic C6-24 monocyclic or polycyclic moiety optionally substituted with 1-6 C1-8 alkyl groups, 1-8 halogen atoms, or a combination thereof, provided that the valence of Z is not exceeded. Exemplary groups Z include groups of formula (3)wherein in formula (3), Raand Rbare each independently the same or different, and are a halogen atom or a monovalent C1-6alkyl group, for example; p and q are each independently integers of 0-0-4; c is 0-0-4; and Xais a bridging group connecting the hydroxy-substituted aromatic groups, where the bridging group and the hydroxy substituent of each C6arylene group are disposed ortho, meta, or para (specifically para) to each other on the C6arylene group. The bridging group Xamay be a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)2-, -C(O)-, or a C1-18 organic bridging group. The C1-18 organic bridging group may be cyclic or acyclic, aromatic or non- aromatic, and can further include heteroatoms such as halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, or phosphorus. The C1-18 organic group may be disposed such that the C6 arylene groups connected thereto are each connected to a common alkylidene carbon or to different carbons of the C1-18 organic bridging group. A specific example of a group Z is a divalent group of formula (3a)wherein Q is -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -P(Re)(=O)- wherein Rein formula 3a is a C1-8 alkyl or C6-12 aryl, or -CyH2y- wherein y is an integer from 1-5 or a halogenated derivative thereof. In a specific aspect Z is a derived from bisphenol A, such that Q in formula (3a) is 2,2- isopropylidene.

[0028] In some aspects in formula (1), R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or a combination thereof, and T is –O-Z-O- wherein Z is a divalent group of formula (3a). Alternatively, R is m- phenylene, p-phenylene, or a combination thereof, and T is –O-Z-O wherein Z is a divalent group of formula (3a), and Q is 2,2-isopropylidene. Such materials are available under the trade name ULTEM from SABIC. Alternatively, the poly(etherimide) may be a copolymer including24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) additional structural poly(etherimide) units of formula (1) wherein at least 50 mole percent (mol%), e.g., up and including to 100 mol% or up to 80 mol%, of the R groups are bis(4,4’- phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,4’-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,3’-phenylene)sulfone, and the remaining R groups are p-phenylene, m-phenylene or a combination thereof; and Z is 2,2-(4- phenylene)isopropylidene, i.e., a bisphenol A moiety, an example of which is commercially available under the trade name EXTEM from SABIC.

[0029] In some aspects, the poly(etherimide) is a copolymer that optionally includes additional structural imide units that are not poly(etherimide) units, for example imide units of formula (4)wherein R is as described in formula (1) and each V is the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted C6-20 aromatic hydrocarbon group, for example a tetravalent linker of the formulaswherein W is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, a C1-18 hydrocarbylene group, ^P(Rc)(=O)- wherein Rcis a C1-8 alkyl or C6-12 aryl, or -CyH2y- wherein y is an integer from 1-5 or a halogenated derivative thereof. These additional structural imide units preferably include less than 20 mol% of the total number of units, and more preferably may be present in amounts of 0-0-10 mol% of the total number of units, or 0-0-5 mol% of the total number of units, or 0-0- 2 mole % of the total number of units. In some aspects, no additional imide units are present in the poly(etherimide).

[0030] The polyimide or the poly(etherimide) may be prepared by any of the methods known to those skilled in the art, including the reaction of an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) of formula (5) or a chemical equivalent thereof, with an organic diamine of formula (6)H2N-R-NH2(6) wherein T and R are each defined as described above. Copolymers of the poly(etherimide)s may be manufactured using a combination of an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) of formula (5) and an additional bis(anhydride) that is not a bis(ether anhydride), for example pyromellitic dianhydride or bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) sulfone dianhydride.24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)

[0031] Illustrative examples of aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s include 2,2-bis[4-(3,4- dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (also known as bisphenol A dianhydride or BPADA), 3,3-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4- dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4- dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3- dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride; 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl-2,2-propane dianhydride; 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride; 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride; 4-(2,3- dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride; 4,4’- (hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride; and 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4- dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride. A combination of different aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s may be used.

[0032] Examples of organic diamines include 1,4-butane diamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,7-heptanediamine, 1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10- decanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,18-octadecanediamine, 3- methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 4- methylnonamethylenediamine, 5-methylnonamethylenediamine, 2,5- dimethylhexamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 2, 2- dimethylpropylenediamine, N-methyl-bis (3-aminopropyl) amine, 3- methoxyhexamethylenediamine, 1,2-bis(3-aminopropoxy) ethane, bis(3-aminopropyl) sulfide, 1,4-cyclohexanediamine, bis-(4-aminocyclohexyl) methane, m-phenylenediamine, p- phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene, m-xylylenediamine, p- xylylenediamine, 2-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3-phenylene-diamine, 5-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3- phenylene-diamine, benzidine, 3,3’-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3’-dimethoxybenzidine, 1,5- diaminonaphthalene, bis(4-aminophenyl) methane, bis(2-chloro-4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl) methane, bis(4-aminophenyl) propane, 2,4-bis(p-amino-t-butyl) toluene, bis(p-amino-t- butylphenyl) ether, bis(p-methyl-o-aminophenyl) benzene, bis(p-methyl-o-aminopentyl) benzene, 1, 3-diamino-4-isopropylbenzene, bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfide, bis-(4-aminophenyl) sulfone (also known as 4,4^-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS)), and bis(4-aminophenyl) ether. Any regioisomer of the foregoing compounds may be used. C1-4 alkylated or poly(C1-4)alkylated derivatives of any of the foregoing may be used, for example a polymethylated 1,6- hexanediamine. Combinations of these compounds may also be used. In some aspects the24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) organic diamine is m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 4,4^-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,4^-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3^-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, or a combination thereof.

[0033] The polyimides / poly(etherimide)s may have a melt index of 0.1-10 grams per minute (g / min), as measured by American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) D1238 at 340- 0-370°C, using a 6.7 kilogram (kg) weight. In some aspects, the poly(etherimide) has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000-0-150,000 grams / mole (g / mol), as measured by gel permeation chromatography, using polystyrene standards. In some aspects the poly(etherimide) has an Mw of 10,000-0-80,000 g / mol. Such poly(etherimide)s typically have an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.2 deciliters per gram (dl / g), or, more specifically, 0.35-0.7 dl / g as measured in m-cresol at 25°C.

[0034] The poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers further include siloxane repeating units of formula (7)

[0035] The poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers may include random, block, or graft copolymers. In Formula (7), E is at least 2, for example, E has an average value of 2-100, 2-31, 5-75, 5-60, 5-15, or 15-40. Referring to Formula (7), R’ is independently a C1-13monovalent hydrocarbyl group. For example, each R’ can independently be a C1-13alkyl group, C1-13alkoxy group, C2-13alkenyl group, C2-13alkenyloxy group, C3-6cycloalkyl group, C3-6cycloalkoxy group, C6-14aryl group, C6-10aryloxy group, C7-13arylalkyl group, C7-13arylalkoxy group, C7-13alkylaryl group, or C7-13 alkylaryloxy group. The foregoing groups may be fully or partially halogenated with fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, or a combination thereof. In some aspects no bromine or chlorine is present, and in another aspect no halogens are present. Combinations of the foregoing R’ groups may be used in the same copolymer. In some aspects, the polysiloxane blocks include R’ groups that have minimal hydrocarbon content. In a specific aspect, an R’ group with a minimal hydrocarbon content is a methyl group.

[0036] The poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer may be a block or graft copolymer. Block poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymers include etherimide units and siloxane blocks in the polymer backbone. The etherimide units and the siloxane blocks may be present in random order, as blocks (i.e., AABB), alternating (i.e., ABAB), or a combination thereof. Graft poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymers are non-linear copolymers including the siloxane blocks connected to linear or branched polymer backbone including etherimide blocks.24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)

[0037] The poly(etherimide-siloxane)s may be formed by polymerization of an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) of formula (5) and a diamine component including an organic diamine (6) as described above or a combination of diamines, and a polysiloxane diamine of formula (8)wherein R’ and E are as described in formula (7), and R4is each independently a C2-C20 hydrocarbon, in particular a C2-C20 arylene, alkylene, or arylenealkylene group. In some aspects R4is a C2-C20 alkylene group, specifically a C2-C10 alkylene group such as propylene, and E has an average value of 5-100, 5-75, 5-60, 5-15, or 15-40. Procedures for making the polysiloxane diamines of formula (8) are well known in the art.

[0038] Examples of specific poly(etherimide-siloxane)s are described in US Pat. Nos. 4,404,350, 4,808,686 and 4,690,997. In some aspects, the poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymer has units of the formulawherein R is a divalent C2-20 hydrocarbon group, R1and R6is each independently a C2-20 divalent hydrocarbyl group, R2-R5is each independently a C1-13 monovalent hydrocarbyl group, E is 2-50, preferably 5-30, more preferably 10-0-40, T is -O- or a group of the formula -O-Z-O- wherein the divalent bonds of the -O- or the -O-Z-O- group are in the 3,3', 3,4', 4,3', or the 4,4' positions, Z is an aromatic C6-24 monocyclic or polycyclic group optionally substituted with 1-6 C1-8 alkyl groups, 1-8 halogen atoms, or a combination , and n is an integer from 5-100. In a specific aspect, the R of the etherimide is a phenylene, Z is derived from bisphenol A, R1and R6are propylene, E is 2-50, preferably 5-30, more preferably 10-0-40, n is 5-100, and each of R2-R5of the siloxane is methyl.

[0039] In some aspects, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) has units of formula (9)wherein R’ and E of the siloxane are as in formula (7), R and Z of the imide are as in formula (1), R4is as in formula (8), n and m are each integers greater than 0, and the sum of n and m is24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) 5-100. In a specific aspect of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), R of the etherimide is a phenylene, Z is a residue of bisphenol A, R4is n-propylene, E is 2-50, 5, to 30, or 10-40, n+m is 5-100, and each R’ of the siloxane is methyl.

[0040] The poly(etherimide)s may have a melt index of 0.1-10 grams per minute (g / min), as measured by American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) D1238 at 340-0-370 °C, using a 6.7 kilogram (kg) weight. In some aspects, the poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymer can have an Mwof 1,000-0-150,000 g / mol as measured by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. In some aspects, the poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymer has a Mwof 5,000-0-80,000 g / mol, or 55,000-0-75,000 g / mol, or 60,000-0-70,000 g / mol. Such poly(etherimide) polymers typically have an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.2 deciliters per gram (dl / g), or, more specifically, 0.35-0.7 dl / g as measured in m-cresol at 25 °C.

[0041] The poly(etherimide) composition includes one or more poly(etherimide- siloxane)s including 10-0-50 wt% siloxane repeating units, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane). The poly(etherimide) composition may be present in an amount from 1-20 wt%, 1-15 wt%, 1-12 wt%, 2-20 wt%, 2-15 wt%, 2-12 wt%, 5-20 wt%, 5-15 wt%, 5-12 wt%, 10-0-20 wt%, 10-0-15 wt%, or 10-12 wt%, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0042] In some aspects, the poly(etherimide) composition may be present in an amount effective to provide 10 wt% or less siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition. Within that range, the poly(etherimide) composition may be present in an amount effective to provide an amount less than or equal to each of an amount 9 wt%, 8 wt%, 7 wt%, 6 wt%, or 5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of thermoplastic composition. In some aspects, the poly(etherimide) composition may be present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to each of an amount of 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.6 wt%, 0.8 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 1.4 wt%, 1.6 wt%, 1.8 wt%, 2.0 wt%, 2.3 wt%, 2.5 wt%, 2.8 wt%, 3 wt%, 3.2 wt%, 3.4 wt%, 3.6 wt%, 3.8 wt%, or 4 wt%. A range may include any of the foregoing limits.

[0043] The poly(etherimide) compositions may include greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the weight of the total composition (which as used herein includes a reinforcing agent, for example glass fibers. Within this range, the poly(etherimide- siloxane) may include greater than 35 wt% to 45 wt% siloxane repeating units. When the poly(etherimide) composition is a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt%, or greater than 35 wt% to 45 wt%, siloxane repeating units, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) may be present in the composition in an amount effective to provide a lower limit of greater than or equal to each of 2.0 wt%, 2.5 wt%, 2.8 wt%, 3 wt%, 3.2 wt%, 3.4 wt%, 3.6 wt%, 3.8 wt%, or24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) 4 wt%, and may be present in an amount effective to provide an upper limit of less than or equal to each of 10 wt%, 8 wt%, 6 wt%, or 5 wt%. A range may include any of the foregoing limits, is each based on the total weight of the composition.

[0044] The poly(etherimide) compositions may include a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-0-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide) composition. Within this range, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) may include 15- less than 35 wt% siloxane repeating units. When the poly(etherimide) composition is a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt%, or 10 wt% to less than 35 wt% siloxane repeating units, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) may be present in an amount effective to provide a lower limit greater than or equal to each of 0.2 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.6 wt%, 0.8 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 1.4 wt%, 1.6 wt%, 1.8 wt%, or 2.0 wt% siloxane repeating units, each based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition. The poly(etherimide-siloxane) may be present in an amount effective to provide an upper limit of less than or equal to each of 10 wt%, 8 wt%, 6 wt%, or 5 wt% siloxane repeating units. A range may include any of the foregoing limits.

[0045] The poly(etherimide) compositions may include a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide) composition. Within that range, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) may include 30-40 wt% siloxane repeating units. When the poly(etherimide) composition is a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) may be present in an amount effective to provide a up to and including 10 wt%, or up to and including 8 wt%, or up to and including 6 wt%, or more preferably up to and including 5 wt% siloxane repeating units.

[0046] The thermoplastic composition may include a combination of two or more poly(ether-imide siloxane) copolymers that are different from each other, e.g., in chemical structure, molecular weight, or other property. The copolymers may be used in any proportion as long as a sample of the composition can achieve a V-1 or V-0 UL-94 flame test rating at a 0.8 mm thickness or thinner (e.g., 0.6 mm). In some aspects, a combination of a poly(etherimide- siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units and a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including to 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units may be present. When the poly(etherimide) composition includes a combination of poly(etherimide-siloxane)s, then the ratio of wt% poly(etherimide-siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units to wt% of poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units may be 10:1 to 1:10, 9:1 to 1:9, 8:1 to 1:8, 7:1 to 1:7.6:1 to 1:6, 5:1 to 1:5, 4:1 to 1:4, 3:1 to 1:3, 2:1 to 1:1, 1.5:1 to 1:1.5, or 1:1. In some aspects, the wt% siloxane repeating units provided to the total thermoplastic composition by the poly(etherimide-siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units may be greater than the wt% siloxane24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) repeating units provided to the total thermoplastic composition by the poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units.

[0047] In some aspects, one or more of a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, or a combination thereof (wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane)s are different from each other) may be present, in combination with a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane).

[0048] In some aspects, the poly(etherimide)s can have end groups, for example functional end groups including carboxylic anhydrides, aryl amines, or a combination thereof. For example, the poly(etherimide) can have both carboxylic anhydride and aryl amine end groups. In some aspects, improved melt stability may be obtained by a poly(etherimide) having a greater number of carboxylic anhydride end groups than aryl amine end groups. For example, improved melt stability may be obtained by a poly(etherimide)-siloxane copolymer having a greater number of carboxylic anhydride end groups than aryl amine end groups.

[0049] The thermoplastic compositions include a flame retardant composition including a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent. In an exemplary aspect, the thermoplastic compositions avoid the use of fluorinated flame retardants such as Rimar (potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate) salt. In some aspects, the flame retardant can include halogens other than fluorine. In some aspects, the flame retardant composition includes halogens other than fluorine (e.g., bromine and chlorine) provided that the bromine and chlorine content are each 900 ppm or less and the total added bromine and chlorine content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less per IEC 61249-2-21 and UL 746H. Halogenated flame retardants can include halogenated compounds and polymers of formula (20):wherein R is an alkylene, alkylidene, or cycloaliphatic linkage (e.g., methylene, ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, isopropylidene, butylene, isobutylene, amylene, cyclohexylene, cyclopentylidene, and the like), a linkage selected from oxygen ether, carbonyl, amine, a sulfur containing linkage (e.g., sulfide, sulfoxide, or sulfone), a phosphorus-containing linkage, and the like, or R can also consist of two or more alkylene or alkylidene linkages connected by such groups as aromatic, amino, ether, carbonyl, sulfide, sulfoxide, sulfone, a phosphorus-containing linkage, and the like; Ar and Ar' may be the same or different and are mono- or polycarbocyclic24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) aromatic groups such as phenylene, biphenylene, terphenylene, naphthylene, and the like; Y is an organic, inorganic or organometallic radical such as halogen (e.g., chlorine, bromine, iodine, or fluorine), ether group of the general formula OE wherein E is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical similar to X, monovalent hydrocarbon groups of the type represented by R, or other substituents (e.g., nitro, cyano, or the like), the substituents being essentially inert provided there be at least one and preferably two halogen atoms per aryl nucleus; each X is the same or different, and is a monovalent hydrocarbon group such as alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, decyl, and the like, aryl ((e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, xylyl, tolyl, and the like), arylalkylene (e.g., as benzyl, ethylenephenyl, and the like), cycloaliphatic (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like), as well as monovalent hydrocarbon groups containing inert substituents therein; d is a whole number from 1 to a maximum equivalent to the number of replaceable hydrogens substituted on the aromatic rings including Ar or Ar'; e is a whole number from 0 to a maximum equivalent to the number of replaceable hydrogens on R; a, b, and c are each independently whole numbers including 0, provided that when b is not 0, neither a nor c are 0, or that either a or c, but not both, can be 0, or that where b is 0, the aromatic groups are joined by a direct carbon-carbon bond; the hydroxyl and Y substituents on the aromatic groups, Ar and Ar' may be varied in the ortho, meta or para positions on the aromatic rings and the groups may be in any possible geometric relationship with respect to one another.

[0050] Included within the scope of the above formula are bisphenols of which the following are representative: 2,2-bis-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-propane; bis-(2-chlorophenyl)- methane; bis(2,6-dibromophenyl)-methane; 1,1-bis-(4-iodophenyl)-ethane; 1,2-bis-(2,6- dichlorophenyl)-ethane; 1,1-bis-(2-chloro-4-iodophenyl)ethane; 1,1-bis-(2-chloro-4- methylphenyl)-ethane; 1,1-bis-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-ethane; 2,2-bis-(3-phenyl-4-bromophenyl)- ethane; 2,6-bis-(4,6-dichloronaphthyl)-propane; 2,2-bis-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-pentane; 2,2-bis- (3,5-dibromophenyl)-hexane; bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-phenyl-methane; bis-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)- cyclohexylmethane; bis-(3-nitro-4-bromophenyl)-methane; bis-(4-hydroxy-2,6-dichloro-3- methoxyphenyl)-methane; and 2,2-bis-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane 2,2 bis-(3- bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane. Also included within the above structural formula are: 1,3- dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dibromobenzene, 1,3-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzene, and biphenyls such as 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl, polybrominated 1,4-diphenoxybenzene, 2,4'-dibromobiphenyl, and 2,4'- dichlorobiphenyl as well as decabromo diphenyl oxide, and the like.

[0051] The non-fluorinated flame retardant may include a phosphorus-containing flame retardant. The phosphorus-containing flame retardant may include a pyrophosphate, a polyphosphate, or a combination thereof. Pyrophosphates and polyphosphates may include metal pyrophosphates, metal polyphosphates, metal acid pyrophosphates, metal acid24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) polyphosphates, or a combination thereof. The phosphorus-containing flame retardant may have the formula MzxHyPnO3n+1, wherein M is a metal, x is 1-12, y is 0-12, N is 2-10, z is 1-5, and the sum of (xz) + y is equal to n+2. M is preferably a Group IA, IIA, IB, or IIB metal and more preferably sodium or potassium. Exemplary phosphorus-containing flame retardants of this type include pyrophosphates of the formula Na3HPO4, K2H2P2O7, Na3H2P2O10, KNaH2P2O7, Na2H2P2O7, and sodium hexametaphosphate, Na8P6O19. The phosphorus-containing flame retardant that are pyrophosphates and polyphosphates may be hydrates and may be in powder form.

[0052] The phosphorus-containing flame retardant may include a metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate. As used herein, the term “metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate” refers to a salt including at least one metal cation and at least one di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate anion. In some aspects, the metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate has the formulawherein Raand Rbin the phosphinate are each independently C1-6 alkyl; M is calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or zinc; and d is 2 or 3. Examples of Raand Rbin the phosphinate include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, and n-pentyl. In some aspects, Raand Rbin the phosphinate are ethyl, M is aluminum, and d is 3 (that is, the metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate is aluminum tris(diethylphosphinate)).

[0053] In some aspects, the metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate is in particulate form. The metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate particles can have a median particle diameter (D50) less than or equal to 40 micrometers, or a D50 less than or equal to 30 micrometers, preferably a D50 less than or equal to 25 micrometers, for example a D50 of 0.5-40 micrometers. Additionally, the metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate may be combined with a polymer, such as a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin, a polyamide, a block copolymer, or combination thereof, to form a masterbatch. The metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate masterbatch includes the metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate in an amount greater than is present in the thermoplastic composition. Employing a masterbatch for the addition of the metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate to the other components of the composition can facilitate addition and improve distribution of the metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate.

[0054] In addition to the non-fluorinated flame retardant, the flame retardant composition may include an auxiliary flame retardant. In some aspects, the auxiliary flame retardant includes a melamine having the formula24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)wherein g is 1-10,000, and the ratio of f to g is 0.5:1 to 1.7:1, or 0.7:1 to 1.3:1, or 0.9:1 to 1.1:1. This formula includes species in which one or more protons are transferred from the phosphate group(s) to the melamine group(s). When g is 1, the melamine flame retardant is melamine phosphate (CAS Reg. No.20208-95-1). When g is 2, the melamine flame retardant is melamine pyrophosphate (CAS Reg. No.1554160-3). When g is, on average, greater than 2, the melamine flame retardant is a melamine polyphosphate (CAS Reg. No.56386-64-2). In some aspects, the melamine flame retardant is melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, or a mixture thereof. In some aspects in which the melamine flame retardant is melamine polyphosphate, g has an average value of greater than 2-10,000, or 5-1,000, or 10-500. In some aspects in which the melamine flame retardant is melamine polyphosphate, g has an average value of greater than 2-500. Methods for preparing melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, and melamine polyphosphate are known in the art, and all are commercially available. For example, melamine polyphosphates may be prepared by reacting polyphosphoric acid and melamine, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.6,025,419 to Kasowski et al., or by heating melamine pyrophosphate under nitrogen at 290°C to constant weight, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,015,510-Jacobson et al. In some aspects, the melamine flame retardant includes melamine cyanurate.

[0055] The melamine flame retardant may have a low volatility. For example, in some aspects, the melamine flame retardant exhibits less than 1 percent weight loss by thermogravimetric analysis when heated at a rate of 20 °C per minute from 25-280 °C, or 25-300 °C, or 25-320 °C.

[0056] The auxiliary flame retardant may include inorganic flame retardants. Inorganic flame retardants may include metal hydroxides, metal oxides, polyphosphates, boron salts such as metal borates, inorganic antimony, tin, zinc, and molybdenum compounds, as well as red phosphorous. However, due to regulatory concerns, the auxiliary flame retardant is preferably substantially free of antimony, tin, and halogenated auxiliary flame retardants.

[0057] In some aspects, the auxiliary flame retardant includes a metal hydroxide, a metal borate, a pyrophosphate, a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydroxide, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the auxiliary flame retardant includes a metal hydroxide. Exemplary metal hydroxides include, but are not limited to, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, or a combination thereof. The metal hydroxide may be coated, for24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) example, with stearic acid or another fatty acid. The auxiliary flame retardant may include a metal borate, such as zinc borate; a metal oxide hydroxide, such as aluminum oxide hydroxide also known as Boehmite and commercially available as SASOL; a metal oxide, such as magnesium oxide (e.g., ELASTOMAG 170), zinc oxide, or a combination thereof.

[0058] When the flame retardant composition includes phosphorus, the flame retardant is present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition. Within this range, the flame retardant composition is present in an amount effective to provide 0.5-6 wt%, 1-6 wt%, 2-6 wt%, 2.5-6 wt%, or 3-6 wt% phosphorus, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0059] The thermoplastic compositions minimize or eliminate conventional anti-drip agents, in particular fluorinated anti-drip agents. Anti-drip agents include, for example, a fibril forming or non-fibril forming fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The anti- drip agent may be encapsulated by a rigid copolymer, for example styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). PTFE encapsulated in SAN is known as TSAN. An TSAN includes 50 wt% PTFE and 50 wt% SAN, based on the total weight of the encapsulated fluoropolymer. The SAN can include, for example, 75 wt% styrene and 25 wt% acrylonitrile based on the total weight of the copolymer. In some aspects, the fluorinated anti-drip agent is present in an amount effective to provide 0.15 wt% or less fluorine to the total composition. In some aspects, a fluorinated anti- drip agent is excluded from the thermoplastic compositions.

[0060] The thermoplastic composition may include various additives (“an additive composition”) ordinarily incorporated into polymer compositions of this type, with the proviso that the additive(s) are selected so as to not significantly adversely affect the desired properties of the thermoplastic composition, in particular flame resistance, impact resistance and the melt volume rate. Such additives may be mixed at a suitable time during the mixing of the components for forming the composition. Additives include antioxidants, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, mold release agents, antistatic agents, colorants and organic dyes, surface effect additives, radiation stabilizers, and poly(ether-ester) block copolymers. A combination of additives may be used, for example a combination of a heat stabilizer, mold release agent, and ultraviolet light stabilizer. In general, the additives are used in the amounts generally known to be effective. For example, the total amount of the additives (other than any filler or reinforcing agents) may be 0.01-10 wt%, 0.01-5 wt%, 0.01-2 wt%, or 0.01-1 wt%, each based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0061] In some aspects, the additive composition includes a poly(ether-ester) block copolymer, also known in the art as thermoplastic elastomers or thermoplastic ester elastomers24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) (TPEE). Poly(ether-ester) block copolymers consist essentially of “soft block” long-chain ester units of formula (15)wherein G is a derived from a poly(C1-4alkylene oxide) glycol having a number-average molecular weight of 400-6000, and R20is derived from a C4-24aliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid, preferably an aromatic dicarboxylic acid; and “hard block” short-chain ester units of formula (16) O O C R20C O D O (16) wherein D is a C1-10alkylene or cycloalkylene derived from the corresponding diol having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 300; and R20is derived from a C4-24aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic dicarboxylic acid, preferably an aromatic dicarboxylic acid; with the proviso that the short-chain ester units constitute about 40% to about 90% by weight of the poly(ether-ester) block copolymer, and the long-chain ester units constitute about 10% to about 60% by weight of the poly(ether-ester) block copolymer.

[0062] A variety of poly(ether-ester) copolymers are commercially available, for example under the trademarks ARNITEL EM400 and ARNITEL EL630 poly(ether-ester) copolymers from DSM; HYTREL 3078, HYTREL 4056, HYTREL 4556, and HYTREL 6356 poly(ether-ester) copolymers from DuPont; and ECDEL 9966 poly(ether-ester) copolymer from Eastman Chemical. In all cases, the soft block is derived from tetrahydrofuran. In the HYTREL 4556, HYTREL 6356, ARNITEL EM400, and ARNITEL EL630 poly(ether-ester) copolymers, the hard block is based on poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). In the HYTREL 4056 poly(ester- ether) copolymer, the hard block contains isophthalate units in addition to terephthalate units. In the ECDEL 9966 poly(ether-ester) copolymer, the hard block is based on poly(1,4-cyclohexane- dimethanol-1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate) (PCCD) units.

[0063] Colorants such as pigment or dye additives may be present in the additive composition. Useful pigments can include, for example, inorganic pigments such as metal oxides and mixed metal oxides such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxides, iron oxides, or the like; sulfides such as zinc sulfides, or the like; aluminates; sodium sulfo-silicates sulfates, chromates, or the like; carbon blacks; zinc ferrites; ultramarine blue; organic pigments such as azos, di-azos, quinacridones, perylenes, naphthalene tetracarboxylic acids, flavanthrones, isoindolinones, tetrachloroisoindolinones, anthraquinones, enthrones, dioxazines, phthalocyanines, and azo lakes; Pigment Red 101, Pigment Red 122, Pigment Red 149, Pigment Red 177, Pigment Red 179, Pigment Red 202, Pigment Violet 29, Pigment Blue 15, Pigment Blue 60, Pigment Green 7,24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) Pigment Yellow 119, Pigment Yellow 147, Pigment Yellow 150, and Pigment Brown 24; or a combination thereof.

[0064] Dyes are generally organic materials and include coumarin dyes such as coumarin 460 (blue), coumarin 6 (green), nile red or the like; lanthanide complexes; hydrocarbon and substituted hydrocarbon dyes; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dyes; scintillation dyes such as oxazole or oxadiazole dyes; aryl- or heteroaryl-substituted poly (C2-8) olefin dyes; carbocyanine dyes; indanthrone dyes; phthalocyanine dyes; oxazine dyes; carbostyryl dyes; napthalenetetracarboxylic acid dyes; porphyrin dyes; bis(styryl)biphenyl dyes; acridine dyes; anthraquinone dyes; cyanine dyes; methine dyes; arylmethane dyes; azo dyes; indigoid dyes, thioindigoid dyes, diazonium dyes; nitro dyes; quinone imine dyes; aminoketone dyes; tetrazolium dyes; thiazole dyes; perylene dyes, perinone dyes; bis-benzoxazolylthiophene (BBOT); triarylmethane dyes; xanthene dyes; thioxanthene dyes; naphthalimide dyes; lactone dyes; fluorophores such as anti-stokes shift dyes which absorb in the near infrared wavelength and emit in the visible wavelength, or the like; luminescent dyes such as 7-amino-4- methylcoumarin; 3-(2'-benzothiazolyl)-7-diethylaminocoumarin; 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-t- butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole; 2,5-bis-(4-biphenylyl)-oxazole; 2,2'-dimethyl-p-quaterphenyl; 2,2-dimethyl-p-terphenyl; 3,5,3’,5’-tetra-t-butyl-p-quinquephenyl; 2,5-diphenylfuran; 2,5- diphenyloxazole; 4,4'-diphenylstilbene; 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-(p- dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran; 1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-carbocyanine iodide; 3,3'-diethyl-4,4',5,5'- dibenzothiatricarbocyanine iodide; 7-dimethylamino-1-methyl-4-methoxy-8-azaquinolone-2; 7- dimethylamino-4-methylquinolone-2; 2-(4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl)-3- ethylbenzothiazolium perchlorate; 3-diethylamino-7-diethyliminophenoxazonium perchlorate; 2- (1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole; 2,2'-p-phenylen-bis(5-phenyloxazole); rhodamine 700; rhodamine 800; pyrene, chrysene, rubrene, coronene, or the like; or a combination thereof.

[0065] The thermoplastic compositions may include a reinforcing agent. Reinforcing agents may include, for example, mica, clay, feldspar, quartz, quartzite, perlite, tripoli, diatomaceous earth, aluminum silicate (mullite), synthetic calcium silicate, fused silica, fumed silica, sand, boron-nitride powder, boron-silicate powder, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonates (such as chalk, limestone, marble, and synthetic precipitated calcium carbonates) talc (including fibrous, modular, needle shaped, and lamellar talc), wollastonite, hollow or solid glass spheres, silicate spheres, cenospheres, aluminosilicate or (armospheres), kaolin, whiskers of silicon carbide, alumina, boron carbide, iron, nickel, or copper, continuous and chopped carbon fibers or glass fibers, molybdenum sulfide, zinc sulfide, barium titanate, barium ferrite, barium sulfate, heavy spar, TiO2, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, particulate or fibrous aluminum, bronze, zinc, copper, or nickel, glass flakes, flaked silicon carbide, flaked aluminum diboride, flaked24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) aluminum, steel flakes, natural fillers such as wood flour, fibrous cellulose, cotton, sisal, jute, starch , lignin, ground nut shells, or rice grain husks, reinforcing organic fibrous fillers such as poly(ether ketone), polyimide, polybenzoxazole, poly(phenylene sulfide), polyesters, polyethylene, aromatic polyamides, aromatic polyimides, poly(etherimide)s, polytetrafluoroethylene, and poly(vinyl alcohol), as well a combination thereof. The fillers and reinforcing agents may be coated with a layer of metallic material to facilitate conductivity, or surface treated with silanes to improve adhesion and dispersion with the polymer matrix.

[0066] The reinforcing agent may include a reinforcing fiber (including continuous and chopped fibers) such as asbestos, carbon fibers, glass fibers, such as E, A, C, ECR, R, S, D, or NE glasses, or the like. In addition, the reinforcing fibers may be provided in the form of monofilament or multifilament fibers and may be used individually or in combination with other types of fiber, through, for example, co-weaving or core / sheath, side-by-side, orange-type or matrix and fibril constructions, or by other methods known to one skilled in the art of fiber manufacture. Co-woven structures include glass fiber-carbon fiber, carbon fiber-aromatic polyimide (aramid) fiber, and aromatic polyimide fiberglass fiber or the like. Preferably the reinforcing fiber Preferably the reinforcing fiber includes carbon fibers, glass fibers, or a combination thereof.

[0067] The reinforcing fibers may be of any cross-sectional shape, for example round, square, ovoid, or irregular. The reinforcing fibers can have an average largest diameter from 1 micrometer to 1 millimeter, or from 1-500 micrometers. The reinforcing fibers may be supplied in the form of, for example, individual fibers, rovings, woven fibrous reinforcements, such as 0- 90 degree fabrics or the like; non-woven fibrous reinforcements such as continuous strand mat, chopped strand mat, tissues, papers, felts, or the like; or three-dimensional reinforcements such as braids.

[0068] The reinforcing agent, e.g., glass fibers, may be present in an amount from 5-75 wt%, 5-65 wt%, 5-55 wt%, 5-45 wt%, 5-30 wt%, 5-25 wt%, 10-75 wt%, 10-65 wt%, 10-55 wt%, 10-45 wt%, 10-30 wt%, 10-25 wt%, 15-75 wt%, 15-65 wt%, 15-55 wt%, 15-45 wt%, 15- 30 wt%, 15-25 wt%, 20-75 wt%, 20-65 wt%, 20-55 wt%, 20-45 wt%, 20-30 wt%, or 20-25 wt%, each based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, which sums to 100 wt%.

[0069] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(alkylene arylate), preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), a poly(etherimide) composition including: a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-50 wt% siloxane repeating units, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane); a non-fluorinated flame retardant including a metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate, and a reinforcing agent including glass fibers,24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-1, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm.

[0070] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include poly(etherimide) composition including a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer.

[0071] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer and glass fibers are present.

[0072] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably 10 wt% to less than 35 wt% siloxane repeating units, more preferably 10-25 wt% siloxane repeating units and glass fibers.

[0073] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably 30 wt% to 45 wt% siloxane repeating units, more preferably 30 wt% to 40 wt% siloxane repeating units and glass fibers are present.

[0074] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably 30 wt% to 45 wt% siloxane repeating units, more preferably 30 wt% to 40 wt% siloxane repeating units and glass fibers are present.

[0075] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a block poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer.

[0076] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a block poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer and glass fibers are present.

[0077] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(etherimide) composition including a block poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, more preferably greater than 35 wt% to 40 wt% siloxane repeating units and glass fibers are present.

[0078] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(alkylene arylate), preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including greater than 35 wt% to less or equal than 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably 35 wt% to less or equal than 45 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.0 wt%, preferably at least 2.5 wt%, more preferably at least 3.0 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, a non-fluorinated flame retardant24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) including a metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate, and a reinforcing agent including glass fibers, a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm. In certain aspects, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) includes a block poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer.

[0079] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(alkylene arylate), preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), a poly(etherimide) composition including: a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 0.4 wt%, preferably at least 0.8 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, a non-fluorinated flame retardant including a metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate, and a reinforcing agent including glass fibers, a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm. In certain aspects, the poly(etherimide- siloxane) includes a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer.

[0080] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(alkylene arylate), preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), a poly(etherimide) composition including: a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.5 wt%, preferably at least 3 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, a non-fluorinated flame retardant including a metal di(C1-6alkyl)phosphinate, and a reinforcing agent including glass fibers, a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm. In certain aspects, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) includes a random poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer.

[0081] In some aspects, the thermoplastic compositions include a poly(alkylene arylate), preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), a poly(etherimide) composition including: a poly(etherimide-siloxane) including 25-45 wt% siloxane repeating units, a non-fluorinated flame retardant including a metal di(C1-6 alkyl)phosphinate, and a reinforcing agent including glass fibers, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm. In certain aspects, the poly(etherimide-siloxane) includes a random poly(etherimide- siloxane) copolymer.

[0082] The thermoplastic compositions may have ultra-low halogen content. As used herein, “ultra-low chlorine and / or bromine content” refers to materials produced without the intentional addition of chlorine or bromine or chlorine or bromine containing materials. It is understood however that in facilities that process multiple products a certain amount of cross contamination may occur resulting in bromine or chlorine levels typically on the parts per million by weight scale. With this understanding it may be readily appreciated that “ultra-low chlorine or bromine content” may be defined as having a bromine or chlorine content of less24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) than or equal to each of 100 parts per million by weight (ppm), 75 ppm, or 50 ppm. In some aspects, “ultra-low chlorine and bromine content” means a total bromine and chlorine content of less than or equal to each of 100 ppm, or 75 ppm, or 50 ppm. When this definition is applied to the non-fluorinated flame retardant it is based on the total weight of the non-fluorinated flame retardant. When this definition is applied to the thermoplastic composition it is based on the total parts by weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0083] In another aspect, the thermoplastic composition may have an ultra-low chlorine, bromine, or fluorine content. As used herein, “ultra-low chlorine, bromine, or fluorine content” is defined as having a bromine, chlorine, or fluorine content of less than or equal to each of 100 ppm, 75 ppm, or 50 ppm, each based on the total parts by weight of the composition. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition has a combined bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of each of less than or equal to 100 ppm, 75 ppm, or 50 ppm, each based on the total parts by weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0084] The thermoplastic compositions may be manufactured by various methods. For example, powdered polymers, non-fluorinated flame retardant, and / or optional components are first blended, optionally with fillers in a HENSCHEL-Mixer high speed mixer. Other low shear processes, including but not limited to hand mixing, may also accomplish this blending. The blend is then fed into the throat of a twin-screw extruder via a hopper. Alternatively, at least one of the components may be incorporated into the composition by feeding directly into the extruder at the throat or downstream through a sidestuffer. Additives may also be compounded into a masterbatch with a desired polymeric polymer and fed into the extruder. The extruder is generally operated at a temperature higher than that necessary to cause the composition to flow. The extrudate is immediately quenched in a water bath and pelletized. The pellets so prepared may be one-fourth inch long or less as desired. Such pellets may be used for subsequent molding, shaping, or forming.

[0085] A sample of the thermoplastic composition may have a flame test rating of V-1 or V-0, as measured according to UL-94 at a thickness of 0.8 millimeter or less, for example, 0.6 millimeter.

[0086] Shaped, formed, or molded articles including the thermoplastic compositions are also provided. The thermoplastic compositions may be molded into useful shaped articles by a variety of methods, such as injection molding, extrusion, rotational molding, blow molding and thermoforming. Some examples of articles include computer and business machine housings such as housings for monitors, handheld electronic device housings such as housings for cell phones, electrical connectors, and components of lighting fixtures, ornaments, home appliances, roofs, greenhouses, sun rooms, swimming pool enclosures, advanced driver assistance systems24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) (ADAS) enclosures, and the like. In some aspects, the article is an extruded article, a molded article, pultruded article, a thermoformed article, a foamed article, a layer of a multi-layer article, a substrate for a coated article, or a substrate for a metallized article. In addition, the thermoplastic compositions may be used for such applications as a molded housing and other devices such as electrical circuit housing.

[0087] Thin films including the thermoplastic compositions are also provided. The thin film of the thermoplastic composition may be prepared by extrusion of the thermoplastic composition. The thin films may have improved thermal resistance. In some aspects, the thin films may be transparent.

[0088] This disclosure is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES

[0089] The following components are used in the examples. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the amount of each component is in wt%, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0090] The materials shown in Table 1 were used. Table 1. PBT-1 Polybutylene terephthalate, CAS Reg. No.26062-94-2, having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.5- 1.0 deciliters per gram (dL / g) as measured at 30°C in a 1:1 w / w solution of phenol:1,1,2,2- SABIC tetrachloroethane, and having 17 milliequivalents per kilogram (meq / kg) of COOH PBT-2 Polybutylene terephthalate, CAS Reg. No.26062-94-2, having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.0- SABIC 1.5 L / g as measured at 30°C in a 1:1 w / w solution of phenol:1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and having 38 meq / kg of COOH PEI-Si-20 A poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymer having a siloxane content of 20 wt%, based on the SABIC total weight of the copolymer and a total Mw of 29,000-31,000 g / mol as determined by GPC, available as SILTEM 1700 PEI-Si-40 A polyetherimide-siloxane) copolymer having a siloxane content of 40 wt%, based on the SABIC total weight of the copolymer and a total Mw of 37,000-38,000 g / mol as determined by GPC, available as SILTEM 1500 DEPAL Aluminum tris(diethyl phosphinate), CAS Reg. No.225789-38-8; obtained as EXOLIT Clariant OP1240; 24 wt% phosphorus MPP Melamine polyphosphate, CAS Reg. No.56386-64-2, obtained as MELAPUR 200; 24 wt% BASF phosphorus Corp ADD Poly(ether-ester) block copolymer, available as HYTREL 4056 DUPONT PETS Pentaerythritol tetrastearate, CAS Reg. No.115-83-3 FACI SpA. PHBPP Pentaerythritol 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)propionate (1:4), CAS Reg. No.6683- BASF 19-8; obtained as IRGANOX 1010 GF Chopped glass fibers having a diameter of 10 micrometers, a pre-compounded length of 3.2 PPG millimeters; obtained as CHOPVANTAGE 3540 Industries

[0091] Samples were compounded on a 25 mm Werner Pfleiderer ZSK co-rotating twin- screw extruder with a vacuum vent. The temperature profile and other extruder settings are provided in Table 2. Table 2. Parameter – 25 mm ZSK24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) Die 2 holes Feed temperature 40 °C Zone 1 temperature 150 °C Zone 2 temperature 240 °C Zone 3-8 temperature 260 °C Die temperature 260 °C Screw speed 300 rpm Throughput 30 kg / h Vacuum 1 ~0.7 bar

[0092] The compounded strand was cooled in a water bath prior to pelletizing. The pellets were dried for two hours at 110-120 °C in a forced air-circulating oven prior to injection molding. Sample parts were molded on an Engel molding machine. Molding settings are provided in Table 3. Table 3. Parameter – Engel Molding Machine Setting Pre-drying time 2 hours Pre-drying temperature 110-120 °C Hopper temperature 40 °C Zone 1 temperature 240 °C Zone 2 temperature 250 °C Zone 3 temperature 260 °C Nozzle temperature 255 °C Mold temperature 70 °C Screw speed 100 rpm

[0093] Flammability tests were performed on samples at a thickness of 3.0 mm or less (e.g., 2.0, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 0.8 mm) in accordance with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) UL 94 standard. In some cases, a second set of 5 bars was tested to give an indication of the robustness of the rating. In this report the following definitions are used as shown in Table 4. Total flame-out-times for all bars (FOT = t1 + t2) were determined. Table 4. t1and / or t25-bar cumulative FOT Burning drips igniting cotton V-0 <10 <50 No V-1 <30 <250 No V-2 <30 <250 Yes N.R. (no rating) >30 >250

[0094] Table 5 provides the compositions and properties for the following comparative examples and examples of the thermoplastic compositions. All amounts are expressed as wt%. “NM” means not measured. “P” means phosphorus (wt% provided to total composition). “Siloxane” refers to wt% siloxane repeating units provided to the total composition. Table 5. CE1 CE2 CE3 CE4 E1 E2 E3 E4 CE5 CE6 E5 E6 PBT-1 28.5 25.5 23.5 20.5 40.15 37.15 35.15 32.15 40.15 37.15 35.15 32.15 PBT-2 50.15 50.15 50.15 50.15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 PEI-Si-20 2 5 7 10 2 5 7 10 PEI-Si-40 2 5 7 10 DEPAL 14 14 14 14 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.524SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) MPP 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 PETS 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 PHBPP 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 ADD 5 5 5 5 GF 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Siloxane 0.4 1.0 1.4 2.0 0.4 1.0 1.4 2.0 0.8 2.0 2.8 4 P 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 UL-94 (1.6 mm) V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0 UL-94 (0.8 mm) V-2 V-2 V-2 V-2 V-1 V-0 V-0 V-0 V-2 V-2 V-1 V-0 UL-94 (0.6 mm) NM NM NM NM NM V-2 V-2 V-0 NM NM V-2 V-2

[0095] Comparative Examples 1-4 do not include glass fibers or anti-drip agent (e.g., TSAN) and the flame test rating at 0.8 mm is V-2, when the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is PEI-Si- 20 (having 20 wt% siloxane repeating units). Examples 1-4 are similar to Comparative Examples 1-4, except that glass fibers are present in Examples 1-4. Despite this difference, Examples 1-4 provided improved flame test ratings compared to Comparative Examples 1-4. Specifically, Example 1, which included 0.4 wt% siloxane repeating units in the total composition, achieved a V-1 flame test rating at 0.8 mm, whereas Comparative Example 1, which included the same poly(etherimide-siloxane) and the same wt% siloxane repeating units in the total weight of the thermoplastic composition achieved only a V-2 rating at 0.8 mm. When the amount of poly(etherimide-siloxane) was increased to provide a higher wt% siloxane repeating units to the total composition (i.e., 0.8-2 wt%), Examples 2-4 all achieved a V-0 rating at 0.8 mm, whereas the flame test rating at 0.8 mm for Comparative Examples 2-4 (no glass fibers) was not improved with increased wt% siloxane repeating units. Further, Example 4, which includes the poly(etherimide-siloxane) having 20 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than 1.4 wt% siloxane repeating units to the total composition (e.g., 2.0 wt%), achieves a V-0 flame test rating at 0.6 mm.

[0096] Comparative Examples 5-6 and Examples 5-6 include PEI-Si-40 (having 40 wt% siloxane content) as the poly(etherimide-siloxane) instead of PEI-Si-20 (having 20 wt% siloxane content). Although the total siloxane content of the compositions is the same, PEI-Si-1 (20 wt% siloxane repeating units) provides superior flame test ratings compared to PEI-Si-2 (40 wt% siloxane repeating units). For example, both Example 4 and Comparative Example 6 include poly(etherimide-siloxane) in an amount effective to provide 2 wt% siloxane repeating units. However, despite having the same siloxane content, the compositions performed very differently in the flame test, with Example 4 achieving a V-0 rating and Comparative Example 6 achieving a V-2 rating at 0.8 mm.

[0097] Examples 5-6 demonstrate that when the poly(etherimide-siloxane)having 40 wt% siloxane repeating units (PEI-Si-2) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) 2 wt% siloxane repeating units (e.g., 2.8), a V-1 flame test rating at 0.8 mm was achieved and at 4 wt% siloxane repeating units, a V-0 flame test rating was achieved.

[0098] This disclosure further encompasses the following aspects.

[0099] Aspect 1. A thermoplastic composition including: 10-90 wt% of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); a flame retardant composition comprising a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent; 1-20 wt% of a poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10- 35 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, or a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane); 5-75 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the sum of the wt% of the polyester, the flame retardant composition, the poly(etherimide) composition, the reinforcing agent, and the optional additive composition totals 100 wt%, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-1 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.

[0100] Aspect 1a. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a random copolymer.

[0101] Aspect 1b. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a random copolymer, and the reinforcing filler is glass fibers.

[0102] Aspect 1c. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a random copolymer having 10-30 wt% or 10-25 wt% siloxane repeating units, and the reinforcing filler includes glass fibers.

[0103] Aspect 1d. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein poly(etherimide- siloxane) is a random copolymer having greater than or equal to 35 wt% to 45 wt%, or greater than 35 wt% to 40 wt% siloxane repeating units, and the reinforcing filler includes glass fibers.

[0104] Aspect 1e. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a block copolymer.

[0105] Aspect 1f. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a block copolymer, and the reinforcing filler includes glass fibers.

[0106] Aspect 1g. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 1, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a block copolymer including greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt%, or greater than 35 wt% to 40 wt%, or greater than 35 wt% to 40 wt% siloxane repeating units, and the reinforcing filler includes glass fibers.24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)

[0107] Aspect 2. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects including 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

[0108] Aspect 3. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein the flame retardant composition comprises a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

[0109] Aspect 4. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) includes greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably greater than 35 wt% to 45 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.0 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm.

[0110] Aspect 4a. The thermoplastic composition of Aspect 4, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a block poly(etherimide-siloxane).

[0111] Aspect 4b. The thermoplastic composition of Aspect 4b, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a random poly(etherimide-siloxane).

[0112] Aspect 5. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) includes 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), the poly(etherimide- siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 0.8 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm.

[0113] Aspect 5a. The thermoplastic composition of Aspect 5, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is a random copolymer, a block copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0114] Aspect 6. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprises 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 1 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)

[0115] Aspect 7. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects including 500 ppm or less, of added fluorine, or 500 ppm or less of fluorine, preferably wherein the thermoplastic composition excludes added fluorine.

[0116] Aspect 8a. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein an added bromine and chlorine content (e.g., a calculated, intentionally added bromine and chlorine content) of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and a total added halogen content (e.g., a calculated, intentionally added total halogen content) of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less; or an added bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content (e.g., a calculated, intentionally added bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content content) of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and a calculated total added bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less.

[0117] Aspect 8b. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein: a bromine and chlorine content of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and a total halogen content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less; or the bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and the total bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less.

[0118] Aspect 9. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding aspects wherein the poly(alkylene arylate) includes, or is, poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).

[0119] Aspect 10. The thermoplastic composition of any one of preceding aspects including: 50-80 wt% of the polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); the flame retardant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.0 wt%, preferably at least 2.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of the reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of fluorine.

[0120] Aspect 10a. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 10, wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0121] Aspect 10b. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 10 including 10-45 wt%, or 15-45 wt%, or 20-45 wt% reinforcing agent, preferably wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0122] Aspect 11. The thermoplastic composition of any one of preceding aspects including: 50-80 wt% of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); a flame retardant composition24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 0.8 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, and the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

[0123] Aspect 11a. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 11, wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0124] Aspect 11b. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 10 including 10-45 wt%, or 15-45 wt%, or 20-45 wt% reinforcing agent, preferably wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0125] Aspect 12. The thermoplastic composition of any one of preceding aspects including: 50-80 wt% of the polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); the flame retardant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide- siloxane), present in an amount effective to provide greater than 1 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the sum of the wt% of the polyester, the flame retardant composition, the poly(etherimide) composition, the reinforcing agent, and the optional additive composition total 100 wt%, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm, and the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

[0126] Aspect 12a. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 12, wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0127] Aspect 12b. The thermoplastic composition of aspect 10 including 10-45 wt%, or 15-45 wt%, or 20-45 wt% reinforcing agent, preferably wherein the reinforcing agent includes glass fibers.

[0128] Aspect 13. A method of making the thermoplastic composition of any one of aspects 1 to 12, the method including melt-mixing the components of the composition, and, optionally, extruding the composition.24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT)

[0129] Aspect 14. An article including the thermoplastic composition of any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0130] Aspect 15. A method of manufacturing the article of aspect 14 including molding, casting, or extruding the composition to provide the article.

[0131] The compositions, methods, and articles may alternatively include (comprise), consist of, or consist essentially of any appropriate materials, steps, or components herein disclosed. The compositions, methods, and articles may additionally, or alternatively, be formulated so as to be devoid, or substantially free, of any materials (or species), steps, or components, which are otherwise not necessary to the achievement of the function or objectives of the compositions, methods, and articles.

[0132] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints unless otherwise indicated. For example, “30-50 wt%” is inclusive of the endpoints 30 wt% and 50 wt%; however, the term “greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% does not include 35 wt% but does include 50 wt%. When a series of endpoints is preceded by phrase such as “greater than or equal to each of”, the phrase applies to each of the endpoints. The endpoints are independently combinable with each other (e.g., ranges of “up to 25 wt%, or, 5-20 wt%”, is inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges of “5 wt% to 25 wt%,” etc.). “Combinations” is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms “a” and “an” and “the” do not denote a limitation of quantity and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. “Or” means “and / or” unless clearly stated otherwise. Reference throughout the specification to “some aspects” means that a particular element described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements or aspects may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects. A “combination thereof” is open and includes any combination including at least one of the listed components or properties optionally together with a like or equivalent component or property not listed.

[0133] Unless specified to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect as of the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.

[0134] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this application belongs. All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in the present application contradicts or conflicts24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) with a term in the incorporated reference, the term from the present application takes precedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.

[0135] Compounds are described using standard nomenclature. For example, any position not substituted by any indicated group is understood to have its valency filled by a bond as indicated, or a hydrogen atom. A dash ("-") that is not between two letters or symbols is used to indicate a point of attachment for a substituent. For example, -CHO is attached through carbon of the carbonyl group.

[0136] The term “hydrocarbyl”, whether used by itself, or as a prefix, suffix, or fragment of another term, means a residue that contains only carbon and hydrogen unless it is specifically identified as “substituted hydrocarbyl”. The hydrocarbyl residue may be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, or unsaturated. It may also contain combinations of aliphatic, aromatic, straight chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, and unsaturated hydrocarbon moieties. When the hydrocarbyl residue is described as substituted, it may contain heteroatoms in addition to carbon and hydrogen.

[0137] The term "alkyl" means a branched or straight chain, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s- pentyl, and n- and s-hexyl. “Alkenyl” means a straight or branched chain, monovalent hydrocarbon group having at least one carbon-carbon double bond (e.g., ethenyl (-HC=CH2)). “Alkoxy” means an alkyl group that is linked via an oxygen (i.e., alkyl-O-), for example methoxy, ethoxy, and sec-butyloxy groups. "Alkylene" means a straight or branched chain, saturated, divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group (e.g., methylene (-CH2-) or, propylene (-(CH2)3- )). “Cycloalkylene” means a divalent cyclic alkylene group, -CnH2n-x, wherein x is the number of hydrogens replaced by cyclization(s). “Cycloalkenyl” means a monovalent group having one or more rings and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds in the ring, wherein all ring members are carbon (e.g., cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl). "Aryl" means an aromatic hydrocarbon group containing the specified number of carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tropone, indanyl, or naphthyl. “Arylene” means a divalent aryl group. “Alkylarylene” means an arylene group substituted with an alkyl group. “Arylalkylene” means an alkylene group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyl). The prefix "halo" means a group or compound including one more of a fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo substituent. A combination of different halo groups (e.g., bromo and fluoro), or only chloro groups may be present. The prefix “hetero” means that the compound or group includes at least one ring member that is a heteroatom (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 heteroatom(s)), wherein the heteroatom(s) is each independently N, O, S, Si, or P. “Substituted” means that the compound or group is substituted with at least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents that may each independently be a C1-9alkoxy, a C1-9haloalkoxy, a nitro (-NO2), a cyano (-CN), a C1-6alkyl24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) sulfonyl (-S(=O)2-alkyl), a C6-12aryl sulfonyl (-S(=O)2-aryl)a thiol (-SH), a thiocyano (-SCN), a tosyl (CH3C6H4SO2-), a C3-12cycloalkyl, a C2-12alkenyl, a C5-12cycloalkenyl, a C6-12aryl, a C7-13arylalkylene, a C4-12heterocycloalkyl, and a C3-12heteroaryl instead of hydrogen, provided that the substituted atom’s normal valence is not exceeded. The number of carbon atoms indicated in a group is exclusive of any substituents. For example -CH2CH2CN is a C2 alkyl group substituted with a nitrile.

[0138] While particular aspects have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.

Claims

24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A thermoplastic composition comprising: 10-90 wt% of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); a flame retardant composition comprising a non-fluorinated flame retardant, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant, and optionally, an anti-drip agent; 1-20 wt% of a poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10-35 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, or a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% of siloxane repeat units to the composition, and optionally, a poly(etherimide) that is not a poly(etherimide-siloxane); 5-75 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the sum of the wt% of the polyester, the flame retardant composition, the poly(etherimide) composition, the reinforcing agent, and the optional additive composition totals 100 wt%, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-1 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, or V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.

2. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 comprising 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

3. The thermoplastic composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flame retardant composition comprises a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition.

4. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprises greater than 35 wt% to 50 wt% siloxane repeating units, preferably greater than 35 wt% to 45 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane),24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.0 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 2.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm.

5. The thermoplastic composition of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprises 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 0.8 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm.

6. The thermoplastic composition of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprises 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 1 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm.

7. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising 500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 500 ppm or less of total fluorine, preferably wherein the thermoplastic composition excludes added fluorine.

8. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding claims wherein an added bromine and chlorine content of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and a total added halogen content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less; or an added bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of the thermoplastic composition are each 900 ppm or less and a total added bromine, chlorine, and fluorine content of the thermoplastic composition is 1500 ppm or less.

9. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the poly(alkylene arylate) is poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) 10. The thermoplastic composition of any one of preceding claims comprising: 50-80 wt% of the polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); the flame retardant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than 2.0 wt%, preferably at least 2.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of the reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of fluorine.

11. The thermoplastic composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising: 50-80 wt% of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); a flame retardant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition, wherein the poly(etherimide-siloxane) is present in an amount effective to provide greater than or equal to 0.4 wt%, preferably greater than or equal to 0.8 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.8 mm, and the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

12. The thermoplastic composition of any one of preceding aspects comprising: 50-80 wt% of the polyester comprising a poly(alkylene arylate); the flame retardant composition comprising a phosphorus-containing flame retardant present in an amount effective to provide up to 6 wt% phosphorus based on the total composition; 1-15 wt% of the poly(etherimide) composition comprising a poly(etherimide-siloxane) comprising 10-35 wt%, preferably 15-35 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the poly(etherimide-siloxane), present in an amount effective to provide greater than 1 wt%, preferably greater24SHPP0005-WO-PCT (SS180006PCT) than or equal to 1.5 wt% siloxane repeating units, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic composition; 10-60 wt% of a reinforcing agent; and optionally, an additive composition; wherein the sum of the wt% of the polyester, the flame retardant composition, the poly(etherimide) composition, the reinforcing agent, and the optional additive composition total 100 wt%, and wherein a sample of the composition exhibits a UL-94 rating of V-0 at a thickness of 0.6 mm, and the thermoplastic composition comprises 1500 ppm or less of added fluorine, or 1500 ppm or less of total fluorine.

13. A method of making the thermoplastic composition of any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising melt-mixing the components of the composition, and, optionally, extruding the composition.

14. An article comprising the thermoplastic composition of any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A method of manufacturing the article of claim 14 comprising molding, casting, or extruding the composition to provide the article.

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