GB2085899A

GB2085899A - Flame retardant composition

Info

Publication number: GB2085899A
Application number: GB8130542A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-10-11
Filing date: 1981-10-09
Publication date: 1982-05-06
Also published as: GB2085899B

Abstract

The composition comprises a flame retardant selected from calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and polyether polyols, and a binder selected from vinyl, vinylidene and acrylic monomers, polymers and copolymers.

Description

SPECIFICATION Flame retardant composition The present invention relates to a flame retardant composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition having flame-retardant properties, to materials treated with such a composition, and to articles formed from a such a composition.

Ceramic fibre mats and blankets have excellent flame retardant and heat insulation properties.

However, the possible uses of such ceramic fibre mats and blankets are limited because of the following disadvantages: (i) The mats and blankets have low mechanical strength; (ii) The mats and blankets have a tendency to powder due to friction between the individual ceramic fibres; and (iii) the individual ceramic fibres of the mats and blankets have a tendency to break on flexing.

It would, therefore, be advantageous if the above disadvantages possessed by ceramic fibre mats and blankets could be eliminated or at least substantially reduced whilst not deleteriously affecting the flame retardant and heat insulation properties of the mats and blankets.

Polyurethane foam, which is at the present time commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, has the disadvantages that it is inflammable and, on burning, produces highly toxic fumes. There has, therefore, been considerable work carried out in an attempt to produce materials that can be used to flame retard polyurethane foam and which are economically acceptable to furniture manufacturers.

By practice of the present invention there may be provided a flame retardant composition which can be used to treat ceramic fibre mats and blankets to increase their mechanical strength, and to reduce the tendency of the individual ceramic fibres to powder or break, whilst retaining flexibility of the mat or blanket.

By practice of the present invention there may also be provided a flame retardant composition which can be used to treat foam materials, e.g. polyurethane foam, to render it flame retardant and which would be economically acceptable to furniture manufacturers.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a composition which comprises: (a) as a flame retardant, one or more materials selected from calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and polyether polyols; and (b) as a binder for (a), one or more materials selected from vinyl, vinylidene and acrylic monomers, polymers and copolymers, the copolymers being formed by reaction of one or more monomers selected from vinyl, vinylidene and acrylic monomers with one or more olefinic materials.

The calcium carbonate, when present in the composition of the invention, may, for example, be in the form of a micronized dolomite such as Microdol Extra which is marketed by Norwegian Talc Limited. The calcium carbonate may, for example, be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. The calcium carbonate may, for example, be present in an amount of up to 55% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

The sodium carbonate may, for example, be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. The sodium carbonate may, for example, be present in an amount of up to 55% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

An example of a polyether polyol suitable for use in the composition of the present invention is Amguard CU which is marketed by Albright and Wilson. The polyether polyol(s) may, for example, be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. The polyether polyol(s) may, for example, be present in an amount of up to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

Examples of vinyl monomers suitable for use per se in the composition of the present invention, or for use in producing the polymers or copolymers which may be used in the composition of the present invention, include vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride.

Olefinic materials suitable for use in producing the copolymers include ethylene, propylene and styrene.

Acrylic copolymers suitable for use in the composition of the present invention include styrene/acrylic copolymers such as Vinacryl 7170 and Vinacryl 7172, which are marketed by Vinyl Products.

Preferably the binder is present in the composition of the invention in an amount of at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. The amount of the binder, present in the composition preferably does not exceed 90% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

The composition of the present invention may, if desired, contain water. For example, the binder may be utilized in the form of an aqueous emulsion.

Water, if present in the composition of the invention, may, for example, be present in an amount of up to 90% by weight, based on the weight of the composition. For particular applications it may be desirable for the composition to contain at least 10% by weight of water, based on the weight of the composition.

The composition of the present invention may, if desired, contain additional constituents, i.e.

materials in addition to the above-identified flame retardant(s), binder and optional water. For example, the composition may contain one or more additional constituents selected from plasticizers, fillers, smoke retardants and additional flame retardants. An example of a suitable plasticizer is diisobutyl phthalate and an example of a suitable filler material is micronized slate.

Suitable additional flame and smoke retardants include cellulose ethers, for example, hydroxyethyl cellulose. One commercially available form of hydroxyethyl cellulose is marketed under the name Natrasol 250 HHR by Hercules Products Company. The additional flame retardants and/or smoke retardants may, for example, be present in an amount of up to 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

The composition of the present invention may be prepared by admixing the constituents in any order. However, when the composition comprises, in addition to the binder, at least two other constituents, it is preferable to firstly admix the other constituents and to then add and admix the binder. Such an order of admixture is preferable since it allows ready observation as to when the constituents, other than the binder, are satisfactorily admixed, i.e. observation of the state of admixture of the constituents, other than the binder, is not impaired by the normally opaque binder.

A preferred method of producing a composition according to the present invention comprising water, binder, polyether polyol and cellulose ether is to initially dissolve the cellulose ether in the water with agitation, for example, for about 30 minutes using a high speed disperser, e.g.

an impeller. To the resulting solution is then added the polyether polyol and this is dissolved in the cellulose ether/water solution with agitation, for example, by agitating for about 5 minutes using a high speed disperser. Finally, the binder is added to the cellulose ether/polyether polyol/water solution and is dissolved therein with agitation, for example by agitating for about four minutes using a high speed disperser. If calcium carbonate and/or sodium carbonate is also present in the composition, then it is preferably added to the cellulose ether/water solution, before addition of the polyether polyol and binder, and dissolved therein with agitation, for example, for about 1 5 minutes using a high speed disperser.

The composition of the present invention may be used for various purposes and the constituents and amount of each constituent present in the composition may be varied depending on the particular use to which the composition is to be put.

One use of the composition of the present invention is in treating fibrous materials. Suitable fibrous materials include ceramic fibres, mineral fibres such as glass fibres, synthetic fibres such as nylon or polyester, and natural fibres such as woollen fibres. The fibrous material may, for example, be in the form of a mat, blanket, woven fabric or individual fibres. If the fibrous materials treated with a composition according to the present invention are to retain flexibility, then it may be necessary to include a plasticizer in the composition.

A ceramic fibre mat or blanket may, for example, be treated with a composition according to the present invention to produce a mat or blanket which is flexible, waterproof, non-inflammable and has increased tensile strength when compared with the untreated ceramic fibre mat or blanket. The increase in the tensile strength means that the mat or blanket is stabilized by the composition and will have a reduced tendency to fall apart on flexing. A further advantage of such a ceramic fibre mat or blanket treated with a composition according to the present invention is that friction between the ceramic fibres, which have a tubular construction, is eliminated or substantially reduced, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing powdering of the fibres by extensive flexing.

Ceramic fibres are of random length and do not have the "hooked" structure known to be possessed by many other fibres. The ceramic fibres are, therefore, difficult to satisfactorily spin into a consolidated thread. It has, however, been found that ceramic fibres may, for example, be treated with a composition according to the present invention to yield fibres having adequate binding action to enable them to be satisfactorily spun into a consolidated thread. Such consolidated threads have the advantage that they have sufficient flexibility to allow them to be woven into a fabric.

It has also been found that individual ceramic fibres may, for example, be treated with a composition according to the present invention to produce fibres having sufficient flexibility to allow them to be woven into a fabric.

Natural fibres such as woollen fibres may, for example, be treated with a composition according to the present invention to produce treated fibres which are flame retardant and flexible.

Glass fibres treated with a composition according to the present invention have been observed to have a higher tensile strength than the untreated glass fibres. The treated glass fibres have also been observed to have increased flame retardancy over the untreated glass fibres. That is, the time taken for the glass fibres to break down when subjected to a flame is greater for the treated glass fibres than for the untreated glass fibres.

If the composition of the present invention is used to treat glass cloth, then the treated material exhibits an increased resistance to fraying when compared with the untreated cloth. The treated glass cloth is also rendered waterproof and exhibits good flame retardant properties.

The composition of the present invention may be applied to the fibrous material by any suitable means, for example, by spraying, dipping or brushing. After application to the fibrous material, the composition is allowed to dry and cure by any suitable means, for example, by allowing the fibrous material treated wth the composition to stand at ambient temperature, by heating it to an elevated temperature, by allowing it to stand in a moving gas stream, e.g. a moving stream of air, at ambient or elevated temperature, or by subjecting it to microwave radiation.

Fibrous materials treated with a composition according to the present invention may, for example, be used in the manufacture of upholstery, mattresses, douvets, eiderdowns, blankets, articles of clothing such as protective clothing, or soft toys. For example, the treated fibrous material, particularly treated ceramic fibres, may be utilized in the construction of the quilted material of my British Patent Specification No. 1,599,055 or the Soft Toys of my British Patent Specification No. 1,488,626 to replace the untreated ceramic fibres utilized therein, or may be utilized in the mattresses and upholstery of my British Patent Specification No. 1,294,646.

When used in the manufacture of mattresses, douvets, eiderdowns, blankets or articles of clothing, particularly articles of protective clothing, the fibrous material, particularly a ceramic fibre mat or blanket, treated with a composition according to the present may, for example, be sandwiched between two layers of a fabric material, preferably a flame retardant fabric material, and the resulting sandwich structure bonded together, for example, by stitching. In order to prevent or substantially reduce movement of the treated fibrous material relative to the outer fabric layers, the sandwich structure may, for example, be quilted in any desired shaped pattern.

If the quilting is achieved by stitching, for example in a diamond-shaped pattern, and the treated fibrous material is a treated ceramic fibre mat or blanket, substantially no breakage of the ceramic fibres by the stitching is observed and consequently no migration of the ceramic fibre mat or blanket away from the stitching occurs. This is particularly important in the manufacture of protective clothing since, if migration of the ceramic fibre mat or blanket away from the stitching did occur, areas would be formed on the clothing having no ceramic fibre mat or blanket located between the outer fabric layers.Therefore, as the ceramic fibre mat or blanket is the principal source of the thermal insulation properties of such a layered structure, areas containing no ceramic fibre mat or blanket between the outer fabric layers would give the wearer of the protective clothing unsatisfactory thermal insulation in these areas. When similar layered structures were produced using a ceramic fibre mat or blanket that had not been treated with a composition according to the present invention, breakage of the ceramic fibres in the region of the stitching, and consequential migration of the ceramic fibre mat or blanket away from the stitching, was observed to occur.

If the quilting of the layered structure, comprising a treated fibrous material layer and outer fabric layers, is achieved by stitching, it has been found that the stitching itself may be rendered flame retardant by treatment of the quilted material with a composition according to the present invention. Such treatment of the quilted material may be achieved by applying the composition of the present invention to the material, for example, by spraying, brushing or dipping, and allowing the treated quilted material to dry and the composition of the invention to cure as previously described.

Similarly, if the outer fabric layers of the quilted material are not of a flame retardant material, they may be rendered flame retardant by treatment of the quilted material with a composition according to the present invention.

Fibrous material, e.g. ceramic fibres, treated with a composition according to the present invention may, for example, be used in upholstery to replace the cotton scrim which is normally present between the inner foam, e.g. polyurethane foam, and the outer fabric layer of the upholstery, or be used as an interliner between the inner foam and the outer fabric layer. Ths use of such a treated ceramic fibre blanket in upholstery is advantageous because it results in good flame retardancy of the upholstery.

Fibrous material mats or blankets may, if desired, be treated on only one of their surfaces with a composition according to the present invention. The treatment of only one surface may, for example, be achieved by spraying or brushing that surface with the composition, or by dipping only that surface of the mat or blanket to be treated into the composition.

A ceramic fibre mat or blanket, only one surface of which has been treated with a composition according to the present invention, has been found to be particularly useful when an inflammable or heat sensitive material has to be shielded from a naked flame or a high temperature, for example, when carrying out the in situ soldering, brazing or welding of pipe joints which are located near to inflammable or heat sensitive materials. In such use the treated ceramic fibre mat or blanket is placed between the naked flame or heat source and the inflammable or heat sensitive material, preferably with the untreated surface of the mat or blanket facing the naked flame or heat source. The mat or blanket, which may be of any suitable size, e.g. 6 inch by 6 inch (15.2 cm x 1 5.2 cm), will withstand temperatures of up to 1,000on or above.

Fibrous material mats or blankets treated with a composition according to the present invention may also be used as a stress relief blanket or as a heat insulating and flame retardant cover for pipes.

A preferred composition for use in treating fibrous materials, e.g. ceramic fibre mats or blankets or glass cloth, has the following composition: Vinamul 6705 (a vinyl acetate olefin copolymer marketed by Vinyl Products) about 500 g Sodium bicarbonate about 250 g Micronized slate about 1 50 9 Diisobutyl phthalate about 50 g Water about 50 g In addition to treating fibrous materials, the composition of the present invention may be used to treat a variety of other materials, e.g. foam materials and leather.

Foam materials which may be treated with a composition according to the present invention are natural and synthetic foams such as foam rubber, polystyrene foam, and polyolefin foams, e.g. polyethylene foams and polypropylene foams. The foam material may be in the form of either a rigid or flexible foam material.

The treatment of foam materials may, for example, be effected by applying a composition according to the present invention to the already produced foam. The composition may, for example, be applied by spraying, dipping, brushing or by submerging the foam in the composition and then rolling the excess composition out of the foam. After application of the composition to the foam material, it is allowed to dry and cure by any suitable means, for example, by allowing the treated foam material to stand at ambient temperature, by '?eating it to an elevated temperature, by allowing it to stand in a moving gas stream, e.g. a moving stream of air, at ambient or elevated temperature, or by subjecting it to microwave radiation.

As an alternative to treating the already produced foam material with a composition according to the present invention, the composition may be added to the material used to produce the foam before it is foamed.

Foam materials treated with a composition according to the present invention exhibit flame retardant and waterproof properties.

When leather is to be treated with a composition according to the present invention, the composition may, for example, be applied by spraying, dipping, brushing or by submerging the leather in the composition and then rolling the excess composition out of the leather. After treatment of the leather, the composition is allowed to dry and cure, for example, by allowing the treated leather to stand at ambient temperature, by heating it to an elevated temperature, by allowing it to stand in a moving gas stream, e.g. a moving stream of air, at ambient or elevated temperature, or by subjecting it to microwave radiation.

A preferred composition according to the present invention for use in treating foam materials or leather has the following composition: Vinamul 6705 about 20 9 Amguard CU (a polyether polyol marketed by Albright and Wilson) about 10 9 Sodium bicarbonate about 10 g Diisobutyl phthalate about 1 0 g Water about 50 g The composition according to the present invention may also be used to form rigid semi-rigid articles by a vacuum-forming process or by casting. If the composition is to be vacuum-formed or cast it may, for example, be used in the form of a mixture with fibrous materials which should be short in lengths, e.g. chopped fibres, and which act as a reinforcement in the article produced.

The fibrous materials that may be used in the vacuum-forming and casting processes include ceramic fibres, mineral fibres such as glass fibres, synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester, and natural fibres such as woollen fibres.

The vacuum-formed and cast articles are observed to be flame retardant and unaffected by water or steam. Consequently, they may, for example, be used to surround pipes or containers where flame retardancy is necessary.

An advantage of the semi-rigid articles is that they can be shaped as desired, e.g. shaped and clipped around the outer surface of a pipe or container. If rigid articles are to be used for this purpose, then the article must be formed into the desired shape.

As an alternative to using such vacuum - formed and cast articles to surround pipes, it is, of course possible to use the previously described mats, blankets and woven fabrics that have been treated with a composition according to the present invention.

An advantage of vacuum-formed or cast articles, e.g. boards, produced utilizing a mixture of a composition according to the present invention is that the dust problem often encountered with known vacuum formed and cast articles, e.g. during cutting, is elimated or substantially reduced. Similarly, the dust problem often encountered during cutting of glass fibre mats is eliminated or substantially reduced by treating the glass fibre mat with a composition according to the present invention.

The composition of the present invention may further be used to coat electrical cables or embed electrical cables therein to give the cables flame retardancy and electrical insulation. For example, electrical cables passing through conduit may be embedded in a composition according to the present invention by allowing the composition to flow into the conduit and then drying and curing the composition within the conduit.

If desired, the composition according to the present invention may be used to form extrusion or be used as a paint to treat the surface of materials, e.g. wood, to provide a flame retardant surface.

A preferred composition to the present invention for use in producing vacuum-formed, cast or extruded structures, for use in treating cables, or for use as a paint has the following composition: Vinamul 6705 about 200 g Sodium bicarbonate about 100 9 Micronized slate about 100 g Diisobutyl phthalate about 80 9 Water about 1 0 9 The compositions according to the present invention have been observed to remain stable at temperatures down to as low as -80 C.

The present invention will now be further illustrated by way of the following Examples: Example I A ceramic fibre blanket (- X 6) was treated by spraying by hand with a composition according to the present invention and having the following formulation: Vinyl acetate-olefin copolymer (Vinamul 6705, marketed by Vinyl Products) 500 9 Polyether polyol (Amguard CU, Marketed by Albright and Wilson) 80 9 Cellulose ether (Natrasol 250 HHR, marketed by Hercules Products Company 59 Water 415 9 The treated ceramic fibre blanket was then cured by allowing it to dry at ambient temperature.

The cured blanket was then tested for flexibility, tensile strength and flammability. It was found to be flexible at room temperature and also to retain its flexibility over the broad temperature range of -80 C to + 900"C.

The tensile strength of the cured ceramic fibre blanket was determined by measuring the tensile strength of three strips of the cured blanket cut from different sections of the blanket and then calculating the average of the values obtained for the three strips. By determining the average tensile strength for three strips of the cured blanket, the effect on the measured tensile strength caused by any uneven spraying of the composition of the present invention onto the ceramic fibre blanket is reduced. For comparison purposes, the tensile strength of strips of the untreated ceramic fibre blanket was also determined. The average tensile strength obtained for the treated and cured ceramic fibre blanket was 2,095 kg/m2, whereas the tensile strength obtained for the untreated ceramic fibre blanket was 530 kg/m2.It can, therefore, be observed that by treating the ceramic fibre blanket with the composition according to the present invention an approximately 4-fold increase in the tensile strength of the blanket may be obtained.

When contacted with a naked flame, the treated and cured ceramic fibre blanket was found to be non-inflammable and to retain its flexibility.

Example 2 A ceramic fibre blanket (4 X 6) was treated by spraying by hand with a composition according to the present invention and having the following formulation: Vinyl acetate-olefin copolymer (Vinamul 6705, marketed by Vinyl Products) 50% Sodium bicarbonate 30% Water 20% The treated ceramic fibre blanket was then cured by allowing it to dry at ambient temperature.

Example 3 A ceramic fibre blanket (k X 6) was treated and cured as in Example 1. The cured blanket was then used to form the middle layer of 3-layer laminated structure, each outer layer being of a flame-retardant woollen fabric. The laminate structure was then quilted by stitching in a diamond-shaped pattern.

After extensive flexing of the quilted laminate, no migration of the ceramic fibres away from the stitching was noted. In fact, the outer woollen fabric layers were observed to break down before any migration of the ceramic fibres away from the stitching occurs. Because of these excellent non-migration properties, the quilted laminate structure is satisfactory for use in the manufacture of protective clothing. This is not the case for similar quilted, laminate structures in which an untreated ceramic fibre blanket is used instead of the treated ceramic fibre blanket since the ceramic fibres of the blanket tend to break in the region of the stitching and migrate from the stitching on flexing of the laminate.

Example 4 A composition according to the present invention, and having the following formulation. was vacuum formed into a cup shaped structure and cured by allowing it to dry at elevated temperature: Vinyl acetate-olefin copolymer (Vinamul 6705, marketed by Vinyl Products) 40% by weight Polyether polyol (Amguard CU, marketed by Albright and Wilson) 7% by weight Cellulose ether (Natrasol 250 HHR, marketed by Hercules Products Company) 1.5% by weight Water 51.5% by weight The resulting cured, cup-shaped structure was observed to be unaffected by immersion overnight in water and also to be unaffected by steam.

Example 5 A 6 inch by 6 inch by 2 inch (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm X 1.3 cm ceramic fibre blanket (41 X 6) was treated on one surface with a composition having the following formula: Vinamul 6705 (a vinyl acetate olefin copolymer marketed by Vinyl Products) 500 9 Sodium bicarbonate 250 9 Micronized slate 150 9 Diisobutyl phthalate 50 9 Water 50 9 The treated ceramic fibre blanket was then dried at elevated temperature in air.

After drying, the blanket was tested for flame retardancy by applying the flame of a gas torch (approximately 850 (:) firstly to the untreated surface of the blanket and then to the treated surface. The flame was applied to each side for approximately 2 minutes.

On applying the flame to the untreated side of the blanket no visible deterioration was noted in the blanket and it was found possible to maintain a hand in contact with the treated side whilst the flame was applied to the untreated side.

On applying the flame to the treated side of the blanket some scorching of the surface was noted and on removing the flame some burning of the surface of the blanket was noted.

However, the blanket stopped burning very shortly after removing the flame.

Example 6 A sample of low density polyurethane foam was treated with a composition according to the present invention, the composition having the following formulation: Vinamul 6705 20 g Amguard CU 10 g Sodium bicarbonate 10 g Diisobutyl phthalate 10 9 Water 50 g The treatment was carried out by submerging the sample of polyurethane foam in the composition of the invention, removing the foam from the composition, rolling out of the foam the excess composition, and then drying the foam in a stream of warm air.

On applying the flame of a gas torch (approximately 850"C) to the surface of the treated foam, the foam was observed to melt in the region of the flame but did not support a flame.

Example 7 A sample of leather was treated with a composition according to the present invention, the composition having the following formulation: Vinamul 6705 20 9 Amguard CU 109 Sodium bicarbonate 10 g Diisobutyl phthalate 10 9 Water 50 9 The treatment was carried out by submerging the leather in the composition of the invention, removing the leather from the composition, rolling out of the leather the excess composition, and then drying the leather in a stream of warm air.

On applying the flame of a gas torch (approximately 850"C) to the surface of the treated leather, the leather was observed to carbonize but did not support a flame.

Claims

1. A composition, which comprises: (a) as a flame retardant, one or more materials selected from calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and polyether polyols; and (b) as a binder for (a) one or more materials selected from vinyl, vinylidene and acrylic monomers, polymers and copolymers, the copolymer being formed by reaction of one or more monomers selected from vinyl, vinylidene and acrylic monomers and one or more olefinic materials.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, in which the flame retardant comprises calcium carbonate in the form of micronized dolomite.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the flame retardant comprises calcium carbonate present in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

4. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the flame retardant comprises calcium carbonate present in an amount of up to 55% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

5. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the flame retardant comprises sodium bicarbonate present in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

6. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the flame retardant comprises sodium bicarbonate present in an amount of up to 55% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

7. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the flame retardant comprises a polyether polyol present in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

8. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the flame retardant comprises a polyether polyol present in an amount of up to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

9. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the binder comprises one or more vinyl, vinylidene or acrylic copolymers, the copolymers being formed by reaction of one or more vinyl, vinylidene or acrylic monomers with one or more olefinic materials selected from ethylene, propylene and styrene.

10. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the binder comprises one or more materials selected from vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, polymers of vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride, or copolymers of vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride with one or more olefinic materials.

11. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, in which the binder comprises a styrene/acrylic copolymer.

1 2. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, in which the binder is present in an amount of at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

1 3. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the binder is present in an amount of up to 90% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

1 4. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, which also comprises water.

1 5. A composition as claimed in claim 14, in which the water is present in an amount of at least 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

16. A composition as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, in which the water is present in an amount of up to 90% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

1 7. A composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, which also comprises one or more additives selected from plasticizers, fillers, smoke retardants and flame retardants other than the flame retardants defined in claim 1.

1 8. A composition as claimed in claim 17, in which the plasticizer is diisobutyl phthalate.

19. A composition as claimed in claim 17, in which the filler is micronized slate.

20. A composition as claimed in claim 17, in which the additional flame retardant is a cellulose ether.

21. A composition as claimed in claim 20, in which the cellulose ether is hydroxjethyl cellulose.

22. A composition as claimed in any of claims 17, 20 or 21, in which the additional flame retardant and/or smoke retardants are present in an amount of up to 5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

23. Fibrous material treated with a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

24. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 23, in which the fibrous material is in the form of a mat, blanket, woven fabric or individual fibres.

25. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, in which the fibrous material is selected from ceramic fibres, mineral fibres, synthetic fibres and natural fibres.

26. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 25, in which the fibrous material is glass fibres.

27. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 25, in which the fibrous material is nylon or polyester.

28. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 25, in which the fibrous material is woollen fibres.

29. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 23, in which the fibrous material is in the form of a ceramic fibre mat or blanket and only one surface of the mat or blanket is treated with the composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

30. A method of preparing fibrous material as claimed in any of claims 23 to 29, which comprises applying to the fibrous material a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, said composition being applied by spraying, dipping or brushing, and then allowing the composition to dry and cure.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30, in which the composition, after application to the fibrous material, is allowed to dry and cure by standing the treated fibrous material at ambient temperature, by heating it to an elevated temperature, by standing it in a moving gas stream, at ambient or elevated temperature, or by subjecting it to microwave radiation.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31, in which the composition, after application to the fibrous material, is allowed to dry and cure by standing the treated fibrous material in a moving stream of air at ambient or elevated temperature.

33. Foam material treated with a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

34. Foam material as claimed in claim 33, in which the foam material is foam rubber, polystyrene foam, or a polyolefin foam.

35. Foam material as claimed in claim 34, in which the foam material is polyethylene for polypropylene foam.

36. A method of preparing foam material as claimed in any of claims 33 to 35, which comprises applying to the foam a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, and then allowing the composition to dry and cure, said composition being applied by spraying, dipping brushing or by submerging the foam in the composition and then rolling the excess composition out of the foam.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36, in which the composition, after application to the foam, is allowed to dry and cure by standing the foam at ambient temperature, by heating it to an elevated temperature, by standing it in a moving gas stream at ambient or elevated temperature, or by subjecting it to microwave radiation.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37, in which the composition, after application to the foam, is allowed to dry and cure by standing the treated foam in a moving stream of air at ambient or elevated temperature.

39. A method of preparing foam material as claimed in any of claims 33 to 35, which comprises adding, to the materials used to produce the foam before it is foamed, a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

40. Leather treated with a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

41. A method of preparing leather as claimed in claim 40, which comprises applying to the leather a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, and then allowing the composition to dry and cure, said composition being applied by spraying, dipping, brushing or by submerging the leather in the composition and then rolling the excess composition out of the leather.

42. A method of producing articles, which comprises vacuum-forming or casting a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

43. A method as claimed in claim 42, in which fibrous material is admixed with the composition prior to vacuum-forming a casting of the composition.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, in which the fibrous material is in the form of chopped fibres.

45. A method as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, in which the fibrous material is selected from ceramic fibres, mineral fibres, synthetic fibres and natural fibres.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, in which the fibrous material is glass fibres.

47. A method as claimed in claim 45, in which the fibrous material is nylon or polyester fibres

48. Electrical cables coated with, or embedded in, a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

49. A composition as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the Examples.

50. Fibrous material as claimed in claim 23 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the Examples.