IL102954A - Polymeric compositions useful as versatile additives in plastics processing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to novel compositions to be useful as special additives in the. plastic industry. More particularly, the invention relates to novel compositions based on polycondensates which possess a broad spectrum of properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of plastics which began slowly in the second half J. . ' of this r" century, is now very developed. It can be found useful in a widervariety of purposes such as in the manufacture of autojn bile parts and bodies, toys, housewares, television' and radio, cabinets , furniture, out-door i furniture, etc. This wide variety of products require accordingly a large number of additives which have to be present for a specific purpose and/or for a particular type of processing. Typical examples of uses fo-r these additives-, without being exhaustive, are as follows: regulators of viscosity , processing aids , imparting thermal stability, improving injection molding or extrusion processes, plasticizers , release agents , carriers and dispers- ants for pigments and colorants, etc. Generally, each additive may fulfill one or more of these purposes, but Iftert? can not be found only one additive to serve alone for all these purposes.

It should be pointed out that the development of the plastic industry is not merely based on new polymers, but rather on new compositions comprising one or more known compounds, using coupling agents, so that "tailor-made" products could be obtained.

The literature is quite abundant with reviews on various topics giving different mechanisms how to influence a particular property of a polymer. One approach on which the researchers concentrate is the magnesium-containing polymers which were $t e „ · to possess interesting rheological properties. Thus, a magnesium oxide paste dispersed in styrene monomer, was suggested as a thicken-ing agent to an unsaturated polyester resin. he mechanism to its activity is' quite c ntrover;-ieil between one theory which sustains that the increase in viscosity during thickening is attributable primarily to ionic association between the carboxylic anions and the magnesium ions, versus another theory which maintains that this is due to the formation of chain branching. The chain branching is a result of the reaction between the dicarboxylic acid groups on a polyester chain and magnesium oxide, yielding high molecular weight species.

Another mechanism was suggested by CD. Han et al. (Trans. Soc. heol. 19, 245, 1975) mentioning that magnesium ions in mixtures of unsaturated polyester resin and MgO paste, are not permanently associated with any particular carboxylic acid groups.

Release agents are ,j^ai Mold flow improvers form another important group of additives, having the purpose to reduce viscosity, imparting to the polymer an increasing flow, decreasing the drag. The most used compounds as flow improvers are oleo-acids. Oleo-esters or oleo-amides as well as metallic stearates are specifically mentioned not to be effective for this purpose (S.Percell, Antec 89, 1339-1341).

Fluorochemicals comj^se an interesting group of additives being claimed to possess various properties such as: enhanced thermal stability, adhesion to low-energy surfaces, surface lubricity, protecting surfaces from chemical penetration, etc. The general characteristic of these compounds is the bond strength C-P which impartsVthem the high degree of stability . Blends of fluorocarbon-elastomer polyethylene glycol were found to be quite effective in improving the processability of low density polyethylene, by reducing the apparent viscosity and eliminating melt deffects. The main disadvantage of the fluoro-compounds is their increased volatility, which limits their use in several cases and their relatively high cost..

Processing aids are another interesting group of additives which help in the processing of polymers by improving their flow properties. They can serve as melt promoters by reducing melting temperature,, pigment wetting agents and impact modifiers'. Generally, the chemical compounds used for this purpose are metal fatty-acids combined with amides and hydrocarbon aliphatic resin blends.

Lubricants are very frequently used in the plastic industry primarily to improve processability by lowering the melt viscosity or by preventing the polymer from sticking to the metal surfaces of the processing equipment. Most of the lubricants are used in the PVC processing being critical to extrusion, calendering and injection-molding processes.

Plasticizers ■ are also commonly used in the plastic industry. Generally, they are defined as materials of low volatility added to polymers in order to enhance flexibility, resiliency, and melt flow. Most of them are organic liquids possessing high molecular weight. Most of the plasticizers are used with PVC and a minor amount is also used in cellulosic, nylon, polyolefin and styrene materials. The plastification in PVC can be achieved either externally or internally.

The literature is quite silent on the use of additives which have the capability of hardening and stiffening polymers or influencing the obtaining of a tough smooth surface on polymers and could impart a scratching resistance property without affecting other desirable properties. .f The above brief review clearly indicates the complex formulation of various additives required in the plastic industry.The problem is more complicated when the various compounds have to be compatible with a specific system without imparting contradictory properties. Therefore it is a long felt need to be able to use one single additive which could fulfill as much as possible of the requirements in a processing of a plastic material.

It is an object of" the present invention to provide novel compositions to be used in the plastic industry. It is another object of the present invention to provide novel compositions which possess a broad spectrum of properties useful as additives in the plastic industry. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide novel compositions which can be easily obtained from inexpensive starting materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

The invention consists in novel compositions, resulting from the reaction between a modified polycondensate having a molecular weight in the range of between 200-15,000 and a metal oxide or hydroxide of group II, said modified polycondensate being ibc reaction product of a polyol and polycarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof, which comprises at least one unsaturated acid, wherein: (a) the mol,ar ratio between the 'polycarboxylic acid and polyol is the in G ange of 0.90 to 1.9, and (b) the respective metal oxide or hydroxide' is up to. the required amount whiclj could be bound by the reactive free end groups in said polycondensate he compositions being characterized by a viscosity of at least 5,000 cps at 90°C.

It was unexpectedly found that the novel compositions possess a very broad spectrum of properties useful in the plastic industry and thus will avoid the necessity of adding various known reagents which are recommended for specific purposes. Moreover, these compositions are versatile and can be produced in a manner which will be "tailor-made" for a specific need. This versatility is obtained by varying the parameters in the reaction, i.e. the molecular weight of the polycondensate, molar ratio between the polycarboxylic acids and polyols, the amount of said metal oxide or the extent of unsaturation in the carboxylic acid. The end groups in said polycondensates also have a significant influence on the resulting properties.Among such free end groups > should be mentioned the following : -OH~ , -COOH-, carbonyl, cyclic structures or unsaturated moieties, etc. The structure of the unsaturated polycondensate chains embodies a' number of structural elements that affect the properties of the final product. As known in polycondensation , the reaction procee ds in a progressive stepwiseV since whatever the chain length of each individual molecule, the reactivity remains substantially' the same. Accordingly, in the final product there may be a wide variation in the composition j, A person skilled in the art will select the proper parameter as well as the end group in said polycondensate according to the specific requirement and end use for the composition. The polycondensates according to the present invention are obtained by the reaction of a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid containing at least one unsaturated acid. An increase in the percent of unsaturation and/or crosslinking , which causes an increase in the molecular weight, will, improve both the hardness resistance and the scratch resistance. Preferred molecular weights of the modified polycondensate are in the range of between 1,000 and 5,000.

Among the polyols w^iek are useful there can be mentioned: diols and the various glycols such as: ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butane diol, neopentyl glycol, bisphenol etc., or any combination thereof, the preferred one being selected in order to incorporate a desired chain length and chemical groups which would impart particular properties to the polycondensate and accordingly to the final product. Thus for instance, the use of pentaerythrjtol will impart significant heat resistance, while the use of neopentyl glycol will impart particular resistance to abrasion and will improve its withstanding to weathering conditions. On the other hand, the use of a polyol containing bromine will impart a flame retarcfrant property. In the latter casje one may even further increase the flame retardancy property, by adding to the polycondensate another bromine-containining polymer, such as tribromostyrene which in the presence of a crosslinking agent and the magnesium hydroxide will react obtaining a most improved reagent for this purpose.

The polycarboxylic acids may comprise unsaturated acids as well as saturated acids, generally, possessing a long chain acid; a typical example is adipic acid to be preferred when flexible elements are desirable in the composition. Other typical examples of useful polycarboxylic acids are: phthalic acid and anhydride thereof, tere- phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, succinic acid and anhydride thereof, chlorendic anhydride (known as "HET"), maleic acid, furnaric acid, glutaric acid or any mixture thereof. The ratio between the polycarboxyl ic acids, nay be varied and selected according to the specific requirement, as known in the art. In case of a mixture of phtha-lie anhydride and maleic anhydride, the molar ratio between them will affect east resin properties, such as tensile elongation, heat deflection point or softening temperature and reactivity. Thus for instance, by using more maleic anhydride, which will cause an increase in the molecular weight, an increased cured hardness and reactivity will result. On the other hand, by Increasing the amount of phthalic anhydride, the product obtained will possess a decreased reactivity.

The polycondensate product obtained is subsequently reacted with a metal oxide or hydroxide of group II.Among the metal oxides or hydroxides suitable for this reaction the following can be mentioned: Ca, n, Ba, Pb and g or any mixture thereof. In particular preferable is the magnesium oxide,or hydroxide in view of its high reactivity and low concentration required in order to accomplish its role. It was found that the amount of metal oxide, or hydroxide which is incorporated is quite critical for obtaining the desired composition and should not exceed that required to be bound by the free end groups in the modified polycondensate. generally, the preferred amount of magnesium oxide will not be above 35% by weight of the polycondensate. The reaction between the polycondensate and the metal oxide or hydroxide occurs even without any catalyst but sometimes it is desirable to incorporate a known catalyst or to heat the mixture in order to get a fast reaction. For some particular cases, such as for improving hardness, or for obtaining an additive for anti-scratchy , the incorporation of a crosslinking agent such as benzoyl peroxide is desirable.

Another useful property of the polymeric compositions, is their use in producing polyethylene films which reduce the infra-red transmission property, and therefore can influence a microclimate in a greenhouse by bringing down t heat losses at night and warm-up during the day.

The exact mechanism in the formation of the new composi- tions .IS. not yet fully elucidated. A possible mechanism might comprise two subsequent steps: - A first step, wherein the polycondensate is obtained by the reaction of a polycarboxylic acid and a polyol and discharged as a molten mass into drums to solidify, generally at a temperature of about 50°C.

- In the second step, the polycondensate is heated at about 170°C.when it is melted and then the metal oxide or hydroxide is added under vigorous mixing by a High Shear Mixer, the temperature being maintained in the range of 100 to 200°C according to the desired property for a fotrt icula*' use. The viscosity starts to rise till reaching a thermosetting state.

When a crosslinking reaction is involved, the temperature is in the range of between 200°C to about 280°C.

In the following Table 1, are summarized the results obtained on a Kofler Bank Instrument with various amounts of magnesium oxide in the range of 0 to 9% by weight of the polycondensate . The molten mixtures of polycondensate and magnesium oxide were left to react at a temperature of 140°C for different periods of time measuring the (softening point) and M^" (gelling point).

Exp. No. % of MgO Reaction Time M Ml l12 (minutes) (T°C) (T°C) 1 0 - 50 120 2 3 30 85 160 3 3 60 100 215 4 3 ao 120 >260 5 6 30 105 .180 6 6 60 150 250 7 ■ 6 90 175 >260 8 9 30 125 230 9 9 60 180 250 10 9 90 200 >250 The DSC graphs correlating the heat flow as a function of temperature for three experiments (1, 6 and 9) are presented in the attached Figure 1.

As can be noticed from the above Table 1 , an increase in the amount of magnesium oxide caused an increase in the corresponing softening point. When crosslinking takes place, and !V^ are correlated to the amount of the metal oxide, the temperature and the reaction time.

The polymer compositions were found to be most useful as scratch resistant additives for injection or extrusion of polypropylene. In the following Table 2 are given the results obtained using polypropylene and compared with a polymer composition according to the present invention containing a polycondensate with 9% MgO.

TABLE 2: Scratching resistance of polypropylene articles obtained by injection.

Amount of polycondensate Scratch resistance (Newtons containing 9% MgO - (measured by a Harte Prufstab (PHR) Type 318, Erichsen Ltd.) 0 1 10 5 The modified polycondensates obtained with different amounts of metal oxide will be most useful as additives for various polymers such as polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), vinyls such as polyvinyl chloride, styrenics, such as styrene-acrylonitrile and generally to a polymer which contains double bonds. Thus, for instance, a composition with 3% of metal oxide will be useful for a polymer- with low processing temperature such as copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate. A composition with 6% of metal oxide, will be useful for a polymer with a medium processing temperature such a$ olyethylene . On the other hand, a composition with 9%, ot metal oxide, will be useful for a polymer with a high processing temperature such as PVC,4 or as a scratch resistant additive for polyolefins such as polypropylene. In this respect it should be particu-cularly mentioned, its use in baths, sinks and furniture manufacturing from polypropylene containing this scratch resistance additive. In this manner, the use of an additive with polypropylene could replace the well-known complex manufacture as used to-day. A person skilled in the art after reading the present specification will be in a position to select the proper composition to be adequate and useful as an additive according to the particular polymer to be processed and its final use.

Another use of the compositions, is as a carrier of a pigment, obtaining a multipolymer dry pigment which serves as a solid colorant concentrate. In this manner, the composition will produce a much better dispersion in the pigment through the final product and will leach out pigment to the surface, thus obtaining a "deeper" colour which enables the use of less pigment.

According to another embodiment, it is possible to incorporate in the polymeric composition according to the present invention, a small amount of isocyanate, generally in the range of 1% to 10% by weight of the composition, which will react with the OH groups and will avoid the sticking of the polymer-' to a mold. Also, due to an inherent reaction with ..'some free hydroxy groups and in the presence of water/ the carbon dioxide formed will cause ao an expansion of the polymer , effect which for certain . . A purposes might be most desirable. In case that the evolution of gases is undesirable, the reaction should be carried out out using a known degassing technigue.

The novel compositions appear in a solid form of a relatively low melting point which can be varied so that it reaches a molten sfeate at the compounding temperature of the respective polymer.

Condensates obtained from carboxylic acids and glycols are well-known in the art, generally encountered under the name of alkyds. In contrast to these alkyds where an excess of glycol is present, the polycondensates obtained according to the present invention are characterized by the presence of an excess of carboxylic groups. Generally , the excess of polycarboxylic acid is not above 2 moles per mole of glycol. It is also required that no steric interference should exist in the particular reagents used, in order to enable the reaction between the carbo-xylic group and the metal oxide.

The novel pompositions according to the present invention were tested in the processing of PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene and were found to increase the production output up to 15% for extrusion and about 5% for injection molding. This advantage i¾ a substantial economical bonus in addition to the improved property of thermal stability which they impart ' by their incorporation in . polymer processing. The amounts of the composition to be added in the processing of a polymer are quite versatile. Concentrations of up to 15% were tested with no substantial influence on the product properties. Generally, the preferred concentrations are between 1% to 8% by weight of the PVC. The selected concentration should be an optimization of improving productivity and profitability.

In the following Table 3, are presented the results on output increase of PVC injection, as a function of the concentration' of a composition prepared according to the present invention based on a polycondensate comprising propylene glycol-phthalic anhydride-maleic anhydride and zinc oxide.

TABLE 3 : Increase of injection output as a function of the amounts of the added composition.

Exp. Output increase % of the composition No. (%) incorporated. 1 1 3.2 2 2.3 5 3 3.8 7 4. 5.0 / 10 The novel compositions were also found to improve the processing of polypropylene as well as its properties. Thus, using a composition based on a reactive polymer based on a composition of a poly ( propylene-maleate-phtha- late) reacted with magnesium oxide and compounded to a Master Batch with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, will achieve a reduction " in the temperature processing of polypropylene of about 20°C.

A substantial increase in the melt flow index was obtained when a composition according to the present invention was incorporated in the processing of styrene-acrylo- nitrile resin. In the following Table 4 there are presented the results obtained on the melt flow index as a function of the compositions added.

Melt flow index of styrene-acrylonitrile as a function of the amount of the composition added.

Exp. % of the added MFI (at 200°C,5kgf) No. composition. lOg/min. 1 0 6.7 2 . 2.5 8.0 3 5.0 9.5 4 10.0 12.0 5 15.0 13.5 One may also conceive to incorporate into the polymeric compositions other monomeric or polymeric moieties in order to impart particular properties. A typical example, is the addition of acrylates, which will improve the impact properties as well as the internal plastification .

Summing up, among the main properties and advantages which are imparted by the polymeric compositions according to the present invention, the following are particularly mentioned: - Curing on post heating, adding to scratch resistance.

- Improvement in processability behaviour.

- Lowering of melt viscosity.

- Reducing the melt fracture allowing processing at faster rates.

- Reducing friction between resin particles.

- Immediate increase in the production output.

- Ensuring a more complete filling of complex cavities.

- Imparting a low processing temperature.

- Reducing fusion temperatures and gel-time parameter.

- Improving surface quaii.ty' of finished products.

- Improving adhesion to substrates.

- Improving thermal stability for prolonged periods.

- Influencing wave length transmission (IR) thus increasing the uses for greenhouses purpose.

- Improving flame retardancy by its combination with known reagents for this purpose.

- Improving smoke suppression and char formation by its combination with known reagents for these purposes.

The invention will be hereafter illustrated by a number of Examples on the preparation of the new compositions, being understood that these Examples are presented only for a better understanding of the invention, and no limitation should be considered , since many changes may be envisaged without being outside the scope of the invention as covered by the appended Claims.

EXAMPLE 1.

The apparatus used consisted of a vessel provided with a stirrer, a reflux and a vacuum distillation unit .

In a first step the polycondensate was prepared as follows: The following reagents were introduced iritp;said vessel: - 230 g of propylene glycol; - 130 g of ethylene glycol; - 270 g of dipropylene glycol; - 750 g of phthalic' anhydride, and - 200g of maleic anhydride . k A stream of carbon dioxide was passsed through the vessel, in order to impart an inert medium for avoiding any oxidation during the reaction.

The reaction mixture was heated to about 160°C and maintained for about two hours under reflux. The vessel was further heated to a temperature of about 210°C, maintaining the temperature* in the reflux column at 98°C. After about two hours, vacuum was applied for one hour and then the reaction was stopped. The resulting polycondensate solidified at the room temperature.

In the second step, an amount of 1000 g of the above polycondensate heated to 160°C, was mixed with 90 g of magnesium oxide under a vigorous stirring maintaining the same temperature. Samples were taken out at various intervals, measuring the softening and gelling points on a Kofler Bank Instrument until a substantially solidified product was obtained. After cooling, the composition was finally ground being used as an additive in the processing of styrene-acrylonitrile resin, increasing its melt flow index as shown in Table 4.

EXAMPLE 2.

In the same reactor as in Example 1, an amount of 310 g of isophthalic. acid and 200 g butane diol were introduced and after passing a stream of carbon dioxide, heated at 170°C under reflux for about two hours. The reactor was further heated to a temperature of 200°C for two additional hours. After cooling to about 140°C, an amount of 460 g of fumaric acid and 300 g of butane diol were added. The reactor was heated at a temperature of about 150°C under reflux for one hour and further heated to about 200°C for additional two hours and maintained under vacuum for one hour .

An amount of 1000 g" of the above polycondensate was mixed with 30 g of zinc oxide and maintained for about eight hours in an oven at 170°C. After cooling, the composition "was compounded to a master batch 1:1 with a copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate (28% vinyl acetate, a melt flow index of 25 and density of 0.95).

The resulting master batch was used in the injection molding of PV's, as shown in Table 3, without any influence on its mechanical properties and had the advantage of a 20 C decrease in the injection temperature.

Example 3.

In the reactor as in Example 1, the following reagents were introduced: - 335 g of propylene glycol; - 300 g of phthalic anhydride, and - 200 g of maleic anhydride.

A stream of nitrogen was passed through the vessel in order to avoid any' oxidation during the reaction. The reactor was heated rapidly., to about 120°C and further heated slowly to 150-165°C under a reflux column. At a temperature of 150°C, the reflux started, and the reactor was kept under this heating for about 3 hours. Upon reaching acid number in the range of 60 to 70, the temperature was increased and vacuum applied.The reaction was stopped, when the acid number was between 30 to 40. The resulting product solidified at room temperature and it was found that it had a molecular weight of 1,100 and a dispersion ratio of 1.9.

An amount of 1,000 g of the above polycondensate was heated to about 170°C. To the heated mass, which served as a pigment carrier, an amount of 990 g of a yellow pigment powder (Irgazin Yellow 3RLTN) was added, and vigorously stirred with a high shear mixer. After heating the mixture of the carrier and the pigment for an addi- tional hour at 170 C, an amount of 100 g of magnesium hydroxide and 10 g of benzoyl peroxide were added and maintained this temperature for about 4 hours. After cooling and grinding, the mixture was found to contain 47% yellow pigment and was used as a colorant and compar-red to the 100% powdered yellow pigment as follows: Compounds of plasticized polyvinyl chloride and 1% of the above dry colorant composition and compounds of styrene acrylonitrile resin with 0.8% of the above dry colorant were prepared on - a roll mill and compared with similar compositions prepared with* the respective amount of the original yellow pigment. It was found that the product containing the dry colorant was better dispersed and developed a deeper colour than that obtained with the powdered pigment itself.

Example 4.

An amount of 100 g of the polycondensate as in Example 1, was heated in an oil bath at 170°C with 10 g of maleic anhydride under vacuum (20 inch Hg). To the resulting reaction product, 30 g of magnesium oxide were added under a vigorous agitation.

The mixture was introduced into an oven at 170°C for 12 hours. After cooling and grinding into a powder the resulting product was added to a polypropylene composition (A) and tested for scratchi .. , elongation and impact strength. A comparative experiment was carried out using the same polypropylene but without the composition according to the present invention (B). The results obtained are presented in the following Table 6.

Table 6: Properties of polypropylene compositions with and without the additive according to the invention .

Composition Elongation Impact Scratch Strength Strength (ft. lb/in) (pencil) A 200 0.91 2H B 300 0.95 HB Example 5.

The polycondensate was prepared as in Example 3, but the composition of the constituents was as follows: - 170 g of propylene glycol; 70 g of ethylene glycol; - 330 g of phthalic anhydride, and - 100 g of maleic anhydride.

An amount of 1,000 g of polycondensate was introduced in an oven at 170°C. After the mass liquefied, an amount of 90 g of magnesium oxide was added and kept in the same oven for a period of 4 hours at 170°C.

After cooling and grinding of the mass to a powder form, it was tested as an additive for improving the flow in the injection of Nylon 6 reinforced by fiber glass (3 mm length ) .

The results on tensile strength, elongation and length of the spiral during the injection of the composition with the additive according to the present invention (A) and without the additive (B) are presented in the following Table 7. ! ' .

Table 7: Tests of injection molding of Nylon 6 reinforced with 3356 of fibe -glass (3 mm length). \ Composition Tensile strength Elongation Spiral's (Kg/sq.cm) (%) length (inch) 1420 1395 An amount of 1000 g of the polycondensate as obtained in Example 5, was heated in an oven at 170°C. After the liquefaction of the mass, there were added an amount of 90 g of magnesium oxide and 40 g of a paste of 50% benzoyl peroxide and thoroughly mixed. The mixture was introduced in an oven and kept for 8 hours at l?0°c .

After cooling the mass was ground to a powder and used as an additive in the injection of polypropylene.

The properties of the product obtained (A), compared with those without the additive (B) are presented in the following Table 8.

Table 8 : Properties of products obtained by injection of polypropylene with the additive.

Composition Modulus { ensile Elongation Scratching strength strength resistance (kg/sg.cm) (kg/sq.cm) {%) ( pencil ) 1820 340 25 2H B 1630 330 28 HB

Claims (22)

- 2£ - 102,954/2

1. C L A I M S :- 1. Polymeric composition resulting from the reaction between a modified polycondensate having a molecular weight in the range of between 200 and 15,000 and a metal oxide or hydroxide of group II, said modified polycondensate being the reaction product of a glycol and a polycarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof which comprise at least one unsaturated acid, wherein: (a) the molar ratio between the polycarboxylic acid and polyol is in the range of 0.9 to 1-9, and (b) the amount of said metal oxide or hydroxide is up to that required for binding the free end groups in said polycondensate; the composition being characterized by a minimum viscosity of at least 5,000 cps at 90°C.

2. The composition according to Claim 1, wherein said free groups are selected from hydroxy, carboxy, carbo-nyl, hydrocarbons with cyclic structures and unsaturated moieties. - 2 ? - 102,954/2

3. The composition according to Claim 1, wherein said metal is selected from magnesium, calcium, barium, lead and zinc*

4. The composition according to Claim 1, wherein the amount of said oxide or hydroxide is up to 35% by weight of the polycondensate.

5. The composition according to Claims 1 to 4, wherein said composition has a molecular weight in the range of between 1000 and 15000.

6. The composition according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein said polyol is selected from diols and glycols.

7. The composition according to Claim 6, wherein said glycol is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butane diol, neopentyl glycol, pentaerythritol and bisphenol or any combination thereof.

8. The composition according to Claim 7, wherein said polyol contains an amount of bromine which is sufficient to impart a flame retardance property. - 2» - 102,954/2

9. The composition according to Claim 1, wherein the polycarboxylie acid is selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid, phtha-lic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid or anhydrides thereof, chlorendic anhydride (HET) and any mixture thereof.

10. The composition according to Claims 1 to 9, wherein a catalyst is used in the preparation of the polyconden-condensate .

11. The composition according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein a crosslinking agent is used in the reaction between the polycondensate and the oxide or hydroxide.

12. The composition according to Claims 1 to 5,wherein said polycondensate becomes a melt at a temperature of about 50°C.

13. The composition according to Claims 1 to 5,wherein the composition reaches a thermosetting state at a temperature in the range of between 100 and 280°C. 102.9S4/2

14. A method for improving the processing of a polymer selected from polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS, styrene-acrylonitrile, polyamide and polyester wherein a composition according to Claims 1 to 5 is incorporated during the processing thereof -

15. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said polymer composition is used as an anti-scratch additive.

16. The method according to Claim 14, wherein known additives, such as silica-alumina, are incorporated into said composition in order to reduce the infra-red transmission.

17. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said composition s used as a carrier of a pigment in the form of a multipolymer dry colour concentrate.

18. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said composition imparts an increase in the production output .

19. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said compositionA produces an increase in the melt flow inde . !9a,9S4/l

20. The method according to Claim 14, wherein said composition added in the processing of PVC is in the range of 1% to 8% by weight of the PVC.

21. Compositions of matter resulting from the reaction between a modified polycondensate and a metal oxide or hydroxide from group II, substantially as described in the specification and claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13.

22. A method for improving the processing of polymers, substantially as described in the specification and claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 20. For the Applicant, Patent Attorney