The invention relates to the use of melamine derivatives as gloss modifiers in polymer products and to corresponding methods and processes, as well as obtainable products.

In short, the present invention also provides a method of modulating, especially reducing the gloss of polymeric compositions comprising adding melamine derivatives to polymeric compositions, methods for their manufacture and the corresponding polymeric compositions, as well as products made from these polymeric compositions. Low gloss polymeric compositions formed in accordance with the present invention are suitable for applications where the use of polymers having a matte surface finish is advantageous such as, for example, some automotive (interior) applications.

The technical and environmental advantages of polymers, especially PP (poly(propylene)) and TPO (thermoplastic poly(olefin)), for articles such as automotive interior parts have long been recognized in the automotive market. Most commercial TPO materials for this application have the disadvantage that they must be coated with lacquer or paint or other coatings to provide sufficient scratch resistance and maintain uniform (low) gloss of the final part.

Advanced materials based on PP continue to be popular for automotive interior and exterior components due to major advantages such as low density, convenient processability and good cost/performance balance. The final customers (especially car buyers) continue to increase their quality demands. The (especially car) manufacturers try to meet these demands through improved surface properties, such as scratch resistance, styling harmony, new co- lours and valuable look, as well as good safety properties, e.g. avoiding disturbing light reflections.

The highest level of interest for interior applications are seen in instrument panel structures, consoles, other interior trim parts, instrument panels as such and door panel skins, but also seat components, handles, cargo liners, engine compartment components or the like. Also in other fields corresponding materials are of interest, e.g. for machine housings, appliances, consumer or electronic devices, outdoor vehicles and devices or any other parts or (e.g. fibre or film) articles needing good mechanical strength and favourable optics, such as low gloss. The main substrates, for which low gloss and improved scratch resistance remain an unrealized need, are substrates like talc-filled PP copolymer or PP based TPE (skin). As the composition of these materials can vary in a wide range, it is clear, that low gloss and scratch resistance depends on the resin used, the type and content of elastomer and talc, stabilizers and co-additives as well as pigments and other fillers. In addition also the processing conditions and the surface texture (grain) play an important role.

These new materials are intended to be used without any coatings and may be used for both positive (grained during skin fabrication) and negative (grained in the mould tooling) forming process.

To achieve low gloss, additional filler materials have been used. In many applications, however, these types of fillers tend to impair the mechanical properties of the resultant article, while also not consistently providing a uniform finish. Low gloss may also be achieved through the use of an appropriate surface texture on the injection moulding tool. However, maintaining very low gloss over time in production require frequent surface cleaning / re- texturing, which can be expensive and labour intensive.

While coatings have been used to modify the surfaces of corresponding products, it would in principle be desirable to rather have the bulk material as such being exposed at the surface, as then a scratch would not necessarily mean a deterioration of the surface appearance (the same material still being on the surface) and then it is possible to use fewer steps in manufacturing (e.g. without addition of films which may in addition require one or more additional layers, e.g. as adhesives or the like, drying steps, e.g. for coatings, or the like).

Thus, a need exists to find further polymer compositions that allow for the manufacture of products as mentioned without requiring additional coatings or surface treatments. Especially desirable are compositions allowing with low gloss properties while maintaining other important properties such as scratch resistance and mechanical properties, e.g. tensile modulus, tensile stress at break, tensile strain at break and impact resistance .

Especially, the need for improved scratch resistance polymers, especially TPOs, with low gloss used in automotive applications is well known. The highest level of interest for automotive interior applications are seen in instrument panel structures, consoles, other interior trim parts, instrument panel itself and door panel skins.

Low gloss surfaces of the automotive interior are needed especially for two reasons: a) Safety, e.g. lower reflection from the dashboard on to the windshield, b) Design and aesthetics: low gloss surfaces are perceived as higher quality and higher value parts.

The main substrates (meaning basis materials for articles), for which low gloss and improved scratch resistance remain an unrealized need, are substrates like talc-filled PP copolymer or PP based TPE (skin). As the composition of these materials can vary in a wide range, it is clear that low gloss and scratch resistance depends on the resin used, the type and content of elastomer and talc, stabilizers and co-additives as well as pigments and other fillers. In addition also the processing conditions and the surface texture (grain) play an important role.

These new materials are intended to be used (at least preferably) without any coatings and may be used for both positive (grained during skin fabrication) and negative (grained in the mould tool) forming process.

It has now surprisingly been found that the addition of melamine derivatives, especially melamine phosphate and/or melamine cyanurate, to the polymer compositions allow to achieve the desirable gloss properties while substantially maintaining or even improving the other important properties, e.g. those just mentioned.

The present invention thus, in a first aspect, provides a method of modulating, especially reducing the gloss of polymeric compositions. Low gloss polymeric compositions formed in accordance with the present invention are suitable for applications where the use of polymers having a matte surface finish is advantageous such as, for example, some automotive (interior) applications.

The polymeric compositions formed in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved (especially low) gloss characteristics and good or even improved physical properties.

Generally, the low gloss compositions are formed by melt mixing of polypropylene - A -

compositions with the melamine additives according to the invention.

Fillers such as talc and wollastonite and other processing additives may also be included in the compositions according to the invention. Other customary additives in the polymer field may be present as well.

The present invention thus especially includes a method or process for modulating, especially reducing (lowering), the gloss of a polymer article (the term article including herein a flat product such as a film or a skin, or a three-dimensional product) and/or for producing a low gloss polymer article, comprising adding (especially by melt mixing) to the bulk starting polymer mixture a melamine derivative to modulate, especially reduce (lower), the gloss (in comparison to an otherwise identical mixture which, however, lacks the addition of the melamine derivative) and then forming the article, or the use of a melamine derivative as additive to reduce gloss of a polymer article by adding it to the mixture used for forming said polymer article. Preferably, an amount of melamine derivative is added that is effective in lowering the gloss in comparison to the composition lacking said melamine derivative (but which is otherwise identical).

Preferably, also the conditions of the manufacture of the polymer article to be produced are chosen so that the melamine derivative addition, especially the amount and/or the type of the melamine derivative, in combination with the chosen process conditions leads to a lowering of gloss compared to an article that has an otherwise identical composition but that lacks the melamine derivative(s).

Where the term "modulating" the gloss is used in the present specification, this is also intended to mean that the gloss may be adapted to a desired value, that is, in principle it is also possible that the gloss is increased. In one embodiment of all invention embodiments described herein, the term is however especially used for "reducing" (lowering) the gloss.

The thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention can be formed into a variety of articles by known methods such as thermoforming, extrusion, processing of fibrous substrates, sheet forming, or especially moulding, e.g. extrusion moulding, vacuum moulding, profile moulding, foam moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding, compression moulding, rotational moulding, or the like. The present invention also relates to the use of a melamine derivative as gloss diminishing agent, whereby the melamine derivative is added to a mixture used for forming a polymer article.

Generally, for each embodiment of the invention 1 , 2 or more up to all more general terms within the present disclosure may be replaced by more specific definitions given hereinbefore and hereinafter to give further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Where the indefinite article "a" or "an" is used, this is intended to include "at least one", e.g. "one or more", where "the" is used referring to a feature with an indefinite article, this is also intended to mean "at least one".

The polymeric compositions formed in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved low gloss characteristics and improved physical properties.

Generally, the low gloss compositions are formed conveniently by melt mixing of the polymer substrate, such as polypropylene compositions, with the additives covered in this invention.

The present invention relates to especially commercially available flame retardants products Melamine cyanurate (MELAPUR MC) and Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200). These products are described according to the invention to be useful and used as surface modifier, especially as low gloss additives in PP/TPO polymer compositions and products for automotive applications.

The 1 ,3,5-triazine compound melamine can be described in chemical terms as 2,4,6- triamine-1 ,3,5-triazine. Many derivatives are known, e.g. melam, melem, melon, ammeline, ammelide, 2-ureidomelamine, acetoguanamine, benzoguanamine, diamine phenyltriazine or the like.

Among the most useful melamine derivatives according to the invention, melamine cyanurate is preferred, which may be described in general e.g. by the following summarizing formula:

Note that at least part of the melamine composition (e.g. at least 10 %, e.g. at least 20 %, e.g. at least 30%, e.g. at least 40%, e.g. at least 50%, e.g. at least 60%, e.g. at least 70%, e.g. at least 90% by weight, respectively, of the melamine derivative composition can be of the summarizing formula shown above.

In terms of the atoms participating, the summary formula is C ₃ H ₆ N ₆ ^' C ₃ H ₃ N ₃ O ₃ .

For example, a melamine derivative according to the invention preferably comprises a structure that, in simplified form, may be characterized by the following formula:

This formula merely serves for illustrating structural features that may be comprised in the composition without providing a limiting structure of the whole composition, especially illustrating how the molecules comprised may interact in a small sector of a melamine cyanurate composition useful according to the invention.

Preferred is the corresponding composition known under the CAS Nr.: 37640-57-6, especially represented by the commercial name Ciba MELAPUR® MC (Ciba, Basel, Switzerland).

The melamine cyanurates can be manufactured according to methods that are known in the art, e.g. as described in WO 03/035736 or especially US 5,202,438, each of which is commonly accessible and incorporated by reference herein especially regarding the general and exemplary manufacturing methods and the products described therein.

Alternatively or in addition, among the most useful melamine derivatives according to the invention, melamine phosphates are to be mentioned. These can be described by the following summary formula:

comprising melamine monophosphate (n = 1 ), melamine pyrophosphate (n = 2) and melamine polyphosphates (n = 3 or larger).

This type of composition is usually also referred to as melamine polyphosphate.

The typical summary formula in terms of the elements contributing is (CsH ₆ N ₆ ) ^' (HPC>3) _m , wherein n and m are independently numbers, especially integers (1 , 2, 3, ...).

Preferred as melamine (poly)phosphate is the corresponding composition known under the CAS Nr.: 218768-84-4, especially represented by the commercial name Ciba MELAPUR® 200 (Ciba, Basel, Switzerland). The melamine phosphates can be manufactured according to methods that are known in the art, e.g. as described in WO 00/02869 which is commonly accessible and incorporated by reference herein especially regarding the general and exemplary manufacturing methods and the products described therein.

Also possible are products comprising co-polyphosphates, 1 ,3,5-triazine building blocks and ammonium building blocks, e.g. as described in WO 03/031417 which is commonly available and, especially regarding the compounds of the formula I therein and their manufacture, is incorporated by reference here.

The composition used for forming an article according to the invention preferably comprises the melamine derivative in an amount (by weight) of 0.2 to 40 %, more preferably from about 2 to about 30 % or preferably to about 25 %, yet more preferably from about 2 to about 18 %, e.g. from about 5 to about 15 % by weight.

The size of the melamine derivative particles can e.g. be in the range from about 0.1 to about 100 μm, e.g. from about 0.2 μm to about 50 μm, such as from about 0.5 μm to about 30 μm (mean size as measured e.g. by electron microscopy or preferably by laser diffraction - preferably the size distribution is such that more than 50, more preferably more than 75 % of the particles (by weight) are within ± 50 % of the mean value. Most preferably the numbers mentioned above refer to the d50 particle size obtained according to or in analogy to ISO 13320-1.

Where "about" is used, this is intended to mean that a slight variation (often unavoidable in technical practice) of the numerical value given after "about" is possible, e.g. in the range of ± 10 %, for example ± 3 %, of the given value is possible.

Where "an amount of melamine derivative is added that is effective in lowering the gloss" is mentioned, this is especially meant to include an amount that leads to a reduction of gloss of the resulting article when compared with the otherwise identical composition of an article without added melamine derivative, e.g. (using the method given in the Examples) to a lowering of the gloss by 2 % or more, e.g. by 5% or more, for example by 10 to 99%.

In addition, the process conditions in the methods or uses according to the invention may be modified so as to allow the reduction of gloss in comparison to conditions where no reduction of gloss is possible. Among the parameters that may be modulated are, e.g., the temperature of the melting, the rate of moving the material into the device forming the desired product (e.g. a form for moulding, an extruder, nozzles or the like), the temperature for filling a form for moulding (especially the temperature of the mould before introduction), the temperature of the forming device, the temperature of the processing to the solid product, and the like. The skilled person, based also on the evidence in the Examples, will conveniently be able to devise appropriate process conditions by one or a very limited number of experiments. For example, in the case of forming an article by moulding, the temperature of the mould can be selected in the range from about 20 to about 60 ⁰ C, e.g. in the range from 20 to 30 ⁰ C, the temperature of injection can preferably be chosen in the range from 200 to 280 ⁰ C, e.g. in the range from 200 to 230 ⁰ C, and the injection speed under the equipment conditions given in the Examples can preferably be chosen in the range from 5 mm/sec to 120 mm/sec, e.g. from about 10 to about 100 mm/sec, at least as a starting point if a further experiment should be required.

The basis material (polymer substrate) for the compositions useful for the low gloss products according to the invention may be selected from any type of polymers or polymer mixtures appropriate for melt mixing. Among the possible polymers, the following may be mentioned paradigmatically: a styrene comprising polymer, such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers), SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymers), SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers), ASA (acrylonitrile-acrylate elastomer-styrene copolymers, also acrylonitrile- styrene-acrylate), a polyester, for example derived from dicarboxylic acids and dialcohols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones such as such as PBT (poly(butylene terephthalate), PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly-1 ,4- dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyhydroxybenzoates, copolyether ester or UPES (unsaturated polyesters), PA (polyamides, e.g. polyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, such as polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamides 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 66/6, 6/66, polyamide 11 , polyamide 12, partially aromatic (co)polyamides, for example polyamides based on an aromatic diamine and adipic acid, polyamides prepared from an alkylene diamine and iso- and/r terephthalic acid and copolyamides thereof, copolyether amides, copolyester amides and the like), TPU (thermoplastic elastomers on urethane basis), PS (poly(styrene)), HIPS (high impact poly(styrene)), PC (polycarbonates), as poly(aromatic carbonate)s or poly(aliphatic carbonate)s, e.g. based on bisphenol A and "carbonic acid" units or other bisphenols and/or dicarbonic acid units as comonomers, PC/ABS (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene blend), ABS/PBT (acrylonitrile-butadiene- styrene/poly(butylenes terephthalate) blend), PVC (polyvinyl chloride)); PVC/ABS (polyvinyl chlorideyacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer), PVC/ASA (polyvinyl chlorideyacrylonbitrile-styrene-acrylate), PVC/acrylate (acrylate-modified PVC) and ionomers (copolymerisates of an ionized (at least partially) and an electrically neutral monomer).

In one preferred example, the polymer substrate is a polyolefin (e.g. High Crystalline PP), PC/ABS, ABS, a polyamide, such as PA-6, or a polyolefin rubber or TPE, or for example a polymer as mentioned specifically in the Examples.

Examples of polyolefins are: Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, e.g. polypropylene, e.g. High Crystalline polypropylene, polybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, e.g. cyclopenten or norbornene, polyethylene (optionally crosslinked), e.g. high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), VLDPE and ULDPE, or mixtures of two or more of the polymers just mentioned, e.g. mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene, with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE or PP/LDPE) or mixtures of different types of polyethylene (e.g. LDPE/HDPE), copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, for example ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1- ene copolymers, ethylene/hexane copolymers, ethylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, propylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene /alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers and their copolymers with carbon monoxide, as well as erpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene, such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another or with other polymers mentioned above, for example poly(propylene/ethylene-propylene) copolymers, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LLDPE/EVA) or the like. For example, appropriate polyolefins are as described in WO 2006/003127 (Ciba).

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) comprise e.g. rubber modified polyolefins are also known as thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO). They are basically blends of the polymers mentioned above as polyolefins with impact modifiers, such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer copolymers (EPDM), copolymers of ethylene with higher alpha-olefins (such as ethylene-octene copolymers), polbutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-isoprene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-isoprene copolymers and the like. These blends are commonly referred to as TPOs (thermoplasctic polyolefins). For example, an appropriate TPO has from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of propylene homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer, and about 90 to about 10 weight percent of an elastic copolymer of ethylene and a C ₃ -C ₈ -alpha-olefin.

For example, appropriate TPO are disclosed in US 6 048 942 (Montell).

Polyolefins and rubber modified polyolefins may not solely be the polymer substrate of the present compositions. Not excluded as polymer substrates are copolymers of polyolefins with other polymers or blends of polyolefins with other polymers as described above.

Other additives can be present in the polymer compositions with regard to the invention.

The polymer compositions (polymer substrates) of the present invention thus optionally contain from about 0.01 to about 5%, preferably from about 0.025 to about 2%, and especially from about 0.1 to about 1 % by weight of various further additives, such as the compounds listed below, and optionally in addition up to 40 %, e.g. 0 to 35, for example 10 to 25 % of a nucleating agent or filler (such as talcum), or mixtures thereof:

1. Antioxidants 1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-di- methylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol) 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert- butyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-(oc-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6- di- methylphenol, 2)6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl- 4- methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linear or branched in the side chains, for example, 2,6-di-nonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-methylundec-1-yl)phenol, 2,4-di- methyl-6-(1 -methylheptadec-1-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-methyltridec-1-yl)phenol or mixtures of tow or more thereof.

1.2. Alkylthiomethylphenols, for example 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol]-2,4-dioctyl- thiomethyl-6-methylphenol, 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-dodecylthiomethyl-4- nonylphenol.

1.3. Hydroquinones and alkylated hvdroquinones, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxy- phenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octade- cyloxyphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-bu- tyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydr- oxyphenyl) adipate.

1.4. Tocopherols.

1.5. Hvdroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers.

1.6. Alkylidenebisphenols, for example 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohexyl)- phenol], 2,21-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol)l 2,2'-methylenebis(6-nonyl-4- methyl phenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butyl- phenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α-methylben- zyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 4,4'-methy- lenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 1 ,1-bis(5- tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4- methyl phenol, 1 ,1 ,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 1 ,1 -bis(5-tert-butyl- 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)dicyclopentadi- ene, bis[2-(3'tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4 -methylphenyl]terephthalate], 1 ,1-bis-(3J5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)butane, 2,2-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)pro- pane, 2,2-bis-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylme rcaptobutane, 1 ,1 ,5,5- tetra-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydraxy-2-methylphenyl)pentane.

1.7. Benzyl compounds, for example 3,5,3 ^' ,5,-tetra-tert-butyl-4-4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether. 1.8. Hydroxybenzylated malonates.

1.10. Other Triazine compounds., for example 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyanilino)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1 ,2,3-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1 ,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6- dimethylbenzyl)isocya- nurate, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-hexahydro-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4- hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate. 1.1 1. Benzylphosphonates, for example dimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphospho- nate, diethyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl phosphonate, dioctadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-δ-tert-butyW-hydroxy-S-methylbenzylphosphonate, the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid. 1.12. Acylaminophenols. 1.13. Esters of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols.

1.14. Esters of β-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or poly hydric alcohols.

1.15. Esters of β-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols.

1.16. Esters of 3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono- or polyhydric alco hols.

1.17. Amides of β-(3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl)propionic acid.

1.18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 1.19. Aminic antioxidants.

2. UV absorbers and light stabilizers

2.1. 2-(2-Hvdroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazoles, for example known commercial hydroxyphenyl-

2H-benzotriazoles and benzotriazoles as disclosed in, United States Patent Nos. 3,004,896; 3,055,896; 3,072,585; 3,074,910; 3,189,615; 3,218,332; 3,230,194; 4,127,586; 4,226,763; 4,275,004; 4,278,589; 4,315,848; 4,347,180; 4,383,863; 4,675,352; 4,681 ,905, 4,853,471 ; 5,268,450; 5,278,314; 5,280,124; 5,319,091 ; 5,410,071 ; 5,436,349; 5,516,914; 5,554,760; 5,563,242; 5,574,166; 5,607,987, 5,977,219 and 6,166,218 such as 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl- phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3,5-di-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy- 5-t-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-chloro- 2-(3,5-di-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-chloro-2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-sec-butyl-5-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3,5-di-t-amyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H- benzotriazole, 2-(3,5-bis-α-cumyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy- 5-(2-(ω-hydroxy-octa-(ethyleneoxy)carbonyl-ethyl)-, phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-dodecyl- 2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2- octyloxycarbonyl)- ethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, dodecylated 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)- 2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl) -5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3- tert-butyl-5-(2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-carbonylethyl)-2-hydroxyph enyl)-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)- 5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(3- t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-2H-benzo triazole, 2-(3-t-butyl-5-(2-(2- ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazo le, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2- isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl-2H-benzotriazole, 2,2'-methylene-bis(4-t-octyl-(6-2H-benzo- triazol-2-yl)phenol), 2-(2-hydroxy-3-oc-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy- 3-t-octyl-5-α-cumyl phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-fluoro-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-α-cumylphenyl)- 2H-benzotriazole, 5-chloro-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-α-cumylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazol e, 5-chloro-2- (2-hydroxy-3-α-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzo-triazole, 2-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-(2-isooctyl- oxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3-α-cu- myl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H- benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benz otriazole, methyl 3-(5-trifluoromethyl-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-t-butyl-4-hydro xyhydrocinnamate, 5-butylsulfonyl- 2-(2-hydroxy-3-α-cumyl-5-t-octyl-phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3- α-cumyl-5-t-butylphenyl)-2H- benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t- butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-a-cumylphenyl)-2H- benzotriazole, 5-butylsulfonyl-2-(2- hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole and 5- phenylsulfonyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t- butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole.

2.2. 2-Hvdroxybenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyl- oxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2'J41-tri hydroxy and 2l-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.

2.3. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, as for example 4-tert- butyl phenyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octyl phenyl salicylate, dibenzoyl resorcinol, bis(4-tert- butylbenzoyl)resorcinol, benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzoate, hexadecyl-S.S-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl- 4-hydroxybenzoate, 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy benzoate.

2.4. Acrylates and malonates, for example, α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylic acid ethyl ester or isooctyl ester, α-carbomethoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester, α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxy- cinnamic acid methyl ester or butyl ester, α-carbomethoxy-p-methoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester, N-(β-carbomethoxy-β-cyanovinyl)-2-methyl-indoline, Sanduvor® PR25, dimethyl p- methoxybenzylidenemalonate (CAS# 7443-25-6), and Sanduvor® PR31 , methylpiperidin-4- yl) p-methoxybenzylidenemalonate (CAS #147783-69-5).

2.5. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of 2,2'-thio-bis-[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetrame- thylbutyl)phenol], nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, nickel complexes of ketoximes, or nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional ligands.

2.6. Stericallv hindered amine stabilizers, for example 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperi- dine, 1 -allyl-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1 -benzy-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidine, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) succinate, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetrameth- yl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethy-4-piperidyl) n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensate of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5- triazine, tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl)-1 ,2,3,4-butane-tetracarboxylate, 1 ,1 '-(1 ,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5- tetramethylpiper- azinone), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1 , 2,2,6, 6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert- butylbenzyl) malonate, 3-n-octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1 ,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decan-2,4-dione, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) sebacate, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidyl) succinate, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)- hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, the condensate of 2- chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6J6-tetramethylpiperidyl)- 1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis(3- aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-di-(4-n-butylamino-1 ,2,2,6,6- pentamethylpiperidyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis-(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, 8-acetyl-3- dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1 ,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]ldecane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidin-2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidiπe, a condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, a condensation product of 1 ,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2, 4, 6-trichloro-1 ,3,5- triazine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, N-(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo- spiro[4,5]decane, a reaction product of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza- 4-oxospiro [4,5]decane and epichlorohydrin, 1 ,1-bis(1 ,2,2,6, 6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl- oxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethene], N,N'-bis-formyl-N,N1-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-pi- peridyl)hexamethylenediamine, diester of 4-methoxy-methylene-malonic acid with 1 ,2,2,6,6- pentamethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperi- dyl)]siloxane, reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-α-olefin-copolymer with 2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine or 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperidine. The sterically hindered amine may also be one of the compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,783, the relevant parts of which are hereby incorporated by reference, that is com pounds of component l-a), l-b), l-c), l-d), l-e), l-f), l-g), l-h), l-i), l-j), l-k) or l-l), in particular the light stabilizer 1-a-1 , 1-a-2, 1-b-1 , 1-C-1 , 1-C-2, 1-d-1 , 1-d-2, 1-d-3, 1-e-1 , l-f-1 , 1-g-1 , 1-g-2 or 1-k-1 listed on columns 64-72 of said U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,783. The sterically hindered amine may also be one of the compounds described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,046,304 and 6,297,299, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, for example compounds as described in claims 10 or 38 or in Examples 1-12 or D-1 to D-5 therein.

2.7. Sterically hindered amines substituted on the N-atom by a hydroxy-substituted alkoxy group, for example compounds such as 1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-octadecanoyloxy- 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1 -(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-hexadecanoyloxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine, the reaction product of 1-oxyl-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine with a carbon radical from t-amylalcohol, 1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-hydroxy-2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine, 1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiper idine, bis(1 -(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4- yl) sebacate, bis(1 -(2- hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate, bis(1-(2-hydroxy-2- methylpropoxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)succinate, bis(1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylprop- oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) glutarate and 2,4-bis{N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylprop- oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl]-N-butylamino}-6-(2-h ydroxyethylamino)-s-triazine.

2.8. Oxamides.. 2.9. Tris-aryl-o-hydroxyphenyl-s-triazines. for example known commercial tris-aryl-o-hydroxy- phenyl-s-triazines and triazines as disclosed in, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,843,371 ; 4,619,956; 4,740,542; 5,096,489; 5,106,891 ; 5,298,067; 5,300,414; 5,354,794; 5,461 ,151 ; 5,476,937; 5,489,503; 5,543,518; 5,556,973; 5,597,854; 5,681 ,955; 5,726,309; 5,736,597; 5,942,626; 5,959,008; 5,998,1 16; 6,013,704; 6,060,543; 6,242,598 and 6,255,483, for example 4,6-bis- (2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-s-triazi ne, Cyasorb® 1164, Cytec Corp, 4,6-bis-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triaz ine, 2,4-bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)- 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-6-(4-chloro- phenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4~bis[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-6- (2,4- dimethylphenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis[2-hydroxy-4-(2- hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-6-(4- bromophenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis[2-hydroxy-4-(2- acetoxyethoxy)phenyl]-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-s- triazine, 2,4-bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-(2,4- dimethylphenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(4- biphenylyl)-6-(2-hydroxy-4- octyloxycarbonylethylideneoxyphenyl)-s-triazine, 2-phenyl-4-[2- hydroxy-4-(3-sec-butyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy)phenyl]-6-[2-hy droxy-4-(3-sec-amyloxy-2- hydroxypropyloxy)phenyl]-s-tri-azine, 2,4-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-[2-hydroxy-4-(3- benzyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy)phenyl]-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-n-butyloxyphenyl)-6- (2,4-di-n-butyloxyphenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4- bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-[2-hydroxy-4-(3- nonyloxy ^* -2-hydroxypropyloxy)-5-α-cumylphenyl]- s-triazine ( ^* denotes a mixture of octyloxy, nonyloxy and decyloxy groups), methylenebis-{2,4-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-[2-hydroxy-4- (3-butyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-s- triazine}, methylene bridged dimer mixture bridged in the 3:5', 5:5' and 3:3' positions in a 5:4:1 ratio, 2,4,6-tris(2-hydroxy-4- isooctyloxycarbonylisopropylideneoxyphenyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-(2- hydroxy-4-hexyloxy-5-α-cumylphenyl)-s-triazine, 2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,6-bis[2-hydroxy- 4-(3-butyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy)phenyl]-s-triazine, 2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-sec-butyloxy-2- hydroxypropyloxy)phenyl]-s-triazine, mixture of 4,6-bis-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-4- (3-doclecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl)-s-triazine and 4,6-bis-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2- hydroxy-4-(3-tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl)-s-triazin e, Tinuvin® 400, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., 4,6-bis-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-(2-hydroxy-4-(3-(2-ethylhexyl oxy)-2- hydroxypropoxy)-phenyl)-s-triazine and 4,6-diphenyl-2-(4- hexyloxy-2-hydroxyphenyl)-s- triazine.

3. Metal deactivators.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphites, phenyl dialkyl phosphites, tris(nonyl phenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)-pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6- tris(tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di- tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy- 2,4,8, 10-tetra-tert-butyl- dibenzo[d,f][[1 ,3,2]dioxaphosphepin, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl-diben- zo[d,g][1 ,3,2]dioxaphosphocin, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite, 2,2',2"-nitrilo[triethyltris(3,3,5,5'-tetra- tert-butyl-1 , 1 "-biphenyl ^' -2,2 ^' -diyl)phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl(3,3 ^' ,5,5-tetra-tert-butyl- ^' 1 ,1'- biphenyl-2,2'-diyl ^' )phosphite.

5. Hydroxylamines.

6. Nitrones.

7. Amine oxides.

8. Benzofuranones and indolinones. 9. Thiosvnergists.

10. Peroxide scavengers.

1 1. Polyamide stabilizers.

12. Basic co-stabilizers, for example melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazine derivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids, for example, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium behenate, magnesium stearate, sodium ricinoleate and potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zinc pyrocatecholate.

13. Nucleating agents, for example inorganic substances such as talcum, metal oxides such as titanium dioxide, magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, preferably, alkaline earth metals; organic compounds such as mono- or polycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, e.g. 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodium succinate or sodium benzoate; polymeric compounds such as ionic copolymers (ionomers).

14. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibers, glass bulbs, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, synthetic fibers.

15. Dispersing Agents, such as polyethylene oxide waxes or mineral oil.

16. Other additives, for example plasticizers, lubricants, emulsifiers, pigments, dyes, optical brighteners, rheology additives, catalysts, flow-control agents, slip agents, crosslinking agents, crosslinking boosters, halogen scavengers, smoke inhibitors, flameproofing agents, antistatic agents, clarifiers such as substituted and unsubstituted bisbenzylidene sorbitols, benzoxazinone UV absorbers such as 2,2'-p-phenylene-bis(3,1-benzoxazin-4-one), Cyasorb® 3638 (CAS# 18600-59-4), and/or blowing agents.

Among the preferred further additives are one or more additives selected from the group consisting of hindered amine light (especially UV) stabilizers, hindered phenols, phosphites, benzofuranone stabilizers and hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole, hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine or benzophenone ultraviolet light absorbers, fillers or nucleating agents, such as talcum and carbon black, and basic co-stabilizers, such as calcium stearate, or mixtures of two or more thereof.

Of course, it is also possible to, in addition to the melamine derivative(s) according to the invention, to add different matting agents, such as talc, fluorine comprising polymers, polymers comprising one or more epoxide groups, talc, or especially grafted polymers or esterified polymers. This is always comprised in the embodiments of the present invention.

Another embodiment of this invention is the use of one or more melamine derivatives as scratch resistance improving agent(s) in polymer composition products as herein described.

The compositions according to the present invention are also useful for other potential markets besides the (though preferred) automotive applications, e.g. for panel structures, consoles, other interior trim parts, instrument panels as such and door panel skins, but also seat components, handles, cargo liners, engine compartment components or the like, are e.g. for machine housings, appliances, consumer or electronic devices, outdoor vehicles and devices or any other parts needing good mechanical strength and favourable optics, such as low gloss, or in the appliances and packaging markets.

The following Examples illustrate the invention without limiting its scope. Where percentages are given (%), this refers to percent by weight (based on the complete polymer composition), if not explicitly indicated in a different way.

The following methods and techniques are used for testing and characterization of the application properties of produced test samples.

The gloss is measured at 60°, additionally also at 20° or 85°, according to ISO 2813 using a Zehntner ZGM 1 120 trigloss Glossmeter (Zehntner GmbH Testing Instruments, Sissach, Switzerland).

The scratch resistance is evaluated by measuring the color difference (ΔL value) by means of a spectral photometer Spectraflash SF 600 plus (Datacolor AG, Dietlikon, Switzerland). This measurement corresponds to the difference in brightness of the scratched versus the unscratched polymer surface. The scratches are made with the Scratch Hardness Tester 430 P (Erichsen GmbH & Co. KG, Hemer, Germany)) similar to GME 60280 (a scratch resistance test according to General Motors Europe Engineering Standard GME 60280, Issue 2, July 2004). with a metal tip of 1 mm diameter (cylindrical hard metal pen with ball-shaped end) and a load of 10 N at room temperature.

The tensile properties are measured according to ISO 527 using a Zwick Z010 universal testing machine (Zwick GmbH & Co. KG, UIm, Germany) with crosshead speed of 100 mm/min. At least 5 samples are tested for each formulation and average values are calculated. Tensile modulus [MPa], tensile stress at break [MPa] and tensile strain at break [%] are reported.

The flexural properties are measure according to ISO 178 again using a Zwick Z010 universal testing machine. At least 5 samples are tested for each formulation and average values are calculated. Flexural modulus [MPa] and flexural strength [MPa] are reported.

The determination of the Charpy impact energy is performed according to ISO 179/1 eA using a Zwick 51 13 pendulum impact tester (Zwick GmbH & Co. KG, UIm, Germany). The work of the hammer is 4 J. Samples are notched prior to the impact test, notch with 0.25 mm radius.

Example 1 : Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPO (Borealis Daplen ED 012AE) comprising Melamine cvanurate (MELAPUR MC) or Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200)

In order to evaluate their surface properties and mechanical properties MELAPUR MC or MELAPUR 200 are incorporated in TPO injection moulded plaques according to the following procedure:

Daplen ED012AE (Borealis AG, Vienna, Austria) in powder form is mixed together with 20% talc (Luzenac A-20; Rio Tinto, Luzenac Europe, Toulouse, France), 2.5% of a carbon black masterbatch, 0.05% calcium-stearate, 0.05% IRGANOX B215 (synergistic antioxidant mixture of a phosphite (— tris(2,4-di-(tert)-butyl-phenyl)phosphite and a hindered phenol (tetrakis-(methylene-(3,5-di-(tertt)-butyl-4-hydrocinnamate) )methane, Ciba, Basel, Switzerland), 0.2% TINUVIN 791 FB (UV stabilisator blend of a high and a low molecular weight HALS for synergistic performance in thick section, Ciba, Basel, Switzerland) and 5 or 10% of the melamine cyanurate or the melamine polyphosphate are added as indicated in table 1.

The formulations are mixed in a high speed mixer Mixaco Lab CM 12 (Mixaco, Dr. Herfeld GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik, Neuenrade, Germany) and compounded at 220 ⁰ C to pellets in a twin-screw extruder, e.g. Berstorff ZE 25x33D (KraussMaffei Berstorff GmbH, Hannover, Germany). The pellets are further injection moulded to plaques with a thickness of 2 mm using a standard injection moulding machine, e.g. Engel HL60 (Engel Austria GmbH, Schwertberg, Austria). The processing temperature is around 240 ⁰ C.

The surface and mechanical properties are summarized in table 1.

Table 1 :

In the Case of Melapur 200 FINE, the average particle size is 2.5 μm. The gloss is reduced by adding the additives without a substantial change of the scratch resistance and the mechanical properties.

Example 2: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPO (Borealis Daplen ED 012AE) comprising Melamine cvanurate (MELAPUR MC) or Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200) - variation of the processing conditions

The formulations are prepared as described in example 1 , but the processing conditions during the injection moulding are varied. The injection temperature, the injection speed and the temperature of the mould are varied as follows

Table 2 shows the results regarding gloss at 60°:

Table 2: Gloss at 60°

Table 3 shows the gloss at 85 °. Table 3:

This shows that conveniently conditions can be found where the gloss in the product with melamine derivative is diminished compared with a blank without melamine derivative. Also it shows that fine melamine derivative is used advantageously.

Table 4 shows the scratch resistance ΔL at 1 ON:

Table 4:

This shows that at least comparable, in some cases even superior scratch resistance can be found after addition of melamine derivative.

Example 3: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPO (Borealis Daplen ED 012AE) comprising Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200)

The formulations are prepared as described in example 1 , but higher concentrations of MELAPUR 200 are incorporated. The results are given in Table 5:

Table 5:

A minimum in the 60° gloss can be reached in the range of 10% of melamine derivative &. By adding higher concentrations of melamine derivate & the gloss is increased again. Total amount of talc and melamine derivative 4- is in the best case in the range of 30%.

Example 4: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPO (Borealis Daplen ED 012AE) comprising Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200) without talc addition

The formulations are prepared as described in example 3, but no talc is used in these formulations. Table 6 shows the experimental results:

Table 6:

This shows that also in the absence of talc significant matting can be found by the addition of the melamine derivatives. A minimum in the 60° gloss can be reached in the range of 25% of melamine derivative. By adding higher concentrations of melamine derivate the gloss is increased again. These results are in good correspondence to the results in table 5, where the minimum was in the best case in the range of 30% (total amount of talc and melamine derivative).

Example 5: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPO (Borealis Daplen ED 012AE) comprising Melamine polyphosphate (MELAPUR 200) and scratch resistance additive IRGASURF SR 100

The formulations are prepared as described in example 1 . Additionally, 2.5% of a scratch resistance additive IRGASURF SR 100 (Ciba, Basel, Switzerland) is added to the formulations. The experimental results are shown in Table 7.

Table 7:

This shows that the scratching resistance can be additionally improved by adding the scratch resistance additive

Example 6: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with HCPP (Sabic PP CX02-81 )

The formulations are prepared as described in example 4, but instead of Borealis Daplen ED 012AE a high crystalline PP, Sabic PP CX02-81 (polypropylene copolymer plastic, SABIC Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Dϋsseldorf, Germany), is used. The results are shown in Table 8 on the following page.

Table 8:

Example 7: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with PC/ABS (Dow Pulse A35-105)

The formulations are prepared as described in example 4, but instead of Borealis Daplen ED 012AE a PC/ABS, Dow Pulse A35-105 (Dow Automotive, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA) is used. The experimental results are given in Table 9 on the following page.

Table 9:

Example 8: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with ABS (Dow Magnum 3504)

The formulations are prepared as described in example 4, but instead of Borealis Daplen ED 012AE an ABS, Dow Magnum 3504 (Dow Automotive, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA) is used. The results are given in Table 10 on the following page

Table 10:

Example 9: Processing of injection-moulded plaques with TPE (Kraiburg STP 9363 / 33 B 102),

The formulations are prepared as described in example 4, but instead of Borealis Daplen ED 012AE a TPE, Kraiburg STP 9363 / 33 B 102 (Kraiburg TPE GmbH & Co. KG, Waldkraiburg, Germany) is used (a thermoplastic elastomer). The results are represented in Table 1 1 on the following page. Table 11 :

Example 10: Processing of fibers with PA-6 (Ultramid BS 700)

Formulations of polyamide-6 (Ultramid BS 700 from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany) are mixed in a high speed mixer Mixaco Lab CM 12 (Mixaco, Dr. Herfeld GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik, Neuenrade, Germany) turbo mixer and extruded in a twin-screw extruder, (Haake-Poly-Lab extruder from Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Karlsruhe, Germany) at 240 ⁰ C. The polymer string is then granulated. The pellets obtained are dried overnight at 80° C. in a vacuum drying oven. The pellets are then processed through a fiber extruder Spinboy Il (Busschaert Engineering, Deerlijk (Belgium) to produce fibers of Denier 10.0. The gloss values of the fibers are then measured by wrapping the fibers around a mirror. For results see Table 12.

Table 12:

In summary, from the Examples it can be deduced that Melamine Derivatives are a useful alternative to lower gloss of various different types of polymer and plastics materials in different form, e.g. as fibres, articles of a certain thickness and the like.