Polyamides, or nylons, are a widely used class of thermoplastic engineering resins characterized by excellent iubricity, wear resistance and chemical resistance. However, industry is still searching for suitable stabilization systems to protect nylons from the deleterious effects of heat, light and oxygen.

Polyamides have been stabilized against the deleterious effects of heat and light by the addition of small amounts of copper salts, for example in combination with alkali metal halide salts, for example as in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,630, 421 and 2,705, 227.

Copper salts exhibit some problems when used as an additive in nylons, for example as described in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,960, 498,3, 359,235, 4,745, 006 and GB 1,148, 244.

Workers have attempted to employ copper salts in other forms, for example complexes, as described in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,499, 867,4, 851,466 and EP 610155.

WO 96/28503 discloses stabilized polyamide compositions that contain heat- stabilizing additives combined with at least one inorganic black pigment.

Surprisingly, it has been found that polyamide compositions comprising an s-triazine ultrviolet light absorber (UVA) and a copper salt in the absence of black pigments are provided excellent stabilization against the deleterious effects of heat, light and oxygen.

Detailed Disclosure Disclosed is a polyamide composition, stabilized against the deleterious effects of heat, light and oxygen, comprising an effective stabilizing amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the s-triazine UV absorbers and a copper salt, where essentially no black pigment is present.

The black pigment excluded from the present compositions is for example carbon black. The term"essentially no black pigment"means levels of black pigment may be present that do not materially affect the basic characteristics of the polyamide compositions.

For example, the present compositions comprise no black pigment. s-Triazine UV Absorbers The s-triazines of the instant invention are typical commercial s-triazine UV absorbers based on 4, 6-bis- (2, 4-diaryl)-2- (2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine such as Tinuvins 400 or Tinuvine 1577, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. , or Cyasorb (D 1164, Cytec Corporation, or they are red-shifted s-triazines as disclosed for example in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,556, 973 and 5,354, 794, or they are high molar extinction s-triazines as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No.

6,255, 483, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The s-triazine UV absorbers of component (b) are of formula (IV), (V), (VI), (Vil), (Vlil) or (IX) wherein X and Y are independently phenyl, naphthyl, or said phenyl or said naphthyl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, by halogen, by hydroxy or by alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or by mixtures thereof; or X and Y are independently Zi or Z2 ; R1 is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, halogen,-SR3,-SOR3 or-S02R3 ; or said alkyl, said cycloalkyl or said phenylalkyl substituted by one to three halogen,-R4,- OR5, -N (R5) 2,-COR5,-COOR5,-OCOR5,-CN,-NO2,-SR5,-SOR5,-SO2R5 or-P (O) (OR5) 2, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, 2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidinyl, piperazinyl or N-methylpiperidinyl groups or combinations thereof; or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl interrupted by one to four phenylene,-O-,-NR5-,-CONR5-,-COO-,-OCO-or-CO groups or combinations thereof; or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl both substituted and interrupted by combinations of the groups mentioned above; R3 is alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 3 to 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms or said aryl substituted by one or two alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R4 is aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms or said aryl substituted by one to three halogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or combinations thereof; cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms; phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms or said phenylalkyl substituted on the phenyl ring by one to three halogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or combinations thereof; or straight or branched chain alkenyl of 2 to 18 carbon atoms; R5 is defined as is R4; or R5 is also hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 24 carbon atoms; or R5 is a group for formula T is hydrogen, oxyl, hydroxyl,-OT1, alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, said alkyl substituted by one to three hydroxy; benzyl or alkanol of 2 to 18 carbon atoms; T, is alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 2 to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, a radical of a saturated or unsaturated bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon of 7 to 12 carbon atoms or aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms or said aryl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms; or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl substitute by one to four halogen, epoxy, glycidyloxy, furyloxy,-R4,-OR5,-N (R5) 2, -CON (R5) 2,-COR5,-COOR5,-OCOR5,- OCOC (R5) =C (R5) 2,-C (R5) =CCOOR5,-CN,-NCO, or or combinations thereof; or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl interrupted by one to four epoxy,-0-, -N R5-,-CONR5-,-COO-,-OCO-,-CO-,-C (R5) =C (R5) COO-, -OCOC (R5) =C (R5)-,- C (R5) =C (R5)-, phenylene or phenylene-G-phenylene in which G is-O-,-S-,-SO2-,-CH2-or- C (CH3) 2- or combinations thereof, or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl both substituted and interrupted by combinations of the groups mentioned above; or R2 is-S02R3 or-COR6 ; R6 is straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkenyl of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylamino of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, arylamino of 6 to 12 carbon atoms,-R7COOH or-NH-R8-NCO ; R7 is alkylen of 2 to 14 carbon atoms or phenylen ; R8 is alkylen of 2 to 24 carbon atoms, phenylen, tolylene, diphenylmethane or a group R1' and R1" are the same or different and are as defined for Ri ; R2'and R2"are the same or different and are as defined for R2 ; X, X', Y and Y'are the same or different and are as defined for X and Y; t is 0 to 9 ; L is straight or branched alkylen of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkylene of 5 to 12 carbon atoms or alkylen substituted or interrupted by cyclohexylene or phenylen ; or L is benzylidene ; or L is-S-,-S-S-,-S-E-S-,-SO-,-SO2-,-SO-E-SO-,-S02-E-SO2-,-CH2-NH -E- NH-CH2-or E is alkylen of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkylene of 5 to 12 carbon atoms or alkylen interrupted or terminated by cycloalkylene of 5 to 12 carbon atoms; n is 2, 3 or 4 ; when n is 2; Q is straight or branched alkylen of 2 to 16 carbon atoms; or said alkylen substituted by one to three hydroxy groups; or said alkylen interrupted by one to three -CH=CH-or-O-; or said alkylen both substituted and interrupted by combinations of the groups mentioned above; or Q is xylylen or a group-CONH-R8-NHCO-,-CH2CH (OH) CH20- Rg-OCH2CH (OH) CH2-,-CO-Rio-CO-, or- (CH2) m-COO-R11-OOC- (CH2) m-, where m is 1 to 3; or Q is Rg is alkylen of 2 to 50 carbon atoms; or said alkylen interrupted by one to ten-0-, phenylen or a group-phenylene-G-phenylene in which G is-O-,-S-,-SO2-,-CH2-or -C(CH3)2-; R10 is alkylene of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or said alkylen interrupted by one to four-0- -S- or -CH=CH-; or Rio is arylene of 6 to 12 carbon atoms; Rtt is alkylen of 2 to 20 carbon atoms or said alkylen interrupted by one to eight- 0- ; when n is 3, Q is a group -[(CH2)mCOO]3-R12 where m is 1 to 3, and R12 is an alkanetriyl of 3 to 12 carbon atoms; when n is 4, Q is a group-[(CH2) mCOO] 4-Rt3 where m is 1 to 3, and R14 is an alkanetetrayl of 4 to 12 carbon atoms; Z1 is a group of formula Z2 is a group of formula where rt and r2 are independently of each other 0 or 1; and Razz Pis, R 17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 and R23 are independently of one another hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, halogen, haloalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, sulfo, carboxy, acylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, acyloxy of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 12 carbon atoms or aminocarbonyl ; or R17 and R18 or R22 and R23 together with the phenyl radical to which they are attached are a cyclic radical interrupted by one to three-O-or-NR5-.

For example, the invention pertains to compounds of formula (IV) where X and Y are the same or different and are phenyl or said phenyl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halogen, hydroxy or alkoxy of 1 to 12 carbon atoms; or X and Y are Zi or Z2 ; R1 is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms or halogen ; R2 is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms; or said alkyl or said cycloalkyl substituted by one to three-R4,-OR5, -COOR5,-OCOR5 or combinations thereof; or said alkyl or cycloalkyl interrupted by one to three epoxy,-0-,-COO-,-OCO-or-CO- ; R4 is aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms or said aryl substituted by one to three halogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or combinations thereof; cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms; phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms or said phenylalkyl substituted on the phenyl ring by one to three halogen, alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or combinations thereof; R5 is defined as is R4; or R5 is also hydrogen or straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 24 carbon atoms; Zi is a group of formula Z2 is a group of formula where fi and r2 are each 1; and Ri4. R15, Ris, Ri, Ris, Rig, R2o, R21, R22 and R23 are independently of one another hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano, alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkoxy of 5 to 12 carbon atoms, halogen, haloalkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, sulfo, carboxy, acylamino of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, acyloxy of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, or alkoxycarbonyl of 2 to 12 carbon atoms or aminocarbonyl.

For instance, the s-triazine UV absorber is also of formula (V) where X is phenyl, naphthyl or said phenyl or said naphthyl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, by halogen, by hydroxy or by alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or by mixtures thereof; or X is Zi.

For example, the s-triazine UV absorber is also of formula (VI) or (Vil) or (VIII).

For instance, the s-triazine UV absorber is also of formula (IX) where X and Y are independently phenyl or said phenyl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, by halogen, by hydroxy or by alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or by mixtures thereof; or X and Y are independently Zi or Z2 ; and L is straight or branched alkylen of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkylene of 5 to 12 carbon atoms or alkylen substituted or interrupted by cyclohexylene or phenylen.

For example, the instant s-triazine UV absorber is of formula (IV) where X and Y are the same or different and are phenyl or said phenyl substituted by one to three alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Zt or Z2 ; Ri is hydrogen or phenylalkyl of 7 to 15 carbon atoms; R2 is hydrogen, straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms; or said alkyl substituted by one to three-R4,-OR5 or mixtures thereof; or said alkyl interrupted by one to eight-O-or-COO-; R4 is aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms; R5 is hydrogen; Zi is a group of formula Z2 is a group of formula where ri and r2 are each 1; and Ri4, Pis, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 and R23 are each hydrogen.

For instance, the s-triazine UV absorber of this invention is a compound which is methylene bridged dimer mixture bridged in the 3: 5', 5: 5'and 3: 3' positions in a 5: 4: 1 ratio The names of the instant compounds illustrated in the structures given above is listed below as indicated.

(1) 2,4-bis (4-biphenylyl)-6- (2-hydroxy-4-octyloxycarbonylethylideneoxyphenyl)-s- triazine; (2) 2-phenyl-4- [2-hydroxy-4- (3-sec-butyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy) phenyl]-6- [2- hydroxy-4- (3-sec-amyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy) phenyl]-s-triazine ; (3) 2,4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6- [2-hydroxy-4- (3-benzyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy)- phenyl]-s-triazine ; (4) 2,4-bis (2-hydroxy-4-n-butyloxyphenyl)-6- (2, 4-di-n-butyloxyphenyl)-s-triazine ; (5) 2,4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6- [2-hydroxy-4- (3-nonyloxy*-2-hydroxypropyloxy)-5-a- cumylphenyl]-s-triazine ; (* denotes a mixture of octyloxy, nonyloxy and decyloxy groups) (6) methylenebis- {2, 4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6- [2-hydroxy-4- (3-butyloxy-2-hydroxy- propoxy) phenyl]-s-triazine}, methylene bridged dimer mixture bridged in the 3: 5', 5: 5' and 3: 3' positions in a 5: 4: 1 ratio; (7) 2,4, 6-tris (2-hydroxy-4-isooctyloxycarbonylisopropylideneoxyphenyl)-s-t riazine ; (8) 2,4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6- (2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy-5-a-cumylphenyl)-s-triazine ; (9) 2,4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6-(2-hydroxy-4-octylOxyphenyl)-s-triazine, CYASORBs 1164, Cytec; (10) 2- (2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl)-4, 6-bis [2-hydroxy-4-(3-butylOxy-2-hydroxypropylOxy)- phenyl]-s-triazine ; (11) 2,4, 6-tris [2-hydroxy-4- (3-sec-butyloxy-2-hydroxypropyloxy) phenyl]-s-triazine ; (12) 4, 6-diphenyl-2- (4-hexyloxy-2-hydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine ; or (13) 2- (2-hydroxy-4- (2-ethylhexyl) oxy) phenyl-4, 6-di (4-phenyl) phenyl-1, 3,5-triazine.

For instance, the s-triazine UV absorber of component (b) is (1) 2,4-bis (4-biphenylyl)-6- (2-hydroxy-4-octyloxycarbonylethylideneoxyphenyl)-s- triazine; (5) 2,4-bis (2, 4-dimethylphenyl)-6- [2-hydroxy-4- (3-nonyloxy*-2-hydroxypropyloxy)-5-a- cumylphenyl]-s-triazine ; (* denotes a mixture of octyloxy, nonyloxy and decyloxy groups); (7) 2,4, 6-tris (2-hydroxy-4-isooctyloxycarbonylisopropylideneoxyphenyl)-s-t riazine ; or (12) 4, 6-diphenyl-2- (4-hexyloxy-2-hydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine.

The s-triazine UV absorber is for example 4, 6-diphenyl-2- (4-hexyloxy-2- hydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine, sold commercially as Tinuvine 1577, available from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, CAS #147315-50-2.

Straight or branched chain alkyl is for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n- butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3- dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1, 3, 3-tetramethylbutyl, 1- methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1, 3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1, 3,3- tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl, 1,1, 3,3, 5,5- hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, icosyl or docosyl.

Cycloalkyl or said cycloalkyl substituted by one to three alkyl is for example cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclohexyl, trimethylcyclohexyl, tert-butylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl.

Phenyl substituted by one to three alkyl is for example o-, m-or p-methylphenyl, 2,3- dimethylphenyl, 2, 4-dimethylphenyl, 2, 5-dimethylphenyl, 2, 6-dimethylphenyl, 3,4- dimethylphenyl, 3, 5-dimethylphenyl, 2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl, 4-tert-butylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl or 2, 6-diethylphenyl.

Phenylalkyl is for example, benzyl, a-methylbenzyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl or 2-phenyl- ethyl.

Phenylalkyl substituted on the phenyl ring by one to three alkyl of is for example 2- methylbenzyl, 3-methylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 2, 4-dimethylbenzyl, 2, 6-dimethylbenzyl or 4- tert-butylbenzyl.

Straight or branched chain alkoxy is for example methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, decyloxy, tetradecyloxy, hexadecyloxy or octadecyloxy.

Cycloalkoxy is for example, cyclopentyloxy, methylcyclopentyloxy, dimethylcyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, methylcyclohexyloxy, dimethylcyclohexyloxy, trimethylcyclohexyloxy, tert-butylcyclohexyloxy, cycloheptyloxy or cyclooctyloxy.

The present s-triazines are known and may be prepared for example as disclosed in, WO 96/28431 and United States 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, 116; 6,013, 704; 6,060, 543; 6,187, 919; 6,242, 598 and 6,255, 483. The relevant disclosures of the U. S. Patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Copper Salts Copper salts useful in the present invention include both cuprous and cupric salts of inorganic and organic acids, as well as mixtures of one or more thereof. Useful salts can be in anhydrous form. Hydrated forms of copper salts are also of interest. Copper salts may be of an alkanoic acid, for example acetic, butyric, lauric, palmitic, stearic, and the like. Other organic anions of copper salts include citrate, lactate, oleate, oxalate, tartrate, benzoate, salicylate, and the like. Suitable inorganic anions include for example chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, and the like.

Specific copper salts of this invention include copper (I) chloride, copper (I) bromide, copper (I) iodide, copper (II) acetate, copper (II) chloride, copper (II) bromide, copper (II) nitrate, copper (II) sulfate and mixtures thereof.

Polyamides Polyamides are for example those prepared by the polymerization of a monoamino- monocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof having at least 2 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid group, of substantially equimolar proportions of a diamine which contains at least 2 carbon atoms between the amino groups and a dicarboxylic acid, or of a monoaminocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof as defined above together with substantially equimolar proportions of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. The term"substantially equimolar"proportions includes both strictly equimolar proportions and slight departures therefrom which are involved in conventional techniques for stabilizing the viscosity of the resultant polyamides. The dicarboxylic acid may be used in the form of a functional derivative thereof, for example, an ester or acid chloride.

Examples of the aforementioned monoamino-monocarboxylic acids or lactams thereof which are useful in preparing the polyamides include those compounds containing from 2 to 16 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid groups, said carbon atoms forming a ring containing the-CO-NH-group in the case of a lactam. As particular examples of aminocarboxylic acids and lactams there may be mentioned E-aminocaproic acid, <BR> <BR> <BR> butyrolactam, pivalolactam, E-caprolactam, capryllactam, enantholactam, undecanolactam, dodecanolactam and 3-and 4-aminobenzoic acids.

Diamines suitable for use in the preparation of the polyamides include the straight chain and branched chain alkyl, aryl and alkaryl diamines. Illustrative diamines are trimethylenediamine, tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, trimethylhexamethylenediamine, m- phenylenediamine and m-xylylenediamine.

The dicarboxylic acids may for example be represented by the formula HOOC-B-COOH wherein B is a divalent aliphatic or aromatic group containing at least 2 carbon atoms.

Examples of aliphatic acids are sebacic acid, octadecanedioic acid, suberic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid and adipic acid.

Both crystalline and amorphous polyamides may be employed, where the crystalline species often exhibits superior solvent resistance. Typical examples of the polyamides or nylons, as these are often called, include, for example, polyamide-6 (polycaprolactam), 6,6 (polyhexamethylene adipamide), 11,12, 4,6, 6,10 and 6,12 as well as polyamides from terephthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid and trimethylhexamethylenediamine ; from adipic acid and m-xylylenediamines ; from adipic acid, azelaic acid and 2,2-bis (p- aminophenyl) propane or 2, 2-bis- (p-aminocyclohexyl) propane and from terephthalic acid and 4, 4'-diaminodicyclohexylmethane. Mixtures and/or copolymers of two or more of the foregoing polyamides or prepolymers thereof, respectively, are also within the scope of the present invention. Present polyamides are for example polyamide-6, 4,6, 6,6, 6,9, 6, 10, 6,12, 11 and 12, for example polyamide-6 and polyamide-6, 6.

The copper compound is present for example from about 1 ppm (parts per million), based on polyamide to about 500 ppm. For example, the copper compound is present in the following ranges: from about 10 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 150 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 200 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 300 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 10 ppm to 150 ppm, or from about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm.

The s-triazine ultraviolet light absorbers are present from about 0.1 % to about 2% by weight, based on the weight of polyamide. The s-triazine UV absorbers are for example about 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyamide. For example, the s-triazine UV absorbers are present from about 0. 1 % to about 1.5%, from about 0. 1 % to about 1 %, or from about 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyamide. For instance, the s- triazine UV absorbers are present from about 0.5% to about 2%, from about 1.0% to about 2%, or from about 1.5% to about 2% by weight, based on the weight of the polyamide.

The stabilized polyamide compositions may further include at least one alkali metal halide. Alkali metal halides are for example salts of group la alkali metals, for example lithium, sodium, potassium, etc. , with group Vlla halogens, for example fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. For example, the present alkali metal halides are potassium iodide, potassium bromide, potassium chloride, sodium iodide, sodium bromide, sodium chloride, or mixtures thereof. For example, the present alkali metal halide is potassium bromide, potassium iodide, or a mixture of potassium bromide and potassium iodide.

Alkali metals halides may be present in the stabilized compositions of this invention from about 100 ppm to about 10, 000 ppm based on polyamide, for example from about 500 ppm to about 2000 ppm based on polyamide. For example, alkali metal halides may be present from about 100 ppm to about 5000 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 2000 ppm, from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm, or from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, based on polyamide. For instance, alkali metal halides may be present from about 500 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, from about 1000 ppm to about 10,000, from about 2000 ppm to 10,000 ppm, or from about 5000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm based on polyamide.

The compositions of the present invention may further include 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 palmitat, antimony pyrocatecholate or zinc pyrocatecholate. For instance, the compositions of the present invention may further include zinc stearate.

Fatty acid salts may be present in the polyamide compositions of this invention at for example the same levels as the copper compound.

The resulting stabilized compositions of the invention may optionally also contain from about 0.01 to about 10%, for example from about 0.025 to about 5%, for instance from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight of various conventional stabilizer coadditives, such as the materials listed below, or mixtures thereof.

1. Antioxidants 1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert- butyl-4, 6-dimethylphenol, 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- (a-methylcyclohexyl)- 4, 6-dimethylphenol, 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- (l-methylundec-1-yl) phenol, 2,4-di- methyl-6- (1-methylheptadec-1-yl) phenol, 2, 4-dimethyl-6-(1-methyltridec-1-yl)phenol and mixtures thereof.

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

1.3. Hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones, for example 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-4- methoxyphenol, 2, 5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2, 5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2, 6-diphenyl-4- octadecyloxyphenol, 2, 6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl) adipate.

1.4. Tocopherols, for example oc-tocopherol,-tocopherol, y-tocopherol, 6- tocopherol and mixtures thereof (Vitamin E).

1.5. Hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, for example 2,2'-thiobis (6-tert-butyl-4- methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis (4-octylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis (6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'- thiobis (6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 4, 4'-thiobis- (3, 6-di-sec-amylphenol), 4,4'-bis (2,6- dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) disulfide.

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- (oc-methylcyclohexyl) phenol], 2, 2'-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis (6-nonyl-4-methylphenol), 2, 2'-methylenebis (4, 6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'- ethylidenebis (4, 6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2, 2'-ethylidenebis (6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis [6-(oc-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2, 2'-methylenebis [6- (a, a-dimethylbenzyl)- 4-nonylphenol], 4, 4'-methylenebis (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-methylphenol, 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) dicyclopentadiene, bis [2- (3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl] terephthalate, 1, 1-bis- (3, 5-dimethyl-2- hydroxyphenyl) butane, 2, 2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2, 2-bis- (5-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercaptobutane, 1,1, 5, 5-tetra- (5-tert-butyl-4- hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) pentane.

1.7. Benzyl compounds, for example 3,5, 3', 5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4, 4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether, octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tridecyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-di- tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tris (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) amine, 1,3, 5-tri- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzene, di- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl) sulfide, 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-mercapto-acetic acid isooctyl ester, bis- (4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylbenzyl) dithiol terephthalate, 1,3, 5-tris- (3, 5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, 1,3, 5-tris- (4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethylbenzyl) isocyanurate, 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-phosphoric acid dioctadecyl ester and 3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-phosphoric acid monoethyl ester, calcium-salt.

1.8. Hydroxybenzylated malonates, for example dioctadecyl-2, 2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert- butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-malonate, di-octadecyl-2-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)- malonate, di-dodecylmercaptoethyl-2, 2-bis- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate, bis [4- (1, 1,3, 3-tetramethylbutyl) phenyl]-2, 2-bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate.

1.9. Aromatic hydroxybenzyl compounds, for example 1,3, 5-tris- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl- 4-hydroxybenzyl)-2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2, 3,5, 6- tetramethyl benzene, 2,4, 6-tris (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) phenol.

1.10. 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, 6-tris (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) isocyanurate, 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.

1.11. Benzylphosphonates, for example dimethyl-2, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- 3-methylbenzylphosphonate, the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid.

1.12. Acylaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxy-lauric acid anilide, 4-hydroxy- stearic acid anilide, 2, 4-bis-octylmercapto-6- (3, 5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-s-triazine and octyl-N- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-carbamate.

1.13. Esters of ß-(3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxvphenvl) propionic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcohols, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6- hexanediol, 1, 9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo [2.2. 2] octane.

1.14. Esters of 6- (5-tert-butvi-4-hvdroxv-3-methyiphenvi) propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6- hexanediol, 1, 9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'-bis (hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo [2.2. 2] octane.

1.15. Esters of ß-(3, 5-dicyclohexyl-4-hvdroxvphenvl) propionic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcohols, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 1,9- nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'- bis (hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo [2.2. 2] octane.

1.16. Esters of 3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxvphenvi acetic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcohols, e. g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1, 6-hexanediol, 1,9- nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1, 2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N, N'- bis (hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo [2.2. 2] octane.

1.17. Amides of ß-(3s5-di-tert-butvl-4-hvdroxvphenvl) propionic acid e. g. N, N'- bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hexamethylenediamide, N, N'-bis (3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) trimethylenediamide, N, N'-bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hydrazide, N, N'-bis [2- (3- [3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl] propionyloxy) ethyl] oxamide (Naugard@XL-1 supplied by Uniroyal).

1. 18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 1. 19. Aminic antioxidants, for example N, N'-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1, 4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1-ethyl-3-methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1-methylheptyl)-p- phenylenediamine, N, N'-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-diphenyl-p- phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (2-naphthyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p- phenylenediamine, N- (1, 3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- (l-methylheptyl)- N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenlenediamine, 4-(p- toluenesulfamoyl) diphenylamine, N, N'-dimethyl-N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, <BR> <BR> <BR> diphenylamine, N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenylamine, N-phenyl-1-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> naphthylamine, N- (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, octylated diphenylamine, for example p, p'-di-tert-octyidiphenylamine, 4-n-butylaminophenol, 4-butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophenol, 4-octadecanoylaminophenol, bis (4-methoxyphenyl) amine, 2, 6-di-tert-butyl-4- dimethylaminomethylphenol, 2, 4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 4, 4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, N, N, N', N'-tetramethyl-4, 4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, 1,2-bis [(2-methylphenyl) amino] ethane, 1,2-bis (phenylamino) propane, (o-tolyl) biguanide, bis [4- (1', 3'-dimethylbutyl) phenyl] amine, tert- octylated N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octyl- diphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated nonyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated dodecyidiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated isopropyl/isohexyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated tert- butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro-3, 3-dimethyl-4H-1, 4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixture of mono-and dialkylated tert-octyl-phenothiazines, N-allylphenothiazin, N, N, N', N'-tetraphenyl-1, 4- diaminobut-2-ene, N, N-bis (2,2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-piperid-4-yl-hexamethylenediamine, bis (2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperid-4-yl) sebacate, 2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one, 2,2, 6,6- tetramethylpiperidin-4-ol.

2. UV absorbers and light stabilizers 2.1. 2- (2-Hydroxyphenyl)-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-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3, 5-di-t-butyl-2- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (2-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-chloro-2- (3, 5-di-t-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 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-a-cumyl-2- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- (2- (O)-hydroxy-octa-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (ethyleneoxy) carbonyl-ethyl)-, phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-dodecyl-2-hydroxy-5-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- (2-octyloxycarbonyl) ethylphenyl)-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2H-benzotriazole, dodecylated 2- (2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-hydroxy-5- (2-octyloxycarb. onylethyl) phenyl)-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-tert-butyl-5- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (2-ethylhexyloxy)-carbonylethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-2 H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5- (2-methoxycarbonylethyl) phenyl)-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-5- (2-methoxycarbonylethyl) phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-5- (2- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ethylhexyloxy) carbonylethyl)-2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- (2- isooctyloxycarbonylethyl) phenyl-2H-benzotriazole, 2, 2'-methylene-bis (4-t-octyl- (6-2H- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> benzotriazol-2-yl) phenol), 2- (2-hydroxy-3-a-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> hydroxy-3-t-octyl-5-a-cumylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-fluoro-2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5-di-a-cumyl- phenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-chloro-2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5-di-a-cumylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> chloro-2- (2-hydroxy-3-a-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2- (3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5- (2-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> isooctyloxycarbonylethyl) phenyl)-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> a-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2- (2-hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl)-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5-di-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, methyl 3- (5-trifluoromethyl-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-t-butyl-4-hydroxy hydrocinnamate, 5- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> butylsulfonyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3-a-cumyl-5-t-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3-a-cumyl-5-t-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 5-trifluoromethyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 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- phenyisulfonyl-2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5-di-t-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole.

2.2. 2-Hydroxvbenzophenones, for example the 2,2'-dihydroxy, 4-hydroxy, 4- methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2', 4'-trihydroxy and 2'- hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.

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

2.4. Acrylates and malonate, for example, a-cyano-P, P-diphenylacrylic acid ethyl ester or isooctyl ester, cc-carbomethoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester, oe-cyano-ß-methyl-p- methoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester or butyl ester, a-carbomethoxy-p-methoxy-cinnamic acid methyl ester, N-(ß-carbomethoxy-ß-cyanovinyl)-2-methyl-indoline, Sanduvore PR25, dimethyl p-methoxybenzylidenemalonate (CAS# 7443-25-6), and Sanduvore PR31, di- (1, 2,2, 6,6- pentamethylpiperidin-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- tetramethylbutyl) phenol], such as the 1: 1 or 1: 2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as n-butylamine, triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyldiethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, e. g. the methyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3, 5-di-tert-butylbenzylphosphonic acid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e. g. of 2- hydroxy-4-methylphenyl undecylketoxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5- hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional ligands.

2.6. Stericaiiy hindered amine stabilizers, for example 4-hydroxy-2,2, 6,6- tetramethylpiperidine, 1-allyl-4-hydroxy-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1-benzyl-4-hydroxy- 2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine, 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-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis (1,2, 2,6, 6-pentamethyl-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- tetramethylpiperazinone), 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, 2,6, 6-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] decane-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- tetramethylpiperidine, 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-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2- (4- methoxyphenyl) ethene, N, N'-bis-formyl-N, N'-bis (2,2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl) 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- piperidyl)] siloxane, reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-a-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 compounds of component I-a), I-b), I-c), I-d), I-e), I-f), I-g), I-h), I-i), I-j), I-k) or I-I), 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-1,1-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 EP 782994, 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 alkoxv group, for example compounds as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 6,271, 377 and U. S. application No. 09/794,710, filed Feb. 27,2001, 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-tetramethylpiperidine, bis (1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)- 2,2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate, bis (1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2, 2,6, 6-tetra- methylpiperidin-4-yl) adipate, bis (1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidin- 4-yl) succinate, bis (1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) glutarate and 2,4-bis {N- [1- (2-hydroxy-2-methyipropoxy)-2, 2,6, 6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl]-N-butyl- amino}-6-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-s-triazine.

2.8. Oxamides, for example 4, 4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2, 2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'- dioctyloxy-5, 5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2, 2'-didodecyloxy-5, 5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'- ethyloxanilide, N, N'-bis (3-dimethylaminopropyl) oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5, 4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o-and p-methoxy- disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o-and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

3. Metal deactivators, for example N, N'-diphenyloxamide, N-salicylal-N'-salicyloyl hydrazine, N, N'-bis (salicyloyl) hydrazine, N, N'-bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hydrazine, 3-salicyloylamino-1, 2, 4-triazole, bis (benzylidene) oxalyl dihydrazide, oxanilide, isophthaloyl dihydrazide, sebacoyl bisphenylhydrazide, N, N'-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, N, N'-bis (salicyloyl) oxalyl dihydrazide, N, N'-bis (salicyloyl) thiopropionyl dihydrazide.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphites, phenyl dialkyl phosphites, tris (nonylphenyl) 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, 1 0-tetra-tert-butyl- 12-methyl-dibenzo [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.

For example the following phosphites: Tris (2, 4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos@1 68, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.), tris (nonylphenyl) phosphite, 5. Hydroxylamines, for example N, N-dibenzylhydroxylamine, N, N- diethylhydroxylamine, N, N-dioctylhydroxylamine, N, N-dilaurylhydroxylamine, N, N- ditetradecylhydroxylamine, N, N-dihexadecylhydroxylamine, N, N-dioctadecylhydroxylamine, N-hexadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N-heptadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N-methyl- N-octadecylhydroxylamine and the N, N-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

6. Nitrones, for example N-benzyl-a-phenylnitrone, N-ethyl-a-methylnitrone, N-octyl- a-heptyinitrone, N-lauryl-a-undecylnitrone, N-tetradecyl-a-tridcylnitrone, N-hexadecyl-a- pentadecylnitrone, N-octadecyl-a-heptadecyinitrone, N-hexadecyl-a-heptadecylnitrone, N- ocatadecyl-a-pentadecyinitrone, N-heptadecyl-a-heptadecylnitrone, N-octadecyl-a- hexadecyinitrone, N-methyl-a-heptadecyinitrone and the nitrone derived from N, N-dialkylhy- droxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

7. Amine oxides, for example amine oxide derivatives as disclosed in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,844, 029 and 5,880, 191, didecyl methyl amine oxide, tridecyl amine oxide, tridodecyl amine oxide and trihexadecyl amine oxide.

8. Benzofuranones and indolinones, for example those disclosed in U. S. Pat. Nos.

4,325, 863,4, 338,244, 5,175, 312,5, 216,052, 5,252, 643; DE-A-4316611 ; DE-A-4316622; DE-A-4316876; EP-A-0589839 or EP-A-0591102 or 3- [4- (2-acetoxyeth- oxy) phenyl]-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one, 5, 7-di-tert-butyl-3- [4- (2- stearoyloxyethoxy) phenyl] benzofuran-2-one, 3,3'-bis [5, 7-di-tert-butyl-3- (4- [2-hydroxyethoxy]- phenyl) benzofuran-2-one], 5, 7-di-tert-butyl-3- (4-ethoxyphenyl) benzofuran-2-one, 3- (4-acet- oxy-3, 5-dimethylphenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one, 3- (3, 5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxy- phenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one, 3- (3, 4-dimethylphenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl- benzofuran-2-one, Irganox@ HP-136, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. , and 3- (2, 3- dimethylphenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one.

9. Thiosynergists, for example dilauryl thiodipropionate or distearyl thiodipropionate.

10. Peroxide scavengers, for example esters of P-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2- mercaptobenzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide, pentaerythritol tetrakis (p-dodecy) mercapto) propionate.

11. Polyamide stabilizers, for example copper salts in combination with iodides and/or phosphorus compounds and salts of divalent manganese, for example Cul.

12. Basic co-stabilizers, for example melamine, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 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 palmitat, antimony pyrocatecholate or zinc pyrocatecholate.

13. Nucleating agents, for example inorganic substances such as talcum, metal oxides such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, for example, 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 fibres, glass bulbs, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, 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), CyasorbO 3638 (CAS# 18600-59-4), and blowing agents.

The present polyamide compositions are prepared by melt blending techniques well known to those skilled in the art, for example by blending methods which results in the formation of an intimate blend of the components.

Suitable procedures include solution blending and melt blending. For instance, the polyamide and the various components are intimately mixed using conventional mixing equipment such as a mill, a Banbury mixer, a Brabender Torque Rheometer, a single or twin screw extruder, continuous mixers, kneaders, etc. For example, the components may be intimately mixed in the form of granules and/or powder in a high shear mixer. For instance, the components may be dry blended followed by extrusion to obtain the polymer composition of the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention also pertains to a method of stabilizing a polyamide composition against the deleterious effects of heat, light and oxygen, which method comprises incorporating into said polyamide composition an effective stabilizing amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the s-triazine UV absorbers and a copper salt, where essentially no black pigment is present.

The present polyamide films, fibers and molded articles are useful for example as insulation, transparent films, bristles, cloth, coated fabrics, coatings, filaments, textiles, yarns and tire cord.

The following Examples are for illustrative purposes; they should not be construed as limiting the present invention in any manner whatsoever.

Example 1 Polyamide-6 powder (ULTRAMID BS-700-F Powder) is blended with additives with a Turbula mixer for 15-20 minutes. Total formulation size is 2000 g. The mixtures are then extruded with a 27 mm Leistritz twin screw extruder. The extrusion is conducted under conditions such that the zone temperatures are 475,500, 500°F, with a die temperature of 500°F. The obtained resin is pelletized with a cutter. The pelletized resin composition is dried overnight in a vacuum oven (at 82°C, nitrogen bleed) prior to fiber spinning. The dried blends are spun into fiber with the following extrusion/spinning configuration: Single screw extruder (one inch D; UD ratio = 24: 1) and extruder temperature at 500°F ; Spinneret cross section of delta (41 holes, 15 dpf).

These specimens are then placed in Blue M circulating air oven at 120°C.

Accelerated weathering utilizes an Atlas CI-65 xenon arc weatherometer (XAW), operated according to ASTM G26-90 method C. This method utilizes a xenon arc Weatherometer operated at an irradiance of 0.35 W/m2 and a black panel temperature of 63°C.

Color measurements are done on the oven-aged and xenon-exposed specimens (yarns wound on cards and knitted socks) with a DCI SF600 spectrophotometer. Tensile properties are measured on the oven-aged and xenon-exposed specimens (flat yarns) with the INSTRON 4501 equipment.

Details of formulation and results are in the tables below.

Table of Formulations Formulation Additives weight percent on No. polyamide 01 Blank 02 Irganoxd 1098 + Irgafos 168 0. 375 + 0. 375 03 Irganoxw 3790 + Irgafose 168 0. 375 + 0. 375 04 Chimassorbw 944 + Irganox" 3790 + Irgafos 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 05 IrganoxiD 3790 + irganox HP-136 0. 6 + 0. 15 06 IrganoxW 3790 + IrgafosW 168 + IrganoxW HP-136 0. 3 + 0. 3 + 0. 15 07 Irganox09 3790 + Irgafos 126 0. 375 + 0. 375 08 Irganoxe'3790 + IrgafosW 38 0. 375 + 0. 375 09 IrganoxW 3790 + IrgastabW FS 042 0. 375 + 0. 375 10 Chimassorbe 944 0. 75 11 ChimassorbR944 + lrganox 1098 + IrgafosW 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 12 Chimassorb@ 119 + Tinuvin@ 234 0. 5 + 0. 25 (Tinuvin@ C 353) 13 Chimassorb@ 119 + Tinuvin@ 234 + irganoxb 1098 0. 33 + 0. 17 + 0. 25 14 Chimässorb@ 119 + Tinuvin@234 + Irganoxw 1098 + Irgafos@ 0. 33 + 0. 17 + 0. 125 + 168 0. 125 15 Chimassorb@ 2020 + Irganoxa 1098 + Irgafos 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 16 CGL 374 + Irganoxe 1098 + IrgafosW 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 17 CGL 0066 + Irganox 1098 + IrgafosW 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 18 Cyasorb@ UV 3346 + Irgano) e 1098 + lrgafoe 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 19 Uvasorbw HA 88 + trganox 1098 + Irgafos 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 20 Uvasil@ 299 + IrganoxW 1098 + lrgafoso 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 21 NYLOSTAB SEED 0. 75 22 NYLOSTABSEED+ Irgafos@ PEPQ 0. 375 + 0. 375 23 NYLOSTABSEED+ IrganoxW 1098 + Irgafoso 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 24 TinuvinW 770 + Chimassorb@944 + organo) 1098 + Irgafosq9 0. 25 + 0. 25 + 0. 125 + 168 0. 125 25 TinuvinXt44 + Irganox"1098 + lrgafoso 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 26 TinuvinW 144 + Chimassorb@944 + irganoxo 1098 + Irgafose'0. 25 + 0. 25 + 0. 125 + 168 0. 125 27 201 lodide Stabilizer 0. 25 28 BRUGGOLEN H3336 0. 25 29 201 lodide Stabilizer 0. 75 30 201 lodide Stabilizer + Tinuvin770 + ChimassorbQ3944 0. 25 + 0. 25 + 0. 25 31 201 lodide Stabilizer + Uvasil 299 0. 25 + 0. 5 32 201 lodide Stabilizer + NYLOSTABSEED 0. 25 + 0. 5 33 201 lodide Stabilizer + Tinuvin@ 1577 0. 25 + 0. 5 34 Tinuvin@1577 + Irganox@1098 + IrgafosHD 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 35 Tinuvin4D 234 + Irganox 1098 + Irgafos@ 168 0. 5 + 0. 125 + 0. 125 36 Irganoxe 565 0. 75 Irgafos#168 is tris (2, 4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite Irganox@ HP-136 is 3- (3, 4-dimethylphenyl)-5, 7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one Irganox# 1098 is N, N'-hexane-1, 6-diylbis- (3- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionamide)) Irganox# 3790 is tris- (4-t-butyl-2, 6-dimethyl-3-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate (CAS 40601-76-1) Tinuvin# 234 is 2- (2-hydroxy-3, 5-di-a-cumyl)-2H-benzotriazole Irgafos@ 38 is bis (2, 4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite Irgafos@ P-EPQ is tetrakis (2, 4-di-tert-butylphenyl) 4, 4'-biphenylene-diphosphonite IrgastabX FS042 is N, N-di (alkyl) hydroxylamine produced by the direct oxidation of N, N- di (hydrogenated tallow) amine Tinuvin@ 1577 is 4, 6-diphenyl-2- (4-hexyloxy-2-hydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine 201 iodide Stabilizer is 80% Kl, 10% Cul and 10% Zn stearate Irganox# 565 is 2, 6-di-t-butyl-4- (4, 6-bis (octylthio)-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-ylamino) phenol Brugggolen@ H3336 is an halogen alkyl phosphate copper compound available from L. Brueggeman CGL 374 is an oligomeric hindered amine stabilizer CGL 0066 is a piperazine based hindered amine stabilizer NYLOSTAB SEED is 1,3-benzenedicarboxamide-N, N'-bis- (2, 2,6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl), CAS# 42774-15-2 (Clariant) CH 3 CH3 HN c I CH3 j ! H + CHJ 2 CH3 NON Chimassorbo944 is N --N- (CH 2) 6-N H3CtÇ CH3 H3Co CH3 H3C C CH3 H 1 H3c I m R'R' Chimassorbell9is R'-NH- (CH2) -N- (CH2) 2 N- (CH2) 3 NH-R' CH 3 CH 3 H3C + N r N A CH3 v where R'is H3C-N N-- J--N N-CH3 I N I HsC n-C4H9 n'CaHs CH CH3 3 CH3 Chimassorb# 2020 is Cyasorb# UV-3346 is Uvasil# 299 is Uvasorb# HA88 is Tinuvin°770 is Tinuvin# 144 is Formulation No. 33 is of present invention.

Table 1. Color measurements on yarns wound on cards after xenon exposure Formulation No. Yellowness Index hE 0 hr. 2000 hr. 250 hr. 2000 hr. 01 29. 2 15.0 9.2 8.5 02 27. 6 16.4 7.9 6.7 03 30. 6 20.2 8.7 6.7 04 33. 4 11.5 11.0 13.1 05 36. 7 20.6 10.6 9.9 06 34. 5 19.1 10.5 9.8 07 31. 9 19.2 9.4 7.6 08 31. 8 18. 9 9. 5 7. 9 09 27. 5 21.3 6.8 3.7 10 27. 1 11.7 8.8 10.0 11 23. 9 10. 5 7. 1 8. 1 12 32. 2 13.7 9.6 11.4 13 26. 4 12.9 7.0 8.5 14 25. 5 11. 9 7. 1 8. 6 15 21. 5 11.9 5.6 5.8 16 20. 1 9. 8 5. 0 7. 0 17 22. 1 9.7 6.2 8.1 18 31. 6 10.4 10.9 13.0 19 35. 1 11.4 12.3 14.8 20 49. 3 12.6 17.8 22.7 21 50. 4 13.8 17.6 23.3 22 56. 2 14.0 20.7 26.1 23 35. 9 11.4 12.2 14.5 24 29. 0 10. 5 9. 5 12. 1 25 33. 2 10.9 11. 1 13. 8 26 31. 1 10.5 10.5 12.4 27 49. 7 18.5 14.5 19.2 28 38. 7 13.2 12.3 15.5 29 38. 7 18.4 7.9 12.8 30 48. 1 16.6 14.6 18.9 31 30. 7 12.9 8.6 11.2 32 32. 6 13.9 8.8 11.5 33 31. 7 17.1 7. 1 8. 7 34 34. 5 15.7 9.3 11.3 35 31. 9 15.7 8.8 10.4 36 37. 0 25. 3 8. 0 8. 3 Table 2. Color measurements on knitted socks after xenon exposure Formulation No. Yellowness Index AE 0 hr. 1000 hr. 250 hr. 1000 hr. 01 35. 6 12.5 13.6 14.9 02 36. 5 11.2 13.4 15.9 03 39. 8 13.3 13.3 16.5 04 43. 1 11.3 16.8 19.7 05 45. 0 16.1 14.3 18.2 06 45. 2 14.9 15.8 19.4 07 40. 9 13.2 14.6 17.2 08 41. 5 13.2 14.4 17.3 09 34. 2 13.0 10.2 13.4 10 32. 7 10.6 13.2 14.6 11 29. 5 10.0 10.9 12.5 12 38. 5 13.8 14.0 15.8 13 34. 5 13.8 11.4 13.4 14 33. 1 12.7 11.2 13.1 15 26. 2 10. 5 8. 7 10. 2 16 30. 3 10.0 11.7 13.1 17 27. 2 9. 8 9. 8 11. 4 18 38. 8 10.2 16.1 18.2 19 43. 7 10.7 18.9 21.1 20 58. 6 11.5 25.2 28.7 21 64. 7 13.0 26.6 31.2 22 70. 9 14.4 28.8 34.2 23 44. 0 11.4 17.7 20.5 24 35. 0 10.3 14.0 15.9 25 43. 9 10.9 17.5 20.0 26 39. 9 10.7 15.7 18.0 27 60. 7 21.1 20.4 24.2 28 44. 6 12.9 16.5 19.6 29 48. 0 32.1 11.8 10.1 30 60. 2 18.9 20.9 25.0 31 41. 4 17.7 13.3 14.3 32 43. 2 16.5 13.3 16.2 33 40. 1 21.6 10.2 10.9 34 42. 3 15.8 13.8 16.2 35 39. 2 15.2 13.1 15.0 36 48. 8 17. 8 9.3 18.8 Table 3. Color measurements on yarns wound on cards after oven aging Formulation No. Yellowness Index DE 0 hr. 2000 hr. 250 hr. 2000 hr. 01 28. 8 115.8 27.5 52.4 02 27. 2 65.3 7.8 23.6 03 31. 0 87.8 10.1 35.2 04 32. 9 109.6 11.8 46.5 05 36. 4 89. 0 8. 7 32. 7 06 34. 9 84. 4 6. 1 31. 4 07 31. 5 88.7 8.0 35.7 08 31. 6 87.1 8.5 34.4 09 26. 8 84.8 14.6 36.0 10 27.7 115.5 22.9 53.6 11 23. 6 107.9 15.6 51.4 12 32. 4 118.7 20.6 52.6 13 26. 7 104.2 12.2 47.8 14 25. 8 107.5 11.2 50.1 15 21. 3 100.0 12.4 47.9 16 21. 1 101.2 15.3 49.2 17 22. 6 80. 8 9. 8 36. 3 18 31. 6 103.2 15.9 44.6 19 35. 5 113.0 13.6 47.9 20 49. 8 116.8 10.9 40.7 21 52. 2 114.2 19.0 37.0 22 56. 2 117.3 14.5 35.2 23 35. 3 111.7 23.6 46.7 24 30. 1 116.2 22.2 52.4 25 33. 9 105.7 12.0 44.0 26 30. 9 107.5 13.3 46.8 27 49. 8 82.8 8.9 19.9 28 38. 9 70. 6 5. 3 19. 2 29 39. 2 79.3 11.3 23.9 30 47. 9 79.8 8.5 19.7 31 31. 1 66.8 7.7 21.4 32 33. 0 66.6 7.7 20.6 33 32. 0 66. 4 8. 7 21. 2 34 34. 4 108.8 11.1 45.9 35 32. 7 97.6 7. 4 40. 5 36 37. 7 74.7 10.1 22.6 Table 4. Color measurements on knitted socks after oven aging Formulation No. Yellowness Index hE 0 hr. 1000 hr. 250 hr. 1000 hr. 01 35. 3 110.5 36.3 47.8 02 36. 3 71.5 15.0 23.2 03 39. 5 83.3 16.5 29.4 04 42. 6 99.0 20.4 36.9 05 45. 5 83.7 16.0 26.7 06 45. 1 82.4 13.6 26.1 07 40. 5 87.6 17.2 31.4 08 42. 0 84.9 15. 1 28. 5 09 33. 4 82.8 21.6 32.0 10 33. 3 106.6 32.2 47.5 11 29. 1 96. 0 24.4 42.3 12 38. 7 107.7 28.7 45.2 13 34. 2 89.2 20.1 35.7 14 32. 4 96.6 19.5 41.4 15 25. 8 92.2 21.7 41.2 16 29. 2 92.9 23.8 40.3 17 27. 5 75.9 17.7 30.6 18 38. 5 94.8 23.2 36.8 19 42. 7 101.9 20.3 39.0 20 58. 0 107.8 15.7 32.6 21 65. 3 111.3 24.6 32.7 22 70. 2 111.2 18.3 27.1 23 42. 2 103.2 30.9 41.1 24 34. 3 101.9 28.2 42.8 25 43. 7 96.0 19.4 33.7 26 39. 7 98.0 21.7 37.5 27 60. 1 86.7 12.1 18.7 28 45. 9 77.6 11.2 20.3 29 47. 9 85.8 19.0 26.5 30 60. 6 85.7 13.2 19.2 31 42. 0 70.5 11.7 19.0 32 43. 3 74.1 12.8 20.7 33 41. 1 72.9 14.5 21.5 34 42. 5 97.0 17.7 36.0 35 38. 9 86.1 14.5 30.6 36 49. 0 74.8 14.3 17.3 Table 5. Tensile properties of flat yarns after xenon exposure Formulation Tenacity Elangation at Break No. 0 hr. 1000 hr. 0 hr. 1000 hr. (gm/den) (gm/den) % (%) (%) % Retention Retention 01 2. 7 1.5 57 668 103 15 02 2. 7 1.8 68 344 96 28 03 2. 8 1.0 37 352 35 10 04 2. 8 1.7 61 583 160 28 05 2. 6 0. 7 26 495 21 4 06 2. 9 0.8 27 518 28 5 07 2. 5 0.7 27 445 21 5 08 2. 9 1.1 38 470 45 10 09 2. 7 0.2 7 503 13 3 10 2. 6 1.6 62 594 108 18 11 2. 9 1.8 63 550 171 31 12 2. 8 1.7 61 647 147 23 13 2. 9 1.7 58 614 135 22 14 2. 9 1.9 66 599 184 31 15 2. 8 1.9 66 539 175 32 16 2. 7 2.2 81 570 332 58 17 3. 1 2.0 65 661 201 30 18 2. 8 1.7 62 643 191 30 19 2. 6 1.6 64 555 163 29 20 2. 4 1.4 59 602 150 25 21 2. 1 1.3 62 512 122 24 22 2. 2 1.5 69 541 164 30 23 2. 5 1.6 64 571 181 32 24 2. 6 1. 9 74 559 239 43 25 2. 9 1.8 64 675 217 32 26 2. 7 1.9 72 709 250 35 27 2. 3 1.5 67 614 185 30 28 2. 2 1.6 72 516 166 32 29 2. 4 1.6 66 684 213 31 30 2. 3 1.6 69 628 198 32 31 2. 6 2.0 77 520 210 40 32 2. 9 2.0 68 537 162 30 33 2. 8 2.6 92 523 367 70 34 2. 7 2.0 74 584 241 41 35 2. 6 1.6 62 542 100 18 36 2. 7 0.2 8 503 11 2 Table 6. Tensile properties of flat yarns after oven aging Formulation Tenacity Elongation at Break No. 0 hr. 1000 hr. 0 hr. 1000 hr. (gm/den) (gm/den) % (%) (%) % Retention Retention 01 2. 7 1.1 39 668 39 6 02 2. 7 2. 4 88 344 148 43 03 2. 8 2.2 78 352 101 29 04 2. 8 1.1 40 583 45 8 05 2. 6 2.1 83 495 102 21 06 2. 9 2.0 69 518 98 19 07 2. 5 1.8 74 445 94 21 08 2. 9 2.0 70 470 101 21 09 2. 7 1.9 71 503 91 18 10 2. 6 0.8 30 594 26 4 11 2. 9 1.3 45 550 46 8 12 2. 8 0.7 27 647 30 5 13 2. 9 1.9 66 614 100 16 14 2. 9 1.5 51 599 56 9 15 2. 8 1.6 56 539 64 12 16 2. 7 1.8 66 570 68 12 17 3. 1 2.2 73 661 128 19 18 2. 8 1.4 48 643 51 8 19 2. 6 0.8 31 555 37 7 20 2. 4 0.9 36 602 35 6 21 2. 1 0.9 45 512 37 7 22 2. 2 1.2 55 541 42 8 23 2. 5 1.1 44 571 52 9 24 2. 6 1.1 44 559 42 7 25 2. 9 1.8 63 675 92 14 26 2. 7 1.4 53 709 69 10 27 2. 3 2.1 91 614 221 36 28 2. 2 2.0 88 516 223 43 29 2. 4 2.1 87 684 250 36 30 2. 3 2.1 93 628 244 39 31 2. 6 2.6 101 520 250 48 32 2. 9 2.7 95 537 230 43 33 2. 8 2.6 95 523 280 54 34 2. 7 2.0 73 584 88 15 35 2. 6 1.8 67 542 82 15 36 2. 7 2.3 84 503 156 31 The formulations of the present invention provide outstanding stabilization against the effects of heat, light and oxygen.

Excellent results are also achieved when Example 1 is repeated, replacing polyamide-6 with polyamide-6, 6.