| abstract |
The present invention relates to improved flame retardant insulation/jacketing compositions for wire and cable products based on ethylene-vinyl ester and ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers. The copolymers are formulated with a hydrated inorganic filler, an alkoxysilane, a crosslinking agent, a processing additive and a combination of specific antioxidants, namely, a pentaerythritol betaalkylthiopropionate and a hindered phenol. The formulations stabilized with the pentaerythritol betaalkylthiopropionate/ hindered phenol combination have good heat stability and do not tarnish or discolor the surface of the copper conductor upon steam vulcanization. |