Stabilized vinyl chloride polymer compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition based on polymer and/or co-polymers of vinyl chloride including organotin salts and/or one or more divalent metal salts of a carboxylic acid or phenol, and one or more metal salts of the organic compounds of general formula A: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene radical having up to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkylene radical having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or an arylene or cycloalkylene radical having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the cycloalkylene radicals optionally containing carbon--carbon double bonds; these radicals optionally being unsubstituted or substituted for example by one or more or halogen atoms or hydroxyl groups or, for aryl or cycloalkylene radicals, by one or more methyl, ethyl or methoxy radicals, the above-mentioned radicals optionally modified by the presence in an aliphatic chain of one or more --O--, --CO-- or CO.sub.2 -chain members or N; R.sub.2 represents O,S,NR.sub.5 or NNHR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is defined as R.sub.1, H or C(S)NHR.sub.6 wherein R.sub.6 is defined as R.sub.1 or H; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are defined as R.sub.1 or H and can be the same or different; A is either, O, S or NR.sub.7, with R.sub.7 defined as R.sub.1 and H, with the exception that when A =O, R.sub.2 =.backslash..dbd.O.

Description

The present invention relates to stabilised vinyl chloride poisoner compositions.

The temperatures required during the processing of vinyl chloride polymers and co-polymers, by moulding, extruding and casting techniques, are of the order of 180-200.degree. C. These elevated temperatures cause degradation of the polymer leading to undesirable colour formation and detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the end product.

The problems of degradation may be reduced by the use of additives such as metal inorganic salts and metal carboxylates. Further improvement in the retardation of the detrimental degradation is provided by organophosphites, epoxidised esters or oils, hindered phenolic antioxidants and polyols.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,307,075 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,548 the beneficial effects of adding metal chelates of certain dicarbonyl compounds specifically .beta.-ketoesters are disclosed. GB1,511,621 offers further improvements by the combination of divalent metal salts of carboxylic acids together with a dicarbonyl organic compound. More recently EP46161 covered the use of metal salts of bis .beta.-diketones and compared their performance with Zinc salts of commercially available .beta.-diketones. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,697 metal salts of .beta.-diketones are also described.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative stabilisation system.

According to the present invention there is provided a composition based on polymer and/or co-polymers of vinyl chloride comprising the following compounds expressed by weight percent relative to the weight of polymer/co-polymer used.

a) from 0.1%-5% of one or more organotin salts and/or one or more divalent metal salts of a carboxylic acid or phenol; and b) from 0.001%-5% of one or more metal salts of the organic compounds of general formula A. ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene radical having up to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkylene radical having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or an arylene or cycloalkylene radical having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the cycloalkylene radicals optionally containing carbon-carbon double bonds; these radicals optionally being unsubstituted or substituted for example by one or more halogen atoms or hydroxyl groups or, for aryl or cycloalkylene radicals, by one or more methyl, ethyl and methoxy radicals, the above mentioned radicals optionally also being modified by the presence in an aliphatic chain of one or more --O--, --CO-- or --CO.sub.2 -chain members or N; R.sub.2 represents O. S, NR.sub.5 or NNHR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is defined as R.sub.1, H or C(S)NHR.sub.6 wherein.sub.6 is defined as R.sub.1 or H; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are defined as R.sub.1 or H and can be the same or different; A is either, S or NR.sub.7, with R.sub.7 defined as R.sub.1 and H.

The metals used for the above complexes can be chosen from the alkali or alkaline erths; they may be divalent or monovalent transition metal ions or tetravalent or divalent tin. Those preferred for this invention are barium, cadmium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium. potassium, strontium or tin.

Examples of metal salts based on compound A are give in Table 1. ##STR3##

TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________R.sub.2 = O Name PreparationCompound A R.sub.1 R.sub.3 M.sup.n+ (all isomers) method__________________________________________________________________________I N-phenyl CH.sub.3 H Zn(II) N-phenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Zinc complexII N-phenyl " " Ca(II) N-phenyl B 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Calcium complexIII N-phenyl " " Ba(II) N-phenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Barium complexIV N-phenyl " " Na(I) N-phenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Sodium saltV N-phenyl " " K(I) N-phenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Potassium saltVI N-phenyl " " Mg(II) N-phenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Magnesium complexVII 1 " " Na(I) N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Sodium salt AVIII " " " K(I) N-p-methoxyphenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Potassium saltIX " " " Ca(II) N-p-methoxyphenyl B 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Calcium complex 3 #STR4## " " Na(I) N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Sodium salt AXI " " " K(I) N-p-methoxyphenyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Postssium saltXII " " " Ca(II) N-p-methoxyphenyl B 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Calcium saltXIII N-isopropyl " " Zn(II) N-isopropyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Zinc complexXIV N-benzyl " " Zn(II) N-benzyl A 3-acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Zinc complexXV N-phenyl 2 #STR5## " Ba(II) N-phenyl 3-phenyl acetylpyrrolidine 2,4 dione Barium complex AXVI N-phenyl CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3 Ca(II) N-phenyl 3-acetyl 5, B methyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Calcium complex__________________________________________________________________________

The metal salts were all made by 1 of 2 possible synthetic procedures although this does not exclude the possibility that these products can be made by alternative methods. Details of the synthetic procedures used in our laboratories are given for each. The starting organic compound, was, in each case synthesised by the literature preparation given either J.Chem.Soc. (1954), 854 or 832 R N Lacey.

Method A Potassium (3-acetyl-N-phenyIpyrrolidine-2,4-dione)

N-acetoacetyl-N-phenyl-glycine ethyl ester (74.6 g, 0.28 mols) was dissolved in toluene (250 mls). To this mixture was added a suspension of potassium hydroxide in Industrial Methylated Spirit (21.95 g, in 150 mls). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 1 hour, after which time the heat was removed and the mixture allowed to cool. Once cold, the solid was isolated by filtration, washed on the filter with diethyl ether (2.times.50 mis) and sucked dry. The soli d was placed in an oven to dry.

Yield=89%

Method B

N-phenyl-3-acetyl-pyrrolidine-2,4-dione (13.62 g, 0.063 mols) was suspended in deionised water (315 mls). Aqueous ammonia was added (26.3 mls of 32%) was added and the mixture stirred for 1 hour. After this time the solution was filtered and the filtrate diluted with more deionised water (625 mls). An aqueous solution of calcium chloride (3.48 g in 190 mls) was added dropwise with stirring. Once addition was complete the reaction mixture was stirred for a further 30 minutes.

The mixture was reduced to near dryness and the solid isolated by filtration.

Yield=88%

The heat stability of the compounds described in Table 1 in polyvinyl chloride have been evaluated.

The phrase "compositions based in polyvinyl chloride" used herin should be understood to include compositions comprising any homopolymer or co-polymer of vinyl chloride including chlorinated vinyl chloride polymers and optionally any adjuvants employed to facilitate processing or enhance the properties of the end product.

Any suitable organotin salt may be used such as methyl-, butyl-, and octyltin carboxylate, maleic acid half ester and mercaptoester salts.

The divalent metal salts of carboxylic acids preferably comprise barium, cadmium, zinc, calcium, magnesium or (less desirably) lead salts of saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid or aromatic acids. In the case of zinc. basic (acid deficient) salts may optionally be employed. Barium and calcium salts of phenol or substituted phenols and optionally basic (carbonated) phenate and carboxylate salts of these metals can also be employed. The metal salts are preferably provided in combinations such as barium-cadmium, barium-zinc or calcium-zinc. Suitable salts include acetates, ethyl hexanoates, octoates, stearates, oleates, laurates, palmitates, myristates, ricinoleates, benzoates (including alkyl substituted benzoates) phthalates, phenates and nonyl phenates. Optionally these divalent metal salts can be used in combination with carboxylic acid salts of monovalent metals, for example sodium, potassium and/or trivalent metals, for example aluminium. Furthermore, inorganic metal salts can be included. Such products can be oxides, carbonates, sulphates, perchlorates, magnesium/aluminium and magnesium/aluminium/zinc hydroxycarbonates, calcium/aluminium hydroxycarbonates or calcium/aluminium hydroxyphosphite products.

Option adjuvants include any of the following: organophosphite esters, for example triaryl phosphites such as triphenyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite, alkaryl phosphites such as monooctyl diphenylphosphite, dioctylphenyl phosphite, mixed alkyl nonylphenyl phosphites, trialkyl phosphites such as tridecyl phosphite, trioleyl phosphite, tristeary phosphite, oligo phosphite such as those based on pentaerythritol, dipropylene glycerol and bisphenols.

Antioxidants, for example, phenolic antioxidants such as 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, styrenated phenol, 2,2'-methylenc bis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-bis-(4-hydroxyphenol) propane, octadecyl-3-(3',5'-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenol) propionate. pentaerhritol tetrakis [3',5'-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenol) propionate].

Ultraviolet absorbers, foe example benzophenones such as 2-hydroxy4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-octoxybenzophenone, benzotriazoles such as 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, salicylates such as phenyl salicylate, nickel salts such as nickel bis [o-ethyl(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)]phosphonate, hindered amine s such as bis(2,2,6,6-etramethylpiperidinyl-4)sebacate.

Polyol co-stabilisers such as pentaertritol, dipentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, mannitol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, propylene glycol, ditrimethylolpropane and the esters of these products formed with aliphatic and aromatic monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids.

Antistatic agents such as ethylene condensates, carbowax, glycerol monostearates, alkylsulphonates.

Lubricants such as calcium stearate, zinc stearate, fatty acid esters and amides, distearyl phthalate, stearyl alcohol, stearic acid, polyethylene wax.

Flame retardants such as antimony trioxide, aluminium hydroxide, zinc stannate.

The homopolymers and co-polymers can be used in rigid or flexible formulations. In flexible formulations commonly used plasticisers include for example, phthalic acid esters such as dimethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, aliphatic monobasic acid esters such as butyl oleate, glycerol monoleate, butyl stearate, octyl stearate, butyl epoxy stearate, octyl epoxy stearate, epoxidised soya bean oil, epoxidised linseed oil, aliphatic dibasic esters such as diisodecyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, higher molecular weight (polymeric plasticisers) based on dibasic acids would also be included, as would trimellitate esters and phosphoric acid esters such as tributyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tri-2-ethylhexyl phosphate.

In rigid formulations it is possible to include impact modifiers such as, for example, chlorinated polyethylene, butadiene/styrene co-polymers or butadiene/styrene/acrlonitrile terpolymers. Acrylic impact modifiers and process aids can also be included.

Miscellaneous additives such as fillers and pigments could be used in flexible and rigid polymer applications.

The stabilisers according to the invention can be incorporated at the same time as other adjuvants. Alternatively, they may be combined with certain of the additives to produce a stabiliser composition which can then be subsequently incorporated into the chlorinated polymer. Methods of production of such stabilising combinations are well known within the industry.

Various methods are available for the processing of stabilised PVC formulations these include calendering, rotational moulding, spread coaling, slush moulding, extrusion, injection moulding, blow-moulding. The stabiliser compositions described by the invention can be used in accordance with each of these techniques.

The following example further illustrate the invention:

A. Examples 1-4

The sample compounds were tested in the formulation given below which can be used in the manufacture of bottles.

______________________________________Composition A______________________________________Suspension polymerised PVC resin (K-57) 100Impact Modifier, a co-polymer of methuylmethacrylate 13butadiene and styrene (sold under the trade nameParaloid BTA736SProcess aid (Paraloid K175) 1Epoxidised Soya Bean Oil 5Calcium Stearate 1Zinc Stearate 0.7Tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite 0.3______________________________________ 121 g of this mixture was taken as example 1. For examples 2-4, 121 g of Composition A was combined with 0.02 g of V, I and stearoylbenzovlmethane (sold under the trade name of Rhodiastab 50) respectively.

The mixtures were mixed by hand before being placed on a steam heated rolling mill under the conditions described in Table 2. After the milling time the samples were removed as sheets, test pieces of size 140 mm.times.20 mm were cut from the prepared sheets and placed in a test oven at 185.degree. C. (Mathis Thermotester Ta-pe LTF-ST). The Yellouness Index (YI of the test sample) was determined according to BS2762: Part 5, Method 530A. The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 2______________________________________Mill Conditions______________________________________Roll Diameter 152.4 mmFront roll temperature 165.degree. C.Back roll temperature 163.degree. C.Front roll speed 30 rpmFriction ratio 1:1Nip thickness 0.4 mmMilling time 3 minutes______________________________________ TABLE 3______________________________________ Y.I. after oven test in minutesExample 0 4 8 12 16 20______________________________________1 18 39 60 70 73 742 8 19 40 50 55 623 7 17 31 42 52 574 11 23 31 44 56 63______________________________________ B. Examples 5-8

Tne example compounds were tested in a flexible clear PVC formulation stabilised by a Calcium/Zinc Hydrotalcite solid system.

______________________________________Composition B______________________________________Suspension polymerised PVC resin (K 71) 100Dioctyl phthalate 50Calcium Stearate 0.5Zinc Stearate 0.5Mg/Al/Zn Hydroxycarbonate (sold under the tradename 0.3Alkamiser IV)Bisphenol A 0.1Tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite 1______________________________________ 152.4 g of Composition B were taken as example 5. For examples 6-9 152.4 g of Composition B was combined with 0.05 g of Dibenzoylmethane (sold under the tradename Rhodiastab 83), IV, I & XIII.

These samples were treated in an identical manner to that described in Section A apart from the oven temperature which was 180.degree. C. The YI results are given in Table 4.

TABLE 4______________________________________YI after oven test in minutesExample 0 2 4 8 12 16 20______________________________________5 9 12 14 19 22 24 256 14 14 14 15 15 15 157 8 8 9 10 11 12 158 7 7 8 9 13 19 279 7 7 8 9 12 18 29______________________________________ C. Examples 9-12

The example compounds were tested in a rigid, pigmented PVC formulation which may be used for the manufacture of window profile. The system is stabilised by a solid Ca/Zn system. All the materials have their tradenames in parentheses.

______________________________________Composition C______________________________________Suspension polymerised PVC resin 9K 66) 3,000Acrylic Impact modifier (Paraloid KM355) 210Titamium Dioxide (Kronos 2220) 120Coated Calcium Carbonate (Polcarb SB 150Calcium Stearate 15Zinc Stearate 15Mg/Al/Zn Hydroxycarbonate (Alkamiser IV) 21Oxidised polyethylene wax (AC 316A) 4.5Polyethylene wax (PE 520) 4.5Synthetic Paraffin (Sasol H1) 4.5______________________________________ 3544.5 g of Composition C was taken as example 9. For examples 10-12 this amount of Composition C was combined with 3.0 of VIII. XIV and Stearoylbenzoylmethane (Rhodiastab X5).

The mixtures were mixed in a high speed mixer (Paperuneier TGH KV8) which heated under frictionto 110.degree. C. then cooled to 40.degree. C. The prepared samples were then passed through a lab axtracture (Brabender DSE 35/17/D twin screw extruder coupled to a PLE651 Plasticorder) under the conditions disclosed in Table 5.

TABLE 5______________________________________ Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3/Adaptor Tool______________________________________Zone Temperatures (.degree. C.) 165 175 185 190Screw Speed - 17 rpmDoser Speed - 33 rpm______________________________________

Test pieces of size 408 mm.times.20 mm were cut from the strip and were placed in a test oven (Werner-Mathis Thermotester) at 190.degree. C. The Yellowness Indices are given in Table 6.

TABLE 6______________________________________YI after oven test in minutesExample 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14______________________________________9 12 13 14 21 30 32 32 3210 11 11 13 16 23 28 31 3311 11 11 13 17 25 31 32 34212 12 13 14 21 30 32 32 32______________________________________ D. Examples 13-16

The example compounds were treated in a rigid, pigmented expanded foam formulation stabilised by a Ca/Zn solid stabiliser system.

______________________________________Composition D______________________________________Suspension polymerised PVC resin (K 57) 3,000process Aid (Paraloid K400) 150Acrylic impact modifier (Paraloid KM 355) 90Calcium carbonate (Omyalite 95T) 240Titamium Dioxide (Kronos 2220) 180Epoxidised Soya Bean Oil (Lankroflex E2307) 30Calcium stearate 15Zinc stearate 15Mg/Al/Zn Hydroxycarbonate (Alkamiser IV) 30Wax (Loxiol G70) 10Wax (poxiol G60) 10Synthetic Paraffin (Sasol SP1044) 5Sodium Bicarbonate 30______________________________________ 3805 g of Composition D was taken as example 13. For examples 14-16 this amount of Composition D w,as combined with 3.0 g of Rhodiastab X5, XIII & IV.

The mixtures Awere prepared in the same manner as examples 9-12 except that the temperature reached in the high speed mixer reached 100.degree. C. The samples were treated in an identical manner to that described in Section C apari from the Brabender Doser speed which was 35 rpm.

Test pieces of size 40 mm.times.25 mm were cut from the extruded strip and placed in oven at 185.degree. C. Pieces were removed from the oven at 3 minute intervals. The YI was recorded and the results are given in Table 7.

TABLE 7______________________________________ YI after oven test in minutesExample 0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21______________________________________13 12 13 14 16 21 24 25 2814 10 11 13 13 16 21 22 2315 6 7 8 11 14 17 21 2416 7 8 8 15 16 21 22 24______________________________________ E. Example 17-20

The examples below use a white pigmented PVC plastisol formulation, incorporating a Ba/Zn stabiliser system.

______________________________________Composition E______________________________________Emulsion PVC resin (K-72) 100Dioctylphthalate 50Titanium Dioxide (sold under the 2trade name RFC-5)Carbonated Barium Alkyl phenolate 0.5(28% Ba)Basic Zinc octoate (22% Zn) 0.16Diphenyl isooctyl phosphite 0.9Diphenyl phosphite 0.2Butoxyethoxy ethanol 0.21______________________________________ 153.97 g of Composition E were taken as example 17. For examples 18 to 20 this amount of Composition E was combined with 0.03 g of Dibenzoylmethane, 0.03 g XV and 0.03 g XVI.

The composition described above were mixed initially by hand and then using the laboratory, triple roll mill a period of 10 minutes. The blends were then de-aerated using a Collin (type 110) laboratry mixer before being spread onto release paper to a thickness of 0.5 mm. The plastisol gelled at 185.degree. C. for 1 minute.

The pieces of size 410 mm.times.20 mm were cut from the cured sheet and placed in a test oven at 190.degree. C. The Yelowness index of the test samples are shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8______________________________________ Y.I. after oven test in minutesExample 0 2 4 6 8 10______________________________________17 9 25 36 47 51 5118 4 9 19 33 45 5019 6 11 15 22 32 4020 4 9 12 21 33 42______________________________________ F. Examples 21-26

The examples below use a filled plastisol PVC formulation stabilised by a Ca/Zn liquid system.

______________________________________Composition F______________________________________Emulsion PVC resin (K-79) 100Dioctylphthalate 60Calcium Carbonate 50Diphenyl isooctyl phosphite 1Basic zinc octoate (22% Zn) 0.114Carbonated Calcium Carboxylate (10% Ca) 0.25Butyoxyethoxy ethanol 0.606______________________________________ 211.97 g of Composition F was taken as example 21. For examples 22 to 25 this amount of Composition F was combined with 0.03 g of Dibenzoylmethane, XVI, III & VIII.

These mixtures were treated in exactly the same manner as described in Section E. The yellowness indices are given in Table 9.

TABLE 9______________________________________Y.I. after oven test in minutesExample 0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 9 10.5 12______________________________________21 7 13 19 24 27 30 31 35 5222 10 11 11 11 12 15 19 28 5923 7 9 9 10 10 12 17 31 --24 8 9 12 13 12 14 18 25 5225 7 9 10 11 12 13 15 19 32______________________________________ G. Examples 27-35

The example described herein were produced using a highly plasticised PVC formulation incorporating a Ba/Zn stabiliser system.

______________________________________Composition G______________________________________Suspension PVC Resin (K-71) 100Dioctylphthalate 45Epoxidised alkyltallate 3Diphenyl isooctyl phosphite 0.9Diphenyl phosphite 0.2Basic Zinc Octoate (22% Zn) 0.16Carbonated Barium alkylphenolate (28% Ba) 0.5Butoxyethoxyethanol 0.21______________________________________ 149.97 g of Composition G was taken as example 27. For examples 28 to 32 this amount of Composition G was combined with 0.03 g of Rhodiastab 83; VIII, XV, XVI, and III respectively. For examples 33 and 34 149.7 g of Composition G was combined with 0,015 g of XVI and III.

The mixtures were treated in an identical manner to that described in Section B. The test results are given in Table 10.

TABLE 10______________________________________Y.I. after oven test in minutesExample 0 8 16 24 32 40 48______________________________________27 4 4 4 6 12 20 2128 9 10 10 10 10 12 1429 4 4 5 6 7 13 1830 3 4 4 6 9 13 1731 3 4 4 7 11 16 2132 4 5 5 6 9 13 2033 3 4 4 5 8 13 1834 3 4 5 5 6 11 14______________________________________ H. Examples 35-40

The following examples were tested in a semi-rigid pigments formulation stabilised by the presence of a Ba/Zn stabiliser liquid system.

______________________________________Composition H______________________________________Suspension PVC (K 64) 100Dioctylphthalate 27.5Epoxidised alkyl tallate 3Titanium dioxide (sold under the tradename 10APP-2Diphenyl isooctyl phosphite 0.67Diphenyl phosphite 0.15Basic zinc octoate (22% Zn) 0.12Carbonated Barium alkyl phenolate 0.38Butoxyethoxy ethanol 0.16______________________________________ 141.973 g of Composition H was taken as example 35. For examples 36-40 this amount of Composition H was combined with 0.027 g of Dibenzoylmethane, Diberizoylmethane zinc (II) complex, XVI, XIII, & XV.

The mixtures were treated in an identical manner to that described in section A. The Yellowness Index results are given in Table 11.

TABLE 11______________________________________ Y.I. after oven test in minutesExample 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 17.5______________________________________35 8 14 22 26 27 27 27 2736 4 10 20 24 26 27 27 2737 3 6 19 23 26 26 26 2638 2 3 6 11 14 22 23 2439 2 4 5 10 17 22 22 2340 2 4 7 11 15 19 21 22______________________________________

It is to be understood that the above described examples are by way of illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible.

Claims

1. A composition based on polymer and/or co-polymers of vinyl chloride comprising the following compounds expressed by weight percent relative to the weight of the polymer/co-polymer used:

(a) from 0.1%-5% of one or more organotin salts and/or one or more divalent metal salts of a carboxylic acid or phenol; and

(b) from 0.001%-5% of one or more metal salts of the organic compounds of general formula A ##STR6## in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene radical having up to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkylene radical having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or an arylene or cycloalkylene radical having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the cycloalkylene radicals optionally containing carbon-carbon double bonds; these radicals optionally being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, or, for aryl or cycloalkylene radicals, by one or more methyl, ethyl or methoxy radicals, the above-mentioned radicals optionally modified by the presence in an aliphatic chain of one or more --O--, --CO-- or CO.sub.2 --chain members or N; R.sub.2 represents O,S,NR.sub.5 or NNHR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is defined as R.sub.1, H or C(S)NHR.sub.6 wherein R.sub.6 is defined as R.sub.1 or H; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are defined as R.sub.1 or H and can be the same or different; A is either, O,S or NR.sub.7,with R.sub.7 defined as R.sub.1 and H, with the exception that when A=O,R.sub.2 =.backslash.=O.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal component of the metal salts of the organic compounds comprises any of the following:- alkali or alkaline earth, divalent or monovalent transition metal ions or tetravalent or divalent tin.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the metal component of the metal salts of the organic compounds comprises any of the following:- barium, cadmium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium or tin.

4. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the composition contains any of the following:- N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione zinc complex; N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione calcium complex; N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, barium complex; N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, sodium salt; N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, potassium salt; N-phenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, magnesium complex; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, sodium salt; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, potassium salt; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, calcium complex; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, Sodium salt; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, potassium salt; N-p-methoxyphenyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, calcium complex; N-isopropyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, zinc complex; N-benzyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, zinc complex; N-benyl 3-acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, barium complex; N-phenyl 3-acetyl 5-methyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, calcium complex; or N-phenyl 3-phenyl acetyl pyrrolidine 2,4 dione, barium complex.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal component of the divalent metal salt comprises any of the following either alone or in combination: barium, cadmium, zinc, calcium, magnesium or lead.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divalent metal salt comprises any of the following: acetates, ethyl hexanoates, octoates, stearaies, oleates, laurates, palmitates, myristates, ricinoleates, benzoates alkyl substituted benzoates, phthalates, phenates and nonyl phenates.

7. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the divalent metal salt is used in combination with carboxylic acid salts of monovalent metals.

8. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition further includes an inorganic metal salt.