CA2124923C - Thermoplastic resin composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention comprises a polymer comprising recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the following formula:

Description

_. z~z~~z~

TITLE
THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITION
This is a divisional of Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,059,389 filed January 15, 1992.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel thermoplastic resin composition, and more in detail to a thermoplastic resin composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)acrylate and a soft polymer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Amorphous resins such as polyester resins, ABS resins and modified PPO resins are excellent in characteristics such as rigidity, dimension accuracy and heat resistance, and accordingly have heretofore been widely used for automobile parts, electrical appliances, office automation instruments, miscellaneous goods, etc.
However, thermoplastic resins used for products as mentioned above have recently been increasingly employed under severe conditions such as at high temperature. The severe quality is required for the thermoplastic resins used under such severe conditions depending upon the conditions of use. Few of the conventionally used amorphous resins as described above satisfy such requirements, and therefore the realization of thermoplastic resins having still higher quality has been desired.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the prior art techniques as described above, and an object of the _.

invention is to provide a thermoplastic resin composition excellent in characteristics such as heat resistance, rigidity, dimension accuracy, impact resistance and light resistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention comprises (A) a polymer comprising recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the following formula:
Ris CH2 = C Ris [I]
\ C-O-R1e (wherein m is 0 or a positive integer, n is 0 or 1, R is hydrogen or methyl, R1-R18 are each independently an atom or a group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and h drocarbon rou s R15_R18 Y g p . , linked together, may form a mono-cyclic or polycyclic group which may have a double bond, R15 and R16, or R17 and R18 may form an alkylidene group, p is 0 or 1, and Ra and Rb each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group when p is 1, and a 5-membered ring is formed as the result of forming a bond between the two corresponding carbon atoms when p is 0) and (B) a soft polymer.
In this divisional application, aromatic vinyl hydro-carbon/conjugated dime polymer or a hydrogenated or graft-modified product (iv) or (meth)acrylic acid ester polymer or copolymer (vi) mentioned more in detail hereinunder is employed as the soft polymer (B) at a weight ratio of the polycyclic (meth)acrylate polymer (A) to the soft polymer (B) of 93:7 to 60:40.
In the parent application, the other soft polymers mentioned hereinunder are employed. However, it should be borne in mind that the expression "the present invention" or the like in this specification includes the subject matter of both this divisional application and the parent application.
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention is excellent in characteristics such as rigidity, dimension accuracy, impact resistance and light resistance. Accordingly, molded articles excellent in characteristics such as heat resistance, rigidity, impact resistance and light resistance can be prepared from the resin composition of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention is more specifically illustrated hereinafter.
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention comprises a polymer comprising recurring units derived from a specific polycyclic (meth)acrylate and a soft polymer.
The polymer comprising recurring units derived from a specific polycyclic (meth)acrylate may be a (co)polymer of two or more different polycyclic (meth)acrylates of the formula (I), or a copolymer of a polycyclic (meth)acrylate of the formula (I) and at least one other copolymerizable monomer.

_..

POLYCYCLIC (METH)ACRYLATE
Firstly, the polycyclic (meth)acrylate is illustrated.
The polycyclic (meth)acrylate can be represented by the formula:
R is CH2 = C R [ I ]
~C-0- Ris II Rm R1e In the aforementioned formula [I], m is 0 or a positive integer, preferably, 0, 1 or 2, and n is 0 or 1.
However, when the soft polymer is the aromatic vinyl hydro-carbon/conjugated diene polymer or hydrogenated or graft-modified product thereof (iv) or the (meth)acrylic acid ester polymer or copolymer (vi), the total of m and n should be at least 1.
In the formula [I], R is hydrogen or methyl. That is, of compounds represented by the above-mentioned formula [I], those having a hydrogen atom as R are acrylate compounds, and those having a methyl group as R are methacrylate compounds.
These acrylate compounds and methacrylate compounds can both be used in the present invention.
In the formula [I], Rl-R18 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and zm~~~~

hydrocarbon groups. Ra and Rb are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group. The hydrocarbon groups usually have 1 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and are 4a linear or branched. Specific examples of the hydrocarbon group include aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, preferably alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl; alicyclic hydrocarbon groups such as cyclohexyl; and aromatic hydrocarbon groups, preferably those having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, benzyl, tolyl, ethylphenyl, isopropylphenyl, a-naphthyl and anthracenyl. Examples of the halogen include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. R1-R18 are not required to be the same, and may, of course, be groups or atoms different from each other.
Still furthermore, R15-R18, linked together, may form a monocyclic or polycyclic group. For example, R15 and R17, linked together, may form as a whole, a cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl ring, or a ring structure in which a plural number of such rings are bonded together. The monocyclic or polycyclic group may have a double bond in the ring.
Moreover, R15 and R16, or R17 and R18 may form an alkylidene group such as ethylidene and propylidene.
Furthermore, p represents 0 or 1 in the formula jI]. Ra _.-.anal Rb_each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group when p is 1, and when p is 0, the corresponding two carbons are bonded together to form a 5-membered ring.
Among the polycyclic (meth]acrylates of the formula (I], a group of preferred compounds are represented by the formula=

z~~~~z~
Sa 72932-124 R
RX
H2C=C-C-O
O RY
Rd R12 (wherein R , R , R , R , R and R13 are each hydrogen or lower l0 alkyl, RX and Ry are each hydrogen, halogen,lower alkyl, and R is as defined above.
Specific examples of the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the aforementioned formula [IJ include the compounds described below.
R~ R11 H
Tetracyclo[4.9Ø12~5.1~~1~]dodecyl-.3-CHZ = C
I acrylate C-O -II
O

Tetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5,1~~1~]dodecyl-3-CH2 = C
I methacrylate C-O -II
O
2,10-Dimethyltetracyclo-CH2 = i CH3 CHj [4.4Ø12~5.1~~1~)dodecyl-3-acrylate C-O
II
O
iH3 2,10-Dimethyltetracyclo-CH2 = i CH3 CH3 [9.4Ø12~5.1~~1~)dodecyl-3-C-O - methacrylate II
O
2,7-Dimethyltetracyclo-CH2 = i CH3 [4 , q . 0 . 12~ S . 1~~ 1~ ] dodecyl-3-acrylate C-O
II
O

iH3 2,7-Dimethyltetracyclo CHZ = i CH3 [4.4Ø12~5.17~10]dodecyl-3 C-O - methacrylate II
O

11,12-Dimethyltetracyclo-CH2 = j [4.4Ø125.17.10]dodecyl-3-acrylate C-O -O
iH3 11,12-Dimethyltetracyclo-CHZ = i [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12 ~ 5 . 17. 10 ] dodecyl-3 -C-O methacrylate I) CH3 CH3 O
9-Substituted tetracyclo-CH2 = i x [4 . 4 Ø 12~ 5. 17~ 10] dodecyl-3-acrylate R
C-O
II
O
iH3 9-Substituted tetracyclo-CH2 = C [ 4 . 9 . 0 . 12 ~ 5 . 1.10 ~ dodecyl-3-I Rx C-O methacrylate II
O
In the above-mentioned two formulas, RX reprESents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, hexyl and stearyl, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group such as cyclohexyl, or a halogen atom such as a bromine atom and a fluorine atom.
8-Substituted tetracyclo-CHz = i (4 . 4 Ø 12~5. 1~, 10] dodecyl-3-acrylate C-O -I) O
Rx iH3 8-Substituted tetracyclo-CH2 = i (4 . 4 . 0 . 12, 5 . 17, 10~ dodecyl-3-C O methacrylate II
O
Rx In the above-mentioned two formulas, Rx represents an S aliphatic hydrocarbon group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, hexyl and stearyl, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group such as cyclohexyl, or a halogen atom such as a bromine atom and a fluorine atom.
8,9-Disubstituted tetracyclo-CHz = i Rx [9 . 4 ~. 0. 12~ 5. 1~. 10~ dodecyl-3-acrylate C-O _ II
O
Ry iH3 8,9-Disubstituted tetracyclo-CH2 = i x [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12 ~ 5 .1.10 ~ dodecyl-3-R
C-O methacrylate Il O
Ry In the above-mentioned two formulas, RXand RY each independently represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, hexyl and stearyl, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group such as cyclohexyl, or a halogen atom such as a bromine atom and a fluorine atom.
H
Hexacyclo [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13 6 . 110, 13 . 02, 7 CHZ = C 3 1 ' C-O 4 2 1q 13 12 09,14~heptadecyl-4-acrylate U

Hexacyclo [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13 6 . 110, 13 . 02, 7 CH2 = C
C-O O9'147heptadecyl-4-methacrylate a H
12-Methylhexacyclo-CH2=C
C-O CH3 [6.6.1.13~6.110,13.02,7.09,14~-heptadecyl-4-acrylate 12-Methylhexacyclo-CH2 = i C-O CH3 [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13. 6 . 110, 13 . 02, 7 . 09, 14 ~ ..
heptadecyl-4-methacrylate H r 11-Methylhexacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O [6.6.1.13~6.110,13.02,7.09,14~-II heptadecyl-4-acrylate O

11-Methylhexacyclo-CH2 = C
( [6.6.1.13~6,110,13,02,7,0g,14~_ CO
I) heptadecyl-4-methacrylate O

H
12-Ethylhexacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O C2H5 [6.6.1.13.6.110,13.02.7.09,14]_ II heptadecyl-4-acrylate O

12-Ethylhexacyclo-CHz = I
C-0 CZHS [6.6.1.13~6.110.13.02.7.0g.14~_ II heptadecyl-4-methacrylate O
H
11-Ethylhexacyclo-CH2=C
C-O [6.6.1.13~6.110,13.~2,7.09,14~_ II ) ~ heptadecyl-4-acrylate O
CzHs 2.1 24923 11-Ethylhexacyclo-CHZ = C
[6.6.1.13~6.110,13.~2,7.
II O9~ 14] -heptadecyl-4-O
C2Hs methacrylate H
Octacyclo[8.8.1z~9.14~~.
CHz = i q 2 le is 111, 18 . 115, 16 . 0 . 03~ 8 . 012, 17 ] -C-0 s 3 1 ~ 1 s II docosyl-S-acrylate O s 8 to lz lq 7 9 i 11 13 fH3 Octacyclo[8.8.12~9.14.7, CH2 = i 111, 18 . 115. 16 . 0 . 03. 8 . 012, 17 ] _ C-O docosyl-5-methacrylate (I
O
15-Methyloctacyclo-CH2= i [8.8.12.9,14,7.111,18, C-0 CH3 115,16Ø038.012.17 II )docosyl O -S-acrylate _iH3 . 15-Methyloctacyclo-CHZ = i [8.8.12~9.14~7.111.18.
C-O CH3 15, 16 3 8 12 17 II 1 . 0 . 0 ~ . 0 ~ ] docosyl O -S-methacrylate Examples of the polycyclic (meth)acrylate in which Rls-Rle together- form a single ring group represented by the aforoementioned formula [IJ include the compounds described below.
H
Pentacyclo[6.6.1.13~6.02~~,p~.l~~_ CH2 = C
I hexadecyl-4-acrylate C-O -II

Pentacyclo [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13~ 6 , 02, ~ , p9, i4 J -CH2 = C
I hexadecyl-4-methacrylate C-O -II
O
H
CH3 CH3 1,3-Dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
C-0 - [6.6.1.13.6.02.~.09,14Jhexadecyl-~-II acrylate CH3 CH3 1,3-Dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
[ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13~ 6 . 02~ ~ . 09.14 ] hexadecyl-:~-II methacrylate O
H
CH3 1,6-Dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O- [ 6 . 6. 1 . 13~ 6 . 02~ ~ . O9~ 14 ] hexadecyl-:~-II acrylate O

CH3 1,6-Dimethylpentacyclo-CHZ = C
I [6.6.1.13~6.02~7.09~14 A Y
C-O- ]h_xadec 1--~-II methacrylate O

H
15,16-Dimethylpentacyclo-CHZ = C
( [6.6.1.13~6.02.x.09,14 y C-O- )hexadec 1--=~-IOI CHI CH3 acrylate 15,16-Dimethylpentacyclo-CHz = C
C-O [ 6. 6. 1 . 13~ 6 . 02~ ~ . O9, 14 ] rlexadecyl--~-II CH3 CH3 methacrylate O
H
Pentacyclo[6.5.1.13~s,02.~,p9.13]-CH2 = C
C-O pentadecyl-4-acrylate II
O

Pentacyclo[6.5.1.13.6,02,~,p9,13~_ CHZ = C
I pentadeGyl-4-methacrylate C-O -II
O

.. 2 ~ 4923 H
CH3 CH3 1,3-dimethylpentacyclo-CHZ = C
C-O - f6.5.1.13~6.02~~.09~13)pentadecyl-4-acrylate O
H3 .
CH3 CH3 1,3-dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O C6.5.1.13~6.02~~.09,13)pentadecyl-4-methacrylate O
H
CH3 1,6-dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O - f6.5.1.13~6.02.~,09,13~pentadecyl-9-acrylate O

H3 .
1,6-dimethylpentacyclo-CH2 = C
C-O ~6.5.1.13~6.02~~.09.13~pentadecyl-9-methacrylate O

H
19,15-dimethylpentacyclo-CHz = C
C-O - f6.5.1.13~6.02~7.09.13~pentadecyl-CH3 CH3 4-acrylate O

1 14,15-dimethylpentacyclo-CHZ = C
C-0 [ 6 . 5 . 1 . 13, 6 . 02 7 . 09. 131 _ II CH3 CH3 pentadecyl-4-methac:rylate O
Heptacyclo[8.8.12,9.14,7.
CH2 = i 111, 16 . 0 . 03. 8 . 012, 171 _ C-O - heneicosyl-5-acrylate Il O
IH3 Heptacyclo[8.8.12,9.14~7.
CHz = i 111, 16 . 0 . 03. 8 . 012, 171 _ C-O heneicosyl-5-methacrylate II

H
CH2 = C Heptacyclo [ 8 . 8 . 12~ 9 . 14, 7 I
II O 111, 16 . 0 . 03~ 8 . 012, 171 eicosyl-O

5-acrylate i H3 CH2 = i ~ Heptacyclo ( 8 . 8 . 12, 9 . 14, 7 .
111, 16 . 0 . 03, 8 . 012, 171 eicosyl-O
5-methacrylate The polycyclic (meth)acrylates as mentioned above can be prepared, for example, by reacting a polycyclic alcohol, Which has been prepared by reacting a cycloolefin having a structure corresponding to the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the aforementioned formula [I] with formic acid, with a (meth)acrylic acid derivative including acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, or a (meth)acrylyl halide such as an acrylyl halide or a methacrylyl halide.
The cycloolefin having a structure corresponding t.o that of the polycyclic (meth)acrylate used in this method can be represented by the following formula [II]
Ris Ris (II]
Rie wherein R1-R18, Ra, Rb, and m, n and p are as defined in the aforementioned formula [I].
The polymer used in the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention comprising the recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)acrylate may be a 2 0 homopolymer of_the polycyclic (meth)acrylate as mentioned above. The polymer may also be a copolymer of the polycyclic (meth)acrylates, which are different from each other, as mentioned above. The polymer may also ba a copolymer of the polycyclic (meth)acrylate as mentioned above and other copolymerizable monomers. In the present S invention, the term "polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer"
generally refers to these (co)polymers unless otherwise noted.
These other monomers to be copolymerized with the polycyclic (meth)acrylate include compounds having at least one polymerizable double bond in the molecule.
Concrete examples of such a compound include scrylic acids such as (meth)acrylic acid; acrylic acid derivatives such as methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, pentyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, heptyl (meth)acrylate, octyl (meth)acrylate, nonyl (meth)acrylate, decyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate and benzyl (meth)acrylat.e;
aromatic vinyl compounds such as styrene, a-methylstyrene ~2 0 and vinyltoluene; acrylonitrile; malefic acid derivatives such as malefic anhydride, maleimide and phenylmaleimide;
and vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate and vinyl benzoate.
The polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer is a (co)polymer prepared by polymerizing polycyclic 2 S (meth)acrylate(s) and.if necessary other monomers as mentioned above.

When the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer is a copolymer of a polycyclic (meth)acrylate and other monomers, the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer comprises recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate in an amount of usually at least S mold, preferably 10 to 99 mol=e and especially 30 to 95 mold. A
resin composition excellent in heat resistance and heat stability can be obtained by using a copolymer comprising recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)~crylata in 1 0 an amount in the range rnentioned above.
The polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer has an intrinsic viscosity [~], as measured in toluene at 30°C, of usually 0.002 to 20 dl/g, preferably 0.05 to~l0 dl/g and especially 0.2 to 5 dl/g. The (co)polymer has a glass transition temperature, as measured by a differential scanning type calorimeter, of usually 10 to 200°C, preferably 50 to 200°C and especially 105 to 200°C.
Furthermore, the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of usually not __T_.20.greater than 10, preferably 1..0 to 3.0, as measured by gel permeation chromatography, a crystallinity of usually not greater than S~, preferably not greater than 1~, as measured by X-ray diffraction, and a softening temperature of usually 20 to 220°C, preferably 70 to 220°C and 2 5 especially 120 to 220°C, as measured by a thermal mechanical analyzer (TMA) (manufactured by DuPont)..

.v 2 124923 When the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer is a copolymer, the copolymer has a substantially linear molecular structure in which recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate and recurring units derived $ from other selected monomers are randomly arranged. The fact that the copolymer has a substantially linear molecular structure can be proved by observing dissolution thereof in an organic solvent without leaving any insoluble component. This can be proved, for example, by the fact that the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer completely dissolves in toluene at 30°C during the measurement of the intrinsic viscosity (T~] as described above.
The polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer can be prepared by various polymerization methods. For exampla, 1$ the polycyclic (meth)acrylate and other monomers can be copolymerized by polymerization methods such as suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization and bulk polymerization.
Examples of the bulk polymerization method include a ----.2.0 method wherein the polymerization is carried out at a temperature of usually 60 to 250°C, preferably 150 to 230°C, and a method wherein the reaction temperature is elevated, for example, from 80°C, with the progress of the polymerization reaction, and the polymerization reaction is 2 $ terminated, for example, at a temperature of 180 to 230°C.
In these methods, radical initiators can be used. Examples of the radical initiators include organic peroxides such a:;

di-tert-butylperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, di-tert-butyl perphthalate, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl peracetate and tert-butyl perisobutyrate, and azo compounds such as 1,1'-azobiscyclohexanecarbonitrile and 2-cyano-2-propylazoformamide. These radical initiators are used in an amount of usually not greater than 1 mol% based on the monomers.
During the (co)polymerization, there may also be used chain transfer agents such as tert-butylmercaptan, n-butyl-mercaptan, n-octylmercaptan and n-dodecylmercaptan in order to control the molecular weight of resultant polycyclic (meth)-acrylate (co)polymer. The chain transfer agents are used in an amount of usually not greater than 1 molo based on the monomers.
Furthermore, the aforementioned (co)polymer may also be prepared by photopolymerization using energy ray irradiation with or without the use of the radical initiator as mentioned above.
The procedures of polymerization as described above are disclosed in detail, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 243108/1988, etc., and can be utilized in the present invention.
SOFT POLYMER
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention comprises the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer mentioned above and a soft polymer (an elastomer).

20a 72932-124 A group of preferred polymers among such soft polymers [B] include=
(I) a copolymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene/C3_20 a-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of 40 to 95 mol %, a propylene/C4_2pa-olefin copolymer having a propylene content of 50 to 95 mol % and an ethylene/C3_20a olefin/diene copolymer having an ethylene/C3_20or-olefin molar ratio of 40/60 to 90/10 and a diene content of 1 to 20 mol %, and (II) a graft-modification product of the copolymer defined above in (I) with tetracyclo[4.4Ø11'2.17'10]decan-3-yl(meth)acrylate along or together with styrene;
wherein the soft polymers (B] have a glass transition temperature of not higher than O°C, an intrinsic viscosity [~] as measured in decalin at 135°C of 0.01 to 10 dl/g and a crystallinity index as measured by X-ray diffraction of 0 to 10%.

Examples of the soft polymer include (i) a soft polymer comprising recurring units derived from a cycloolefin, (ii) an oc-olefin polymer, (iii) an oc-olefin/diene copolymer, and a hydrogenated product thereof, (iv) an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon/conjugated diene soft copolymer, and a hydrogenated product thereof, (v) a soft polymer or copolymer selected from polyisobutylene, a polymer of a conjugated diene, or a copolymer of isobutylene and a conjugated diene, and (vi) a polymer (so-called acrylic rubber) coiaprising recurring units derived from a (meth)acrylic acid ester.
Of these, the soft polymers (ii) and (vi) are preferably used. The soft polymers (i) and (ii) may be graft-modified polymers with OC,~-unsaturated carboxylic acid or derivatives thereof.
Concrete examples of the soft polymer used in the invention are illustrated below.
SOFT POLYMER f i ) COMPRTSTNC' RF('ttRtZTxrr 'vIpdTTS
DERIVED FROM A CYCLOOLFFT~
The soft polymer comprising recurring units derived from a cycloolefin is a copolymer formed from ethylene, a cycloolefin represented by the formula [II] and oc-olefin 2 S having 3 or more carbon atoms.

21 ~~9~3 A graft-modified soft polymer comprising recurring units derived from the cycloolefin may also be used as the soft polymer.
Ris Ris Rm ...... [ I I
Rie wherein R1-R18, Ra, Rb, and m, n and p are as defined in the above-mentioned formula [Ij.
Examples of the cycloolefin include bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene derivatives, 1 0 tetracyclo[4.9Ø12~5.17,10]-3_dodecene derivatives, hexacyclo[6.6.1.13~s,110,13_02,7.09,14j_q-heptadecene derivatives, octacyclo [8 . 8 . 0 . 12~ 9 . 14~ 7. 111, 18. 113, 16. 03, B . 012, 17 j -5_ w docosene derivatives, .
1 5 pentacyclo [ 6. 6. 1 . 13 6. 02~ 7 . 09,14 j _q_hexadecene derivatives, heptacyclo-5-eicosene derivatives, heptacyclo-5-heneicosene derivatives, tricyclo[4.3Ø12~5)-3-decene derivatives, 2 0 tricyclo[4.3Ø12 5]-3-undecene derivatives, pentacyclo[6.5.1.13,6.02,7.09,13]_4_pentadecene derivatives, pentacyclopentadecadiene derivatives, pentacyclo[4.7Ø1',5.08,13.19,12]-3_pentadecene S derivatives, pentacyclo [ 7 . 8 . 0 . 13, 6. 02, ~ . 110, 17 , 011, 16 . 112, 15 ] _4_ eicosene derivatives, nonacyclo[9.10.1.1.4.7.03,8.02,10.012,21.113,20.014,19.
115,18]_5-pentacosene derivatives, 1 0 phenylbicyclo(2.2.1]-2-ene derivatives, benzylbicyclo[2.2.1]-2-ene derivatives, 1,4-methano-l,la,4,4a-tetrahydrofluorene derivatives, 1,4-methano-1,4,4a,5,10,10a-hexahydroanthracene derivatives, cyclopentadiene-acenaphthylene adducts, pentacyclo [7 . 4 . 0'. 12, 5 . 08, 13 . 19,12 ] pentadecene-3-derivatives, heptacyclo [8 . 7 . 0 . 02~ 7. 13~ 6. 110, 17. 011, 16 _ 112, 15 ] eicosene-4 derivatives and 2 ~ ' ~ ~ nonacyclo [ 10 . 9 . 1 . 02..10 . 43. 8 . 14~ 7 , p12, 21 , 113, 20 . 014, 19 .
115,18~pentacosene-5 derivatives.
Concrete examples of the compounds mentioned above are described below.
Bicyclo (2.2.1]hept-2-ene derivatives such as those 2 S mentioned below.

Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene CH3 6-Methylbicyclo[2.2.1]kept-2-ene 5,6-Dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene 1-Metylbicyclo[2.2.1]kept-2-ene C2H5 6-Ethylbicyclo[2.2.1]kept-2-ene nCqHg 6-n-Butylbicyclo[2.2.1]kept-2-ene _--. _. ~ . iCqHg 6-Isobutylbicyclo [2 . 2 .1 ] hept-2-ene 7-Methylbicyclo[2.2.1]kept-2-ene ?s Tetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5.1~,10~_3-dodecene derivatives such as those described below.
Tetracyclo(4.4Ø12~5.1~,10~_3_ dodecene 5,10-Dimethyltetracyclo-(4 .4Ø 125. 1~.10~ _3_dodecene H3 ~ H3 2,10-Dimethyltetracyclo-(4 .4Ø12~5. 1~.10~ _3-dodecene 11,12-Dimethyltetracyclo-(4.4Ø12~5.1~.i0~_3_dodecene CH3 2,7,9-Trimethyltetracyclo-[4.4Ø12~5.1~.10~_3_dodecene C2H5 9-Ethyl-2,7-dimethyltetracyclo-[4.4Ø12~5.1~~10]-3-dodecene CH3 i H3 CH2iH 9-Isobutyl-2,7-dimethyltetracyclo-CH3 [4.4Ø12~5.17~10]-3-dodecene CHg CH3 9,11,12-Trimethyltetracyclo-[4.4Ø12~5.17.10]_3-dodecene C2H5 9-Ethyl-11,12-dimethyltetracyclo-[ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12 ~ 5 . 17 ~ 10 ] -3-dodecene i - ~ CH2iH 9-Isobutyl-11,12-dimethyltetracyclo-CH3 [4.4Ø12~5.17.10]_3-dodecene CH3 5,8,9,10-Tetramethyltetracyclo-CH3 [4.4Ø12~5.17.10]_3_dodecene 21 ~~923 8-t~tethyltetracyclo [4 . 4 . 0. 12~ 5. 1.10]
3-c~odecene 8-Ethyltetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5.1~.10~-3-dodecene 8--Propyltetracyclo [4 . 4 . 0. 12~ 5. l~.lU] _ C3H~ 3-dodecene 8-Hexyltetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5,1~.10~_3_ dodecene 8-Stearyltetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5.1~.10~_ 3-dodecene 8,9-Dimethyltetracy'clo-___.. . _ . 2 5 7 10 CH3 [ 4 . 9 . 0 . 1 ~ .1 ~ ] -3-dodecene 8-Methyl-9-ethyltetracyclo-C2H5 [4.4Ø12.5.1~.1o]-3-dodecene 8-Chlorotetracyclo[4.4Ø12~~.1~.10]_ 3-dodecene 2' 124923 ?s 8-Bromotetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5.1~~10]-3-\Br dodecene 8-Fluorotetracyclo[4.4Ø12~5.1~.10]_ \F, 3-dodecene CQ
8,9-Dichlorotetracyclo-[9 .4 Ø 12~ 5. 1.10] _3_dodecene 8-Cyclohexyltetracyclo-(4.4Ø12~5.1~.10~_3_dodecene iH3 8-Isobutyltetracyclo-CH CH
[4.4Ø12~5.1~~10]_3_dodecene 8-Butyltetracyclo[4.9Ø12~5,1,10]_3_ - CQH9 dodecene 8-Ethylidenetetracyclo-[4.4Ø12~5.1~10]_3-dodecene CH3 8-Ethylidene-9-methyltetracyclo-CHCHg [4 . 4 , 0 . 12~ S . 1~. 10 ] _3_dodecene 8-Ethylidene-9-ethyltetracyclo-CHCH3 [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12, 5 . 1~, 10 ] _3-dodecene CH ( Cfi3 ) 2 8-Ethylidene-9-isopropyltetracyclo-CHCH ' [4 . 4 . 0 . 12~ 5 , 1~. 10] _3-dodecene 8-Ethylidene-9-butyltetracyclo-CHCH
[ 4 . 9 . 0 . 12, 5 . 1~. 10 ] -3_dodecene 8-n-Propylidenetetracyclo-CHCH2CH3 [4 . 4 . 0.12 5, 1~, 10] _3-dodecene 8-n-Propylidene-9-methyltetracyclo-CHCH2CH3 [4 . 4 . 0 .12, 5. 1~~ 10 ] -3-dodecene - 8-n-Propylidene-9-ethyltetracyclo-CHCH2CH3 [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12~ 5 , 1~. 10 ] _3-dodecene CH ( CHg ) 2 8-n-Propylidene-9-isopropyltetra-CHCH2CH3 cyclo [4 . 4 . 0 .12~ 5. 1~,1o] _3-dodecene C4H9 8-n-Propylidene-9-butyltetracyclo-CHCH2CH3 (4 . 4 Ø 12~ 5. 17~ 10] -3-dodecene 8-Isopropylidenetetracyclo-i CH3 [4.4Ø12~5.17,10]-3-dodecene 8-Isopropylidene-9-methyltetracyclo-C-CH [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12. 5 . 17, 10 ] -3-dodecene 8-Isopropylidene-9-ethyltetracyclo-i -CH3 [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12~ 5 . 17. 10 ] _3-dodecene CH ( CH3 ) 2 8-Isopropylidene-9-isopropyltetra-i CH3 cyclo[9.4Ø12~5.17~10]-3-dodecene _._.. .- .. _ _ CH3 . . C4H9 8-Isopropylidene-9-butyltetra-i CH3 cyclo[9.4Ø12~5.17.10]_3-dodecene Hexacyclo[6.6.1.13~6,110,13.02,7.09,14]_4-heptadecene derivates such as those mentioned below.

W..

Hexacyclo [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13~ 6 , 110, 13 , 02, r , 09, 14J-4-heptadecene 12-Metylhexacyclo[6.6.1.13~6.110,13 02~~.09~14J-4-heptadecene 12-Ethylhexacyclo[6.6.1.13 6.110,13 02~7.09~14j-9-heptadecene 12-Isobutylhexacyclo(6.6.1.13~6 CH2CFf 110, 13 . 02, 7 . 09, 19 j _q-heptadecene Cfi3 CH iff 1,6,10-Trimethyl-12-isobutyl-Cfi3 hexacyclo [ 6 . 6 . 1 . 13~ 6 , 110, 13 . 02, 7 . 0 g, CH3 CH3 14j_q-heptadecene 32~ 1 24923 Octacyclo[8.8Ø12~g.14~7,111,1B,113,16,03,8.012,17~_5_ docosene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Octacyclo[8.8Ø12~9.1q~7,111,18 113,16,03,8,012,17_5-docosene CH3 15-Methyloctacyclo(8.8Ø12~9.
14,7,111,18.113,16.~3,8.012,17~_5_ docosene C2H5 15-Ethyloctacyclo(8.8Ø12~9.
. 1q,7,111,18.113,16.p3.8.012.17~_5_ docosene Pentacyclo[6.6.1.13~6.02~7.09.14~_q_hexadecene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Pentacyclo [ 6 . 6 .1 .13~ 6 . 02, 7 . O9.14~ _q_ hexadecene 1,3-Dimethylpentacyclo(6.6.1.13~6.
02,7.p9,14~_q_hexadecene _. 2124923 1,6-Dimethylpentacyclo[6.6.1.13,6.
02,x.09,14]-4-hexadecene 15,16-Dimethylpentacyclo[6.6.1.13~6 02~~.09,14]-4-hexadecene Heptacyclo-S-eicosene derivatives or heptacyclo-5-heneicosene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Heptacyclo [ 8 . 7 . 0 . 12, 9 .14, ~ .111,1 03, 8 . 012, 16 ] _5-eicosene Heptacyclo ( 8 . 7 . 0 . 12, 9 .19, ~ .111,18 .
03,8,p12,1~]_5-heneicosene Tricyclo(4.3Ø12,5]-3-decene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Tricyclo[4.3Ø12,5]-3-decenP
v 2-Methyltricyclo[4.3Ø12,5]-3-decene 5-Methyltricyclo[4.3Ø12,5]-3-a decene Tricyclo[4.4Ø12,5]-3-undecene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Tricyclo[4.9Ø12,5]-3-undecene 10-Methyltricycloj4.4Ø12,5]-3-- undecene _,___ _- .. _ : Pentacyclo [ 6 . S .1.13~ s . 02, ~ . 09,13 ] _4_pentadecene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Pentacyclo [ 6 . 5 .1 .13, s . 02, ~ . 09,13] _4_ pentadecene 1,3-Dimethylpentacyclo(6,5.1.13,6 Uz' ~ . Oy~ 131 -4-pent~clecwv 1,6-Dlmettiylpentacyclo(6.5.1.13~6.
()2~ 7 .O9~ 13 J -4-pentadc:cene CH3 CH3 , 14,15-Dimethylpentacyclo(6.:i.1.
13~6.02~x.09.13)-q-pentadecene Dlene compounds such as mentioned beloN.
t'e:ntacyclo(6.5.1.1~~6.Oz~~~.U'~~1~~-4.10-pentadecadiene Pentacyclo(4.7Ø12'5.0~~13.19,12~-3-Pentadecene derivatives such as those. mentioned below.

.._ 2124923 72932- 1 2c, Pentacyclo(4.7Ø12~5.08,13 19,12)-3-pentadecene CHI
Methyl-substituted-pentacyclo ( 4 . 7 . 0 . 12, 5 . ~~. 13 . 1 9, 12 ~ _3_ pentadecene Heptacyclo(7.8Ø13,6.02,7.110,17.011,16.112,15)_q-eicosene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Heptacyclo(7.8Ø13,6.02,~.
110, 17.11, 16. 112, 15) _q_eicosene Dimethyl-substituted heptacyclo-(7.8Ø13,6.02,x.
110, 17.011, 16. 112, 15) _q_eicosene Nonacyclo(9.10.1.14,~.03,8.02,10.012,21,113,20.014,19,115,18) -S-pentacosene derivatives such as those mentioned below.
Nonacyclo(9.10.1.14.~.03~~.02~10 ~12,21,113,20.~14,19,115,18) -S-pentacosene CHI CHI Trimethyl-substituted nonacyclo-(9.10.1.14,~.03~~.
-. 02.,10.012,21.113,20.014,19.115,18) -S-pentacosene CHI
Further more, the cycloolefins used in the invention include the compounds described below.

7z~3z-, z<<

S-Phenylbicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-ene O
S-Methyl-S-pheny~lbicyclo(2.2.1)-kept -2-ene CHI
S-Benzylbicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-ene CHZ
S-Tolylbicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-ene CHI
5-(Ethylphenyl)bicyclo-(2.2.1]kept-2-ene CH2CH~
CH3 5_(Isopropylphenyl)bicyclo-(2.2.1)hept-2-ene CH
CHI
1 10 y l0a 9a 2 . O 8 1,4-Methano-1;4,9a,S,10,10a-he:cahydroanthracene 4a Sa S
___. _. ~ . qa Sa 6 ' _ 1,4-Methano-1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydrofluorene 9a U 8a 1.
Cyclopentadiene-acenaphthylene adduct S-(CC-Naphthyl)bicyclo-(2.2.1)hept-2-ene S-(Anthracenyl>bicyclo-(2.2.1)hept-2-ene Furthermore, examples of the cycloolefins which can be used in the present invention include the compounds described below.
Pentacyclo ( 7 . 4 . 0 . 12~ 5 . 08, 13 _ 19, 12 ) pentadecene-3 Methyl-pentacyclo(7.4Ø12,5.00,13 19~12)pentadecene-3 cH, Dimethyl-pentacyclo(7.4Ø12,5 pe,13.19,12)pentadecene-3 CH3 Cf~~
Trimethylpentacyclo(7.4Ø12~5 pe,13.19,12)pentadecene-3 CH, CHI CHI
Heptacyclo ( 8 . 7 . 0 . 02~ 7 . 13~ 6. 110, m 011,16.112,15)-eicosene-4 3d .~. ~ 124923 htethyl-Ileptacyclo ( ~ . ~ .0 . 02~ 7 . 13. 6 1 10, 17 . nl 1. 16 , 1 17, 1 5 f _~. L~:~~.~7rrn~~.-~
CH, Dimethyl-heptacyclo(E3.7Ø02~~.
13,6.110,17.011,16.112,15 -eicosene-4 Cfl~ Ctl, Tr imetl~y 1-heptacyclo ( El . 7 . 0 . 02 ~ ~
13, 6 . 110, 17 . ~ 11, 16 . 112, 15 ~ _ eicosene-~1 CIf~ CfI.1 (.ff 1 '1'etrarnetllyl-heptacyclo ( d . 7 Ø02~ ~
13, 6 . 1 10, 17 . ~1 1 , 16 . 112, 15 ~ _ eicosene-4 cll, cll, cFl, cfl, Nonacyclo(10.9.1.02.10.03,0.1~,~, ~12,21.113,20,~14,19.115,18~_ pentacosene-5 Useful a-olefins having 3 or more carbon atorns include propylene, butene-1, 4-methylbutene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1, dodecene-1, tetradecene-1, hexadecene-1, octadecene-1 and eicosene-1. Of these, preferred is a-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Cycloolefins and cyclodienes such as norbornene, ethylidenenorbornene and dicyclopentadiene may also be used.
The soft polymer (i) comprises recurring units derived from ethylene in an amount of usually 40 to 98 mold, preferably 50 to 90 mol%, recurring units derived from a-olefin in an amount of usually 2 to 50 mold, and recurring units derived from a cycloolefin in an amount of usually 2 to 20 mold, preferably 2 to 15 mold.
The soft polymer (i) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of usually not higher than 0°C, preferably not higher than -10°C, an intrinsic viscosity [n], as measured in decalin at 135°C, of usually 0.01 to 10 dl/g, preferably 0.8 to 7 dl/g, and a crystallinity index, as measured by X-ray diffraction, of usually 0 to 10~, preferably 0 to 7~ and especially 0 to 5~.
The soft polymer (i) as described above can be manufactured according to the method proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos.
168708/1985, 120816/1986, 115912/1986, 115916/1986, 271308/1986, 272216/1986 and 252406/1987.
a-OLEFIN COPOLYMER (ii 2 4 9 2 ~ 72932-124D
The a-olefin copolymer (ii) used as a soft polymer is an amorphous or low crystalline copolymer prepared frocn at least two oc-olefins. Concrete examples of the a-olefin copolymer (ii) include an ethylene/OC-olefin copolymer and a propylene/a-olefin copolymer.
A graft-modified Oc-olefin copolymer (ii) may also be used as a soft polymer.
The a-olefin from which the ethylene/a-olefin copolymer is prepared has usually 3 to 20 carbon atoms. Concrete examples of the oc-olefin include propylene, butene-1, 4-methylbutene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and a mixture of these oc-olefins. .Of these, preferred are a-olefins eacn having 3 to 10 carbon atoms.
The molar ratio of the recurring units derived from ethylene to those derived from a-olefin (ethylene/oc-olefin) in the ethylene/ot-olefin copolymer is usually 40/60 to 95/5, though it differs depending on the type of the a-olefin. The molar ratio is preferably 40/60 to 90/10 when propylene is used as the oc-olefin, and is also preferably 50/50 to 95/5 w 2 0' when an a-olefin having at lea-st 4 carbon atoms is used.
The a-olefin from which the propylene/a-olefin copolymer is prepared has usually 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Concrete examples of the oc-olefin include butene-1, 4-methylpentene-l, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and a mixture of these a-olefins. Of these, particularly preferred are a-olefins each having 4 to 10 carbon atoms.
The molar ratio of the recurring units derived from propylene to those derived from a-olefin (propylene/a-olefin) S in the propylene/a-olefin copolymer is usually 50/50 to 95/5, though it differs depending on the type of the a-olefin.
i7C-OLEFIN/DIENE COPOLYMER AND
The a-olefin/diene copolymer (iii) used as a soft polymer includes an ethylene/a-olefin/diene copolymer rubber and a propylene/a-olefin/diene copolymer rubber.
An a-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms is used for the ethylene/a-olefin/diene copolymer. Concrete examples of the a-olefin include propylene, butene-1, pentene-1, 4-methylpentene-1, hexene-1, octene-1, decene-1 and a mixture of these a-olefins. Of these, preferred are a-olefins each having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. An a-olefin each having 4 to 20 carbon atoms is used for a propylene/a-olefin/diene copolymer.
-- 2 0- ----- -Furthermore, the dienes from which these copolymer rubbers are prepared include acyclic nonconjugated dienes such as 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 2-methyl-1,5~-hexadiene, 6-methyl-1,5-heptadiene and 7-methyl-1,6-octadiene, cyclic nonconjugated dienes such as 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 2 5 dicyclopentadiene, methyltetrahydroindene, 5-vinylnorbornene, -~ Z -5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2-norbornene and 6-chloromethyl-S-isopropenyl-2-norbornene, and 2,3-diisopropylidene-5-norbornene, 2-ethylidene-3-isopropylidene-5-norbornene and 2-propenyl-2,2-$ norbornadiene.
The molar ratio of the recurring units derived from ethylene to those derived from oc-olefin (ethylene/et-olefin) in the ethylene/a-olefin/diene copolymer rubber is usually 40/60 to 90/10, though it differs depending on the type of the a-olefin.
The copolymer rubbers comprises recurring units derived from the diene component in an amount of usually 1 to 20 mold, preferably 2 to 15 mold.
Furthermore, a hydrogenated product of the 1$ aforementioned a.-olefin/diene copolymer may also be used in the present invention.
AROMATT . VINY . fiYDRO ARBON/ ON. 1 ,AT .D T .N .
SOFT C'.OPnT,YMER AND A HYDROGENATED PRODUCT THEREOF ( i_y) The aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon/conjugated diene soir_ --2 0~ copolymer used as a soft polymer is a random copolymer or block copolymer of an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon and a diene compound, or a hydrogenated product thereof. Concrete examples include a styrene/butadiene block copolymer rubber, a styrene/t5utadiene/styrene block copolymer rubber, a 2 $ styrene/isoprene block copolymer rubber, a -.~ 3 -styrene/isoprene/styrene block copolymer rubber, a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer rubber, a hydrogenated styrene/isoprene/styrene block copolymer rubber and a styrene/butadiene random copolymer rubber.
The molar ratio of the recurring units derived from the aromatic vinyl hydrocabon to those derived from the conjugated diene (aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon/conjugated~diene) in the copolymer rubbers is usually 10/90 to 70/30.
In the present invention, there can be used a hydrogenated product of the above-mentioned aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon/conjugated diene soft copolymer may also re used.
The hydrogenated copolymer rubber is a copolymer rubber wherein double bonds remaining in the above-mentioned copolymer rubbers have been partially or entirely hydrogenated..
SOFT POLYMRR OR COPnT YMFR f1F TSO$T1TYT FNF ON TTIrATFT) nT~~r.rr nn ISO$ 1TY NF/ ON T 1GATFT) DI N (yl 2 0 ___ .Concrete examples of the ,isobutylene soft polymer or copolymer (v) used as a soft polymer include a polyisobutylene rubber, a polyisoprene rubber, a polybutadiene rubber or an isobutylene/isoprene copolymer rubber.
_ .4c The copolymers (ii) to (v) may have similar characteristics to those of the cycloolefin soft polymer (i).
These soft polymers have an intrinsic viscosity [T]], as measured in decalin at 135°C, of usually 0.01 to 10 d.~/g, S preferably 0.08 to 7 dl/g, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of usually not higher than 0°C, preferably not higher than -10°C and especially not higher than -20°C, and a crystallinity index, as measured by X-ray diffraction of 0 to 10~, preferably 0 to 7~ and especially 0 to 5~.
1 0 In addition to the polymers as exemplified in (i) to (v), there may also be used as soft polymers copolymers (so-called block copolymers) obtained by graft polymerizing the soft polymers (i) to (v) with a polycyclic (meth)acrylata represented by the above-mentioned formula [I] or other 15 monomers polymerizable with the polycyclic (meth)acrylate.
A resin composition having excellent impact resistance can be obtained using such block copolymers.
POT.YMRR COMPRTSTN , R 1RRTN , WITS D RIVFn FRnM
--2 0-- ~ --- Concrete examples of a (meth)acrylic acid ester polymer or copolymer (vi) used as a soft polymer include a homopolymer or copolymer of such an alkyl (meth)acrylate having 2 to 14 carbon atoms as ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, decyl acrylate and 2 $ octyl methacrylate, or a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing _~tf~_ the above-mentioned monomers in a predominant amount with other monomers such as 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, methoxyethyl acrylate, ethoxyethyl acrylate, vinyl chloroacetate, allyl chloroacetate, glycidyl acrylate S or glycidyl methacrylate.
These soft polymers may be incorporated singly or in combination.
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention comprises the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and the soft polymer as described above in the proportion by weight of the (co)polymer to the soft polymer of 99/1 to 40/60. The composition having the proportion in the range of 95/S to SO/S0, preferably 93/7 to 60/90, is particularly excellent in heat resistance, rigidity, dimension accuracy, impact resistance and light resistance.
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention as described above has a melt flow rate (MFR, as measured according to ASTM D 1238) of usually 0.1 to 100.
~-2 0~ ~~-~- The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention can be prepared by mixing the polycyclic (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and the soft polymer as described above in a predetermined proportion, and kneading the mixture using, for example, a melt kneading apparatus.
--~cd -Furthermore, the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention may be the one having a crosslinked structure among the components of the composition. For example- a crosslinked structure can be formed between the polycyclic S (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and the soft polymer as mentioned above by using an organic peroxide, etc. Moreover, in forming the crosslinked structure by using such organic peroxide, the crosslinking reaction may also be conducted by incorporating such a compound having at least two 1 0 polymerizable functional groups in the molecule as divinylbenzene, vinyl acrylate and vinyl methacrylate.
OTHER ADDITIyFS
The thermoplastic resin composition of the invention may be incorporated with heat stabilizers, weathering 15 stabilizers, antistatic agents, slip agents, anti-blocking agents, anti-haze agents, lubricants, dyes, pigments, natural oil, synthetic oil, wax, organic or inorganic fillers, etc.
so long as the incorporation does not impair the object of the invention.
---20-- --- . Stabilizers to be used as. optional components include, for example, phenolic antioxidants such as tetrakis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, alkyl (3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-9-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and 2,2'-oxamidobis[ethyl-3-(3,5-2 S di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)]propionate, aliphatic acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate and calcium 1,2-hydroxystearate, and aliphatic acid esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin monostearate, glycerin distearate, pentaerythritol monostearate, pentaerythritol distearate and pentaerythritol tristearate. These stabilizers may be used singly or in combination. For example, tetrakis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, zinc stearate and glycerin monostearate may be used in combination.
1 0 Useful organic or inorganic fillers include silica, diatomaceous earth, alumina, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, pumice powder, pumice balloons, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, basic magnesium carbonate, dolomite, calcium sulfate, potassium titanate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfite, talc, clay, mica, asbestos, glass fibers, glass flakes, glass beads, calcium silicate, montmorillonite, bentonite, graphite, aluminum powder, molybdenum sulfide, boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers and polyamide fibers.
__ 2 0__ . __ _ .These other components can be mixed with the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention by any known method. For example, each of these other components can be simultaneously mixed with the thermoplastic resin composition.
~,f _ Furthermore, the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention may be incorporated with other resins so long as the incorporation does not impair the object of the invention. Examples of these other resins include S polyolefins, halogen-containing vinyl polymers, poly(meth)acrylate, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylic acid ester copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate, polyallylmelamine, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene oxide, polyacetal, polyphenylene oxide, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyurethane, urea resins, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene 1$ terephthalate, poly-1,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, phenol/formaldehyde resin, urea/formaldehyde resin, melamine/formaldehyde resin, unsaturated polyester resins and natural polymers.
w 2 0- ---w Molded articles in variows forms can be prepared by _ using the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention, and utilizing conventional molding methods such as injection molding.
For example, molded articles in a film or sheet form can 2 $ be manufactured by extrusion molding, and refrigerator _y interior boxes and trays can be manufactured by vacuum molding. Moreover, there can be manufactured containers for chemicals, drinks, etc., air ducts, sun visors, consoles, automobile interiors, various toys, floats, etc. by blow $ molding.
Concrete examples of molded articles which can be manufactured from the thermoplastic resin composition of the invention include (1) automobile parts:
instrument panels, console boxes, meter clusters, column covers, grille door mirrors, bumpers, fenders, bonnets and radiators;
(2) machine housings:
tools (e. g., electric tools), business machines (e. g., word processors, personal computers, copying machines, printers, FDD and CRT), precision instruments (e. g., cameras) and electrical appliances (e. g., electric ovens, electric rice cookers, pots and cleaners); and (3) others:
2 0~ ~ . toys, miscellaneous goods, furniture and sports goods.
FFFFC'.T OF TH TN NTT(~N
The thermoplastic resin composition of the present 2 $ invention is excellent in characteristics such as rigidity, -~b-2'124923 dimension accuracy, impact strength and light resistance.
Accordingly, molded articles excellent in characteristics such as heat resistance, rigidity, impact strength and light resistance can be prepared from the resin composition of the $ invention.
The present invention is illustrated below with reference to examples, but it should be construed that the invention is in no way limited to these examples.
Methods for measuring and evaluating various physical properties in the invention are described below.
( 1 ) Melt flow rate (MFRT) The melt flow rate is measured according to ASTM D 1238 at a predetermined temperature of T°C under a load of 2.16 1 5 kg .
(2) Preparation of test pieces Test pieces are molded under the following conditions using an injection molding machine (trade'name of IS-55 EPN, manufactured by Toshiba Kikai K.K.) and a mold for the test ---2 0-- pieces a cylinder temperature of 270°C and a mold temperature of 90°C, primary/secondary injection pressures of 1000/800 kg/cm2, and an injection speed (primary) of 30 mm/sec.
'/_ (3) Flexural test The flexural test is carried out according to ASTM D 790 under the following conditions:
the shape of the test piece: a size of Sxl/2x1/8t inches S and a span of 51 mm, a test speed of 20 mm/min, and test temperatures of 23°C, 80°C and 100°C.
(4) Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) The heat deflection temperature is measured according to ASTM D 628 under the following conditions:
a test piece size of Sxl/4x1/2L inches, and a load of 264 psi.
(5) Softening temperature (TMA) The softening temperature is measured by observing the 1S heat deformation behavior of a sheet 1 mm thick using Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (trade name, manufactured by DuPont).
That is, a quartz needle is placed on the sheet, and the sheet is heated at a rate of 5°C/min while a load of 49 g is applied to the needle. The TMA is a temperature at which the -~ 20-~ needle penetrates the sheet to the depth of 0.635 mm.
(6) Glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting point (Tm) The glass transition temperature and the melting point are measured by using DSC 20 (trade name, manufactured by SEIKO Denshi Kogyo K.K.) and heating the test piece at a rate 2 S of 10°C/min .

(7) Rockwell hardness The Rockwell hardness is measured at 23°C according to ASTM D 785.
(8) Izod impact test $ The Izod impact test is carried out according to ASTM D
256 under the following conditions:
a test piece (notched) size of 5/2x1/8xl/2t inches, and a test temperature of 23°C.
(9) Tensile test The tensile test is carried out according to ASTM D 638 under the following conditions:
a test piece shape: type IV, a test speed of 50 mm/min, and a test temperature of 23°C.
1 $ Exam lr~ a 1 [Preparation of a polycyclic (meth)acrylate polymer]
In a nitrogen atmosphere were mixed 99 parts by weight of tetracyclo [ 4 . 4 . 0 . 12~ 5 . 17~ 1° ] dodecyl-3-acrylate (TDAC) , 0 . 05 part by weight of n-octylmercaptan (OM) and 0.05 part by 2 0 weight of 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and polymerization was carried out at 80°C for 24 hours. The resultant polymer (PTDAC) had an intrinsic viscosity ['~] of 0.58 dl/g as measured in toluene at 30°C and a TMA of 138°C.
[Preparation of a resin composition of PTDAC and a soft 2 $ polymer]

Eighty-five parts by weight of the thus obtained PTDAC
pellets and 15 parts by weight of an ethylene/propylene random copolymer (having an ethylene structural unit content of 80 mol$, a Tg of -54°C and an intrinsic viscosity [1~] of 2.2 dl/g) were sufficiently premixed. The mixture was melt blended by a twin screw extruder PCM 45, manufactured by Ikegai Tekkosho K.K.) at a cylinder temperature of 230°C to be pelletized. Test pieces were prepared from the pellets by the above-mentioned method, and physical properties thereof were evaluated.
The results are shown in Table 1.
Exam 1~, a 2 Example 1 was repeated except that a soft polymer prepared by a procedure described below was used in place of the soft polymer of Example 1 to obtain a resin composition.
Test pieces were prepared from the resin composition.
The results are shown in Table 1.
[Preparation of a soft polymer]
To 100 parts by weight of a xylene solution (solute 2 0 concentration of 100 g/liter xylene) of an ethylene/propylene random copolymer (having an ethylene content of 80 mobs and an intrinsic viscosity ['~] of 2.2 dl/g as measured in decalin at 135°C) held at 80°C in a nitrogen atmosphere was added dropwise a mixture of 30 parts by weight of TDAC, 1 part by weight of OM and 1 part by weight of AIBN over a period of 8 hours. The reaction was carried out for additional 16 hours to obtain a TDAC-grafted ethylene/propylene random copolymer.
[Preparation of a polycyclic (meth)acrylate polymer]
S The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that tetracyclo[4.4.O.lz~5.17~1°]dodecyl-3-methacrylate (TDMAC) was used in place of TDAC to obtain a polymer of TDMAC (PTDMAC).
[Preparation of a soft polymer]
To 100 parts by weight of an ethylene/propylene/ethylidenenorbornene random copolymer (having an ethylene content of 75 mold, an ethylidenenorbornene content of 3 mol$ and an intrinsic viscosity ['~] of 2.4 dl/g as measured in decalin at 135°C) were added 30 parts by weight of TDMAC, 1 part by weight of 1S OM and 1 part by weight of AIBN to obtain a latex. The latex was heated to 80°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction was carried out for additional 24 hours to obtain a TDMAC-grafted ethylene/propylene/ethylidenenorbornene random copolymer.
2 0 [Preparation of a resin composition]
A procedure similar to that in Example 1 was carried out by using PTDMAC and the soft polymer prepared above to obtain a resin composition.
Test pieces were prepared from the resin composition, 2 5 and physical properties thereof were measured.

The results are shown in Table 1.
[Preparation of a polycyclic (meth)acrylate polymer]
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated except that a $ mixture of 66 parts by weight of TDAC and 33 parts by weight of styrene was used in place of 99 parts by weight of TDAC to obtain a copolymer of TDAC and styrene (PTDAC/St). The resultant polymer had an intrinsic viscosity [1]] of 0.61 dl/g as measured in toluene at 30°C and a TMA of 121°C.
[Preparation of a soft polymer]
The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that a mixture of 20 parts by weight of TDAC and 10 parts by weight of styrene was used in place of 30 parts by weight of TDAC to obtain a TDAC/styrene-grafted ethylene/propylene random copolymer.
[Preparation of a resin composition]
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated by using PTDAC/St and the soft polymer prepared above to obtain a resin composition.
2 0 Test pieces were prepared from the resin composition, and physical properties thereof were measured.
The results are shown in Table 1.

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated except that the proportion of PTDAC to the soft polymer was altered to obtain a resin composition.
Test pieces were prepared from the resin composition, S and physical properties thereof were measured.
The results are shown in Table 1 TensilHeat Izod Exampl * FlexuralFlexuraTensileelongareflectRockwellim a t modulusstrengtstrengttion T hardnessc (wt.parts) - ' omp' p strength 2 2 Z (%) ( (R-scale)(k ~cm/cm) (kg/cm (kg/cm (kg/cm C) ) ) ) ~

*: Polycyclic (meth)acrylate/soft polymer S Examples 7 to 10 The procedures of Example 1 was repeated except that acrylic rubber was used as a soft polymer and the type and amount thereof were altered.
The results are shown in Table 2.

TensilHeat Izod Exam TYPe * FlexuraFlexuralTensileelon ~eflecc.ROCkwell 1 of a p acrylic(wt. modulusstrengtstrengttion~ t hardness omp' strength rubberparts)(kg/cm2)(kg/cmz)(kg/cm2) ( (R-scale) C) (~) (k -cm/cm 7 NIPOL~~$5/1523500 770 470 15 116 110 15 AR-51*1 $ NIPOL 85/1522000 750 460 15 114 110 17 AR-54*2 9 NIPOL 90/1027000 820 550 10 115 lI5 10 AR-54r2 AR-5 ~ ~
4'2 Note: *: Polycyclic (meth)acrylate/acrylic rubber In Table 2, the acrylic rubbers, NIPOL AR-51*1 and 5 NIPOL AR-54*2, are both acrylic rubbers manufactured by Nihon Zeon K.K.
The acrylic rubbers, NIPOL AR-51*1 and NIPOL AR-54*2, are each a compolymer containing recurring units derived from a lower alkyl (meth)acrylate.
1 ~ ~-=,~ Tya~'-,ma-~.~2

Claims (19)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A moldable thermoplastic resin composition having high heat resistance, rigidity, dimension accuracy and impact resistance, the composition consisting essentially of:
(A) a polymer comprising recurring units derived from a polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the following formula:

wherein m is 0 or a positive integer, n is 0 or 1, m + n ~ 1, R is Hydrogen or methyl, R1 - R18 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, halogen atom and hydrocarbon groups, or R15 - R18, linked together, form a monocyclic or polycyclic group which may have a double bond, or R15 and R16, or R17 and R18 form an alkylidene group, p is 0 or 1, and when p is 1, R a and R b each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group, and (B) at least one soft polymer having a glass transition temperature of not higher than 0°C, an intrinsic viscosity (~) as measured in decalin at 135°C of 0.01 to 10 dl/g, and a crystallinity index as measured by x-ray diffraction of 0 to 10%, wherein said at least one soft polymer is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon/conjugated diene soft polymer, a hydrogenated product thereof, a graft modified product thereof;
(b) a homopolymer of an alkyl (meth)acrylate having 2 to 14 carbon atoms; and (c) a copolymer of an alkyl (meth)acrylate having 2 to 14 carbon atoms, such that the proportion by weight of the (A) polymer to the (B) soft polymer is 93:7 to 60:90.

2. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) is a copolymer which comprises the recurring units in an amount of at least 5 mol%.

3. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) has an intrinate viscosity (~), as measured in toluene at 30°C, of 0.002 to 20 dl/g.

4. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) has a glass transition temperature, as measured by a differential scanning type calorimeter, of 10 to 200°C.

5. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), as measured by gel permeation chromatography, of not greater than 10.

6. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) has a crystallinity, as measured by x-ray diffraction, of not greater than 5%.

7. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) has a softening temperature, as measured by a thermal mechanical analyzer, of 20 to 220°C.

8. The thermoplastic resin composition according to Claim 1 wherein said polymer (A) comprising recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) is a copolymer having a.substantially linear molecular structure in which recurring units derived from the polycyclic (meth)acrylate represented by the formula (I) and recurring units derived from other monomers are randomly arranged.

9. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 1, wherein said composition has a heat deflection temperature of at least 97°C.

10. A molded shaped article obtained by molding the composition of claim 1.

11. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 1, which has a melt flow rate (MFR) as measured according to ASTM
D 1238 of 0.1 to 100.

12. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 11, wherein the polymer (A) is a homopolymer of a (meth)acrylate of the formula:
(wherein R7, R8, R9, R11, R12 and R13 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl, R X and R Y are each hydrogen, halogen or lower alkyl, and R is hydrogen or methyl), or is a copolymer of two or more different (meth)acrylates of the above formula or a copolymer of 30 to 95 mol% of a(meth)acrylate of the above formula and 70 to mol% of at least one copolymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)- acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, pentyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, heptyl (meth)acrylate, octyl (meth)acrylate, nonyl (meth)acrylate, decyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)-acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, styrene, .alpha.-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, acrylonitrile, malefic anhydride, maleimide, phenylmaleimide, vinyl acetate and vinyl benzoate; and the polymer (A) has an intrinsic viscosity [n] as measured in toluene at 30°C of 0.05 to 10 dl/g and a glass transition temperature as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter of 50 to 200°C.

13. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 12, wherein the polymer (A) is a homopolymer of tetracyclo-[4.4Ø1 2,5.1 7,10]dodecyl-3-(meth)acrylate or a copolymer of 30 to 95 mol% of tetracyclo[4.4Ø1 2'5. 1 7.10]dodecyl-3-(meth)-acrylate with 70 to 5 mol% of styrene.

14. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 12 or 13, wherein the soft polymer (B) is a member selected from the group consisting of styrene/butadiene block copolymer rubber, styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer rubber, styrene/isoprene block copolymer rubber, styrene/isoprene/styrene block copolymer rubber, hydrogenated styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer rubber and styrene/butadiene random copolymer rubber.

15. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 12 or 13, wherein the soft polymer (B) is a homopolymer acrylic rubber of an alkyl (meth)acrylate having 2 to 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.

16. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 15, wherein the alkyl (meth)acrylate is ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, decyl acrylate or octyl methacrylate.

17. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 12 or 13, wherein the soft polymer (B) is a copolymer acrylic rubber of a predominant amount of an alkyl (meth)acrylate with at least one copolymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, methoxy-ethyl acrylate, ethoxyethyl acrylate, vinyl chloroacetate, allyl chloroacetate, glycidyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate.

18. The moldable thermoplastic resin composition of claim 17, wherein the alkyl (meth)acrylate is ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, decyl acrylate or octyl methacrylate.

19. A molded shaped article obtained by molding the composition of claim 11, 12 or 13.