EP2340273A1

EP2340273A1 - Branched polyarylene ethers and thermoplastic molding compounds containing said ethers

Info

Publication number: EP2340273A1
Application number: EP09736950A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Weber; Alexander Khvorost; Bernd Bruchmann
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2008-10-23
Filing date: 2009-10-19
Publication date: 2011-07-06
Also published as: US20110201747A1; WO2010046328A1; CN102264798B; JP2012506466A; CN102264798A; BRPI0920638A2; KR20110089284A

Abstract

The present invention relates to branched polyarylene ethers (A) with branching points according to Formula (I): The present invention also relates to a method for producing the branched polyarylene ethers (A) and to thermoplastic molding compounds containing said branched polyarylene ethers (A) and other thermoplastic polymers (B). Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the thermoplastic molding compounds for producing molded parts and to molded parts made from said thermoplastic molding compounds.

Description

Branched polyarylene ethers and thermoplastic molding compositions containing them

description

The present invention relates to branched polyarylene ethers (A) containing branching points of the formula (I):

In addition, the present invention relates to a process for preparing the branched polyarylene ethers (A) and thermoplastic molding compositions containing the branched polyarylene ethers (A) and other thermoplastic polymers (B). Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the thermoplastic molding compositions for the production of moldings and moldings obtainable from the aforementioned thermoplastic molding compositions.

Polyarylene ethers belong to the group of high-performance thermoplastics and are used in highly stressed applications because of their high heat resistance and chemical resistance. See G. Blinne, M. Knoll, D. Müller, K. Schlichting, Kunststoffe 75, 219 (1985), EM Koch, H .-M. Walter, Kunststoffe 80, 1146 (1990) and D. Döring, Kunststoffe 80, 1149 (1990).

Due to the high glass transition temperature, the polyarylene ethers have comparatively high melt viscosity, which is why very high processing temperatures are required for the thermoplastic processing of this class of substance (for example by injection molding, extrusion). In order to fill complicated tools, it is often necessary to choose temperatures in which side reactions such as molecular weight build-up or crosslinking gain in importance.

Lubricants such as, for example, stearates or oligomeric fatty acid esters are usually used to improve the flowability (R. Gächter, H. Müller, Kunststoff-Additive, S.443 ff, 3rd edition, Hanser Verlag Munich 1989). Due to the high thermal load, however, such additives lead to discoloration of the finished products.

In order to extend the existing property spectrum of the polyarylene ethers, branched polyarylene ethers have been developed. For example, German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A 2305413 discloses branched polyarylene ether sulfones which have less susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking than the linear polyarylene ether sulfones, improved resistance to unsaturated polyester resins and reduced flammability. However, the stress cracking resistance of mixtures of thermoplastic polymers, in particular linear polyarylene ether sulfones with said branched polyarylene ether sulfones is not sufficient for many applications.

An article on the synthesis and characterization of branched polyarylene ethers, published in Macromolecular Symposia 2003, 199, 243-252, discloses that the use of branched polyethersulfones generally improves the flowabilities of the polyarylene ether sulfones, but degrades mechanical properties such as toughness.

It is known from EP-A 1 436 344 that the addition of branched polyarylene ether sulfones with 1,1,1-tris (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane units as branch points improves the flowability and melt stability of known linear polyether sulfones. However, the products thus obtained are often insufficient in terms of flowability.

Another approach to improve the flowability of polyarylene ethers is the addition of LC polymers (Kiss, G., Polym. Eng. & Sci., 27, 410 (1987), K. Engberg, O. Strömberg, J. Martinsson, UW Gedde , Polym. Eng. & Sci., 34, 1336 (1994)). However, the improvement in flowability is accompanied by a massive deterioration in the toughness of corresponding products.

An object of the present invention was to provide improved over the prior art branched polyarylene ethers, which lead in admixture with thermoplastic molding compositions to improve the flowability. The object of the present invention was also to provide polyarylene ether sulfones having improved flowability, which at the same time have high chemical stability. In particular, the polyarylene ether sulfones of the present invention should have high stress crack resistance. The mechanical properties should not be adversely affected compared to the use of known branched polyarylene ether. In particular, the polyarylene ether sulfones should have a high toughness. The abovementioned objects are achieved by the branched polyarylene ethers according to the invention and mixtures thereof with further thermoplastic polymers, in particular polyarylene ether sulfones. Preferred embodiments are given in the claims and the following description. Combinations of preferred embodiments do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

The polyarylene ethers (A) according to the invention contain branch points according to the formula (I):

Branching point in the context of the present invention is understood to mean a chain building block which is linked via at least three oxygen atoms to further building blocks of the polymer. Accordingly, the branching point according to formula (I) links three chain segments of the polyarylene ether (A), the branching point being linked via an oxygen atom to the chain segments of the polyarylene ether (A). Depending on the proportion of the branching points according to the invention, the result is, on average, partially, mono or multiply branched polyarylene ethers (A).

The class of polyarylene ethers is known per se to a person skilled in the art. For the purposes of the present invention, "polyarylene ethers" are polymers which have at least one chain building block with at least one arylene unit incorporated into the polymer chain via an oxygen atom.

Preferably, the polyarylene ethers (A) of the present invention are polyarylene ether sulfones.

The class of polyarylene ether sulfones is likewise known per se to a person skilled in the art. For the purposes of the present invention, "polyarylene ether sulfones" are understood as meaning polymers which contain at least one chain constituent which is at least a built-in via an oxygen atom in the polymer chain arylene unit and at least one built-in an -Sθ2 group in the polymer chain arylene unit.

Polyarylene ethers (A) which are preferred in the context of the present invention are polyarylene ether sulfones containing

(A1) from 1 to 99.9% by weight of at least one building block of the general formula II

with the following meanings

t, q: independently of one another 0, 1, 2 or 3, Q, T, Y: independently of one another each a chemical bond or group selected from -O-, -S-, -SO ₂ -, S = O, C = O, -N = N-, -CR ^a R ^b -, wherein R ^a and R ^b are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C _T Ci2-alkyl, C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkoxy or C ₆ -C ₁₈ -Aryl group, wherein at least one of Q, T and Y is other than -O-, and at least one of Q, T and Y is -SO ₂ -, and

Ar, Ar ¹ : independently of one another C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene group,

and

(A2) from 0.1 to 99 wt .-% branch points according to the formula (I) as defined above, wherein the sum of the wt .-% of (A1) and (A2) 100 wt .-% results.

If Q, T or Y is a chemical bond under the above conditions, then it is to be understood that the left neighboring and the right neighboring group are directly linked to each other via a chemical bond.

Preferably, however, Q, T and Y in formula (II) are independently selected from -O- and -SO ₂ -, with the proviso that at least one selected from the group consisting of Q, T and Y is -SO ₂ -.

If Q, T or Y -CR ^a R ^b -, R ^a and R ^b are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkoxy or C ₆ -C ₁₈ -aryl group.

Preferred C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl groups include linear and branched, saturated alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. In particular, the following radicals are to C ₁ -C ₆ -alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, 2- or 3-methyl-pentyl and longer-chain radicals such as unbranched heptyl, octyl, nonyl , Decyl, undecyl, lauryl and the mono- or poly-branched analogs thereof.

Suitable alkyl radicals in the abovementioned usable C ₁ -C ₁₂ -alkoxy groups are the alkyl groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms defined above. Preferred cycloalkyl radicals include in particular C 3 -C 12 -CCCl 10 -alkyl radicals, such as, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopropylpropyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclpentylethyl, -propyl, -butyl, -pentyl, -hexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, -dimethyl, -trimethyl.

Ar and Ar ¹ independently of one another denote a C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene group. Starting from the starting products described below, Ar is preferably derived from an electron-rich, readily electrophilically attackable aromatic substance, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxynaphthalene, in particular 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, and 4,4 '. -Bisphenol is selected. Preferably, Ar ^{1 is} an unsubstituted C ₆ or C 12 arylene group.

Phenylene groups such as 1, 2, 1, 3 and 1, 4-phenylene, naphthylene groups, such as, for example, 1, 6, 1, 7, and 2,6, are used as C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene groups Ar and Ar ¹ - And 2,7-naphthylene, and derived from anthracene, phenanthrene and naphthacene arylene groups into consideration.

Ar and Ar ¹ in the preferred embodiment according to formula (II) are preferably independently selected from the group consisting of 1, 4-phenylene, 1, 3-phenylene, naphthylene, in particular 2, 7-dihydroxynaphthalene, and 4,4'- biphenylene.

Preferably in the polyarylene ethers (A) inventive blocks (A1) are those which contain at least one of the following repeating structural units IIa to No:

In addition to the preferably present building blocks IIa to No, those building blocks are also preferred in which one or more 1,4-dihydroxyphenyl units are replaced by resorcinol or dihydroxynaphthalene units.

Particularly preferred building blocks (A1) are the building blocks IIa, Ng and Nk. It is also particularly preferred if the building block A1 is composed essentially of one kind of building blocks of the general formula II, in particular of one building block selected from IIa, Ng and Nk.

In general, the preferred polyarylene ether sulfones (A) have average molecular weights M _n (number average) ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 g / mol and relative viscosities from 0.20 to 0.95 dl / g. Depending on the solubility of the polyarylene ether sulfones, the relative viscosities are measured either in 1% strength by weight N-methylpyrrolidone solution or in mixtures of phenol and dichlorobenzene at 20 ° C. and 25 ° C., respectively.

The polyarylene ethers (A) of the present invention preferably have weight-average molecular weights M _{w of} from 10,000 to 150,000 g / mol, especially from 15,000 to 120,000 g / mol, more preferably from 18,000 to 100,000 g / mol, as determined by gel permeation chromatography in the solvent dimethylformamide against narrow-distribution Polymethylmethacrylate as standard.

The polyarylene ether copolymers of the present invention preferably have viscosity numbers, measured in 1% solution in N-methylpyrrolidone at 25 ° C, of 30 to 200 ml / g, in particular from 35 to 190 ml / g, particularly preferably from 40 to 180 ml / g.

In a further embodiment, the polyarylene ethers (A) according to the invention contain branch points according to the formula (I) as well as further branching points which are derived from crosslinkers VN having at least three hydroxyl functionalities. Such crosslinkers VN have a different structure than that according to formula (I).

If branching points derived from crosslinking agents VN are present, they are preferably present in proportions of from 0.1 to 40% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 10% by weight, with respect to the polyarylene ether (A).

Crosslinkers are added during the polycondensation to prepare the polyaryl ether copolymers and, like the dihydroxy compounds, are incorporated into the main polymer chain. Because the crosslinkers VN still have at least one free hydroxyl function, condensation of a suitable monomer with this at least one hydroxyl function leads to at least one branching of the polymer main chain. The crosslinkers VN can also have four hydroxy functionalities in monomeric form, so that after incorporation into the main polymer chain two hydroxy functions are still available for a branching of the main chain.

The said additional crosslinkers VN are in the polyarylene ether (A) of course in polymeric form. If such additional crosslinkers VN are present at all or are used, they preferably have a structure which is explained below:

The crosslinkers VN are preferably aromatic or partially aromatic compounds. Preferred crosslinkers VN have at least three hydroxyl groups attached to aromatic rings, i. they have at least three phenolic hydroxyl groups.

As crosslinkers VN in monomeric form may be mentioned in particular:

Phloroglucinol, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -hepten-2 (= trimeric isopropenylphenol), 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri- (4- hydroxyphenyl) heptane (= hydrogenated primary isopropenylphenol), 1, 3,5-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -benzene, 1,1,1-tri- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -ethane and -propane, tetra- (4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, 1, 4-bis - [(4 ', 4 "-dihydroxy-triphenyl) -methyl] -benzene and 2,2-bis [4,4'-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl ) cyclohexyl] propane.

Particularly preferred crosslinkers VN are those tri- or more than trihydric phenols which are prepared by reacting p-alkyl-substituted monophenols at unsubstituted o-positions with formaldehyde or formaldehyde-yielding compounds. are adjustable, such as the trisphenol of p-cresol and formaldehyde, the 2- 6-bis (2'-hydroxy-5'-methyl-benzyl) -4-methyl-phenol. Furthermore, 2,6-bis (2'-hydroxy-5'-isopropylbenzyl) -4-isopropenylphenol and bis [2-hydroxy-3- (2'-hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl) 5-methyl-phenyl] -methane as crosslinker VN into consideration.

Also suitable as phenols having at least three hydroxyl functionalities are those which, in addition to the phenolic hydroxyl groups, contain halogen atoms, for example the halogenated trihydroxyaryl ethers of the formula (I-a)

wherein Ar ^{2 is} a mononuclear or polynuclear bivalent aromatic radical and Hal is chlorine or bromine. Examples of such compounds are:

1, 3,5-tris (4-hydroxy-phenoxy) -2,4,6-trichlorobenzene,

1,3,5-tris [4- (4-hydroxy-phenyl-isopropyl) -phenoxy] -2,4,6-trichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-tris [4- (4-hydroxy) -biphenoxy ] -2,4,6-trichlorobenzene, 1, 3,5-tris [4- (4-hydroxyphenylsulfonyl) -phenoxy] -2,4,6-trichlorobenzene and 1, 3,5-tris- [4 - (4-hydroxy-phenyl-isopropyl) -phenoxy] -2,4,6-tribromobenzene.

The preparation of the abovementioned compounds is described in German Offenlegungsschrift 1 768 620.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the crosslinker VN is selected from 1,1,1-tris (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane (I-b)

and (lb) derived compounds. Most preferably, the crosslinker VN is selected from 1,1,1-tris (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane (Ib).

The process according to the invention for the preparation of the polyarylene ethers according to the invention comprises the reaction of at least one aromatic compound (a1) having two halogen substituents and at least one aromatic compound (a2) having two functional groups which are reactive with the abovementioned halogen substituents, in the presence of at least one trifunctional compound according to the general formula

In the general formula (III), each of the three substituents X is independently selected according to the conditions (i) or (ii):

(i) each of the three substituents X is independently selected from O and OH; or

(ii) each of the three substituents X is independently selected from halogen, preferably F or Cl.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, X is F. Such compounds of the general formula (III) are known per se to the person skilled in the art or can be prepared by known methods.

Aromatic compounds (a1) and (a2) as monomers which are suitable for the preparation of polyarylene ethers are known to the person skilled in the art and are not subject to any fundamental restriction, provided that said substituents are sufficiently reactive in the context of a nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Another requirement is sufficient solubility in the solvent, as explained in more detail below. Suitable compounds (a1) are, in particular, dihalodiphenylsulfones, such as 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone, 4,4'-difluorodiphenylsulfone, 4,4'-dibromodiphenylsulfone, bis (2-chlorophenyl) sulfones, 2,2'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone and 2,2'-dichloromethane. difluorodiphenylsulphone.

Preferably, the aromatic compounds having two halogen substituents (a1) are selected from 4,4'-dihalodiphenylsulfones, especially 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone or 4,4'-difluorodiphenylsulfone.

The groups which are reactive with the abovementioned halogen substituents are, in particular, phenolic OH and O groups, the latter functional group being derived from the dihydroxy compounds and being able to be prepared in a known manner from one or produced as an intermediate. Accordingly, preferred compounds (a2) are those having two phenolic hydroxyl groups.

Preferred compounds (a2) having two phenolic hydroxyl groups are selected from the following compounds:

Dihydroxybenzenes, especially hydroquinone and resorcinol;

Dihydroxynaphthalenes, in particular 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, and 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene;

Dihydroxybiphenyls, especially 4,4'-biphenol and 2,2'-biphenol;

Bisphenyl ethers, especially bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ether and bis (2-hydroxyphenyl) ether;

Bis-phenylpropanes, especially 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis (3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, and 2,2-bis (3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane;

Bisphenylmethanes, especially bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) methane;

Bisphenylsulfones, especially bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone;

Bisphenyl sulfides, especially bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfide; - Bisphenylketone, in particular bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ketone;

Bis-phenylhexafluoropropanes, especially 2,2-bis (3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane; and

Bisphenylfluorenes, especially 9,9-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene.

It is preferable, starting from the abovementioned aromatic dihydroxy compounds (a2), to prepare their dipotassium or disodium salts and to react with the compound (a1). The aforementioned compounds may be used singly or as a combination of two or more of the aforementioned compounds.

Hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxynaphthalene, especially 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone and 4,4'-bisphenol are as the aromatic compound (a2) with two functional groups which are reactive towards the halogen substituents of the aromatic compound (a1), particularly preferred.

The proportions to be used result from the stoichiometry of the elimination polycondensation reaction with arithmetic elimination of hydrogen chloride and are set by the expert in a known manner.

In the context of carrying out the process according to the invention, parts of the halogen groups from the compound (a1) or parts of the halogen groups reactive groups of the compound (a2) are replaced by a corresponding trifunctional Ie compound according to the general formula (III) as defined above.

The molar ratio of monomers having hydroxy functionalities to monomers having halogen functionalities is 0.8 to 1.2 to 1.2 to 0.8, preferably 0.9 to 1.1 to 1.1 to 0.9, more preferably at 1 to 1. If there are different monomers with hydroxy functionalities or with halogen functionalities, the molar amounts are considered in each case.

Particularly preferred is the reaction of the monomers in aprotic polar solvents in the presence of anhydrous alkali metal carbonate, in particular sodium, potassium, calcium carbonate or mixtures thereof, with potassium carbonate being particularly preferred, in particular potassium carbonate having a volume-weighted average particle size of less than 100 micrometers , determined with a particle size measuring device in suspension in N-methylpyrrolidone. A particularly preferred combination is N-methylpyrrolidone as solvent and potassium carbonate as base.

The reaction of the appropriate monomers is carried out at a temperature of 80 to 250 ° C, preferably 100 to 220 ° C. The reaction is carried out for 2 to 12 hours, preferably 3 to 8 hours. After the polycondensation reaction has ended, a monofunctional alkyl or aryl halide, for example C ₁ -C ₆ -alkyl chloride, bromide or iodide, preferably methyl chloride, or benzyl chloride, bromide or iodide or mixtures thereof can be added to the reaction mixture. These compounds react with the hydroxy groups at the ends of the macromolecules and thus form the beginning and ending parts of the macromolecules.

The reaction in the melt is also possible. The polycondensation in the melt is carried out at a temperature of 140 to 290 ° C, preferably 150 to 280 ° C.

In a further, likewise preferred variant for preparing the polyarylene ethers (A) according to the invention, in a first step, the preparation of prepolymeric arylene ethers having reactive end groups (so-called teleche Ie), which are reactive with the trifunctional compound according to the general formula (III). The variants (i) and (ii) described there are to be combined as follows with the reactive end groups of the telechelics:

Variant (i): Prepolymer with halogen end groups, in particular -Cl or -F

Variant (ii): prepolymer with OH or O end groups.

The preparation of such telechelics is known to the person skilled in the art and is preferably carried out starting from the above-described compounds (a1) and (a2) by controlling the use ratio such that one kind of end group, which is to function as an end group, in a molar opposite to the other end group Excess of about 1, 01: 1 to about 1, 15: 1 is present. In a second step, the reaction of the telechelics with the trifunctional compound of the general formula (III) then takes place.

The purification of the polyarylene ether copolymers is carried out by methods known to the person skilled in the art, for example recrystallization or washing with suitable solvents, in which the polyarylene ether copolymers according to the invention are preferably largely insoluble.

Thermoplastic molding compounds

Another object of the present invention are thermoplastic molding compositions comprising at least one of the polyarylene ethers (A) according to the invention and at least one thermoplastic polymer (B) other than the polyarylene ether (A).

The composition of the thermoplastic molding compositions of the invention can vary over a wide range, in particular since the thermoplastic molding compositions optionally contain other components in addition to the thermoplastic polymer (B) and can be used directly or as a masterbatch.

Preferred thermoplastic molding compositions comprise from 0.1 to 99% by weight of at least one inventive polyarylene ether (A), from 1 to 99.9% by weight of at least one further thermoplastic polymer (B) and optionally from 0 to 70% by weight. % of at least one fibrous filler (C), the sum of the wt.% of (A), (B) and (C) being 100% by weight.

The thermoplastic polymer (B) is preferably non-branched, ie composed of linearly linked building blocks. The novel thermoplastic molding compositions may optionally contain, in particular, the following further components: (D) at least one impact-modifying rubber and (E) one or more additives.

In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic molding compositions of the present invention from 1 to 20 wt .-%, in particular from 3 to 15 wt .-% of at least one polyarylene ether (A) according to the invention, from 39 to 99 wt .-%, in particular from 47 to 97 wt .-% of at least one further thermoplastic polymer (B), from 0 to 70 wt .-%, in particular from 0 to 50 wt .-% of at least one fibrous filler (C), from 0 to 40 wt .-% of at least one impact-modifying rubber (D) and from 0 to 40 wt .-% of at least one additive (E), wherein the sum of the wt .-% of (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E ) 100% by weight results.

The individual components (B) to (E) are explained in more detail below.

Component B

The thermoplastic molding compositions of the present invention preferably comprise as thermoplastic polymer (B) at least one polyarylene ether sulfone, which is preferably not branched. Preferred polyarylene ether sulfones as component (B) thus differ from the corresponding polyarylene ethers (A), preferably in that they are not branched but are composed of linearly linked building blocks.

Preferred polyarylene ether sulfones have the building blocks (A1), which have already been described in the context of the branched polyarylene ethers (A). Preferred polyarylene ether sulfones as component (B) thus differ from the corresponding polyarylene ethers (A), preferably in that they are not branched but are composed of linearly linked building blocks.

Preference is given to thermoplastic molding compositions which contain as thermoplastic polymer (B) at least one polyarylene ether sulfone based on building blocks of the general formula (IV):

where t, q, Q, T, Y, Ar and Ar ^{1 have the} following meanings:

t, q: independently 0, 1, 2 or 3, Q, T, Y: independently of one another each a chemical bond or group selected from -O-, -S-, -SO ₂ -, S = O, C = O, -N = N-, -CR ^a R ^b - where R ^a and R ^b independently of one another each represent a hydrogen atom or a C ₁ -C ₁₂ -alkyl, C ₁ -C ₁₂ -alkoxy or C ₆ -C ₁₈ -aryl group, at least one of Q, T and Y is other than -O- and at least one of Q, T and Y is -SO 2 - and

Ar, Ar ¹ : independently of one another C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene.

Preferably, Q, T and Y in formula (IV) are independently selected from -O- and -SO 2 -, wherein at least one of the group consisting of Q, T and Y is -SO 2 -.

R ^a and R ^b have the meaning described in the context of the polyarylene ethers (A).

Ar and Ar ¹ independently of one another denote a C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene group. Starting from the starting materials described below Ar is preferably derived from an electron-rich, easily electrophilically attackable aromatic substance, preferably from the group consisting of hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxynaphthalene, in particular 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, and 4,4'-bisphenol is selected. Preferably, Ar ^{1 is} an unsubstituted C ₆ or C 12 arylene group.

Phenylene groups such as 1, 2, 1, 3 and 1, 4-phenylene, naphthylene groups, such as, for example, 1, 6, 1, 7, and 2,6, are used as C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene groups Ar and Ar ¹ - And 2,7-naphthylene, as well as derived from anthracene, phenanthrene and naphthacene derived arylene groups into consideration.

Ar and Ar ¹ in the preferred embodiment according to formula (II) are preferably selected independently of one another from the group consisting of 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, naphthylene, in particular 2,7-dihydroxynaphthylene, and 4,4'- biphenylene.

Preferred building blocks according to the formula (IV) are those which are based on at least one of the recurring structural units IIa to No described in the context of component (A1).

As building block according to formula (IV), the building blocks IIa, Ng and Nk are particularly preferred. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is (B) built from building blocks selected from IIa, Ng and Nk. Homopolymers of polyarylene ether sulfones are particularly preferred.

If a polyarylene ether is used as thermoplastic polymer (B), component (B) preferably has a weight-average molecular weight M _{w of} from 10,000 to 150,000 g / mol, in particular from 15,000 to 120,000 g / mol, particularly preferably from 18,000 to 100,000 g / mol as determined by gel permeation chromatography in solvent dimethylformamide against narrow polymethyl methacrylate as standard.

The polyarylene ethers preferred as thermoplastic polymer (B) preferably have viscosity numbers, measured in 1% strength solution in N-methylpyrrolidone at 25 ° C., of 30 to 200 ml / g, in particular from 35 to 190 ml / g, particularly preferably 40 up to 180 ml / g.

In general, the polyarylene ether sulfones preferred as thermoplastic polymer (B) have average molecular weights Mn (number average) in the range from 5000 to 60000 g / mol and relative viscosities from 0.20 to 0.95 dl / g. Depending on the solubility of the polyarylene ether sulfones, the relative viscosities are measured either in 1% strength by weight N-methylpyrrolidone solution or in mixtures of phenol and dichlorobenzene at 20 ° C. and 25 ° C., respectively.

The abovementioned thermoplastic polymers (B) and their preparation are known to the person skilled in the art.

Component C

The molding compositions according to the invention may contain fibrous additives.

In a first preferred embodiment, the molding compositions according to the invention contain fibrous additives, in particular glass fibers.

The thermoplastic molding compositions preferably contain from 1 to 59% by weight of at least one polyarylene ether (A) comprising components (II) as defined in component (A), from 40 to 98% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer (B and from 1 to 59% by weight of fibrous fillers, wherein the thermoplastic polymer (B) is a polyarylene ether sulfone containing building blocks (IV) as defined above, provided that the building blocks (IV) and (II) are the same or different ,

Preferred fibrous fillers or reinforcing materials are carbon fibers, potassium tantanate whiskers, aramid fibers and particularly preferably glass fibers. When using of glass fibers, they can be equipped with a size, preferably a polyurethane size and a bonding agent for better compatibility with the matrix material. In general, the carbon and glass fibers used have a diameter in the range of 6 to 20 microns.

The incorporation of the glass fibers can take place both in the form of short glass fibers and in the form of endless strands (rovings). In the finished injection molded part, the average length of the glass fibers is preferably in the range of 0.08 to 0.5 mm.

Carbon or glass fibers can also be used in the form of woven fabrics, mats or glass rovings.

Suitable particulate fillers are amorphous silicic acid, carbonates such as magnesium carbonate (chalk), powdered quartz, mica, various silicates such as clays, muscovite, biotite, suzorite, cinnamon, talc, chlorite, phlogophite, feldspar, cesium silicates such as wollastonite or aluminum silicates like kaolin, especially calcined kaolin.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, particulate fillers are used, of which at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight of the particles have a diameter (largest dimension), determined on the finished product, of less than 45 μm, preferably less than 40 μm and whose so-called aspect ratio is in the range from 1 to 25, preferably in the range from 2 to 20, determined on the finished product.

The particle diameter can be z. B. be determined by taking electron micrographs of thin sections of the polymer mixture and at least 25, preferably at least 50 filler particles are used for the evaluation. Likewise, the determination of the particle diameter can be made by sedimentation analysis, according to Transactions of ASAE, page 491 (1983). The weight fraction of the fillers, which is less than 40 μm, can also be measured by sieve analysis. The aspect ratio is the ratio of particle diameter to thickness (largest dimension to smallest dimension).

Particularly preferred particulate fillers are talc, kaolin, such as calcined kaolin or wollastonite, or mixtures of two or all of these fillers. Of these, talc with a proportion of at least 95 wt .-% of particles having a diameter of less than 40 microns and an aspect ratio of 1, 5 to 25, each determined on the finished product, particularly preferred. Kaolin preferably has a content of at least 95% by weight of particles with a diameter of less than 20 μm and an aspect ratio of 1.2 to 20, in each case determined on the finished product. In a further preferred embodiment, the molding compositions according to the invention contain no fibrous additives.

In this further preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic molding compositions contain from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one polyarylene ether (A) comprising building blocks (II) as defined in component (A), from 40 to 98% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer (B), but not fibrous fillers, wherein the thermoplastic polymer (B) is a polyarylene ether sulfone containing building blocks (IV) as defined above, provided that the aforementioned building blocks (IV) and (II) are the same.

Component D

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic molding compositions may contain at least one rubber to increase the toughness.

For the purposes of the present invention, rubber is understood as meaning a crosslinked polymeric compound which has rubber-elastic properties.

The proportion of component (D) in the thermoplastic molding compositions according to the invention can vary within wide limits. Preferred novel molding compositions comprise component D in amounts of from 0 to 30, in particular from 0 to 20,% by weight, based on the total weight of components (A) to (F). Particularly preferred molding compositions contain from 0 to 17.5 wt .-%, based on the total weight of components (A) to (F).

As component D it is also possible to use mixtures of two or more different rubbers.

In particular, preferred rubbers which increase the toughness of the molding compositions have two essential features: they contain an elastomeric fraction which has a glass transition temperature of less than -10 ° C, preferably less than -30 ° C, and contain at least one functional group which is denoted by component (A) and / or component (B) can interact. Suitable functional groups are, in particular, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride, carboxylic acid ester, carboxamide, carboxylic acid imide, amino, hydroxyl, epoxide, urethane or oxazoline groups.

Preferably, at least one functionalized rubber is used as component D. Preferred functionalized rubbers include functionalized polyolefin rubbers composed of the following monomer components: α "l) 40 to 99 wt .-% of at least one alpha-olefin having 2 to 8 carbon atoms;

d2) 0 to 50% by weight of a diene;

d3) 0 to 45 wt .-% of a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or mixtures of such esters;

d4) 0 to 40% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated C 2 -C 20 -mono- or dicarboxylic acid or a functional derivative of such an acid;

d5) 1 to 40% by weight of a monomer containing epoxy groups; and

d6) 0 to 5 wt .-% of other radically polymerizable monomers.

Examples of suitable alpha-olefins as monomer component d1) may include ethylene, propylene, 1-butylene, 1-pentylene, 1-hexylene, 1-heptylene, 1-octylene, 2-methylpropylene, 3-methyl-1-butylene and 3-ethyl-1-butylene, ethylene and propylene are preferred.

Examples of suitable diene monomers d2) are conjugated dienes having 4 to 8 C atoms, such as isoprene and butadiene, nonconjugated dienes having 5 to 25 C atoms, such as penta-1,4-diene, hexa-1,4-diene , Hexa-1, 5-diene, 2,5-dimethylhexa-1,5-diene and octa-1,4-diene, cyclic dienes, such as cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadienes, cyclooctadienes and dicyclopentadiene, as well as alkenylnorbornenes, such as 5-ethylidene 2-norbornene, 5-butylidene-2-norbornene, 2-methallyl-5-norbornene, 2-isopropenyl-5-norbornene and tricyclodienes such as 3-methyltricyclo- (5.2.1.0.2.6) -3,8-decadiene, or mixtures thereof. Preference is given to hexa-1, 5-diene, 5-ethylidene-norbornene and dicyclopentadiene. The diene content is preferably 0.5 to 50, in particular 2 to 20 and particularly preferably 3 to 15 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the monomer components (d1) to (d6).

Examples of suitable esters as monomer component d3) are, in particular, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl and 2-ethylhexyl, octyl and decyl acrylates and the corresponding esters of methacrylic acid. Of these, methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate or methacrylate are particularly preferred.

Instead of the esters d3) or in addition to them, acid-functional and / or latent acid-functional monomers of ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids d4) may also be present in the olefin polymers.

Examples of monomers d4) are in particular acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, tertiary alkyl esters of these acids, in particular tert-butyl acrylate and dicarboxylic acids, such as Maleic acid and fumaric acid, or derivatives of these acids and their monoesters called.

Latent acid-functional monomers are understood as meaning those compounds which form free acid groups under the polymerization conditions or during the incorporation of the olefin polymers into the molding compositions. Examples which may be mentioned in particular anhydrides of dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, in particular maleic anhydride and tertiary C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl esters of the abovementioned acids, in particular tert-butyl acrylate and tert-butyl methacrylate.

Preferred ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides as monomer component d4) are represented by the following general formulas V and VI:

wherein R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ and R ^{5 are} independently H or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl.

Preferred epoxy group-bearing monomers d5) are represented by the following general formulas VII and VIII

wherein R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ and R ^{9 are} independently H or C ₁ -C ₆ -alkyl, m is an integer from 0 to 20 and p is an integer from 0 to 10.

Preferably, R ² to R ^{9 are} hydrogen, m is the value O or 1 and p is the value of 1.

Preferred compounds d4) or d5) are maleic acid, fumaric acid and maleic anhydride or alkenyl glycidyl ether and vinyl glycidyl ether. Particularly preferred compounds of the formulas V and VI or VII and VIII are maleic acid and maleic anhydride or epoxy groups-containing esters of acrylic acid and / or methacrylic acid, in particular glycidyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate.

Particular preference is given to olefin polymers which comprise from 50 to 98.9, in particular from 60 to 94.85,% by weight of ethylene, and from 1 to 50, in particular from 5 to 40,% by weight of an ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, from 0.1 to 20 , 0, in particular 0.15 to 15 wt .-% glycidyl acrylate and / or glycidyl methacrylate, acrylic acid and / or maleic anhydride are constructed.

Particularly suitable functionalized rubbers B are ethylene-methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate, ethylene-ethyl acrylate-glycidyl acrylate and ethylene-methyl methacrylate-glycidyl acrylate polymers.

As other monomers d6) come z. As vinyl esters and vinyl ethers into consideration.

The preparation of the polymers described above can be carried out by processes known per se, preferably by random copolymerization under high pressure and elevated temperature.

The melt index of component (D) is generally in the range of 1 to 80 g / 10 min (measured at 190 ° C and 2.16 kg load).

Another group of suitable rubbers (D) are core-shell grafts. These are graft rubbers made in emulsion, which consist of at least one hard and one soft component. A hard component is usually understood to mean a polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 25 ° C., and a polymer having a glass transition temperature of at most 0 ° C. under a soft component. These products have a core and at least one shell structure, the structure resulting from the order of monomer addition. The soft constituents are generally derived from butadiene, isoprene, alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates or siloxanes and optionally further comonomers. Suitable siloxane cores can be prepared, for example, starting from cyclic oligomeric octamethyltetrasiloxane or tetravinyltetramethyltetrasiloxane. These can be reacted, for example, with gamma-mercaptopropylmethyldimethoxysilane in a ring-opening cationic polymerization, preferably in the presence of sulfonic acids, to form the soft siloxane cores. The siloxanes can also be crosslinked by z. B. the polymerization reaction in the presence of silanes with hydrolyzable groups such as halogen or alkoxy groups such as tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane or phenyl nyltrimethoxysilane is performed. As suitable comonomers here z. For example, styrene, acrylonitrile and crosslinking or grafting monomers with more than one polymer to callable double bond such as diallyl phthalate, divinylbenzene, butanediol diacrylate or triallyl (iso) cyanurate. The hard constituents are generally derived from styrene, α-methylstyrene and their copolymers, in which case comonomers are preferably acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate.

Preferred core-shell graft rubbers include a soft core and a hard shell or hard core, a first soft shell and at least one other hard shell. The incorporation of functional groups such as carbonyl, carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, acid amide, acid imide, carboxylic acid ester, amino, hydroxyl, epoxy, oxazoline, urethane, urea, lactam or halobenzyl groups takes place in this case preferably by the addition of suitably functionalized monomers in the polymerization of the last shell. Examples of suitable functionalized monomers are maleic acid, maleic anhydride, mono- or diesters of maleic acid, tert-butyl (meth) acrylate, acrylic acid, glycidyl (meth) acrylate and vinyloxazoline. The proportion of monomers with functional groups is i. a. 0.1 to 25 wt .-%, preferably 0.25 to 15 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the core-shell graft rubber. The weight ratio of soft to hard ingredients is i. a. 1: 9 to 9: 1, preferably 3: 7 to 8: 2.

Such rubbers are known per se and described for example in EP-A 208 187.

Another group of suitable impact modifiers are thermoplastic polyester elastomers. Polyester elastomers are understood as meaning segmented copolyester esters which contain long-chain segments which are generally derived from poly (alkylene) ether glycols and short-chain segments which are derived from low molecular weight diols and dicarboxylic acids. Such products are known per se and in the literature, for. For example, in US-A 3,651,014. Also commercially available are corresponding products under the names Hytrel ™ (Du Pont), Arnitel ™ (Akzo) and Pelprene ™ (Toyobo Co. Ltd.).

Of course, mixtures of different rubbers can be used.

Component E

The molding compositions according to the invention may contain as further component E auxiliaries, in particular processing aids, pigments, stabilizers, flame retardants or mixtures of different additives. Conventional additives are, for example, also oxidation inhibitors, agents against heat decomposition and decomposition by ultraviolet light, lubricants and mold release agents, dyes and plasticizers. Their proportion of component (E) in the molding composition according to the invention is in particular from 0 to 30, preferably from 0 to 20 wt .-%, in particular 0 to 15 wt .-%, based on the total weight of components A to E. Im If component E is stabilizer, the proportion of these stabilizers is usually up to 2% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight, in particular 0.01 to 0.5% by weight. , based on the sum of the wt .-% of components (A) to (E).

Pigments and dyes are generally present in amounts from 0 to 6, preferably from 0.05 to 5 and in particular from 0.1 to 3 wt .-%, based on the sum of the wt .-% of components (A) to (E) , contain.

The pigments for coloring thermoplastics are well known, see, for example, R. Gächter and H. Müller, Taschenbuch der Kunststoffadditive, Carl Hanser Verlag, 1983, pages 494 to 510. As the first preferred group of pigments, white pigments may be mentioned, such as zinc oxide, Zinc sulfide, lead white [2 PbCO3-Pb (OH) 2], lithithopones, antimony white and titanium dioxide. Of the two most common crystal modifications (rutile and anatase-type) of titanium dioxide, in particular the rutile form is used for the whitening of the molding compositions according to the invention. Black pigments which can be used according to the invention are iron oxide black (Fe3O _4), spinel [Cu (Cr, Fe) ₂ O _4], manganese black (mixture of manganese dioxide, silicon dioxide and iron oxide), cobalt black and antimony black and particularly preferably carbon black, which is usually is used in the form of furnace or gas black. See G. Benzing, Pigments for paints, Expert-Verlag (1988), pages 78 ff.

To adjust certain hues, inorganic colored pigments, such as chromium oxide green or organic colored pigments, such as azo pigments or phthalocyanines, can be used according to the invention. Such pigments are generally commercially available.

Oxidation inhibitors and heat stabilizers which can be added to the thermoplastic compositions according to the invention are, for example, halides of Group I metals of the periodic table, for example sodium, potassium, lithium halides, for example chlorides, bromides or iodides. Furthermore, zinc fluoride and zinc chloride can be used. Further, sterically hindered phenols, hydroquinones, substituted representatives of this group, secondary aromatic amines, optionally in conjunction with phosphorus-containing acids or their salts, and mixtures of these compounds, preferably in concentrations up to 1 wt .-%, based on the total the wt .-% of components (A) can be used to (E). Examples of UV stabilizers are various substituted resorcinols, salicylates, benzotriazoles and benzophenones, which are generally used in amounts of up to 2% by weight.

Lubricants and mold release agents, which are generally added in amounts of up to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the weight percent of components (A) to (E), are stearyl alcohol, stearic acid alkyl esters and amides and also esters pentaerythritol with long-chain fatty acids. It is also possible to use dialkyl ketones, for example distearyl ketone.

As a preferred constituent, the molding compositions according to the invention comprise from 0.1 to 2, preferably from 0.1 to 1.75, more preferably from 0.1 to 1.5,% by weight and in particular from 0.1 to 0.9% by weight. (Based on the sum of the wt .-% of components (A) to (E)) of stearic acid and / or stearates. In principle, other stearic acid derivatives such as esters of stearic acid can also be used.

Stearic acid is preferably produced by hydrolysis of fats. The products thus obtained are usually mixtures of stearic acid and palmitic acid. Therefore, such products have a wide range of softening, for example from 50 to 70 ° C, depending on the composition of the product. Preference is given to using products having a stearic acid content of more than 20, particularly preferably more than 25,% by weight. Pure stearic acid (> 98%) can also be used.

Furthermore, stearates can also be used as component C. Stearates can be prepared either by reaction of corresponding sodium salts with metal salt solutions (for example CaCb, MgCb, aluminum salts...) Or by direct reaction of the fatty acid with metal hydroxide (see, for example, Baerlocher Additives, 2005). Preferably, aluminum tristearate is used.

The order in which the components (A) to (E) are mixed is arbitrary.

The molding compositions according to the invention can be prepared by processes known per se, for example extrusion. The molding compositions according to the invention can be prepared, for example, by mixing the starting components in conventional mixing devices such as screw extruders, preferably twin-screw extruders, Brabender mixers or Banbury mixers and kneaders, and then extruding them. After extrusion, the extrudate is cooled and comminuted. The order of mixing the components can be varied so that two or possibly three components can be premixed, but all components can also be mixed together. In order to obtain the most homogeneous possible mixing, intensive mixing is advantageous. For this, average mixing times of 0.2 to 30 minutes at temperatures of 280 to 380 ° C, preferably 290 to 370 ° C, are generally required. After extrusion, the extrudate is usually cooled and comminuted.

The molding compositions according to the invention are distinguished by good mechanical properties, improved flowability and improved resistance to stress cracking compared with the prior art.

The molding compositions of the invention are characterized by good flowability, improved toughness, especially elongation at break and notched impact strength and by improved surface quality. The molding compositions according to the invention are therefore suitable for the production of moldings for household articles, electrical or electronic components and moldings for the vehicle sector.

The novel thermoplastic molding compositions can be advantageously used for the production of moldings, fibers, films or films or foams.

Another object of the present invention are molded parts which are obtainable from the thermoplastic molding compositions according to the invention. Corresponding shaping methods are known to the person skilled in the art.

The following examples illustrate the invention in more detail without limiting it.

Examples

The viscosity number of the polyarylene ethers was determined in 1% solution of N-methylpyrrolidone at 25 ° C. according to ISO 1628.

Production and testing of molding compounds

The heat resistance of the samples was determined by means of the Vicat softening temperature. The Vicat softening temperature was determined according to DIN 53 460, with a force of 49.05 N and a temperature increase of 50 K per hour, on standard small bars.

The impact strength (on) of the reinforced products was determined on ISO bars according to ISO 179 1 eU. For unreinforced products, impact strength (ak) according to ISO 179 1eA was used to characterize the toughness.

Flowability was evaluated by melt viscosity. The melt stability was determined by means of a capillary rheometer. The apparent viscosity at 350 or 380 ° C was determined as a function of the shear rate.

The stress cracking resistance was determined according to DIN EN ISO 22088-3 on specimens of thickness of 2 mm. At a bending strain of 1.32%, the test medium was allowed to act for a different period of time and the state of the test specimen was then visually inspected.

When testing the unreinforced samples, toluene was allowed to act for one hour. For the boosted samples, the fuel FAM B was allowed to act for 7 days at 80 ° C.

The condition of the samples was then visually assessed: +: unchanged

+/-: slight haze, no noticeable cracks

-: severe haze, noticeable cracks

- -: fraction of sample n.b .: not determined

Component B1: When was polyarylene B1 Ultrason ^® E 2010 (commercial product

BASF SE). This product is characterized by a viscosity number of

54 ml / g, measured in 1% NMP solution at 25 ° C.

Component B2: The polyarylene ether B2 Ultrason ^® P 3010 (BASF SE commercial product) was used. This product is characterized by a viscosity number of 75 ml / g, measured in 1% NMP solution at 25 ° C.

Component AV: Branched polyarylene ether obtained by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation of 107.22 g of dichlorodiphenylsulfone, 90.06 g of dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, 8.27 g of 1,1,1-tris (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane under the action of 54.73 g Potassium carbonate in 360 ml NMP. This mixture is kept at 195 ° C for 4 hours. After cooling to 120 ° C, methyl chloride is introduced into the solution for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the solid components are separated by filtration and the polymer is isolated by precipitation in NMP / water 1/9. After thorough washing with water, the product is dried in vacuo at 120 ° C for 12 hours. The viscosity number of the product was 25.6 ml / g, the glass transition temperature was 189 ° C.

Component A1: Branched polyarylene ether obtained by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation of 94.90 g of difluorodiphenylsulfone, 90.06 g of dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, 12.00 g of 1, 3,5-tris (4-fluorophenylcarbonyl) benzene under the action of 54.73 g of potassium - carbonate in 360 ml NMP. This mixture is kept at 180 ° C for 4 hours. To Cooling to 120 ° C is introduced into the solution for 1 hour of methyl chloride. After cooling to room temperature, the solid components are separated by filtration and the polymer is isolated by precipitation in NMP / water 1/9. After thorough washing with water, the product is dried in vacuo at 120 ° C for 12 hours. The viscosity number of the product was 24.6 ml / g, the glass transition temperature at 194 ° C.

Component A2: Branched polyarylene ether obtained by nucleophilic aromatic polycondensation of 86.39 g of difluorodiphenylsulfone, 85.06 g of dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, 15.1 g of 1, 3,5-tris (4-fluorophenylcarbonyl) benzene under the action of 51. 69 g Potassium carbonate in 340 ml NMP. This mixture is kept at 180 ° C for 4 hours. After cooling to 120 ° C, methyl chloride is introduced into the solution for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the solid components are separated by filtration and the polymer is isolated by precipitation in NMP / water 1/9. After thorough washing with water, the product is dried in vacuo at 120 ° C for 12 hours. The viscosity number of the product was 26.1 ml / g, the glass transition temperature 192 ° C.

Component C1: chopped glass fiber with polyurethane size, fiber diameter 10μm.

The components were mixed in a twin-screw extruder at a melt temperature of 350 and 370 ° C, respectively. The melt was passed through a water bath and granulated.

The polyethersulfone-containing molding materials were processed at 340 ° C. The mold temperature was 140 ° C each. The molding compositions containing PPSU were processed at 370 ° C melt temperature and 140 ° C mold temperature.

The results of the tests are shown in Tables 1.

The thermoplastic molding compositions according to the invention have improved flowability. Surprisingly, these products are also characterized by better stress cracking resistance.

Claims

claims

1. polyarylene ether (A) containing branching points according to formula (I):

2. polyarylene ether (A) according to claim 1, wherein the polyarylene ether (A) is a polyaryl lenethersulfon.

3. polyarylene ether (A) according to claim 1 or 2 containing

(A1) from 0.1 to 99.9 wt .-% of at least one building block of the general formula II

with the following meanings

t, q: independently 0, 1, 2 or 3,

Q, T, Y: independently of one another each a chemical bond or group selected from -O-, -S-, -SO ₂ -, S = O, C = O, -N = N-, - CR ^a R ^b - wherein R ^a and R ^b are each independently a hydrogen atom or a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkoxy or C ₆ -C ₁₈ aryl group, wherein at least one of Q, T and Y is other than -O- and at least one of Q, T and Y is -SO 2 - and

Ar, Ar ¹ : independently of one another C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene group, and

(A2) from 0.1 to 99.9 wt .-% branch points according to the formula (I), wherein the sum of the wt .-% of (A1) and (A2) 100 wt .-% results.

A polyarylene ether according to claim 3, wherein Q, T and Y in formula (II) are independently selected from O and SO ₂ and at least one of Q, T and Y is SO ₂ .

5. A polyarylene ether according to claims 3 or 4, wherein Ar and Ar ¹ in formula (II) are independently selected from the group consisting of 1, 4-phenylene, 1, 3-phenylene, naphthylene and 4,4'-bisphenylene.

6. A process for the preparation of polyarylene ethers according to claims 1 to 5 by reacting at least one aromatic compound with two halogen substituents and at least one aromatic compound having two functional groups which are reactive with the aforementioned halogen substituents, characterized in that additionally at least one trifunctional compound is used according to the general formula (III):

wherein each of the three substituents X is independently selected according to the conditions (i) or (ii):

(i) each of the three substituents X is independently selected from O and OH; or (ii) each of the three substituents X is independently selected from halogen, preferably F or Cl.

Process for the preparation of polyarylene ethers according to Claim 6, characterized in that the aromatic compounds have two functional groups pen, which are reactive with the abovementioned halogen substituents, are selected from hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxynaphthalene, 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone and 4,4'-bisphenol.

8. A process for the preparation of polyarylene ethers according to claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the aromatic compounds with two halogen substituents are selected from Dihalogendiphenylsulfonen.

9. Thermoplastic molding compositions containing at least one polyarylene ether (A) according to claims 1 to 5.

10. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claim 9 containing from 0.1 to 99 wt .-% of at least one polyarylene ether (A), from 0.1 to 99 wt .-% of at least one thermoplastic polymer (B) not equal to (A) and optionally from 0 to 70 wt .-% of at least one fibrous filler (C), wherein the sum of the wt .-% of (A), (B) and (C) 100 wt .-% results.

1 1. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claim 10, wherein as a fibrous filler from 0 to 70 wt .-% glass fibers are included.

12. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 11 containing as thermoplastic polymer (B) at least one polyarylene ether sulfone.

13. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 12 comprising as thermoplastic polymer (B) at least one polyarylene ether sulfone based on building blocks according to the general formula (IV):

with the following meanings

t, q: independently 0, 1, 2 or 3,

Q, T, Y: independently of one another each a chemical bond or group selected from -O-, -S-, -SO ₂ -, S = O, C = O, -N = N-, -CR ^a R ^b -, wherein R ^a and R ^b independently of one another each represent a hydrogen atom or a C ₁ -C ₁₂ -alkyl, C ₁ -C ₁₂ -alkoxy or C ₆ -C ₁₈ -aryl group, where at least one of Q, T and Y is different from -O- and at least one of Q, T and Y is -SO 2 - and Ar, Ar ¹ : independently of one another are C ₆ -C ₁₈ -arylene.

14. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claim 13, wherein Q, T and Y in formula (IV) independently of one another are O or SO ₂ and at least one of Q, T and Y is SO ₂ .

15. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 14, wherein Ar and Ar ¹ in formula (IV) are independently selected from the group consisting of 1, 4-phenylene, 1, 3-phenylene, naphthylene and 4,4'-bisphenylene ,

16. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 15, comprising from 1 to 59 wt .-% of at least one polyarylene ether (A) containing building blocks (II) as defined in claims 3 to 5, from 40 to 98 wt .-% of at least one thermoplastic polymer (B) and from 1 to 59% by weight of fibrous fillers, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer (B) is a polyarylene ether sulfone containing building blocks (IV) as defined in claims 13 to 15, under the Prerequisite that the building blocks (IV) and (II) are the same or different.

17. Thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 15, containing from 1 to 60 wt .-% of at least one polyarylene ether (A) containing building blocks (II) as defined in claims 3 to 5, from 40 to 99 wt .-% of at least one thermoplastic polymer (B), but not fibrous fillers, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer (B) is a polyarylene ether sulfone containing building blocks (IV) as defined in claims 13 to 15, provided that the abovementioned building blocks (IV ) and (II) are the same.

18. Use of the thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 17 for the production of moldings.

19. Moldings obtainable from the thermoplastic molding compositions according to claims 9 to 17.