EP4642839A1

EP4642839A1 - Thermoplastic composition and article with metallic visual effect

Info

Publication number: EP4642839A1
Application number: EP23848264.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yunfei HE; Yun ZHENG; Huihui Li; Jianjian WU; Rui Gao
Original assignee: SHPP Global Technologies BV
Current assignee: SHPP Global Technologies BV
Priority date: 2022-12-30
Filing date: 2023-12-29
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2024142010A1; CN120418337A

Abstract

A composition includes specific amounts of a polycarbonate copolymer, a metallic effect additive, and, optionally, a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate. The polycarbonate copolymer can be a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units, a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units, a polyestercarbonate including resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units, a polyestercarbonate including sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers including bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units, a cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate, or a combination thereof. The composition exhibits a desirable balance of metallic visual effects, chemical resistance, and mechanical properties.

Description

THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION AND ARTICLE WITH METALLIC VISUAL EFFECT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/436,165, filed on December 30, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0001] For some automotive applications such as hybrid/electronic headlight housings, door trim, and electrical charging gun housings, painted metal parts are increasingly being replaced with unpainted thermoplastic parts exhibiting a metallic visual effect. Thermoplastic parts exhibiting a metallic effect need to also provide a balance of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy.

[0002] There is therefore a need for thermoplastic compositions and articles exhibiting an improved balance of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, flame retardancy, and metallic visual effects.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] One embodiment is a composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: 5 to 99.95 weight percent of a polycarbonate copolymer selected from the group consisting of copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units; copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units; cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate; and combinations thereof; 0 to 90 weight percent of a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a metallic effect additive; wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 85 to 99.95 weight percent.

[0004] Another embodiment is an article comprising the composition described above.

[0005] These and other embodiments are described in detail below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] The present inventors have determined that a property balance of mechanical performance, chemical resistance, flame retardancy, and metallic visual effect is provided by a composition comprising specific amounts of a polycarbonate copolymer, a metallic effect additive, and, optionally, a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate.

[0007] Thus, one embodiment is a composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: 5 to 99.95 weight percent of a polycarbonate copolymer selected from the group consisting of copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3- bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units; copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units; cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate; and combinations thereof; 0 to 90 weight percent of a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a metallic effect additive; wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 85 to 99.95 weight percent.

[0010] The composition comprises a polycarbonate copolymer selected from the group consisting of copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units; copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units; cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate; and combinations thereof.

[0011] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units. For brevity, this polycarbonate copolymer is referred to as a BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate. Bisphenol A carbonate units have the chemical structure

2-Phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units have the chemical structure

[0012] The BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate comprises 10 to 90 mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units, and 10 to 90 mole percent of 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units, based on the total carbonate units in the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate. Within these ranges, the mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units can be 20 to 80 mole percent, or 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent. Also within these ranges, the mole percent of 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units can be 20 to 80 mole percent, or 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent. In some embodiments the sum of the mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units and the mole percent of 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units is 95 to 100 mole percent, or 97 to 100 mole percent, or 99 to 100 mole percent, or 100 mole percent, all based on the total carbonate units in the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0013] The BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate can be synthesized using an end-capping agent (also referred to as a chain stopper agent or chain terminating agent). The end-capping agent can be included during polymerization of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate to provide end groups, for example monocyclic phenols such as phenol, 4-cyanophenol, and C1-22 alkyl-substituted phenols such as 4-cumylphenol, and 4-tert-butylphenol; monoethers of diphenols, such as 4- methoxyphenol; monoesters of diphenols such as resorcinol monobenzoate; functionalized chlorides of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids such as acryloyl chloride and methacryloyl chloride; and mono-chloroformates such as phenyl chloroformate, alkyl-substituted phenyl chloroformates, 4-cumylphenyl chloroformate, and toluene chloroformate. Combinations of different end-capping groups can be used.

[0014] The BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate can have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 30,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 25,000 grams/mole.

[0015] BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonates are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0016] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units carbonate units. For brevity, this polycarbonate copolymer is referred to as a BPA/BPI copolycarbonate. Bisphenol A carbonate units are described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate. Bisphenol isophorone carbonate units have the chemical structure

The BPA/BPI copolycarbonate comprises 10 to 90 mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units, and 10 to 90 mole percent of bisphenol isophorone carbonate units, based on the total carbonate units in the BPA/BPI copolycarbonate. Within these ranges, the mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units can be 20 to 80 mole percent, or 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent. Also within these ranges, the mole percent of bisphenol isophorone carbonate units can be 20 to 80 mole percent, or 30 to 70 mole percent, or 40 to 60 mole percent. In some embodiments the sum of the mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units and the mole percent of bisphenol isophorone carbonate units is 95 to 100 mole percent, or 97 to 100 mole percent, or 99 to 100 mole percent, all based on the total carbonate units in the BPA/BPI copolycarbonate.

[0017] The BPA/BPI copolycarbonate can be synthesized using an end-capping agent, as described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0018] The BPA/BPI copolycarbonate can have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the BPA/BPI copolycarbonate can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 30,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 25,000 grams/mole.

[0019] BPA/BPI copolycarbonates are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known. [0020] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units. The resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units are resorcinol isophthalate ester units having the structure resorcinol terephthalate ester units having the structure a combination of resorcinol isophthalate ester units and resorcinol terephthalate ester units.

[0021] The resorcinol carbonate units have the structure

The bisphenol A carbonate units have the structure shown above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0022] The polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units can comprise resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units in an amount of 5 to 35 mole percent, resorcinol carbonate units in an amount of 2 to 20 mole percent, and bisphenol A carbonate units in an amount of 45 to 93 mole percent, all based on the total moles of resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units. Within the range of 5 to 35 mole percent, the amount of resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units can be 10 to 30 mole percent, or 15 to 25 mole percent. Within the range of 2 to 20 mole percent, the amount of resorcinol carbonate units can be 3 to 15 mole percent, or 4 to 10 mole percent. Within the range of 45 to 93 mole percent, the amount of bisphenol A carbonate units can be 55 to 90 mole percent, or 65 to 85 mole percent. In a very specific embodiment, the polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units can comprise resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units in an amount of 15 to 25 mole percent, resorcinol carbonate units in an amount of 4 to 10 mole percent, and bisphenol A carbonate units in an amount of 65 to 85 mole percent.

[0023] The polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units can be synthesized using an endcapping agent, as described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0024] The polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units can have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the BPA/BPI copolycarbonate can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 30,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 25,000 grams/mole.

[0025] Polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0026] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units. For brevity, this polycarbonate copolymer is referred to as a BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate.

[0027] The sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units have the chemical structure

The bisphenol A carbonate units have the chemical structure described above in the context of the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate.

[0028] The BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate can comprise sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units in an amount of 3 to 20 mole percent, and bisphenol A carbonate units in an amount of 80 to 97 mole percent, all based on the total moles of sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units. Within the range of 3 to 20 mole percent, the amount of sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units can be 3 to 12 weight percent, or 4 to 11 weight percent. Within the range of 80 to 97 mole percent, the amount of bisphenol A carbonate units can be 88 to 97 weight percent, or 89 to 96 weight percent.

[0029] The BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate can be synthesized using an end-capping agent, as described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0030] In some embodiments, the BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole. In some embodiments, the BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonate has a melt flow rate of 10 to 50 grams/10 minutes, determined at 300 °C and 1.2 kilogram load according to ASTM D 1238-20. Within this range, the melt flow rate can be 15 to 45 grams/10 minutes.

[0031] BPA/sebacate polyestercarbonates are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0032] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonatepolysiloxane copolymer comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units. Bisphenol A carbonate units are defined above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate. Polysiloxane carbonate units have the general structure wherein each occurrence of Ar is independently unsubstituted or substituted Ce-30 arylene; each occurrence of R is independently C1-13 hydrocarbyl; and E is 5 to 100, or 10 to 75, or 40 to 60. As used herein, “substituted” means including at least one substituent such as a halogen (i.e., F, Cl, Br, I), hydroxyl, amino, thiol, carboxyl, amide, cyano, nitro, Ci-is alkyl, Ci-is alkoxyl, Ce-is aryl, Ce-is aryloxyl, C7-18 alkylaryl, or C7-18 alkylaryloxyl. As used herein, the term “hydrocarbyl,” whether used by itself, or as a prefix, suffix, or fragment of another term, refers to a residue that contains only carbon and hydrogen unless it is specifically identified as “substituted hydrocarbyl.” The hydrocarbyl residue can be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, or unsaturated. It can also contain combinations of aliphatic, aromatic, straight chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, and unsaturated hydrocarbon moieties. When the hydrocarbyl residue is described as substituted, it can contain heteroatoms in addition to carbon and hydrogen.

[0033] In some embodiments, the poly siloxane carbonate units have the structure wherein each occurrence of M is independently halogen, cyano, nitro, Ci-s alkyl, Ci-s alkoxyl, Ci-8 alkylthio, C2-8 alkenyl, C2-8 alkenyloxyl group, Ce-io aryl, Ce-io aryloxyl, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 arylalkoxyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or C7-12 alkylaryloxyl; each occurrence of v is independently 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; each occurrence of R⁴ is independently a divalent C2-8 aliphatic group; each occurrence of R² is independently C1-13 hydrocarbyl; and E is defined above.

[0034] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, greater than 30 to 70 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units, and 30 to less than 70 weight percent bisphenol A carbonate units. Within these ranges, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can comprise the polysiloxane carbonate units in an amount of 35 to 70 weight percent, or 35 to 65 weight percent, or 35 to 55 weight percent, or 35 to 45 weight percent. Also within these ranges, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can comprise the bisphenol A carbonate units in an amount of 30 to 65 weight percent, or 35 to 65 weight percent, or 45 to 65 weight percent, or 55 to 65 weight percent.

[0035] In other embodiments, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, 2 to 30 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units, and 70 to 98 weight percent bisphenol A carbonate units. Within these ranges, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can comprise the polysiloxane carbonate units in an amount of 3 to 20 weight percent, or 4 to 10 weight percent. Also within these ranges, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can comprise the bisphenol A carbonate units in an amount of 80 to 97 weight percent, or 90 to 96 weight percent.

[0036] The polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can be synthesized using an endcapping agent, as described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0037] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole. In some embodiments, the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer has a melt flow rate of 10 to 50 grams/10 minutes, determined at 300 °C and 1.2 kilogram load according to ASTM D 1238-20. Within this range, the melt flow rate can be 15 to 45 grams/10 minutes.

[0038] Polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0039] In some embodiments, the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate. The carbonate repeat units of the cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate are derived from 90 to 99.5 mole percent bisphenol A, and 0.5 to 10 mole percent of a branching agent comprising at least three hydroxyl groups, where mole percent values are based on total moles of bisphenol A and branching agent. Within these ranges, the mole percent of bisphenol A can be 95 to 99, and the mole percent of branching agent can be 1 to 5 weight percent. Suitable branching agents include trimellitic trichloride, l,l,l-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, and combinations of trimellitic trichloride and l,l,l-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane. The molecular weight of the cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate is controlled by the use of cyanophenol as an end-capping agent.

[0040] The cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate can have a melt flow rate of 4 to 35 grams/10 minutes, or 5 to 30 grams/10 minutes, determined according to ASTM D1238-20 at 300 °C and 1.2 kilogram load.

[0041] Cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonates are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0042] The composition comprises the polycarbonate copolymer in an amount of 5 to 99.95 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. Within this range, the amount of the polycarbonate copolymer can be 10 to 99.5 weight percent, or 20 to 99.5 weight percent, or 30 to 99.5 weight percent, or 40 to 99.5 weight percent, or 50 to 99.5 weight percent, or 60 to 99.5 weight percent, or 70 to 99.5 weight percent, or 80 to 99.5 weight percent, or 90 to 99.5 weight percent, or 95 to 99.5 weight percent, or 97 to 99.5 weight percent, or 98 to 99.5 weight percent.

[0043] The composition optionally comprises a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate. A bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is a polycarbonate in which at least 95 mole percent of carbonate units, based on total moles of carbonate units in the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate, are bisphenol A carbonate units having the structure

In some embodiments, the mole percent of bisphenol A carbonate units is 95 to 100 mole percent, or 97 to 100 mole percent, or 99 to 100 mole percent, or 100 mole percent, based on total moles of carbonate repeat units in the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate. [0044] In some embodiments, the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate comprises up to 5 mole percent of carbonate units other than the bisphenol A carbonate units described above. These other carbonate units can have the structure in which R¹ is a C2-C30 hydrocarbyl group other than the residue of bisphenol A (i.e., other than 2,2-Z2zT(phenylene)isopropylidene). As used herein, the term “hydrocarbyl,” whether used by itself, or as a prefix, suffix, or fragment of another term, refers to a residue that contains only carbon and hydrogen unless it is specifically identified as “substituted hydrocarbyl.” The hydrocarbyl residue can be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, or unsaturated. It can also contain combinations of aliphatic, aromatic, straight chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, and unsaturated hydrocarbon moieties. When the hydrocarbyl residue is described as substituted, it can contain heteroatoms in addition to carbon and hydrogen. Examples of bisphenols from which R¹ is derived include, for example, 4,4'- dihydroxybiphenyl, 1,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)methane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylmethane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 1 - naphthylmethane, 1 ,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, 1 , 1 -bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 1 -phenylethane, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propane, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane, 2,2- bis(4-hydroxy-3-bromophenyl)propane, 1,1 -bis (hydroxyphenyl)cyclopentane, l,l-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, 1 , 1 -bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)isobutene, 1 , 1 -bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)cyclododecane, trans-2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butene, 2,2-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)adamantane, alpha, alpha'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)toluene, bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)acetonitrile, 2,2-bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-ethyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-n-propyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-isopropyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-sec-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-t-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-cyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-allyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane, 1 , 1 -dichloro-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene, 1,1- dibromo-2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylene, l,l-dichloro-2,2-bis(5-phenoxy-4- hydroxyphenyl)ethylene, 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, l,6-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-l,6-hexanedione, ethylene glycol bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether, bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)ether, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfide, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxide, bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)sulfone, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, 2,7-dihydroxypyrene, 6,6'- dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'- tetramethylspiro(bis)indane ("spirobiindane bisphenol"), 3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimide, 2,6-dihydroxydibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,6-dihydroxythianthrene, 2,7- dihydroxyphenoxathin, 2,7-dihydroxy-9,10-dimethylphenazine, 3,6-dihydroxydibenzofuran, 3,6- dihydroxydibenzothiophene, and 2,7-dihydroxycarbazole; resorcinol and substituted resorcinol compounds such as 5-methyl resorcinol, 5-ethyl resorcinol, 5-propyl resorcinol, 5-butyl resorcinol, 5-t-butyl resorcinol, 5-phenyl resorcinol, 5-cumyl resorcinol, 2,4,5,6-tetrafluoro resorcinol, and 2,4,5,6-tetrabromo resorcinol; catechol; hydroquinone; substituted hydroquinones such as 2-methyl hydroquinone, 2-ethyl hydroquinone, 2-propyl hydroquinone, 2-butyl hydroquinone, 2-t-butyl hydroquinone, 2-phenyl hydroquinone, 2-cumyl hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetra-t-butyl hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro hydroquinone, 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo hydroquinone, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate comprises carbonate units other than bisphenol A carbonate units are present in an amount of 0 to 5 mole percent, or 0 to 3 mole percent, or 0 to 1 mole percent, or zero mole percent, all based on total moles of carbonate repeat units in the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate.

[0045] The bisphenol A homopolycarbonate can be synthesized using an end-capping agent, as described above in the context of the BPA/PPPBP copolycarbonate.

[0046] The bisphenol A homopolycarbonate can have a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, based on gel permeation chromatography using bisphenol A polycarbonate standards. Within the range of 10,000 to 100,000 grams/mole, the weight average molecular weight of the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate can be 15,000 to 50,000 grams/mole, or 15,000 to 35,000 grams/mole.

[0047] Bisphenol A homopolycarbonates are commercially available, and methods for their synthesis are known.

[0048] The composition comprises the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate in an amount of 0 to 90 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. Within this range, the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate amount can be 0 to 80 weight percent, or 0 to 70 weight percent, or 0 to 60 weight percent, or 0 to 50 weight percent, or 0 to 40 weight percent, or 0 to 30 weight percent, or 0 to 20 weight percent, or 0 to 15 weight percent, or 0 to 10 weight percent, or 0 to 5 weight percent, or zero weight percent. Also within this range, the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate amount can be 40 to 60 weight percent, or 40 to 50 weight percent, or 50 to 60 weight percent, or 75 to 85 weight percent.

[0049] The composition comprises a metallic effect additive, which provides a metallic appearance to the composition. Suitable metallic effect additives include metallic pigments, metal oxide-coated metallic pigments, plate-like graphite pigments, plate-like molybdenum disulfide pigments, pearlescent mica pigments, metal oxide-coated pearlescent mica pigments, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive is in the form of a flake. The flakes may have a substantially flat structure. In some embodiments, exemplary flakes can be particles having a ratio of its width to its thickness (i.e., aspect ratio) that is at least 2 and is often in the range of 10 to 2,000 , such as 3 to 400, or, in some cases, 10 to 200, including 10 to 150. In some embodiments, the flake particles can have a thickness of 0.05 micrometers to 15 micrometers, such as 0.5 to 12 micrometers. In some embodiments, the flake particles have a maximum width of 10 to 55 micrometers, such as 10 to 30 micrometers. In some embodiments, flake particles can comprise rounded edges and a flat smooth surface, as opposed to jagged edges. Flakes that have angular edges and irregular surfaces are known as "cornflakes." On the other hand, flakes that are distinguished by more rounded edges, smoother surfaces, flatter surfaces are referred to as “silver dollar-shaped flakes”. In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum. In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive has a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 5 to 50 micrometers, or 8 to 30 micrometers, as determined by CTScan Imaging, further described in the working examples below.

[0050] In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive has a major diameter in the range of 15 to 50 micrometers. In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive has a thickness of 2 to 15 micrometers, for example 4 to 10 micrometers. In some embodiments, the metallic effect additive has a sphericity of greater than 0.6, for example 0.61 to 1, or 0.61 to 0.95, or 0.61 to 0.80, or 0.61 to 0.75. In a specific aspect, the metallic effect additive can have a major diameter in the range of 23 to 27 micrometers, a thickness of 2 to 6 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 10 to 15 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.73 (e.g., 0.70 to 0.75). In another specific aspect, the metallic effect additive can have a major diameter of 30 to 35 micrometers, a thickness of 7 to 12 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 17 to 22 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.74 (e.g., 0.72 to 0.76). In another specific aspect, the metallic effect additive can have a major diameter of 15 to 20 micrometers, a thickness of 2 to 6 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 5 to 12 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.7 (e.g., 0.67 to 0.73). In yet another specific aspect, the metallic effect additive can have a major diameter of 44 to 48 micrometers, a thickness of 5 to 10 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 20 to 25 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.61 (e.g., 0.6 to 0.65).

[0051] In an aspect, the metallic effect additives of the present disclosure do not include an organic coating on a surface of the metallic effect additive. For example, an organic polymer coating is not present on the surface of the metallic effect additives of the present disclosure.

[0052] For the purposes of forming the composition by compounding its components (e.g., by compounding the components in a single-screw or twin-screw extruder), the metallic effect additive can be provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising, based on the total weight of the additive masterbatch, 70 to 97 weight percent of aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging; and 3 to 30 weight percent of polyethylene; wherein the sum of the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent. Alternatively, the metallic effect additive can be provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising, based on the total weight of the additive masterbatch, 50 to 90 weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate, 7 to 48.5 weight percent of aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging, and 0.3 to 15 weight percent of polyethylene, wherein the sum of the weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate and the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent, or 97 to 100 weight percent, or 99 to 100 weight percent.

[0053] In a very specific embodiment of the composition, it comprises 95 to 99.9 weight percent of the polycarbonate copolymer; wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; 0 to 1 weight percent of the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of the metallic effect additive; wherein the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum; and wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 95 to 99.9 weight percent. Within the range of 95 to 99.9 weight percent, the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate can be 96 to 99.5 weight percent, or 97 to 99.5 weight percent, or 98 to 99.5 weight percent.

[0054] The composition comprises the metallic effect additive in an amount of 0.05 to 4 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. Within that range, the amount of metallic effect additive can be 0.1 to 2 weight percent, or 0.1 to 1 weight percent, or 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent, or 0.1 to 0.3 weight percent.

[0055] In some embodiments of the composition, it excludes metallic effect additives having an average particle diameter greater than or equal to 50 micrometers, or greater than or equal to 60 micrometers. In some embodiments of the composition, it excludes titanium dioxide.

[0056] In some embodiments of the composition, it comprises, based on the total weight of the composition, 0 to 0.005 weight percent of an alkyl ketene dimer having the structure wherein each occurrence of R is independently C12-24 alkyl.

[0057] In some embodiments of the composition, it excludes any cycloaliphatic polyester resin that is the reaction product of an aliphatic C2-12 diol or chemical equivalent and a C6-12 aliphatic diacid or chemical equivalent, wherein the cycloaliphatic polyester comprises at least 80 weight percent of the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent and/or the cycloaliphatic diol or chemical equivalent.

[0058] In some embodiments of the composition, it comprises 0 to 0.05 weight percent of flame retardants, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, no flame retardant is present in the composition.

[0059] In some embodiments of the composition, it comprises 0 to 0.25 weight percent of glass flakes, based on the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, no glass flakes are present in the composition.

[0060] The composition described herein can provide a desirable combination of properties. For example, the composition described herein can exhibit a desirable combination of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy. In some embodiments, the composition can exhibit a tensile modulus of 2000 MPa or greater, determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D638-14 using a Type I sample and a test speed of 50 millimeters/minute. In some embodiments, the composition can exhibit a flexural modulus of 2000 MPa or greater, determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D790-17 using a 50 millimeter span and a test speed of 1.27 millimeters/minute. In some embodiments, the composition can exhibit a UL94 rating at 0.6 millimeter thickness of V-0. In some embodiments, the composition can exhibit a pencil hardness rating of at least 4B, preferably at least 3B, more preferably at least 2B, determined according to ASTM D3363-22 using a 1 kilogram load. In some embodiments, the composition can exhibit an improved chemical resistance after 24 hours in contact with a sunscreen, relative to a comparative composition not including a polycarbonate copolymer and/or a metallic effect additive. [0061] Another embodiment is an article comprising the composition in any of its abovedescribed embodiments. The article can be prepared by any method of forming thermoplastic articles, including injection molding and extrusion molding. Articles benefitting from the present composition include automotive headlight housings, automotive door trim, and automotive electrical charging gun housings for electric and hybrid/electric vehicles.

[0062] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-range lying within the disclosed range.

[0063] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES

[0064] Materials used in these examples are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

[0065] Compositions are summarized in Tables 3-5, where component amounts are expressed in units of weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. Compositions were compounded on a twin-screw extruder (Toshiba, TEM-37BS), with all components being added to the main throat, except for metallic effect additive masterbatches (MEA3 MB and MEA4 MB in Table 1) fed from a side feeder. Compounding was conducted at a screw rotation rate of 400 rotations per minute and a throughput of 40 kilograms/hour. Additional compounding conditions are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2

[0066] Pelletized compositions were injection molded to form test articles for property testing. Before injection molding, pellets were dried for 4 hours at 110 °C. Injection molding was conducted on a FANUC™ SEI 80 molding machine. Molding conditions are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3

[0067] Compositions and properties are summarized in Tables 4-6. Melt flow rates, expressed in units of grams/10 minutes, were determined at 300 °C and 1.2 kilogram load according to ASTM D1238-20. Tensile properties were determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D638-14 using a Type I sample and a test speed of 50 millimeters/minute. Tensile stress at break and tensile modulus are expressed in units of megapascals. Tensile strain at break is expressed in units of percent. Flexural properties were determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D790-17 using a 50 millimeter span and a test speed of 1.27 millimeters/minute. Flexural stress at break and flexural modulus are expressed in units of megapascals. Notched Izod impact strength, expressed in units of joules/meter, was determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D256- 10(2018). Unnotched Izod impact strength, expressed in units of joules/meter, was determined at 23 °C according to ASTM D4812-19el. Heat deflection temperature (HDT), expressed in units of degrees centigrade, was determined according to ASTM D648-18 at 3.2 millimeter thickness and 1.82 megapascals.

[0068] Flame retardancy of injection molded flame bars was determined according to Underwriter’s Laboratory Bulletin 94 “Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials, UL 94”, 20 mm Vertical Burning Flame Test. Before testing, flame bars with a thickness of 0.6 millimeters were conditioned at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for at least 48 hours. In the UL 94 20 mm Vertical Burning Flame Test, a set of five flame bars was tested. For each bar, a flame was applied to the bar then removed, and the time required for the bar to self-extinguish (first afterflame time, tl) was noted. The flame was then reapplied and removed, and the time required for the bar to self-extinguish (second afterflame time, t2) and the post-flame glowing time (afterglow time, t3) were noted. To achieve a rating of V-0, the afterflame times tl and t2 for each individual specimen must have been less than or equal to 10 seconds; and the total afterflame time for all five specimens (tl plus t2 for all five specimens) must have been less than or equal to 50 seconds; and the second afterflame time plus the afterglow time for each individual specimen (t2 + t3) must have been less than or equal to 30 seconds; and no specimen can have flamed or glowed up to the holding clamp; and the cotton indicator cannot have been ignited by flaming particles or drops. To achieve a rating of V-l, the afterflame times tl and t2 for each individual specimen must have been less than or equal to 30 seconds; and the total afterflame time for all five specimens (tl plus t2 for all five specimens) must have been less than or equal to 250 seconds; and the second afterflame time plus the afterglow time for each individual specimen (t2 + t3) must have been less than or equal to 60 seconds; and no specimen can have flamed or glowed up to the holding clamp; and the cotton indicator cannot have been ignited by flaming particles or drops. To achieve a rating of V-2, the afterflame times tl and t2 for each individual specimen must have been less than or equal to 30 seconds; and the total afterflame time for all five specimens (tl plus t2 for all five specimens) must have been less than or equal to 250 seconds; and the second afterflame time plus the afterglow time for each individual specimen (t2 + t3) must have been less than or equal to 60 seconds; and no specimen can have flamed or glowed up to the holding clamp; but the cotton indicator can have been ignited by flaming particles or drops. Compositions not achieving a rating of V-2 were considered to have failed. Flame retardancy of injection molded flame bars was determined for as-molded (“normal”) bars, and “aged” bars that were subjected to 70 °C for 168 hours after molding and before flame retardancy testing.

[0069] Film hardness by pencil test was determined according to ASTM D3363-22 using a 1 kilogram load. The film hardness ratings “B,” “2B,” “3B,” “4B,” and “5B” in Tables 8-10 correspond, respectively, to decreasing film hardnesses.

[0070] Table 4 summarizes the compositions and properties of one comparative example and six inventive examples, all comprising a blend of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate and a polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

Table 4

[0071] Table 5 summarizes the compositions and properties of one comparative example and three inventive examples, all comprising a blend of two bisphenol A homopolycarbonates and a polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

Table 5

[0072] Table 6 summarizes the compositions and properties of one comparative example and six inventive examples, all comprising a blend of two bisphenol A homopolycarbonates and a polycarbonate-polysiloxane comprising about 60 weight percent of bisphenol A carbonate units and about 40 weight percent of polysiloxane carbonate units.

Table 6

[0073] Table 7 summarizes the compositions and properties of one comparative example and two inventive examples, all comprising a blend of two polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

Table 7

[0074] Tables 8-10 each present results for film hardness by pencil test as a function of composition.

Table 8

Table 9

Table 10

[0075] Table 11 presents properties for three comparative and three inventive compositions. Chemical resistance was evaluated using a sunscreen lotion sold as Banana Boat Sport Ultra Face Lotion SPF 30, having the following ingredients: Water, Glyceryl stearate, PEG- 100, Cetyl alcohol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, VP/Eicosene copolymer, Acrylates/C12-C22 Alkyl Methacrylate copolymer, Behenyl alcohol, Sodium polyacrylate, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. For chemical resistance testing, 1 milliliter of the sunscreen lotion was applied in the center of five tensile bar molded from each of the compositions tested. The tensile bars were then exposed to 65 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) under 1% strain for the times specified in Table 11. A chemical resistance rating of “no change” means that the tensile bars did not break during testing, and no cracks were observed in the bars at the end of testing; a rating of “Slight crack” means that the tensile bars did not break during testing, and only slight cracks were observed in less than or equal to 2 out of 5 bars at the end of testing; a rating of “Obvious crack” means that the tensile bars did not break during testing, but obvious slight cracks were observed in greater than or equal to 3 out of 5 bars at the end of testing; a rating of “1/5 brk” means that one of the five tensile bars broke during testing; a rating of “2/5 brk” means that two of the five tensile bars broke during testing; a rating of “3/5 brk” means that three of the five tensile bars broke during testing; a rating of “5/5 brk” means that all five tensile bars broke during testing; a rating of “1/5 crack” means none of the tensile bars broke during testing, but one of the five bars exhibited obvious cracks after testing; a rating of “2/5 crack” means none of the tensile bars broke during testing, but two of the five bars exhibited obvious cracks after testing.

[0076] The chemical resistance test results in Table 11 demonstrate that inventive Examples 21-23 containing 2 weight percent of a metallic effect additive and at least 5 weight percent of the polycarbonate copolymer, exhibit better chemical resistance than Comparative Example 6, which also contains 2 weight percent of a metallic effect additive but is based on bisphenol A polycarbonate and lacks a polycarbonate copolymer.

Table 11

[0077] Table 12 presents compositions for four inventive examples that vary in the types and amounts of metallic effect additives. Using the molding conditions described above, the four compositions were injected molded to form articles having a length of 130 millimeters, a width of 80 millimeters, and a thickness of 1 millimeter. The injection molding apparatus included three plates and a cold runner. Magnified images of molded samples were visually inspected to evaluate flow line defects. The lowest incidence of flow line defects was observed for Example 26, with 2 weight percent of MEA 4 MB, in which the metallic flakes were silver dollar-shaped aluminum flakes having a major diameter of 30 to 35 micrometers, a thickness of 7 to 12 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 17 to 22 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.74. The physical characteristics of the silver dollar-shaped aluminum flakes of MEA 4MB were characterized using CTScan imaging using an 80 kV X-ray with a 0.25 mm Al filter, a pixel size of 1.2 micrometers, an exposure time of 1093 ms, a rotation of 360 degrees, and a scanning time of 8 hours. A comparison of Example 26 and Example 8 suggests that the use of the MEA 5 MB aluminum flakes is well-suited to applications where a paint-like effect is needed, while the use of the MEA 3MB aluminum flakes is well-suited to applications where a brighter and more sparkling metallic effect is needed.

Table 12

[0078] Samples used to evaluate flow line defects were also visually inspected to evaluate welding line defects. The lowest incidence of welding line defects was observed for Example 26, with 2 weight percent of MEA 6 MB, in which the metallic flakes were 33 micrometer, three-dimensional, silver dollar-shaped aluminum flakes having a major diameter of 44 to 48 micrometers, a thickness of 5 to 10 micrometers, a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 20 to 25 micrometers, and having a sphericity of about 0.61, as determined by CTScan imaging.

[0079] The invention includes at least the following aspects.

[0080] Aspect 1 : A composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: 5 to 99.95 weight percent of a polycarbonate copolymer selected from the group consisting of copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyljphthalimidine carbonate units; copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units; cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate; and combinations thereof; 0 to 90 weight percent of a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and 0.05 to 4 weight percent of a metallic effect additive; wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 85 to 99.95 weight percent.

[0081] Aspect 2: The composition of aspect 1, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units.

[0082] Aspect 3: The composition of aspects 1 or 2, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units carbonate units.

[0083] Aspect 4: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

[0084] Aspect 5: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

[0085] Aspect 6: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and poly siloxane carbonate units.

[0086] Aspect 7: The composition of aspect 6, wherein the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, 70 to 98 weight percent bisphenol A carbonate units and 2 to 30 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units.

[0087] Aspect 8: The composition of aspect 6, wherein the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, 30 to less than 70 weight percent bisphenol A carbonate units and greater than 30 to 70 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units.

[0088] Aspect 9: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate.

[0089] Aspect 10: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the metallic effect additive is selected from the group consisting of metallic pigments, metal oxide-coated metallic pigments, plate-like graphite pigments, plate-like molybdenum disulfide pigments, pearlescent mica pigments, metal oxide-coated pearlescent mica pigments, and combinations thereof.

[0090] Aspect 11: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum.

[0091] Aspect 12: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the metallic effect additive has a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 5 to 50 micrometers, or 8 to 30 micrometers, as determined by CTScan Imaging.

[0092] Aspect 13: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the metallic effect additive is provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising, based on the total weight of the additive masterbatch, 70 to 97 weight percent of aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging; and 3 to 30 weight percent of polyethylene; wherein the sum of the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent.

[0093] Aspect 14: The composition of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the metallic effect additive is provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising, based on the total weight of the additive masterbatch, 50 to 90 weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; 7 to 48.5 weight percent aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging; and 0.3 to 15 weight percent of polyethylene; wherein the sum of the weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate and the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent.

[0094] Aspect 15: The composition of aspect 1, wherein the composition comprises 95 to 99.9 weight percent of the polycarbonate copolymer; wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; 0 to 1 weight percent of the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of the metallic effect additive; wherein the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum; and wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 95 to 99.9 weight percent.

[0095] Aspect 16: An article comprising the composition of any one of aspects 1 to 15.

[0096] The compositions, methods, and articles can alternatively comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, any appropriate materials, steps, or components herein disclosed. The compositions, methods, and articles can additionally, or alternatively, be formulated so as to be devoid, or substantially free, of any materials (or species), steps, or components, that are otherwise not necessary to the achievement of the function or objectives of the compositions, methods, and articles.

[0097] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. “Combinations” is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “a” and “an” and “the” do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. “Or” means “and/or” unless clearly stated otherwise. Reference throughout the specification to “an aspect” means that a particular element described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. The term “combination thereof’ as used herein includes one or more of the listed elements, and is open, allowing the presence of one or more like elements not named. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.

[0098] Unless specified to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect as of the filing date of this application, or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard appears.

[0099] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this application belongs. All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in the present application contradicts or conflicts with a term in the incorporated reference, the term from the present application takes precedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.

[00100] Compounds are described using standard nomenclature. For example, any position not substituted by any indicated group is understood to have its valency filled by a bond as indicated, or a hydrogen atom. A dash that is not between two letters or symbols is used to indicate a point of attachment for a substituent. For example, -CHO is attached through carbon of the carbonyl group.

[00101] As used herein, the term “hydrocarbyl”, whether used by itself, or as a prefix, suffix, or fragment of another term, refers to a residue that contains only carbon and hydrogen. The residue can be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, or unsaturated. It can also contain combinations of aliphatic, aromatic, straight chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, and unsaturated hydrocarbon moieties. However, when the hydrocarbyl residue is described as substituted, it may, optionally, contain heteroatoms over and above the carbon and hydrogen members of the substituent residue. Thus, when specifically described as substituted, the hydrocarbyl residue can also contain one or more carbonyl groups, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, or the like, or it can contain heteroatoms within the backbone of the hydrocarbyl residue. The term "alkyl" means a branched or straight chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s- pentyl, and n- and s-hexyl. “Alkenyl” means a straight or branched chain, monovalent hydrocarbon group having at least one carbon-carbon double bond (e.g., ethenyl (-HC=CH2)). “Alkoxy” means an alkyl group that is linked via an oxygen (i.e., alkyl-O-), for example methoxy, ethoxy, and sec-butyloxy groups. "Alkylene" means a straight or branched chain, saturated, divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group (e.g., methylene (-CH2-) or, propylene (-(CH2)3- )). “Cycloalkylene” means a divalent cyclic alkylene group, -C_nH2n-_x, wherein x is the number of hydrogens replaced by cyclization(s). “Cycloalkenyl” means a monovalent group having one or more rings and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds in the ring, wherein all ring members are carbon (e.g., cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl). "Aryl" means an aromatic hydrocarbon group containing the specified number of carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tropone, indanyl, or naphthyl. “Arylene” means a divalent aryl group. “Alkylarylene” means an arylene group substituted with an alkyl group. “Arylalkylene” means an alkylene group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyl). The prefix "halo" means a group or compound including one more of a fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo substituent. A combination of different halo atoms (e.g., bromo and fluoro), or only chloro atoms can be present. The prefix “hetero” means that the compound or group includes at least one ring member that is a heteroatom (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 heteroatom(s)), wherein the heteroatom(s) is each independently N, O, S, Si, or P. “Substituted” means that the compound or group is substituted with at least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents that can each independently be a C1-9 alkoxy, a C1-9 haloalkoxy, a nitro (-NO2), a cyano (-CN), a C1-6 alkyl sulfonyl (-S(=O)2-alkyl), a C6-12 aryl sulfonyl (-S(=O)2-aryl), a thiol (-SH), a thiocyano (-SCN), a tosyl (CH3C6H4SO2-), a C3-12 cycloalkyl, a C2-12 alkenyl, a C5-12 cycloalkenyl, a C6-12 aryl, a C7- 13 arylalkylene, a C4-12 heterocycloalkyl, and a C3-12 heteroaryl instead of hydrogen, provided that the substituted atom’s normal valence is not exceeded. The number of carbon atoms indicated in a group is exclusive of any substituents. For example -CH2CH2CN is a C2 alkyl group substituted with a nitrile.

[00102] While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. A composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition:

5 to 99.95 weight percent of a polycarbonate copolymer selected from the group consisting of copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units; copolycarbonates comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polyestercarbonates comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units; polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymers comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units; cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate; and combinations thereof;

0 to 90 weight percent of a bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and

0.05 to 4 weight percent of a metallic effect additive; wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 85 to 99.95 weight percent.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and 2-phenyl-3,3-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine carbonate units.

3. The composition of claims 1 or 2, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a copolycarbonate comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and bisphenol isophorone carbonate units carbonate units.

4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising resorcinol iso/terephthalate ester units and resorcinol carbonate units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units.

6. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprising bisphenol A carbonate units and polysiloxane carbonate units.

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the polycarbonate -polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, 2 to 30 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units.

8. The composition of claim 6, wherein the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprises, based on the weight of the polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, greater than 30 to 70 weight percent polysiloxane carbonate units.

9. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a cyanophenol end-capped branched bisphenol A polycarbonate.

10. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the metallic effect additive is selected from the group consisting of metallic pigments, metal oxide-coated metallic pigments, plate-like graphite pigments, plate-like molybdenum disulfide pigments, pearlescent mica pigments, metal oxide-coated pearlescent mica pigments, and combinations thereof.

11. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum.

12. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the metallic effect additive has a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 5 to 50 micrometers, or 8 to 30 micrometers, as determined by CTScan Imaging.

13. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the metallic effect additive is provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising

70 to 97 weight percent of aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging; and

3 to 30 weight percent of polyethylene; wherein the sum of the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent.

14. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the metallic effect additive is provided in the form of an additive masterbatch comprising, based on the total weight of the additive masterbatch,

50 to 90 weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate;

7 to 48.5 weight percent aluminum particles having a number-based equivalent spherical diameter, D50, of 8 to 30 micrometers as determined by CTScan Imaging; and

0.3 to 15 weight percent of polyethylene; wherein the sum of the weight percent bisphenol A homopolycarbonate and the weight percent aluminum particles and the weight percent polyethylene is 95 to 100 weight percent.

15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises

95 to 99.9 weight percent of the polycarbonate copolymer; wherein the polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polyestercarbonate comprising sebacic acid-bisphenol A ester units and bisphenol A carbonate units;

0 to 1 weight percent of the bisphenol A homopolycarbonate; and

0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of the metallic effect additive; wherein the metallic effect additive comprises metallic aluminum; and wherein the sum of the weight percent of polycarbonate copolymer and the weight percent of bisphenol A homopolycarbonate is 95 to 99.9 weight percent.

16. An article comprising the composition of any one of claims 1 to 15.