MXPA98009672A - Compositions of compatibilized mixtures of polyphenylene-polyamide ether resins improved with impa modifier - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to thermoplastic compositions comprising a compatibilized blend of polyphenylene-polyamide terephthalate that is modified with an impact modifier that contains at least portions that are reactive with the polyamide resin. The preferred impact modifier is an alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline and orthoester. The compositions of the invention show improved physical properties, especially energy to rupture and deformation when measured at low temperatures.

Description

COMPOSITIONS PE MIXES CQMPftTIBILIZftPflS OF POLYPHENYLENE-POLYAMINE ETHER RESINS IMPROVED WITH IMPACT MODIFIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a thermoplastic composition of a compatibilized mixture of polyphenylene-polyalphaide ether resin that is modified with an impact modifier containing at least two portions that are reactive with the polyamide resin. The invention also relates to articles formed by compositions of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNIQUE Polyphenylene ether resins (hereinafter referred to as "PPE") are commercially attractive materials because of their unique combination of physical, chemical and electrical properties. In addition, the combination of such resins with the polyamide resins in compatibilized mixtures results in additional total properties such as chemical resistance, high voltage and high flux. Examples of such compatibilized mixtures can be found in U.S. Patents. 4,315,086 (Ueno, et al.); 4,659,760 (Van der Mee); and 4,732,938 (Grant et al.). The properties of such mixtures can be further improved by the addition of various additives such as impact modifiers, flame retardants, light stabilizers, processing stabilizers, heat stabilizers, antioxidants and fillers. The physical properties of the PPE / polia ida blends make them attractive for a variety of end-use items in the automotive market, especially for engine components and various exterior components. Many such components are subject to a variety of abuses, such as impacts, and as such, require extraordinary resistance and ductility to impact. These same items are also subject to wide variation in temperature in end-use applications due to the temperature extremes found in various parts of the world. Accordingly, there is a need to co-adapt the PPE-poliated compositions having improved strength and ductility to impact over a wide range of temperatures, especially at low temperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF I TO TNVFNCTON The needs discussed above have generally been satisfied by the discovery of an improved thermoplastic composition comprising: a) a co-tailored mixture of polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin, and b) an alkylene-alkyl (meth) acrylate copolymer comprising minus two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxasoline, and orthoester. The following description provides more details in regard to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Polyphenylene ether resins are a well-known class of compounds sometimes referred to as polyphenylene oxide resins. Examples of suitable PPE and methods for their preparation can be found, for example, in U.S. Patents. with us 3,306,874; 3,306,875; 3,257,357; and 3,257,358. The compositions • of the present invention will include homopolymers, copolymers and grafts of copolymers obtained by the oxidative coupling of the phenolic compounds. Preferred PPEs used as base resins in compositions of the present invention will be comprised of ml / g derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol. Also contemplated are the copolymers of PPE derived from 2,6-dimethylphenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. Particularly useful PPE's are the poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) esters, which have an intrinsic viscosity ( VI) of between about 0.30 and about 0.60 dl / g as measured in toluene at 25 ° C and at a concentration of 0.6 grams per 100 ml. The polyamide resins useful in the practice of the present invention are a generic family of known resins. like nylon, characterized by the presence of an amide group (-C (O) NH-). Nylon-6 and nylon-6,6 are the most preferred polyamides and are available from a variety of commercial sources. However, other polyamides, such as nylon-4,6, nylo-12, nylon-6,10, nylon-6,9, nylon-6 / 6T and nylon 6,6 / 61 with triamine contents below about 0.5% by weight as well as others, such as amorphous nylons, can be useful for particular applications of PPE-polyamide. Mixtures of various polyamides as well as various polyamide copolymers are also useful. The most preferred polyamide for the blends of the present invention is polyamide-6,6. The polyamides can be obtained by a number of well-known procedures, such as those described in US Pat. Nos. 2,071,250; 2,071,251; 2,130,523; 2,130,948; 2,241,322; 2,312,966; and 2,512,606. Nylon-6, for example, is a polymerization product of caprolacta. Nylon-6,6 is a condensation product of adipic acid and 1,6-diaminohexane. Similarly, nylon 4,6 is a condensation product between adipic acid and 1,4-diaminobutane. In addition to adipic acid, other diacids useful for the preparation of nylons include acelaic acid, cebasic acid, dodecanoic diacid, as well as terephthalic and isophthalic acids. Other useful diamines include diaminylxylene, di- (4-aminopheni) methane, di- (4-aminociclohexyl) methane; 2,2-di- (aminophenyl) propane, and 2,2-di- (4-aminociclohexyl) propane. Copolymers of caprolactam with diacids and diamines are also useful. Polyamides having a viscosity number of about 90 to about 350 ml / g, preferably between about 110 and about 240 ml / g are preferred as measured in a solution of 0.5 wt% in 96 wt% sulfuric acid of according to ISO 307. In the mixtures of the present invention, a compatibilizing agent must be used in the preparation of the composition. The dual purpose for using the compatibilizing agents is to improve, in general, the physical properties of the PPE-polyamide resin mixture, as well as to allow the use of a greater proportion of the polyamide component. When used herein, the term "compatibilizing agent" refers to those polyfunctional compounds that interact with the PPE, the polyamide resin, or both. Such reaction can be chemical (ie insert) or physical (ie it affects the surface characteristics of the dispersed phases). In any case, the resulting PPE-polyamide composition appears to show improved compatibility, particularly as evidenced by improved impact strength, in-line bond strength and / or elongation. As used herein, the term "compatibilized polyphenylene ether-polyamide ether base resin" refers to compositions that have been physically or chemically compacted with an agent as discussed above, as well as those compositions that are physically compatible without such agents, as taught in the US patent No. 3,379,792. Examples of various compatibilizing agents that can be employed in the practice of the present invention include: a) liquid diene polymers, b) epoxy compounds, c) oxidized polyolefin wax, d) quinones, e) organosilane compounds, f) compounds polyfunctional and functionalized PPE, which as described above, were obtained by the reaction of one or more of the aforementioned compatibilizing agents with PPE in the following. The diene liquid polymers (a) suitable for use herein include homopolymers of a conjugated diene with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of other conjugated dienes; vinyl monomer, ie styrene and alphamethylstyrene; olefins, ie, ethylene, propylene, butene-1, isobutylene, hexene-1, octene-1 and dodecene-1 and mixtures thereof, having an average molecular weight number between 150 to 10,000, preferably 150 to 5000 Such homopolymers and copolymers can be produced by the methods described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,054,612; 3,876,721 and 3,428,699 and include, among others, polybutadiene, polysiprene, poly (l, 3-pentadiene), poly (butadiene-isoprene), poly (styrene-butadiene), polychloroprene, poly (butadiene-alphamethylstyrene), poly ( butadiene-styrene-isoprene), poly (butylene-butadiene) and the like. The epoxy compounds (b) suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include: (1) epoxy resins produced by the condensation polyhydric phenols (ie, bisphenol-A, tet rab romobisf enol-A, resor hydroquinone) and epichlorohydrin; (2) epoxy resins produced by polyhydric condensation alcohols (i.e., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, pentaerythritol and trimethylolethane and the like) and epichlorohydrin, (3) glycidyletherified products of monohydric alcohols and monohydric phenols including phenyl glycidyl ether , butyl glycidyl ether and crecilyglycidyl ether; (4) glycidyl derivatives of amino compounds for example, the diglycidyl derivative of aniline, and (5) epoxidized products of higher olefinic oils or of cycloalkene, or natural unsaturated oils (ie of soybean) as well as the above liquid diene polymers .

The oxidized polyolefin waxes (c) are well known and a description thereof and the processes for the production thereof are found in US Patents. Nos. 3,822,227 and 3,756,999. Generally, such waxes are prepared by an oxidation or suspension of polyolefin oxidation. A particularly preferred polyolefin wax is "Hoechst achs". The quinone compounds (d) suitable for use herein are characterized by having at least one six-membered carbon ring on the unsubstituted derivative molecule; at least two carbonyl groups in the ring structure, which may be in the same or, if there is more than one ring, different rings, since they occupy positions corresponding to the orientation 1, 2 or 1,4- of the monocyclic quinone; and at least two carbon-carbon double bonds in the ring structure, such carbon-carbon double bonds and carbon-oxygen carbonyl double bonds in the ring structure, such carbon-carbon double bonds and carbon double bonds -oxigen carbonyl conjugate with each other. The rings can be fused, not fused or both, where more than one ring is present in the unsubstituted quinone: the unfused rings can be linked by means of a direct carbon-carbon double bond or by means of a hydrocarbon radical that it has a conjugated unsaturation such as -C = CC = C-.

Unsubstituted quinones are also within the scope of the present invention. The degree of substitution; where the substitution is desired, it can be from 1 to the maximum number of replaceable hydrogen atoms. Examples of various substituents that may be present in the unsubstituted quinone structures include halogen (ie, chloride, bromide, fluoride, etc.), hydrocarbon radicals including branched, unbranched, branched, unsaturated alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, and cycloalkyl radicals and unsaturated and halogenated derivatives thereof; and similar hydrocarbons having other atoms in them, particularly oxygen, sulfur or phosphorus and wherein the same hydrocarbon connects the radical to the quinone ring (ie, oxygen bond). Examples of various quinones 1,2- and 1,4-benzoquinone; 2,6-d-phenylquinone; tetramethyldi-quinone; 2,2'- and 4,4'-diphenoquinone; 1,2-, 1,4- and 2,6-naphthoquinone; chloranyls; 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone; 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone and the like. The organosilane compounds (e) suitable as compatibilizing agents are characterized by having in the molecule (a) at least one silicon atom bonded to the carbon through an oxygen bond and (b) at least one carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-carbon triple bond and / or a functional group selected from the group consisting of an amine group or a mercapto group in order that the functional group is not directly linked to the silicon atom.

In such compounds, the CO-Si component is generally present as an alkoxy or acetoxy group directly linked to the silicon atom, wherein the alkoxy or acetoxy group generally has less than 15 carbon atoms and may also contain other atoms (i.e. oxygen). In addition, there can also be more than one silicon atom in the compound, if the multiple silicon atoms are present, being linked through the oxygen bond (ie, siloxanes), a silicon bond; or a bifunctional organic radical (ie, methylene or phenylene groups). Examples of suitable organosilane compounds include: aminopropyltriethoxysilane range, 2- (3-cyclohexanyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane; 1,3-divinyltetra-ethoxysilane; vinyl trs- (2-methoxyethoxy) silane; 5-bicycloheptenyltriethoxysilane and mercapto propyltrimethoxysilane range. The polyfunctional compounds (f) which can be used as compatibilizers in the practice of the present invention are of three types. The first type of polyfunctional compounds are those that have in the molecule (a) a carbon-carbon double bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond and b) at least one carboxylic acid, anhydride, amide, ester, imide, amino, epoxy , orthoester, or hydroxy group. Examples of such polyfunctional compounds include maleic acid; maleic anhydride; fumaric acid; glycidyl acrylate, itaconic acid; aconitic acid, maleimide; maleic hydrazide; reaction product resulting from a diamine and maleic anhydride, maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc; dichloromaléic anhydride; amide maleic acid; unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (ie, acrylic acid, butenoic acid, methacrylic acid, t-ethylacrylic acid, pentenoic acid); decaic acids, indecenic acids, dodecenic acids, linoleic acid, etc.); ethers, acid amines or anhydrides of the above unsaturated carboxylic acids; unsaturated alcohols (ie alkyl alcohol, crotyl alcohol, carbinolmethylvinyl, 4-pentene-1-ol, 1, 4-hexadiene-3-ol, 3-butene-1,4-diol, 2,5-dimethyl-3-hexene - 2,5-diol and alcohols of the formula nH2n-5 ° H, CnH2n-7? H and CnH2n-90H "where n is a positive integer of up to 30), the unsaturated amines are replaced by replacement of the -OH groups of the above unsaturated alcohols with NH2 groups; and functionalized diene polymers and copolymers. Of these, two of the preferred compatibilizing agents for the compositions of the present invention are maleic anhydride and fumaric acid. The second group of polyfunctional compatibilizing compounds suitable for use herein are characterized by having (a) a group represented by the formula (OR) wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, acyl or carbonyl dioxy group and (b) al minus two groups which may be the same or different groups selected from the carboxylic acid, acid halide, anhydride, acid halide anhydride, ester, orthoester, amide, imido, amino and various salts thereof. Typical of this group of compatibilizers are polycarboxylic aliphatic acids, acidic esters and acid amides represented by the formula: (Rl?) MR (COOR11) m (CONRIIIRIV) s wherein R is a straight or branched chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 10, carbon atoms; R * is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, acyl or carbonyl dioxy group of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, especially preferred is hydrogen; each R ^ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each RIII RIV is independently selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms; m is equal to 1 and (n + s) is greater than or equal to 2, preferably equal to 2 or 3, and n and s are each greater than or equal to zero and where (0R1) is alpha or beta to a carbonyl group and at minus two carbonyl groups are separated by 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Obviously, R1, R11, RIII and R * v can not be aryl when the respective substituent has less than 6 carbon atoms.

Suitable polycarboxylic acids include, for example, citric acid, malic acid, and agaric acid; including various commercial forms thereof, such as, for example, anhydrous and hydrated acids. Of these, citric acid is another of the preferred compatibilizing agents. Illustrations of the esters useful herein include, for example, acetyl citrate and mono- and / or distearyl citrates and the like. Suitable amides useful herein include, for example, citric acid amide N, N'-diethyl; N-phenyl citric acid amide; amide of citric acid N-dodecyl; N, N'-didodecyl and malic acid citric acid amide N-dodecyl of the present invention. Especially preferred derivatives are the salts thereof, including the salts with amines and / preferably, the alkali and alkali metal salts. Examples of suitable salts include calcium malate, calcium citrate, potassium malate, and potassium citrate. The third group of polyfunctional compatibilizing compounds suitable for use herein are characterized by having in the molecule (a) an acid halide group, more preferably an acid chloride group and (b) at least one carboxylic acid, anhydride, ester, epoxy , orthoester, or amide group, preferably a carboxylic acid or an anhydride group. Examples of compatibilizers within this group include trimellitic anhydride acid chloride, cyclo-formyl succinic anhydride, cyclo-formylglutaric anhydride, chloroformyl glutaric acid, cloacetylsuccinic anhydride, chloroacetyl succinic acid, tri-elytic acid chloride, and chloroacetylglutaric acid. Among these, trimellitic anhydride acid chloride is preferred. Furthermore, it is especially preferred that the compatibilizers of this group are pre-reacted with at least a portion of polyphenylene ether wherein the compatibilizing agent is a functionalized PPE-compound. The above compatibilizing agents are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,315,086; 4,600,741; 4,642,358; 4,826,933; 4,927,894; 4,980,424; 5,041,504; and 5,115,042. The above compatibilizing agents can be used alone or in various combinations with each other. In addition, they can be added directly to the melt or prereaction mixture with any of the PPE or polyamide or both, as well as with other resinous materials used in the preparation of the compositions of the present invention. With several of the above compatibilizing agents, particularly the polyfusional compounds, even greater compatibility improvement is discovered wherein at least a portion of the co-stabilization agent is prereacted, either in the melt or in a solution of a suitable solvent, with all or part of the PPE. It is believed that such pre-reaction can cause the compatibilizing agent to react with the polymer and, consequently, functionalize the PPE as mentioned above. For example, PPE can be prereacted with maleic anhydride to form a functionalized PPE anhydride having improved compatibility with the polyamide compared to a non-functionalized PPE. Where the compatibilizing agent is employed in the preparation of the compositions of the present invention, the initial amount used will depend on the specific compatibilizing agent selected and the specific polymer system to which it is added. It is possible to use any other known compatibilization system in the composition according to the invention. Other systems have been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,114. The present compositions also contain an alkylene-vinyl methacrylate copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester. The alkylene groups preferably have from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and the alkyl group of the alkyl methacrylate generally has from about 1 to about 8 carbon atoms. This type of polymers can be prepared by copolymerizing an olefin, for example, of ethylene and propylene, with several methacrylate monomers and / or several maleic monomers of base. The term (meth) acrylate refers to the acrylate as well as to the corresponding analog methacrylate. The term "methacrylate monomers" includes alkyl (et) acrylate monomers as well as various (meth) acrylate monomers containing at least one of the reactive portions mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, the copolymer is derived from ethylene, propylene, or mixtures of ethylene and propylene, such as the alkylene component; butylacrylate, exillacrylate, or propyl acrylate as well as the alkyl (methyl) acrylate, for the alkyl (et) acrylate monomer component, with acrylic acid and maleic anhydride as monomers that provide the two reactive portions (i.e., acid and carboxylic anhydride). The olefin content in the copolymer can be from about 40 to about 90% by weight, preferably from about 50 to about 70% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer. The content of (et) acrylate monomer in the copolymer can be from about 10 to about 60% by weight, preferably from about 30 to about 50% by weight based on the weight of the copolymer. The (meth) acrylate monomers containing the reactive portions are generally present in the copolymer from about 0.1 to about 15% by weight, preferably from about 0.5 to about % by weight, and more preferably from about 1.0 to about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer.

The amount of the aforementioned alkyl alkylene- (meth) acrylate copolymer can vary widely in the compositions of the present invention; however, the scale is generally from about 1 to about 15% by weight, preferably from up to about 2 to about 8% by weight based on the weight of the total composition. A preferred composition is one that results in compositions that show a deformation of more than 10 mm, preferably more than 12 mm, when a plate is hit at -30 ° C by dropping a dart in accordance with ISO 6603-2. It is also preferred that the amount of the aforementioned alkyl alkyl methacrylate copolymer is that which results in the compatibilized PPE-polyamide compositions having an energy in a break greater than 40 J, preferably greater than 50 J and even more preferably higher of approximately 60 J, when a plate is hit at -30 ° C when dropping a dart in accordance with ISO 6603-2. In an especially preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present invention will have a breaking energy greater than 40 J with a deformation of more than 10 mm, more preferably have a breaking energy greater than 50 J with a deformation of more than 12 mm, and more preferably have a breaking energy greater than 60 J with a deformation of more than 12 mm, when a plate is hit at -30 ° C when dropping a dart in accordance with ISO 6603-2.

In a preferred embodiment, the alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer is derived from ethylene, butylacrylate, acrylic acid, and maleic anhydride wherein the ethylene content is from about 55 to about 65%, butyl acrylate is from about 30 to about about 40%, the acrylic acid is from about 3 to about 7%, and the maleic anhydride is from about 0.08 to about 0.5% by weight, wherein all the weights are based on the weight of the copolymer. In an especially preferred embodiment, the alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer is derived from ethylene, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and maleic anhydride, wherein the butyl acrylate is between about 32-36, acrylic acid is between about 4.8-5.8%, and the maleic anhydride is between about 0.55-0.75% by weight, with the residue derived from ethylene, and wherein all the weights are based on the weight of the copolymer. It is possible to incorporate in the composition according to the invention one or more additional impact modifiers. All impact modifiers generally used for compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether, a polyamide or a combination of polyphenylene ether and a polyamide can be used. The so-called block copolymers are particularly suitable, that is, the triblock copolymers and the diblock copolymers. The diblock and triblock copolymer rubber additives that can be used are thermoplastic rubbers comprising one or two aromatic alkenyl blocks, which are typically styrene blocks and a rubber block, i.e., a butadiene block that can be hydrogenated. partially. Mixtures of such triblock copolymers and diblock copolymers are especially useful in the present compositions. When a combination of at least one block copolymer and the alkylene alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid is used, anhydride, epoxy, ixazoline, and orthoester, it is believed that dual phase impact modification is possible. By dual phase impact modification it is meant that the PPE phase and the polyamide resin phase contain an impact modifier. It is believed that the alkyl alkylene methacrylate copolymer portions react with the polyamide resin in a manner similar to that previously described for compatibilizing agents to provide a copolymer between the alkylene alkyl methacrylate copolymer and the polyamide resin. A variety of useful compatibilized PPE-polyamide compositions can be provided, which includes varying the amount of various impact modifiers (i.e., the alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprises at least two reactive portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester; in addition to the block copolymer or copolymers). Typically, the combined level of impact modifiers will be made from about 1 to about 30% by weight, preferably from about 2 to about 18% by weight based on the weight of the total composition with the amount of the methacrylate copolymer as previously described . The thermoplastic composition of the invention may comprise any of the following additives: reinforcement fibers, filler pieces, conductive black carbon, carbon fibers and carbon fibrils, stabilizers, dyes, pigments, polyolefins, and flame retardants. All of the cited patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. The invention will also be illustrated with the following examples.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION The following materials have been used in the examples: PPE: a poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) with an intrinsic viscosity of 45 ml / g as measured in toluene at 25 ° C and a concentration of 0.6 grams per 100 ml; PA: a polyamide -6.6 with a reduced viscosity of 145 ml / g as measured in sulfuric acid according to ISO 307; CA: citric acid; SEBS: polystyrene block copolymer reno-poly (ethylene-butylene) -polystyrene; SEP: block copolymer of polystyrene ren-poly (ethylene-propylene); EPDM-MAH: ethylene-propylene-diene rubber copolymer containing 0.6% by weight of grafted maleic anhydride; EBA-AA-MAH: copolymer of ethylene, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and maleic anhydride in a weight ratio of 60: 35: 4: 8.02. The ingredients were compounded in the weight ratios, as indicated in the following table, in a two screw extruder with temperatures throughout the extruder between about 280 and about 310 ° C. The screw speed was 300 rpm, the production amount was 10 kg per hour. All the ingredients except the polyamide were introduced through the throat of the extruder; the polyamide was supplied downstream about half the extruder. The strings exiting the extruder were interlaced in laboratory equipment and dried for about 3 hours at about 110PC. The dried granules were molded by injection into the specimens of the normal ISO test for the measurement of physical properties. 2. 3 As can be seen from the results of the table, compositions containing an alkylene alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprising less two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester, markedly exhibit a improved energy in breaking and deformation, especially at low temperature, than compositions containing an impact modifier containing only a single reactive group. For example, the comparison of sample 6 with sample 1 shows that the breaking energy for sample 6 is surprisingly 1.7 times that of sample 1 when measured at -30"^ The deformation for sample 6 is also surprisingly more of 1.4 times the deformation of sample 1 when measured at -30 ° C. Similar unexpected results were obtained for compositions containing up to about 8% by weight of the alkylene-alkyl copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group it consists of carboxylic acid, anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester when compared to an impact modifier that contains only a single reactive portion.

Claims (11)

24 NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A thermoplastic composition comprising: (a) a compatibilized mixture of polyphenyl ether-polyamide resin, and (b) an alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, anhydride , epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester; characterized in that the alkylene alkyl methacrylate copolymer is present from about 1 to about 15% by weight based on the weight of the total composition.

2. A composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid and maleic anhydride monomers.

3. A composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer is present from about 2 to about 8% by weight based on the weight of the total composition.

4. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises minus one block copolymer of the group consisting of triblock copolymers and diblock copolymers.

5. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a breaking energy greater than 40 J when a plate is hit at -30 ° C by a falling dart in accordance with ISO 6603-2.

6. The composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a deformation of more than 10 mm when a plate is hit at -30 ° C by a falling dart in accordance with ISO 6603-2.

7. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the compatibilized mixture of polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin is compatibilized with a compatibilizing agent selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, citric acid, malic acid and reaction products of a polyphenylene ether and trimellitic anhydride acid chloride.

8. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of reinforcing fiber, filler pieces, conductive black carbon, carbon fibers and carbon fibrils, stabilizers, dyes, pigments. , polyolefins, flame retardants, and mixtures thereof.

9. Articles formed by the composition according to claim 1. 26

10. - A thermoplastic composition consisting essentially of: (a) a compatibilized mixture of polyphenylene ether-polyamide resin, and (b) an alkylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer comprising at least two portions selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid , anhydride, epoxy, oxazoline, and orthoester; further characterized in that the alkylene alkyl methacrylate copolymer is present from about 1 to about 15% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition.

11. The composition according to claim 10, further characterized in that it consists essentially of at least one block copolymer of the group consisting of triblock copolymer and diblock copolymer.