General Electric Company

Choong Y Han

Sterling B Brown

William Lee Gately

Paul Dean Sybert

John A Tyrell

Tohru Takekoshi

Michael G Minnick

Andrew J Caruso

James L Derudder

Erik W Walles

Susan J Hathaway

Dennis J McFay

Leonard R Hepp

Linda L McCracken

Robert A Florence

Kelvin T Okamoto

Blends of polyarylene sulfide and epoxy-functionalized siloxane polymers are provided which show improved tensile elongation and tensile strength compared to similarly prepared blends wherein the siloxane is not functionalized with an epoxy terminal group.

Polyarylene sulfide and epoxy-functionalized siloxane blends

Compatible compositions comprising polyarylene sulfide-polyphenylene ether copolymers are prepared by the reaction of a polyphenylene ether containing epoxy groups, typically an epoxytriazine-capped polyphenylene ether, with a polyarylene sulfide containing epoxide-reactive functional groups, preferably amine groups. It is sometimes advantageous to anneal said compositions or molded articles prepared therefrom.

Polyphenylene ether-polyarylene sulfide compositions

Compositions containing polyphenylene ether-poly(alkylene dicarboxylate) copolymers are prepared by a reaction between the two polymers and, optionally, at least one functionalizing agent therefor. The functionalizing agent may first be reacted with the polyphenylene ether and the resulting functionalized polyphenylene ether in turn reacted with a functionalized or unfunctionalized poly(alkylene dicarboxylate). Alternatively, an unfunctionalized or hydroxyalkyl-functionalized polyphenylene ether may be incorporated in a conventional polyester-forming reaction. The copolymer-containing compositions are characterized by a number of desirable properties including high impact strength and solvent resistance.

Polyphenylene ether-polyester copolymers, precursors therefor,

Polyesters, especially poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate), having a substantial proportion of free carboxylic acid groups are caused to react with polyepoxy compounds, especially poly(O- or N-epoxyalkyl-substituted) cyclic amides, imides and amidates and preferably triglycidyl isocyanurate, in the presence of various amines or salts as catalysts. The preferred catalysts are fatty acid salts such as sodium sterate. The products have very high melt viscosities and are useful in such operations as blow molding.

Method for preparing polyester-polyepoxide compositions of high melt

Branched polyester compositions having high melt viscosities, especially under conditions of low shear, are prepared in a two-step method. The first step is the reaction of a linear polyester, polycarbonate or polyester-polycarbonate containing free carboxylic acid groups with a polyfunctional epoxyalkyl compound such as triglycidyl isocyanurate to form a reactive concentrate. The second step is the reaction of said reactive concentrate with a polyester, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or poly(butylene terephthalate), containing a measurable proportion of carboxylic acid end groups. By this two-step method, it is possible to use less epoxy compound for a given melt viscosity level than is the case when the epoxy compound is directly blended with the polyester.

Preparation of linear polyester-polyepoxide reaction products via

Heating polyphenylene ether in the presence of isotoic anhydride and organic solvent has been found to enhance the thermal stability of the polyphenylene ether.

Thermally stable polyphenylene ether having terminal anthranilate ester

Molded articles are prepared from a blend of polyphenylene ether, linear polyester, elastomeric impact modifier and a polyisocyanate or masked polyisocyanate and are then annealed at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polyester, in order to increase the impact strength thereof. The preferred polyphenylene ethers are functionalized or unfunctionalized poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ethers), and the preferred polyesters are poly(ethylene terephthalates) and poly(1,4-butylene terephthalates).

Impact strength of polyphenylene ether-linear polyester articles

Carbodiimide-functionalized polyphenylene ethers, which may be prepared by the reaction of various acid-functionalized polyphenylene ethers with polycarbodiimides, are useful in the preparation of polyphenylene ether copolymers. These copolymers are, in turn, useful for the compatibilization of blends of polyphenylene ethers with such other polymers as polyesters and polyamides.

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Pittsfield, MA, United States of America

Choong Y Han