Total Research & Technology Feluy

Mark O'Neill

Michel Duc

Jan Neelen

A rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition may include a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The monovinylaromatic polymer matrix may have an average molecular weight in weightabove 150,000 g/mol. Rubber particles may be dispersed in the monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The rubber particles may have a volume median particle size (RPS volume) ranging from 7 &#x3bc;m to 10 &#x3bc;m, a monomodal distribution, a ratio of RPS volume to surface median particle size (RPS surface) that is below 2, a crosslinking of the rubber expressed as a swell index (SI) above 13.8, and a rubber phase volume fraction (RPVF) of at least 39%. A refrigerator interior liner may be made of the rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition.

Refrigerator interior liner

A refrigerator interior liner can be made of a composition including a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having an average molecular weight in weightabove 150,000 g/mol; rubber particles; and low-plasticizers. The rubber particles can have an RPS volume of about 8.5 &#x3bc;m, a monomodal distribution, a swell index above 13.8, and an RPVF of at least 39%. The composition can be prepared by forming a polymerizable mixture including a monovinylaromatic monomer, and dissolving a viscous rubber in the polymerizable mixture. A free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent can be contacted with the polymerizable mixture at conditions whereby phase inversion subsequently occurs. The chain transfer agent can produce an increase of the rubber to PS phase viscosity ratio within the inversion reactor. Polymerization can be continued until a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having rubber particles dispersed therein is obtained.

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Sauvagnon, France

Mark O'Neill