General Electric Company

William R Schlich

Harold F Giles, Jr

Fred F Holub

Gary A Mellinger

Jhy-Dou R Lo

Disclosed are blends of (a) a polyetherimide and (b) a (meth) acrylate-styrene-acrylonitile polymer (ASA). The blends exhibit an improved heat distortion temperature flexural properties and tensile properties over the ASA component alone and have lower impact strengths than that associated with the ASA polymer alone.

Polyetherimide-asa blends

Disclosed are blends of (a) a polyetherimide and (b) a polyarylate, an aromatic polyester which is derived from a dihydric phenol and a dicarboxylic acid. These blends have improved flexural strength and flexural modulus over the polyarylate component alone and have a higher impact strength than that associated with the polyetherimide component of the blends. In addition, the blends exhibit improved molding performance characteristics as evidenced by a lower molding pressure being required than that necessary for either component of the blend when molded alone.

Polyetherimide-polyarylate, blends

The present invention concerns a two-step extrusion melt polymerization process for making polyetherimides. The first step of the process involves producing a low molecular weight polymer by melt polymerizing a mixture containing a molar excess of one of the monomers. The second step involves melt polymerizing a mixture containing the low molecular weight polymer produced by the first step and a stoichiometrically sufficient amount of the second monomer to produce the desired polyetherimide polymer. Polymerization in two stages, rather than by the conventional one stage process surprisingly results in reduced extruder torque levels and improved throughput rates.

Two-step process for producing polyetherimides

Disclosed are blends of (a) a polyetherimide and (b) a thermoplastic polycarbonate. The blends exhibit a higher heat distortion temperature and an improved flexural strength and tensile strength over the polycarbonate component alone and have a higher impact strength than that associated with the polyetherimide component of the blends. In addition, the blends may exhibit good flame resistance.

Polyetherimide-polycarbonate blends

Disclosed are blends of (a) a polyetherimide and (b) a minor amount, e.g., about 1 to about 20 weight %, of polypropylene or copolymer thereof. Unexpectedly, these blends have a higher notched Izod impact strength than that associated with the polyetherimide component of the blends and those associated with other polyetherimide-polypropylene blends which do not contain a minor amount of polypropylene.

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Pittsfield, MA, United States of America

William R Schlich