Thermoplastic compositions containing acyllactam graft linkages

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a reaction product of a polymer and a graft linking agent, resulting in a modified polymer especially suited for blending with one or more second thermoplastic polymers. The modified polymers of the invention comprise a reaction product of the polymer and an acyllactam having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein L is a linking moiety that is capable of a thermal or radical-initiated addition reaction with said polymer; and preferably ##STR2## or N.sub.3 SO.sub.2 --R.sub.6 -- wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and comprise at least one of the following moieties: Hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halo, cyano, carboxylic acid, ester, amide, imide, or acyllactam, and wherein R.sub.4 is -- (valence bond) or ##STR3## with R.sub.5 being hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl, and R.sub.6 being alkylene or arylene; and wherein the acyllactam portion of the grafting agent has an alkyl chain length, n, of about 2 to 11 carbon atoms, preferably about 3 to 11 carbon atoms, most preferably about 5 to 11 carbon atoms. The reaction product of the first polymer and grafting agent itself is useful as a structural resin, and does not have to be blended with a second polymer. However, it also demonstrates adhesive properties useful in laminations to other polymers, coextrusions with other polymers, metal bonding, and the like, and could be used in applications such as these. The reaction product is a stable product that may be stored for further use. Alternatively, it may be desirable for some applications to blend all the components, a first polymer, grafting agent, and a second thermoplastic polymer, either together or sequentially.