Polyarylene sulfide from aromatic compound having at least three

Abstract

A polyarylene sulfide has an inherent viscosity [.eta..sub.i n h ] of 0.1 to 0.5 dl/g, a weight-average molecular weight of 1.times.10.sup.4 to 2.times.10.sup.5 ; a ratio of the inherent viscosity [.eta..sub.i n h ] to a calculated viscosity [.eta.].sub.calc ([.eta..sub.i n h /[.eta.].sub.calc) of 0.4/1 to 0.8/1; and a degree of whiteness of 50 or higher when measured in accordance with whiteness testing procedures (JIS P8123). The polyarylene sulfide is prepared by reaction by contacting at least one member of a metallic sulfide (A) selected from an alkali metal sulfide and an alkali metal hydrosulfide with a dihalogen aromatic compound (B) and an aromatic compound (C) having three or more than three functional groups in a polar solvent in a molar ratio of the dihalogen aromatic compound (B) to the metallic sulfide (A) [(B)/(A)] ranging from 1.035/1 to 1.300/1 and in a molar ratio of the aromatic compound (C) to the dihalogen aromatic compound (B) [(C)/(B)] ranging from 0.003/1 to 0.05/1. A polyarylene sulfide resin composition contains the polyarylene sulfide having the above properties and and at least one member of a filler selected from a fiber filler and a powdery or granular filler. The polyarylene sulfide resin composition has the mechanical strength, heat resistance, long-term stability, and chemical resistance superior to the polyarylene sulfide.