Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Mixing of two or more solid polymers; mixing of solid...
Patent
1996-11-19
1999-07-27
Buttner, David
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Mixing of two or more solid polymers; mixing of solid...
525397, 524347, C08L 7112, C08K 513
Patent
active
059291680
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a polymer blend which is useful for producing fibers, coatings and films.
Such a blend generally comprises 5 to 95 parts by weight of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether, 95 to 5 parts by weight of a polymer other than polyamide, which is immiscible therewith, and a component (a compatibilizer) which enhances the compatibility of said polymers.
The invention also concerns a process for the preparation of novel polymer blends and new products containing said blends.
Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) ether (PPE) is formed by alternating methyl-substituted phenyl rings and ether groups. PPE is an almost amorphous thermoplastic polymer. Its glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) is generally in the range from 205 to 210.degree. C. Its degree of crystallinity is typically a few percent. The melting point of the crystals is in the range from 262 to 267.degree. C. (Polym. Prepr. 1971, 12, 317). It should be pointed out that a particular advantage of PPE lies in the fact that the polymer behaves plastically at very low temperatures, even at -200.degree. C. The heat resistance of PPE is high (HDT/A 174.degree. C.).
Since PPE is very aromatic it is also rather rigid. Therefore, PPE is an interesting polymeric blending component for providing stiffness and for increasing strength. However, the melt index of PPE is very high; in other words, it is almost impossible to process it by using traditional polymer melt processing techniques, such as injection moulding or extrusion. Because of the high melt viscosity, the processing temperature should be increased over 300.degree. C., at which temperature it becomes difficult to blend the polymer with other polymers which have lower melting points. Furthermore, even in oxygen-free conditions, PPE is thermally stable only at temperatures of up to about 250.degree. C., and when the temperature is raised over 300.degree. C. gelling will be initiated.
It is known in the art that the viscosity of polymers can generally be lowered by using plasticizers. Plasticizers can also be used to improve processibility, flexibility and elasticity (ASTM D 833). Proper action of the plasticizer requires that the polymer and the plasticizer be sufficiently miscible with each other. Generally, the plasticizer should be soluble in the polymer which is to be plasticized or vice versa. Each polymer has its own specific plasticizer, because dissolution depends on the chemical compatibility of the polymer which is to be plasticized and the dissolving admixture.
It is also known in the art that when a very small amount of a plasticizer is used, which is completely miscible with the polymer, it is possible to increase the stiffness, strength and toughness of the polymer. This phenomenon is called "antiplasticizing". Generally, said phenomenon and its basis for polymers have been described extensively in the literature (Adv. Chem Ser., 48, 185 (1965), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 11, 211 (1967), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 11, 227 (1967), J. Macromol. Sci.-Phys., B1, 433 (1967), Polym. Eng. Sci., 9, 277 (1969), J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Lett. Ed., 7, 35 (1969), Polym. J. 4, 23 (1973), Polym. J., 4, 143 (1973), J. Macromol. Sci.,-Phys., B14, 251 (1977), J. Pol. Sci., J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 23, 1935 (1979), J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 11, 2553 (1967), J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 17, 2173 (1973), J. Appl. Phys., 43,4318, (1972), A. Bondi, Physical Properties of molecular Crystals, Liquids and Glasses, Wiley, 1968, J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Lett. Ed., 21, 1041 (1983), ACS Symp. Ser., 223, 89 (1983), J. Pol. Sci., Part B, 25, 957 (1987), J. Pol. Sci., Part B. 25, 981 (1987), J. Pol. Sci., Part B, 25, 1005 (1987), Macromolecules 21, 1470 (1988)). Said publications deal with the influence of the admixture on the mechanical properties, volume and glass transition of the polymer, but they do not address, for example, the influence of the admixture on the compatibility of the polymer with another polymer.
PPE is conventionally made processible by using a polymer, viz. polystyrene, as plast
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Bergstrom Christer
Holsti-Miettinen Riitta
Ikkala Olli
Katsaras Nikitas
Osterholm Heidi
Buttner David
Optatech Corporation
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