Abstract: Impact modified copolymers of vinyl aromatic, ethylenically unsaturated nitrile and, optionally, methyl methacrylate monomer, wherein the impact modifier comprises (a) large grafted rubber particles of a rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer having a particle size from about 0.5.mu. to 0.8.mu., 0.04 to 0.5 percent by weight of a polymerized crosslinking monomer and from 0.5 to 40 percent grafted rigid phase, and (b) small grafted rubber particles of a rubbery alkyl acrylate polymer having a particle size from about 0.05.mu. to about 0.20.mu., 0.25 to about 2.0 percent of a crosslinking monomer, provided that the weight percentage of crosslinking monomer is at least twice the weight percentage of the crosslinking monomer in the large particle, and from about 15 to about 60 percent by weight grafted rigid phase.

Abstract: A polymer composition which contains a polycarbonate resin, a styrenic/maleimide/cyclic anhydride terpolymer, and an ethylene/propylene/nonconjugated diene terpolymer chemically grafted with either styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer, methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide copolymer or polymethylmethacrylate is disclosed. The composition exhibits excellent impact strength properties upon molding.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition obtainable by blending 100 parts by weight of a mixture consisting of(A) 75 to 40% by weight of a propylene polymer,(B) 20 to 40% by weight of an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, and(C) 5 to 30% by weight of a graft copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound and a polar vinyl compound in the presence of an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymerwith(D) 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride thereof or a mixture of the two, and(E) 0.01 to 0.3 part by weight of an organic radical-generating agent,and then subjecting the resulting blend to thermal treatment. Said composition has not only a high bending modulus inherently possessed by polypropylene resins but also remarkably improved coating property. Accordingly, the composition is useful as interior and exterior trim parts of automobiles and exterior trim parts of motorcycles.

Abstract: An impact resistant methacrylic resin composition having improved transparency, weatherability and impact resistance comprising a multi-layer graft copolymer and a methacrylic resin is disclosed.

Abstract: An acrylic modified styrenic/N-arylmaleimide copolymer containing composition which exhibits excellent melt flow properties, impact strength and gloss upon molding is disclosed.

Abstract: A weather and impact resistant resin composition which comprises: a graft copolymer (A) composed of a continuous phase comprising from 10 to 90% by weight of residues of an aromatic vinyl monomer, from 10 to 40% by weight of residues of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile monomer and from 0 to 80% by weight of residues of methyl methacrylate, and particles of an acrylate rubber having a weight average particle size of from 0.1 to 0.45 .mu.m dispersed in the continuous phase, said acrylate rubber comprising from 70 to 98% by weight of residues of an alkyl acrylate having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, from 1.92 to 27% by weight of residues of a vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the alkyl acrylate and from 0.08 to 3% by weight of residues of a multifunctional vinyl monomer; a graft copolymer (B) composed of a continuous phase comprising from 10 to 90% by weight of residues of an aromatic vinyl monomer, from 10 to 40% by weight of residues of an .alpha.,.beta.

Abstract: A multi-function Viscosity Index Improver having properties, including dispersancy and antioxidation, which comprises a functional ethylene-propylene copolymer having a dispersant/antioxidant unit grafted thereon.

Abstract: An extrudable acrylic composition which incorporates an interpolymer produced by the polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer, an N-substituted maleimide monomer, an alkyl acrylate monomer, and a difunctional reactive monomer is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a rubber modified thermoplastic resin excellent in surface appearance and various properties and high in commercial values which comprises removing an aqueous phase from a two-phase mixture comprises a graft rubber polymer latex (1) obtained by graft polymerization of vinyl monomer on a rubber latex, a thermoplastic resin (2) and an organic agent in an amount of 0.2 to 6 times the weight of all the polymers (3) which is capable of dissolving said thermoplastic resin (2) and has a solubility in water of 5 to 50% by weight at 25.degree. C. and then removing said organic agent and remaining water from the remaining organic phase by a thermal means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a rubber modified thermoplastic resin excellent in surface appearance and various properties and high in commercial values which comprises removing an aqueous phase from a two-phase mixture comprising a graft rubber polymer latex (1) obtained by graft polymerization of vinyl monomer on a rubber latex, a thermoplastic resin (2), an organic agent in an amount of 0.1 to 6 times the weight of all the polymers (3) which is capable of dissolving said thermoplastic resin (2) and has a solubility in water of 5% by weight or less at 25.degree. C. and a water soluble agent in an amount of 10% by weight or less of said graft rubber polymer which can coagulate said latex and then removing said organic agent and remaining water from the remaining organic phase by a thermal means.

Abstract: A rubber blend is produced by masticating a mixture of monoolefin copolymer rubber and high-diene hydrocarbon rubber while dynamically vulcanizing the monoolefin copolymer rubber. The blend is then further treated to vulcanize the high-diene hydrocarbon rubber portion. The resulting vulcanized blend has improved properties.

Abstract: An adhesive resin composition comprising(A) 100 parts by weight of a polymer having a crystallinity, determined by X-ray diffractometry, of not more than 40% selected from the group consisting of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene/alpha-olefin random copolymers,(B) 1 to 50 parts by weight of modified polyethylene having a melt flow rate of 0.01 to 50 g/10 minutes and containing 0.01 to 10% by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative grafted thereto, and(C) 1 to 125 parts by weight of a hydrogenated aromatic petroleum resin in which at least 70% of the romatic ring is hydrogenated;provided that the total amount of the modified polyethylene (B) and the hydrogenated aromatic petroleum resin (C) is not more than 150 parts by weight.

Abstract: A graft product of from 40 to 99.8 parts by weight of styrene, .alpha.-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, methyl methacrylate or mixtures thereof, from 20 to 0.1 part by weight of a vinyl-group-containing, preferably heterocyclic nitrogen base, from 20 to 0.1 part by weight of a mono- or di-acid containing a polymerizable double bond and from 0 to 49 parts by weight of acrylonitrile on a particulate rubber having an average particle diameter (d.sub.50) of from 0.05 to 20.0 .mu.m and a glass temperature of .ltoreq.10.degree. C., the total rubber content amounting to between 5 and 80% by weight.

Abstract: Polymer alloys containing copolymers of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide are disclosed. In one embodiment the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and styrene/maleic anhydride. In another embodiment, the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and styrene/maleic anhydride/N-phenylmaleimide.

Abstract: Several important features and characteristics, particularly and pronouncedly environmental stress crack resistance (i.e., "ESCR") as well as other desirable physical properties of blends or intimate admixtures, known as "polyblends" and usually made by melt-blending, of various styrene polymers (i.e., "SP's"), notably homopolystyrene (i.e., "PS"), and thermoplastic elastomers (i.e., "TE's") are significantly and in emphasized measure enhanced by thorough incorporation in (and simultaneous or subsequent heat action-initiating and cross-link-effecting of) the styrene polymer-thermoplastic elastomer polyblend in low level concentration(s) of a thermally-activatable, organic peroxide in combination with any one (or even a mixture) of an optimizing cross-linking supplement provided in effectively reactive amounts of, for illustration, either a styrene (or the like alkenyl aromatic) monomer or a reagent that is reactive towards alkenes (such as certain dithiols, amino-derivatives, etc.

Abstract: A flame-retardant resin composition comprising:(a) a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing from 65 to 80% by weight of .alpha.-methylstyrene, from 15 to 30% by weight of acrylonitrile and from 0 to 30% by weight of a monomer copolymerizable therewith and having a number average molecular weight of from 15,000 to 80,000;(b) a graft copolymer obtained by copolymerizing from 20 to 70 parts by weight of a monomer mixture of from 50 to 80% by weight of styrene, from 15 to 35% by weight of acrylonitrile and from 0 to 30% by weight of other vinyl compound copolymerizable therewith in the presence of from 30 to 80 parts by weight of a rubber having a glass transition temperature of not higher than 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a reactive polymer, which comprises causing (A) a polymer containing a free carboxylic group in an acid equivalent in the range of 0.01 to 5 milliequivalent/g and (B) an unsaturated aziridine compound possessing one aziridinyl group and at least one radically polymerizable unsaturated group in the molecular unit thereof to react with each other in proportions such that the amount of said unsaturated aziridine compound falls in the range of 0.05 to 1.2 mole per 1.0 mole of said free carboxylic group of said polymer at a temperature in the range of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C., and the reactive polymer obtained by such method.

Abstract: The invention relates to moulding materials which have a mat surface and are based on neutral and acid graft polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides a formulation of a vinyl chloride resin-based composition suitable for preparing floppy disc jackets having high heat resistance with a Clash-Berg temperature of 75.degree. C. or higher comprising, as the essential components, (A) a copolymer of viny chloride with a N-substituted maleimide as the comonomer, optionally in combination with a homopolymeric polyvinyl chloride resin, (B) an impact-strength improving agent which is preferably a vulcanizable synthetic rubber and (C) carbon black.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer mixtures with a mat surface, based on graft polymers with acid functions and thermoplastic resins with basic functions.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of a graft copolymer compatibilizer useful at low levels for blending with separately prepared olefin copolymers and polymethacrylate polymers to form a stable, concentrated, polymer blend. The polymer blend, as well as the compatibilizer, are useful lubricating oil additives concentrates which contain at least 80 weight percent polymethacrylate segments. The polymer blend may be further diluted with a hydrocarbon oil to form a lubricating fluid. The polymer blend offers the benefit of the thickening power of olefin copolymers, the low temperature viscosity characteristics of polymethacrylates, and is stable for prolonged periods without phase separation.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition comprising:(A) from 10 to 90 parts by weight of an imide-modified polymer having an imido group and obtained by reacting ammonia and/or a primary amine to a copolymer prepared by the polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising from 50 to 70% by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer and from 30 to 50% by weight of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride;(B) from 10 to 90 parts by weight of a graft copolymer prepared by copolymerizing from 30 to 75% by weight of a mixture comprising from 40 to 80% by weight of a rubber-like polymer having a weight average particle size of from 0.3 to 0.6 .mu.m and from 20 to 60% by weight of a rubber-like polymer having a weight average particle size of from 0.1 to 0.2 .mu.

Abstract: A thermodynamically miscible polymer composition containing of a copolymer having recurring units of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 .alpha.-olefin and recurring units of an N-aryl substituted maleimide and an acrylonitrile copolymer is disclosed.

Abstract: Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, preferably melamine crosslinked, polymer particles formed by reactions comprising free radical addition polymerization of:(a) between about 0.5 and about 20 weight percent each of first and second monomers, each bearing functionality capable of crosslinking reaction with the other, wherein (i) either both additionally are ethylenically unsaturated monomers or (ii) the first monomer additionally is ethylenically unsaturated and the second monomer bears multiple crosslinking functionality and no ethylenic unsaturation; and(b) between about 60 and about 99 weight percent of at least one other monoethylenically unsaturated monomer;in the presence of (I) an organic liquid which is a solvent for the polymerizable monomers, but a non-solvent for the resultant polymer, and (II) polymeric dispersion stabilizer bearing one long chain non-polar hydrocarbon molecule and one vinyl unsaturation.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blends having high heat distortion temperature and impact strength comprise 10-90 weight percent of a polyglutarimide, and 90-10 weight percent of a rubber-modified vinyl chloride resin prepared by polymerization of vinyl chloride in the presence of 2 to 50 percent of a rubber to form a graft copolymer.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer blends containing normally incompatible polymers prepared by incorporating into one polymer repeating units containing pendant cyclic iminoether groups to form a first reactive polymer and another reactive polymer having coreactive groups to form a second reactive polymer which is capable of reacting with said first reactive polymer to form linkages between the polymers wherein said blend is characterized by said first or second reactive polymer being blended or extended with miscible polymer(s) to form a reactive blend thereof.

Abstract: A thermodynamically miscible polymer composition comprised of a terpolymer having recurring units of methylmethacrylate, N-aryl substituted maleimide, and vinyl aromatic monomer and an acrylonitrile copolymer is disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising from about 1 to about 99 mole % of a copolymer of a styrenic monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, p-methylstyrene, t-butylstyrene and .alpha.-methylstyrene with a maleimide monomer selected from the group consisting of maleimide, N-phenylmaleimide, N-methylmaleimide and N-ethylmaleimide and from about 99 to about 1 mole % of a copolymer of styrene monomer with at least one isomeric cyanostyrene monomer selected from the group consisting of ortho-cyanostyrene, meta-cyanostyrene and para-cyanostyrene, are disclosed.

Abstract: The impact resistance of resin compositions consisting of a thermoplastic polymer, particularly a homopolymer or copolymer of vinyl chloride, can be improved by an impact additive of the graft copolymer type. The graft copolymer impact additive consists of a backbone composed of a statistical copolymer of butadiene or isoprene, an alkyl acrylate of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 alkyl, and a polyfunctional cross-linking agent, onto which are grafted the chains of a polymer of an alkyl methacrylate of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, particularly methyl methacrylate. The backbone of the graft copolymer impact additive comprises 0.5-35% by weight butadiene or isoprene, and up to 10 mole % of the cross-linking agent, while the weight ratio of grafted chains to the backbone can range from 10 to 200%.The resin compositions are particularly useful to improve impact strength at low temperatures.

Abstract: A heat and impact resistant resin composition which comprises from 10 to 90 parts by weight of a copolymer (A) comprising from 90 to 50% of residues of a vinyl aromatic compound, from 10 to 50% of residues of a maleimide compound and from 0 to 30% of residues of a vinyl compound copolymerizable therewith; from 0 to 50 parts by weight a copolymer (B) comprising from 90 to 40% of residues of a vinyl aromatic compound and from 10 to 60% of residues of an unsaturated nitrile compound; from 5 to 89 parts by weight of a graft copolymer (C) comprising from 25 to 70% by weight of particles of a rubber having a glass transition temperature of not higher than 0.degree. C. and an average particle size of from 0.1 to 0.5 .mu.

Abstract: Polymer alloys having a mat surface constituting a mixture of grafted rubbers, the graft superstrate containing an acidic monomer in one part of the mixture and a basic monomer in the other part.

Abstract: An intermediate for use in a polyblend consisting essentially of a copolymer of monoalkenyl aromatic monomer such as styrene and a ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer such as acrylonitrile surface grafted onto rubber which is dispersed in a matrix copolymer of the graft copolymer monomers, the dispersed phase being monomodal in particle size distribution and the weight percent of surface-grafted nitrile monomer being less by at least 2% than the weight percent nitrile monomer in the matrix. This intermediate with mismatched nitrile monomer can be blended with another rubber graft copolymer of different particle size dispersed in ungrafted matrix which contains matched nitrile monomer in the surface graft and matrix to provide a polyblend having properties at least equivalent to those obtained by blending two rubber graft copolymers of different particle size dispersed in a matrix which each contain matched nitrile monomer levels in the surface graft and matrix.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ether compositions having enhanced commercial value as engineering resin, which are excellent in the appearance characteristics, such as surface gloss and weld part beauty, and stress crack resistance. The present resin composition is composed of a polyether resin (PPE) and a rubber reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS), if desired, together with a vinyl aromatic compound resin, wherein the PPE has specific characteristics with respect to the intrinsic viscosity, the eluting amount, and others.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition consists essentially of (A) 100 parts by weight of a rubber-containing styrene type resin and (B) 1 to 45 parts by weight of a polymeric substance selected from the group consisting of a homopolymer of an acrylic acid ester, copolymers of an acrylic acid ester, and a mixture of these polymers, said component (B) having a solubility parameter of from 8.4 to 9.8 (cal/c.c.).sup.1/2, a glass transition temperature of 20.degree. C. or below, a gel content of 70% by weight or below, and relative viscosity of a substance soluble in methylethyl ketone of 20 or below.

Abstract: Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, preferably melamine crosslinked, polymer particles formed by reactions comprising free radical addition polymerization of:(a) between about 0.5 and about 20 weight percent each of first and second monomers, each bearing functionally capable of crosslinking reaction with the other and additionally wherein the first monomer is ethylenically unsaturated and the second monomer bears multiple crosslinking functionality and no ethylenic unsaturation,(b) between about 60 and about 99 weight percent of at least one other monoethylenically unsaturated monomer;in the presence of (I) an organic liquid which is a solvent for the polymerizable monomers, but a non-solvent for the resultant polymer, and (II) polymeric dispersion stabilizer wherein the precursor of the first segment of the stabilizer comprises a long chain hydrocarbon molecule having only one reactive group per molecule, preferably being a carboxyl group.

Abstract: Non-gelled resins formed by reacting an ethylenically unsaturated polyester with ethylenically unsaturated monomers which include an ethylenically unsaturated acid are provided which are useful in coatings having better stability.

Abstract: Polymer alloys containing copolymers of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide are disclosed. In one embodiment the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and styrene/maleic anhydride. In another embodiment, the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and styrene/maleic anhydride/N-phenylmaleimide.

Abstract: An intermediate for use in a polyblend consisting essentially of a copolymer of monoalkenyl aromatic monomer such as styrene and a ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer such as acrylonitrile surface grafted onto rubber which is dispersed in a matrix copolymer of the graft copolymer monomers, the dispersed phase being monomodal in particle size distribution and the weight percent of surface-grafted nitrile monomer being less by at least 2% than the weight percent nitrile monomer in the matrix. This intermediate with mismatched nitrile monomer can be blended with another rubber graft copolymer of different particle size dispersed in ungrafted matrix which contains matched nitrile monomer in the surface graft and matrix to provide a polyblend having properties at least equivalent to those obtained by blending two rubber graft copolymers of different particle size dispersed in a matrix which each contain matched nitrile monomer levels in the surface graft and matrix.

Abstract: Polymer alloys containing copolymers of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide are disclosed. In one embodiment the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and styrene/acrylonitrile. In another embodiment, the polymer alloy is an alloy of methylmethacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide and stryene/acrylonitrile/N-phenylmaleimide.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition is provided which comprises 10 to 90 wt % of an iminated copolymer prepared by reacting ammonia and/or a primary amine with a graft copolymerization product obtained by graft-copolymerizing a rubber-like polymer with a monomer mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride and 10 to 90 wt % of a graft-copolymer obtained by graft-copolymerizing a rubber-like polymer with a monomer mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer and/or a polymer obtained by polymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additives for lubricating oils, constituted by a copolymer prepared from 35-55%, and preferably 40-50%, of substituted or non-substituted styrene monomers, and from 65-45%, and preferably 60-50% of heavy C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, of which at least 80% consist of C.sub.16 -C.sub.20 alkylmethacrylates, said copolymer having a polydispersity which is as low as possible, a parameter of solubility close to that of the oil for which the additives are intended and a molecular weight of between 80,000 and 200,000 and being able, moreover, to be modified by a comonomer and vinyl compounds. One application of the invention is the formulation of lubricating oils.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polyamide, a reinforcing amount of glass fiber, and 1 to 25, preferably 5 to 25, and more preferably 10 to 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the polyamide of a core/shell polymer. The core/shell polymer comprises 40 to 90 and preferably 50 to 90 parts by weight of an elastomer core and 10 to 60 and preferably 10 to 50 parts by weight of a rigid thermoplastic polymer shell. The shell comprises an interpolymer of 20 to 100 parts by weight of an methyacrylic ester, 0 to 80 parts by weight styrene, and from 0 to 50 parts by weight of acylonitrile. The shell can also contain alkyl acrylates, allyl methacrylates, diallyl methacrylates, and the like. The methacrylic ester is preferably a lower alkyl methacrylate/such as methyl methacrylate. The core is an elastomer and can be a diene elastomer, an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, an acrylic elastomer, or a polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: Crosslinked, preferably acrylic, polymer particles characterized in that the particles formed by free radical addition polymerization of:(a) between about 0.8 and about 20 weight percent each of first and second ethylenically saturated monomers each bearing functionality capable of crosslinking reaction with the other; and(b) between about 98.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition made up of an intimate admixture of (a) a vinyl chloride polymer, and (b) a thermoplastic copolymer of vinyl aromatic compound and an imide derivative of an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. The preferred blends contain from 90 to 40 weight percent of (a) and 10 to 60 weight percent of (b).

Abstract: A miscible polyblend comprising an .alpha., .beta.-ethylencially unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride copolymerized with at least one monovinyl-substituted aryl hydrocarbon monomer and an imide derivative of maleic anhydride copolymerized with at least one monovinyl-substituted-aryl hydrocarbon monomer is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to graft rubbers obtained by the radical polymerization of one or more vinyl-group-containing monomers in the presence of at least one rubber, the polymerization reaction being carried out in the presence of from 0.001 to 1.0% by weight (based on solid graft product) of at least one compound corresponding to the following formula (I): ##STR1## in which X=CL or NO.sub.2Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, NO.sub.2, F, Cl, Br, and to the use of the graft rubbers according to the invention for the production of rubber-modified thermoplastic moulding compositions.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline dispersion of a rubbery graft or over polymerized copolymer of a diene and a vinyl pyridine on a polyacrylate seed (core or substrate), said acrylate polymer having a Tg of not above about -20.degree. C., desirably also containing a polybutadiene, and a water soluble, heat reactable phenolic resin, in certain amounts is useful in forming an adhesive for bonding glass fiber reinforcing elements or cords to rubber compounds or stocks. After dipping the glass fiber cord in the one-step adhesive dip, the coated cord is heated to dry it and heat cure or heat set the adhesive on the cord. Thereafter, the adhesive containing glass fiber cord is combined or laminated (calendered) with a curable rubber compound and the resulting assembly is cured to form a composite in which the glass fiber cord is bonded to the rubber by means of said adhesive.

Abstract: The use of a styrenic copolymer of maleimide to improve the heat resistant properties of styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: A heat resistant thermoplastic resin composition is provided which comprises an iminated copolymer prepared by iminating a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl monomer, maleic acid anhydride and a vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the aromatic vinyl monomer and maleic acid anhydride with the use of ammonia and/or a primary amine, and mixed with a graft polymer with or without a styrene base polymer.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions comprising, in intimate admixture, 10 to 90 weight percent of polyethylene terephthalate and from 90 to 10 percent of a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyclic imide. These compositions display desirable thermal properties, particularly elevated heat deflection temperatures.