Abstract: The present invention provides carboxy-terminated oligomeric polyester compositions useful in the preparation of “weatherable” polymeric materials, for example weatherable copolyestercarbonates. In one aspect the present invention provides an oligomeric polyester composition comprising structural units derived from at least one diacid, at least one diaryl carbonate and at least one diol. The structural units derived from the diacid are present in a molar excess of from about 10% to about 40% based on a ratio of moles of diacid-derived structural units to moles of diol-derived structural units present in the oligomeric polyester composition. The oligomeric polyester composition is further characterized by the presence of at least some phenoxy end groups.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a sulfonate end-capped polycarbonate of formula: Z-S(O)2—O-(-L-)m-O—S(O)2-Z wherein each Z is independently an alkyl or aryl group, wherein -(-L-)m- is a polycarbonate linking group with m units of linking unit L, and wherein m is at least one. Methods of making the sulfonate end-capped polycarbonate and thermoplastic composition, and articles prepared therefrom, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a tray energy absorber comprising a base, a first transverse wall that is arcuate and extends from the base, a second transverse wall spaced apart from the first transverse wall and which extends from the base. The tray energy absorber further comprises a plurality of ribs that extend from the base joining the first transverse wall to the second transverse wall. In one embodiment the density of the ribs varies along the transverse width of the tray energy absorber. In another embodiment at least one of the plurality of ribs is greater than 50% of the height of the first transverse wall or the second transverse wall where the rib joins the first and second transverse walls. The present invention also provides for a bumper system used in a vehicle that includes a tray energy absorber attached to a bumper beam. The bumper system optionally includes a fascia that substantially envelops the bumper beam and the tray energy absorber.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an energy absorber are included. In one embodiment, the energy observer includes a base, a top spaced apart from the base and a plurality of legs that extend from the top to the base and that are spatially arranged relative to one another with window openings interposed between them. In another embodiment, the interface of each of the plurality of legs that contact the top are vertically offset from the interface of each of the legs at the base. The present invention also provides for an energy absorber system that includes at least one energy absorber comprising at least one mating connector component that connects to another mating component of another energy absorber.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises: a compatibilized blend of a poly(arylene ether), an aliphatic-aromatic polyamide and a polymeric compatibilizer; and an impact modifier; wherein the aliphatic-aromatic polyamide is composed of units derived from a dicarboxylic acid and units derived from a diamine and the units derived from a dicarboxylic acid comprise 60 to 100 mol % of units derived from terephthalic acid and the units derived from a diamine comprise 60 to 100 mol % of units derived from 1,9-nonanediamine, 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, or a combination of 1,9-nonanediamine and 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine.

Abstract: A method of producing a purified ester-substituted phenol stream is provided. The method includes a first step of obtaining from a melt transesterification reaction a byproduct stream containing a residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate, an ester-substituted phenol, a residual melt transesterification catalyst, and a catalyst degradation product. A second step includes treating the reaction byproduct stream to separate ester-substituted phenol and catalyst degradation product from residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate and residual melt transesterification catalyst to create a light recycle stream containing ester-substituted phenol and catalyst degradation product and a heavy recycle stream containing residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate and residual melt transesterification catalyst. A third step includes treating the light recycle stream to reduce catalyst degradation product concentration thereby producing a purified ester-substituted phenol stream.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition having improved scratch resistance comprising in combination from 20 to 80 wt. % of a polycarbonate homopolymer or copolymer comprising repeat carbonate units having the following structure: wherein R1 and R2 are independently at each occurrence a C1-C6 alkyl, n is an integer having a value of 0 to 4, p is an integer having a value of 1 to 4, and T is selected from the group consisting of C5-C10 cycloalkanes attached to the aryl groups at one or two carbons, C1-C5 alkyl groups, C6-C13 aryl groups, and C7-C13 aryl alkyl groups; from 20 to 80 wt. % of a poly(alkyl(meth)acrylate), wherein the alkyl group is straight or branched-chain, and has 1 or 2 carbons atoms is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor system for producing polycarbonate. The reactor system has one or more reactant vessels, an oligomerization reactor, a first pressure control device, a preheater, a second pressure control device, a distributor, and a flash tank. The one or more reactant vessels contain reactants contain a melt transesterification catalyst, a dihydroxy compound, and an activated diaryl carbonate. The reactor system is connected in the following configuration: (i) the one or more reactant vessels connected to the oligomerization reactor, (ii) the first pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the oligomerization reactor and the inlet of the preheater; (iii) the second pressure control device disposed between and connecting the outlet of the preheater and the distributor; and (iv) the distributor disposed at the inlet to the flash tank.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate composition is provided comprising a blend of a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer and a terephthalate polymer. The blend has a combination of good melt volume rate, good fatigue resistance, and high ductility at low temperatures.

Abstract: A non-reactive monomer mixture is formed from a dihydroxy component having one or more dihydroxy compounds dissolved in a melted diaryl carbonate. The dihydroxy component has less than 600 ppb alkali metal, an acid stabilizer, or both less than 600 ppb alkali metal and an acid stabilizer. The dihydroxy compounds of the dihydroxy component and the diaryl carbonate are present in a mole ratio of from 0.9 to 1.1. The monomer mixture is at a temperature between the saturation point of the monomer mixture and the highest melting temperature of the individual dihydroxy compounds. The non-reactive monomer mixture can be stored and transported and then polymerized to form polycarbonate upon addition of a catalyst.

Abstract: A non-reactive monomer mixture has a monomer component dispersed in a melted diaryl carbonate. The monomer component has one or more monomer compounds having a melting point below the melting point of the diaryl carbonate. Furthermore, the monomer component has less than 600 ppb alkali metal, an acid stabilizer, or both less than 600 ppb alkali metal and an acid stabilizer. The monomer compounds of the monomer component and the diaryl carbonate are present in a mole ratio of from 0.9 to 1.1. The monomer mixture is at a temperature between the melting temperature of the lowest melting monomer compound and the melting temperature of the diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises 55 to 97 weight percent of a polycarbonate; 1 to 25 weight percent of a polysiloxane-polycarbonate comprising siloxane units of the formula: wherein each occurrence of R is the same or different, and is a C1-30 monovalent organic group, wherein E is 1 to 1,000, and wherein the polysiloxane-polycarbonate comprises 0.1 weight percent to 50 weight percent siloxane units; 1 to 10 weight percent of an impact modifier; and 1 to 10 weight percent of a filler, wherein the filler has a particle size with D50 less than 2.7 micrometers. The thermoplastic composition has good flame retardance, flexural modulus, impact and surface appearance. A method of making and articles prepared from the thermoplastic composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising: a poly(arylene ether); a poly(alkenyl aromatic) resin, an organophosphate ester flame retardant, and tricalcium phosphate. The composition may further comprise a reinforcing filler, black pigment, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A benzoterrylene of Formula (I): wherein at least one of the pairs R4-R5, R6-R7, R10-R11, and R12-R13 is a ring structure selected from the group consisting of Formulas A, B, and C: wherein Y1 through Y4 are each independently selected from O and NR16; and R1 through R16 are as disclosed herein. The benzoterrylenes are useful as lightfast colorants with high fluorescence quantum yields. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the benzoterrylenes.

Abstract: A method of producing a polycarbonate is provided. In an embodiment of the present invention the method includes the steps of: (i) introducing to a melt polymerization reactor system a reaction mixture having a first dihydroxy compound and an acid stabilizer, a carbonate source, and a polymerization catalyst system containing K2HPO4; and (ii) allowing the reaction mixture to polymerize thereby forming polycarbonate.

Abstract: A composition is described, comprising: (a) from 20 to 80 wt % of a polyester; (b) from 5 to 35 wt % of a flame retardant phosphinate of the formula (I) [(R1)(R2)(PO)—O]?mMm+??(I), a flame retardant diphosphinate of the formula (II) [(O—POR1)(R3)(POR2—O)]2?nMxm+??(II), and/or a flame retardant polymer derived from the flame retardant phosphinate of the formula (I) or the flame retardant diphosphinate of the formula (II), wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and are H, C1-C6-alkyl, linear or branched, or C6-C10-aryl; R3 is C1-C10-alkylene, linear or branched, C6-C10-arylene, -alkylarylene or -arylalkylene; M is an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, Al, Ti, Zn, Fe, or boron; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 1, 2, or 3; and x is 1 or 2; (c) from 1 to 25 wt % of a melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, and/or melamine phosphate; (d) from more than 0 to 25 wt % of a polyetherimide; and (e) optionally, an additive.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a polycarbonate, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, an impact modifier composition comprising ABS or BABS, a second impact modifier different from BABS or ABS, and an aromatic vinyl copolymer is disclosed. The thermoplastic composition has improved molding capability.

Abstract: The melt strength and hence the processing window of blends of polycarbonate and PBT can be enhanced without degradation in the surface appearance of the article produced when relatively minor amounts of certain selected polymers are added to the blend. For example, a composition that has a thermoforming processing window of at least 15° C. for an article having a weight that is more than 100 grams, may contain 15 to 80% by weight of a polycarbonate resin; 10 to 80% by weight of polybutylene terephthalate, and 1 to 15% by weight of a semicrystalline melt strength enhancer. The meklt strength enhancer is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycyclohexane-dimethyl terephthalate (PCT), polycyclohexanedimethyl terephthalate glycol (PCT-G), and (poly)ethylene co 1,4 cyclohexanedimethylene terephthlate (PET-G), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A pigment contains one or more substantially spherical-shaped beads. Each substantially spherical-shaped bead includes one or more high aspect ratio particles encapsulated within an encapsulating material. Resinous compositions containing this pigment and a plastic, for example a polycarbonate, have a flowline-free colored, sparkling and/or metallescent appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing stringiness during hot plate welding of an article comprising a resinous composition which comprises at least one step of contacting with water a surface of the article to be welded. The method also results in improved cycle time for preparation of the final article.