Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer includes at least one poly(hydroxy ether) block and at least one poly(arylene ether) block, and the mole ratio of poly(hydroxy ether) blocks to poly(arylene ether) blocks is 0.95:1 to about 1.00:1. The poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer can be prepared by reacting a telechelic poly(arylene ether) having terminal hydroxyl groups with a telechelic poly(hydroxy ether) epoxy resin having terminal epoxy groups, wherein the mole ratio of the telechelic poly(hydroxy ether) to the telechelic poly(arylene ether) is 0.95:1 to 1.00:1. The poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer can be shaped into an article by extrusion, thermoforming, or molding, and is a compatibilizing agent for non-polar and polar polymers.

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether)-poly(phenylene ether) (PPE-PHE-PPE) triblock copolymer is formed by reaction of a monohydroxy-terminated poly(phenylene ether) with a diepoxy-terminated poly(hydroxy ether) in the presence of a base. The PPE-PHE-PPE triblock copolymer is useful as a compatibilizer in blends of polar polymers and non-polar polymers. The PPE-PHE-PPE triblock copolymer is also useful as a compatibilizer for non-polar polymers and polar fillers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blend comprising: (a) 5 to 50 percent by weight of the micronized poly(phenylene ether), wherein the mean particle size of the poly(phenylene ether) is 9 microns or less; (b) 50 to 95 percent by weight of a thermoplastic polyurethane; wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the blend. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such blends as well as articles derived therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blend comprising: (a) 5 to 50 percent by weight of the micronized poly(phenylene ether), wherein the mean particle size of the poly(phenylene ether) is 9 microns or less; (b) 50 to 95 percent by weight of a thermoplastic polyurethane; wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the blend. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such blends as well as articles derived therefrom.

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of non-polar polymers with polar fillers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether).

Abstract: An epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether) has the structure R—W—R wherein W is a divalent poly(arylene ether) residue terminated with phenolic oxygen atoms, and R is an epoxybenzyl group, wherein each occurrence of R is the same or different. The epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether) is formed by reacting a peroxide-containing reagent with a vinybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether). Also disclosed is a curable composition including the epoxybenzyl-terminated poly(arylene ether)s, a curing promoter, and, optionally, an auxiliary epoxy resin. The curable composition is useful for the preparation of composites, and in particular, composites used in manufacturing printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising: (a) 10 to 40 percent by weight of the ultrafine particulate poly(phenylene ether), wherein the mean particle size of the poly(phenylene ether) is 9 microns or less; (b) 60 to 90 percent by weight of an epoxy resin; wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition. Also disclosed are processes for preparing such compositions as well as articles derived therefrom.

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of non-polar polymers with polar fillers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether).

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of polar polymers and non-polar polymers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether).

Abstract: A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of polar polymers and non-polar polymers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether).

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer includes at least one poly(hydroxy ether) block and at least one poly(arylene ether) block, and the mole ratio of poly(hydroxy ether) blocks to poly(arylene ether) blocks is 0.95:1 to about 1.00:1. The poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer can be prepared by reacting a telechelic poly(arylene ether) having terminal hydroxyl groups with a telechelic poly(hydroxy ether) epoxy resin having terminal epoxy groups, wherein the mole ratio of the telechelic poly(hydroxy ether) to the telechelic poly(arylene ether) is 0.95:1 to 1.00:1. The poly(arylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer can be shaped into an article by extrusion, thermoforming, or molding, and is a compatibilizing agent for non-polar and polar polymers.

Abstract: A composite-forming process includes impregnating a reinforcing structure with a curable composition at a temperature of about 10 to about 40° C. The curable composition includes specific amounts of an epoxy resin, a poly(arylene ether), a solvent, and a curing promoter. The poly(arylene ether) includes, on average, about 1.6 to about 2.4 phenolic hydroxy groups per molecule, and it has a polydispersity index less than or equal to 2.2 and an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. These characteristics substantially improve the solubility of the poly(arylene ether) in the curable composition and allow the curable composition to be formed and used at or near room temperature. Composites formed by the process and circuit boards including the composites are also described.

Abstract: A composite-forming process includes impregnating a reinforcing structure with a curable composition at a temperature of about 10 to about 40° C. The curable composition includes specific amounts of an epoxy resin, a poly(arylene ether), a solvent, and a curing promoter. The poly(arylene ether) includes, on average, about 1.6 to about 2.4 phenolic hydroxy groups per molecule, and it has a polydispersity index less than or equal to 2.2 and an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. These characteristics substantially improve the solubility of the poly(arylene ether) in the curable composition and allow the curable composition to be formed and used at or near room temperature. Composites formed by the process and circuit boards including the composites are also described.

Abstract: A composite-forming process includes impregnating a reinforcing structure with a curable composition at a temperature of about 10 to about 40° C. The curable composition includes specific amounts of an epoxy resin, a poly(arylene ether), a solvent, and a curing promoter. The poly(arylene ether) includes, on average, about 1.6 to about 2.4 phenolic hydroxy groups per molecule, and it has a polydispersity index less than or equal to 2.2 and an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. These characteristics substantially improve the solubility of the poly(arylene ether) in the curable composition and allow the curable composition to be formed and used at or near room temperature. Composites formed by the process and circuit boards including the composites are also described.

Abstract: Capped poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by a method that includes reacting a poly(arylene ether) with a capping agent to form a capping reaction mixture, washing the capping reaction mixture with a concentrated basic aqueous solution, and isolating the capped poly(arylene ether) by a total isolation method. The washing method is effective for removal of capping-related impurities, and surprisingly does not result in decomposition of the capped poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: A curable composition includes a functionalized poly(arylene ether), a vinyl thermoset resin, and a flame retardant composition. The flame retardant composition includes a trihydrocarbylphosphine oxide and a nitrogen-containing flame retardant that may be melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, or melamine polyphosphate. The combination of the trihydrocarbylphosphine oxide and the nitrogen-containing flame retardant is particularly effective at improving the flame retardancy of the cured composition at relatively low levels of total flame retardant. A method of preparing the curable composition and articles including the cured composition are also described.

Abstract: Capped poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by a method that includes reacting a poly(arylene ether) with a capping agent to form a capping reaction mixture, washing the capping reaction mixture with a concentrated basic aqueous solution, and isolating the capped poly(arylene ether) by a total isolation method. The washing method is effective for removal of capping-related impurities, and surprisingly does not result in decomposition of the capped poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: A synergistic flame retardant combination includes (a) a phosphorus salt having the formula wherein Md+ is a metal ion or an onium ion; d is 1, 2, 3, or 4 according to the identity of M and its oxidation state; each occurrence of R1 and R2 is independently C1-C18 hydrocarbyl; and each occurrence of m and n is independently 0 or 1; and (b) a phosphine compound selected from trihydrocarbylphosphines, trihydrocarbylphosphine oxides, and combinations thereof. Polymer compositions utilizing the flame retardant combination are described.

Abstract: A synergistic flame retardant combination includes (a) a phosphorus salt having the formula wherein Md+ is a metal ion or an onium ion; d is 1, 2, 3, or 4 according to the identity of M and its oxidation state; each occurrence of R1 and R2 is independently C1-C18 hydrocarbyl; and each occurrence of m and n is independently 0 or 1; and (b) a phosphine compound selected from trihydrocarbylphosphines, trihydrocarbylphosphine oxides, and combinations thereof. Polymer compositions utilizing the flame retardant combination are described.

Abstract: A crosslinked poly(arylene ether) film is prepared by a method that includes forming a film from a composition that includes a poly(arylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.25 deciliter per gram and a polydispersity index less than or equal to 10, and irradiating the poly(arylene ether) film with a dosage of about 50 to about 50,000 kiloGrays of accelerated electrons. The films exhibit good flexibility and solvent resistance. Films prepared by the method are described, as are articles that include such films.