Abstract: There are provided flame retardant, flexibilized thermoplastic compositions which comprise, in admixture, a normally flammable polyphenylene ether resin, an aromatic phosphate plasticizer in an amount at least sufficient to provide a flame retardant, flexibilized composition after molding, and a thermoplastic elastomer comprising a block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and a diene monomer. Preferred features comprise such compositions which also include a halogenated hydrocarbon, alumina trihydrate and/or elemental red phosphorus.

Abstract: The melt viscosity of thermoplastic polyphenylene ether resins and compositions thereof with compatible thermoplastic resins is decreased when the melt has a small content of a diaryl sulfide wherein each aryl group adjacent to the sulfide linkage contains at least one --OH substituent (or ester thereof with a monobasic acid containing at least six carbon atoms).

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are disclosed which comprise an intimate admixture of (a) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated cyclic anhydride, including rubber-modified copolymers thereof, and (b) impact modifiers comprising graft copolymers, copolyesters, and rubber-modified homopolymers. Optionally, the compositions can also include a polyphenylene ether resin and further, optionally, a normally liquid polybutadiene oligomer. Mixing (a) with a polyphenylene ether leads to a compatible composition, markedly improved in heat deflection temperature.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are disclosed which comprise an intimate admixture of (a) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyclic anhydride, including rubber-modified copolymers thereof, and (b) impact modifiers comprising graft copolymers, copolyesters, and rubber-modified homopolymers. Optionally, the compositions can also include a polyphenylene ether resin and further, optionally, a normally liquid polybutadiene oligomer. Mixing (a) with a polyphenylene ether leads to a compatible composition, markedly improved in heat deflection temperature.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blends of a polyphenylene ether resin, alone or together with supplementary polymers, and a diphosphite compound or compounds are described. The blends exhibit good processability and initial color and are moldable into articles of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blends of polyphenylene ether resin and linear low density polyethylene, optionally containing an impact modifier, are described. The moldings are characterized by good physical properties, including superior impact strength, in comparison with corresponding blends containing conventional (i.e., highly branched) low density polyethylene.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether resin, a styrene resin and an impact modifying combination comprising (i) an elastomeric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene and (ii) a hydrogenated derivative of (i). The compositions are moldable to articles having impact strength and mold flow properties unexpectedly superior to those expected in view of compositions prepared, respectively, with (c) (i) and (c) (ii) as the sole impact modifiers.

Abstract: Thermoplastic materials having a combination of good stiffness and good impact strength are described. These are blends of a polyphenylene ether resin, an impact modifier, a mineral filler, and a small amount of polytetrafluoroethylene resin effective to further enhance the impact strength of the blend.

Abstract: There are provided plasticized thermoplastic compositions useful for molding which comprise a polyphenylene ether resin, a plasticizer, a mineral reinforcing agent, e.g., aluminum silicate, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, and the like, and optionally, an impact modifier. The compositions possess improved stiffness properties with unexpectedly significant retention of ductility in comparison with corresponding compositions which do not contain the mineral reinforcing agent.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether and a rubber modified polystyrene resin having a discontinuous phase of polystyrene particles englobed in diene rubber membranes, the particles being between about 0.1 and 0.7 microns in diameter. Such compositions provide molded articles with substantial and unexpected improvements in impact resistance and ability to transmit light in comparison with known compositions of such rubber modified polystyrenes alone or those of other polystyrenes combined with polyphenylene ethers.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are disclosed which comprise an intimate admixture of (a) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyclic anhydride, including rubber-modified copolymers thereof, and (b) impact modifiers comprising graft copolymers, copolyesters, and rubber-modified homopolymers. Optionally, the compositions can also include a polyphenylene ether resin and further, optionally, a normally liquid polybutadiene oligomer. Mixing (a) with a polyphenylene ether leads to a compatible composition, markedly improved in heat deflection temperature.

Abstract: The impact strength of unsubstituted aromatic polycarbonate resins is improved by inclusion of certain gel materials with the resin before molding. The gel additive can be derived from a rubber modified alkenyl aromatic resin, is in the form of rubbery particles comprised of rubber, rubber grafted alkenyl aromatic resin and occluded alkenyl aromatic resin, and is substantially free of all but trace amounts of soluble alkenyl aromatic homopolymer.

Abstract: Compositions of polyphenylene ether resin, optionally containing an impact modifier are modified by incorporation of small amounts of a copolymer of ethylene and methyl acrylate. The resultant blends are moldable into articles having better Gardner (falling dart) impact strength than corresponding compositions similarly modified with low density polyethylene, without detriment to other important physical properties of the compositions.

Abstract: Molding compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether, a polysulfone, and a selectively hydrogenated linear or radial block copolymer comprising vinyl aromatic compound and dienes, optionally further including a plasticizer, possess excellent impact resistance, and heat aging resistance.

Abstract: Novel molding compositions are disclosed which comprise a polyphenylene ether resin, an alkenyl aromatic resin and EPDM rubber.

Abstract: Blends of polyphenylene ether resin and a small amount of certain ethylene copolymers or terpolymers containing hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups, optionally including impact modifier, are described. These can be molded into articles which possess improved Gardner impact strength. The improvement is considerably greater than that which is achieved by use of the same amount of low density polyethylene.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions are disclosed which comprise an intimate admixture of (a) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated cyclic anhydride, including rubber-modified copolymers thereof, and (b) impact modifiers comprising graft copolymers, copolyesters, and rubber-modified homopolymers. Optionally, the compositions can also include a polyphenylene ether resin and further, optionally, a normally liquid polybutadiene oligomer. Mixing (a) with a polyphenylene ether leads to a compatible composition, markedly improved in heat deflection temperature.

Abstract: Thermoplastic compositions of polyphenylene ether resin and diblock or radial teleblock copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene (which can be hydrogenated) containing polyolefin resin in large amount are described. The compositions are moldable into articles which do not exhibit the brittleness and tendency toward delamination often associated with use of large amounts of polyolefin.

Abstract: This invention provides novel thermoplastic molding compositions of a polyphenylene ether resin, an EPR rubber, a triaryl phosphate or an EPDM modified alkenyl aromatic resin or a combination of a triaryl phosphite and an EPDM modified alkenyl aromatic resin.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether and a rubber modified polystyrene resin having a discontinuous phase of polystyrene particles englobed in diene rubber membranes, the particles being between about 0.1 and 0.7 microns in diameter. Such compositions provide molded articles with substantial and unexpected improvements in impact resistance and ability to transmit light in comparison with known compositions of such rubber modified polystyrenes alone or those of other polystyrenes combined with polyphenylene ethers.