Abstract: The invention relates to a composition with improved scratch and/or abrasion resistance and methods of their manufacture. Compositions for injection moulding, extrusion, (co)extrusion and/or thermoforming are described. The composition comprises (a) an acrylic (co)polymer and (b) a fatty acid amide. At least 30 wt % of the acrylic (co)polymer residues are residues of an alkacrylic acid or ester monomer such as methyl methacrylate and 0 to 70 wt % are residues of one or more other vinyl comonomers. A process for the production of a composition comprising the steps of melt blending the fatty acid amide with the acrylic (co)polymer or adding the fatty acid amide to the monomer during production of the acrylic (co)polymer. Use of the composition may be in injection moulding, extrusion or co-extrusion. Co-extruded laminates comprising a cap layer of the composition are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition with improved scratch and/or abrasion resistance and methods of their manufacture. Compositions for injection moulding, extrusion, (co)extrusion and/or thermoforming are described. The composition comprises (a) an acrylic (co)polymer and (b) a fatty acid amide. At least 30 wt % of the acrylic (co)polymer residues are residues of an alkacrylic acid or ester monomer such as methyl methacrylate and 0 to 70 wt % are residues of one or more other vinyl comonomers. A process for the production of a composition comprising the steps of melt blending the fatty acid amide with the acrylic (co)polymer or adding the fatty acid amide to the monomer during production of the acrylic (co)polymer. Use of the composition may be in injection moulding, extrusion or co-extrusion. Co-extruded laminates comprising a cap layer of the composition are also described.

Abstract: Methods of making articles are described comprising the steps of applying a capstock material over a layer of a substrate material and then calendaring said capstock material and said substrate material with calendaring rolls to form an article, wherein said capstock material contacts said calendar rolls for a shorter period of time than said substrate material. The capstock material comprises a melt-processable thermoplastic composition comprising a) 50-99.5 wt. % of a melt-processable thermoplastic polymer and b) 0.5-50 wt. % of a particulate polymer comprising the residues of a monomer mixture comprising 50-100 wt. % of MMA, at least 0-50 % of an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer comprising at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and 0-10 wt. % of a copolymerisable cross-linking monomer said particles having a maximum dimension of 5 mm.

Abstract: A melt-processable thermoplastic composition is described, which comprises a) 50-99.5 wt. % of a melt-processable thermoplastic polymer and b) 0.5-50 wt. % of a particulate polymer comprising the residues of a monomer mixture comprising 50-100 wt. % of MMA, at least 0-50% of an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer comprising at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and 0-10 wt. % of a copolymerisable cross-linking monomer said particles having a maximum dimension of 5 mm. The compositions have reduced surface gloss and may be useful for forming building components or in any other application in which a low gloss surface is required. A method of making the composition and its uses, for example its use as a capstock material, are also described.

Abstract: A melt-processable thermoplastic composition is described, which comprises a) 50-99.5 wt. % of a melt-processable thermoplastic polymer and b) 0.5-50 wt. % of a particulate polymer comprising the residues of a monomer mixture comprising 50-100 wt. % of MMA, at least 0-50% of an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer comprising at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and 0-10 wt. % of a copolymerisable cross-linking monomer said particles having a maximum dimension of 5 mm. The compositions have reduced surface gloss and may be useful for forming building components or in any other application in which a low gloss surface is required. A method of making the composition and its uses, for example its use as a capstock material, are also described.

Abstract: A melt-processable thermoplastic composition is described, which comprises a) 50-99.5 wt. % of a melt-processable thermoplastic polymer and b) 05-50 wt. % of a particulate polymer comprising the residues of a monomer mixture comprising 5-100 wt. % of MMA, at least 0-50% of an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer comprising at least one alkyl acrylate or methacrylate and 0-10 wt. % of a copolymerisable crosslink monomer said particles having a maximum dimension of 5 mm. The compositions have reduced surface gloss and may be useful for forming building components or in any other application in which a low gloss surface is required. A method of making the composition and its uses, for example its use as a capstock material, are also described.

Abstract: An acrylic material which is flame retardant comprises 4.9 to 94.9% by wt of an acrylic composition, 5-95% by wt of a halogen-containing polymer, especially PVC, and 0.1-25% by wt of an inorganic composition comprising at least one of an oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, borate, stearate, chloride or bromide, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, antimony, aluminum, tin, copper, manganese, cobalt or iron.

Abstract: A polymeric material containing a halogen-containing polymer such as PVC, an inorganic hydroxide and, an acrylic material is described. The presence of the inorganic hydroxide provides a material of superior weathering resistance as compared to materials comprising halogen-containing polymers which do not contain hydroxide.

Abstract: An acrylic material which is flame retardant comprises 4.9 to 94.9% by wt of an acrylic composition, 5-95% by wt of a halogen-containing polymer, especially PVC, and 0.1-25% by wt of an inorganic composition comprising at least one of an oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, borate, stearate, chloride or bromide, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, antimony, aluminum, tin, copper, manganese, cobalt or iron.

Abstract: Methylenedianiline-free, PMR-type, curable compositions based on m-phenylenediamine or mixtures of m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine are described.