Abstract: A thermally insulated structural member for a door or window includes a metal frame and a plastic insulation bar. The plastic insulation bar is formed from a thermoplastic composition that includes about 55 to about 95 weight percent of a compatibilized polyamide-poly(arylene ether) composition, and about 5 to about 45 weight percent of hollow glass beads. The hollow glass beads used in the thermoplastic composition have a volume-average diameter of about 20 to about 60 micrometers, a true density of about 0.3 to about 0.5 grams per milliliter, and an isostatic crush strength of about 30 to about 60 megapascals. The thermoplastic composition includes less than 5 weight percent of fibrous reinforcement. The thermally insulated structural member provides improved thermal insulation compared to structural member utilizing fiberglass-reinforced plastic insulation bars.

Abstract: A core-shell particle is formed by a method that includes forming a crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, reacting a graftlinking agent with the crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, and polymerizing a poly(alkenyl aromatic) shell around the graftlinking agent-functionalized polyorganosiloxane core. The method produces a core-shell particle with improved adhesion between shell and core. The core-shell particle is useful as an impact modifier in thermoplastic compositions.

Abstract: A thermally insulated structural member for a door or window includes a metal frame and a plastic insulation bar. The plastic insulation bar is formed from a thermoplastic composition that includes about 55 to about 95 weight percent of a compatibilized polyamide-poly(arylene ether) composition, and about 5 to about 45 weight percent of hollow glass beads. The hollow glass beads used in the thermoplastic composition have a volume-average diameter of about 20 to about 60 micrometers, a true density of about 0.3 to about 0.5 grams per milliliter, and an isostatic crush strength of about 30 to about 60 megapascals. The thermoplastic composition includes less than 5 weight percent of fibrous reinforcement. The thermally insulated structural member provides improved thermal insulation compared to structural member utilizing fiberglass-reinforced plastic insulation bars.

Abstract: A core-shell particle is formed by a method that includes forming a crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, reacting a graftlinking agent with the crosslinked polyorganosiloxane core, and polymerizing a poly(alkenyl aromatic) shell around the graftlinking agent-functionalized polyorganosiloxane core. The method produces a core-shell particle with improved adhesion between shell and core. The core-shell particle is useful as an impact modifier in thermoplastic compositions.