Abstract: A rubber composition with disperse phase particles containing poly(phenylene ether) can be formed by a method that includes melt blending an uncured rubber with a poly(phenylene ether) composition containing a poly(phenylene ether) and an oil to form an uncured rubber composition, then curing the uncured rubber composition. Before being blended with the rubber, the poly(phenylene ether) composition exhibits a glass transition temperature of about 40 to about 140° C., and during blending with the rubber, the oil component of poly(phenylene ether) composition migrates from the poly(phenylene ether) composition to the rubber, leaving a poly(phenylene ether)-containing disperse phase that gives rise to a second hysteresis peak temperature of about 160 to about 220° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis of the cured rubber composition.

Abstract: A rubber composition with disperse phase particles containing poly(phenylene ether) can be formed by a method that includes melt blending an uncured rubber with a poly(phenylene ether) composition containing a poly(phenylene ether) and an oil to form an uncured rubber composition, then curing the uncured rubber composition. Before being blended with the rubber, the poly(phenylene ether) composition exhibits a glass transition temperature of about 40 to about 140° C., and during blending with the rubber, the oil component of poly(phenylene ether) composition migrates from the poly(phenylene ether) composition to the rubber, leaving a poly(phenylene ether)-containing disperse phase that gives rise to a second hysteresis peak temperature of about 160 to about 220° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis of the cured rubber composition.

Abstract: A rubber composition with disperse phase particles containing poly(phenylene ether) can be formed by a method that includes melt blending an uncured rubber with a poly(phenylene ether) composition containing a poly(phenylene ether) and an oil to form an uncured rubber composition, then curing the uncured rubber composition. Before being blended with the rubber, the poly(phenylene ether) composition exhibits a glass transition temperature of about 40 to about 140° C., and during blending with the rubber, the oil component of poly(phenylene ether) composition migrates from the poly(phenylene ether) composition to the rubber, leaving a poly(phenylene ether)-containing disperse phase that gives rise to a second hysteresis peak temperature of about 160 to about 220° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis of the cured rubber composition.

Abstract: A rubber composition with disperse phase particles containing poly(phenylene ether) can be formed by a method that includes melt blending an uncured rubber with a poly(phenylene ether) composition containing a poly(phenylene ether) and an oil to form an uncured rubber composition, then curing the uncured rubber composition. Before being blended with the rubber, the poly(phenylene ether) composition exhibits a glass transition temperature of about 40 to about 140° C., and during blending with the rubber, the oil component of poly(phenylene ether) composition migrates from the poly(phenylene ether) composition to the rubber, leaving a poly(phenylene ether)-containing disperse phase that gives rise to a second hysteresis peak temperature of about 160 to about 220° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis of the cured rubber composition.

Abstract: A rubber composition with disperse phase particles containing poly(phenylene ether) can be formed by a method that includes melt blending an uncured rubber with a poly(phenylene ether) composition containing a poly(phenylene ether) and an oil to form an uncured rubber composition, then curing the uncured rubber composition. Before being blended with the rubber, the poly(phenylene ether) composition exhibits a glass transition temperature of about 40 to about 140° C., and during blending with the rubber, the oil component of poly(phenylene ether) composition migrates from the poly(phenylene ether) composition to the rubber, leaving a poly(phenylene ether)-containing disperse phase that gives rise to a second hysteresis peak temperature of about 160 to about 220° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis of the cured rubber composition.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes the product of melt kneading a composition including a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin, an acid-functionalized hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, and a polyamine compound. The composition exhibits substantially improved chemical resistance compared to a corresponding composition lacking the polyamine compound. Methods of preparing the composition and articles prepared for the composition are also described. The composition is particularly useful for fabricating halogen-free tubes for sheathing automotive wiring harnesses.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes the product of melt kneading a composition including a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin, and a high molecular weight hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene. The composition exhibits substantially improved chemical resistance compared to a corresponding composition prepared with a lower molecular weight hydrogenated block copolymer. Methods of preparing the composition and articles prepared for the composition are also described. The composition is particularly useful for fabricating halogen-free tubes for sheathing automotive wiring harnesses.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition includes the product of melt kneading a composition including a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin, an acid-functionalized hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, and a polyamine compound. The composition exhibits substantially improved chemical resistance compared to a corresponding composition lacking the polyamine compound. Methods of preparing the composition and articles prepared for the composition are also described. The composition is particularly useful for fabricating halogen-free tubes for sheathing automotive wiring harnesses.

Abstract: A composition comprises poly(arylene ether), a rubber modified poly(alkenyle aromatic) resin, and an unsaturated impact modifier. The composition may further comprise an encapsulated fluoropolymer. The melt strength of the composition, measured as the hang time of an extruded tube, is especially suited for blow molding methods. The composition exhibits good melt strength, surface quality and/or sandability and is particularly useful in blow molding applications.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-polyolefin composition is prepared by melt-blending a poly(arylene ether), a poly(alkenyl aromatic) resin, a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, and an unhydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene to form a first blend, and melt-blending the first blend and a polyolefin and additional hydrogenated block copolymer to form a second blend. A reinforcing filler and/or an ethylene/alpha-olefin elastomeric copolymer may, optionally, be added during formation of the second blend or in an additional step. Multiple mixing elements, low throughput, and high extruder rotations per minute may be used to achieve high energy mixing of the first and second blends. Compositions prepared by the method exhibit an improved balance of impact strength, stiffness, and heat resistance, as well as reduced variability of physical properties.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) composition containing a rubber-modified poly(alkenyl aromatic) resin, an unsaturated impact modifier and optionally an encapsulated fluoropolymer is disclosed. The melt strength of the composition, measured as hang time of an extruded tube, is especially suited for blow molding methods. The composition exhibits good melt strength, surface quality and/or sandability and is particularly useful for blow molding applications.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-polyolefin composition is prepared by melt-blending a poly(arylene ether), a poly(alkenyl aromatic) resin, a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, and an unhydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene to form a first blend, and melt-blending the first blend and a polyolefin and additional hydrogenated block copolymer to form a second blend. A reinforcing filler and/or an ethylene/alpha-olefin elastomeric copolymer may, optionally, be added during formation of the second blend or in an additional step. Multiple mixing elements, low throughput, and high extruder rotations per minute may be used to achieve high energy mixing of the first and second blends. Compositions prepared by the method exhibit an improved balance of impact strength, stiffness, and heat resistance, as well as reduced variability of physical properties.

Abstract: A improved method of reactivating a magnesium oxide catalyst is disclosed which comprises contacting the catalyst with water after heating the catalyst.