Polymer compositions

A polymer composition contains a polyarylketone, a polyarylsulphone and a polyimide. The polyketone may be a polyaryletheretherketone, and the polyarylsulphone may be a polyarylethersulphone. The polyimide may be a polyetherimide in which the repeating group contains the unit ##STR1## The composition contains at least 5% by weight of the polyarylketone and the polyarylsulphone and at least 10% of the polyimide. The proportion of the polyarylketone is preferably 30 to 70% by weight. The proportion of polyarylsulphone is preferably 15 to 40% by weight. The proportion of polyimide is preferably 10 to 30% by weight. A composition of 60% by weight of polyaryletheretherketone; 20% by weight of polyarylethersulphone and 20% by weight of polyetherimide forms a mixture with good compatibility, has a high glass transition temperature and retains a melting point close to that of the polyaryletheretherketone.

The present invention relates to polymer compositions and in particular to 
polymer compositions containing polyarylethers. 
Polyarylethers containing sulphone groups are generally referred to as 
polysulphones or polyethersulphones and, for convenience hereafter, such 
materials will be referred to as "polysulphones". Polymers of this type 
have been available commercially for some years and are suitable for use 
in applications in which elevated temperatures may be experienced. The 
glass transition temperatures of polysulphones are quite high, for example 
200.degree. C. or higher, and these polymers retain many of their 
mechnical properties with only a little deterioration up to temperatures 
close to the glass transition temperature of the polymer. However, since 
most polysulphones are amorphous materials, they lose most of their 
mechanical strength at the glass transition temperature. Other types of 
polyarylethers which are known contain ketone groups and are generally 
referred to as polyketones or polyetherketones (for convenience hereafter, 
such materials will be referred to as "polyketones"). Unlike the 
polysulphones, the polyketones are generally crystalline and hence have 
improved chemical resistance compared to the polysulphones. However, the 
glass transition temperature of the more simple polyketones is less than 
that of most polysulphones although the melting point of the polyketones 
is considerably above the glass transition temperature of the 
polysulphones. Many of the uses proposed for polyketones are such that the 
polymer is subjected, at least intermittently, to elevated temperatures. 
Whilst polysulphones or polyketones have properties which make them 
suitable for use at elevated temperatures, more demanding conditions of 
use require the retention of mechanical properties at high temperature and 
a resistance to attack by many chemical environments. 
To satisfy the more demanding conditions of use, copolymers may be prepared 
which contain both sulphone and ketone groups. However, to obtain a 
desired combination of high temperature properties and chemical resistance 
is difficult, particularly since these properties are desirably achieved 
together with a relatively low melting point to minimise degradation 
during processing of the polymer. Furthermore, the properties of 
copolymers are dependent on the copolymer composition and hence can be 
adjusted only by changing the polymerisation recipe. Copolymers having a 
useful balance of properties may require the use of monomers which are not 
readily available and hence are expensive. 
As an alternative to copolymerisation, blending of polymers has been used 
to obtain polymer compositions having a desired combination of properties. 
However, we have found that polysulphones and polyketones are not 
generally compatible with each other and hence blends of these polymers do 
not appear capable of providing a useful combination of high temperature 
properties and chemical resistance. Unexpectedly, we have now found that 
the addition of a further component to a blend of a polysulphone and a 
polyketone gives a composition having a useful combination of properties. 
According to the present invention there is provided a polymer composition 
which contains at least 5% by weight of a polyarylsulphone; at least 5% by 
weight of a polyarylketone; and at least 10% by weight of a polyimide. 
The balance of properties of the polymer composition is dependent on the 
specific material which is used as each component and also on the 
proportions of the various components. 
The polyarylsulphone component is typically a material having repeating 
units of the general formula 
EQU --Ar--SO.sub.2 -- 
where 
Ar is a divalent aromatic residue and may vary from repeating unit to 
repeating unit in the polymer chain. 
In the polyarylsulphone, the group Ar may be derived from a mono- or 
poly-nuclear hydrocarbon containing one or more aromatic nuclei. Thus, the 
group Ar may be a divalent residue of benzene, biphenyl, terphenyl, 
naphthalene, indene or fluorene, and may be substituted with substituents 
which are not such as to interfer with the preparation of the 
polyarylsulphone. Such substituents, if present, can be halogen atoms, 
hydrocarbon groups, ether groups or thioether groups. It is generally 
preferred that at least some of the groups Ar contain two aromatic groups 
which are linked together through a non-aromatic linking group. 
Specifically, it is preferred that at least some of the groups Ar have the 
general formula, 
EQU --Ar.sup.1 --Y--Ar.sup.1 -- 
where 
each Ar.sup.1, which may be the same or different, is an optionally 
substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon residue, 
Y is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --CO--, an optionally substituted 
divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon residue, or a group 
EQU --Y.sup.1 --Ar.sup.1).sub.m Y.sup.1 --; 
each Y.sup.1, which may be the same or different is --O--, --S--, --SO--, 
--SO.sub.2 --, --CO-- or an optionally substituted divalent aliphatic 
hydrocarbon residue; and 
m is an integer. 
Preferred polyarylsulphones are those having repeating units of the general 
formula 
EQU --Ar.sup.1 --Y--Ar.sup.1 --SO.sub.2 -- 
where Ar.sup.1 and Y are as defined. 
The groups Ar.sup.1 are preferably para-phenylene groups or 
4,4'-biphenylene groups. The groups Y may be --O-- or --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 
-- or a group --Y.sup.1 --Ar).sub.m Y.sup.1 -- in which each Y.sup.1 may 
be the same or different and, when the value of m is greater than one, 
each Ar.sup.1 group may be the same or different. Preferably Y.sup.1 is 
--O--, --SO.sub.2 -- or --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --. In the group --Y.sup.1 
--Ar.sup.1).sub.m Y.sup.1 --, the value of m is conveniently 1, 2 or 3. 
The group --Y.sup.1 --Ar.sup.1).sub.m Y.sup.1 -- may be, for example, a 
group --O--Ph--O--; a group --O--Ph--Ph--O--; a group 
--O--Ph--iPr--Ph--O-- or a group --O--Ph--SO.sub.2 --Ph--O--Ph-- where Ph 
is a para-phenylene group; and iPr is a group --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --. It 
will be appreciated that some polymers of this type may be regarded as 
copolymers containing different divalent aromatic residues which are 
linked together through non-aromatic linking groups such as oxygen atoms. 
The polyarylsulphone may contain ketone groups but it is preferred that 
the ketone groups are present in an amount of not more than 25% of the 
total of the groups --SO.sub.2 -- and --CO--. 
The polyarylsulphone may be one which can be represented by repeating units 
of the formula 
##STR2## 
The repeating units IV may, alternatively, be regarded as repeating units 
EQU --Ph--SO.sub.2 --Ph-- IVa 
and 
EQU --Ph--SO.sub.2 --Ph--Ph--SO.sub.2 --Ph-- IVa, 
linked together through ether linkages and hereafter reference to repeating 
units IV is used to include the repeating units IVa and IVb linked through 
ether linkages. 
The polyarylsulphone may consist essentially of repeating units I, II, III 
or IV or may be a copolymer containing at least one of the repeating units 
I, II, III and IV. Such copolymers may contain other repeating units or 
may be a mixture of two, or more, of the repeating units I, II, III and 
IV, for example a copolymer containing the repeating units I and II or the 
repeating units I and IV. 
We have obtained a polymer composition having a useful combination of 
properties when the polyarylsulphone is a polymer consisting essentially 
of the repeating units I. 
The polyarylketone component is typically a material having repeating units 
of the general formula 
EQU --Ar--CO-- 
where Ar is as defined. In the polyarylketone, it is preferred that the 
group Ar is --Ar.sup.1 --Y--Ar.sup.1 -- in which the group Y is --O-- or a 
group --Y.sup.1 --Ar.sup.1).sub.m Y.sup.1 -- in which Y.sup.1 is --O-- 
and/or --CO-- and there is. at least one --O--, and m is 1 or 2 The 
polyarylketone may contain sulphone groups but it is preferred that the 
sulphone groups are present in an amount of not more than 25% of the total 
of the groups --SO.sub.2 -- and --CO--. 
The polyarylketone may be one which can be represented by repeating units 
of the formula 
EQU --Ph--O--Ph--CO--; 
EQU --Ph--O--Ph--O--Ph--CO--; 
or 
EQU --Ph--O--Ph--Ph--O--Ph--CO--. 
The polyarylketone may consist essentially of repeating units V or VI or 
may be a copolymer containing at least one of the repeating units V or VI. 
Such copolymers may contain the repeating units VII, or other repeating 
units, or may be a mixture of the repeating units V and VI, for example a 
copolymer containing the repeating units VI together with the repeating 
units V or the repeating units VII. 
We have obtained a polymer composition having a useful combination of 
properties when the polyarylketone is a polymer consisting essentially of 
the repeating units VI. 
The polyimide is typically a material in which the repeating units contain 
a group 
##STR3## 
or a group 
##STR4## 
For convenience hereafter, the group A will be represented by NIM whilst 
the mirror image thereof, that is the group. 
##STR5## 
will be represented by MIN and the group B will be represented by NIMIN. 
The polyimide may be one containing repeating units of the general formulae 
EQU --NIM--Y.sup.2 --Ar--Y.sup.2).sub.n MIN--Ar--; 
or 
EQU --Y.sup.2 --Ar--Y.sup.2).sub.n MIN--Ar).sub.n ; 
or 
EQU --NIMIN--Y.sup.2).sub.n Ar--Y.sup.2).sub.n 
wherein 
NIM, MIN, NIMIN, and Ar are as defined; 
each Y.sup.2, which may be the same or different, is --CONH--, NHCO-- or a 
group Y.sup.1, 
n is zero or an integer; and 
Y.sup.1 is as defined. 
The polyimide may be a polyetherimide or a polyamideimide, particularly one 
in which the ether or amide group is bonded directly to the benzene ring 
of the imide group. The value of n is typically combination of properties 
when the polyarylketone is a polymer zero, one or two. 
The polyimide may be one having repeating units of the formula 
##STR6## 
where NIM, MIN, NIMIN, iPr and Ph are as defined; and m Ph is a 
meta-phenylene group. 
We have obtained a polymer composition having a useful combination of 
properties when the polyimide is a polymer consisting essentially of the 
repeating units VIII. 
Polymer compositions in accordance with the present invention include 
compositions wherein the polyarylsulphone consists essentially of the 
repeating units I, II or IV or is a copolymer which consists essentially 
of the repeating units I with either the repeating units II or IV; the 
polyarylketone consists essentially of the repeat units V or VI or is a 
copolymer which consists essentially of the repeating units VI with either 
the repeating units V or VII; and the polyimide consists essentially of 
the repeating units VIII. 
A useful polymer composition in accordance with the present invention is 
one wherein the polyarylsulphone consists essentially of the repeating 
units I, the polyarylketone consists essentially of the repeating units VI 
and the polyimide consists essentially of the repeating units VIII. 
The polymers which are components of the polymer composition of the present 
invention are materials of high molecular weight. The molecular weight may 
be determined using any technique which is applicable to a given polymer. 
Thus, the melt viscosity, reduced viscosity or inherent viscosity may be 
used as an indication of the molecular weight of the polymer. The polymers 
which are used in accordance with the present invention generally have a 
molecular weight which is such that the melt viscosity of each polymer is 
at least 0.01 kNsm.sup.-2, and preferably is at least 0.1 kNsm.sup.-2. It 
is generally preferred that each polymer has a melt viscosity of not more 
than 4 kNsm.sup.-2 and especially not more than 2.0 kNsm.sup.-2. The melt 
viscosity of the polymer is measured using a ram extruder fitted with a 
3.175 mm.times.0.5 mm die operating at a shear rate of 1000s.sup.-1. The 
temperature at which the melt viscosity is determined is dependent on the 
glass transition temperature, or the melting temperature, of the polymer 
and is typically 400.degree. C. for polymers having a melting temperature 
of up to about 370.degree. C. Alternatively, an indication of the 
molecular weight can be obtained from a determination of the reduced 
viscosity or inherent viscosity of a solution of polymer in 100 cm.sup.3 
of a suitable solvent. Reduced viscosity is determined using one gramme of 
polymer and inherent viscosity is determined using 0.1 gramme of polymer. 
The solvent used will be dependent on the particular polymer and can be 
dimethylformamide and/or chlorinated solvents for several 
polyarylsulphones, concentrated sulphuric acid for several polyketones and 
m-cresol or chlorinated solvents for several polyimides. Preferred 
polymers have a reduced viscosity or inherent viscosity in the range 0.2 
up to 3.0, especially 0.4 to 1.5, measured at 25.degree. C. It is 
preferred that the polyketone has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.7, 
or even at least 1.0. 
The proportions of the various polymer components present in the polymer 
composition will be dependent on the characteristics of each polymer 
component and the properties which are desired. 
We generally prefer that the proportion of the polyarylsulphone is from 5 
to 70% by weight of the total polymer composition. The proportion of the 
polyarylketone is preferably from 5 to 85% by weight of the total polymer 
composition. The polyimide is preferably from 10 to 40% by weight of the 
total polymer composition. More preferred compositions contain from 15 to 
40% by weight of polyarylsulphone; from 30 to 70% by weight of 
polyarylketone and from 10 to 30% by weight of polyimide. In the polymer 
composition, the amounts of polyarylsulphone, polyarylketone and polyimide 
preferably aggregate to 100% by weight of the polymeric components of the 
polymer composition. 
A polymer composition having 20% by weight of a polyarylsulphone consisting 
essentially of repeating units I, 60% by weight of a polyarylketone 
consisting essentially of repeating units VI and 20% by weight of a 
polyimide consisting essentially of repeating units VIII has been found to 
have a useful combination of properties. More specifically, if the molten 
polymer composition is rapidly quenched, the resulting amorphous product 
has a glass transition temperature which is about 20.degree. C. higher 
than that of the polyarylketone, as measured by differential scanning 
calorimetry (DSC). If the amorphous material is annealed at a temperature 
above the measured glass transition temperature, preferably at a 
temperature in excess of 200.degree. C., or if the composition is slowly 
cooled from the melt, for example at a rate of about 10.degree. C./minute, 
a crystalline product is obtained. This crystalline product has a maximum 
loss modulus temperature of about 190.degree. C. and a melting temperature 
of about 330.degree. C. In comparison with this, a blend of the same 
polyarylsulphone and the same polyarylketone has poor compatibility, and 
shows two distinct glass transition temperatures. 
Polyarylsulphones which can be used in the compositions of the present 
invention, and the preparation of such polyarylsulphones, are described, 
inter alia, in British Patent Specifications 1016245; 1060546; 1078234; 
1109842; 1122192; 1133561; 1153035; 1153528; 1163332; 1177183; 1234301; 
1264900; 1265144; 1286673; 1296383; 1298821 and 1303252; Canadian patent 
specification 847963 and German OLS specifications 1938806 and 2433400. 
Polyarylketones can be prepared by techniques similar to those used for 
polyarylsulpones and, in particular, a polyarylketone containing repeating 
units VI, which is crystalline and tough and has an inherent viscosity of 
at least 0.7, is described in more detail in European Patent Publication 
No. 001879. 
Polyimides, in particular polyetherimides, and the preparation thereof are 
described, inter alia, in British Patent Specifications 1353962; 1463300; 
1465825 and 1550985 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,838,097; 3,887,588; 4,024,110 and 
4,107,147. 
For many applications, the polymer composition of the present invention may 
be used with few, if any, additives, other than stabilisers. However, 
other additives may be incorporated into the polymer composition. A wide 
range of additives have been proposed for use in polymer compositions and 
many of these additives may be incorporated into the polymer composition 
of the present invention and, for convenience hereafter, the term "filled 
polymer composition" will be used to mean the polymer composition of the 
present invention which also contains an additive. The filled polymer 
composition can include, for example, inorganic and organic fibrous 
fillers such as glass fibre, carbon fibre and 
polyparaphenyleneterephthalamide fibre; organic and inorganic fillers such 
as polytetrafluoroethylene, graphite, boron nitride, mica, talc and 
vermiculite; nucleating agents; and stabilisers for the various polymer 
components. 
It is preferred that the total proportion of additives, when present, is at 
least 0.1%, and does not exceed 80%, by weight of the filled polymer 
composition and especially that the proportion of the additives does not 
exceed 70% by weight. The filled polymer composition can contain, for 
example 5 to 30% by weight of boron nitride; or at least 20% by weight of 
short glass or carbon fibre; or 50 to 70%, especially about 60%, by volume 
of continuous glass or carbon fibre; or a mixture of a fluorine-containing 
polymer, graphite and an organic or inorganic fibrous filler wherein the 
total proportion of these additives is preferably at least 20%, and not 
more than 50%, by weight of the filled polymer composition. 
The polymer composition of the present invention may be made by admixture 
of the polymer components in a suitable mixing machine to effect blending, 
for example by particle or melt blending. More specifically, the three 
polymer components in the form of dry powders or granules, can be mixed 
together using a suitable solids blending technique such as tumble 
blending or a high speed mixer. The blend thus obtained may be extruded 
into a lace which is chopped to give granules. The granules can be used to 
produce shaped articles by the use of a suitable forming operation, for 
example injection moulding or extrusion, to give a shaped article. 
Filled polymer compositions may be obtained in a similar manner by mixing 
the additive or additives with the components of the polymer composition 
or with granules of the polymer composition. 
The polymer compositions of the present invention may be formed into films, 
foil or injection moulded articles. Films, foils powder or granules of the 
polymer composition can be laminated with a fibrous filler material in the 
form of mats or cloths. 
Filled polymer compositions containing fibrous filler materials may be 
obtained by passing essentially continuous fibre, for example glass or 
carbon fibre, through a melt of the polymer composition or a molten 
mixture containing the polymer composition. The product obtained is a 
fibre coated with the polymer composition and the coated fibre may be used 
alone, or together with other materials, for example a further quantity of 
the polymer composition, to form a shaped article by an appropriate 
shaping technique. The production of filled polymer compositions by this 
technique is described in more detail in European Patent Specifications 
56703; 102158 and 102159. 
In the production of shaped articles from the polymer compositions of the 
present invention or from filled polymer compositions, it is desirable 
that the crystallinity of the polymer composition is developed as far as 
possible during the fabrication process, including any annealing stage, 
because subsequent use of an article which can continue to crystallise in 
use can result in dimensional changes occurring in the article with 
consequent warping or cracking and general change in physical properties. 
Furthermore, increased crystallinity results in improved environmental 
resistance. 
Crystallinity in the polymer compositions of the present invention is due 
mainly, and in most of the polymer compositions solely, to the presence of 
the polyarylketone. To achieve improved crystallisation behaviour, the 
polymer compositions of the present invention may be modified by forming, 
particularly on the polymeric chains of the polyarylketone component, 
terminal ionic groups --A--X, where A is an anion and X is a metal cation. 
The anion is preferably selected from sulphonate carboxylate, sulphinate, 
phosphonate, phosphate, phenate and thiophenate and the metal cation is an 
alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. 
In polymer compositions in accordance with this aspect of the present 
invention, the temperature for the onset of crystallisation, Tc, may be 
raised by at least 2.degree. C. in comparison with a similar polymer 
composition not containing the ionic end-groups. However, useful polymer 
compositions are obtained even when there is little or no change in Tc if 
sufficient nucleation results from the presence of end groups to increase 
the number of spherulites in comparison with a similar polymer composition 
not containing the ionic end groups. 
Modified polymers which may be included in the polymer composition are most 
suitably produced by reaction of a preformed polymer with reactive species 
containing the ionic group. Procedures for the production of modified 
polymers are described in more detail in our copending European Patent 
Application Publication No. 152161. The procedure described in our said 
published European Patent Application is generally applicable to the 
modification of polymers for inclusion in the polymer compositions of the 
present invention. 
The polymer compositions and filled polymer compositions have properties 
which make them suitable for high temperature applications where good 
solvent resistance is also desirable. The polymer compositions also have 
good electrical insulation characteristics and hence are useful for 
applications requiring such characteristics, particularly in combination 
with high temperature properties. 
Thus, as a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an 
electrical conductor having a coating formed from the polymer composition 
of the present invention. More specifically, an electrical conductor, or a 
bundle of insulated electrical conductors, is provided with a coating 
formed from the polymer composition of the present invention. If several 
insulated electrical conductors are coated, the insulating layer on each 
individual conductor may be formed from the polymer composition. 
In a further application in which the electrical properties of the polymer 
composition are beneficial, shaped articles formed from the polymer 
compositions or filled polymer compositions can be used for the production 
of printed circuit boards since the polymer composition shows good 
resistance to distortion by molten solder. 
Thus, as a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 
circuit board of which the substrate is formed from a polymer composition 
or a filled polymer composition, in accordance with the present invention.

Further aspects of the present invention are now set out in the following 
illustrative examples. 
EXAMPLE 1 
Polyethersulphone (`Victrex` (Registered Trade Mark) PES aromatic polymer 
4800 G grade, obtainable from Imperial Chemical Industries PLC), 
polyetheretherketone (`Victrex` (Registered Trade Mark) PEEK aromatic 
polymer 450 G grade, obtainable from Imperial Chemical Industries PLC) and 
polyetherimide (Ultem, grade 1000, obtainable from the General Electric 
Company of Schenectady, N.Y., were dry mixed by tumble blending the 
granules for 5 to 10 minutes in the proportions of 20% by weight of 
polyethersulphone, 60% by weight of polyetheretherketone and 20% by weight 
of polyetherimide. The polyethersulphone was a polyarylsulphone consisting 
essentially of repeating units I, the polyetheretherketone was a 
polyarylketone consisting essentially of repeating units VI and the 
polyetherimide was a polyimide consisting essentially of repeating units 
VIII. 
The blend of granules was then melt homogenised in a Brabender rheometer 
operating at a temperature of 400.degree. C. for 5 to 10 minutes, and the 
molten blend was compression moulded to form test samples 50 mm.times.12.7 
mm.times.0.5 mm using the following conditions. The molten blend was 
placed in an electrically heated press between two sheets of aluminium 
foil. The blend was preheated in the press at 380.degree. C. for 5 minutes 
without applying pressure and were then pressured for 10 minutes at 
400.degree. C. at an applied pressure of 0.14 MN/m.sup.2 (20 psi). The 
pressure was released, the moulding allowed to cool to 150.degree. C. and 
was then ejected from the press and allowed to cool in air. The moulding 
obtained was subjected to dynamic mechanical analysis to determine some of 
the properties of the blend, which are reported in Table Two 
EXAMPLE 2 
A further polymer compositions was prepared using different proportions of 
the polyarylsulphone, polyarylketone and polyimide. The details of the 
compositions are given in Table One and the properties are given in Table 
Two 
TABLE ONE 
______________________________________ 
Component Proportion E" max Tm 
Example (a) (% wt) (.degree.C.) (b) 
(.degree.C.) (b) 
______________________________________ 
1 PS 20 190 330 
PK 60 
PI 20 
2 PS 35 195 330 
PK 35 
PI 30 
______________________________________ 
Notes to Table One 
(a) PS is polyethersulphone `Victex' PES aromatic polymer 4800 G grade 
PK is polyetheretherketone, `Victrex' PEEK aromatic polymer 450 G grade 
PI is polyetherimide, Ultem grade 1000 
(b) E" max is the maximum loss modulus temperature and 
Tm is the melting temperature, both as determined by dynamic mechanical 
analysis using a DuPont 981 Dynamic Mechanical Analyser and heating at 
5.degree. C./minute from -140.degree. C. with an oscillation amplitude of 
0.2 mm as recommended for polymers. 
Tm is the melting temperature, both as determined by dynamic mechanical 
analysis using a DuPont 981 Dynamic Mechanical Analyser and heating at 
5.degree. C./minute from -140.degree. C. with an oscillation amplitude of 
0.2 mm as recommended for polymers. 
TABLE TWO 
______________________________________ 
DMA Stiffness (c) 
Temperature Eg 1 Eg 2 
(.degree.C.) (d) (d) 
______________________________________ 
40 2.6 2.35 
80 2.4 2.15 
120 2.3 2.13 
160 2.1 2.02 
180 1.5 1.75 
200 0.8 0.5 
240 0.35 0.125 
______________________________________ 
Notes to Table Two 
(c) DMA Stiffness is the stiffness of the blend (in GNm.sup.-2) as 
determined by dynamic mechanical analysis using the apparatus and 
procedure of Note (b) to Table One. 
(d) Eg 1 and Eg 2 are the polymer compositions of Example 1 and Example 2 
respectively. 
EXAMPLE 3 
A polymer composition of a polyetherketone of formula V, with the 
polyethersulphone and polyetherimide as used in Example 1 was prepared as 
described in Example 1 using 60% by weight of the polyetherketone and 20% 
by weight of each of the polyethersulphone and the polyetherimide. The 
composition had a maximum loss modulus temperature of 190.degree. C. Other 
properties of the composition are set out in Table Three. 
EXAMPLE 4 
The procedure of Example 3 was repeated with the exception that the 
polyethersulphone was a polyarylsulphone consisting essentially of 
repeating units IV. The composition had a maximum loss modulus temperature 
of 193.degree. C. Other properties of the composition are set out in Table 
Three. 
EXAMPLE 5 
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated using 72% by weight of the 
polyetheretherketone used in Example 1, 18% by weight of a 
polyarylsulphone consisting essentially of repeating units IV, and 10% by 
weight of the polyetherimide as used in Example 1. The composition had a 
maximum loss modulus temperature of 170.degree. C. Other properties of the 
composition are set out in Table Three. 
TABLE THREE 
______________________________________ 
Temperature 
DMA Stiffness (c) 
(.degree.C.) 
Eg 3 (e) Eg 4 (e) Eg 5 (e) 
______________________________________ 
40 2.65 2.40 2.10 
80 2.50 2.25 2.00 
120 2.35 2.10 1.70 
160 2.20 1.90 1.25 
180 1.50 1.40 0.50 
200 0.50 0.55 0.35 
220 0.30 0.30 0.25 
240 0.15 0.25 0.20 
______________________________________ 
Notes to Table Three 
(c) is as defined in Notes to Table Two. 
(e) Eg 3, 4 and 5 are, respectively, the polymer compositions of Examples 
3, 4 and 5. 
EXAMPLE 6 
A composition as described in Example 1 was prepared by blending the three 
components together and then subjecting the particulate blend to melt 
blending at 380.degree. C. using a single screw Plaston extruder having a 
one inch (25.4 mm) diameter screw. The extruded lace was granulated. The 
granules obtained were injection moulded into test pieces using an Arburg 
injection moulding machine operating at 380.degree. C. with a mould 
temperature of about 160.degree. C. The mechanical properties of the 
moulded samples are reported in Table 4. 
EXAMPLE 7 
The process of Example 6 was repeated using different proportions of the 
polysulphone, polyketone and polyimide, the conditions otherwise being the 
same. The proportions of the components were 10% by weight of 
polyethersulphone, 80% by weight of polyetheretherketone and 10% by weight 
of polyetherimide. 
EXAMPLE 8 
The process of Example 6 was repeated using different proportions of the 
polysulphone, polyketone and polyimide, the conditions otherwise being the 
same. The proportions of the components were 70% by weight of 
polyethersulphone, 20% by weight of polyetheretherketone and 10% by weight 
of polyetherimide. 
TABLE FOUR 
______________________________________ 
Flex Tensile Impact 
Mod Strength Fracture 
Sample (GN/m.sup.2) (MN/m.sup.2) 
Toughness 
(f) (h) (i) (MN/m.sup.3/2) (j) 
______________________________________ 
6 3.45 101 2.05 
7 3.37 101 3.06 
8 2.74 83.3 2.46 
______________________________________ 
Notes to Table Four 
(f) Samples 6, 7 and 8 are, respectively, the polymer compositions of 
Examples 6, 7 and 8. 
(h) Flexural modulus is determined at 23.degree. C. using a central 
deflection rate of 5 mm/minute and a three point bending method. 
(i) Tensile strength is measured using a tensile loading to give an 
elongation rate of 5 mm/minute. 
(j) Impact fracture toughness is measured using a three point bending 
technique at a temperature of -65.degree. C. 
The heat distortion temperature of the products of Examples 6 and 7, and 
also of the polyetheretherketone of Example 1, were determined using the 
procedure of ASTM Test Method D648 with an applied load of 1.8 MN/m.sup.2. 
The results are reported in Table Five. 
TABLE FIVE 
______________________________________ 
Sample 
HDT 
(f) (k) 
(.degree.C.) (l) 
______________________________________ 
6 187 
7 176 
A 160 
______________________________________ 
Notes to Table Five 
(f) is as defined in Notes to Table Four. 
(k) A is polyetheretherketone, `Victrex' PEEK aromatic polymer as used in 
Example 1. 
(l) HDT is determined according to the procedure of ASTM Test Method D648 
using an applied load of 1.8 MN/m.sup.2.