Improved nucleated thermoplastic polyetherimide ester elastomers containing polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and nucleating agent. PBT and nucleating agent blended with polyetherimide ester elastomers substantially improves crystallization properties of the polyetherimide esters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to improved polyetherimide ester elastomeric 
compositions, and more particularly, to improved nucleated thermoplastic 
polyetherimide ester elastomer compositions having increased 
crystallization temperatures (T.sub.c), increased crystallization rates 
and reduced mold cycle time. These compositions are particularly useful 
for production of finished polymer products by such techniques as 
injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding and the like. 
Thermoplastic polyetherimide ester elastomer compositions and the method of 
producing them are known in the art and are available from General 
Electric Company under the trademark LOMOD.RTM.J. These compositions have 
many excellent properties which make them particularly useful for 
extrusion and molding applications, including one or more of the following 
enhanced properties: stress-strain resistance, toughness/strength, and 
tensile set at low flexural modulus combined with rapid crystallization 
rates and excellent moldability as demonstrated by short cycle times and 
good mold releasability, respectively. Although the crystallization rates 
of the thermoplastic polyetherimide ester elastomer compositions are 
relatively rapid, it is always desirable to improve crystallization rates, 
increase crystallization temperature (T.sub.c) and reduce mold cycle time 
without substantially adversely effecting any other properties. Increases 
in T.sub.c, increases in crystallization rate and/or reduction in mold 
cycle time create substantial efficiencies in time and reduced costs in 
manufacturing processes. 
The use of nucleating agents, also called crystallization improvers or 
crystallization promoters, to promote or enhance the crystallization of 
slowly crystallizable polyester resins such as, poly(ethylene 
terephthalate), is known. Nucleating agents, such as talc, in 
poly(ethylene terephthalate), have been used alone or have been combined 
with other polymers, such as polycarbonates, to make molding compositions 
having one or more improved characteristics or properties. 
In one prior art embodiment, talc has been used as a crystallization 
promoting agent in very limiting amounts, that is, less than 1 part by 
weight. For example, in JP 80/52343 (published Apr. 16, 1980) and 
abstracted in Chemical Abstracts 93(14):133342e, there are disclosed 
crystalline polyester compositions of a polyester/polycarbonate copolymer 
with 0.3 part by weight of talc crystallization improver. In another 
reference, JP 81/32537 (Apr. 2, 1981), Chemical Abstracts 95(2):8330g; 
glass-reinforced polyester compositions for molding are prepared from 
poly(ethylene terephthalate) and 0.7 part by weight of talc. In JP 
83/93752 (June 3, 12983, Chemical Abstracts 100(8):52546k, there are 
disclosed polyester molding compositions employing poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) and crystal nucleating agents, such as 1 part by weight of 
metal salts of aromatic oxysulfonic acids and/or talc. In JP 83/127756 
(July 29, 1983), Chemical Abstracts 100(10):69288a, 0.5 part by weight of 
talc is employed in polyester molding compositions of poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) and polycaprolactone. In JP 83/129047 (Aug. 1, 1983), 
Chemical Abstracts 100(8):52575u, glass-reinforced polyester compositions 
are disclosed which contain poly(ethylene terephthalate), a condensation 
product of diphenyl ether or diphenyl thioether and a carbonyl compound, 
and 1.0 part by weight of a talc nucleating agent. 
In another approach, high quantities of talc, in excess of 10 parts by 
weight, have been employed in polyester compositions. In U.K. 1,592,206, 
corresponding to German Offen. DE 2,755,950 (June 29, 1978), 
flame-retardant reinforced thermoplastic poly(ethylene 
terephthalate)/polycarbonate compositions are disclosed which have a 
concentration of 10-50% by weight talc and preferably 10-30% by weight 
talc to effect an appreciable increase in the arc track resistance of the 
composition. In JP 77/8059 (Jan. 21, 1977), Chemical Abstracts 
87(2):68969g, a similar resin composition is disclosed which utilizes talc 
and/or SiO.sub.2 in a concentration range of 25-40% by weight. In JP 
83/52343 (Apr. 15, 1983), Chemical Abstracts 99(22):176931n, 5 parts by 
weight of talc is used as a nucleating agent for polyester compositions of 
poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate) and 
polycaprolactone. 
In still other proposed compositions, intermediate amounts of a nucleating 
agent between 0.1 to 4-5 parts by weight have been employed in 
poly(ethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate compositions. For example, in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,272, Avakian et al. disclose foamable thermoplastic 
compositions of polycarbonate alone, or with poly(ethylene terephthalate), 
a foaming agent and 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight of a foam nucleating agent 
to provide a surface for bubble formation. Among the suitable foam 
nucleating agents included in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,272 are organic 
polymeric particulates further comprising an acrylate impact modifier. In 
EP 135904 (published Apr. 3, 1985), there are disclosed poly(ethylene 
terephthalate) moldable blends containing graft-modified rubber, 0.1-4.5%, 
and preferably 0.5-3.5% by weight, of talc, which is said to reduce 
warping. It has also been discovered by W. F. H. Borman and M. G. Minnick 
in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 948,275 filed Dec. 31, 1986 and 
entitled "Improved Nucleated Reinforced Polyester/Polycarbonate Molding 
Compositions" that the addition of from about 2 to about 10% by weight of 
talc, to reinforced blends comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and 
poly carbonates substantially improves the physical properties of the 
compositions and further that by including sodium dihydrogen phosphate in 
said compositions further improves the physical properties. 
It has also been suggested that flexural modulus as well as other physical 
properties, may be enhanced by blending one or more thermoplastic 
polyesters with copolyetheresters. For example, Brown et al. in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,907,926 disclose an improved copolyetherester and poly(butylene 
terephthalate)-containing blend which has high Young's modulus at room 
temperature and above and also possesses good low temperature impact 
strength and flexibility. Charles et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,851, 
disclose copolyetherester and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) blends 
having superior melt stability. It has been suggested by Avery et al. in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,791 that segmented polyester-polyether block 
copolymers behave synergistically with oligomeric polyester to improve 
crystallization temperature and rate in a composition having an inert 
particulate nucleating agent such as, talc, kaolin, CaCO.sub.3, Al.sub.2 
O.sub.3, silica and graphite, and poly(alkylene terephthalate). Light et 
al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,706 provide compositions having a sodium salt 
of a monocarboxylic acid and a polyetherester elastomer having good 
compression recovery after deformation and clearness. In U.S. Pat. No. 
4,579,884 Liu has prepared blends of a copolyetherester, an aromatic 
thermoplastic polyester and a clay which are capable of absorbing high 
energy impact and withstanding high temperatures. 
In many cases attempts to improve certain properties of a polyetherimide 
ester often have an adverse effect on other properties of the 
polyetherimide esters, and improvements in one property often result in a 
substantial sacrifice in the performance of the polymer because of the 
impact of a particular additive of agent on another property of the 
polymer. Frequently, when agents are used to enhance crystallization in a 
polyetherimide ester, there is a substantial impact on flexural modulus, 
i.e., flexural modulus is increased to unacceptable limits. Accordingly, 
it is desirable to improve the prior art nucleating agents and systems 
which increase crystallization rate, increase crystallization temperature 
(T.sub.c) and/or reduce mold cycle time without any substantial increase 
in flexural modulus. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to prepare 
novel polyetherimide ester compositions. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a polyetherimide 
ester composition having improved nucleation characteristics without 
adversely effecting the flexural modulus of the polyetherimide esters to 
any significant extent. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
thermoplastic polyetherimide ester elastomeric composition which produces 
molded articles having increased crystallization temperature, increased 
crystallization rate and/or reduced mold cycle time without substantially 
increasing flexural modulus. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide thermoplastic 
polyetherimide ester elastomeric molding compositions which are suitable 
for injection molding, blow molding, rotational molding and other end use 
applications. 
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention, by 
improved polyetherimide ester elastomer blends which are particularly 
suited for molding applications. 
The blends of the present invention have one or more polyetherimide esters, 
an inert particulate nucleating agent and poly(butylene terephthalate). In 
particular, the elastomeric blends of the present invention comprise about 
94 to about 97.9 percent by weight of the total composition of one or more 
polyetherimide esters; about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent by weight of the 
total composition of inert particulate nucleating agent, and about 2.0 to 
about 5.0 percent by weight of the total composition of poly(butylene 
terephthalate). These compositions exhibit an excellent combination of 
physical properties typified by enhanced crystallization properties or the 
enhancement of other properties which reduce mold cycle time and/or 
improve molding properties without any substantial increase in flexural 
modulus. 
Although there is no desire to be limited to any particular theory, the 
synergistic effect on the nucleation of the polyetherimide ester materials 
by the addition of poly(butylene terephthalate) and nucleating agent is 
best conceptualized as a two-step process. The addition of the modifying 
combination provides convenient sites for the nucleation of the 
polyetherimide ester to occur. Polyetherimide ester elastomers have a 
limited number of ready sites for nucleation to occur and have lower 
T.sub.c and extended mold cycle times than desired. Substantial increases 
in T.sub.c and reduced mold cycle time arise by the addition of the 
modifying compounds of poly(butylene terephthalate) and for example, 
sodium stearate or sodium carbonate. 
The second step of the improved polyetherimide ester nucleation process of 
the present invention is to speed up the nucleation once it has begun, for 
it is advantageous to minimize the mold cycle time for economic reasons. 
Additives can have this desirable effect if they can act as a molecular 
lubricant. Nucleation is a process whereby crystals originate on a 
nucleating agent in a structured form. Additives with lubricant properties 
facilitate this orientation process by imparting lubricious properties to 
crystalline molecules allowing the crystalline molecules to move more 
easily into the aligned crystalline formation. It is known in the art that 
certain stabilizers impart the advantageous lubricious properties to the 
polyetherimide ester crystalline molecules. Further, it is also known that 
flow promoters, plasticizers, paraffin waxes and mineral oils can impart 
this advantageous property. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The polyetherimide esters of the present invention and the method for 
making them are disclosed by McCready in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,705, 
incorporated herein by reference. Generally, the polytherimide ester 
compositions comprise the reaction product of (a) one or more low 
molecular weight diols, (b) one or more dicarboxylic acids, and (c) one or 
more polyoxyalkylene diimide diacids. Preferred compositions encompassed 
by the present invention may be prepared from (a) one or more C.sub.2 
-C.sub.15 aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diols, (b) one or more C.sub.4 
-C.sub.16 aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or 
ester derivatives thereof and (c) one or more polyoxyalkylene diimide 
diacids. The amount of polyoxyalkylene diimide diacid employed is 
generally dependent upon the desired properties of the resultant 
polyetherimide ester. In general, the weight ratio of polyoxyalkylene 
diimide diacid (c) to dicarboxylic acid (b) is from about 0.25 to 2.0, 
preferably from about 0.4 to about 1.4. The compositions may contain and 
preferably do contain additional stablizers for even greater stabilization 
and low temperature impact strength. 
Diols which are suitable for preparing the polyetherimide esters for the 
present invention include both saturated and unsaturated aliphatic, 
cycloaliphatic dihydroxy and aromatic dihydroxy compounds preferably 
having a low molecular weight, i.e., having a molecular weight of about 
250 or less. Preferred saturated and unsaturated aliphatic and 
cycloaliphatic diols are those having from about 2 to about 15 carbon 
atoms (C.sub.2 -C.sub.15). Examples of these diols include ethylene 
glycol; propanediol; butanediol; pentanediol; 2-methyl propanediol; 
2,2-dimethyl propanediol; hexanediol; decanediol; 2-octyl undecanediol; 
1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dihydroxy cyclohexane; 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4- cyclohexane 
dimethanol; butenediol; hexenediol and the like. Especially preferred ar 
1,4-butanediol and mixtures thereof with hexanediol or butenediol. 
Aromatic diols suitable for use in the preparation of the thermoplastic 
elastomers are generally those having from 6 to about 15 carbon atoms 
(C.sub.6 -C.sub.15). Included among the aromatic dihydroxy compounds are 
resorcinol; hydroquinone; 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene; 4,4'-dihydroxy 
diphenyl; bis(p-hydroxy phenyl)methane and 2,2-bis(p-hydroxy 
phenyl)propane. 
Especially preferred diols are the saturated aliphatic diols, mixtures 
thereof and mixtures of saturated diol(s) with unsaturated diol(s), 
wherein each diol contains from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms (C.sub.2 
-C.sub.8). Where more than one diol is employed, it is preferred that at 
least about 60 mole percent, and most preferably at least about 80 mole 
percent, based on the total diol content, be the same diol. 
When used herein the term "diols" include the equivalent ester-forming 
derivatives thereof. Examples of ester-forming derivatives are the 
acetates of the diols as well as for example, ethylene oxide or ethylene 
carbonate. 
The dicarboxylic acids which are suitable for use in the preparation of the 
polyetherimide esters, include aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and/or aromatic 
dicarboxcylic acids. These acids are preferably of a low molecular weight, 
i.e., having a molecular weight of less than about 300; however, higher 
molecular weight dicarboxylic acids, especially dimer acids, may also be 
used. The term "dicarboxylic acids" as used herein, includes equivalents 
of dicarboxylic acids having two functional carboxyl groups which perform 
substantially like dicarboxylic acids in reactions with glycols and diols 
in forming polyester polymers. These equivalents include esters and 
ester-forming derivatives, such as acid halides and anhydrides. 
Additionally, the dicarboxylic acids may contain any substitutent group(s) 
or combinations which do not substantially interfere with the polymer 
formation and use of the polymer in the practice of this invention. 
Aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, as the term is used herein, refers to 
carboxylic acids having two carboxyl groups each of which is attached to a 
saturated carbon atom. If the carbon atom to which the carboxyl group is 
attached, is saturated and is in a ring, the acid is cycloaliphatic. 
Aromatic dicarboxylic acids, as the term is used herein, are dicarboxylic 
acids having two carboxyl groups each of which is attached to a carbon 
atom in an isolated or fused benzene ring system. It is not necessary that 
both functional carboxyl groups be attached to the same aromatic ring and 
where more than one ring is present, they can be joined by aliphatic or 
aromatic divalent radicals or divalent radicals such as, for example, 
--O-- or --SO.sub.2 --. 
Representative aliphatic and cycloaliphatic acids are sebacic acid; 
1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid; 1,3-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid; 
1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid; adipic acid; glutaric acid; succinic 
acid; carbonic acid; oxalic acid; azelaic acid; itaconic acid; 
diethylmalonic acid; allylmalonic acid; dimer acid; 
4-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid; 2-ethylsuberic acid; 
tetramethylsuccinic acid; cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid; 
decahydro-1,5-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 4,4'-bicyclohexyl 
dicarboxylic acid; decahydro-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 
4,4'-methylenebis(cyclohexane carboxylic acid); 3,4-furan dicarboxylic 
acid; and 1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylic acid. Preferred aliphatic acids are 
cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids, sebacic acid, dimer acid, glutaric acid, 
azelaic acid and adipic acid. 
Representative aromatic dicarboxylic acids include terephthalic, phthalic 
and isophthalic acids; bi-benzoic acid; substituted dicarboxy compounds 
with two benzene nuclei, such as bis(p-carboxyphenyl) methane; 
oxybis(benzoic acid); ethylene-1,2-bis-(p-oxybenzoic acid); 
1,5-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; 
2,7-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; phenanthrene dicarboxylic acid; 
anthracene dicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-sulfonyl dibenzoic acid; and halo and 
C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, alkoxy, and aryl ring substitution derivatives 
thereof. Hydroxy acids such as, p(beta-hydroxyethoxy) benzoic acid can 
also be used provided an aromatic dicarboxylic acid is also present. 
Preferred dicarboxylic acids for the preparation of the polyetherimide 
esters are the aromatic dicarboxylic acids, mixtures thereof and mixtures 
of one or more dicarboxylic acid with an aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic 
dicarboxylic acid, most preferably the aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Among 
the aromatic acids, those with 8 to 16 carbon atoms (C.sub.8 -C.sub.16) 
are preferred, particularly the benzene dicarboxylic acids, i.e., 
phthalic, terephthalic and isophthalic acids and the dimethyl derivatives 
thereof. Especially preferred is the dimethyl ester derivative of 
terephthalic acid. 
Where mixtures of dicarboxylic acid are employed, it is preferred that at 
least about 60 mole percent, preferably at least about 80 mole percent, 
based on 100 mole percent of dicarboxylic acid, be the same dicarboxylic 
acid or ester derivative thereof. As mentioned above, the preferred 
polyetherimide esters are those in which the dimethylterephthalate is the 
predominant dicarboxylic acid ester. 
Polyoxyalkylene diimide diacids suitable for use in the preparation of the 
polyetherimide esters are high molecular weight diimide diacids wherein 
the average molecular weight is greater than about 700, most preferably 
greater than about 900. They may be prepared by imidization reaction of 
one or more tricarboxylic acid compounds containing two vicinal carboxyl 
groups or an anhydride group and an additional carboxyl group which must 
be esterifiable, and preferably is non-imidizable with a high molecular 
weight polyoxyalkylene diamine. These polyoxyalkylene diimide diacids and 
process for their preparation are more fully disclosed in U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 665,192, filed Oct. 26, 1984, now abandoned entitled 
"High Molecular Weight Diimide Diacids and Diimide Diesters of 
Tricarboxylic Anhydrides", incorporated herein by reference. 
In general, the polyoxyalkylene diimide diacids useful herein may be 
characterized by the following formula: 
##STR1## 
wherein each R is independently a trivalent organic radical, preferably a 
C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 aliphatic, aromatic or cycloaliphatic trivalent 
organic radical; each R' is independently hydrogen or a monovalent organic 
radical preferably selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to 
C.sub.6 aliphatic and cycloaliphatic radicals and C.sub.6 to C.sub.12 
aromatic radicals, e.g. benzyl, most preferably hydrogen; and G is the 
radical remaining after the removal of the terminal (or as nearly terminal 
as possible) hydroxy groups of a long chain ether glycol having an average 
molecular weight of from about 600 to about 12,000, preferably from about 
900 to about 4,000, and a carbon-to-oxygen ratio of from about 1.8 to 
about 4.3. 
Representative long-chain ether glycols from which the polyoxyalkylene 
diamine is prepared, include poly(ethylene ether)glycol, poly(1,2- and 
1,3-propylene ether)glycol; poly(tetramethylene ether)glycol; random or 
block copolymers of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide and random or 
block copolymers of tetrahydrofuran with minor amounts of a second monomer 
such as, 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (used in proportions such that the 
carbon-to-oxygen mole ratio in the glycol does not exceed about 4.3). 
Especially preferred poly(alkylene ether)glycols are poly(ethylene 
ether)glycol and poly(propylene ether)glycol end capped with 
poly(propylene ether) glycol and/or propylene oxide. 
In general the polyoxyalkylene diamines useful within the scope of the 
present invention have an average molecular weight of from about 600 to 
12,000, preferably from about 900 to about 4,000. 
The tricarboxylic component may be almost any carboxylic acid anhydride 
containing an additional carboxylic group or the corresponding acid 
thereof containing two imide-forming vicinal carboxyl groups in lieu of 
the anhydride group. Mixtures thereof are also suitable. The additional 
carboxylic group must be esterifiable and preferably is substantially 
nonimidizable. 
Further while trimellitic anhydride is preferred as the tricarboxylic 
component, any of a number of suitable tricarboxylic acid constituents 
will occur to those skilled in the art including 2,6,7-naphthalene 
tricarboxylic anhydride; 3,3',4-diphenyl tricarboxylic anhydride; 
3,3',4-benzophenone tricarboxylic anhydride; 1,3,4-cyclopentane 
tricarboxylic anhydride; 2,2',3-diphenyl tricarboxylic anhydride; diphenyl 
sulfone-3,3',4- tricarboxylic anhydride, ethylene tricarboxylic anhydride; 
1,2,5-napthalene tricarboxylic anhydride; 1,2,4-butane tricarboxylic 
anhydride; diphenyl isopropylidene 3,3',4-tricarboxylic anhydride; 
3,4-dicarboxyphenyl-3'-carboxyphenyl ether anhydride; 1,3,4-cyclohexane 
tricarboxylic anhydride and the like. These tricarboxylic acid materials 
are characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,705. In its preferred 
embodiments, the compositions of the present invention comprise the 
reaction product of dimethylterephthalate, optimally with up to 40 mole % 
of another dicarboxylic acid; 1,4-butanediol, optionally with up to 40 
mole % of another saturated or unsaturated aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic 
diol; and a poly-oxyalkylene diimide diacid prepared from a 
polyoxyalkylene dimine of molecular weight of from about 600 to about 
12,000, preferably from about 900 to about 4,000, and trimellitic 
anhydride. In its most preferred embodiment, the diol will be 100 mole % 
1,4-butanediol and the dicarboxylic acid 100 mole % dimethylterephthalate. 
The polyetherimide esters described herein may be prepared by conventional 
esterification and condensation reactions for the production of polyester. 
Exemplary processes are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,763,109; 3,651,014; 
3,663,653 and 3,801,547, incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, 
these compositions may be prepared by such processes and other known 
processes to effect random copolymers, block copolymers, or hybrids 
thereof wherein both random and block units are present. 
The foregoing polyetherimide ester elastomers are modified in accordance 
with the teachings of the instant invention by admixing or blending 
therewith poly(butylene terephthalate) and inert particulate nucleating 
agents including the metal salts of monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic 
acids, metal salts of aromatic carboxylic acids such as benaoic acid, 
hydrous magnesium silicates such as talc, and aluminum silicates such as, 
clay; polyol acetals such as, substituted sorbitol; metal salts of 
organophosphates such as, sodium di(4-t-butylphenyl) phosphate, and the 
like. 
Generally, the sodium salts are the preferred metal salts of the 
monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids which may be used as nucleating 
agents, but other metals commonly used to prepare such metal salts may 
also be used, for example, the potassium salts, the lithium salts and the 
like. Examples of such acids, the metal salts of which may be used as 
inert, particulate nucleating agents, include formic, acetic, propionic, 
butyric, valeric, caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, 
stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, cyclohexanecarboxcylic, phenylacetic, 
benzoic, o-toluic, m-toluic, p-toluic, o-chlorobenzoic, m-chlorobenzoic, 
p-chlorobenzoic, o-bromobenzoic, m-bromobenzoic, p-bromobenzoic, 
o-nitrobenzoic, m-nitrobenzoic, p-nitrobenzoic, phthalic, isophthalic, 
terephthalic, salicylic, p-hydroxybenzoic, anthranilic, m-aminobenzoic, 
p-aminobenzoic, o-methoxybenzoic, m-methoxybenzoic, p-methoxybenzoic 
(anisic), oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, maleic (cis form), 
fumaric. Preferred metal salts of carboxylic acids include sodium stearate 
and sodium carbonate. Also, minerals such as hydrous magnesium silicates 
(talc) and hydrous aluminum silicates (clay) function as inert particulate 
nucleating agents suitable for use in the practice of the present 
invention. An example of a commercially available suitable mineral is 
talc. 
While most any amount of the modifying combination of poly(butylene 
terephthalate) and inert particulate nucleating agent will create a 
synergistic effect on the nucleation of the polyetherimide ester in order 
to obtain compositions having the desirable enchanced crystallization 
property and/or decreased mold cycle time without substantially effecting 
the flexural modulus, it is necessary that the composition contain from 
about 94 to about 97.9 percent by weight polyetherimide ester elastomer, 
about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of poly(butylene terephthalate), and 
about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent by weight of inert particulate nucleating 
agent. As used herein, percent by weight is based on the total weight of 
the composition. In order to obtain the enhanced crystallization 
properties, it is preferred that the poly(butylene terephthalate) not 
exceed the amount of the polyetherimide ester elastomer. 
While the compositions of this invention possess many desirable properties, 
it is sometimes advisable and preferred to further modify the compositions 
against thermal or oxidative degradation as well as degradation due to 
ultraviolet light. This can be done by incorporating well-known 
stabilizers into the blend compositions. Satisfactory stabilizers are 
phenols and their derivatives and compounds containing polymeric phenolic 
esters. 
Representative phenol derivatives useful as stabilizers include 
tetrakis[(methylene 3-(3',5-di-tertbutyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] 
methane; tetrakis[methylene (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)] 
methane; octadecyl-3-(3',5'-di-tertbutyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate; and 
octadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate. Mixtures of hindered 
phenols with esters of thiodipropionic acid and phosphite esters are 
particularly useful. 
It is also sometimes desirable to modify the composition by the addition of 
flow promoters, plasticizers, paraffin waxes and mineral oils to impart 
lubricious properties to the crystalline or particulate molecules of the 
blend. Pigments, impact modifiers, flame retardants and the like can also 
be used to modify the blends of the present invention. 
The compositions of the invention may be prepared by any of the well known 
techniques for preparing polymer blends or admixtures, with extrusion 
blending being preferred. Suitable devices for the blending include single 
screw extruders, twin screw extruders, internal mixers such as the Bambury 
Mixer, heated rubber mills (electric or oil heat) or Farrell continuous 
mixers. Injection molding equipment can also be used to accomplish 
blending just prior to molding, but care must be taken to provide 
sufficient time and agitation to insure uniform blending prior to molding. 
Alternative methods include dry blending prior to extrusion or injection 
molding as well as precompounding of two ingredients, particularly the 
poly(butylene terephthalate) and an inert particulate nucleating agent(s) 
prior to mixing with the thermoplastic polyetherimide ester elastomer.

EXAMPLE 
The following example is presented to illustrate a preferred embodiment of 
the invention, but the invention should not be considered to be limited 
thereto. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise 
indicated. 
The following polyetherimide ester was used in exemplifying the present 
invention: 
The poly(etherimide ester) is derived from 36 parts 1,4-butanediol, 46 
parts dimethyl terephthalate and 18 parts imidization product of 
trimellitic anhydride and TEXACO Chemical Company's Jeffamine.RTM. D2000, 
a polypropylene ether diamine having an average molecular weight of 2,000. 
This poly(etherimide ester) is available from General Electric Company 
under trademark LOMOD.RTM.J. 
The T.sub.c is defined as the temperature where the recrystallization peak 
maximum occurred during cooling at a 20.degree. C. per minute cooling rate 
of specimen. Larger T.sub.c values indicate greater efficiency of the 
additives for improving crystallization behavior. 
In the Example, the ingredients shown in the Table were blended with each 
other at room temperature. The blend consisting of the ingredients in the 
Table below, was fed into an extruder (2.5 inch vented) at a temperature 
of 430.degree. F. The extrudate was then comminuted into pellets or other 
suitable shapes. This mixture was then fed into a conventional molding 
machine. The molding temperature may be from about 410.degree. F. to about 
480.degree. F. with the mold temperature being from about 80.degree. F. to 
150.degree. F. 
Five (5) different blends were prepared from the ingredients specified in 
the Table to illustrate the invention and were molded as described above. 
The T.sub.c was determined for the particular blends as shown. R51 and 
Irganox 1010 are conventional stabilizers. 
TABLE 
______________________________________ 
POLYETHERIMIDE ESTER BLEND COMPOSITIONS 
______________________________________ 
LOMOD .RTM. J 
99.5 99.0 99.0 94.0 94.0 
R51 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 
IRGANOX 1010 
0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
Na Stearate 
-- 0.5 -- -- 0.5 
Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 
-- -- 0.5 0.5 -- 
PBT -- -- -- 5.0 5.0 
T.sub.c 165.7 161.5 168.4 175.0 172.3 
______________________________________ 
It is clear from the data of Table 5 that the blends representing a 
combination of the inert particulate nucleating agent, sodium carbonate or 
sodium stearate, with poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) imparts better 
physical properties (increased T.sub.c) than those blends using nucleating 
agent alone. 
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the 
foregoing specification, many modifications, combinations and variations 
of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of 
the above teachings. It is therefore understood that changes may be made 
to the particular embodiments of the invention, which are within the full 
intended scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.