POLY(ETHERIMIDE-CARBONATE)BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND POLYMER BLENDS CONTAINING SAME

Abstract: Novel block copolymers containing polyether­ imide and polycarbonate segments are prepared from hydroxy terminated polyetherimide oligomers, a dihydric phenol and phosgene or a phosgene precursor. The segmented block copolymers exhibit improved toughness and are useful as engineering thermoplastics, alone, or in combination with other resins.

Description: The present invention relates to novel poly(etherimide-carbonate) block copolymers. More specifically, it relates to thermoplastic poly(etherimide carbonate) block copolymers and to resin blends comprising one or more thermoplastic polymers compatible therewith. Block copolymers of polycarbonates including segments of other polymers have been known, see for example, Goldberg, U.S. 3,030,335, Adelmann, et al., U.S. 4,252,922, and Behnke et al., 4,436,839 who disclose block copolymers of bisphenol-A carbonates including segments derived from polyalkylene glycols. In Schreckenberg et al., U.S. 4,217,437, the polyalkylene glycols are advantageously end-functionalized, e.g., with diphenol carbonates. Such block copolymers are useful per se as film formers and shaped articles because of toughness conferred on the polycarbonates by the segments of other polymers. The block copolymers can also be blended with polycarbonate resins, and a whole host of other thermoplastic addition and condensation polymers to provide thermoplastic addition and condensation polymers to provide thermoplastic molding compositions showing markedly improved resilience properties compared with the unblended resins. It is also known that a highly useful family of heat resistant thermoplastic polymers is comprised of polyetherimide resins made by reacting a bis ether anhydride and an aromatic diamine. See, for example, Heath and Wirth, U.S. 3,847,867, who discloses the reaction product of 2,2-bis[4-2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy phenyl] propane dianhydride (BPA-DA) and metaphenylene diamine. The linear polymer is terminated with amino groups, and has a very high molecular weight and high melting point (Tg, typically = 216°C.). Such a material cannot be readily blended with aromatic polycarbonate, because mixtures with two Tg's are obtained, one for the polyetherimide resin, and one for the polycarbonate. Furthermore, because of the amino terminal groups, polyetherimides cannot be successfully used as blocks in copolymers with aromatic polycarbonate segments, as is done with polyethers. Moreover, no method is known in the art to functionalize high molecular weight polyetherimide resins to accommodate their introduction as blocks into resin copolymers and, even if there were such methods, the length of the segments would probably be too high to provide a composition that would thermoform readily in conventional equipment. It has now been found that an entirely new approach will solve the above-mentioned problems, and this is the subject matter of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there are provided Poly(etherimide carbonate)s having a mean weight average molecular weight M W of between about 8,000 preferably 15,000 and 40,000 and being of the general formula (I) comprising: (a) from about 5 to 80 % by weight of polyetherimide segments (A) with mean number average molecular weight M n of between 1,000 and 6,000; and (b) from 95 to 20 % by weight of polycarbonate segments (B) : wherein the -O-T group is selected from: R³ being hydrogen, alkyl having up to 7 carbon atoms or alkoxy having up to 7 carbon atoms; and Z is or a (2) divalent organic radical of the general formula: where Y is a divalent radical of the formulae: where q is 0 or 1, y is a whole number from 1 to 5; and R is a divalent organic radical selected from (1) an aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from 6-20 carbon atoms and halogenated derivatives thereof, and (2) a divalent radical of the formula: where Q is where x is a whole number from to 5 inclusive; and R¹ is as defined for R above; and X is a bond or C₁-C₈ alkylene, C₂-C₈ alkylidene, C₅-C₁₅ cycloalkylene, C₅-C₁₅ cycloalkylidene, SO₂, SO, O, CO or R² denotes hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and m is 1 or 2. In preferred features, the poly(etherimide) blocks will be of the formula: and especially those in which the divalent bonds of the -O-Z-O- radical are in the 3,3'; 3,4'; 4,3' or the 4,4' position. Also preferred are the poly(etherimide carbonate)s as above defined wherein Z is A preferred family of poly(etherimide carbonate)s will be as above defined in the first formula wherein R and R¹ are independently selected from Special mention is made of poly(etherimide carbonate)s wherein R is and R¹ is wherein X is 2,2 isopropylidene; wherein R² is either a hydrogen atom or methyl group in the 3' or 5' position; and wherein m is 2. Especially preferred poly(etherimide carbonate) block copolymers will be as above defined wherein polyetherimide segment (A) comprises from about 80 to 20% by weight and polycarbonate segment (B) comprises from about 20 to 80% by weight; in which the polyetherimide segment (A) has a mean weight-average molecular weight M w between about 2,000 and 18,000 and the mean weight-average molecular weight M w of polycarbonate segment (B) is between about 2,000 and 18,000. Also contemplated by the present invention are thermoplastic resin compositions comprising a blend of: (a) from about 5 to 60% by weight of a poly(etherimide carbonate) block copolymer as defined above, and (b) at least one compatible thermoplastic polymer resin is selected from an aromatic polycarbonate and a styrene polymer alone, or combined. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The hydroxy-terminated polyetherimide-oligomers used to prepare the poly(etherimide carbonate)s of this invention are of the formula: wherein n is an integer of from 3 to 12; and -O-T group is selected from the class consisting of: R³ being hydrogen, alkyl having up to 7 carbon atoms or alkoxy having up to 7 carbon atoms; and Z is a member of the class consisting of: and (2) divalent organic radicals of the general formula: where Y is a member selected from the class consisting of divalent radicals of the formulae: where q is 0 or 1, and y is a whole number from 1 to 5; and R is a divalent organic radical selected from the class consisting of (1) aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having from 6-20 carbon atoms and halogenated derivatives thereof, and (2) divalent radicals included by the formula: where Q is a member selected from the class consisting of: where x is a whole number from 1 to 5 inclusive; and R¹ is as defined for R above. In preferred features, the polyetherimide oligomer will be of the formula: and especially those in which the divalent bonds of the -O-Z-O- radical are in the 3,3'; 3,4'; 4,3' or the 4,4' position. Also prepared are oligomers as above defined wherein Z is a preferred oligomer will be as above defined in the first formula wherein R and R¹ are independently selected from: n is from 3 to 12, especially 6.5 to 7.5. They can be prepared by a process comprising reacting a bis ether anhydride of the formula: wherein T and Z are as defined above, with a diamine of the formula: H₂N - R - NH₂ wherein R is as defined above, and an aminoalcohol of the formula: H₂N - R¹-OH wherein R¹ is as defined above; the mole ratio of said bis ether anhydride to said diamine to said aminoalcohol being in the range of from about 0.4-0.5 : 0.2-0.423 : 0.4-0.077. In preferred features of this aspect, the mole ratio of said bis ether anhydride to said diamine to said aminoalcohol is 1+b : b : 2 where b is an integer of about 2 to about 12. Suitable procedures will be given hereinafter. The bis ether anhydrides used to prepare the polyetherimides are known or can be readily prepared by those skilled in this art. See, for example, Heath, et al., U.S. 3,847,867. In general, the disodium salt of a dihydric phenol is reacted with a nitroarylimide under condition wherein the C-O-C bonds are formed to give bisimides which are converted to bisanhydrides. Aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s include, for example, 2,2-bis[4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]-propane dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride; 1,3-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride; 1,4-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzophenone dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride; 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) phenyl]propane dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) diphenyl ether dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) diphenyl sulfide dianhydride; 1,3-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene dianhydride; 1,4-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy) benzene dianhydride; 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride; 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4,(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl -2,2-propane dianhydride and mixtures of such dianhydrides. Suitable organic diamines include, for example, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylpropane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, benzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 1,5-diaminoaphthalene, 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 2,4-bis(beta-amino-t-butyl)toluene, bis(p-beta-amino-t-butylphenyl)ether, 1,3-diamino-4-isopropylbenzene, m-xylylenediamine, p-xylyenediamine, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene. Suitable aromatic aminoalcohols can vary widely in type. In general, there can be used p-aminophenol m-aminophenol 4-hydroxy-4'-aminodiphenylpropane 4-hydroxy-4'-aminodiphenyl methane aminohydroxydiphenylsulfone, 4-hydroxy-4'-aminodiphenyl ether, 2-hydroxy-4-aminotoluene, and illustratively any analogs of those given for the diamines above. In general, the reactions can be advantageously carried out employing well-known solvents, e.g., o-dichlorobenzene, m-cresol/toluene, etc. in which to effect interaction between the dianhydrides and the diamines, at temperatures of from about 100 to about 250°C. Alternatively, the polyetherimides can be prepared by melt polymerization of any of the above dianhydrides with any of the above diamino compounds while heating the mixture of the ingredients at elevated temperatures with concurrent intermixing. Generally, melt polymerization temperatures between about 200° to 400°C. and preferably 230° to 300°C. can be employed. The conditions of the reaction and the proportions of ingredients can be varied widely depending on the desired molecular weight, intrinsic viscosity, and solvent resistance. In preferred features of this aspect, the mole ratio of said bis ether anhydride to said diamine to said aminoalcohol is 1+b : b : 2 where b is an integer of about 2 to about 12. The mole ratio of diamine to aminoalcohol can vary, but usually is in the range of 33-83 mole % of diamine to 67-17% aminoalcohol. Preferred mole ratios are 0.4-0.5 bisether anhydride to 0.2-0.423 diamine to 0.4-0.077 aminoalcohol. Generally, useful hydroxyterminated polyetherimide oligomers have an intrinsic viscosity [ν] greater than 0.05 deciliters per gram, preferably 0.15 to 0.30, deciliters per gram when measured in chloroform at 25°C. In one manner of providing the bisphenol A dianhydride, aromatic diamine and aromatic aminoalcohol are reacted in a solvent at 60°C. and then at 180°C. for 1 hour to 4 hours. Then the reaction mixture is cooled whereupon the product is isolated by adding to a non-solvent such as methanol. Generally speaking, the carbonate copolymers useful in connection with this invention are prepared by reacting a dihydric phenol compound, a carbonate precursor such as phosgene, and a carbonate ester and the hydroxy terminated polyetherimide oligomer. When a carbonate ester is used, the materials are reacted at temperatures of from about 150°C. to 300°C. or higher for times varying from 1 to 15 or more hours. In one manner of proceeding the reaction is carried out using phosgene or phosgene-like dibasic acid halide in an organic basic material such as tertiary amine (e.g. pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, and quinoline). The base can be used undiluted or diluted with inert solvents, for example hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, and halocarbons such as chloroform, chlorobenzene, and methylene chloride. Tertiary amines are advantageous in that they serve to catalyze the reaction, are good solvents, and act as acceptors for halogen acid give off during the reaction. Although the phosgene reaction can be carried out over a wide range of temperatures, for example from below 0°C. to over 100°C., the reaction proceeds satisfactorily at 25° to 50°C. Since the reaction is exothermic, the rate of phosgene addition can be used to control the reaction temperature. Substantially equimolar amounts of phosgene can be used, although an excess of up to 1.5 moles or more may be employed. The concentration of the dihydroxy reactants in solvent can also be varied, although it is preferred for convenience to use a solution containing from about 1% to 25% by weight of dihydroxy compounds. The reaction can be carried out by dissolving the dihydroxy reactants in the base, such as pyridine, and then bubbling phosgene into the stirred solution at the desired rate. The copolymer formed is separated and purified by any suitable means, as by pouring the reaction product into a stirred liquid capable of effecting precipitation, for example: hydrocarbons, and alcohols. The precipitation can also be carried out by the addition of a non-solvent to the copolymer solution. Anhydrous precipitants are preferred but water can also be used. After filtration, the precipitate is washed with a material capable of removing pyridine and pyridine hydrochloride to yield, upon drying, a finely divided product. Isopropanol is conveniently used both as a precipitating and washing agent. Suitable phosgene-like dibasic acid halides, in addition to phosgene, include, for example, dibromo and diiodocarbonyls as well as the bishaloformates of dihydric phenols (e.g. bischloroformates of hydroquinone, Bisphenol-A,) or glycols (e.g. bischloroformates of ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol). Other carbonate precursors will occur to those skilled in the art. Copolymers can also be prepared by adding phosgene to an aqueous alkaline solution or suspension of the dihydroxy reactants. This is preferably done in the presence of inert solvents such as methylene chloride, benzene, and toluene. Quaternary ammonium compounds can be used to catalyze the reaction. The block copolymers are preferably prepared in a heterogeneous phase system "the interfacial condensation" technique by reacting an aqueous sodium bisphenolate solution with phosgene and the hydroxy terminated polyetherimide oligomers in the presence of methylene chloride. This will be exemplified hereinafter. The preparation in a heterogeneous phase system by the phase boundary process is described, for example, by S.H. Merrill, J. Polymer Sci., 55, 343 (1961), and the preparation in a homogeneous phase system by the pyridine process is described, for example, by K. P. Perry, W. J. Jackson, Jr. and J. R. Caldwell, Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Develop., 2, 246 (1963). Working up is carried out by methods known for polycarbonates, for example by evaporating off the solvent in devolatilization extruders. The molding compositions according to the invention, consisting of poly(etherimide carbonate) block copolymers resins and a second compatible resin are prepared in conventional mixing units, such as kneaders and screw extruders, or by mixing solutions of the two components and the isolating the molding composition via a devolatilization extruder. The mixtures can be employed as films and shaped articles in all cases where, on the one hand, high notched impact strengths at low temperatures, high toughness properties at relatively high wall thicknesses, and transparency are required. When used herein and in the appended claims, "compatible" refers to blends or compositions of polymers in which the component polymers avoid stratification of the components during or after processing. Compatibility is of great significance for an admixture of different resins, because it ensures homogeneity, and a unity of properties, which greatly facilitates subsequent processing and use of the composition. Incompatible blends separate into phases containing predominantly their own separate components, and thus may be considered to be immiscible. This characteristic, combined with the often low physical attraction forces across the phase bounderies, usually causes immiscible/incompatible blend systems to have poor mechanical properties, thus preventing the preparation of useful polymer blends. When blends of two polymers exhibit a single glass transition temperature (Tg), it generally signifies the resin components are compatible. However, a single Tg is not a necessary condition for a compatible blend. In accordance with the present invention there are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a poly(etherimide carbonate) block copolymer resin and an aromatic polycarbonate or styrene resin which have been melt admixed to provide a compatible composition. Once formed, the product composition may be employed (or further processed) in conventional manner. Its applications include, for example, tough films useful in packaging. They may also be injection molded or extruded to produce a variety of useful thermoplastic articles. In addition to at least two polymeric components, the present composition may contain any of the conventional additives, for the purposes for which they are known. These additives include fire-retardants, impact modifiers, pigments, tints, reinforcing materials such as glass fiber, and antioxidants. They may be combined with the compositions either before or after melt mixing. Addition polymers suitable for admixing with the polycarbonate are illustrated by the following: (a) Styrene Resins Styrene resins suitable for use herein are ABS type polymers, the molecules of which contain two or more polymeric parts of different compositions that are bonded chemically. The polymer is preferably prepared by a polymerizing a conjugated diene, such as butadiene or a conjugated diene with a monomer copolymerizable therewith, such as styrene, to provide a polymeric backbone. After formation of the backbone, at least one grafting monomer, and preferably two, are polymerized in the presence of the prepolymerized backbone to obtain the graft polymer. These resins are prepared by methods well known in the art. The backbone polymer, as mentioned, is preferably a conjugated diene polymer such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, or a copolymer, such as butadiene-styrene or butadiene-acrylonitrile. The specific conjugated diene monomers normally utilized in preparing the backbone of the graft polymer are generically described by the following formula: wherein X₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups containing from one to five carbon atoms, chlorine or bromine. Examples of dienes that may be used are butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-heptadiene, methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-ethyl-1,3-pentadiene; 1,3- and 2,4-hexadienes, chloro and bromo substituted butadienes such as dichlorobutadiene, bromobutadiene, dibromobutadiene, and mixtures thereof. A preferred conjugated diene is butadiene. One monomer or group of monomers that may be polymerized in the presence of the prepolymerized backbone are monovinylaromatic hydrocarbons. The monovinylaromatic monomers utilized are generically described by the following formula: wherein X₁ is as previously defined. Examples of the monovinylaromatic compounds and alkyl-, cycloalkyl-, aryl-, alkaryl-, aralkyl-, alkoxy-, aryloxy-, and other substituted vinylaromatic compounds include styrene, 4-methylstyrene; 3,5-diethylstyrene, 4-n-propylstyrene, alpha-methylstyrene, alpha-methyl vinyltoluene, alpha-chlorostyrene, alpha-bromostyrene, dichlorostyrene, dibromostyrene, tetra-chlorostyrene, and mixtures thereof. The preferred monovinylaromatic hydrocarbons used are styrene and/or alpha-methylstyrene. A second group of monomers that may be polymerized in the presence of the prepolymerized backbone are acrylic monomers such as acrylonitrile, substituted acrylonitrile, and/or acrylic acid esters, exemplified by acrylonitrile, and alkyl acrylates such as methyl methacrylate. The acrylonitrile, substituted acrylonitrile, or acrylic acid esters are described generically by the following formula: wherein X₁ is as previously defined and Y₁ is selected from the group consisting of cyano and carbalkoxy wherein the alkoxy group of the carbalkoxy contains from one to about twelve carbon atoms. Examples of such monomers include acrylonitrile, ethacrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, alpha-chloroacrylonitrile, alpha-chloroacrylonitrile, alpha-bromoacrylonitrile, and alpha-bromoacrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate and mixtures thereof. The preferred acrylic monomer is acrylonitrile and the preferred acrylic acid esters are ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate. In the preparation of the graft polymer, the conjugated diolefin polymer or copolymer exemplified by a 1,3-butadiene polymer or copolymer comprises about 50% by weight of the total graft polymer composition. The monomers polymerized in the presence of the backbone, exemplified by styrene and acrylonitrile, comprise from about 40 to about 95% by weight of the total graft polymer composition. The second group of grafting monomers, exemplified by acrylonitrile, ethyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate, of the graft polymer composition, preferably comprise from about 10% to about 40% by weight of the total graft copolymer composition. The monovinylaromatic hydrocarbon exemplified by styrene comprises from about 30 to about 70% by weight of the total graft polymer composition. In preparing the polymer, it is normal to have a certain percentage of the polymerizing monomers that are grafted on the backbone combine with each other and occur as free copolymer. If styrene is utilized as one of the grafting monomers and acrylonitrile as the second grafting monomer, a certain portion of the composition will copolymerize as free styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. In the case where alpha-methylstyrene (or other monomer) is substituted for the styrene in the composition used in preparing the graft polymer, a certain percentage of the composition may be an alpha-methyl-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer. Also, there are occasions where a copolymer, such as alpha-methylstyreneacrylonitrile, is added to the graft polymer copolymer blend. When a graft is polymer-copolymer blend is referred to herein, it is meant optionally to include at least one copolymer blended with the graft polymer composition and which may contain up to 90% of free copolymer. Optionally, the elastomeric backbone may be an acrylate rubber, such as one based on n-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylacrylate, and the like. Additionally, minor amounts of a diene may be copolymerized in the acrylate rubber backbone to yield improved grafting with the matrix polymer. These resins are well known in the art and many are commercially available. (e) Aromatic Polycarbonate Thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonates that can be employed as the thermoplastic heterogroup containing polymer herein are homopolymers and copolymers and mixtures thereof, which have an intrinsic viscosity of from about 0.4 to about 1.0 dl/g. as measured in methylene chloride at 25°C. The polycarbonates are prepared by reacting a dihydric phenol with a carbonate precursor. Typical of some of the dihydric phenols that may be employed are bisphenol-A, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propane, 4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane, 2-2(3,5,3',5'-tetrabromo-4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)propane, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)methane, and the like. Other dihydric phenols of the bisphenol type are described above. It is, of course, possible to employ two or more different dihydric phenols, or a copolymer of a dihydric phenol, with a glycol or with hydroxy or acid terminated polyesters, or with a dibasic acid, in the event a carbonate copolymer or inter-polymer rather than a homopolymer is desired for use in the preparation of the aromatic carbonate polymer containing heterogroup. The aromatic polycarbonate polymers may be prepared by methods well known in the art, by using phosgene or haloformate and by employing a molecular weight regulator, an acid acceptor and a catalyst. The molecular weight regulators which can be employed in carrying out the process include monohydric phenols, such as phenol, para-tertiary-butylphenol, para-bromophenol, primary and secondary amines, etc. Preferably, a phenol is employed as the molecular weight regulator. The polycarbonates can be prepared in one-phase (homogeneous solution) or two-phase (interfacial) systems when phosgene or a haloformate are used. Bulk reactions are possible when the diarylcarbonate precursors are used. The following Procedures illustrate the preparation of intermediates used in the present invention. PROCEDURE A In a five liter, 3-necked flask equipped with mechanical stirrer, thermometer, nitrogen inlet and Dean-Stark trap/condenser was charged with 2 liters of o-dichlorobenzene, 1145.03 grams (2.20 moles) 2,2 bis (4-(3,4-dicarboxy-phenoxy) phenyl) propane dianhydride, and 0.2 grams sodium benzophosphonate. Under nitrogen the mixture was stirred and heated to 60°C. After 30 minutes 216.28 grams (2.00 moles) m-phenylene diamine was added. After stirring for 30 minutes 43.65 grams (0.40 moles) p-amino-phenol was added and the temperature was slowly raised to 180°C. with azeotropic removal of water. After two hours at 180°C. the mixture was cooled. The oligomer was isolated by precipitation in methanol. The resultant powder was dried at 125°C. under vacuum. This material exhibited an intrinsic viscosity of 0.18 dl./g. as measured in chloroform and a number average molecular weight of 3660 by gel permeation chromotography, a compound of the formula: PROCEDURE B If the procedure of Procedure A is repeated and if 4,4-diaminodiphenylmethane is substituted for the diamine, a polymer with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.16 dl./g. (in chloroform) is obtained. PROCEDURE C If the procedure of Procedure A is repeated and if 4-amino-4'-hydroxydiphenyl propane is substituted for the p-aminophenol, a polymer with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.19 dl./g. (chloroform) is obtained. PROCEDURE D If the procedure of Procedure A is repeated and if m-aminophenol is substituted for the p-aminophenol, a polymer with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.15 dl./g. (chloroform is obtained. PROCEDURE E If the procedure of Procedure A is repeated and if the following bis ether anhydrides are substituted: bis [3-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy] phenyl]propane dianhydride 3-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyphenyl)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyphenyl)-1,3-propane dianhydride; and 4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyphenyl)-3'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxyphenyl)1,3-propane carbonate, and if p-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether are substituted for m-phenylenediamine, and m-aminophenol, 4-amino-4'-hydroxydiphenylmethane and 4-amino-4'-hydroxydiphenyl ether are substituted for p-aminophenol, the corresponding hydroxy-terminated polyetherimide oligomers used in this invention will be obtained. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following examples illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit it in any manner whatsoever. EXAMPLE 1 In a 2-liter flask equipped for interfacial condensation was added the end-capped polyetherimide of Procedure A, 75 g. (0.0167 mole), 75 g. (0.329 mole) of bisphenol-A, 660 ml. of methylene chloride, 1 ml. of triethylamine, 1.59 (.010 moles) p-tert-butylphenol and 450 ml. of water. The pH was raised to 10.5-11.5 and the mixture was phosgenated at 0.75 g./min. for 45 minutes. The layers were separated, washed with water, washed with hydrochloric acid, and washed with water to pH 7. The block co-polymer was precipitated in hot water (85-90°C.). It had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.62 dl./g. (in chloroform). It had a single Tg of 170°C. The product contained units of the formula wherein n is about 7.6. EXAMPLE 2 In a 2-liter flask equipped for interfacial condensation was added the end-capped polyetherimide of Procedure C, 20 g. (0.0057 mole), 80 g. (0.350 mole) of bisphenol-A, 650 ml. of methylene chloride, 1 ml. of triethylamine, 1.2 g. (.008 moles) p-tert-butylphenol and 450 ml. of water. The pH was raised to 10.5-11.5 and the mixture was phosgenated at 0.75 g./min. for 45 minutes. The layers were separated, washed with water, washed with hydrochloric acid, and washed with water to pH 7. The block co-polymer was precipitated in hot water (85-90°C.). It had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.73 dl./g. (in chloroform). It had a single Tg of 160°C. The product contained units of the formula wherein n is about 7.6. EXAMPLE 3 In a 2-liter flask equipped for interfacial condensation was added the end-capped polyetherimide of Procedure D, 80 g. (0.0267 mole), 20 g. (0.0876 mole) of bisphenol-A, 650 ml. of methylene chloride, 0.2 ml. of triethylamine, and 450 ml. of water. The pH was raised to 10.5-11.5 and the mixture was phosgenated at 0.5 g./min. for 27 minutes. The layers were separated, washed with water, washed with hydrochloric acid, and washed with water to pH 7. The block co-polymer was precipitated in hot water (85-90°C.). It had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.67 dl./g. (in chloroform). It had a single Tg of 192°C. The product contained units of the formula wherein n is about 7.6. EXAMPLE 4 In a 2-liter flask equipped for interfacial condensation was added the end-capped polyetherimide of Procedure D, 40 g. (0.0133 mole), 32 g. (0.14 mole) of, bisphenol-A, 8 g. (0.276 moles) the bisphenol of acetophenone, 1.0 g. (0.0067 moles) p-tert-butylphenol, 600 ml. of methylene chloride, 1 ml. of triethylamine, and 450 ml. of water. The pH was raised to 10.5-11.5 and the mixture was phosgenated at 0.75 g./min. for 45 minutes. The layers were separated, washed with water, washed with hydrochloric acid, and washed with water to pH 7. The block co-polymer was precipitated in hot water (85-90°C.). It had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.58 dl./g. (in chloroform). It had a single Tg of 180°C. The product contained units of the formula wherein n is about 7.6. EXAMPLES 5-6 Blends of 25 and 50 wt% of the block copolymer of Example 1 and 75 and 50 wt% of styrene-acrylonitrile resin (SAN) are made by mixing chloroform solutions, evaporating to dryness and molding at 265°C (510°F) into films, and if the toughness is compared with unmodified resin by bending the sample over on itself and noting its resistance to cracking, then the following results were obtained: EXAMPLES 7-9 If the block copolymer of Example 1 is blended with poly(bisphenol A) carbonate by mixing chloroform solutions, evaporating to dryness and compression molding the blend, the results will be as follows: Compatible blends having high clarity and toughness should be obtained. It is anticipated that the blends according to this invention will toughen the otherwise brittle commercially important thermoplastic resins. Obviously, other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention described which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A poly(etherimide carbonate) having a mean weight average molecular weight M w of between about 8,000 and 40,000 and being of the general formula (I) comprising: (a) from about 5 to 80% by weight of polyetherimide segments (A) with mean number-average molecular weight M n of between 1,000 and 6,000; and (b) from 95 to 20% by weight of polycarbonate segments B: wherein n is an integer from 3 to 12, the -O-T< group is selected from: R³ being hydrogen, alkyl having up to 7 carbon atoms or alkoxy having up to 7 carbon atoms; and Z is: or a (2) divalent organic radical of the general formula: where Y is a divalent radical of the formulae: where q is O or 1, y is a whole number from 1 to 5; and R is a divalent organic radical selected from (1) an aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from 6-20 carbon atoms and halogenated derivatives thereof, and (2) a divalent radical of the formula: where Q is where x is a whole number from 1 to 5 inclusive; and R¹ is as defined for R above; and X is a bond or C₁-C₈ alkylene, C₂-C₈ alkylidene, C₅-C₁₅ cycloalkylene, C₅-C₁₅ cycloalkylidene, SO₂, SO, O, CO or R² denotes hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and m is 1 or 2, said polycarbonate segments B having a mean weight-average molecular weight M W of between 2,000 and 18,000. A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein the polyetherimide blocks are of the formula: where n, Z, R¹ and R are as previously defined. A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, where-in the divalent bonds of the - O - Z - O radical are in the 3,3'; 3,4'; 4,3' or 4,4' position. A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein Z is A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein R and R¹ are independently selected from: A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein R is and R¹ is A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein X is 2,2 isopropylidene. A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein R² is either a hydrogen atom or methyl group in the 3 or 5 position. A copolymer as defined in Claim 8, wherein m is 2. A copolymer as defined in Claim 1, wherein polyetherimide segment (A) comprises from about 80 to 20% by weight and polycarbonate segment (B) comprises from about 20 to 80% by weight. A molding composition comprising a blend of: (a) from about 5 to 60% by weight of a poly(etherimide carbonate) as defined in Claim 1 and (b) at least one thermoplastic polymer compatible therewith, selected from aromatic polycarbonates and styrene resin A composition as defined in Claim 11 wherein the aromatic polycarbonate is the reaction product of a dihydric phenol and a carbonate precursor. A composition as defined in Claim 12 wherein the dihydric phenol is bisphenol-A and the carbonate precursor is phosgene. A composition as defined in claim 11 wherein the styrene resin is a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer resin.

Inventors: PETERS, EDWARD NORMAN
Applicants: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C08G73
IPC codes: C08G64, C08G73, C08L69, C08L79