POLYPHENYLENE ETHER/POLYAMIDE BLENDS HAVING IMPROVED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract: Compatibilized mixtures of a polyphenylene ether, a polyamide and a compatibilizer. The mixtures have improved physical properties as a result of using in the mixtures a polyamide having a terminal amine group to terminal carboxyl group ratio of greater than 1.

Description: POLYPHENYLENE ETHER/POLYAMIDE BLENDS HAVINE IMPROVED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a compatibilized resin composition comprising a polyphenylene ether type resin and a polyamide resin. The invention also relates to molded articles prepared from the resin composition, with or without a filler, which show improved properties in surface .appearance, impact strength, very small warp and good heat resistance. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Polyphenylene ether is useful as a resin material for molding because of its good mechanical and electrical properties. However, it has poor oil-resistance. In order to solve this disadvantage, it is known that polyphenylene ether can be blended with polyamide which is resistant to oil (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open 16525/1981). The resulting composition exhibits improved oil resistance as compared to polyphenylene ether alone. However, poly¬ phenylene ether and polyamide show poor compatibility with each other and, accordingly, properties intrinsic to these two resins, e.g., the excellent mechanical properties, are not fully exhibited when the resins are combined. In order to improve this, the attempt has been made to enhance impact resistance while obtaining improved oil resistance by adding a compound having (a) a carbon-car¬ bon double or triple bond and (b) a carboxyl, acid anhydride, acid amide, imide, carboxylic ester or epoxy group (Japanese Patent Publication (unexa ined) 56-26913). However, shaped articles prepared from this composition have a tendency to show poor surface appearance. Finholt (U.S. Patent No. 3,379,792) discloses polymer blends wherein the processability of polyphenylene ether resins may be improved by blending with from 0.1 to 25% by weight of a polyamide. However, the advantages of the Finholt invention are limited by the fact that when the concentration of the polyamide exceeds 20% by weight, appre¬ ciable losses in other physical properties result. Specifi¬ cally, there is no, or at best poor, compatibility between the polyphenylene ether and the polyamide such that phase separation of the resins occurs on molding or the molded article is inferior in mechanical properties. ϋeno et al. (U.S. Patent No. 4,315,086) discloses polyphenylene ether blends having improved mechanical resis¬ tance without a loss of other mechanical properties by blen¬ ding therewith a polyamide and a specific compound selected from the group consisting essentially of (A) liquid diene polymers, (B) epoxy compounds and (C) compounds having in the molecule both of (i) an ethylene carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-carbon triple bond and (ii) a carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, acid amide, imide, carboxylic acid ester, a ino or hydroxy group. Finally, Kasahara et al. (EP No. 46040) discloses the use of a copolymer comprising units of a vinyl aromatic compound and either an alpha, beta-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride or an imide compound thereof as a modifier to an impact resistant polyphenylene ether-polyamide blend for improved heat resistance and oil resistance. Aycock et al. (U.S. Patent No. 4,600,741) discloses the use of an acyl functional compatibilizer, preferably the reaction product of polyphenylene ether with trimellitic anhydride acid chloride, for polyphenylene ether-polyamide blends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The figure is a graph showing relation between a terminal group ratio of polyamide and a warp. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that in a compatibilized resin composition comprising (a) a polyphenylene ether type resin, (b) a polyamide resin, and (c) a compatibilizer for (a) and (b) and, additionally if desired the below-described optional materials,mechanical strengtji, such as impact resistance, and surface appearance of a molded article of the resin composition are improved, while maintaining oil resistance of the molded article by the use of a polyamide resin in which the amount of terminal a ino group is greater than the amount of terminal carboxyl group. The compositions of the present invention also exhibit lower warp in a mol ed article prepared from a com¬ patibilized resin composition comprising (a) a polyphenylene ether type resin, (b) a polyamide resin, (c) a compatibilizer for (a) and (b) and a filler, and such compositions exhibit improved mechanical strength. This is attained by the use of a polyamide resin having the above-mentioned particular terminal group ratio in the aforesaid resins/filler composition. Thus, the present invention provides a compatibi¬ lized resin composition comprising: (a) a polyphenylene ether resin (b) a polyamide resin in which the amount of ter¬ minal amino group is greater than the amount of terminal carboxyl group, and (c) a compatibilizer compound for (a) and (b). Preferably, the compatibilized resin compositions of the present invention comprise: (a) 5 to 80 parts by weight of a polyphenylene ether type resin, (b) 95 to 20 parts by weight of a polyamide resin in which the amount of terminal amino group is greater than the amount of terminal carboxyl group, and (c) 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of a compatibilizer compound based upon the total amount of components (a) and (b). The compatibilized resin compositions of the present invention, in addition to components (a), (b) and (c) , can further comprise: optionally, (d) a rubbery material, optionally, (e) a filler, optionally, (f) a flame retardant, and optionally, (g) an antimony-compound. These optional components can be used singly or in any combination and the preferred amount of optional components are: optionally, (d) 0 to 20 parts by weight of a rubbery material per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b), optionally, (e) 5 to 150 parts by weight of a filler per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of compo¬ nents (a) and (b), optionally, (f) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a flame retardant per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b), and optionally, (g) 0 to 20 parts by weight of an antimony compound per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b). The polyphenylene ether type resin used herein is " known per se and is generically defined by the general formula: wherein R 1, ,' R 2_,' R3- and R4 A are a monovalent substituent selec- ted from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a haloalkyl and haloalkoxy group in which at least 2 carbon atoms are present between a halogen atom and a phenyl ring with the exclusion of those having tertiary alpha-carbon atoms and n is an integer representing the degree of polymerization and is preferably at least 50. The polymer may be a homopolymer or a copoly er of two or more co onomers represented by the above general formula. In preferred examples, R, and R_ are an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R_ and R. are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Exemplary preferable polyphen¬ ylene ethers are poly(2,6-diethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-ethyll,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6- ethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-propyl-l,4- phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dipropyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly (2-ethyl-6-proρyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, and poly(2,6- dipropyl-l,4-phenylene) ether. Particularly preferred is poly(2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether. A typical polyphenylene ether copolymer is a copolymer in which a part of the aforesaid polyphenylene ether recurring unit is replaced with tri-alkyl substituted phenol, such as 2,3,6-trimethyl phenol. Further, styrene type compounds may be grafted onto these polyphenylene ethers to yield copolymers. Illustrative of styrene type compound-graf ed polyphenylene ethers are copolymers grafted with styrene, alpha-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene and chlorostyrene. Polyamide resins are known per se. Polyamides suitable for the preparation of the compositions of the pre¬ sent invention may be obtained by polymerizing a monoamino- onocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof having at least 2 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid group; or by polymerizing a diamine which contains at least 2 carbon ato s between the amino groups and a dicarboxylic acid; or by polymerizing a monoaminocarboxylic acid or a lactam thereof as defined above together with a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid. The dicarboxylic acid may be used in the form of a functional derivative thereof, for example an ester or acid chloride. Examples of the aforementioned monoamino onocar- boxylic acids or lactams thereof which are useful in pre¬ paring the polyamides include those compounds containing from 2 to 16 carbon atoms between the amino and carboxylic acid groups, said carbon atoms forming a ring with the -CO-NH- group in the case of a lactam. As particular examples of aminocarboxylic acids and lactams there may be mentioned gamma-aminocaproic acid, butyrolactam, pivalolactam, capro- lactam, capryllactam, enantholactam, undecanolactam, dodecano- lacta and 3- and 4-aminobenzoic acids. Examples of diamines suitable for preparing the polyamides include diamines of the general formula H 2 N CH 2 ) n NH 2 wherein n is an integer of from 2 to 16, such as trimethy- lenediamine, tetramethylenedia ine, pentamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine and especially hexamethylenediamine. The dicarboxylic acids may be aromatic, for example isophthalic and terephthalic acids. Preferred dicar¬ boxylic acids are of the formula HOOC-Y-COOH wherein Y represents a divalent aliphatic group containing at least 2 carbon atoms, and examples of such acids are sebacic acid, octadecanedoic acid, suberic acid, glutaric acid, pi elic acid and adipic acid. Typical examples of the polyamides or nylons, as these are often called, include for example polyamides 6, 6/6, 11, 12, 6/3, 6/4, 6/10 and 6/12 as well as polyamides resulting from terephthalic acid and trimethyl hexamethylene diamide, polyamides resulting from solipic acid and meta xylylenediamines, polyamides resulting from adipic acid, azelaic acid and 2,2-bis-(p-aminocyclohexyl) propane and polyamides resulting from terephthalic acid and 4,4'-diamino- dicyclohexylmethane. Preferred polyamides are the polyamides 6, 6/6, 4/6, 11 and 12, most preferably polyamides 6/6 or polyamide 6. In the present invention, what is essential is that the amount of terminal amino group is greater than the amount of terminal carboxylic group in the polyamide. Such polyamides may be obtained by adding an excessive amount of, for instance, compounds having a group reactive with a car¬ boxylic group, such a diamines, to a polymerization system of the polyamide. Alternatively, such polyamides may be obtained by reacting the polyamide with, for instance, com¬ pounds having a group reactive with a carboxylic group after polymerization of the polyamide. The terminal amine group is present also in a minimum amount sufficient to interact with the compatibilizer, component (c), to help effect com- patibilization between (a) and (b). Polyphenylene ethers, component (a), and polyamides in which the amount of terminal amino group is greater than the amount of a terminal carboxyl group, component (b) , are blended in any proportion, preferably in a range of 5 to 80 parts by weight and a range of 95 to 20 parts by weight, respectively. If the amount of component (b) exceeds the above limitation, the desired properties of component (a) are difficult to maintain. On the other hand, if the amount of component (b) falls below the lower limit, the purpose of adding component (b), i.e., improvement of the oil resistance level, is difficult to attain. Preferably, a weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is 30 to 70 : 70 to 30. For best results, component (c) is blended in an amount of 0.01 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 2 parts by weight, to each 100 parts by weight of the total of components (a) and (b). If the amount is less than 0.01 parts by weight, the desired effect as a compatibilizer is not attained. On the other hand, if the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, surface appearance of the molded article is sometimes poor. Component (c) of the present invention can be any compound or group of compounds known to effect compatibility between a polyphenylene ether resin, component (a), and a polyamide resin, component (b). Mixtures of compatibilizers can be used. Suitable compatibilizers preferably include: (i) a compound having (1) one or more of a carbon- carbon double or triple bond and (2) one or more functional groups selected from a carboxyl, acid anhydride, acid amide, imide, carboxylic ester or epoxy group; (ii) a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid or derivative thereof; (iii) a silane compound having in its molecular structure both (a) at least one silicon atom which is bonded to a carbon atom via an oxygen bridge and (b) at least an ethylene carbon-to-carbon double bond or a carbon-to-carbon triple bond and/or a functional group selected from an amine group and a mercapto group, the functional group not being bonded directly to the silicon atom; (iv) a functionalized polyphenylene ether consist¬ ing of a reaction product of (a) a polyphenylene ether and (b) a compound of the general formula (i)-Z-(ii), wherein (i) is at least a group of the formula [X-C(O)] with X=F, Cl, Br, I, OH, -OR, or -0-C(0)-R with R=H, alkyl or aryl, wherein (ii) is at least a carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, acid amide, i ido, carboxylic acid ester, amino or hydroxyl group, and in which the groups (i) and (ii) are covalently bonded together via a bridge Z, Z being a bivalent hydrocar¬ bon radical; (v) an oxidized polyolefin wax, optionally in combination with an organic phosphite; (vi) a copolymer with units of a vinylaromatic compound and of an alpha-beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride or a copolymer with units of a vinylaromatic compound of an imide compound of an alpha- beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. This compatibilizer can be present in the preferred amount of from 0.5 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyamide plus poly¬ phenylene ether; and * (vii) the reaction product of a) 1,2-substituted olefinic compound with carboxyl group or acid anhydride group, b) a polyphenylene ether and c) a radical initiator. This compatibilizer can be present in the preferred amount of from 0.5 to 150 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyamide plus polyphenylene ether. The agents for improving the compatibility men¬ tioned in (iv) and (vii) can replace the polyphenylene ether, component (a) in the polymer mixtures according to the invention, entirely or partly. Component (c) used in the present invention when of type (i) includes maleic anhydride, maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleimide, maleic hydrazide, reaction products of maleic anhydride with diamines such as those having the following structures (wherein R represents an aliphatic or aromatic group) , methyl nadic anhydride, dichloromaleic anhydride, maleic amide, natural oils such as soy bean oil, tung oil, castor oil, linseed oil, hempseed oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, tsubaki oil, olive oil, coconut oil and sardine oil, epoxidated natural oils siich as epoxi- dated soy bean oil, unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, butenoic acid, crotonic acid, vinylacetic acid, methacrylic acid, pentenoic acid, angelic acid, tiglic acid, 2-pentenoic acid, 3-pentenoic acid, alpha-'ethylacrylic acid, beta-methylcrotonic acid, 4-pentenoic acid, 2-hexenoic acid, 2-methyl-2-pentenoic acid, 3-methyl-2-pentenoic acid, alpha- ethylcrotonic acid, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butenoic acid, 2-heρtenoic acid, 2-octenoic acid, 4-decenoic acid, 9-undecenoic acid, 10-undecenoic acid, 4-dodecenoic acid, 5-dodecenoic acid, 4-tetradecenoic acid, 9-tetradecenoic acid, 9-hexadecenoic acid, 2-octadecenoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, eicosenoic acid, docosenoic acid, erucic acid, tetracosenoic acid, micolipenic acid, 2,4-pentadienoic acid, 2,4-hexadienoic acid, diallylacetic acid, geranic acid, 2,4-decadienoic acid, 2,4-dodecadienoic acid, 9,12-hexadecadienoic acid, 9,12- octadecedienoic acid, hexadecatrienoic acid, linolic acid, linolenic acid, octadecatrienoic acid, eicosadienoic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, recinolic acid, eleostearic acid, oleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, erucinic acid, docosadienoic acid, docosatrienoic acid, docosatetra- enoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, tetracosenoic acid, hexa- cosenoic acid, hexacodienoic acid, octacosenoic acid and triacontenoic acid, or esters, acid amides and acid anhydrides of these unsaturated carboxylic acids, adducts of low mole¬ cular weight polymers (e.g., average molecular weight of about 500 to 10,000) or high molecular weight polymers (e.g., average molecular weight 10,000 or more) of, for instance, butadiene and isoprene and isoprene with maleic anhydride, or derivatives of these polymers in which a carboxyl group or epoxy group is introduced. Compound (c) may have two or more of the aforesaid unsaturated bonds (1) and/or two of more of the aforesaid functional groups (2). Component (c) used in the present invention, when of type (ii), the saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, is represented by the formula: (R 1 I0)__R(COORI x I" L ) n (CONRI- L I i I- L RIV v ) s wherein R is a linear or branched chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon of from 2 to 20, preferably 2 to 10, carbon atoms; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, acyl and carbonyl and dioxy group of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms, most preferably hydrogen; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of R and R is selected from the group consisting of hydro¬ gen, an alkyl and aryl group of from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, most preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms; m is equal to 1 and (n + s) is greater than or equal to 2, prefer¬ ably equal to 2 or 3, and n and s are each greater than or equal to zero and (OR ) is in an alpha or beta position to a carbonyl group and at least two carbonyl groups are separated by 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of the derivatives of the saturated ali¬ phatic polycarboxylic acids according to the invention include esters, amides, anhydrides, hydrates and salts of the saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids. Illustrative of the saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids are citric acid, malic acid and agaricic acid. Illustrative of acid esters include acetyl citrate and mono- or di- stearyl citrates and the like. Suitable acid amides include for example N,N'-diethyl citric acid amide; N,N'-dipropyl citric acid amide; N-phenyl citric acid amide; N-dodecyl citric acid amide; N,N'-didocecyl citric acid amide and N-dodecyl malic acid amide. Preferably, component (c), when a satura¬ ted aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, is citric or malic acid. The salts include calcium malates, calcium citrate, potassium malate and potassium citrate. Component (c) used in the present invention, when of type (iii), includes the agents mentioned to improve the compatibility which have at least one silicon atom which is bonded to a carbon atom via an oxygen bridge. For that pur¬ pose, at least an alkoxy group or an acetoxy group will usually be present in the silane. Moreover, silicon atoms which are bonded together via an oxygen bridge, i.e. silo- xane groups, may be present in the silane derivative. In addition, the silane derivatives must have at least one of the following characteristic features, namely the presence in the molecule of one or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds or triple bonds, an amino group and/or a ercapto group. The carbon-to-carbon double or triple bond may be coupled directly to the silicon atom. The mercapto group or the amino group may not be coupled directly to a silicon atom. Examples of suitable silane derivatives are: gamma aminopropyl triethoxy silane; vinyl-tris-(2-methoxy-ethoxy) silane; 5-(bicycloheptenyl) triethoxy silane and gamma err capto-propyl trimethoxy silane. Component (c) used in the present invention, when of type (iv), includes the agents mentioned for improving the compatibility which can be obtained by reacting a poly¬ phenylene ether with, for example, chloroethyanoyl succinic anhydride; trimellitic anhydride acid chloride; chloroformyl succinic anhydride; l-acetoxyacetyl-3,4-dibenzoic acid anhydride; trimellitic anhydride acid acetic anhydride and the acid chloride of terephthalic acid. The compounds formed can be purified by precipitation in methanol or acetone. These agents may be used in combination with primary or secondary amines, for example, butyl amine, dibutyl amine, n-octadecyl amine. Preferred are the polyphenylene ethers functionalized with trimellitic anhydride acid chloride and the method by which they can be obtained is described in Aycock et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,600,741. Component (c) used in the present invention, when of type (vi), includes the compounds mentioned in EP-A 0 046 040 and EP-A 0 147 874. Examples of these compounds are styrene maleic acid anhydride copolymers, styrene-maleic acid anhydride methacrylate terpolymers, styrene-maleic acid anhydride acrylate terpolymers, and the rubber-modified variants of these compounds. Component (c) used in the present invention, when of type (vii), includes the compounds and their mode of pre¬ paration which are disclosed in Japanese Patent Applications 59/059,724; 59/086,653 and 59/066,452. Component (c) of this type relates to the reaction product of a) a 1,2-sub- stituted olefinic compound with carboxylic group or acid anhydride group (for example, maleic acid anhydride), b) a polyphenylene ether and c) a radical initiator (for example, benzoyl peroxide). The optional rubbery material (d) used in the present invention includes natural or synthetic polymeric materials elastic at room temperature. Illustrative of such are natural rubber, butadiene polymer, butadiene-styrene copolymer including random copolymer, block copolymer, graft copolymer and any other structures, isoprene polymer, chloro- butadiene polymer, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, iso- butylene polymer, isobutylene-butadiene copolymer, isobuty- lene-isoprene copolymer, acrylic ester polymer, ethylene- propylene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer, Thiokol rubber, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane rubber, polyether rubber such as polypropylene oxide, and epichloro- hydrin rubber. These optional rubbery materials may be prepared by any of known methods, such as emulsion polymerization or solution polymerization, using any of known catalysts such as peroxides, trialkyl aluminum, lithium halide or nickel catalysts. The rubbery materials may have various degrees of crosslinking and various ratios between micro-structures such as cis, trans and vinyl. They may be particles of various average sizes. Further, the copolymers may be random copolymers, block copolymers or graft copolymers. The rubbery materials may also be copolymers with other monomers such as olefins, dienes, aromatic vinyl compounds, acrylic acid, acrylic esters and methacrylic ester. These comonomers may be copolymerized in any manner of random copolymerization, block copolymerization or graft copoly erization. Illustra¬ tive of these monomers are, for instance, ethylene, propylene, styrene, chlorostyrene, alpha- ethylstyrene, butadiene, isoprene, chlorobutadiene, butene, isobutylene, acrylic acid, methyl arcylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile. Partially modified rubbery materials may also be used in the invention, such as polybutadiene having hydroxy or carboxy- odified terminals, and partially hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymers. When used, rubbery material (d) preferably is blended in an amount of 0 to 20 parts by weight to each 100 parts by weight of the total of components (a) and (b) . Component (d) is used to improve impact resistance of a molded article. In the case of a molded article which does not contain component (d), surface appearance is remarkably improved, though improvement on impact resistance is not as good. Optional filler (e) when used in the present invention includes inorganic and organic fillers which are usually added to plastics, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, metal fibers, glass beads, asbestos, wollastonite, calcium carbonate, talc and barium sulfate. These may be used alone or in combination. Among these fillers, glass fibers are preferably used, which preferably have a fiber diameter of 6 to 30 microns and a fiber length of 30 microns or more. When a filler (e) is used, the composition of the invention preferably contains 5 to 150 parts by weight of the filler per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b). If the filler is contained in an amount outside the above range, it may not be possible to obtain a composition having the improved desired properties. That is, if the amount is less than 5 parts by weight, the desired reinforcing effect may not be attained. On the other hand, if the amount exceeds 150 parts by weight, surface appearance of a molded article is sometimes poor. Regarding optional flame retardant (f), if phosphorous type flame retardants usually used in polypheny¬ lene oxide resins or nitrogen type flame retardants usually used in polyamides are used herein, their effect is present but small. However, halogen type flame retardants yield excellent fire resistance. When optional antimony compound (g) is used together with optional flame retardant (f), fire resistance is further enhanced. Particularly, halogenated flame retardants such as brominated polystyrene, brominated polyphenylene oxide, brominated bisphenol series epoxy com¬ pounds, are proper because these do not cause bleeding. Above all, brominated polystyrene is a flame retardant which has such excellent heat stability that its discoloring is least when a resin composition resides in molding machine at 280°C for 10 minutes. Compositions which contain neither component (f) nor component (g) may also be possible for use in a field where fire resistance is not required. Further, the compositions may contain other addi¬ tives which are usually used, such as pigments and stabili¬ zers, as occasion demands. The present invention essentially resides in that a mole-ratio of the terminal amino group and the terminal carboxy group in the polyamide utilized (hereinafter referred to as a terminal group ratio) is greater than 1 and component (c) is blended with components (a) and (b) yielding a compa¬ tibilized composition. Highly improved mechanical strength and excellent surface appearance of a molded article have unexpectedly been attained by the use of the compatibilized resin composition according to this invention. Conventional polyamide resins have a terminal group ratio of 1 or less. In the case of polyamides for injection molding, an end-sealing agent is sometimes added to the polymerization components in order to properly control melt viscosity. The terminal group ratio of such polyamides is less than 1. When a polyamide having a termi¬ nal group ratio of more than 1 is used according to the invention, mechanical strength and appearance of a molded article are remarkably improved, compared with a polyamide having a terminal group ratio of 1 or less. This was not an expected result by any means. Decisive theoretical explana¬ tion for the above has not yet been found. According to electron micrography of molded articles, the average size of polyphenylene oxide particles dispersed in a polyamide matrix is small and size distribution is narrow in the present invention. It is surprising that the difference in the terminal group ratio makes such a great difference in a molded article. The terminal group ratio of the polyamides utilized in the present invention should be greater than 1.01, preferably is 1.1 or more, more preferably is 1.3 or more. The aforesaid components (a) to (c) alone, or with the optional components (d) to (g) alone or in combination, may be mixed in any order and heat melted to be injection molded. The resin compositions according to the invention yield molded articles having highly improved mechanical strength and surface appearance. The invention is explained below in further detail by the examples, which should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner. EXAMPLES 1-4 and COMPARISON EXAMPLES 1-3 Poly(2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether was used as component (a) in the Examples. Two types of nylon-6 were used as component (b). The first type of polyamide had a terminal amino group of 8.4 X 10 mole/g and a terminal carboxyl group of 1.8 X 10 -5 mole/g. The second type of polyamide had a terminal amino group of 4.6 X 10 mole/g. and a terminal carboxyl group of 7.0 X 10 -5 mole/g. Molecu- lar weight of both polyamides was 13,000. A polyamide having a predetermined terminal group ratio was prepared by admixing these two types of polyamides in a proper mixing ratio. Similar results on a molded article were obtained using a polyamide whose terminal group ratio was adjusted during polymerization instead of the blended polyamide from the two types of polyamides. Maleic anhydride was used as component (c). A blend of the above components was extruded at 290°C through a twin screw extruder with pressure-reducing vent to prepare pellets. Using the pellets, a molded article was produced fay an injection molding machine set to a cylinder temperature of 280°C, an injection pressure of 1200 kg/cm.2 and a mold temperature of 80°C. The molded article was evaluated by an Izod impact test according to JIS(Japanese Industrial Standard) K7110. Surface appearance was evaluated with the naked eye. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the state of polyphenylene ether dispersed in a polyamide matrix in the molded article. A small piece was cut out from the Izod test piece and processed by a microtome. It was then subjected to solvent etching in methylene chloride for 2 minutes while sonicating, and coated with gold. Subsequently it was observed by SEM. The results are shown in TABLES I and II. TABLE I Weight Ratio NH 2 /COOH Izod Impact Drop Destru PPO/PA/Maleic Ratio in With Notch Impact tion Anhydride Polyamide Kg cm/cm Kg cm State Comparison 1 50/50 0.5 0.66 7 70 brittl Comparison 2 50/50 0.5 0.92 7 251 brittl Example 1 50/50 0.5 1.15 7 464 ductil Example 2 50/50 0.5 1.55 8 600 ductil Example 3 50/50 0.5 2.14 8 605 ductil Example 4 50/50 0.5 4.77 8 600 ductil Comparison 3 50/50 — 1.55 4 50 brittl PPO: Component (a) PA : Component (b) TABLE II PPO Dispersion State Particle Size Particle Size Appearance of — Distribution Molded Article Comparison 1 large broad bad Comparison 2 large broad bad Example 1 small narrow good Example 2 small narrow good Example 3 small narrow good Example 4 small narrow good Comparison 3 large broad bad Electron microscopic photographs of the molded articles obtained in Comparison 1 (NH 2 /COOH=0.66) , Compa¬ rison 2 (0.92), Example 2 (1.55) and Example 4 (4.77) show the differences in particle size and size distribution of polyphenylene ether. EXAMPLES 5-11 AND COMPARISON EXAMPLES 4-7 Compositions using the same polyphenylene ether resin and polyamide resins as in Examples 1-4 were prepared, and molded under the same conditions and subjected to similar tests. The results of the Izod impact test and particle size distribution and surface appearance observations are set forth in Tables III and IV. Citric Acid, malic acid and n-phenyl citric amide were used as component (c) . SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. Cariflex TR 1101, Shell Chemical Company) was used as component (d). TABLE III PPO/PA/Carboxylie compound/SBS NH 2 /COOH Izod Impa (weight ratio) Ratio in with Notc Polyamide Kg cm/cm Comparison 4 50/50/1 (citric acid)/0 0.66 5 5 50/50/1 (citric acid)/10 0.66 7 6 50/50/1 (citric acid)/10 0.92 15 Example 5 50/50/1 (citric acid)/10 1.15 25 6 50/50/1 (citric acid)/10 1.55 28 7 50/50/1 (citric acid)/0 1.55 6 8 50/50/1 (malic acid)/10 2.14 27 9 50/50/1 (PCA)/10 2.14 28 10 50/50/1 (citric aσid)/10 2.14 29 11 50/50/1 (citric acid)/10 4.77 49 Comparison 7 50/50/0/10 1.55 4 PCA: n-phenyl citric amide TABLE IV PPO/SBS 1 Dispeision State Appearance of Particle Size Distribution Molded Article Comparison 4 large broad bad 5 large broad bad 6 large broad bad Example 5 small narrow good 6 small narrow good 7 small narrow good 8 small narrow good 9 small narrow good 10 small narrow good 11 small narrow good Comparison 7 Poor Dispersion particularly bad Election microscopic photographs photographs of the molded pieces according to Example 6, Example 11, Compari¬ son 5 and Comparison 7 show the differences in particle size and size distribution of polyphenylene ether. EXAMPLES 12-15 AND COMPARISON EXAMPLES 8-10 Compositions using the same polyphenylene ether resin and polyamide resins as in Examples 1-4 were prepared and molded under the same conditions and subjected to similar tests. The results of the Izod impact, warp and bending strength tests are set forth in Tables V and VI. Citric acid was used as component (c). SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer. Cariflex TR 1101, Shell Chemical Company) was used as component (d) . Chopped glass fibers were used as the filler (e). TABLE V PPO/PA/Citric Acid/GF/SBS NH2/COOH Ratio Izod Impact (weight ratio) of Polyamide with Notch (kg cm/cm) omparison 8 35/35/ 0.7 /30/0 0.66 6.0 9 35/35/ 0.7 /30/0 0.92 6.4 xample 12 35/35/ 0.7 /30/0 1.15 7.0 13 35/35/ 0.7 /30/0 1.55 7.4 14 35/35/ 0.7 /30/0 4.77 7.2 15 35/35/ 0.7 /30/5 1.55 9.6 omparison 10 35/35/ 0 /30/0 1.55 5.5 PPO Component (a), polyphenylene ether PA Component (b), nylon-6 SBS Component (d), stylene-butadiene-stylene block copolymer GF Component (e), chopped glass TABLE VI Comparison 8 14.8 1470 9 9.8 1550 E ample 12 4.0 1680 13 2.2 1760 14 3.0 1720 - 15 3.1 1700 Comparison 10 18.2 1410 The results in Tables V and VI show the relation between the terminal group ratio and warp in Comparisons 8 and 9 and Examples 12, 13 and 14 where only the terminal group ratio of polyamide was varied. It is noted that the warp is remarkably decreased by making the amount of the terminal amine group greater than the amount of the carboxyl group. EXAMPLES 16-17 AND COMPARATIVE AND EXAMPLES 11-12 Poly(2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether was used as component (a) in the Examples. Two types of Nylon-6 were used as component (b). The low amine content "regular" Nylon-6 had a terminal amine concentration of 3.6x 10~ equivalents/g. and is available under the trade designation of ULTRAMID B3 from BASF Corporation. It had a Reduced Viscosity of 142 ml/g. calculated by dissolving 0.5g of the polyamide in 90% formic acid, measured at 25°C by means of Ubelohde viscosity. The "high amine" content" Nylon-6 had a terminal amine concentration of 6.9x 10~ equivalents/g. and is available under the trade designation of CAPRON XPN 1250 from Allied Chemical Corporation. It had a Reduced Viscosity of 149 ml/g. calculated by dissolving 0.5g of the polyamide in 90% formic acid, measured at 25°C by means of Ubelohde viscosity. Polyphenylene functionalized with trimellitic anhydride acid chloride was used as component (c). Hydro- genated styrene-isoprene diblock copolymer was used as component (d). A blend of the above components was extruded at about 275°C through a Werner-Pfleiderer twin screw 28mm extruder with pressure-reducing vacuum to prepare pellets. Using the pellets, a molded article was produced from each composition by an injection molding machine set to a cylin¬ der temperature of about 275°C. The molded articles were evaluated for Izod Impact strength and Charpy impact strength according to ASTM D 256, Puncture impact according to DIN 53443 and Flexural modulus and Flexural strength according to ASTM 790. The results are shown in TABLES VII and VIII. TABLE VII Example PPO/PPO-TAAC/ Terminal Amine Izod Izod PA/SI weight concentration Impact(J/M) Impac ratio) -30°C (J/M) Comparison 11 21.5/21.5/45/ 3.6x 10 eq./g. 551 220 12 Example 16 21.5/21.5/45/ 6.9x 10 eq./g. 656 263 12 Comparison 12 35/8/45/12 3.δx 10 eq./g. 225 163 Example 17 35/8/45/12 6.9x 10 eq./g. 711 178 All compositions also contained a processing aid (0.3 pbw); a stabilizer (0.4 pbw) and i0 2 (0.5 pbw) TABLE VIII Example Charpy Charpy Puncture Puncture Flexural Flex Impact Impact Impact Impact Modulus Stre (KJ/πT) -30°C, (J) -30°C (MP (KJ/uT) (J) Comparison 11 41.2 24.3 94 65 1710 86. Example 16 47.8 32.9 97 47 2030 85. Comparison 12 26.6 20.7 38 7 1620 73. Example 17 45.7 27.9 73 10 1830 81. EXAMPLES 18-19 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 13 Poly(2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether was used as component (a) in the Examples. Three types of Nylon-6,6 were used as component (b). The low amine content "regular" Nylon-6,6 had a terminal amine concentration of 4.4x 10 "" equivalents/g. and is available under the trade designa¬ tion of FABELNYL 45 APDH from Tubize Corp. It had a Reduced Viscosity of 132.5 ml/g. calculated by dissolving 0.5g of the polyamide in 90% formic acid, measured at 25°C by means of Ubelohde viscosity. The two high amine content Nylon- 6,6s were experimental samples which had a terminal amine concentrations of 7.Ox 10 " equivalents/g. (for A) and 8.4x 10 " equivalents/g. (for B), respectively. They had Reduced Viscosities of 132 ml/g and 128 ml/g calculated by dissolving 0.5g of the polyamide in 90% formic acid, measured at 25°C by means of Ubelohde viscosity. Citric acid-1-hydrate was used as component (c). Styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer ' was used as component (d) . A blend of the above components was extruded at at about 275°C through a Werner-Pfleiderer twin screw 28mm extruder with pressure-reducing vacuum to prepare pellets. In these Examples, a portion of each of the amines was added "downstream" of the extruder "throat", showing that the order of compounding the ingredients is not critical to the present invention. Using the pellets thus formed, a molded article was produced from each composition by an injection mold¬ ing machine set to a cylinder temperature of about 285°C. The molded articles were evaluated for Izod impact strength and Charpy impact strength according to ASTM D 256, and Puncture impact according to DIN 53443. The results are shown in TABLE IX. TABLE IX Example PPO/Citric Acid- Izod Imoact Charpy Puncture 1-Hydrate/PA /SBS (J/M * ) I Immppaacctt.. Impact (weight ratio) RT -30°C ((KKJJ//MM Zji RT -30°C RT -30°C Comparison 13 49/0.7/41/10 249 126 18.3 11.3 99 56 Example 18 49/0.7/41(A)/10 321 162 19.9 12.2 144 64 Example 19 49/0.7/41(B)/10 298 177 21.4 12.4 136 56 "10 pbw of each polyamide was precompounded; 31 pbw of each polyamide was added downstream "All compositions also contained a stabilizer (0.4 pbw) and Ti0 2 (0.5 pbw). EXAMPLES 20-24 AND COMPARISON EXAMPLES 14-15 Compositions using the same polyphenylene ether resin and polyamide resins as in Examples 1-4 were prepared and molded under the same conditions and tested. The results of the flammability and warp tests are set forth in Table X. Citric acid was used as component (c). Chopped glass fibers were used as component (e). Various flame retardants, listed in the Table, were used as component (f) and antimony trioxide was used as component (g). TABLE X Example PPO/PA/Citric Acid/ NH2/COOH Ratio Warp Flammabil GF/Flame Retardant/ Of Polyamide (mm) Sb 2 O g (weight ratio) Comparison 14 15/35/0.5/30/20 (TPP)/- 1.55 — total los by fire Comparison 15 15/35/0.5/30/20(methyl 1.55 — total los cyanurate)/- by fire Example 20 15/35/0.5/30/15 (BS)/5 1.55 2.8 v-o Example 21 15/35/0.5/30/15 (B-PPO)/5 1.55 3.2 v-o Example 22 15/35/0.5/30/15 (B-E)/5 1.55 3.5 V-0 Example . 23 15/35/0.5/30/15 (DBD)/5 1.55 3.2 V-O Example . 24 15/35/0.5/30/20 (BS)/5 1.55 3.4 V-O TPP : Triphenyl phosphate BS : Brominated styrene (Pyrocheck 68PB, Nissan Ferroorgan Chemical Co.) B-PPO : Brominated polyphenyleneoxide (PO-64P, Great Lakes Chemicals) B-E : Brominated bisphenol type epoxy compound (EBR-787, Matsunaga Chemical Co.) DBD : Decabromodiphenylether (EB-10FP, Matsunaga Chemical C The above mentioned patents, patent applications and other publications are incorporated herein by reference. Other modifications and variations of the invention are possible and will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the above-detailed disclosure. It is to be understood, therefore, that changes may be made in the particular embodiments shown without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A resin composition comprising: (a) a polyphenylene ether resin; (b) a polyamide resin in which the amount of ter¬ minal amino group is greater than the amount of terminal carboxyl group; and (c) a compatibilizer compound for (a) and (b) . 2. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyphenylene ether is defined by the formula wherein R, , R 2 , R- and R. are a monovalent substituent selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a haloalkyl and haloalkoxy group in which at least 2 carbon atoms are present between a halogen atom and a phenyl ring with the exclusion of those having tertiary alpha-carbon atoms and n is an integer representing a degree of polymerization. 3. A composition according to Claim 2 in which the polyphenylene ether is selected from poly(2,6-dieth l-l, 4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-ethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2-methyl-6-ethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, pol (2- methyl-6-propyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dipropyl-l,4- phenylene) ether, poly(2-ethyl-δ-propyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, poly(2,6-dipropyl-l,4-phenylene) ether, and poly(2,6-dimethyl- 1,4-phenylene) ether. 4. A composition according to Claim 3 in which the polyphenylene ether is pol (2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene) ether. 5. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyphenylene ether is a copolymer of two or more poly¬ phenylene ether comonomers. 6. A composition according to Claim 5 in which the polyphenylene ether copolymer is a copolymer in which part of the polyphenylene ether recurring unit is replaced with a tri-alkyl substituted phenol. 7. A composition according to Claim in which said tri-alkyl substituted phenol is 2,3,6-trimethyl phenol. 8. A composition according to Claim 1 in which a styrene type compound is grafted onto the polyphenylene ether. 9. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyamide is obtained by polymerizing a monoa ino mono- carboxylic acid or a lactam thereof having at least two car¬ bon atoms between the amino and a carboxylic acid. 10. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyamide is obtained by polymerizing a diamine, which contains at least two carbon atoms between the amino groups, and a dicarboxylic acid. 11. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyamide is obtained by polymerizing a monoamino car¬ boxylic acid or a lactam thereof with a diamine and a dicar¬ boxylic acid. 12. A composition according to Claim 9 in which the monoamino onocarboxylic acid or lactam thereof is selected from gamma-aminocaproic acid, butyrolactam, pivalo- lactam, caprolactam, capryllactam, enantholactam, undecano¬ lactam, dodecanolactam and 3- and 4-amino benzoic acids. 13. A composition according to Claim 10 in which the diamine is of the formula H_N(CH 2 ) H 2 wherein n is an integer of from 2 to 16. 14. A composition according to Claim 13 in which the diamine is selected from the trimethylene diamine, tetra- ethylene diamine, pentamethylene diamine, octamethylene diamine and hexamethylene diamine. 15. A composition according to Claim 10 in which the dicarboxylic acid is aromatic. 16. A composition according to Claim 15 in which the dicarboxylic acid is selected from isophthalic and tere¬ phthalic acids. 17. A composition according to Claim 9 in which the dicarboxylic acid of the formula HOOC-Y-COOH wherein Y represents a divalent aliphatic group containing at least two carbon atoms. 18. A composition according to Claim 17 in which the dicarboxylic acid is selected from sebacic acid, octa- decanedioc acid, suberic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid and adipic acid. 19. A composition according to Claim 1 in which the polyamide is selected from polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 6/3, polyamide 6/4, polyamide 6/10 and polyamide 6/12. 20. A composition according to Claim 1, in which component (c) is selected from (i) a compound having (1) one or more of a car¬ bon-carbon double or triple bonds and (2) one or more func¬ tional groups selected from carboxyl, acid anhydride, acid amide, imide, carboxylic ester or epoxy group; (ii) a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid or derivative therof; (iii) a silane compound having in its molecular structure both (a) at least one silicon atom which is bonded to a carbon atom via an oxygen bridge and (b) at least an ethylene carbon-to-carbon double bond or a carbon-to-carbon triple bond or a functional group selected from an amine group and a mercapto group, the functional group not being bonded directly to the silicon atom or mixtures of (b) ; (iv) a functionalized polyphenylene ether con¬ sisting of a reaction product of (a) a polyphenylene ether and (b) a compound of the general formula (i)-Z-(ii)*, where¬ in (i) is at least a group of the formula [X-C(O)] with X being F, Cl, Br, I, OH, -OR, or -0-C(0)-R with R being alkyl or aryl, wherein (ii) is at least a carboxylic acid, acid anhydride, acid amide, imido, carboxylic acid ester, amino or hydroxyl group, in which the groups (i) and (ii) are covalently bonded together via a bridge Z, Z being a bivalent hydrocarbon radical; (v) an oxidized polyolefin wax, optionally in combination with an organic phosphite; (vi) a copolymer with units of a vinylaromatic compound and of an alpha-beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride or a copolymer with units of a vinylaromatic compound of an imide compound of an alpha- beta unsaturated dicarboxylic acid; (vii) the reaction product of a) 1,2-substituted olefinic compound with carboxyl group or acid anhydride group, b) a polyphenylene ether and c) a radical initiator. 21. A composition according to Claim 20, in which component (c) is selected from maleic anhydride, citric acid, maleic acid, N-phenyl citric amide, polyphenylene function- alized with trimetallic anhydride acid chloride and citric acid-1-hydrate. 22. A composition according to Claim 1, in which component (a) is present in the amount of from 5 to 80 parts by weight; component (b) is present in the amount of from about 95 to about 20 parts by weight based upon 100 parts by weight of (a) and (b); and component (c) is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 10 parts by weight of the total amount of (a) and (b) . 23. A composition according to Claim 1, in which two or more compatibilizers are used. 24. A composition according to Claim 1 which further comprises components selected from component (d) a rubbery material, component (e) a filler, component (f) a flame retardant and component (g) an antimony compound. 25. A composition according to Claim 24, in which component (d) is present in an amount of from 0 to about 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b). 26. A composition according to Claim 24, in which component (e) is present in an amount of from 5 to about 150 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b). 27. A composition according to Claim 24, in which component (f) is present in an amount of from 0 to about 40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b) and component (g) is present in an amount of from 0 to about 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of components (a) and (b). 28. A composition according to Claim 20, in which component (a) is replaced entirely or partly by component (c) (iv). 29. A composition according to Claim 20, in which component (a) is replaced entirely or partly by component (c) (vii).

Inventors: FUJII SUSUMU, ISHIDA HIROMI, MORIOKA MASATAKA, SAITO AKIHIRO, VAN DER MEER ROELOF, FUJII, SUSUMU, ISHIDA, HIROMI, MORIOKA, MASATAKA, SAITO, AKIHIRO, VAN DER MEER, ROELOF
Applicants: GEN ELECTRIC, THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C08F283
IPC codes: C08L51, C08L71, C08L77