Resistant resin compositions

Abstract: The present invention relates to resin compositions adapted for weather, heat and light resistance, and which are also resistant to discolouration, comprising at least one polymeric substance and: (A) a hindered amine stabiliser; (B) a hindered-phenol-hindered amine stabiliser; and (C) a UV absorber, in amounts sufficient to confer resistance to discolouration on the composition.

Description: The present invention relates to resin compositions adapted for weather, heat and light resistance, and which are also resistant to discolouration. Resin compositions are useful for coating and protecting items subject to weathering or which are otherwise, in some way, sensitive to the environment in which they are used. Such coatings may be transparent, but they are more often coloured, although such colouration may frequently be white. However, the resins themselves, although more resistant than their substrates, are also subject to decomposition by factors such as heat and light. Commonly used resins are based on styrene polymers, especially polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS type resin). Research into the problems of decomposition and discolouration has established that copolymers with a maleimide sub-unit have an improved resistance to weathering, and that the maleimide monomer may be used in excess over its comonomers. However, maleimide-containing resin compositions generally need to be moulded under conditions of high temperature, and this can frequently lead to discolouration occurring during the moulding process. Furthermore, although improved, maleimide-containing resin compositions still tend to suffer from the drawback of being unstable to light and from being susceptible to discolouration. Other research has also yielded a number of stabilisers, both general and specific to the various adverse factors. Some may prevent discolouration, while others help to circumvent the effects of heat. For example, JP-A-252 458/1987 provides hindered amine-type stabilisers, while other publications provide thermal stabilisers and light stabilisers, including phenol, phosphorus and amine compounds. Other prior art which relates to relevant compounds is, for example, GB-A-1 266 035 which discloses hindered amine-type stabilisers, wherein one, two or three 2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidyl groups are linked to a corresponding mono-, di- or tri- acyl group. EP-A-13 443 discloses a specific range of compounds comprising a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine group substituted in both the N and the 4- positions by hindered phenalkyl groups containing an acyl group in the alkyl moiety. GB-A-1 516 780 discloses bis-(2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidyl) diacyl ester derivatives, particularly where the diacyl group is a malonic group substituted by a hindered phenol residue. However, despite such a large number and wide variety of compounds being available, the stabilisers of the prior art do not provide satisfactory protection against discolouration, and there is still a demand for stabilisers having good discolouration preventing properties. We have now found that it is possible to provide resin compositions with superior resistance to weathering, heat and light by incorporating at least two types of hindered amine stabiliser and a UV absorber therein. Accordingly, the present invention provides a resin composition comprising a rubber-reinforced styrene type of maleimide type copolymer; and: (A) from 0.005 to 6 parts by weight of a hindered amine stabiliser of general formula (I): wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R² represents a mono- to tetra- valent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may also be interrupted with a nitrogen atom, and n represents an integer of 1 to 4, (B) from 0.005 to 6 parts by weight of a hindered-phenol-hindered amine stabiliser of the general formula (II) and/or (III): wherein R represents a methyl group or a t-butyl group, and (C) from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a UV absorber, selected from: 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives and benzophenone derivatives, per 100 parts of the composition. The compositions of the present invention consist essentially of the copolymer, together with the stabilisers and absorber to confer weathering, heat and/or light resistance. In the resin compositions of the invention, it is preferred that the hindered amine stabiliser comprises a compound wherein one, two or three 2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidyl groups are linked to a corresponding mono-, di- or tri- acyl group, and/or that the hindered-phenol-hindered amine stabiliser is one or both, preferably one, of (i) a compound wherein a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine group is substituted, in both the N and the 4- positions, by hindered phenylalkyl groups containing an acyl group in the alkyl moiety, and (ii) a bis(2,2,6,6-tetraalkylpiperidyl) diacyl ester derivative. By "maleimide-type" copolymer, as used herein, is meant a copolymer containing sub-units of the formula (IV): wherein X represents a single bond or a methylene group, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different, and each represents hydrogen or methyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₁₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆₋₁₀ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl wherein the aryl portion contains 6-10 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1-6 carbon atoms, substituted groups having one or more appropriate substituents selected from: C₁₋₄ alkyl groups, halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, C₁₋₄ alkoxy groups, carboxy groups, nitro groups, C₆₋₁₀ aryl groups, cyano groups, C₆₋₁₀ aryloxy groups and C₆₋₁₀-aryl-C₁₋₄-alkyl groups. Suitable examples of R⁶ include the N -substituents of the maleimide type monomers described hereinafter. In the sub-units of formula (IV), when X is a single bond, R⁴ and R⁵ are preferably both hydrogen and, when X is a methylene group, R⁴ and R⁵ are preferably both hydrogen or methyl. It is preferred that X is a single bond. R⁶ preferably represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₈ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, carboxy, nitro, phenyl, naphthyl, cyano, phenoxy, naphthyloxy or C₁₋₄ alkylphenyl groups. More preferably, R⁶ represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or tolyl, particularly hydrogen, cyclohexyl or phenyl, and especially hydrogen or phenyl. The composition of the invention preferably comprises a copolymer having from 5 to 90% by weight of a sub-unit of formula (IV) as defined above. The resin compositions of the present invention are advantageous in that they possess superior resistance to weathering, heat and light. The compositions of the invention overcome the problems associated with the prior art, and are discoloured little, or not at all, under conditions of high temperature moulding and intense light. What is particularly marked is that the compositions of the invention are vastly superior to those possessing only two of the components (A) - (C). Suitable preparations of compounds (I), (II) and (III) are generally commercially available, and may also be prepared in accordance with the disclosures of, for example, GB-A-1 266 035, EP-A-13 443 and GB-A-1 516 780, respectively. Suitable maleimide type monomers for copolymers containing the sub-unit of formula (IV) wherein X represents a single bond include: maleimide; α-methylmaleimide; α,β-dimethylmaleimide; N -(C₁₋₁₈ alkyl)maleimides (such as N -methylmaleimide, N -ethylmaleimide, N -propylmaleimide, N -isopropylmaleimide, N -butylmaleimide, N -hexylmaleimide, N -octylmaleimide, N -laurylmaleimide and N -octadecylmaleimide); N -(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl)maleimides (such as N -cyclopropylmaleimide, N -cyclopentylmaleimide and N -cyclohexylmaleimide); α-methyl- N -cylohexylmaleimide; α,β-dimethyl- N -cyclohexylmaleimide; N -phenylmaleimide; α-methyl- N -phenylmaleimide; α,β-dimethyl- N -phenylmaleimide; and N -(substituted phenyl)maleimides wherein the phenyl ring is substituted with one or more substituents selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl (for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl) groups, halogen (for example, fluorine, chlorine and bromine), hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkoxy (such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or butoxy), carboxy, nitro, aryl (such as phenyl or naphthyl), cyano, aryloxy (such as phenoxy or naphthyloxy), and phenyl-C₁₋₄-alkyl groups (such as benzyl and phenethyl). These may be used either singly or in combination (two or more) as desired. More specifically, examples of suitable N -(substituted phenyl) maleimide monomers include; N -tolylmaleimide, N -ethylphenylmaleimide, N -butylphenylmaleimide, N -dimethylphenylmaleimide, N -chlorophenylmaleimide, N -bromophenylmaleimide, N -dichlorophenylmaleimide, N -dibromophenylmaleimide, N -trichlorophenylmaleimide, N -tribromophenylmaleimide, N -hydroxyphenylmaleimide, N -methoxyphenylmaleimide, N -carboxyphenylmaleimide, N -nitrophenylmaleimide, N -biphenylmaleimide, N -naphthylphenylmaleimide, N -cyanophenylmaleimide, N -phenoxyphenylmaleimide, N -benzylphenylmaleimide, N -(methyl-chlorophenyl)maleimide, and N -(methoxy-chlorophenyl)maleimide. Particularly preferred monomers for copolymers having a sub-unit of formula (IV) wherein X is a single bond are monomers in which both of R⁴ and R⁵ are hydrogen, more preferably, maleimide, N -(C₁₋₆ alkyl)maleimides, N -cyclohexylmaleimide, N -phenylmaleimide. N -tolylmaleimide, especially maleimide, N -cyclohexylmaleimide, N -phenylmaleimide and N -tolylmaleimide. Comonomers, such as aromatic vinyl type monomers, do not form an essential feature of the present invention. Suitable examples of aromatic vinyl type comonomers include; styrene, α-methylstyrene, α-chlorostyrene, p -t-butylstyrene, p -methylstyrene, o -chlorostyrene, p -chlorostyrene, 2,5-dichlorostyrene, 3,4-dichlorostyrene, p -bromostyrene, o -bromostyrene, 2,5-dibromostyrene and 3,4-dibromostyrene, preferably styrene and α-methylstyrene. These can be used either singly or in combination of two or more compounds as desired. As used herein, the term "maleimide type" includes reference to graft copolymers having 5 to 90% by weight of a sub-unit of formula (IV), based on the total amount of the polymer components. Suitable rubbery polymers to form a graft copolymer include: polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene random or block copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random or block copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, neoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, isobutylene rubber, natural rubber, ethylene-propylene rubbers, ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene rubbers, chlorinated polyethylenes, chlorinated ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene rubbers, acrylic rubbers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid or methacrylic acid ester (such as the methyl, ethyl, butyl, glycidyl and dimethylaminoethyl esters) copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymers, polyvinyl butyral, polyester elastomers and polyamide elastomers. These may be used crosslinked or uncrosslinked, and may be used as combinations of two or more polymers, as desired. Of the above-mentioned copolymers, the most preferred are polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene random or block copolymers, ethylene-propylene rubbers, ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene rubber, acrylic rubbers, particularly polybutadiene and styrene-butadiene random or block copolymers. For practical purposes, including for heat resistance and workability, the ratio of sub-units of formula (IV) to other units in the copolymer is preferably from 5% to 90%, more preferably from 10% to 80%, particularly from 20% to 70% by weight. A copolymer containing the sub-units of formula (IV) may be prepared by any suitable method known in the art. In general, when X represents a single bond, the imide monomer may be polymerised directly, or alse the free acid or anhydride may be used, followed by treatment with a suitable imidating agent, such as a compound of formula (V): NH₂R⁶ (V) (wherein R⁶ is as defined as above). Other suitable imidating agents include isocyanic esters. Where the copolymer to be prepared contains sub-units of formula (IV) wherein X represents methylene, then such a polymer may be prepared by the polymerisation of a corresponding acid or anhydride, followed by imidation as above. However, the most economic technique is to polymerise methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, or a mixture thereof, according to whether R⁴ and R⁵ are both methyl, both hydrogen, or mixes of hydrogen and methyl, respectively. The resulting polymer may then be imidated. Copolymers may be directly copolymerised in the presence or absence of a rubbery polymer. Suitable polymerisation techniques include: bulk polymerisation; suspension polymerisation; bulk-suspension polymerisation; emulsion polymerisation; and solution polymerisation. Suitable polymers for blending with the polymers containing the sub-unit of formula (IV) of the present invention include: polystyrene, impact-resistant polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer and acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS type resin). The ABS copolymer may comprise 5 to 90 parts by weight (preferably 10 to 80 parts by weight, especially 25 to 75 parts by weight) of a rubber elastomer, 5 to 90 parts by weight (preferably 10 to 80 parts by weight, especially 10 to 70 parts by weight) of an aromatic vinyl monomer, 0 to 90 parts by weight (preferably 5 to 70 parts by weight, especially 5 to 50 parts by weight) of an α,β-unsaturated nitrile type monomer, and generally 0 to 85 parts by weight of other, suitable comonomers copolymerisable therewith. A suitable proportion of blending polymer is anywhere from 0% to 90%, preferably from 20% to 80%, and any proportion may be used according to requirements. Suitable rubbery elastomers include: polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, neoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, isobutylene rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-unconjugated diene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated ethylene-propylene unconjugated diene rubber, acrylic rubber and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. Preferable elastomers include: polybutadiene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylic rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, ethylene-propylene rubber and ethylene-propylene-unconjugated diene rubber, especially polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene copolymers. Suitable aromatic vinyl type monomers include those mentioned above, especially styrene and α-methylstyrene. These may be used singly or in combination, as before. The most preferable polymers for blending in the resins of the present invention are ABS copolymers, copolymers having acrylonitrile and styrene graft-polymerised onto acrylic rubber and copolymers of chlorinated polyethylene copolymerised with acrylonitrile and styrene. Particularly preferred are ABS copolymers, particularly when prepared by the graft method. Suitable compounds useful as the hindered amine type stabiliser of formula (I) are as follows. When n is 1, R² may represent, for example: an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, s -butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, heptadecyl and octadecyl); or a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl), alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and butoxy) and halogen atoms (such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine). R² is preferably an alkyl group having 11 to 17 carbon atoms or a phenyl group. When n is 2, R² may represent, for example, an alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, nonamethylene, decamethylene, dodecamethylene, hexadecamethylene, octadecamethylene, nonadecamethylene or icosamethylene. Preferred is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. When n is 3, R² may represent, for example, an alkanetriyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as one of the following: preferably groups of the formula: and, when n is 4, R² may represent an alkanetetrayl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms, such as: preferably: Those compounds wherein n is 2 and R² is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and those compounds wherein n is 4 and R² is: are preferred, especially those compounds wherein n is 2 and R² is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Compounds of formula (I') are also suitable for use as the hindered amine type stabiliser: wherein R¹ is as defined above, R³ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (such as the examples given hereinbefore for R²), BTCA represents a butanetetracarboxylic acid residue, and m is a number from 1 to 2. Particularly preferred are those compounds wherein R¹ is hydrogen or methyl, R³ is an alkyl group having 8 to 15 carbon atoms, and m is 1.7. Component (B) may comprise one or both of the compounds of formulae (II) and (III) in which preferably R represents a t-butyl group. It is preferred that component (B) comprises the compound of formula (II) alone. Examples of suitable UV absorbers for use in accordance with the present invention include: 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives [wherein the substituents may be selected from, for example: 5'-methyl-, 5'-t-butyl, 3',5'-di-t-butyl-, 5'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-, 5-chloro-3',5'-di-t-butyl-, 5-chloro-3'-t-butyl-5'-methyl-, 3'- s -butyl-5'-t-butyl, 4'-octyloxy-, 3',5'-di-t-amyl- and 3',5'-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)- groups]. Preferred UV absorbers are the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives and benzophenone derivatives, especially the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives, and particularly preferred are 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, and 2-[2'-hydroxy-3',5'-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzylphenyl)]benzotriazole. The amounts of the amine stabilisers necessary [components (A) and (B)], will vary according to the application for which the resin is intended and also with other factors, such as the other constituents of the composition, especially other stabilisers. Suitable quantities will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. However, generally, based on the weight of the copolymer, suitable amounts of components (A) and (B) are from 0.005 to 6% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 3% by weight, and especially from 0.1 to 1% by weight. A suitable amount of UV absorber [component (C)] will generally be in the region of from 0.01 to 5% by weight based on the weight of the copolymer, preferably from 0.02 to 3% by weight, especially from 0.1 to 1% by weight. The resin compositions of the present invention may also contain various other suitable additives known in the art of polymer technology. Some non-limiting examples are as follows: 1. Phenol type antioxidants (1) 3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid esters The methanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate and N , N ′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxalic acid diamide esters. (2) 3-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionic acid esters The methanol, diethylene glycol, octadecanol, triethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, thiodiethylene glycol and N , N ′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxalic acid diamide esters. (3) 3-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid esters The methanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate and N , N ′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxalic acid diamide esters. (4) 3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid amide derivatives N , N ′-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamine, N , N ′-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamine, and N , N ′-bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine. (5) Others 2-6-Di-t-butyl- p -cresol, distearyl (4-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-t-butyl)benzylmalonate, 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl) p -cresol], bis[3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-t-butylphenyl)butyric acid]glycol ester, 4,4′-butylidenebis(6-t-butyl- m -cresol), 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 3,9-bis[1,1-dimethyl-2-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate and bis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl]oxamide. 2. Phosphite and phosphonite type stabilisers Tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite, triphenylphosphite, tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite, 4,4-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenyl-di-tridecyl)phosphite, bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)-4,4-biphenylene phosphonite and bis(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methyl-phenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite. 3. Nickel type stabilisers Nickel monoethyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl phosphonate, butylamine nickel 2,2′-thiobis(4-t-octylphenolate) complex, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, and nickel 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate. 4. Metal salts of higher fatty acids Calcium, magnesium, barium, zinc, cadmium and nickel stearates, and calcium, magnesium, cadmium, barium and zinc laurates. If necessary, metal deactivating agents, organic tin compounds, epoxy compounds and thioether type peroxide decomposing agents may all be used as desired or required, in any combination. Other suitable additives include colourants, and useful pigments include: inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide, ultramarine blue, red iron oxide, carbon black and cadmium yellow; organic pigments such as azo type pigments (Chromophthal [trade mark] Yellow GR, Chromophthal [trade mark] Red BR), isoindolinone type pigments (Irgazine [trade mark] Yellow-2 GLT), anthrone type pigments (Chromophthal [trade mark] Yellow 6GL, Chromophthal [trade mark] Red A3B), phthalocyanine type pigments (Phthalocyanine Blue B, Phthalocyanine Green 2YL), dioxazine type pigments (PV Fast Violet BL, Chromophthal [trade mark] Violet B), perylene type pigments (Heliogenmaloon G, Indanthrene Scarlet R), perinone type pigments (Indanthrene Bordeau HRR, Perinon Red) and quinophthalone type pigments (Dialite Yellow GYGR) and dyes. Other additives may include: reinforcing materials (such as glass fibre); fillers (such as talc, silica and calcium carbonate); inorganic/organic flame retardants; plasticisers; nucleation agents; antistatic agents; lubricants; foaming agents; pigment dispersing agents; and antifungal agents alone or in any suitable combination. The present invention will now be further illustrated by reference to the following Examples. In the Examples and Preparation Examples, unless otherwise noted, parts and percents are by weight. Preparation Example 1 Rubber-Reinforced Styrene Type Copolymer Resin (a) A monomeric mixture (I) comprising 70 parts of styrene, 30 parts of acrylonitrile and 1.1 part of t-dodecyl mercaptan (a molecular weight controller) was prepared. Into a glass flask equipped with a stirring device, a reflux condenser, a thermometer and device to aid addition, were charged 270 parts (including water) of a styrene-butadiene rubber latex (styrene content 10% by weight, rubber solids concentration 37% by weight and average rubber particle size 0.30 µm) and 100 parts of deionised water. The inner temperature was brought to 70°C, with stirring, under a stream of nitrogen. Ferrous sulphate (0.01 part - dissolved in a small amount of deionised water), 0.8 part of dextrose and 1 part of sodium pyrophosphate were then added into the polymerisation system. Subsequently, into the flask, 25 parts of an aqueous dispersion of cumene hydroperoxide (CHPO) containing 0.5 part of CHPO were added, with stirring, over 180 minutes, the whole of the monomeric mixture (I) being added continuously over 140 minutes, and the polymerisation reaction was initiated at the same temperature. One hundred and twenty minutes after the initiation of the polymerisation reaction, 0.2 part of sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate was added into the polymerisation system. The graft-polymerisation reaction was continued at the same temperature for 210 minutes from the start of initiation. The latex obtained after completion of the graft-polymerisation reaction was added dropwise into a 4% aqueous magnesium sulphate solution heated to 95°C for salting-out, dehydrated and dried to give a powdery styrene type graft copolymer (a) (graft gel content 70% by weight). Preparation Example 2 Maleimide Type Copolymer Resin (b) Into a pressure polymerisation tank equipped with a condenser, a stirring device and a device to aid feeding of the starting material, were charged 690 parts of styrene and 19 parts of maleic anhydride, and the tank atmosphere replaced with nitrogen. With stirring, the inner temperature of the polymerisation tank was brought to 95°C to initiate the bulk polymerisation reaction. One hundred parts of molten maleic anhydride liquid heated to 70°C were added continuously at a constant rate into the polymerisation system at 95°C for 460 minutes after the initiation of polymerisation. After this time, a viscous liquid with a polymerisation degree of 44% by weight was obtained. The viscous liquid was poured into a large excess of methanol to remove unreacted monomers, followed by drying, to give a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer. Three hundred parts of the styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer obtained together with 600 parts of xylene were charged, with stirring, into an autoclave equipped with a stirring device and a device to aid feeding of the starting material, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction system, which had become a uniform solution, was brought to 155°C, and 93 parts of aniline and 0.9 part of triethylamine were added into the autoclave to initiate the imidation reaction. For 240 minutes from the initiation of the reaction, the polymer imidation reaction was continued at the same temperature. The polymer solution obtained was poured into methanol to be precipitated, washed, filtered and dried to give a maleimide type copolymer resin (b). The composition of the maleimide polymer resin (b) was analysed by NMR and was found to comprise 57.6% by weight of the styrene component, 41.6% by weight of the N -phenylmaleimide component and 0.8% by weight of the maleic anhydride component. Examples 1 - 3, Comparative Examples 1 - 5 To 50 parts by weight of the copolymer (a) obtained in Preparation Example 1 and 50 parts by weight of copolymer (b) obtained in Preparation Example 2 were added 0.3 part by weight of triethylene glycol bis[3-(3-t-butyl-5-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], 0.3 part by weight of ultramarine blue and various stabilisers [components (A) - (C), amounts shown in the Table below], and the mixture was melted and mixed through an extruder and formed into pellets, which were then injection-moulded at 270°C to prepare test plates with a thickness of 1 mm. The test plates were subjected to photoirradiation in a UV-ray fadometer (FAL-AU Model, Suga Shikenki K.K.) at a black panel temperature of 83°C for 600 hours, followed by determination of Hunter colour difference (ΔE) according to JIS Z8722. The results obtained are shown in Table 1. Stabiliser (parts by weight) ΔE No. (a) (b) (c) Example 1 0.25 0.25 0.2 3.4 2 0.5 0.25 0.2 2.8 3 0.25 0.5 0.2 3.1 Comparative Example 1 0.5 - 0.2 8.2 2 0.75 - 0.2 7.0 3 - 0.5 0.2 6.9 4 - 0.75 0.2 6.5 5 - - - 13.5 (a) bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate (b) 1-{2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyloxy]ethyl}-4-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyloxy]-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (c) 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole Examples 4 - 6, Comparative Examples 6 - 10 Test plates were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 0.3 part by weight of Anthraquinone Blue was used in place of Ultramarine Blue in Example 1, and subjected to photo-irradiation to determine ΔE. The results are shown in Table 2. Stabiliser (parts by weight) ΔE No. (a) (b) (c) Example 4 0.25 0.25 0.2 8.2 5 0.5 0.25 0.2 7.3 6 0.25 0.5 0.2 7.6 Comparative Example 6 0.5 - 0.2 20.1 7 0.75 - 0.2 18.8 8 - 0.5 0.2 18.3 9 - 0.75 0.2 16.7 10 - - - 26.4

Claims: A resin composition comprising a rubber-reinforced styrene type or maleimide type copolymer; and: (A) from 0.005 to 6 parts by weight of a hindered amine stabiliser of general formula (I): wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R² represents a mono- to tetra- valent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may also be interrupted with a nitrogen atom, and n represents an integer of 1 to 4, (B) from 0.005 to 6 parts by weight of a hindered-phenol-hindered amine stabiliser of the general formula (II) and/or (III): wherein R represents a methyl group or a t-butyl group, and (C) from 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a UV absorber, selected from: 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole derivatives and benzophenone derivatives. per 100 parts of the composition. A resin composition according to claim 1, wherein the resin comprises a copolymer containing sub-units of the formula (IV): wherein X represents a single bond or a methylene group, R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different, and each represents hydrogen or methyl, R⁶ represents hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C₁₋₁₈ alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted c₃₋₈ cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆₋₁₀ aryl, unsubstituted or substituted aralkyl wherein the aryl portion contains 6-10 carbons and the alkyl portion contains 1-6 carbon atoms, substituted groups having one or more appropriate substituents selected from: C₁₋₄ alkyl groups, halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, C₁₋₄ alkoxy groups, carboxy groups, nitro groups, C₆₋₁₀ aryl groups, cyano groups, C₆₋₁₀ aryloxy groups and C₆₋₁₀-aryl-C₁₋₄-alkyl groups. A resin composition according to claim 2, the composition comprising from 5 to 90%, preferably from 10 to 80%, more preferably from 20 to 70%, by weight of a sub-unit of formula (IV), as defined in claim 2. A resin composition according to claim 3, wherein the copolymer is a graft copolymer with a rubbery polymer. A resin composition according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the copolymer has a further polymer blended therewith in a mix of between 0 and 90%. A resin composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein R² in the compound of formula (I) represents: when n is 1 , an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; or a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and halogen atoms; when n is 2 , an alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms; when n is 3 , an alkanetriyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and when n is 4 , an alkanetetrayl group having 4 to 5 carbon atoms. A resin composition according to claim 6, wherein: when n is 1 , R² represents an alkyl group having 11 to 17 carbon atoms or a phenyl group; when n is 2 , R² represents an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; when n is 3 , R² represents a radical selected from the group consisting of: and when n is 4 , R² represents A resin composition according to claim 7, wherein n is 2 and R² represents an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or n is 4 and R² represents: A resin composition according to claim 7, wherein R² is selected from the groups having the formula: A resin composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the compound of formula (I) has the formula (I'): wherein R¹ is as defined in claim 1, R³ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, BTCA represents a butanetetracarboxylic acid residue, and m is a number from 1 to 2. A resin composition according to claim 10, wherein R¹ is hydrogen or methyl, R³ is an alkyl group having 8 to 15 carbon atoms, and m is 1.7. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the UV absorber is 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and/or 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzylphenyl)benzotriazole. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the amounts of the components (A) and (B) are from 0.01 to 5%, preferably from 0.05 to 3%, more preferably from 0.1 to 1%, by weight. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the amount of the UV absorber is from 0.02 to 3%, preferably from 0.1 to 1%, by weight. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one additive selected from: phenol type antioxidants; phosphite and phosphonite type stabilisers; nickel type stabilisers; metal salts of higher fatty acids; metal deactivating agents; organic tin compounds; epoxy compounds; thioether type peroxide decomposing agents; colourants; reinforcing materials; fillers; inorganic and organic flame retardants; plasticisers; nucleation agents; antistatic agents; lubricants; foaming agents; pigment dispersing agents and antifungal agents. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, wherein X in the sub-unit of formula (IV), when said sub-unit is present, represents a single bond. A resin composition according to claim 16, wherein both of R⁴ and R⁵ are hydrogen. A resin composition according to any preceding claim, wherein R⁶ in the sub-unit of formula (IV), when said sub-unit is present, represents hydrogen, C₁₋₁₈ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, carboxy, nitro, phenyl, naphthyl, cyano, phenoxy, naphthyloxy or C₁₋₄ alkylphenyl groups. A resin composition according to claim 18, wherein R⁶ in the sub-unit of formula (IV) represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl or tolyl.

Inventors: HASEGAWA RYUICHI C O MITSUBISH, KURUMADA TOMOYUKI, OSAWA HISAYU, TODA TOSHIMASA, TOMONO HIROMI C O MITSUBISHI M, HASEGAWA, RYUICHI C/O MITSUBISHI MONSANTO CHEM. CO, KURUMADA, TOMOYUKI, OSAWA, HISAYU, TODA, TOSHIMASA, TOMONO, HIROMI C/O MITSUBISHI MONSANTO CHEM. CO.
Applicants: SANKYO CO, SANKYO COMPANY LIMITED
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C08K5
IPC codes: C08K5, C08L35, C08L57, C08L33