Polymeric Modifier Compositions

The invention relates to modifier compositions for use in polymers. More specifically, the invention relates to impact modifier compositions for polyvinyl chloride.

Modifiers are polymeric compositions which are included in a matrix polymer to improve properties such as impact strength. Modifiers have been used to impart toughness and ductility to polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") for extrusion and injection molding applications.

Various types of modifiers for PVC are known in the art. For example, core/shell polymers of methyl methacrylate, butadiene, and styrene ("MBS") have been employed as modifiers to improve the toughness of PVS. MBS polymers, however, do not impart either sufficient weatherability or ultraviolet light resistance to be used in PVC for outdoor applications.

Acrylic core/shell modifers such as those with poly (butyl acrylate) cores, and poly (methyl methacrylate) shells have been employed to impart ultraviolet light resistance to PVC. These acrylic core/shell polymer modifiers, however, generally provide less impact strength than MBS modifiers. Furthermore, acrylic core/shell polymer modifiers impart non-uniform light absorption, known as pearlescence, as well as loss of color depth in pigmented PVC compositions.

A need therefore exists for modifers which have weatherability and ultraviolet light resistance which impart improved ductility and toughness to PVC compositions while avoiding disadvantages such as pearlescence and loss of color depth.

In accordance with the invention, polymeric modifers comprising a mixture of acrylic core/shell polymer and MBS core/shell polymer are added to polyvinyl halides. The acrylic core/shell polymer includes a core of C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 acrylates and a shell of homopolymers or copolymers of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates. The MBS core/shell polymers have a core of a polymer containing butadiene, a first outer stage of either styrenic polymers, styrene/methacrylate polymers, and alkyl methacrylate polymers, and a second outer stage of either styrenic polymers, styrene/methacrylate polymers, and alkyl methacrylate polymers where compositions of the first and second outer stages are not identical. The modifiers can be employed in polyvinyl halides such as polyvinyl chloride to provide products which show improved color depth, impact strength, and decreased pearlescence. The modifiers may be employed in any amount sufficient to impart improved properties to the polyvinyl halide compositions.

Having briefly summarized the invention, the invention will now be described in detail by reference to the following specification and non-limiting examples.

In accordance with the invention, modifiers which have a wide range of percentages of acrylic core/shell polymer and MBS components may be employed to impart improved coloor depth, impact strength, and decreased pearlescence in polyvinyl halides such as PVC and the like.

The modifiers of acrylic core/shell polymer and MBS may be used in PVC, chlorinated PVC, as well as other compositions where vinyl chloride or other vinyl halide as the major (greater than 50%) component monomer of the resin. These compositions include, but are not limited to: copolymers of vinyl chloride with other monomers that include vinyl alkanoates such as vinyl acetate and the like, vinylidene halides such as vinylidene chloride and the like, alkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as ethyl acrylate,2-ethylhexyl acrylate and the like, unsaturated hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene, isobutylene and the like, allyl compounds such as allyl acetate and the like.

Thermal stabilizers, lubricants and pigments may be also included in the polyvinyl halide as is known in the art. Typically, such stabilizers are based upon tin and barium as is known in the art. In addition, processing aids, fillers, and the like may be incorporated into the polyvinyl halide. Plasticizers may also be included to impart flexibility to the PVC composition. Examples of plasticizers which may be employed in PVC are dioctyl phthalate, poly (propylene adipate) and the like.

Acrylic core/shell polymers which have at least fifty percent C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 Alkyl acrylate in the core may be combined with MBS polymers. Preferably, at least fifty percent of the core is butyl acrylate. Preferably, the core of the MBS polymer has at least about 75% butadiene. MBS polymers which have a core of butadiene copolymerized with styrene with optional crosslinkers such as di vinyl benzene, an intermediate shell of styrenic polymers such as styrene, styrene/methacrylate copolymers, and homopolymers or copolymers of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates, and an outer shell of homopolymers or copolymers of alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates, styrenic polymers such as styrene, and styrene/methacrylate copolymers may be employed in the MBS polymer.

Modifiers of acrylic core/shell polymers and MBS copolymers may be produced by methods known in the art. For example, a mixture of the polymers may be formed by physical blending of the polymers by roll milling and dry mixing with a mechanical mixer. Alternatively, an emulsion of the polymers may be co-isolated by, for example, spray drying or coagulation.

The modifiers may include the acrylic core/shell polymers and MBS polymers components in any amounts sufficient to impart desirable properties such as improved pearlescence and impact strength. Preferably, modifiers which have 85-90% acrylic core/shell polymer are employed. Most preferably, modifiers which have about 87.5% acrylic core/shell polymer are employed.

The following, non-limiting examples illustrate the invention.

A modifier composition of a mixture of about 87.5% of an acrylic core/shell polymer having 80% of a core of butyl acrylate and 20% of a shell of methyl methacrylate was blended with about 12.5% of an MBS core/shell polymer having 75% of a core of about 90% butadiene, about 12% first outer stage of styrene, and about 12% second outer stage of methyl methacrylate to provide the desired modifer composition. (These acrylic core/shell, and MBS core/shell polymers are commercially available from Rohm and Hass Co.)

About 8% by weight of the modifier composition was added to 100 parts PVC resin having a K value of 50-58. Two parts tin stabilizer, 2.7 parts glycerol monostearate, and 0.3 parts polyethylene lubricant, and 2 parts carbon black were also included in the PVC resin. The resulting composition was mixed in a high intensity mixer at approximately 88.degree. C. The mixing blades rotated at 2500-3000 rpm. When the temperature of the mixture reached 100.degree. C., the mixing blade speed was reduced to 1200 rpm and the powder blend was cooled to 60.degree. C. The resultant; pigmented PVC powder was relatively non-compacting and flowable.

The pigmented PVC formulation containing 8% of the modifier was extruded into pellets on a 1-inch Killion extruder containing a single-stage 2/1 compression ratio screw and a 2-strand pelletizing die. Extrusion temperature conditions were:

feed zone: 138.degree. C.; vent and metering zones: 150.degree. C.; die zone: 160.degree. C. The pelletized PVC was then injection molded by a 30 ton Arburg press into 0.318 centimeter thick bars for Izod impact tests. The temperatures in the barrel of the press were: feed zone--170.degree. C.; center zone--185.degree. C.; metering zone--186.degree. C. The temperature of the injection mold was 120.degree. C.

The procedure of Example 1 was repeated with an acrylic core/shell polymer having a greater amount of butyl acrylate in the core. In this example, the acrylic core/shell polymer had a core of a core of about 83.5% butyl acrylate and about 16.5% of a shell of methyl methacrylate. This acrylic core/shell polymer was blended with 12.5% of an MBS core/shell polymer having at least about 80% of a core of about 75% butadiene copolymerized with about 25% styrene, about 10% of an intermediate stage of methyl methacrylate, and about 10% of an outer stage of styrene. (These acrylic core/shell, and MBS core/shell polymers are commercially available from Rohm and Haas Co.)

This example demonstrates the effects of modifiers which have only an acrylic core/shell polymer. Accordingly, the procedure of Example 1 was followed with the exception that an MBS polymer was not included in the modifier composition.

This example shows performance of PVC compositions which do not have modifiers of acrylic core/shell polymers with MBS core/shell polymers. Accordingly, the procedure of Example 1 was followed with the exception that no modifier was included in the PVC.

The results of the foregoing examples are shown in Table I.

Table I illustrates that modifiers of acrylic core/shell polymers with MBS provide PVC products which retain equivalent or greater color intensity than that that provided by acrylic core/shell polymer modifiers in PVC. PVC products which include modifiers of acrylic core/shell polymer and MBS also have significantly improved impact strength and reduced pearlescence.

While the invention has been described and exemplified in detail, various modifications, alternative embodiments, alterations and improvements should become apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.