Polyester polycarbonate compositions, methods of making, and articles formed therefrom

1. A composition comprising

from 5 to 85 weight percent of a polyester-polycarbonate polymer of the formula

wherein each R f is independently a halogen atom, a C 1-12 hydrocarbon group, or a halogen-substituted C 1-12 hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, m and n are each greater than one, and each R 1 is independently a C 6-30 aromatic hydrocarbon group;

from 1 to 70 weight percent of a poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester; and

from 1 to 85 weight percent of a polyester comprising cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units, ethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate and ethylene terephthalate units;

wherein weight percents are based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester, and the polyester, and

wherein a molded article comprising the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein an extruded pellet derived from the composition is clear.

3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein an extruded pellet derived from the composition is colorless.

4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a quencher.

5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the quencher is zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane, sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, or a combination comprising at least two of the foregoing quenchers.

6. A composition comprising

from 5 to 85 weight percent a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units of the formula

wherein each R f is independently a halogen atom, a C 1-12 hydrocarbon group, or a halogen-substituted C 1-12 hydrocarbon group, p is 0 to 4, m and n are each greater than one, each R 1 is independently a C 6-30 aromatic hydrocarbon group, m is 2 to 500, and n is 2 to 500;

from 5 to 45 weight percent of a poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester; and

from 1 to 85 weight percent a polyester comprising cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units, ethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate and ethylene terephthalate units;

wherein weight percents are based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester, and the polyester, and

wherein a molded article comprising the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00.

7. The composition of claim 6 , wherein a molded article comprising the composition has a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein each R f is independently a C 1-3 alkyl group or a halogen-substituted C 1-3 alkyl group, and p is 0 to 2.

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein R 1 is derived from a bisphenol of the formula

wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-12 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylene, a C 1-18 alkylidene, a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, or a C 9-18 fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to 4.

10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-3 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylidene or a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, and u and v are each independently 0 to 1.

11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate).

12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is 5:99 to 95:1.

13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein m is 2 to 500, and n is 2 to 500.

14. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer further comprises additional ester units different from the isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units.

15. The composition of claim 14 , wherein the different ester units comprise isophthalate-terephthalate esters of dihydroxy compounds of the formula

wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-12 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylene, a C 1-18 alkylidene, a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, or a C 9-18 fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to 4.

16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester is poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).

17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate).

18. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyester is poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate).

19. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate).

20. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate) comprises 10 to 90 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and 10 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units, and further wherein the terephthalate units can comprise up to 30 mole percent isophthalate units, based on the total moles of isophthalate and terephthalate units.

21. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, heat stabilizer, light stabilizer, ultraviolet light absorber, plasticizer, mold release agent, lubricant, antistatic agent, pigment, dye, gamma stabilizer, and a combination thereof.

22. The composition of claim 6 , wherein each R f is independently a C 1-3 alkyl group or a halogen-substituted C 1-3 alkyl group, and u is 0 to 2.

23. The composition of claim 6 , wherein R 1 is derived from a bisphenol of the formula

wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-12 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylene, a C 1-18 alkylidene, a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, or a C 9-18 fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to 4.

24. The composition of claim 23 , wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-3 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylidene or a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, and u and v are each independently 0 to 1.

25. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate).

26. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the ratio of m to n in the polyester-polycarbonate polymer is 5:99 to 95:1.

27. The composition of claim 6 , wherein m is 2 to 500, and n is 2 to 500.

28. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the polyester-polycarbonate polymer further comprises additional ester units different from the isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units.

29. The composition of claim 28 , wherein the different ester units comprise isophthalate-terephthalate esters of dihydroxy compounds of the formula

wherein R a and R b are each independently a halogen or a C 1-12 alkyl, X a is a C 1-18 alkylene, a C 1-18 alkylidene, a C 3-18 cycloalkylidene, or a C 9-18 fused cycloalkylidene-aromatic group, and u and v are each independently 0 to 4.

30. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the poly(C 4 -alkylene terephthalate) ester is poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate).

31. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate).

32. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the polyester is poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate).

33. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate).

34. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate) comprises 20 to 80 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and 20 to 80 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units.

35. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of antioxidant, heat stabilizer, light stabilizer, ultraviolet light absorber, plasticizer, mold release agent, lubricant, antistatic agent, pigment, dye, gamma stabilizer, and a combination thereof.

36. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

37. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 5 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

38. A composition comprising

from 5 to 65 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate);

from 5 to 40 weight percent poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); and

from 15 to 85 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate), wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate) comprises from 60 to 80 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 20 to 40 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units; and

wherein weight percents are based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), and the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate); and further wherein

an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

39. The composition of claim 38 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

40. The composition of claim 38 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 5 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

41. The composition of claim 38 , further comprising a quencher, wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.

42. A composition comprising

from 5 to 85 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate);

from 5 to 40 weight percent poly(1,4 butylene terephthalate); and

from 5 to 85 weight percent poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate); wherein the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate) comprises from 10 to 30 mole percent ethylene terephthalate units and from 70 to 90 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate units;

wherein weight percents are based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), and the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-co-poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate); and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

43. The composition of claim 42 , further comprising a quencher wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy) silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.

44. The composition of claim 42 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

45. The composition of claim 42 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 5 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

46. A composition comprising

from 55 to 85 weight percent poly(isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester)-co-(bisphenol-A carbonate);

from 1 to 35 weight percent poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); and

from 1 to 40 weight percent poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate); wherein

weight percents are based on the total weight of the polyester-polycarbonate polymer, the poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), and the poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate); and further wherein an article molded from the composition has a percent haze value of less than or equal to 10 percent, and a total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, each measured according to ASTM D1003-00.

47. The composition of claim 46 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

48. The composition of claim 46 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 5 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

49. The composition of claim 46 , further comprising a quencher wherein the quencher is selected from the group consisting of zinc phosphate, mono zinc phosphate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid diluted in water, sodium acid pyrophosphate, tetrapropyl orthosilicate, tetrakis-(2-methoxyethoxy)silane), sodium lauryl sulphate, boric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, a cyclic iminoether containing compound, and a combination thereof.

50. The composition of claim 46 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 10 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

51. The composition of claim 46 , wherein the composition further comprises from zero to less than 5 weight percent of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and a combination thereof.

52. A method of forming a composition comprising melt blending the components of the composition of claim 1 .

53. The method of claim 52 , further comprising shaping, extruding, or molding the melt blended composition.

54. The method of claim 52 , further comprising molding the melt blended composition.

55. An article comprising the composition of claim 1 .

56. A molded article comprising the composition of claim 6 .

57. A molded article comprising the composition of claim 38 .

58. A molded article comprising the composition of claim 42 .

59. A molded article comprising the composition of claim 46 .

60. The article of claim 55 , wherein the article is a fiber, a film, or a sheet.

61. The article of claim 56 , wherein the article is a fiber, a film, or a sheet.

62. The article of claim 57 , wherein the article is a fiber, a film, or a sheet.

63. The article of claim 58 , wherein the article is a fiber, a film, or a sheet.

64. The article of claim 59 , wherein the article is a fiber, a film, or a sheet.