Reinforced thermoplastic molding compositions, processes for preparing such compositions, molding made with such compositions and uses therefor

1. A molding composition comprising: a composition (I) present in an amount of 10 to 100% by weight, based on the molding composition, wherein the composition (I) consists of:

as component (A) 40 to 95% by weight, based on the composition (I), of a copolymer comprising:

α-methylstyrene in an amount of 55 to 90% by weight,

acrylonitrile in an amount of at least 10% by weight, and

one or more other monomers in an amount of 0 to 5% by weight,

wherein the percentages by weight of the α-methylstyrene, the acrylonitrile and the one or more other monomers are based on the weight of component (A) and total 100%;

as component (B) at least 2.5% by weight, based on the composition (I), of a polymer comprising:

a vinylaromatic monomer in an amount of 60 to 90% by weight,

acrylonitrile in an amount of 8.01 to 39.8% by weight, and

maleic anhydride in an amount of 0.5 to 1.5% by weight,

wherein the percentages by weight of the vinylaromatic monomer, the acrylonitrile and the maleic anhydride are based on the weight of component (B) and total 100%;

as component (C) at least 2.5% by weight, based on the composition (I), of glass fibres;

optionally, as component (D), an elastomeric polymer or elastomer in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition (I); and

optionally, as component (E), one or more additives in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition (I);

wherein components A, B, C and optionally D and/or E do not exceed 100% by weight of the composition (I).

2. The molding composition according to claim 1 , wherein the component (B) polymer comprises 70 to 80% by weight of styrene, 20 to 30% by weight of acrylonitrile, and 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of maleic anhydride.

3. The molding composition according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric polymer or elastomer is a graft rubber based on butadiene, butadiene/styrene, EPDM, or acrylates.

4. The molding composition according to claim 1 , wherein component (E) is present in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition (I).

5. A process comprising:

providing a composition (I) consisting of 40 to 95% by weight of a component (A), at least 2.5% by weight of a component (B) at least 2.5% by weight of glass fibres as a component (C), optionally 0.1 to 50% by weight of an elastomeric polymer or elastomer as component (D), and optionally 0.1 to 50% by weight of one or more additives as component (E), the percentages by weight based on a combined weight of components (A), (B), (C), and optionally (D) and/or (E)-totaling 100%;

wherein component (A) comprises α-methylstyrene in an amount of 55 to 90% by weight, acrylonitrile in an amount of at least 10% by weight, and one or more other monomers in an amount of 0 to 5% by weight, based on the weight of component (A) and total 100%;

wherein component (B) comprises a vinylaromatic monomer in an amount of 60 to 90% by weight, acrylonitrile in an amount of 8.01 to 39.8% by weight, and maleic anhydride in an amount 0.5 to 1.5% by weight, wherein the percentages by weight of the vinylaromatic monomer, the acrylonitrile and the maleic anhydride are based on the weight of component (B) and total 100%;

and

mixing components (A), (B), (C), and optionally (D) and/or (E) to provide a composition (I); and

forming a molding composition comprising 10 to 100% by weight of the composition (I).

6. The process according to claim 5 , further comprising extruding the molding composition at a temperature of 200 to 320° C.

7. The process according to claim 5 , further comprising processing the molding composition to provide a molding.

8. The process according to claim 6 , further comprising processing the extrudate to provide a molding.

9. A molding prepared by a process according to claim 7 .

10. A molding prepared by a process according to claim 8 .

11. A molding composition comprising: a composition (I) present in an amount of 10 to 100% by weight, based on the molding composition, wherein the composition (I) consists of:

as component (A) 40 to 95% by weight, based on the composition (I), of a copolymer comprising:

α-methylstyrene in an amount of 55 to 90% by weight,

acrylonitrile in an amount of at least 10% by weight, and

one or more other monomers in an amount of 0 to 5% by weight,

wherein the percentages by weight of the α-methylstyrene, the acrylonitrile and the one or more other monomers are based on the weight of component (A) and total 100%;

as component (B) at least 2.5% by weight, based on the composition (I), of a polymer comprising:

a vinylaromatic monomer in an amount of 60 to 90% by weight

acrylonitrile in an amount of 8.01 to 39.8% by weight, and

maleic anhydride in an amount of 0.5 to 1.5% by weight,

wherein the percentages by weight of the vinylaromatic monomer, the acrylonitrile and the maleic anhydride are based on the weight of component (B) and total 100%; and

as component (C) at least 2.5% by weight, based on the composition (I), of glass fibres;

optionally as component (D) an elastomeric polymer or elastomer in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition (I);

and optionally as component (E) one or more additives in an amount of 0.1 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the composition (I);

wherein components A, B, C and optionally (D) and optionally (E) not exceed 100% by weight of the composition (I).

12. The molding composition according to claim 11 , wherein the component (B) polymer comprises 70 to 80% by weight of styrene, 20 to 30% by weight of acrylonitrile, and 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of maleic anhydride.

13. The molding composition according to claim 11 , wherein the elastomeric polymer or elastomer is a graft rubber based on butadiene, butadiene/styrene, EPDM, or acrylates.

14. The molding composition according to claim 1 , wherein component (A) is a copolymer consisting of α-methylstyrene in an amount of 55 to 90% by weight, acrylonitrile in an amount of 8.01 to 39.8% by weight and maleic anhydride in an amount of 0.5 to 1.5% by weigh based on component (B).

15. The molding composition according to claim 1 , wherein component B has a viscosity number ≦66 ml/g.

16. The molding composition of claim 1 , wherein the molding composition consists essentially of the composition (I).

17. The molding composition of claim 1 , wherein the molding composition consists of the composition (I).

18. The molding composition of claim 1 , wherein component (E) is selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, oxidation ertarders, agents to counter decomposition by heat and decomposition by ultraviolet light, lubricants, mold-release agents, dyes, pigments, plasticizers, and combinations thereof.

19. The molding composition of claim 17 , wherein component (E) is selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, oxidation ertarders, agents to counter decomposition by heat and decomposition by ultraviolet light, lubricants, mold-release agents, dyes, pigments, plasticizers, and combinations thereof.