Polyamide/poly(arylene ether) composition, method, and article

1. A composition, comprising:

65 to 92 weight percent of a compatibilized blend of a polyamide and a poly(arylene ether);

3 to 9 weight percent of a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer; and

5 to 15 weight percent glass fibers;

wherein the composition comprises 40 to 50 weight percent of a first polyamide-6,6 having a first relative viscosity, and 10 to 20 weight percent of a second polyamide-6,6 having a second relative viscosity greater than the first relative viscosity;

wherein the composition comprises 15 to 30 weight percent of the poly(arylene ether); wherein the poly(arylene ether) has a monomodal molecular weight distribution and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.28 to 0.38 deciliter per gram, as measured at 25° C. in chloroform; and

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) consists of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether).

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the first relative viscosity is 30 to 40, as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the second relative viscosity is 40 to 55, as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the second polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the first relative viscosity and the second relative viscosity differ by at least 8, wherein the first relative viscosity is measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid, and wherein the second relative viscosity is measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the second polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the first relative viscosity and the second relative viscosity differ by 8 to 20, wherein the first relative viscosity is measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid, and wherein the second relative viscosity is measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the second polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has a number average molecular weight of 15,000 to 25,000 atomic mass units.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has a weight average molecular weight of 45,000 to 55,000 atomic mass units.

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) has a polydispersity index of 2.0 to 3.5.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises less than 20 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight less than 10,000 atomic mass units.

11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises less than 10 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight greater than 100,000 atomic mass units.

12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(arylene ether) does not comprise a blend of two or more poly(arylene ether)s having different intrinsic viscosities.

13. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than 28 parts by weight of the poly(arylene ether) per 100 parts by weight total of the first polyamide-6,6, the second polyamide-6,6, and the poly(arylene ether).

14. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polystyrene poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 450,000 atomic mass units.

15. The composition of claim 1 , comprising

a continuous phase comprising the first polyamide-6,6 and the second polyamide-6,6, and

a dispersed phase comprising the poly(arylene ether).

16. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a tensile elongation at break of at least 5 percent, measured at 23° C. according to ISO 527-2.

17. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a tensile elongation at break of 5 to 7 percent, measured at 23° C. according to ISO 527-2.

18. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a melt volume-flow rate of at least 40 cubic centimeters per 10 minutes, measured at 280° C. and 5 kilogram load according to ISO 1133.

19. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a melt volume-flow rate of 40 to 45 cubic centimeters per 10 minutes, measured at 280° C. and 5 kilogram load according to ISO 1133.

20. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a heat deflection temperature of at least 220° C. measured at 0.45 megapascals pressure according to ISO 75.

21. The composition of claim 1 , exhibiting a heat deflection temperature of 220 to 255° C. measured at 0.45 megapascals pressure according to ISO 75.

22. The composition of claim 1 ,

wherein the composition comprises 45 to 48 weight percent of the first polyamide-6,6;

wherein the first relative viscosity is 34 to 38 as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid;

wherein the composition comprises 13 to 17 weight percent of the second polyamide-6,6;

wherein the second relative viscosity is 46 to 50 as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the second polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid;

wherein the compatibilized blend comprises 20 to 25 weight percent of the poly(arylene ether);

wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises less than 10 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight less than 10,000 atomic mass units;

wherein the composition comprises 4 to 8 weight percent of a polystyrene poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 400,000 atomic mass units; and

wherein the composition comprises 7 to 9 weight percent glass fibers;

wherein the composition comprises a continuous phase comprising the first polyamide-6,6 and the second polyamide-6,6; and a dispersed phase comprising the poly(arylene ether); and

wherein the composition exhibits

a tensile elongation at break of 5 to 7 percent measured at 23° C. according to ISO 527-2,

a melt volume-flow rate of 40 to 45 cubic centimeters per 10 minutes, measured at 280° C. and 5 kilogram load according to ISO 1133,

a heat deflection temperature of 240 to 255° C. measured at 0.45 megapascals pressure according to ISO 75.

23. An article comprising the composition of claim 1 .

24. An automotive under-the-hood electrical connector comprising the composition of claim 1 .

25. An article comprising the composition of claim 22 .

26. An automotive under-the-hood electrical connector comprising the composition of claim 22 .

27. A method of preparing a composition, comprising:

melt kneading

40 to 50 weight percent of a first polyamide-6,6 having a first relative viscosity,

10 to 20 weight percent of a second polyamide-6,6 having a second relative viscosity greater than the first relative viscosity,

15 to 30 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether) having a monomodal molecular weight distribution and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.28 to 0.38 deciliter per gram, as measured at 25° C. in chloroform,

3 to 9 weight percent of a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer, and

5 to 15 weight percent glass fibers, and

an amount of a compatibilizing agent effective to compatibilize the polyamide and the poly(arylene ether)

to form the compatibilized blend of a polyamide and a poly(arylene ether);

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.

28. The method of claim 27 ,

wherein the composition comprises 45 to 48 weight percent of the first polyamide-6,6;

wherein the first relative viscosity is 34 to 38, as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid;

wherein the composition comprises 13 to 17 weight percent of the second polyamide-6,6;

wherein the second relative viscosity is 46 to 50, as measured according to ASTM D789 in a 1 weight percent solution of the first polyamide-6,6 in 90 weight percent formic acid;

wherein the compatibilized blend comprises 20 to 25 weight percent of the poly(arylene ether);

wherein the poly(arylene ether) comprises less than 10 weight percent of molecules having a molecular weight less than 10,000 atomic mass units;

wherein the composition comprises 4 to 8 weight percent of a polystyrene poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 400,000 atomic mass units; and

wherein the composition comprises 7 to 9 weight percent glass fibers;

wherein the composition comprises a continuous phase comprising the first polyamide-6,6 and the second polyamide-6,6; and a dispersed phase comprising the poly(arylene ether); and

wherein the composition exhibits

a tensile elongation at break of 5 to 7 percent measured at 23° C. according to ISO 527-2,

a melt volume-flow rate of 40 to 45 cubic centimeters per 10 minutes, measured at 280° C. and 5 kilogram load according to ISO 1133,

a heat deflection temperature of 240 to 255° C. measured at 0.45 megapascals pressure according to ISO 75.