Hybrid impact modifiers and method for preparing the same

1. Hybrid impact modifiers prepared by:

(i) mixing a latex or slurry of standard impact modifiers comprising particles having an elastomeric core and at least one thermoplastic shell and a slurry of a mineral filler to form a homogeneous mixture, and

recovering at least one hybrid impact modifier from the homogenous mixture by spray drying, coagulation, freeze coagulation, or other known recovery methods; or

(ii) introducing a first stream comprising a latex or slurry of standard impact modifiers comprising particles having an elastomeric core and at least one thermoplastic shell and simultaneously introducing a second stream comprising a slurry of a mineral filler, and

recovering at least one hybrid impact modifier from the combined first and second streams by spray drying, coagulation, or other known recovery methods,

wherein the at least one hybrid impact modifier is recovered as a powder, the powder consists of grains comprising an intimately mixed organic phase and inorganic phase, and the inorganic phase comprises the mineral filler in the form of a plurality of particles inside the grains.

2. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the mineral filler has hardness on the Mohs scale less than 6.

3. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the mineral filler is grinded natural calcium carbonate (GCC), precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), nanosized PCC(NPCC), clay, montmorillonite (nano-clay), zeolite, perlite or any other inorganic material that can be obtained as a slurry.

4. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the proportions of the mineral filler is 0.1-95% by weight of the total amount of the standard impact modifiers and the mineral filler.

5. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the proportions of the mineral filler is 1-50% by weight of the total amount of the standard impact modifiers and the mineral filler.

6. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the proportions of the mineral filler is 3-20% by weight of the total amount of the standard impact modifiers and the mineral filler.

7. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which standard impact modifiers are chosen among methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymers (MBS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS), acrylic core/shell polymers (AIM) and CPE (chlorinated polyethylene).

8. A thermoplastic polymer containing hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 .

9. A thermoplastic polymer according to claim 8 which is polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyesters or polyolefins.

10. A thermoplastic polymer according to claim 8 which is polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate.

11. A thermoplastic polymer according to claim 8 , further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of additional mineral fillers, organic or inorganic pigments, carbon blacks, carbon nanotubes, glass beads, glass fibers, flame retardants, reinforcing agents, and mixtures thereof.

12. An article comprising the thermoplastic polymer containing hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 9 , wherein said article is a pipe or a profile or a siding.

13. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 in which the mineral filler has hardness on the Mohs scale less than or equal to 4.

14. A thermoplastic polymer according to claim 8 which is polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polycyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate, polyethylene or polypropylene.

15. Hybrid impact modifiers according to claim 1 , further comprising filtrating and drying the hybrid impact modifiers to form the powder.

16. A hybrid impact modifier comprising a powder having at least one standard impact modifier intimately mixed with at least one mineral filler and the at least one mineral filler is in the form of a plurality of particles inside the hybrid impact modifier, the hybrid impact modifier obtained by:

(i) mixing a latex or slurry of the at least one standard impact modifier comprising an elastomeric core and at least one thermoplastic shell and a slurry of the at least one mineral filler in water to form a homogeneous mixture, and

recovering the hybrid impact modifier from the mixture; or

(ii) introducing a first stream comprising a water-based latex or slurry of the at least one standard impact modifier comprising an elastomeric core and at least one thermoplastic shell and simultaneously introducing a second stream comprising a slurry of the at least one mineral filler and water, and

recovering the hybrid impact modifier from the first and second streams.

17. A hybrid impact modifier according to claim 16 , wherein the hybrid impact modifier is a composite or nanocomposite modifier.

18. A hybrid impact modifier comprising at least one standard impact modifier comprising an elastomeric core and at least one thermoplastic shell and at least one mineral filler,

wherein the at least one mineral filler is 0.1 to 95% by weight of the total amount of the standard impact modifier and the mineral filler; and

wherein the hybrid impact modifier is in the form of a powder such that the at least one standard impact modifier is intimately mixed with the at least one mineral filler and the at least one mineral filler is in the form of a plurality of particles inside the hybrid impact modifier.