Molding composition for photovoltaic junction boxes and connectors

1. A composition comprising:

about 65 to about 75 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);

about 3 to about 12 weight percent of a styrenic polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolystyrenes, rubber-modified impact polystyrenes, and mixtures thereof;

about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a flame retardant consisting of an organophosphate ester and, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-containing flame retardants, metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof;

about 3 to about 10 weight percent of a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer comprises about 10 to about 45 weight percent poly(alkenyl aromatic) content, based on the weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer, and wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer comprises a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 200,000 atomic mass units; and

about 0.02 to about 0.25 weight percent of a polytetrafluoroethylene;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 5 weight percent polyamide;

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; and

wherein the composition exhibits a notched Izod impact strength of at least 200 joules/meter measured at 23° C. according to ASTM D256-10 using a 2 foot-pound-force (2.71 joule) hammer on 3.2 millimeter bars.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene grafted and/or coated with poly(styrene-acrylonitrile).

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the flame retardant consists of the organophosphate ester.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the styrenic polymer consists of homopolystyrene.

5. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising about 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent of a linear low density polyethylene.

6. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than or equal to 2 weight percent polyolefin.

7. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than or equal to 2 weight percent of unhydrogenated block copolymers.

8. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than or equal to 2 weight percent of carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides.

9. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than or equal to 1 weight percent of reinforcing fillers.

10. The composition of claim 1 , comprising less than or equal to 1 weight percent of electrically conductive fillers.

11. The composition of claim 1 ,

wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene grafted and/or coated with poly(styrene-acrylonitrile);

wherein the flame retardant consists of the organophosphate ester;

wherein the styrenic polymer consists of homopolystyrene;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent polyolefin;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of unhydrogenated block copolymers;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of reinforcing fillers; and

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of electrically conductive fillers.

12. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an additive consisting of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.

13. An injection molded article, comprising a composition comprising:

about 65 to about 75 weight percent of a poly(arylene ether);

about 3 to about 12 weight percent of a styrenic polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolystyrenes, rubber-modified impact polystyrenes, and mixtures thereof;

about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a flame retardant consisting of an organophosphate ester and, optionally, an auxiliary flame retardant selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-containing flame retardants, metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof;

about 3 to about 10 weight percent of a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer comprises about 10 to about 45 weight percent poly(alkenyl aromatic) content, based on the weight of the hydrogenated block copolymer, and wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer comprises a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 200,000 atomic mass units; and

about 0.02 to about 0.2 weight percent of a polytetrafluoroethylene;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 5 weight percent polyamide;

wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition unless a different weight basis is specified; and

wherein the composition exhibits a notched Izod impact strength of at least 200 joules/meter measured at 23° C. according to ASTM D256-10 using a 2 foot-pound-force (2.71 joule) hammer on 3.2 millimeter bars.

14. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene grafted and/or coated with poly(styrene-acrylonitrile).

15. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the flame retardant consists of the organophosphate ester.

16. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the styrenic polymer consists of homopolystyrene.

17. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises about 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent of a linear low density polyethylene.

18. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent polyolefin.

19. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of unhydrogenated block copolymers.

20. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides.

21. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of reinforcing fillers.

22. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of electrically conductive fillers.

23. The injection molded article of claim 13 ,

wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene grafted and/or coated with poly(styrene-acrylonitrile);

wherein the flame retardant consists of the organophosphate ester;

wherein the styrenic polymer consists of homopolystyrene;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent polyolefin;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of unhydrogenated block copolymers;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 2 weight percent of carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides;

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of reinforcing fillers; and

wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to 1 weight percent of electrically conductive fillers.

24. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the injection molded article is a photovoltaic junction box or a photovoltaic junction connector.

25. The injection molded article of claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises an additive consisting of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of compatibilizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, polyamide flow promoters, poly(arylene ether) flow promoters, drip retardants, nucleating agents, UV blockers, dyes, and pigments.