Transparent acrylic polymer composition having enhanced resistance to alcohol and fats - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transparent acrylic polymer composition having enhanced resistance to alcohols, oils, and fats. The polymer composition comprises an acrylic polymer A containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, an olefinic copolymer B containing at least one olefinic monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and a particulate multiphase graft copolymer C containing a core and at least one shell and containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transparent acrylic polymer composition having enhanced resistance to alcohol, oil, and fat. In particular, the composition has excellent resistance to water-isopropanol mixtures commonly used for disinfection and sterilization of disposable medical instruments. Furthermore, the composition has high transparency, low haze, and excellent mechanical properties even after long-term exposure to commercially available disinfectants.

[0002] The compositions of the present invention are therefore highly suitable for the manufacture of various medical devices such as infusion and catheter accessories, blood handling devices, chest drainage units, or respiratory ventilation devices, etc. Furthermore, the compositions of the present invention are suitable for the manufacture of, for example, household and garden products, electronic components, hygiene and bath accessories, and exterior and interior parts of automobiles.

[0003] The polymer composition of the present invention comprises: an acrylic polymer A comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate; an olefinic copolymer B comprising at least one olefinic monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids; and a particulate multiphase graft copolymer C comprising a core and at least one shell and comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate.

[0004] Background technology Medical grade acrylic polymer compositions offer an excellent balance of optical and mechanical properties, can be sterilized using electron beam or gamma radiation, and are biomaterial compatible. In addition, such compositions often have excellent thermoplastic processability and can be advantageously used for injection molding, enabling their use in a variety of medical device applications as well as medical diagnostic equipment. Typical applications for such materials include intravenous and catheter accessories, blood handling equipment, chest drainage units, respiratory ventilation equipment, among others.

[0005] Commercially available medical grade acrylic polymer compositions already have good chemical resistance to materials such as alcohol, oil, and fat, but when exposed to water / alcohol mixtures for extended periods of time, they tend to become opaque and crack. Moreover, such extended exposure is detrimental to other mechanical properties of the composition. This behavior is particularly problematic when exposed to isopropanol-water mixtures for extended periods of time, for example over several days. Isopropanol-water mixtures are currently commonly used as disinfectants for medical devices. Polymer compositions for medical applications need to retain their mechanical and optical properties when stored for extended periods in the presence of disinfectants at 23°C. In particular, the formation of haze or cracks should be minimized.

[0006] WO 2020 / 126722 describes an acrylic polymer composition that is transparent and has good resistance to alcohols, oils, and fats, the composition comprising a copolymer comprising an alkyl (meth)acrylate, an aromatic vinyl monomer, and an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride; a copolymer comprising an aromatic vinyl monomer and a cyanide vinyl monomer; and a particulate core-shell graft copolymer comprising a butadiene-based core as the rubber phase and an alkyl (meth)acrylate as the hard phase. Even though the polymer composition of WO 2020 / 126722 already exhibits good resistance to alcohols, oils, and fats, it is desirable to provide an improved transparent polymer material that exhibits higher chemical resistance, i.e., better stress crack resistance under more severe conditions, and improved mechanical strength, e.g., higher elongation at break, compared to the prior art.

[0007] WO 2008 / 148595 describes a polymer blend comprising a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, and maleic anhydride, and a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). The polymer blend has good optical and mechanical properties and has enhanced stress crack resistance in the presence of isopropanol neat solution. WO 2008 / 148595 is silent about stress crack resistance in the presence of isopropanol-water mixtures commonly used as disinfectants, and about the change in optical properties during long-term exposure to said disinfectants.

[0008] US Pat. No. 6,689,827 describes a transparent, impact-modified thermoplastic molding composition comprising a matrix of polymethyl methacrylate and SAN copolymer, a graft copolymer having a graft base based on butadiene and / or isoprene as impact modifier, and an additive consisting essentially of at least one 2,6-disubstituted phenol.

[0009] WO 2001 / 46317 describes a transparent, impact-resistant thermoplastic molding composition comprising a mixture of methyl methacrylate polymers, styrene / acrylonitrile copolymers, and graft copolymers containing an elastomeric graft core with a bimodal particle size distribution and a glass transition temperature below 0° C. and one or more graft shells containing methacrylic acid esters and optionally vinyl aromatic monomers and / or crosslinking monomers. JP 02-272050 describes impact-resistant polymer formulations comprising copolymers containing methyl methacrylate, maleic anhydride, styrene, and C1-C4 alkyl acrylates; vinyl cyanide / vinyl aromatic copolymers or methyl methacrylate / C1-C4 alkyl acrylates; and copolymers made by grafting vinyl cyanide and vinyl aromatic compounds onto rubbery polymers. The polymer formulations of JP 02-272050 have high heat resistance, impact resistance, and transparency and are designed primarily for use in automotive applications.

[0010] US Patent No. 9,834,645 describes a transparent thermoplastic resin composition having high environmental stress crack resistance. The resin composition preferably contains a graft copolymer A obtained by grafting methyl methacrylate / acrylonitrile / styrene onto butadiene rubber, and a methyl methacrylate / acrylonitrile / styrene copolymer B.

[0011] No. 8,524,826 describes a transparent acrylic alloy composition having high chemical and impact resistance. The acrylic alloy includes a high molecular weight acrylic copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, a core-shell impact modifier, and a melt flow processing aid.

[0012] Copolymers of olefinic monomers and maleic anhydride, such as maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins, and linear copolymers comprising olefinic monomer units and maleic anhydride units, and their application as compatibilizers in polymer compositions, are generally known in the art.

[0013] JP 2001-279105 A describes a white polymer composition for pharmaceutical packaging, which comprises two or more resins that are substantially incompatible with each other, such as a resin selected from polyolefin, polystyrene, and acrylic resin; and a compatibilizer selected from, for example, maleated polypropylene / polystyrene graft copolymer or ternary copolymer of ethylacrylic acid, ethylene, and maleic anhydride. JP 63-268754 A describes a thermoplastic resin with particularly good chemical resistance, which comprises a blend of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer; and a compatibilizer that is a ternary polymer containing an olefin (e.g., ethylene, propylene), an unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride), and an unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester (e.g., ethyl acrylate).

[0014] For example, WO 2016 / 010893 describes an olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer, preferably a 1:1 alternating copolymer of ethylene and maleic anhydride (e.g., ZeMac® from Vertellus Specialities Inc.), and its use as a compatibilizer in engineering plastics, such as acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer (ABS) compositions, polycarbonate compositions, or polyamide compositions.

[0015] In addition, polyolefin maleic anhydride graft copolymers, such as polyethylene graft maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH), are commonly known compatibilizers. Its preparation method is described, for example, in WO 95 / 16718 and WO 2002 / 093157. For example, US 2011 / 0254204 describes the use of PE-g-MAH as a matting agent in plastic materials. In many cases, maleic anhydride graft polyolefins, such as maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH), are used to improve the compatibility of fillers or reinforcing fibers with the polymer matrix in thermoplastic resins, such as polyethylene resins. Typically, a wide variety of maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins are commercially available, such as POLYBOND® from Chemtura, OREVAC® from Arkema, SCONA® from BYK, and MODIC® from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide novel polymer compositions which can be advantageously used for the manufacture of transparent medical devices and which exhibit further improved stress crack resistance to alcohol-water based disinfectants, oils and fats, improved mechanical strength, and high transparency even after prolonged exposure to alcohol or oil.

[0017] Disclosure of the Invention The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that the long-term stress crack resistance of medical grade acrylic polymer compositions against isopropanol-water-based disinfectants, oils, and fats can be significantly increased by the addition of an olefin-based copolymer, especially a graft copolymer, containing a polar monomer, such as maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH). Furthermore, it has been surprisingly found that when an acrylic polymer is mixed with an olefin-based copolymer, such as PE-g-MAH, in combination with a particulate multiphase graft copolymer (such as a known particulate impact modifier), a transparent thermoplastic polymer composition or a molded part made therefrom can be obtained. In particular, this discovery was surprising, since two-component blends of acrylic polymers and olefin-based copolymers, such as polar graft polyolefins, do not exhibit transparency. Thus, an advantageous method has been found for introducing polar olefin-based copolymers into acrylic polymers using particulate multiphase graft copolymers. The particulate multiphase graft copolymers appear to advantageously affect the dispersion and compatibility of the olefin-based copolymer in the acrylic polymer matrix. In this context, the present invention is directed to a synergistic combination of said three polymer components.

[0018] The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising the following components A, B, and C, based on the weight of the polymer composition: A. 40.0 to 94.5% by weight, preferably 50.0 to 84.0% by weight, of at least one acrylic polymer containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate; B. 0.5 to 12.0 wt %, preferably 1.0 to 10.0 wt %, of at least one olefin copolymer B comprising at least one olefinic monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids; C. 5.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably 10.0 to 36.0% by weight, of at least one particulate multiphase graft copolymer comprising a core and at least one shell and comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate; The present invention is directed to a polymer composition comprising:

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the term "polymer or copolymer comprising or consisting of a monomer" is understood to mean that the polymer or copolymer comprises or consists of said monomer units. The skilled person will understand that said polymer is obtained by polymerization of the mentioned monomers, in which at least one of the unsaturated groups of the monomers is preferably radically polymerized. If the polymer obtained after said polymerization contains unreacted monomers that are not incorporated into the polymer chain, this is called residual monomer.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the term "particulate multiphase graft copolymer" relates to a crosslinked graft copolymer that may have a core-shell structure comprising at least one core and at least one shell.

[0021] Preferably, the acrylic polymer A forms a polymer matrix, and the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is dispersed in said polymer matrix. Preferably, the acrylic polymer A forms a polymer matrix together with an optional polymer D, and the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is dispersed in said polymer matrix. For example, it is conceivable that the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C and the olefin-based copolymer B, e.g., a polyolefin-based graft copolymer, are dispersed in a polymer matrix, whereby the olefin-based copolymer B and the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C may form a kind of agglomeration.

[0022] Preferably, the polymer composition of the present invention is a thermoplastic molding composition. Preferably, the polymer composition of the present invention is a transparent polymer composition. In the context of the present invention, a "transparent polymer composition" or a "transparent molded article" means that the polymer composition or molded article exhibits a haze of 70% or less, preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, measured at 23°C on an injection molded test piece with a thickness of 3 mm according to the ASTM D1003 standard.

[0023] The polymer compositions according to the invention can be manufactured and processed in a relatively easy manner and are particularly suitable for the manufacture of articles using injection molding, including articles having complex geometric shapes.

[0024] Therefore, in a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a molded article from the polymer composition of the present invention, comprising the step of injection molding said composition. Preferably, the molded article produced from the polymer composition of the present invention is a transparent molded article.

[0025] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to molded articles, particularly medical molded articles, comprising the polymer composition of the present invention. Importantly, articles made from the polymer composition of the present invention not only have excellent resistance to alcohol, alcohol-water mixtures, oils, and fats, but also -Excellent optical properties, especially high transparency -High thermal deformation resistance -Outstanding mechanical properties, especially high modulus, high elongation at break and high Vicat softening temperature It also exhibits several further advantageous properties such as:

[0026] Finally, a further aspect of the present invention is directed to the use of the polymer composition of the present invention in medical devices, preferably disposable medical devices, such as selected from medical diagnostic devices, infusion and catheter accessories, blood handling devices, chest drainage units, respiratory ventilation devices, medical filter housings, permanent device housings, tubes, connectors, fittings, and cuvettes.Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of the polymer composition of the present invention in parts of household appliances; parts of communication devices; electronic parts; parts of hobby equipment; parts of sports equipment; parts of gardening equipment; exterior and interior parts for automobiles, marine or aircraft; body parts used in the construction of automobiles, marine or aircraft; parts of sanitary and bathing equipment.

[0027] Detailed Description of the Invention The polymer composition of the present invention comprises at least one (in particular one or three, preferably exactly one) acrylic polymer A comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate; at least one (in particular one or three, preferably exactly one) olefinic copolymer B comprising at least one olefinic monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids; and at least one (in particular one or three, preferably exactly one) particulate multiphase graft copolymer C comprising a core and at least one shell and comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, wherein the acrylic polymer A forms a polymer matrix and the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is dispersed in the polymer matrix.

[0028] Optionally, the polymer composition of the present invention preferably comprises: a copolymer D1 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic component, preferably styrene, and at least one carboxylic acid anhydride component, preferably maleic anhydride; and Copolymers D2 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer, preferably styrene, and at least one vinyl cyanide monomer, preferably acrylonitrile, The polymer composition may contain at least one further polymer component D selected from the following in an amount of up to 50.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 50.0% by weight, more preferably 2.0 to 20.0% by weight, and also preferably 0.0 to 10.0% by weight, based on the total polymer composition.

[0029] Components A, B and C and optional components D and E are described in more detail below.

[0030] Acrylic Polymer A The polymer composition of the present invention contains at least one acrylic polymer A containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate in an amount of 40.0 to 94.5% by weight, preferably 50.0 to 84.0% by weight, and more preferably 55.0 to 80% by weight, based on the total polymer composition.

[0031] As used herein, the term "alkyl (meth)acrylate" may refer to a single alkyl (meth)acrylate or a mixture of different alkyl (meth)acrylates. As used herein, the term "(meth)acrylate" refers not only to methacrylates, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, etc., but also to acrylates, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, etc., and mixtures thereof.

[0032] For the purposes of this invention, C1-C 18 - alkyl (meth)acrylates, preferably C1-C 10Particularly preferred are C1-C4-alkyl (meth)acrylates. Preferred alkyl methacrylates include methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, pentyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, heptyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, isooctyl methacrylate, and ethylhexyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, and also cycloalkyl methacrylates such as cyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate or ethylcyclohexyl methacrylate. Particularly preferred is the use of methyl methacrylate. Preferred alkyl acrylates include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, pentyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, heptyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, and ethylhexyl acrylate, as well as cycloalkyl acrylates such as cyclohexyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, or ethylcyclohexyl acrylate.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the acrylic polymer A contains at least one alkyl methacrylate monomer (each repeating unit) having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, more preferably 1 to 8, and most preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, in an amount of 40.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 45.0 to 100.0% by weight, and more preferably 55.0 to 99.5% by weight, based on the entire acrylic polymer A.

[0034] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the acrylic polymer A contains 50.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 65.0 to 100.0% by weight, more preferably 70.0 to 100.0% by weight of methyl methacrylate MMA.

[0035] Suitable acrylic polymers A are, for example: 50.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 65 to 99% by weight, of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; 0.0 to 20.0% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 4% by weight, preferably C1 to C 10 at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate other than methyl methacrylate (MMA) selected from alkyl acrylates, more preferably selected from methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and butyl methacrylate; 0.0 to 40% by weight, preferably 5.0% to 30.0% by weight, of at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, preferably styrene; and 0.0 to 20% by weight, preferably 5.0 to 20.0% by weight, of one or more other copolymerizable monomers, such as at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid or unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, or acrylonitrile, preferably at least one unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, more preferably acrylic anhydride, methacrylic anhydride, maleic anhydride, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, even more preferably maleic anhydride, and may comprise (preferably consist of) All amounts herein are given based on the total weight of Acrylic Polymer A.

[0036] Furthermore, the present inventors have found that the acrylic polymer A is: 48.0 to 90.0% by weight, preferably 63.0 to 81.0% by weight, of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, preferably at least one C1-C 10 Alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably methyl methacrylate; 8.0 to 35.0% by weight, preferably 12.0 to 22.0% by weight, of at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer; and 2.0 to 17.0% by weight, preferably 7.0 to 15.0% by weight, of at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, preferably maleic anhydride; (wherein all amounts are based on the total weight of acrylic polymer A), the compositions of the present invention have been found to have particularly advantageous chemical and environmental stress resistance and optical properties.

[0037] Preferably, the acrylic polymer A is obtained by copolymerization of the mentioned monomers. Thus, the acrylic polymer A is a copolymer comprising or consisting of the mentioned monomers, preferably in a substantially random distribution in the polymer chain. More preferably, the acrylic polymer A is not a graft polymer.

[0038] Examples of suitable monovinyl aromatic monomers include styrene; mono- or polyalkylstyrenes, such as o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, o,p-dimethylstyrene, o-ethylstyrene, m-ethylstyrene and p-ethylstyrene; styrene derivatives containing functional groups, such as methoxystyrene, ethoxystyrene, vinylbenzoic acid, vinyl methyl benzoate, vinylbenzyl acetate, hydroxystyrene, o-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene and divinylbenzene; 3-phenylpropylene, 4-phenylbutene and α-methylstyrene.Of these, styrene is the most preferred.

[0039] In the acrylic polymer A, the unsaturated carboxylic acid or unsaturated carboxylic anhydride is selected without any particular limitation. The carboxylic anhydride can advantageously be selected from methacrylic acid, acrylic anhydride, methacrylic anhydride, maleic anhydride, maleic acid, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, cyclohexylmaleimide, and itaconic anhydride, with maleic anhydride being particularly preferred.

[0040] Suitable acrylic polymers A are, for example: 50.0% to 90.0% by weight, preferably 65 to 90% by weight, more preferably 70.0% to 83.0% by weight of an alkyl (meth)acrylate; 5.0% to 30% by weight, preferably 5.0% to 20.0% by weight, more preferably 7% to 15% by weight of styrene; and 5.0% to 20.0% by weight, preferably 5.0% to 15.0% by weight, more preferably 7% to 10% by weight of maleic anhydride (wherein all amounts are given based on the total weight of acrylic polymer A); The compound may comprise (preferably consist of)

[0041] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the acrylic polymer A is a (meth)acrylate-based (co)polymer that is a copolymer of MMA, styrene, and maleic anhydride. Such suitable acrylic polymers A are described, for example, in WO 2020 / 126722. Thus, such acrylic polymers A may be, for example: 50.0% to 90.0% by weight, preferably 70.0% to 80.0% by weight, of MMA; 10.0% to 20.0% by weight, preferably 12.0% to 18.0% by weight, of styrene; and 5.0% to 15.0% by weight, preferably 8.0% to 12.0% by weight, of maleic anhydride (wherein all amounts are given based on the total weight of acrylic polymer A); The compound may comprise (preferably consist of)

[0042] To achieve optimal rheological properties of the polymer composition, the weight average molecular weight Mw of polymer A is preferably adjusted to 60,000 to 280,000 g / mol, more preferably 120,000 to 240,000 g / mol. The measurement of Mw may advantageously be carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), for example using PMMA as a calibration standard and tetrahydrofuran (THF) with 0.2% by volume of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as an eluent. Instead of using calibration standards, a scattering detector may also be used (HF Mark et al., Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, 2nd. Edition, Vol. 10, page 1 et seq., J. Wiley, 1989). A suitable GPC column can be easily selected by a person skilled in the art. Such columns are commercially available, for example as the PSS SDV series of columns, from PSS Standards Service GmbH (Mainz, Germany). As will be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, a combination of several GPC columns may also be used.

[0043] Suitable processes for the preparation of the acrylic polymer A are known in the art. For example, DE 1 231 013 A1 discloses a process for the preparation of copolymers by bulk polymerization from 1 to 50% by weight of alkylstyrene and 99 to 50% by weight of alkyl methacrylate together with smaller amounts of maleic anhydride (MAH) and / or methacrylic acid.

[0044] U.S. Patent No. 3,336,267 describes a process for preparing copolymers containing 5-95 mole percent vinyl aromatic material, 5-40 mole percent unsaturated cyclic anhydride, and 0-90 mole percent alkyl (meth)acrylate by continuously polymerizing a mixture of the monomers together with an inert solvent and continuously removing the polymer from the polymerization mixture.

[0045] EP 264590 A1 discloses a process for the preparation of molding compounds from a monomer mixture comprising methyl methacrylate, a vinyl aromatic material, maleic anhydride, and optionally a lower alkyl acrylate in the presence of a non-polymerizable organic solvent at a temperature range of 75-150° C.

[0046] In another preferred embodiment, the acrylic polymer A is: 50.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 60.0 to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 75.0 to 100.0% by weight, in particular 85.0 to 99.5% by weight of at least one alkyl methacrylate monomer having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, more preferably 1 to 8, in particular 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group (each repeat unit); 0.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably 0.0 to 25.0% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 15.0% by weight of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, advantageously 1 to 8, in particular 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group (each repeat unit); and 0.0 to 30.0 wt. %, preferably 0.0 to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.0 to 8.0 wt. % of at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer (each repeat unit), such as styrene (wherein all amounts are based on the total weight of acrylic polymer A); The thermoplastic (meth)acrylate polymer comprises (preferably consists of)

[0047] In particular, the acrylic polymer A is a thermoplastic (meth)acrylate polymer containing, based on its total weight, 50.0 to 100.0 wt%, preferably 70.0 to 100.0 wt%, more preferably 95.0 to 100.0 wt% MMA and 0.0 to 20.0 wt%, preferably 0.0 to 10.0 wt%, more preferably 0.0 to 5.0 wt% alkyl (meth)acrylate other than MMA. The alkyl (meth)acrylate other than MMA can be substantially selected from any of the above-mentioned preferred alkyl methacrylates and alkyl acrylates. For example, the alkyl (meth)acrylate can be composed of MMA and ethyl acrylate, or MMA and butyl acrylate, or MMA and butyl methacrylate. In a further preferred embodiment, the alkyl (meth)acrylate is composed only of MMA.

[0048] Olefin copolymer B The polymer composition of the present invention comprises 0.5 to 12.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 10.0% by weight, more preferably 2.0 to 8.0% by weight of at least one olefin-based copolymer B, based on the entire polymer composition, preferably at least one polyolefin-based graft copolymer comprising (preferably consisting of) at least one olefin-based monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids.

[0049] The olefinic copolymer B may be selected from branched or grafted copolymers, such as, for example, polyolefins grafted with at least one defined polar monomer, or linear copolymers consisting of a single backbone comprising at least one olefinic monomer and at least one polar monomer, such as, for example, statistical copolymers, alternating copolymers, gradient copolymers and block copolymers.

[0050] For example, alternating copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride are known and are commercially available as ZeMac® E400 from Vertellus Specialties Inc. For example, terpolymers, such as random terpolymers, of ethylene, acrylic esters, and maleic anhydride are known and are commercially available as LOTADER® from SK Functional Polymer.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one olefin-based copolymer B is at least one polyolefin-based graft copolymer comprising (preferably consisting of) at least one polyolefin-based polymer (also called polyolefin backbone polymer) grafted with at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids. More preferably, the at least one polar monomer is selected from anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids. Most preferably, the at least one polar monomer is maleic anhydride (MAH).

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the olefin-based copolymer B, preferably the polyolefin-based graft copolymer, comprises 0.5 to 3.0 wt. %, preferably 0.7 to 2.5 wt. %, even more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the olefin-based copolymer B, of at least one polar monomer.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of the olefin-based copolymer B to the granular graft copolymer C in the polymer composition of the present invention is 0.4 wt% / wt% or less, preferably 0.3 wt% / wt% or less, more preferably 0.2 wt% / wt% or less. Typically, the weight ratio of the olefin-based copolymer B to the granular graft copolymer C in the polymer composition is greater than 0.05 wt% / wt%, preferably greater than 0.1 wt% / wt%, more preferably greater than 0.13 wt% / wt%. Preferably, in this context, the granular graft copolymer C has a volume average particle size in the range of 40 nm to 600 nm.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the polyolefin-based graft copolymer comprises 0.5 to 3.0 wt. %, preferably 0.7 to 2.5 wt. %, even more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the graft polymer, of at least one polyolefin-based polymer grafted with at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, preferably grafted with at least one anhydride of unsaturated carboxylic acids, more preferably grafted with maleic anhydride.

[0055] In the context of the present invention, an olefinic monomer refers to a radically polymerizable hydrocarbon monomer having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, preferably located at the first or alpha (α) position, and having two or more carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from 2 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0056] In the context of the present invention, polyolefin means a homopolymer or copolymer comprising at least one olefinic monomer, preferably at least one α-olefinic monomer, having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having 2 or more carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Suitable polyolefins are: - homopolymers and copolymers of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, preferably having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (LDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene, 1-polybutene, 1-polymethylpentene , ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-1-butene copolymers, ethylene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymers, ethylene-1-hexene copolymers, ethylene-1-octene copolymers, ethylene-1-decene copolymers, propylene-1-butene copolymers, propylene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymers, propylene-1-hexene copolymers, propylene-1-octene copolymers, and propylene-1-decene copolymers, propylene / isobutylene copolymers, or mixtures thereof; - copolymers of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, preferably having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, with cycloolefins, such as cyclopentene or norbornene; - copolymers of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and diolefins (for example butadiene, isoprene, hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene), such as ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, propylene-butadiene copolymers, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers; - copolymers of α-olefins having 2 or more carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, with other vinyl monomers (e.g. styrene, (meth)acrylic monomers, or vinyl acetate), such as ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-alkyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, etc. may be selected from:

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the olefin-based copolymer B is a polyolefin-based graft copolymer, in which the base polymer of the polyolefin-based graft copolymer is selected from polyethylene (preferably HDPE, HDPE-HMW, HDPE-UHMW, MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE); polypropylene; copolymers of ethylene (preferably ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-1-butene copolymer, ethylene-1-hexene copolymer, ethylene-1-octene copolymer); copolymers of propylene (preferably propylene-1-hexene copolymer, propylene-1-octene copolymer, and propylene-1-decene copolymer); and polystyrene (preferably sPS). More preferably, the polyolefin-based base polymer of the graft copolymer B is selected from polyethylene and polypropylene, more preferably polyethylene, for example HDPE, HDPE-HMW, HDPE-UHMW, MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE.

[0058] The polyolefin base polymer (also referred to as the polyolefin backbone polymer) of the polyolefin-based graft copolymer is grafted with at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids by generally known methods.

[0059] Typically, the unsaturated carboxylic acids and their respective anhydrides include unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-ethylacrylic acid, or cyanoacrylic acid), unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (e.g., maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, butenylsuccinic acid), and substituted derivatives thereof, where the substituted derivatives, preferably the mono- or di-substituted derivatives, are C1-C3-alkyl substituted derivatives; C6-C7-alkyl substituted derivatives; 12 -aryl- or halogen-substituted derivatives (eg, 2-methylmaleic acid, 2-ethyl-maleic acid, 2-phenyl-maleic acid, 2,3-dimethylmaleic acid, chloromaleic acid).

[0060] Particularly preferred examples of unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-ethylacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, chloromaleic acid, and their anhydrides. More preferred examples include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and their anhydrides. Most preferred of these acids and anhydrides are maleic acid and maleic anhydride.

[0061] The grafting may be carried out with esters of the aforementioned mono- or dicarboxylic acids, e.g., C1-C esters of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, isobutanol, etc. 12 It may also be carried out using esters with alcohols. Preferably, the esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids may be selected from esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, etc.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the olefin-based copolymer B is a polyolefin-based graft copolymer, grafted with at least one (preferably exactly one) polar monomer selected from maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and hydroxyethyl acrylate; more preferably, grafted with at least one (preferably exactly one) polar monomer selected from maleic acid, maleic anhydride (MAH), acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA), butyl acrylate (BA), and non-hydroxyethyl acrylate; most preferably, comprising (preferably consisting of) at least one polyolefin-based polymer grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH).

[0063] The polyolefin-based graft copolymer may also be grafted with two or more polar monomers selected from the above-mentioned unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids. Furthermore, the polyolefin-based graft copolymer may be grafted with at least one of the above-mentioned polar monomers in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene.

[0064] Examples of suitable polyolefin-based graft copolymers include Scona® available from BYK GmbH / Germany, and Modic® available from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, particularly the PE and PP types.

[0065] Typically, the olefin-based copolymers B used in the present invention, preferably polyolefin-based graft copolymers, have a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.5 to 50 g / 10 min, measured at 190° C. (DIN ISO 1133) under a load of 2.16 kg.

[0066] The olefin copolymer B can be prepared by commonly known polymerization techniques such as radical polymerization, for example emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization or bulk polymerization. The polyolefin graft copolymer can be prepared by graft copolymerization of a polyolefin with an unsaturated carboxylic acid, its ester or its anhydride using various conventional methods. This preparation method can be carried out, for example, by solid-phase synthesis, as described, for example, in WO 2002 / 093157. In addition, other known methods are also possible, such as melt, solvent or suspension methods. For example, the melt method involves melting the polyolefin using an extruder or the like, and then copolymerizing the polyolefin by adding the monomer to be grafted to the molten polyolefin.

[0067] Granular multiphase graft copolymer C The polymer composition of the present invention comprises 5.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably 10.0 to 36.0% by weight, more preferably 18.0 to 35.0% by weight, of at least one particulate multi-layer graft copolymer, based on the total polymer composition. The particulate multi-layer graft copolymer comprises a core and at least one shell, and comprises at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate. Typically, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C comprises an elastomeric core or at least one elastomeric intermediate layer.

[0068] In the context of the present invention, an elastomeric core or layer means a core or layer composed of a polymer or polymer composition having a glass transition temperature Tg<20°C, preferably Tg<0°C.

[0069] "Particulate multiphase graft copolymer" in this context means a crosslinked graft copolymer that may have a core-shell structure comprising at least one core and one or more shells.

[0070] The terms "alkyl (meth)acrylate," "monovinyl aromatic vinyl monomer," and "cyanide vinyl monomer" as used in the context of graft copolymer C have the same meanings as described above in the context of polymers A and D.

[0071] Preferably, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is dispersed in a polymer matrix formed by the acrylic polymer A and, optionally, the further polymer component D. In some embodiments, the graft copolymer C may be more or less uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix in the form of non-agglomerated single particles. However, in other embodiments, the particulate graft copolymer C may form agglomerates, said agglomerates being more or less uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix.

[0072] The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C preferably has a core-shell or core-shell-shell structure.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C has a volume average particle size of 20 to 1,000 nm, preferably 50 to 500 nm, more preferably 100 nm to 400 nm, measured by photon correlation spectroscopy in accordance with DIN ISO 13321 (2017) in water at 23° C. For this measurement, a commercially available instrument such as a laser diffraction particle size analyzer manufactured by Beckman Coulter Inc. (e.g., particle size analyzer LS 13 320: manufactured by Beckman Coulter) can be used.

[0074] The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C may be selected from known particulate impact modifiers, such as impact modifiers based on a polybutadiene core or impact modifiers based on a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate core. The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C exhibits a multiphase structure comprising a core and at least one, preferably one or two shells. Typically, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C has a hard outer shell comprising (preferably consisting of) at least one alkyl(meth)acrylate and optionally other comonomers such as monovinyl aromatic monomers (e.g. styrene) and / or vinyl cyanide monomers (e.g. acrylonitrile). The hard outer shell preferably exhibits the same or similar refractive index as the polymer matrix formed by the acrylic polymer A and any further polymer component D (e.g. D1 described below).

[0075] The multiphase graft copolymer C preferably comprises an elastomeric core exhibiting a rubber phase or one or more elastomeric inner shells. Typically, the elastomeric or rubber phase exhibits a glass transition temperature Tg<20°C, preferably Tg<0°C, and is, for example, a conjugated diene or a crosslinked alkyl (meth)acrylate, preferably a crosslinked C1-C 10 Based on cross-linked polymers containing alkyl (meth)acrylates.

[0076] In particular, the conjugated diene in the C core contains at least two, preferably exactly two, conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds, and preferably contains a total of 4 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms. For example, suitable conjugated dienes may be selected from 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 3-butyl-1,3-octadiene, and mixtures thereof. The conjugated diene monomer is preferably 1,3-butadiene or isoprene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the granular multiphase graft copolymer C has a butadiene-based elastomeric core, where butadiene may be copolymerized with styrene and / or butyl acrylate. Preferably, the graft copolymer C is a granular core-shell graft copolymer comprising (preferably consisting of) a butadiene-based core as the rubber phase and a hard outer shell comprising a polymer of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, optionally at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer (e.g. styrene) and optionally at least one vinyl cyanide monomer (e.g. acrylonitrile). The butadiene-based core comprises at least 65.0% by weight, preferably at least 75.0% by weight, more preferably at least 80.0% by weight, based on the weight of the butadiene-based core, of polybutadiene and optionally 0 to 20% by weight of one or more further monomers, preferably selected from styrene and / or butyl acrylate.

[0078] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is substantially free of vinyl cyanide monomers.

[0079] Typically, the content of the vinyl cyanide monomer defined above in the particulate core-shell graft copolymer C is 5.0% by weight or less, preferably 2.0% by weight or less, more preferably 0.5% by weight or less, based on the weight of the graft copolymer C.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the graft copolymer C comprises a butadiene-based elastomeric core as the rubber phase and a copolymer comprising an alkyl (meth)acrylate and optionally an aromatic vinyl monomer as the hard outer shell. The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C comprises: a butadiene-based core comprising at least 65.0 wt.%, preferably at least 75.0 wt.%, more preferably at least 80.0 wt.%, polybutadiene, based on the weight of the butadiene-based core; and 50.0% to 100.0% by weight, preferably 60.0% to 100.0% by weight, more preferably 65.0% to 100.0% by weight, based on the weight of the outer shell, of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, such as methyl methacrylate, and 0.0% to 50.0% by weight, preferably 0.0% to 40.0% by weight, more preferably 0.0% to 35.0% by weight, based on the weight of the outer shell, of at least one aromatic vinyl monomer, such as styrene; It is preferred that the composition comprises (preferably consists of)

[0081] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the granular multiphase graft copolymer C comprises a polybutadiene core, optionally containing other copolymerizable monomers, for example up to 2% by weight of butyl acrylate, based on the total weight of the granular multiphase graft copolymer; grafted with 17-22 parts by weight of MMA, 0-7 parts by weight of styrene, and 0-3 parts by weight of ethyl acrylate and / or butyl acrylate. Typically, the weight ratio of polybutadiene to other monomers ranges from about 1:1 to about 4:1, respectively. Such graft copolymers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,166. The corresponding materials can be prepared by virtually any known polymerization method, for example by free radical polymerization utilizing initiators and molecular weight regulators commonly used in the prior art.

[0082] According to another preferred embodiment, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is chosen from graft copolymers based on an elastomeric crosslinked alkyl(meth)acrylate core (hereinafter also referred to as multiphase alkyl(meth)acrylate graft copolymers).

[0083] Such multiphasic alkyl(meth)acrylate graft copolymers are obtained by emulsion polymerization, preferably sequential emulsion polymerization, of alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers with any other copolymerizable monomers, in which the resulting emulsion polymer (graft copolymer C) preferably has a multiphasic structure comprising at least one core and at least one, preferably one or two shells.

[0084] For example, the multiphasic alkyl (meth)acrylate graft copolymer may be formed by crosslinked particles having a core-shell structure, or a core-shell-shell structure, with a volume average particle size of 20 nm to 500 nm, preferably 50 nm to 450 nm, more preferably 100 nm to 400 nm, and most preferably 150 nm to 350 nm, measured by photon correlation spectroscopy according to DIN ISO 13321 (2017) in water at 23° C.

[0085] In one preferred embodiment, the multi-phase alkyl (meth)acrylate graft copolymer comprises a soft, elastomeric core and a hard, non-elastomeric outer phase, typically prepared by graft emulsion polymerization in the presence of the core (core-shell graft copolymer).

[0086] In another preferred embodiment, the multiphase alkyl (meth)acrylate graft copolymer comprises a hard, non-elastomeric core; a soft, elastomeric intermediate shell, typically produced by graft emulsion polymerization in the presence of the core; and a hard, non-elastomeric outer shell, typically produced by graft emulsion polymerization in the presence of the intermediate core-shell particles (core-shell-shell graft copolymer). The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C comprises a hard core, for example formed from crosslinked methyl methacrylate; for example crosslinked C1-C2. 10 It is preferably composed of a soft intermediate shell formed from an alkyl acrylate, preferably n-butyl acrylate; and a hard outer shell formed, for example, from non-crosslinked methyl methacrylate. The core-shell-shell graft copolymers are typically prepared as described in EP 1 332 166, WO 02 / 20634, or EP 0 522 351.

[0087] The outer shell of the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is preferably a hard phase comprising at least 80% by weight, based on the outer shell, of at least one C1-C6 alkyl methacrylate, preferably at least 80% by weight, based on the outer shell, of methyl methacrylate.

[0088] It is preferred that at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight of the outer layer is covalently bonded to the soft phase, i.e. to the soft core of a core-shell graft copolymer or to the intermediate shell of a core-shell-shell graft copolymer, based on the total weight of the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C. Typically, the amount of covalently bonded outer layer (graft polymer) (also called the graft ratio) is an amount that is insoluble in acetone.

[0089] The granular multiphase graft copolymer C comprises at least one of C1 to C 20It is preferred that the graft copolymer C contains at least 60% by weight, preferably at least 75% by weight, of alkyl (meth)acrylate, more preferably methyl methacrylate and / or n-butyl acrylate.

[0090] Generally, (meth)acrylates include C1 to C 10 -Alkyl (meth)acrylate, C2-C 20 -Alkenyl (meth)acrylate, C6-C 20 -Aryl (meth)acrylate, C6-C 20 -Aralkyl(meth)acrylates, C1-C 10 -hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, glycol di(meth)acrylates, and multifunctional (meth)acrylates.

[0091] The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is preferably at least one C1-C methacrylate selected from methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, pentyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, heptyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, isooctyl methacrylate, and ethylhexyl methacrylate. 10 It is preferred to include alkyl methacrylates as well as cycloalkyl methacrylates such as cyclohexyl methacrylate.

[0092] The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C preferably comprises at least one C1-C acrylate selected from methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, pentyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, heptyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, and ethylhexyl acrylate. 10It is preferred to include alkyl acrylates as well as cycloalkyl acrylates such as cyclohexyl acrylate.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is selected from graft copolymers based on an elastomeric crosslinked alkyl (meth)acrylate core and: At least 40% by weight, preferably 40 to 70% by weight, of at least one C1 to C 10 , preferably C1 to C6 alkyl methacrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; 5 to 45% by weight, preferably 20 to 45% by weight, preferably 25 to 42% by weight of at least one C1 to C 10 Alkyl acrylates, preferably C1-C6 alkyl acrylates selected from ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and butyl methacrylate, more preferably C1-C6 alkyl acrylates including n-butyl acrylate. 10 Alkyl acrylate; 0-2% by weight, preferably 0.1-2% by weight, more preferably 0.5-1% by weight of at least one crosslinking monomer, preferably a multifunctional (meth)acrylate and / or an allyl (meth)acrylate; and 0-15% by weight, preferably 0-10% by weight, more preferably 0.5-5% by weight of any further monomer, preferably different from the above monomers, e.g. vinyl aromatic monomers such as styrene, benzyl methacrylate, The composition comprises (preferably consists of)

[0094] These amounts are given based on the total weight of the monomers.

[0095] The granular multiphase graft copolymer C may be prepared by mixing vinyl aromatic monomers, such as styrene and / or C7-C8, in order to adjust the difference in the reflective index of the hard and soft phases. 20Preferred are aralkyl (meth)acrylates such as benzyl methacrylate. Vinyl aromatic monomers that can be used include styrene, substituted styrenes having alkyl substituents on the side chain, such as α-methylstyrene and α-ethylstyrene, substituted styrenes having alkyl substituents on the ring, such as vinyltoluene and p-methylstyrene, and halogenated styrenes such as monochlorostyrene, dichlorostyrene, tribromostyrene, and tetrabromostyrene.

[0096] Typically, the cross-linking monomer has two or more polymerizable double bonds in the molecule. The cross-linking monomer may be selected from difunctional (meth)acrylates, trifunctional or multifunctional (meth)acrylates, and other known cross-linking agents, such as allyl methacrylate, allyl acrylate, and divinylbenzene.

[0097] For example, difunctional (meth)acrylates are diesters of (meth)acrylic acid and polyfunctional alcohols, such as di(meth)acrylates of propanediol, butanediol, hexanediol, octanediol, nonanediol, decanediol, eicosanediol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dodecaethylene glycol, tetradecaethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropyl glycol, and tetradecapropylene glycol. For example, trifunctional or polyfunctional (meth)acrylates are trifunctional or multiesters of (meth)acrylic acid and polyfunctional alcohols, such as trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate and pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate. Suitable crosslinking monomers are described, for example, in WO 02 / 20634 and EP 0 522 351.

[0098] The particulate multiphase graft copolymer C preferably comprises at least one crosslinking monomer selected from ethylene glycol methacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene, and allyl (meth)acrylate. More preferably, the crosslinking monomer is allyl methacrylate.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C is: C-A2) 5 to 40% by weight, based on the entire graft copolymer, of a hard non-elastomeric core C-A2 having a glass transition temperature Tg of more than 50 ° C; C-A2.1) 80-100% by weight, based on CA-2, of at least one C1-C6 alkyl methacrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; C-A2.2) 0 to 20 wt. %, based on CA-2, of at least one additional ethylenically unsaturated free-radically polymerizable monomer; and C-A2.3) 0 to 5% by weight, based on CA-2, of at least one crosslinking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups; A rigid non-elastomeric core CA-2 composed of; C-B2) 20 to 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the graft copolymer, of a soft elastomeric intermediate shell C-B2 having a glass transition temperature Tg of less than 0 ° C; C-B2.1) 45 to 99.5% by weight of at least one of C1 to C2 based on B2 10 Alkyl acrylate, preferably n-butyl acrylate; C-B2.2) 0.5 to 5% by weight, based on B2, of at least one crosslinking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups; and C-B2.3) 0 to 50% by weight, based on B2, of at least one further ethylenically unsaturated free-radically polymerizable monomer, preferably a monomer having an aromatic group; and C-C2) 15 to 60% by weight of a hard outer shell C-C2, based on the entire graft copolymer, having a glass transition temperature Tg of more than 50 ° C; C-C2.1) 80-100% by weight, preferably 90-100% by weight, based on C-C2, of at least one C1-C6 alkyl methacrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; and C-C2.2) 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0 to 10% by weight, based on C-C2, of at least one further ethylenically unsaturated free-radically polymerizable monomer, The core-shell-shell graft copolymer is a core-shell-shell type graft copolymer comprising (preferably consisting of)

[0100] It is preferred that at least 15% by weight, more preferably at least 25% by weight, of the hard outer shell C-C2 is covalently bonded to the soft elastomeric intermediate shell C-B2.

[0101] Preferred graft copolymers C are polymer particles which may have a multilayer core-shell structure and are obtained by emulsion polymerization, for example as described in EP-A-0113924, EP-A-0522351, EP-A-0465049 and EP-A-0683028.

[0102] Optional Polymer Component D The polymer composition of the present invention may contain one or more optional polymer components D different from the acrylic polymer A, the olefin copolymer B, and the particulate multiphase graft copolymer C. Typically, the optional polymer component D may be present in an amount of 0.0 to 50.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 30.0% by weight, more preferably 2.0 to 20.0% by weight, also preferably 4.0 to 15.0% by weight, also preferably 4.0 to 10% by weight, based on the total polymer composition. The optional polymer component D is preferably selected from polymers that can be homogeneously mixed with the acrylic polymer A and can form a polymer matrix together with the acrylic polymer A.

[0103] According to a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the present invention comprises: a copolymer D1 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic component, preferably styrene, and at least one carboxylic acid anhydride component, preferably maleic anhydride; and Copolymers D2 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer, preferably styrene, and at least one vinyl cyanide monomer, preferably acrylonitrile, The polymer composition contains up to 50.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 50.0% by weight, more preferably 2.0 to 20.0% by weight, based on the total polymer composition.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the present invention contains, as polymer component D, 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 2.0 to 20.0% by weight, more preferably 4.0 to 15.0% by weight of a copolymer D1 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer and at least one carboxylic acid anhydride monomer, based on the total polymer composition.

[0105] The optional copolymer D1 is: 65.0% to 90.0% by weight, preferably 70.0% to 90.0% by weight, more preferably 72.0% to 85.0% by weight, even more preferably 75.0% to 80.0% by weight, based on the weight of copolymer D1, of at least one monoaromatic vinyl monomer, preferably styrene; and 10.0% to 35.0% by weight, preferably 10.0% to 30.0% by weight, more preferably 15.0% to 28.0% by weight, even more preferably 20.0% to 25.0% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid anhydride monomer, preferably maleic anhydride, based on the weight of copolymer D1; It is preferable that the copolymer is a copolymer of the above.

[0106] Such copolymers D1 are commonly known as styrene-maleic anhydride (SMAH) resins and are commercially available from various manufacturers, such as, for example, the Xiran® ​​type available from Polyscope (Geleen, The Netherlands).

[0107] In another preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the invention comprises as component D at least one copolymer comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer and at least one vinyl cyanide monomer (copolymer D2). According to a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the invention comprises as further polymer component D from 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 20.0-20.0% by weight, more preferably 4.0-13.0% by weight, most preferably 4.0-10.0% by weight, of a copolymer D2 comprising at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer and at least one vinyl cyanide monomer, based on the total polymer composition.

[0108] Such copolymers D2 are commonly known as styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) resins and are commercially available from various manufacturers, such as the Luran® type available from INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany) or the TYRIL® type available from Trinseo SA (Luxembourg).

[0109] The preparation of the copolymer D2 can be carried out by virtually any known polymerization method described for the preparation of SAN resins, such as bulk, solution, emulsion or bead polymerization.

[0110] Although copolymers D1 and / or D2 of virtually any molecular weight may be used, it has been found that the use of copolymers D1 and / or D2 having a weight-average molecular weight Mw between 60,000 g / mol and 300,000 g / mol, preferably between 100,000 g / mol and 250,000 g / mol, is particularly advantageous in terms of the mechanical properties of the composition. The weight-average molecular weight Mw of copolymer D1 may be determined by GPC using PMMA standards.

[0111] Typically, the monovinylaromatic monomer in copolymers D1 and D2 is the same as one of the monovinylaromatic monomers mentioned above for acrylic polymer A. Suitable monovinylaromatic monomers for use in any copolymer D1 are styrene, α-methylstyrene, 2-methylstyrene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2-ethylstyrene, 3-ethylstyrene, 4-ethylstyrene, 4-n-propyl-styrene, tert-butylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, vinyltoluene, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the monovinylaromatic monomer is styrene and / or α-methylstyrene, more preferably the monovinylaromatic monomer is styrene.

[0112] Examples of suitable vinyl cyanide monomers for use in the present invention, particularly for copolymer D2, include acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, ethacrylonitrile, phenylacrylonitrile, fumaronitrile, etc. These may be used alone or in mixtures. For example, the vinyl cyanide monomer may be acrylonitrile and / or methacrylonitrile. More preferably, the vinyl cyanide monomer is acrylonitrile.

[0113] Optional Further Component E The polymer composition of the present invention may optionally, preferably, comprise one or more further components E selected from commonly known non-polymeric components such as additives, auxiliaries and / or fillers. Typically, the further component E may be present in an amount of 0.0 to 15.0% by weight, preferably 0.0 to 10.0% by weight, more preferably 0.0001 to 5.0% by weight, also preferably 0.001 to 2.0% by weight, based on the total polymer composition.

[0114] The polymer compositions of the present invention may optionally contain conventional additives, auxiliaries and / or fillers, such as heat stabilizers, processing stabilizers, UV stabilizers, UV absorbers, gamma radiation stabilizers, antioxidants, especially soluble or insoluble dyes or colorants, and plasticizers, provided that the properties of the compositions according to the invention are not adversely affected by these additives.

[0115] Suitable UV absorbers may be, for example, derivatives of benzophenone in which substituents such as hydroxyl and / or alkoxy groups are generally present at positions 2 and / or 4. These include 2-hydroxy-4-n-octyloxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone.

[0116] Particularly suitable UV absorbers include, for example, those represented by the general formula (III): [ka] [In the formula, R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are independently hydrogen or C1-C 12 -alkyl] Examples of benzotriazoles include those represented by the following formula:

[0117] Examples of compounds (III) particularly suitable for use in the present invention include 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methyl-phenyl)benzotriazole (commercially available under the name Tinuvin® P from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany), or 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-dodecyl-5'-methyl-decyl)benzotriazole.

[0118] Further examples of particularly preferred UV absorbers include: [ka] Hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole derivatives of the formula:

[0119] Further, substituted benzotriazoles suitable for use as additional UV absorbers include, among others, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3,5-di(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)phenyl]benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-amylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-sec-butyl-5-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, and 2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-octylphenyl)benzotriazole.

[0120] Similarly usable UV absorbers are ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxalic acid bisanilide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethyloxalic acid bisanilide, and substituted phenyl benzoates.

[0121] The UV absorber can be present in the polymer composition as a low molecular weight compound. However, the UV absorbing group in the matrix polymer molecule may also be covalently bonded after copolymerization with a polymerizable UV absorbing compound, such as an acrylic, methacrylic or allylic derivative of a benzophenone or benzotriazole derivative.

[0122] As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, mixtures of chemically distinct UV absorbers may also be used.

[0123] The total content of UV absorbers in the polymer composition is typically in the range of 0.01 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%, particularly 0.01 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%, and in particular 0.02 wt.% to 0.2 wt.%, based on the total weight of the polymer composition of the present invention.

[0124] Examples of suitable free radical scavengers / UV stabilizers include, among others, HALS ( H Indered A mine L ight S These include the sterically hindered amines known under the name tabilizers. They can be used to inhibit ageing processes in finishes and plastics, especially polyolefin plastics (Kunstoffe [Plastics], 74 (1984) 10, pp. 620-623; Farbe + Lack [Paints + Finishes], 96 th (Year 9 / 1990, p. 689-693). The stabilizing effect is due to the tetramethylpiperidine group present in the HALS compounds. Compounds of this type may be unsubstituted or substituted on the piperidine nitrogen by alkyl or acyl groups. Sterically hindered amines do not absorb in the UV range. They scavenge the free radicals formed, whereas UV absorbers cannot.

[0125] Examples of HALS compounds that have a stabilizing effect and can be used in mixtures include: bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3-8-triazaspiro(4,5)decane-2,5-dione, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)succinate, poly(N-β-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine succinate), and bis(N-methyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate.

[0126] The free radical scavengers / UV stabilizers are used in the compositions according to the invention in an amount of 0.01% to 1.5% by weight, in particular in an amount of 0.02% to 1.0% by weight, in particular in an amount of 0.02% to 0.5% by weight, based on the sum of all components.

[0127] Lubricants and mold release agents that can reduce or completely prevent the possibility of the molding material sticking to the injection mold are important to the injection molding process and may be used.

[0128] Lubricants selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty acids having less than 20 carbon atoms, preferably 16-18 carbon atoms, or saturated fatty alcohols having less than 20 carbon atoms, preferably 16-18 carbon atoms, may be present as optional further component E. Examples include stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, palmitic acid, palmitic alcohol, lauric acid, lactic acid, glycerol monostearate, pentaerythrol, and technical mixtures of stearic acid and palmitic acid. Also suitable are n-hexadecanol, n-octadecanol, and technical mixtures of n-hexadecanol and n-octadecanol. A particularly preferred lubricant or release agent is stearyl alcohol.

[0129] Lubricants are typically used in an amount of up to 0.35 wt %, for example 0.05 wt % to 0.25 wt %, based on the weight of the polymer composition.

[0130] Furthermore, the craze resistance and chemical resistance can be further improved if the composition comprises at least one plasticizer as an optional further component E. Plasticizers themselves are well known to the skilled artisan and are described, for example, in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2012, Plasticisers, DF Cadogan, etc. For the purposes of the present invention, the plasticizers usually have a molecular weight of 100 g / mol to 200,000 g / mol and a melting point of 40°C or less. When a polymeric compound is used as a plasticizer in the molding composition of the present invention, such a polymeric compound should ideally have a glass transition temperature Tg of 40°C or less, measured according to the ISO 11357-2:2013 standard. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the presence of the plasticizer does not adversely affect the optical properties of the polymeric composition, the plasticizer should be miscible with the molding composition.

[0131] Examples of particularly suitable plasticizers include, inter alia, polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of 500 to 15,000 g / mol, tributyl citrate, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl esters (e.g., Hexamoll® DINCH® available as a mixture of isomers from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany), and adipic acid polyesters (e.g., Ultramoll® IV® available as a mixture of isomers from Lanxess, Leverkusen, Germany). Typically, the 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl esters are mixtures of isomers, and usually contain 10% by weight of n-nonyl alcohol, 35 to 40% by weight of methyl octyl alcohol, 40 to 45% by weight of dimethyl heptyl alcohol, and 5 to 10% by weight of methyl ethyl hexyl alcohol, based on the total weight of the isononyl alcohol residues. Some of the additives, such as UV absorbers, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, and plasticizers, such as adipic polyesters, may also improve color stability under and after gamma radiation exposure.

[0132] Plasticizers are typically used in an amount of from 0.01% to 5.0% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition.

[0133] In the context of the present invention, the addition of components c1), c2), c3) and / or c4), described below, has also proven to be particularly useful.

[0134] Component c1) is a compound represented by the general formula (I): [ka] [In the formula, R 1 and R 2 : C1~C 12 -alkyl, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 1 , 1-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl, 1-methylhexyl, 2-methylhexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 4-methylhexyl, 5-methylhexyl, 1-ethylpentyl, 2-ethylpentyl, 1-propylbutyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, and dodecyl, preferably C3-C6 with branching at the 1-position (α). 12- alkyl groups, in particular C3-C7-alkyl groups, such as 1-methylethyl, 1-methylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl, 1-methylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1-1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, 1-methylhexyl, 1-ethylpentyl, and 1-propylbutyl, and also 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1,1,2,2,5,5-hexamethylhexyl; C5-C8-cycloalkyl, for example, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl, preferably cyclohexyl; C6~C 10 -Aryl and C6-C 100 -aryl-C1-C4-alkyl, the aryl group being optionally up to trisubstituted by C1-C4-alkyl, for example phenyl, naphthyl or 2,2-dimethylbenzyl, R 3 represents hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, preferably hydrogen and methyl. Shown is a triaryl phosphite of the formula:

[0135] Examples of compound (I) are commercially available tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite (IRGAFOS® 168 available from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany) and tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite, preferably tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite.

[0136] Component c2) is represented by the general formula (IV): A.B. k (IV) [In the formula, k represents 1, 2 or 4, and when k is 1, A is -COOR 7 , -CONHR 7 , [ka] [In the formula, R 7 is C1~C 21 -represents alkyl; When k is 2, A is -CONH-(CH2) n -CONH-, [ka] [wherein p and m are integers from 1 to 10], and when k is 4, A is [ka] [wherein q represents an integer of 1 to 4], and B is, [ka] [In the formula, R 8 and R 9 represents hydrogen, methyl or tert-butyl. The phenol is shown.

[0137] By adding component c3), the stress crack resistance can be further improved.

[0138] Examples of compounds c3) of particular importance in the context of the present invention are octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (Irganox® 1076 available from BASF SE, Ludiwigshafen, Germany), and [ka] It is.

[0139] In addition, the following stabilizers: [ka] as component c4) has proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0140] Also thioethers or organic disulfides and sulfides, such as di-tert-dodecyl disulfide, di-tert-butyl disulfide, di-tert-dodecyl disulfide, can be used advantageously for this purpose.

[0141] [ka]

[0142] Components c1), c2), c3) and c4) are preferably used as a mixture in order to achieve a synergistic effect with regard to improving the stress cracking resistance after weathering.

[0143] The preferred amounts of components c1) to c3) are in the range of 0.01% to 1.0% by weight, preferably 0.01% to 0.1% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of polymer components A, B, and C, and optionally D and / or F. The preferred amount of component c4) is typically 0.01% to 2.0% by weight, preferably 0.05% to 1.0% by weight, based on the total weight of polymer components A, B, and C, and optionally D and / or F.

[0144] Optional additional impact modifier F Optionally, the polymer composition of the present invention may comprise, in addition to the above-mentioned particulate multiphase graft copolymer C, one or more further impact modifiers as component F. For example, the optional further impact modifier may be selected from so-called thermoplastic impact modifiers, in particular thermoplastic impact modifiers which form separate domains within the polymer composition of the present invention, in particular within the polymer matrix formed by the acrylic polymer A. Typically, the further impact modifier F may be present in an amount of 0.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably 0.0 to 35.0% by weight, more preferably 5.0 to 40.0% by weight, also preferably 10.0 to 35.0% by weight, based on the total polymer composition.

[0145] Generally, thermoplastic impact modifiers have a different mechanism of action than particulate impact modifiers.Thermoplastic impact modifiers are generally mixed with matrix materials.If domains are formed, as occurs when using block copolymers, the preferred size of these domains, measured for example by electron microscopy, corresponds to the preferred size of core-shell particles.

[0146] There are various types of thermoplastic impact modifiers. For example, aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) such as Desmopan® products available from Covestro AG can be used. For example, TPUs such as Desmopan® WDP85784A, WDP85092A, WDP89085A and WDP89051D all have a refractive index of 1.490 to 1.500 and are particularly suitable as impact modifiers.

[0147] A further class of thermoplastic polymers for use as further impact modifiers F are acrylic TPEs comprising methacrylate-acrylate block copolymers, in particular PMMA-poly-n-butylacrylate-PMMA triblock copolymers, which are commercially available from Kuraray under the trade name KURARITY®. The poly-n-butylacrylate blocks form nanodomains of 10 nm to 20 nm in size in the polymer matrix.

[0148] Further types of polymers for use as further impact modifiers F are based on styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) optionally contained in a polymer matrix, such as acrylic acid-styrene copolymers (e.g. Zylar® from Ineos Styrolution), and ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPDM) or grafted EPDM, e.g. EPDM grafted with an acrylic polymer matrix.

[0149] According to a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the present invention contains from 5.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably from 10.0 to 35.0% by weight, based on the total polymer composition, of at least one further impact modifier F, preferably selected from thermoplastic impact modifiers such as aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs), methacrylate-acrylate block copolymers, styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) and ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPDM).

[0150] Properties of the polymer composition As already mentioned, the polymer composition of the present invention has excellent stress crack resistance in the presence of common disinfectants, especially alcohol or water / alcohol mixtures, oils and fats.In particular, the polymer composition of the present invention shows improved stress crack resistance in the presence of oils and fats, such as soybean oil, emulsions containing glycerin and / or water, and emulsifiers such as phospholipids.For example, the test liquid of oils and fats can be Intralipid® emulsions available from Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH.

[0151] Furthermore, the polymer composition of the present invention has excellent transparency and an attractive appearance without substantial haze. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition has a haze according to ASTM D1003 (2013) standard of 70% or less, preferably 60% or less, also preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, measured at 23°C on an injection molded test specimen having a thickness of 3 mm.

[0152] Furthermore, the polymer composition of the present invention maintains excellent transparency even in the presence of common disinfectants, oils and fats, and is a polymer composition that exhibits particularly low increase in haze under these conditions.Typically, when a test piece having a thickness of 3 mm is exposed to an isopropanol-water mixture (isopropanol: 63.0% by weight, water: 37.0% by weight) at 23°C for at least 48 hours, preferably at 23°C for 72 hours, and more preferably at 23°C for 96 hours, the increase in haze is 40% or less, preferably 25% or less, and even more preferably 20% or less.

[0153] Furthermore, the polymer compositions of the invention exhibit a light transmission TD65 according to DIN 5033-7 (2014), measured at 23°C on injection-molded test specimens with a thickness of 3 mm, in the range of 40 to 93%, in particular in the range of 65 to 92%.

[0154] The yellowness index of the polymer composition of the invention, measurable according to DIN 6167 (1980) (D65 light source, 10° at a layer thickness of 3 mm), measured using injection-molded test specimens of 3 mm thickness, should preferably be less than 15, preferably less than 8 (typical for unpigmented polymers).

[0155] The polymer composition of the invention advantageously has a Vicat softening temperature according to ISO 306-B50(2014) of at least 60°C, preferably at least 70°C and more preferably at least 75°C.

[0156] The polymer composition of the present invention preferably has a nominal elongation at break according to ISO 527 (2012) of at least 3.0%, particularly preferably at least 5.0%.

[0157] The polymer composition of the invention has an elastic modulus according to ISO 527 (2012) of advantageously greater than 1,500 MPa, preferably greater than 1,700 MPa.

[0158] Due to their advantageous rheological properties, the polymer compositions of the present invention are highly suitable for the manufacture of medical articles by injection molding. The compositions of the present invention generally have a viscosity of 0.3 cm, measured at 230° C. and 5.0 kg according to ISO 1133 (2012). 3 / 10 min, preferably 0.5 cm 3 / 10 minutes, preferably 0.7cm 3 / 10 minutes or more, most preferably 1.0 to 12.0 cm 3 / 10 min range of melt volume flow rate.

[0159] The polymer composition of the present invention comprises: (i) a Vicat softening temperature according to ISO 306-B50(2014) of at least 60°C, preferably at least 70°C, more preferably at least 75°C; (ii) a nominal elongation at break according to ISO 527 (2012) of at least 3.0%, particularly preferably at least 5.0%; (iii) a modulus of elasticity according to ISO 527(2012) of greater than 1,500 MPa, preferably greater than 1,700 MPa; (iv) a light transmission (TD65) according to DIN 5033-7 (2014), measured at 23 ° C. on injection-molded test specimens having a thickness of 3 mm, of at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%; It is preferred that the composition has one or more of the following characteristics:

[0160] Manufacturing of compositions and molded articles Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for preparing the aforementioned inventive polymer composition, which comprises mixing components A, B, C, and optionally D, E and / or F, preferably melt mixing components A, B, C, and optionally D, E and / or F.

[0161] The compositions of the present invention can be prepared by dry blending the aforementioned components, which may be present as powders, particles, or preferably pellets.

[0162] The compositions of the invention can also be produced by mixing components B and C, simultaneously or successively, into the melt of polymer A and, optionally, D and / or F. The compositions can also be produced by melting the components and mixing them in the molten state or by melting dry premixes of the components to obtain ready-to-use molding materials. These processes can be carried out, for example, using single-screw or twin-screw extruders. The extrudates obtained can then be granulated. Conventional additives, auxiliaries and / or fillers can be mixed directly or added later, if necessary, by the end user.

[0163] The composition according to the present invention is suitable as starting material for the manufacture of, for example, medical moldings, which have improved chemical resistance and stress crack resistance and are transparent.The composition can be formed by methods known per se, such as processing through an elastic viscous state, i.e., kneading, rolling, calendaring, extrusion or injection molding, processing by extrusion and injection molding, where injection molding is particularly preferred.

[0164] The composition can be injection molded by a method known per se at a temperature in the range of 220°C to 280°C (melt temperature), and preferably at a mold temperature of 60°C to 90°C.

[0165] The extrusion is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 220°C to 280°C.

[0166] A further aspect of the present invention relates to molded articles comprising said polymer compositions, particularly for applications where high chemical resistance and chemical stress cracking resistance is required.

[0167] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the molded article is a medical device, preferably a disposable medical device, such as, but not limited to, medical diagnostic devices, infusion and catheter attachments, blood handling devices, chest drainage units, respiratory ventilators, medical filter housings, permanent device housings, tubing, connectors, fittings, and cuvettes, including, but not limited to, luer locks, Y-sites, spikes, fittings, nozzles, protective caps and covers, plasma separators, collection and specimen containers, needle hubs and adapters, catheter accessories, chest drainage units, valve assemblies, meter housings, flow controls, filter housings, infusion chambers, venous adapters, Jankauers, rigid tubing, diagnostic cuvettes, diagnostic test packs, diagnostic rotors, optical sensor viewports, microfluidic devices, bracheotherapy needle hubs, inhalation mouthpieces, and spacers.

[0168] In particularly preferred embodiments, the moulded article is selected from parts for household appliances, parts for communication devices, electronic parts, parts for hobby equipment, parts for sporting goods, parts for gardening equipment, exterior and interior parts for motor vehicles, ships or aircraft, body parts used in the construction of motor vehicles, ships or aircraft, parts for sanitary and bathroom equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0169] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of the stress crack resistance test for the chemicals described in the experimental examples. A test piece (2) having a thickness h is fixed to a bending jig (3) having a curved surface of radius r, and the test piece (2) is fixed via two clamps (1). εx is the nominal strain of the surface. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the shape of a test piece (2) fixed on a bending jig (3) with two clamps (1).

[0170] The following examples will explain the present invention in more detail, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0171] Working Example I. Preparation of the Polymer Composition The polymer compositions of Examples 1-12 were prepared from a dry blend of the components using a tumbling mixer. The dry mixture was compounded using a Leistritz LSM 30 twin screw extruder at a barrel temperature of 240° C. and a throughput of 12 kg / h at a screw speed of 150 rpm. The compositions of Examples 1-10 are summarized in Table 1. Components A, B, C, and optional components D and F are described below.

[0172] II. Components of the Polymer Composition Acrylic polymers A1-A3, PE-MAH graft copolymers B1 and B2, particulate multiphase graft copolymers (impact modifiers) C1 and C2, optional SAN copolymer D2, and optional additive F, as described below, were used.

[0173] A1: Acrylic Polymer A1: A copolymer containing approximately 75.0 wt% MMA, 15.0 wt% styrene, and 10.0 wt% maleic anhydride (prepared as described below); A2: Acrylic polymer A2: polymethylmethacrylate resin consisting of 97% by weight of methylmethacrylate and 3% by weight of methylacrylate having a weight average molecular weight Mw of about 110,000 g / mol (polymethylmethacrylate without impact modifier); A3: Acrylic Polymer A3: (meth)acrylic polymer comprising a particulate core-shell-shell impact modifier (prepared as described below), i.e. component A3 comprises component A (acrylic polymer) and component C (particulate multiphase graft copolymer); B1: Polyolefin-based graft copolymer B: Modic 814E (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation / Japan). LLDPE polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH). MAH content >1.0 wt% (PE-g-MAH); B2: Polyolefin-based graft copolymer B: Scona TPPE 5002 GALL (BYK / Germany). LLDPE polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride. MAH content >1.0 wt% (PE-g-MAH); C1: Impact modifier C: Kaneace® M731 (Kaneka Corporation / USA), a core-shell copolymer comprising a polybutadiene core grafted with a polymethyl methacrylate shell; C2: Impact Modifier C: KaneAce® M711 (available from Kaneka Corporation, Takasago, Japan), a core-shell copolymer comprising a polybutadiene core grafted with a polymethyl methacrylate shell; D2: Any copolymer D2: Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) containing 76.0% by weight styrene and 24.0% by weight acrylonitrile; E1: Optional additive E: Polyethylene glycol PEG3350 with a molecular weight of approximately 3,350 (Dow Chemical Company / USA)

[0174] [Table 1]

[0175] III. Preparation of ingredients a. Preparation of acrylic polymer A1 Copolymer A1 containing 75.0% by weight of MMA, 15.0% by weight of styrene and 10.0% by weight of maleic anhydride was prepared according to the procedure described in DE 44 40 219 A1.

[0176] The starting materials used in the preparation were as follows: Methyl methacrylate 74.638g Styrene 15.00g Maleic anhydride 10.00g n-Dodecyl mercaptan 0.33g tert-Butyl peroxyneodecanoate 0.034g tert-Butyl peroxyisononanoate 0.01g

[0177] The starting materials were placed in Hosteraphan® polyester bags and polymerized in a water bath (52° C. for 12 hours, followed by 44° C. for 16 hours), then tempered in a tempering oven (110° C. for 6 hours). Finally, the resulting copolymer A was ground and degassed using an extruder.

[0178] The resulting copolymer A1 had a weight average molecular weight Mw of about 150,000 g / mol, measured by GPC using PMMA as standard (as described below), and a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25° C. (ISO 1628-part 6) of about 72 mL / g.

[0179] b. Preparation of acrylic polymer A3 (impact-modified PMMA) A3 particulate core-shell-shell impact modifier was prepared as follows: A polymerization vessel equipped with stirrer, feed vessel and external cooling was charged with an aqueous phase containing acetic acid, iron(II) sulfate (FeSO4) and seeds containing 10% by weight of PMMA. At a temperature of 52° C. (external vessel temperature), emulsion I described below was added over 1 hour. In parallel, 0.69 g of sodium metabisulfite in 20 g of water was added (during the first 10 minutes). After 15 minutes, 1.94 g of sodium metabisulfite in 100 g of water was added within 10 minutes, in parallel with the start of the addition of emulsion II described below. Emulsion II was added within 2 hours, followed by a pause of 50 minutes. Emulsion III described below was added simultaneously with 0.62 g of sodium metabisulfite in 50 g of water. The addition of sodium metabisulfite was completed within 10 minutes and that of emulsion III after 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 30 min, cooled to 35° C. and filtered through VA steel (mesh size 100 μm).

[0180] Emulsions I, II and III were obtained by emulsifying the following monomers and components (parts by weight), respectively:

[0181] [Table 2]

[0182] The resulting latex was coagulated by freeze coagulation, dewatered and dried.

[0183] The resulting impact modifier polymer powder was melt blended with a polymethyl methacrylate resin consisting of 97% by weight methyl methacrylate and 3% by weight methyl acrylate having a weight average molecular weight Mw of about 150,000 g / mol. The amount of impact modifier was about 19% by weight based on the total polymer blend. The polymer blend was mixed (at 30 rpm) at a temperature of 220-230°C. The resulting melt was removed from the chamber and crushed with pliers.

[0184] IV.Results Test specimens were produced by injection molding from the polymer compositions of Examples 1-12 (details below). Melt volume flow rate (MVR), Vicat softening temperature (B50), optical properties (haze, transmittance (TD65)), tensile properties (elongation at break (Elong@break); tensile modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (TS max ) and chemical resistance to alcohol and fat (stress crack resistance) were measured as described below. Unless otherwise stated, all specimens were stored at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for at least 24 hours before testing. Unless otherwise stated, tests were performed at 23°C and 50% relative humidity.

[0185] The results are summarized in Tables 2 and 3 below.

[0186] [Table 3]

[0187] [Table 4]

[0188] Examples 1-4 of the present invention, which contain a polybutadiene core-shell impact modifier (C1 or C2) and a polyethylene maleic anhydride graft copolymer PE-MAH (B1 or B2), show high transmittance (TD65) and low haze. In addition, all of Examples 1-4 have high stress crack resistance, with all tensile bars showing ductile failure in tensile tests (at 0.5% and 0.75% strain). Comparative Examples 5 and 6 (which do not contain polyethylene maleic anhydride graft copolymer C1 or C2) also show high transparency and low haze. However, only at 0.5% strain does the tensile test show sufficient stress crack resistance, and under more severe conditions (0.75% strain), all tensile bars show brittle failure, as well as lower elongation and tensile strength at break. Thus, the stress crack resistance to alcohol (see strain 0.75%) of Examples 1-4 of the present invention is higher than that of Comparative Examples 5-6 (not including component B, PE-MAH). Furthermore, it has been found that this advantageous higher chemical stress crack resistance becomes discernible through the specific chemical resistance test described above, with adjustable more severe conditions.

[0189] The specimens of Comparative Examples 8 and 9, which have a similar polymer matrix as Examples 1-4 (A1 or A1+D1) and contain PE-MAH (B1 or B2) but no impact modifier (C1 or C2), are not transparent (white). Similar results are also shown by comparison of Example 7 of the invention with Comparative Example 10. Both Example 7 and Comparative Example 10 are based on a PMMA matrix polymer (A2 or A3) and contain 4 wt.% PE-MAH (B1). However, the polymer composition of Example 7 contains a particulate core-shell-shell impact modifier (component A3 is impact-modified PMMA). The polymer composition of Example 7 of the invention is transparent (has a high transmittance TD65), whereas the polymer composition of Comparative Example 10 is not transparent (white). Thus, it has been surprisingly found that when an acrylic polymer is mixed with PE-MAH in combination with a particulate impact modifier (e.g., C1 or C2), a transparent polymer composition can be obtained.

[0190] Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the addition of PE-MAH component B results in improved stress crack resistance in impact modified polymer compositions based on PMMA polymer A3. The stress crack resistance to alcohol (see 0.5% strain) in inventive Example 11 (impact modified PMMA A3+PE-MAH B1+PEG E1) is higher than that of Comparative Example 12 (impact modified PMMA A3 100%). In Comparative Example 12, all five test bars broke at 0.5% strain after IPA / H2O exposure.

[0191] V. Test Method a. GPC measurement conditions: Eluent: THF (HPLC grade) + 0.2% by volume TFA Flow rate: 1mL / min Injection volume: 100μL Detection: RI HPS Concentration of sample solution: 2g / L Standard: PMMA

[0192] b. Optical, mechanical and other properties The haze of the polymer compositions was measured at 23° C. on injection molded specimens with a thickness of 3 mm according to the ASTM D1003 standard.

[0193] The light transmission (TD65) of the polymer compositions was determined at 23° C. on injection-molded test specimens with a thickness of 3 mm according to DIN 5033-7 (2014).

[0194] The melt volume-flow rate MVR was measured according to ISO 1133 (2012) at 230°C and a load of 5.0 kg.

[0195] The Vicat softening temperature of the polymer composition was measured in accordance with ISO 306-B50 (2014).

[0196] The tensile properties of the polymer compositions were measured according to ISO 527-1:2012 using test specimens (tensile bars) prepared by injection molding according to ISO 294-1:2016. The elongation at break, tensile modulus and tensile strength (maximum tensile strength or tensile strength at break) are summarized in Tables 2 and 3 above. The nominal elongation at break of the polymer compositions according to ISO 527(2012) is preferably at least 4.0%, particularly preferably at least 5.0%. The elastic modulus of the polymer compositions according to ISO 527(2012) is advantageously greater than 1,500 MPa, preferably greater than 1,700 MPa.

[0197] c. Measurement of stress crack resistance to chemicals The stress crack resistance to alcohol was measured by the bent strip method of ISO 22088-3 as follows: Five tensile bars conforming to ISO 294-1:2016 were produced from each polymer composition by injection molding at 250° C. The tensile bars were then annealed for 2 h at approximately 70–80° C (20 K below the softening temperature of Vicat B50, depending on the polymer).

[0198] The test specimens (dimensions: 160 mm × 20 mm × thickness h (4 mm)) were placed flat on the bending fixture. The specific test setup is outlined in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, each tensile bar (test specimen (2)) was fixed via two clamps (1) to a bending fixture (3) with a curved surface of radius r. Here, a strain of 0.5% or 0.75% was applied.

[0199] The strain is the nominal strain ε x and is calculated according to ISO 22088-3(2006): ε x =h / (2r+h) [where r is the radius of the bending jig and h is the thickness of the test piece (see Figure 1)].

[0200] The test bar fixed on the bending fixture was exposed to a mixture of 63.0% by weight isopropanol (IPA) and 37.0% by weight water. To do this, a cotton cloth (50 mm x 8 mm) soaked in the mixture (63.0% by weight isopropanol (IPA), 37.0% by weight water) was placed in the center of the top surface of the bar, and then the bending fixture with the cotton cloth-covered bar fixed thereto was placed in a polyethylene bag of about 4 liters capacity and sealed together with an open 100 mL glass filled with a mixture of 63.0% by weight isopropanol (IPA) and 37.0% by weight water. This condition was maintained in the sealed polyethylene bag at 23°C for 5 hours.

[0201] The bending fixture was removed from the polyethylene bag, the cotton cloth was removed, and the tensile bar was removed from the bending fixture. Two hours after removal, the tensile properties of the tensile bar were measured according to ISO 527-1:2012. The results of the five test bars were averaged. The results are summarized in Table 3 above.

[0202] High chemical resistance is achieved if, after 5 hours of treatment as described above, the tensile bar shows no surface defects and exhibits ductile fracture under tensile stress.

[0203] The stress crack resistance to fat was measured as follows: The test liquid used was Intralipid® 20% emulsion (commercially available from Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH). Intralipid® 20% is a sterile fat emulsion with a pH of 8 and an osmolality of approximately 350 mosmol / kg, and contains 20% soybean oil, 1.2% egg yolk phospholipids, 2.25% glycerin, and water. Five tensile bars were prepared and annealed as described above.

[0204] According to the procedure described above, each tensile bar was fixed in a bending fixture with a curved surface and a strain of 1.0% was applied (see FIG. 1). The test bars fixed in the bending fixture were exposed to the test liquid Intralipid® 20%. For the exposure, a cotton cloth (50 mm×8 mm) saturated with Intralipid® 20% was placed on the top surface of the bar in the center. This state was maintained at 23° C. for 24 hours. The cotton cloth was removed and the tensile bar was removed from the bending fixture. Two hours after removal, the tensile properties of the tensile bars were measured according to ISO 527-1:2012. The results are summarized in Table 3 described above.

[0205] d. Immersion test with water-isopropanol mixture The specimens of Examples 1-4 were tested using a mixture containing 63.0 wt% isopropanol (IPA) and 37.0 wt% water. The immersion test was carried out at 23°C for 72 hours. The specimens were then visually evaluated. The results are summarized in Table 4. All specimens of the polymer compositions of the present invention exhibited a transparent appearance.

[0206] [Table 5]

Claims

1. A polymer composition comprising the following components A, B, and C, based on the weight of the polymer composition: A. At least one acrylic polymer containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, 40.0 to 94.5% by weight, preferably 50.0 to 84.0% by weight; B. At least one olefin copolymer B containing at least one olefin monomer and at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, 0.5 to 12.0% by weight, preferably 1.0 to 10.0% by weight; C. At least one particulate multiphase graft copolymer containing a core and at least one shell and containing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, 5.0 to 40.0% by weight, preferably 10.0 to 36.0% by weight, A polymer composition containing the same.

2. The polymer composition according to claim 1, having a haze of 70% or less measured at 23°C for an injection-molded test piece with a thickness of 3 mm in accordance with ASTM D1003 standard.

3. The polymer composition is Copolymer D1 containing at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer and at least one carboxylic anhydride monomer; and Copolymer D2 containing at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer and at least one vinyl cyanide monomer, The polymer composition according to claim 1, containing up to 50.0% by weight of at least one additional polymer component D selected from the above, based on the entire polymer composition.

4. The acrylic polymer A contains at least one alkyl methacrylate monomer having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, more preferably 1 to 8, and most preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, 40.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 45.0 to 100.0% by weight, more preferably 55.0 to 99.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the acrylic polymer A. The polymer composition according to claim 1.

5. The acrylic polymer A is 50.0 to 100.0% by weight, preferably 65 to 99% by weight of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; 0.0 to 20.0% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 4% by weight, preferably C １ -C １０ At least one alkyl (meth)acrylate other than methyl methacrylate selected from C 0.0 to 40% by weight, preferably 5.0% to 30.0% by weight of at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, preferably styrene; and 0.0 to 20% by weight, preferably 5.0 to 20.0% by weight of one or more other copolymerizable monomers selected preferably from unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, a thermoplastic (meth)acrylate polymer containing all amounts being shown based on the total weight of the acrylic polymer A, The polymer composition according to claim 1.

6. The acrylic polymer A is 48.0 to 90.0% by weight, preferably 63.0 to 81.0% by weight of at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; 8.0 to 35.0% by weight, preferably 12.0 to 22.0% by weight of at least one monovinyl aromatic monomer; and 2.0 to 17.0% by weight, preferably 7.0 to 15.0% by weight of at least one unsaturated carboxylic anhydride, preferably maleic anhydride, a copolymer of all amounts being based on the total weight of the acrylic polymer A, The polymer composition according to claim 1.

7. The at least one olefinic copolymer B is a polyolefinic graft copolymer containing at least one polyolefinic polymer grafted with at least one polar monomer selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids, and anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, according to claim 1 of the polymer composition.

8. The at least one olefinic copolymer B is a polyolefinic graft copolymer containing at least one polyolefinic polymer grafted with at least one polar monomer selected from anhydrides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, preferably maleic anhydride, in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0% by weight, preferably 0.7 to 2.5% by weight, based on the weight of the graft copolymer B, according to claim 1 of the polymer composition.

9. The granular multiphase graft copolymer C is a butadiene-based core containing at least 65.0% by weight, preferably at least 75.0% by weight of polybutadiene, based on the weight of the butadiene-based core; and An outer shell comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate in an amount of 60.0 wt% to 100.0 wt%, preferably 65.0 wt% to 100.0 wt%, based on the weight of the outer shell, and at least one aromatic vinyl monomer in an amount of 0.0 wt% to 40.0 wt%, preferably 0.0 wt% to 35.0 wt%, based on the weight of the outer shell. The polymer composition according to claim 1, comprising the above.

10. The granular multiphase graft copolymer C is selected from graft copolymers based on an elastomer crosslinked alkyl (meth)acrylate core, and: At least 40% by weight, preferably 40 to 70% by weight of at least one C １ -C １０ alkyl methacrylate, preferably methyl methacrylate; 5 to 45% by weight, preferably 20 to 45% by weight, preferably 25 to 42% by weight of at least one C １ -C １０ alkyl acrylate; 0 to 2 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 2 wt%, more preferably 0.5 to 1 wt% of at least one crosslinking monomer; and 0 to 15 wt%, preferably 0 to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.5 to 5 wt% of any further monomer. The polymer composition according to claim 1, comprising the above.

11. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one further impact modifier F selected from thermoplastic impact modifiers such as aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane, methacrylate-acrylate block copolymer, styrene-butadiene block copolymer, and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, in an amount of 5.0 to 40.0 wt%, preferably 10.0 to 35.0 wt%, based on the whole polymer composition.

12. The polymer composition has: (i) a Vicat softening temperature in accordance with ISO 306-B50 (2014) of at least 60 °C, preferably at least 70 °C, more preferably at least 75 °C; (ii) a nominal breaking elongation in accordance with ISO 527 (2012) of at least 3.0%, particularly preferably at least 5.0%; (iii) a modulus of elasticity in accordance with ISO 527 (2012) of more than 1,500 MPa, preferably more than 1,700 MPa; (iv) a light transmittance (TD65) in accordance with DIN 5033-7 (2014) of at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, measured at 23 °C for an injection-molded test piece with a thickness of 3 mm. The polymer composition according to claim 1, having one or more of the above characteristics.

13. A method for producing the polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising mixing components A, B, C, and optionally D, E, and / or F, preferably melt-mixing components A, B, C, and optionally D, E, and / or F.

14. A method for producing a molded article from the polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the step of injection molding the composition.

15. A molded article comprising the polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. The molded article is a disposable medical device selected from medical devices, preferably, for example, medical diagnostic devices, infusion and catheter accessories, blood handling devices, chest drainage units, respiratory ventilation devices, medical filter housings, permanent device housings, tubes, connectors, mounting fixtures, and cuvettes; or a component of household goods; a component of communication equipment; an electronic component; a component of hobby equipment; a component of sports equipment; a component of gardening equipment; interior and exterior parts for automobiles, ships, or aircraft; body parts used in the construction of automobiles, ships, or aircraft; a component of sanitary and bath supplies. The molded article according to claim 15.

17. Use of the polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in a disposable medical device selected from medical devices, preferably, for example, medical diagnostic devices, infusion and catheter accessories, blood handling devices, chest drainage units, respiratory ventilation devices, medical filter housings, permanent device housings, tubes, connectors, mounting fixtures, and cuvettes.

Images