Compositions, methods for making same, and articles made therefrom

Abstract

Compositions are described that include specific amounts of polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer and a filler. Samples of the compositions can exhibit a beneficial combination of properties, and the compositions can be used in a variety of articles. Methods for making the compositions are also described.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to compositions, methods for their preparation, and articles made therefrom.

[0002] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to and the benefit of European Patent Application No. 20211292.6, filed December 2, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Thermoplastic polymers (including polyetherimides and polysulfones) are useful for manufacturing articles and components for a wide range of applications, from automotive parts to electronic devices. Due to their beneficial properties, such as transparency and impact resistance, polyetherimides and polysulfones are used in optical applications, such as sensor lenses, optical interconnectors, transceivers, light guides, camera lenses, eyeglass and safety eyewear lenses, lighting lenses (e.g., illuminators, flashlights, and lantern lenses), and automotive headlight lenses and covers. Because many optical articles are used in high-temperature environments or must be processed under harsh conditions, materials that can withstand high temperatures without deformation or discoloration and retain good optical properties when processed using conventional molding processes are desirable. To date, polymeric materials have not provided the necessary dimensional stability, particularly for use in single-mode fiber optic connectors, so most optical lenses are made from glass. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Thus, there is a need in the art for improved compositions that are particularly well suited for optical applications. The provision of compositions that have a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high infrared transmittance would be particularly useful. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A composition comprising greater than 50% and less than 75% by weight of a polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer, and greater than 25% and less than 50% by weight of a filler, wherein when the polymer comprises polyetherimide, the filler has an average fiber diameter of 5 micrometers (μm) to 10 μm, an average fiber length of 55 μm to 75 μm, and a fiber length of 2.5 μm. 2 / g to 2.9m 2 The filler may comprise wollastonite fibers having a surface area of ​​less than 1 μm / g, a bulk density of 0.42 g / cc to 0.50 g / cc, and a silica content of 52% to 55%, or boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering, and when the polymer comprises poly(arylene ether sulfone), the filler may comprise an average fiber diameter of 1 μm to 5 μm, an average fiber length of 5 μm to 12 μm, and a filler length of 3.8 m. 2 / g to 4.3m 2 and a bulk density of 0.48 g / cc to 0.56 g / cc, or boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering, and when the polymer comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer, the filler has an average fiber diameter of 10 μm to 15 μm, an average fiber length of 140 μm to 165 μm, and a bulk density of 1.0 m. 2 / g to 1.8m 2 / g and a bulk density of 0.18 g / cc to 0.26 g / cc, where the weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition.

[0006] A method for preparing the composition includes the step of combining a polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer with a filler.

[0007] A method for preparing the composition, which comprises a polyetherimide, includes the steps of contacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an organic amine to form a polyetherimide precursor, combining a filler with the polyetherimide precursor to form a mixture, and heating the mixture under conditions to form the corresponding polyetherimide.

[0008] An article comprising the composition.

[0009] These and other features are illustrated by way of example in the figures and detailed description that follow. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The following figures are exemplary embodiments, in which like elements are numbered similarly:

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the composition of Example 8. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the composition of Example 61. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the composition of Example 65. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present inventors have unexpectedly discovered that compositions comprising polyetherimides, poly(arylene ether sulfones), cyclic olefin copolymers, or combinations thereof, and certain inorganic fillers exhibit a desirable combination of properties. Specifically, the compositions described herein can be solution processed to form thin films with low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), high infrared (IR) transmittance, and good processability. The compositions described herein are particularly well suited for a variety of articles, particularly for optical applications.

[0013] Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising a polyetherimide, a poly(arylene ether sulfone), a cyclic olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof.

[0014] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a polyetherimide, which comprises more than one structural unit according to structural formula (1), e.g., from 2 to 1000, from 5 to 500, or from 10 to 100. [ka] wherein each R is independently the same or different and is a substituted or unsubstituted divalent organic group, e.g., a substituted or unsubstituted C 6~20 Aromatic hydrocarbon groups, substituted or unsubstituted branched or straight chain C 4~20 Alkylene group, substituted or unsubstituted C 3~8 and cycloalkylene groups, particularly halogenated derivatives of any of the foregoing. In certain embodiments, R is one or more divalent groups of the following structure (2): [ka] In the formula, Q 1 -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -P(R a )(=O)- (where R a is C 1~8 Alkyl or C 6~12 aryl), -C y H 2y - (wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5) or a halogenated derivative thereof (including a perfluoroalkylene group), or -(CH 10)z-, where z is an integer from 1 to 4. In certain embodiments, R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or diarylene sulfone, particularly bis(4,4'-phenylene) sulfone, bis(3,4'-phenylene) sulfone, bis(3,3'-phenylene) sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In certain embodiments, at least 10 mole percent (mol %), or at least 50 mole % of the R groups comprise sulfone groups, and in other embodiments, no R groups are sulfone groups.

[0015] Furthermore, T in structural formula (1) is -O- or a group represented by the formula -OZO-, wherein the divalent bond of the -O- or -OZO- group is at the 3,3', 3,4', 4,3', or 4,4' positions; Z is an aromatic C 6~24 Monocyclic or polycyclic groups (1 to 6 C, if necessary, provided that the valence of Z is not exceeded) 1~8 (substituted with an alkyl group, 1 to 8 halogen atoms, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing). Examples of groups Z include groups represented by structural formula (3): [ka] In the formula, R a and R b are each independently the same or different and are, for example, a halogen atom or a monovalent C 1~6 is an alkyl group, p and q are each independently an integer of 0 to 4, c is 0 to 4, and X a is a bridging group connecting the hydroxy-substituted aromatic groups, and the bridging group and the hydroxy substituent of each C6 arylene group are ortho, meta, or para (particularly para) relative to each other on the C6 arylene group. a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)2-, -C(O)-, or C 1~18 It can be an organic bridging group. 1~18The organic bridging group may be cyclic or acyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic, and may further contain heteroatoms such as halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, or phosphorus. 1~18 The organic group is such that each C6 arylene group bonded to it is C 1~18 The organic bridging groups may be arranged to be attached to a common alkylidene carbon or to separate carbons. A specific example of group Z is the divalent group represented by structure (3a): [ka] In the formula, Q is -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -P(R a )(=O)- (where R a is C 1~8 Alkyl or C 6~12 aryl), or -C y H 2y - (wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5) or a halogenated derivative thereof (including a perfluoroalkylene group). In some embodiments, Z is derived from bisphenol A and Q in structural formula (3a) is 2,2-isopropylidene.

[0016] In certain embodiments, R in Structural Formula (1) is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and T is -OZO- (wherein Z is a divalent radical represented by Structural Formula (3a)). Alternatively, R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and T is -OZO- (wherein Z is a divalent radical represented by Structural Formula (3a) and Q is 2,2-isopropylidene). These materials are available from SABIC under the ULTEM trademark. Alternatively, the polyetherimide may be a copolymer of structural formula (1) containing additional structural polyetherimide units in which at least 50 mole percent of the R groups are bis(4,4'-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,4'-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,3'-phenylene)sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and the remaining R groups are p-phenylene, m-phenylene, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and Z is 2,2-(4-phenylene)isopropylidene, i.e., the residue of bisphenol A. Examples are commercially available from SABIC under the EXTEM trademark.

[0017] In some embodiments, the polyetherimide is a copolymer that optionally contains additional structural imide units that are not polyetherimide units, such as imide units of structure (4). [ka] In the formula, R is the same as described in structural formula (1), each V is the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted C 6~20 An aromatic hydrocarbon group, for example, is a tetravalent linking group represented by the following structural formula: [ka] In the formula, W is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, C 1~18 Hydrocarbylene group, -P(R a )(=O)- (where R a is C 1~8Alkyl or C 6~12 aryl), or -C y H 2y - (wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5) or a halogenated derivative thereof (including a perfluoroalkylene group). These additional structural imide units desirably comprise less than 20 mole percent of the total number of units, and more desirably may be present in an amount of 0 to 10 mole percent of the total number of units, 0 to 5 mole percent of the total number of units, or 0 to 2 mole percent of the total number of units. In some embodiments, no additional imide units are present in the polyetherimide.

[0018] Polyetherimides may be prepared by any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, by reacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) represented by structure (5), or its chemical equivalent, with an organic diamine represented by structure (6). [ka] where T and R are as previously described. Polyetherimide copolymers can be prepared using a combination of the aromatic bis(ether anhydride) of structural formula (5) with an additional bis(anhydride) that is not a bis(ether anhydride), such as pyromellitic dianhydride or bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)sulfone dianhydride.

[0019] Specific examples of aromatic bis(ether anhydrides) include 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride (also known as bisphenol A dianhydride or BPADA), 3,3-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride, Dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride, 4,4'-bis(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride, 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl-2,2-propane dianhydride, 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl ether dianhydride, 4-(2,3-dicarboxy Examples of aromatic bis(ether anhydrides) include 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfide dianhydride, 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzophenone dianhydride, 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride, and 4-(2,3-dicarboxyphenoxy)-4'-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)diphenyl sulfone dianhydride. Combinations of different aromatic bis(ether anhydrides) can also be used.

[0020] Examples of organic diamines include 1,4-butanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,7-heptanediamine, 1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,18-octadecanediamine, 3-methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 4-methylnonamethylenediamine, 5-methylnonamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylhexamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 2,2-dimethylpropylenediamine, N-methyl-bis(3-aminopropyl)amine, 3-methoxyhexamethylenediamine, 1,2-bis(3-aminopropoxy)ethane, bis(3-aminopropyl)sulfide, 1,4-cyclohexanediamine, bis(4- (aminocyclohexyl)methane, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene, m-xylylenediamine, p-xylylenediamine, 2-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3-phenylenediamine, 5-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3-phenylenediamine, benzidine, 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, bis(4-aminophenyl)methane, bis(2-chloro-4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl)methane, bis(4-aminophenyl)propane, 2,4-bis(p-amino-t-butyl)toluene, bis(p-amino-t-butylphenyl)ether, bis(p-methyl-o-aminophenyl)benzene, bis(p-methyl-o-aminopentyl)benzene, 1, Examples include 3-diamino-4-isopropylbenzene, bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfide, bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfone (also known as 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS)), and bis(4-aminophenyl) ether. Positional isomers of the foregoing compounds can also be used. 1~4 Alkylation or poly(C 1~4Alkylated derivatives, such as polymethylated 1,6-hexanediamine, can also be used. Combinations of these compounds can also be used. In some embodiments, the organic diamine is m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 3,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the organic diamine is m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, or a combination thereof, preferably m-phenylene.

[0021] The polyetherimides can have a melt index of 0.1 grams per minute (g / min) to 10 g / min, as measured by American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) D1238 at 340°C to 370°C using a 6.7 kilogram (kg) load. In some embodiments, the polyetherimides have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1,000 to 150,000 grams per mole (g / mol or Daltons (Da)), as measured by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. In some embodiments, the polyetherimides have a Mw of 10,000 to 80,000 g / mol. Such polyetherimides typically have an intrinsic viscosity greater than 0.2 deciliters per gram (dl / g), more specifically, 0.35 dl / g to 0.7 dl / g, as measured in m-cresol at 25°C.

[0022] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a poly(arylene ether sulfone). As used herein, the term “poly(arylene ether sulfone)” can refer to a polymer having repeating units represented by Structure (7). -Ar 1 -SO2-Ar 2 -O- (7) In the formula, each Ar 1 and Ar 2 are the same or different and are groups represented by structural formula (8). [ka] In the formula, c is 0 or 1, and R a and R b are each independently a linear or branched C 1~10 Alkyl, linear or branched C 2~10 Alkenyl, linear or branched C 2~10 Alkynyl, C 6~18 Aryl, C 7~20 Alkylaryl, C 7~20 Aryl alkyl, C 5~10 Cycloalkyl, C 5~20 Cycloalkenyl, linear or branched C 1~10 Alkyl carbonyl, C 6~18 Arylcarbonyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, halogen, C 1~12 Alkoxy, or C 1~12 alkyl, and p and q are each independently an integer from 0 to 4. Of course, when p or q is less than 4, the valence of each carbon in the ring is filled with hydrogen. Furthermore, X in structural formula (8) a is a bridging group connecting two hydroxy-substituted aromatic groups, and the bridging group and the hydroxy substituent of each C6 arylene group are ortho, meta, or para (particularly para) relative to each other on the C6 arylene group. a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)2-, -C(O)-, or C 1~18 It is an organic group. C 1~18 The organic bridging group may be cyclic or acyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic, and may further contain heteroatoms such as halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, etc. 1~18 The organic group is such that each C6 arylene group bonded to it is C 1~18 The organic bridging group can be arranged to be attached to a common alkylidene carbon or to separate carbons. In some embodiments, c is 0 or 1, p and q are each 0, and X a is isopropylidene.

[0023] Specific poly(arylene ether sulfones) that can be used include polyethersulfones (also known as "PES" or "PESU") containing at least 85% by weight of units represented by structural formula (8a): [ka] Polyphenylene sulfone (also known as "PPSU" or polyphenylsulfone), comprising at least 85% by weight of units represented by structural formula (8b): [ka] Polyether ether sulfone containing at least 85% by mass of units represented by structural formula (8c), [ka] or polysulfone (often referred to as "PSU") containing at least 85% by weight of units represented by structural formula (8d); [ka] Alternatively, a combination containing at least one of the foregoing poly(arylene ether sulfone)s may be used. Copolymers containing a combination of at least two of the units represented by structural formulas (8a), (8b), (8c), and (8d) may also be used.

[0024] The poly(arylene ether sulfone) can be linear or branched, with 1 or more, 2 or more, or 5 or more branch points per 1,000 carbon atoms along the polymer chain. In some embodiments, the poly(arylene ether sulfone) is linear, with 10 or fewer, 5 or fewer, 2 or fewer, or 1 or fewer branch points per 1,000 carbon atoms along the polymer chain. In some embodiments, the poly(arylene ether sulfone) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than 175°C, particularly from 175°C to 300°C, 200°C to 280°C, or 255°C to 275°C. The poly(arylene ether sulfone) can further have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 500 g / mol to 100,000 g / mol, specifically 1,000 g / mol to 75,000 g / mol, more specifically 1,500 g / mol to 50,000 g / mol, and even more specifically 2,000 g / mol to 25,000 g / mol.

[0025] Examples of usable poly(arylene ether sulfones) include those available from suppliers such as Solvay Specialty Polymers, Quadrant EPP, Centroplast Centro, Duneon, GEHR Plastics, Westlake Plastics, Gharda Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and UJU New Materials Co., Ltd. Commercially available poly(phenyl sulfones) include those having the trade names RADEL™, UDEL™, ULTRASON™, GAFONE™, and PARYLS™. Poly(arylene ether sulfones) are commercially available from Solvay Advanced Polymers KK under the trademark VERADEL™, from BASF Corporation under the trademark ULTRASON™, and from Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. under the trademark SUMIKAEXCEL™.

[0026] Polyphenylene sulfones are commercially available and include polycondensation products of biphenols and dichlorodiphenyl sulfones. Methods for producing polyphenylene sulfones are widely known, and several suitable methods are well described in the art. Two methods are known to those skilled in the art: the carbonate method and the alkali metal hydroxide method. In the alkali metal hydroxide method, a dialkali metal salt of a dihydric phenol is contacted with a dihalobenzenoid compound in the presence of a dipolar, aprotic solvent under nearly anhydrous conditions. The carbonate method, in which a dihydric phenol and a dihalobenzenoid compound are heated with, for example, sodium carbonate or bicarbonate and a second alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, is also disclosed in the art, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,222. Alternatively, polyphenylene sulfones may be prepared by any of a variety of methods known in the art.

[0027] The viscosity (molecular weight) of polyphenylene sulfone, as indicated by reduced viscosity data in suitable solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, and N-methylpyrrolidone, can be 0.3 dL / g or greater, more specifically 0.4 dL / g or greater, but generally will not exceed 1.5 dL / g.

[0028] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polyphenylene sulfone can be from 10,000 g / mol to 100,000 g / mol, as measured by gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards according to ASTM D5296. In some embodiments, the weight average molecular weight of the polyphenylene sulfone can be from 10,000 g / mol to 80,000 g / mol. The polyphenylene sulfone can have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 180° C. to 250° C., as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

[0029] In some embodiments, the composition includes a cyclic olefin copolymer. The cyclic olefin copolymer is derived from the copolymerization of cyclic olefins. Examples of suitable cyclic olefin monomers include norbornene, tetracyclododecene, bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-ene, 1-methylbicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-ene, hexacyclo[6,6,1,1]hept-2-ene, and cyclohexacyclo[6,6,1,1]hept-2-ene. 3 ,6,1 10 ,13,0 2 ,7,0 9 ,14]-4-heptadecene, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Many such monomers are well known and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,356. In the case of cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), the comonomer is selected from a variety of suitable olefins (including, for example, acyclic olefins). Many such comonomers are also well known in the literature, for example, in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,356. In one embodiment, the cyclic olefin monomer comprises norbornene, and the comonomer comprises an acyclic olefin, for example, ethylene, propylene, and the like.

[0030] In some embodiments, the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or combinations thereof can have a transmittance of greater than 70% from 850 nm to 1100 nm and from 1200 nm to 1330 nm, as measured, for example, on a 100 μm thick film using UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0031] The polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or combination thereof, can be present in the composition in an amount greater than 50 wt.% and less than 75 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Within this range, the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or combination thereof can be present in an amount of 53 to 72 wt.%, 53 to 70 wt.%, 53 to 68 wt.%, 55 to 65 wt.%, or 58 to 62 wt.%.

[0032] In addition to the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or combinations thereof, the composition further comprises a filler. The filler can desirably have a refractive index of 1.60 to 1.68, 1.60 to 1.67, or 1.60 to 1.66, measured at a wavelength of 587 nanometers (nm). The filler can include boehmite, wollastonite, or combinations thereof, each of which can be surface-modified as needed. In some embodiments, the filler is surface-unmodified. As further described in the Examples below, the choice of filler can vary depending on the polymer (e.g., polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer) present in the composition. Depending on the polymer present in the composition, the filler can be further selected based on one or more of average particle size, surface area, bulk density, or composition. Average particle size can be determined by a variety of commonly known methods, including laser light scattering techniques and microscopy (e.g., scanning electron microscopy). Surface area can refer to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, determined in accordance with ISO 9277. Bulk density can refer to the loose bulk density of the filler, which can be determined in accordance with commonly known methods, for example, ASTM D7481-18.

[0033] In some embodiments, the filler can include wollastonite fibers. In some embodiments, the wollastonite fibers can have an average fiber diameter of 5 μm to 10 μm and an average fiber length of 55 μm to 75 μm. In some embodiments, the wollastonite fibers can have an average fiber diameter of 1 to 5 μm and an average fiber length of 5 μm to 12 μm. In some embodiments, the wollastonite fibers can have an average fiber diameter of 10 μm to 15 μm and an average fiber length of 140 μm to 165 μm.

[0034] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a polyetherimide and the filler comprises an average fiber diameter of 5 μm to 10 μm, an average fiber length of 55 μm to 75 μm, and a filler length of 2.5 μm. 2 / g to 2.9m 2 / g, a bulk density of 0.42 g / cc to 0.50 g / cc, and a silica content of 52% to 55%.

[0035] In one embodiment, the composition comprises poly(arylene ether sulfone), and the filler has an average fiber diameter of 1 μm to 5 μm, an average fiber length of 5 μm to 12 μm, and a fiber length of 3.8 μm. 2 / g to 4.3m 2 / g surface area and a bulk density of 0.48 g / cc to 0.56 g / cc.

[0036] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer, and the filler has an average fiber diameter of 10 μm to 15 μm, an average fiber length of 140 μm to 165 μm, and a fiber length of 1.0 μm. 2 / g to 1.8m 2 / g surface area and a bulk density of 0.18 g / cc to 0.26 g / cc.

[0037] In some embodiments, the filler can include boehmite (also known as aluminum oxide hydroxide). Boehmite desirably has a refractive index of 1.60 to 1.68, 1.60 to 1.67, or 1.60 to 1.66, as measured at a wavelength of 587 nm. The inorganic filler can have an average particle size of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm, as measured by laser light scattering.

[0038] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a polyetherimide and the filler comprises boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering.

[0039] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a poly(arylene ether sulfone) and the filler comprises boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering.

[0040] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer and the filler does not comprise boehmite.

[0041] The composition may include an amount of filler greater than 25% and less than 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Within this range, the filler may be present in an amount from 28% to 48%, 30% to 48%, 32% to 47%, 35% to 45%, or 38% to 42% by weight.

[0042] In some embodiments, the composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof, and a filler. In some embodiments, the composition can exclude components other than the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin polymer, or a combination thereof, and fillers not expressly mentioned herein. In some embodiments, the composition contains less than 5% by weight, or less than 1% by weight (based on the total weight of the composition) of thermoplastic polymers other than the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), and cyclic olefin copolymer. The composition can optionally exclude inorganic fillers other than boehmite or wollastonite.

[0043] In some embodiments, the present compositions can optionally further comprise an additive composition, which includes one or more additives selected to provide desirable properties and to not significantly adversely affect the desirable properties of the present compositions. The additive composition or individual additives can be added at the appropriate time when mixing the components to form the present compositions. The additive composition can include impact modifiers, flow improvers, fillers (e.g., particulate polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass, carbon, minerals, or metals), reinforcing agents (e.g., glass fiber), antioxidants, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers, UV absorbers, plasticizers, lubricants, release agents (e.g., mold release agents), antistatic agents, anti-fog agents, antimicrobial agents, colorants (e.g., dyes or pigments), surface effect additives, radiation stabilizers, flame retardants, anti-drip agents (e.g., PTFE-encapsulated styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (TSAN)), or combinations thereof. For example, a combination of heat stabilizers, mold release agents, and ultraviolet light stabilizers can be used. Typically, additives are used in amounts generally known to be effective. For example, the total amount of the additive composition (other than impact modifiers, fillers, or reinforcing agents) can be 0.001% to 10.0% by weight or 0.01% to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the composition may further comprise an additive composition comprising an antioxidant, a heat stabilizer, a moisture binding stabilizer (hydrostabilizer), a UV stabilizer, a mold release agent, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0045] The present compositions can be prepared by a variety of methods commonly known in the art. For example, polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or a combination thereof can be mixed with the filler, for example, in a high-speed mixer or by hand mixing. In some embodiments, the step of mixing the components of the present compositions can be desirably carried out in the presence of a solvent. Any organic solvent that solubilizes the components of the present compositions can be used, such as o-dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, N-methylpyrrolidone, or dimethyl acetamide. The combined components in the solvent can be mixed for a suitable time (e.g., 1 to 10 hours) to disperse the filler. The preparation of the present compositions is further illustrated in the Examples below.

[0046] The step of mixing the components of the composition can be carried out at a temperature of from 20°C to 200°C, preferably from 20°C to 25°C or from 175°C to 200°C.

[0047] In one embodiment, the compositions can be prepared by contacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an organic amine to form a polyetherimide precursor, combining a filler with the polyetherimide precursor, and heating the mixture under conditions to form the corresponding polyetherimide (i.e., to promote imidization of the precursor).

[0048] The composition can be further processed into a film using various commonly known coating techniques, such as solution coating, spin coating, doctor blading, drop casting, etc. The solvent can be removed from the film. The film thickness can be, for example, 50 μm to 500 μm, 50 μm to 250 μm, 50 μm to 150 μm, or 75 μm to 125 μm.

[0049] Films produced from the compositions can exhibit one or more advantageous properties. For example, films produced from the compositions can exhibit a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of 36 ppm / °C or less, or from 5 ppm / °C to 36 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM E831. Films produced from the compositions can exhibit a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm and a thickness of 100 μm. The transmittance of the film can be determined by UV / Vis spectroscopy using a Perkin Elmer Lambda 950 spectrometer, measuring integrating sphere transmittance, set at 1330 nm. In some embodiments, films produced from the compositions can exhibit both of the aforementioned properties.

[0050] In an embodiment, the composition comprises a polyetherimide, the filler comprises wollastonite, and a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 25 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 25 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM D256, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm, at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0051] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a polyetherimide, the filler comprises boehmite, and a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM D256, and a percent transmittance of greater than 75%, or from greater than 75% to 95%, at 1330 nm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy at a thickness of 100 μm.

[0052] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a poly(arylene ether sulfone), the filler comprises wollastonite, and a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 36 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 36 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy at a thickness of 100 μm.

[0053] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a poly(arylene ether sulfone), the filler comprises boehmite, and a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy at a thickness of 100 μm.

[0054] In one embodiment, the composition comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer, the filler comprises wollastonite, and a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured according to ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm, at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0055] Articles comprising the present compositions represent another embodiment of the present disclosure. Articles can be prepared by, for example, casting, extruding, or shaping the compositions into articles. The compositions can be formed into useful shapes by a variety of processes, including injection molding, extrusion, rotational molding, blow molding, and thermoforming. Exemplary articles include those in the form of fibers, films, sheets, tubes, or molded articles. The physical properties of the compositions described herein make them particularly well-suited for transparent articles, e.g., for optical applications. Such articles include optical articles, preferably optical lenses, lens arrays, and transparent material applications (in medical devices, electronics and telecommunications, building and construction, sensors, antennas, electrodes, thin film optics, thin film substrates, transistors, and IR-transparent display devices). In one embodiment, the article can be a lens in a single-mode fiber optic connector. [Example]

[0056] The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0057] The materials used in the following examples are listed in Table 1.

[0058] [Table 1]

[0059] The compositions were prepared by solution mixing the polymer and filler according to the formulations listed in Table 2. The amount of each component is expressed as a percentage by weight of the total composition. Specifically, the compositions were prepared using one of three methods: 1) The polymer was dissolved in the solvent (PEI in DCM) at room temperature, followed by the addition of the filler. The resulting solution was stirred with a stirrer / shaker for 5–7 hours to disperse the filler into the resin. 2) The polymer was dissolved in the solvent (PEI in o-DCB, PPSU in NMP, PES in DMAc, and COC in o-DCB) at elevated temperatures, followed by the addition of the filler. In this method, PEI was placed in a four-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a stirrer, nitrogen inlet, thermowell, and a Dean-Stark apparatus with a reflux condenser, along with 300 mL of dry o-DCB. The flask was purged with nitrogen and then heated to 210 °C (oil bath temperature) to remove traces of water using the Dean-Stark apparatus. The temperature inside the flask was 180°C. After 90 minutes, the PEI had completely dissolved in the o-DCB, forming a clear solution. After the filler was added, 50 mL of o-DCB was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at 180°C for 7–9 hours to achieve complete dispersion. 3) 41 g of bisphenol A dianhydride (BPADA) and dry o-DCB were placed in a four-neck round-bottom flask equipped with a stirrer, nitrogen inlet, thermowell, and a Dean-Stark apparatus with a reflux condenser. The flask was purged with nitrogen and heated to 210°C (oil bath temperature) to remove traces of water using the Dean-Stark apparatus. The temperature inside the flask was 180°C. After 90 minutes, the BPADA had completely dissolved in the o-DCB, forming a clear solution. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to 90°C, and 8.6 g of m-phenylenediamine was added to the mixture. The flask was heated to 210°C (oil bath temperature), but the internal temperature was maintained at 180°C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 90 minutes, resulting in a clear, yellow, viscous solution of polyamic acid (PAA). After the filler was added, 50 mL of o-DCB was added. The filler mixed with the polyamic acid to form a filler-PAA mixture. The resulting mixture was stirred at 180°C for 7-9 hours to complete the polymerization and produce the corresponding polyetherimide.

[0060] Regardless of the process used, the polymer solution was applied to a glass plate in a machine direction using a film applicator blade to control film thickness. The film was then placed in a fume hood for 24 hours and peeled off from the glass plate. The film was cut and dried under vacuum at 120-180°C for 24 hours to remove the solvent. The film was then cooled to room temperature and tested for thermal and optical properties. The film thickness was 100 μm.

[0061] Properties were measured using ASTM test methods. All film samples were conditioned at 50% relative humidity for at least 48 hours before testing.

[0062] Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) measurements were performed according to ASTM E831 using a DuPont 2940 probe in the range of 40±100°C, with a tension of 0.05 N applied to the film and a heating rate of 58°C / min. CTE values ​​were recorded on a temperature scale from 30°C to 80°C.

[0063] To determine the filler content in the films, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements were carried out according to ASTM E1131 in the range of 25°C to 1000°C with a Q 5000-TA Instruments at a heating rate of 10°C / min.

[0064] Percent transmittance measurements were performed in the IR range on a UV-Vis spectrometer (Perkin Elmer Lambda 900 spectrometer) equipped with an integrating sphere and a slit width of 2 nm.

[0065] Haze was measured in the visible region (i.e., 400 nm to 750 nm) using a haze meter (BYK-Gardner Haze-gard) according to ASTM D1003 standard. Percent haze is calculated by multiplying the total light transmittance T t Diffuse transmittance T d From the ratio, it is calculated as follows:

[0066] Haze (%) = (T d / T t ) x 100

[0067] The compositions in Table 2 were prepared using Method 1 above.

[0068] [Table 2]

[0069] [Table 3]

[0070] [Table 4]

[0071] [Table 5]

[0072] The compositions in Table 3 were prepared using Method 2 above.

[0073] [Table 6]

[0074] [Table 7]

[0075] Examples 1-5 demonstrate the effect of different fillers in PEI compositions. Each composition in these examples was prepared according to Process (1) above. Example 1 demonstrates that the use of specific amounts of wollastonite 1 results in a composition that can achieve a combination of percent transmittance of 50 or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 25 ppm / °C. Example 5 demonstrates that the use of specific amounts of boehmite filler results in a composition that can achieve a combination of percent transmittance of 75 or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 35 ppm / °C.

[0076] Examples 6-9 demonstrate the potential impact of filler particle size on the resulting PEI composition. Each composition in these examples was prepared according to Process (1) above. Specifically, these examples demonstrate that the use of certain wollastonite fillers in specific amounts can result in compositions that achieve a combined percent transmittance of 50 or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 25 ppm / °C. Due to dilution effects and the same inorganic compound composition, it was expected that smaller wollastonite filler particle size would result in improved CTE and %T performance. However, only the composition containing wollastonite 4 exhibited improved %T performance at 1330 nm compared to those containing other wollastonite fillers.

[0077] Similarly, Examples 10-13 demonstrate that certain boehmite fillers, when used in specific amounts, can produce compositions that achieve a combined percent transmittance of 75 or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 35 ppm / °C. Due to the dilution effect and the same inorganic compound composition, it was expected that smaller boehmite filler particle size would result in improved CTE and %T performance. However, only compositions containing AlO(OH)-4 exhibited improved %T performance at 1330 nm compared to those with other boehmite fillers.

[0078] Examples 14-17 and 22-29 show that a particular amount and particular particle size distribution of wollastonite is required to achieve the desired combination of percent transmission of 50% or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 25 ppm / °C.

[0079] Examples 18-21 and 30-41 show that a specific amount of boehmite is required to achieve the desired combination of percent transmission of 75% or greater at 1330 nm and a CTE of less than 35 ppm / °C.

[0080] The results in Table 2 were unexpected because each filler had a refractive index similar to that of PEI; however, as the CTE and %T in Table 2 show, each filler did not have the same effect on the properties of the resulting composition. Furthermore, fillers such as kaolin and calcium carbonate did not exhibit the desired CTE and %T compared to wollastonite or boehmite. The examples in Table 2 clearly demonstrate that the desired CTE and %T can only be achieved with certain combinations of PEI and wollastonite or boehmite, and only when the fillers have specific particle sizes. The use of smaller or larger particle sizes did not result in the same improvement in CTE and %T.

[0081] The data in Tables 2 and 3 indicate that several factors influence the selection of polymer and filler combinations. More specifically, different types of fillers can produce different results depending on the choice of polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer. While not wishing to be bound by theory, these polymers each have different chemical compositions and structures, which can result in different zeta potentials, hydrophilic / hydrophobic balances, and end-group interactions, each of which can affect the stability of the resulting compositions. Thus, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the polymer / filler interaction energy, polymer swelling behavior, chain entanglement density, surface energy, degree of polymer solvation, and polymer viscosity in the presence of the filler each affect the composition's properties (particularly optical properties such as haze and transmittance, and thermal properties such as the coefficient of thermal expansion).

[0082] The following examples demonstrate the effect of composition manufacturing method: Compositions were prepared according to the recipes shown in Table 4.

[0083] [Table 8]

[0084] Comparing Examples 61-67 with the same compositions made by Process 1 in Table 2, it can be seen that compositions made using certain particle sizes and processes yield favorable properties in terms of CTE and %T. The use of Processes 2 or 3 also demonstrated improved dispersion and distribution of the filler in the composition compared to Process 1. This can be seen by scanning electron microscopy, for example, as shown in Figure 1 (SEM of Example 8), Figure 2 (SEM of Example 61), and Figure 3 (SEM of Example 65). Similar results were obtained using boehmite filler, as shown in Examples 68-71 in Table 4.

[0085] The disclosure of the present application further includes the following aspects.

[0086] Aspect 1: A composition comprising greater than 50% and less than 75% by weight of a polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer and greater than 25% and less than 50% by weight of a filler, wherein when the polymer comprises a polyetherimide, the filler has an average fiber diameter of 5 μm to 10 μm, an average fiber length of 55 μm to 75 μm, and an average fiber length of 2.5 μm. 2 / g to 2.9m 2 The filler may comprise wollastonite fibers having a surface area of ​​less than 1000 nm / g, a bulk density of 0.42 g / cc to 0.50 g / cc, and a silica content of 52% to 55%, or boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering, and when the polymer comprises poly(arylene ether sulfone), the filler may comprise an average fiber diameter of 1 μm to 5 μm, an average fiber length of 5 μm to 12 μm, and a filler length of 3.8 m. 2 / g to 4.3m 2 and a bulk density of 0.48 g / cc to 0.56 g / cc, or boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering, and when the polymer comprises a cyclic olefin copolymer, the filler has an average fiber diameter of 10 μm to 15 μm, an average fiber length of 140 μm to 165 μm, and a bulk density of 1.0 m. 2 / g to 1.8m 2 / g and a bulk density of 0.18 g / cc to 0.26 g / cc, where the weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition.

[0087] Embodiment 2: The composition of embodiment 1, wherein the composition has a flow coefficient of thermal expansion, as determined in accordance with ASTM E831, less than or equal to 36 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 36 ppm / °C, and a percent transmittance at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, as determined by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0088] Embodiment 3: The composition of embodiment 1 or 2, comprising 53% to 68%, 55% to 65%, or 58% to 62% by weight of the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), cyclic olefin copolymer, or combination thereof; and 32% to 47%, 35% to 45%, or 38% to 42% by weight of the filler.

[0089] Embodiment 4: The composition of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein polyetherimide is present and the filler comprises wollastonite, wherein a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 25 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 25 ppm / °C, as measured in accordance with ASTM D256, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0090] Embodiment 5: The composition of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein polyetherimide is present and the filler comprises boehmite; wherein a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured in accordance with ASTM D256, and a percent transmittance of greater than 75%, or from greater than 75% to 95%, at 1330 nm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy at a thickness of 100 μm.

[0091] Embodiment 6: The composition of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein poly(arylene ether sulfone) is present and the filler comprises wollastonite, wherein a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 36 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 36 ppm / °C, as measured in accordance with ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0092] Embodiment 7: The composition of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the poly(arylene ether sulfone) is present and the filler comprises boehmite, wherein a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured in accordance with ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm, at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0093] Embodiment 8: The composition of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the cyclic olefin copolymer is present and the filler comprises wollastonite; wherein a film produced from the composition exhibits a flow coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C, or from 5 ppm / °C to 35 ppm / °C, as measured in accordance with ASTM E831, and a percent transmittance of greater than 50%, or from greater than 50% to 95%, at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm, as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy.

[0094] Embodiment 9: A method of making the composition of any of Embodiments 1 to 8, the method comprising combining the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer with a filler.

[0095] Embodiment 10: The process of embodiment 9, wherein the step of combining the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer with the filler is conducted in the presence of a solvent.

[0096] Embodiment 11: The process of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the step of combining the polyetherimide, poly(arylene ether sulfone), or cyclic olefin copolymer is conducted at a temperature of from 20 to 200°C, preferably from 20 to 25°C or from 175 to 200°C.

[0097] Embodiment 12: A method of making the composition of any of Embodiments 1 to 8, the composition comprising a polyetherimide, the method comprising contacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an organic amine to form a polyetherimide precursor; combining a filler with the polyetherimide precursor to form a mixture; and heating the mixture under conditions to form the corresponding polyetherimide.

[0098] Embodiment 13: An article comprising the composition of any of embodiments 1 to 8.

[0099] Embodiment 14: The article of embodiment 13, wherein the article is an optical article, preferably an optical lens, a lens array, transparent material applications (in medical devices, electronics and telecommunications, building and construction, sensors, antennas, electrodes, thin film optics, thin film substrates, transistors, and IR transparent display devices).

[0100] The compositions, methods, and articles may alternatively comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable material, step, or component disclosed herein. The compositions, methods, and articles may additionally or alternatively be configured to exclude or be substantially free of any material (or species), step, or component that is not necessary to achieve the function or purpose of the compositions, methods, and articles.

[0101] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. "Combinations" includes blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms "first," "second," and the like do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms "a," "an," and "the" do not denote limitations of quantity and should be construed to include both the singular and the plural unless otherwise indicated or clearly contradicted by context. "Or" means "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise. References in the specification to "an embodiment" mean that a particular element described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described in the description, but may or may not be present in other embodiments. As used herein, the term "combination thereof" includes one or more of the listed elements and is open to the possibility that one or more similar unlisted elements may be present. Furthermore, it will be understood that the listed elements may be combined in any suitable manner in various embodiments.

[0102] Unless otherwise specified in the text, all test standards are the most recent standards in effect as of the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standard is listed.

[0103] Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in this application contradicts or conflicts with a term in an incorporated reference, the term in this application shall take precedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.

[0104] Compounds are described using standard nomenclature. For example, any position not substituted with any indicated group shall have its valency filled at the indicated bond or with a hydrogen atom. A dash ("-") not between two letters or symbols is used to indicate the point of attachment of a substituent. For example, -CHO is attached at the carbon of the carbonyl group.

[0105] As used herein, the term "hydrocarbyl," whether used alone or as a prefix, suffix, or part of another word, refers to a residue containing only carbon and hydrogen. The residue can be aliphatic or aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, or unsaturated. It can also include combinations of aliphatic, aromatic, straight-chain, cyclic, bicyclic, branched, saturated, and unsaturated hydrocarbon groups. However, when a hydrocarbyl residue is described as substituted, it may optionally contain heteroatoms in addition to the carbon and hydrogen that make up the substituent residue. That is, specifically, when substituted, the hydrocarbyl residue can also contain one or more carbonyl groups, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, etc., or heteroatoms within the backbone of the hydrocarbyl residue. The term "alkyl" refers to branched or straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s-pentyl, n-, and s-hexyl. "Alkenyl" refers to a branched or straight-chain, monovalent hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond, such as ethenyl (-HC=CH). "Alkoxy" refers to an alkyl group attached through an oxygen (i.e., alkyl-O-), such as methoxy, ethoxy, or sec-butyloxy. "Alkylene" refers to a branched or straight-chain, saturated divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, such as methylene (-CH-), propylene (-(CH)-). "Cycloalkylene" refers to a divalent cyclic alkylene group, -C. n H 2n-xwhere x is the number of hydrogens replaced by the cyclization. "Cycloalkenyl" refers to a monovalent group containing one or more rings and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds within the ring, where all ring members are carbon (e.g., cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl). "Aryl" refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon group containing the specified number of carbon atoms (e.g., phenyl, tropone, indanyl, naphthyl). "Arylene" refers to a divalent aryl group. "Alkylarylene" refers to an arylene group substituted with an alkyl group. "Arylalkylene" refers to an alkylene group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyl). The prefix "halo" refers to a group or compound containing one or more fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo substituents. Combinations of different halo atoms (e.g., bromo and fluoro) or only chloro atoms may be present. The prefix "hetero" means that the compound or group contains at least one ring member that is a heteroatom (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms), where each heteroatom is independently N, O, S, Si, or P. "Substituted" means that the compound or group contains at least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents (each independently, C) in place of a hydrogen, provided that the normal valence of the substituted atom is not exceeded. 1~9 Alkoxy, C 1~9 Haloalkoxy, nitro (-NO2), cyano (-CN), C 1~6 Alkylsulfonyl (-S(=O)2-alkyl), C 6~12 Arylsulfonyl (-S(=O)2-aryl), thiol (-SH), thiocyano (-SCN), tosyl (CH3C6H4SO2-), C 3~12 Cycloalkyl, C 2~12 Alkenyl, C 5~12 Cycloalkenyl, C 6~12 Aryl, C 7~13 Aryl alkylene, C 4~12 Heterocycloalkyl, and C 3~12It means that the group is substituted with a C alkyl group (which can be heteroaryl). The number of carbon atoms listed for a group does not include the substituents. For example, -CHCHCN is a C alkyl group substituted with a nitrile.

[0106] While particular embodiments have been described, presently unforeseen or uncontemplated alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents may be devised by applicant or others skilled in the art, and it is therefore intended that the appended claims, as filed and as they may be amended, cover all such alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A composition comprising: The composition comprises: 53% to 68% by weight of polyetherimide; 32% to 47% by weight of a filler; Including, The filler is Average fiber diameter of 5 micrometers (μm) to 10 μm, average fiber length of 55 μm to 75 μm, and ２ / g to 2.9m ２ wollastonite fiber having a surface area of ​​less than 1 / g, a bulk density of 0.42 g / cc to 0.50 g / cc, and a silica content of 52% to 55%, or Boehmite having an average particle size (D50) of 0.4 μm to less than 0.9 μm as measured by laser light scattering; Including, The composition is characterized in that the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

2. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein a film produced from the composition comprises: a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of 36 ppm / °C or less as measured in accordance with ASTM E831; a percent transmittance of greater than 50% at 1330 nanometers (nm) at a thickness of 100 μm as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy; A composition characterized by exhibiting the following:

3. 3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the filler comprises wollastonite, and a film produced from the composition comprises: a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 25 ppm / °C as measured in accordance with ASTM D256; a percent transmittance of greater than 50% at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy; A composition characterized by exhibiting the following:

4. 3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the filler comprises boehmite, and a film produced from the composition comprises: a flow coefficient of thermal expansion of less than or equal to 35 ppm / °C as measured in accordance with ASTM D256; A percent transmittance of greater than 75% at 1330 nm at a thickness of 100 μm as measured by UV / Vis spectroscopy; A composition characterized by exhibiting the following:

5. 5. A method for preparing the composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, said method comprising the step of combining the polyetherimide and a filler.

6. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of mixing the polyetherimide and the filler is carried out in the presence of a solvent.

7. 7. The process according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the step of mixing the polyetherimide is carried out at a temperature of from 20 to 200°C.

8. 5. A method for making the composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition comprises a polyetherimide, the method comprising: contacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an organic amine to form a polyetherimide precursor; combining said filler with said polyetherimide precursor to form a mixture; heating the mixture under conditions such that the corresponding polyetherimide is formed; A manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

9. An article comprising the composition of any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. 10. The article of claim 9, wherein the article is an optical article.

Images