Stabilized compositions based on polycarbonates using a buffer

Abstract

Disclosed are stabilized compositions based on polycarbonates using a buffer. Disclosed are stabilized compositions comprising 1) polycarbonates comprising virgin and / or recycled polycarbonate, 2) one or more recycled polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants, and / or one or more glass fibers and 3) a buffer system. Disclosed are stabilized compositions comprising polycarbonates comprising recycled and / or virgin polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers, and a buffer system. Disclosed are methods for preparing such compositions. Disclosed are articles prepared from such compositions.

Description

STABILIZED COMPOSITIONS BASED ON POLYCARBONATES USING A BUFFERCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 674,014 filed on July 22, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Disclosed are stabilized compositions based on polycarbonates using a buffer. Disclosed are stabilized compositions comprising polycarbonates virgin and / or recycled polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants, one or more recycled polycarbonates, and / or one or more glass fibers and a buffer system. Disclosed are stabilized compositions comprising polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers, and a buffer system. Disclosed are methods for preparing such compositions. Disclosed are articles prepared from such compositions.BACKGROUND

[0003] Polycarbonates are utilized in a variety of molded structures. Polycarbonates form molded structures that are rigid. The molded structures may be used for a variety of uses, including cases for electronics, automobile parts, medical devices, home appliances, loudspeakers, home furnishings and the like. Fire retardancy of such structures is an important safety consideration. The market demands improved fire retardancy while maintaining the premium properties of molded structures. Some polycarbonate formulations contain flame retardants and / or glass fibers, to improve the flame retardance and / or strength of the compositions, see US Patent Publication 2020 / 0354569 and PCT Publication W02024 / 062086, incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. There is a demand to recycle used polycarbonate or copolymers thereof. The use of recycled polycarbonate or copolymers thereof in molded products is desired, provided the structures provide fire retardancy and maintain premium properties. Recycled polycarbonates and copolymers thereof may be sourced from post-consumer waste such as water bottles, soda bottles and the like.

[0004] Polycarbonate contains carbonate linkages which are not hydrolytically stable, resulting in molecular weight loss. To increase the hydrolytic stability of Polycarbonate the pH needs to be controlled as the hydrolytic stability of Polycarbonate is best at pH=7. Lower pH (acidic) or high pH (basic) results in accelerated hydrolysis of the carbonate linkages. The additionof a flame retardant and / or glass fibers to a Polycarbonate composition will cause the pH of the composition to shift, which will result in negative hydrolytic performance. The problem of consistency is especially apparent when more than one polycarbonate provided from different sources are used to produce polymer blends. Without knowing the specific profile of each polycarbonate containing composition, solving the consistency issues requires an additive. A possible additive is buffer, such as a weak acid or a weak base. However, when using a weak acid or a weak base the pH of a polycarbonate composition must be known, see Chinese Patent Publication CN 111117184.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for polycarbonate containing compositions having premium properties, while maintaining excellent molecular weight stability, hydrolytic stability, processing stability and color stability when exposed to higher temperature and / or humidity, such as in oven aging, climate aging, processing at higher temperatures, and the like. Furthermore, there is a need for methods directed towards making the same polycarbonate containing compositions.SUMMARY

[0006] Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more polycarbonates comprising virgin and / or recycled polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants, one or more recycled polycarbonates, and / or one or more glass fibers; and a buffer system with a pKa value of about 5.0 to about 9.0 in water. The composition may comprise from about 0.001 to about 1.0 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the buffer system. The composition may comprise from about 60 to about 97 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the one or more polycarbonates. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 50 percent by weight of the one or more glass fibers. The composition may comprise one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 30 weight percent of the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers. The composition may comprise one or more fibers, one or more thermal stabilizers, one or more UV absorbers, one or more light stabilizers, one or more light diffusing agents, one or more mold release agents, one or more colorants, one or more pigments, one or more dyes, one or more additives commonly used in a polycarbonate composition, or any combination thereof. The composition may comprise one or more impact modifiers. The composition may be hydrolytically stable.

[0007] The polycarbonates may be branched, linear, or both. The polycarbonates may be post-consumer recycled polycarbonate, virgin polycarbonate, or a combination thereof. The buffersystem may comprise an inorganic buffer, an organic buffer, or both. The buffer system may comprise a counterion that may be any metal including sodium, potassium, calcium, a similar counterion, or any combination thereof. The buffer system may comprise acetates, sulfonates, phosphates, ammonia, formates, or any combination thereof. The buffer system may comprise a Good’s buffer. The buffer system may comprise a weak base. The buffer system may comprise a buffer pair. The buffer system may comprise a weak base and a weak acid. The buffer system may comprise from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak base. The buffer system may comprise from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak acid. The flame retardant may be one or more halogenated flame retardants, one or more brominated polycarbonate, one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants, or any combination thereof. The non-halogen containing flame retardant may comprise one or more phosphorus containing flame retardants. The non-halogen containing flame retardant may comprise one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant comprises a phosphate ester or a phosphazene. The non-halogen containing flame retardant may comprise bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), hexa-phenoxy-cyclo- phosphazene, or a mixture of bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) and hexa-phenoxy-cyclo- phosphazene.

[0008] Disclosed is a method comprising: mixing the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system; and extruding the composition. The method may comprise mixing one or more glass fibers with the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, and the buffer system. The method may comprise mixing one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers with the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants and / or the one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system. The method may comprise the step of polymerizing the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic polymers by a mass polymerization process comprising chopping the one or more conjugated dienes; mixing the one or more conjugated dienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers; polymerizing the one or more conjugated dienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers; degassing the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic polymer by recycling volatile monomers; and pelletizing the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic polymers.

[0009] When a buffer system is used, the disclosed compositions may exhibit molecular weight degradation of the polymeric components, such as the one or more polycarbonates of the disclosed composition, of about 7000 g / mol or less, about 6000 g / mol or less, or about 5000 g / mol or less during compounding at temperatures between 175 °C and 350 °C. When a buffer systemis used, the disclosed compositions may exhibit a loss of molecular weight of polymeric components, such as the one or more polycarbonate compounds of the disclosed composition, of about 5000 g / mol or less, about 4000 g / mol or less, or about 3000 g / mol or less when the composition is exposed to an autoclave at 125°C / 100% relative humidity for 48 hours. When a buffer system is used, the disclosed compositions may exhibit a loss of molecular weight of polymeric components, such as the one or more polycarbonates of the disclosed composition, of about 18% or less, about 16% or less, or 14% or less when the composition is exposed to an autoclave at 125°C / 100% relative humidity for 48 hours a loss of molecular weight of the polycarbonate component. The compositions disclosed herein may exhibit less molecular weight loss, MFW degradation, and coloration issues of the polycarbonate when a buffer system is used during processing compared to when a polycarbonate is process without a buffer system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the disclosure, its principles, and its practical application. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the claims. The scope of the claims should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0011] Disclosed is a polymeric composition of 1) one or more polycarbonates comprising virigin and / or recycled polycarbonates, 2) one or more recycled polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, and 3) buffer system that has a pKa value of about 5.0 to about 9.0 in water. The buffer system may be one or more buffers that control the pH of water to about neutral. The composition may comprise about 0.001 to about 1.0 percent by weight of buffer system, based on the total weight of the composition. The composition may comprise from about 60 to about 97 percent by weight of the one or more polycarbonates. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 50 percent by weight of the one or more glass fibers. The composition may comprise one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers. The buffer system may enhance the melt flow rate of the polycarbonate. The buffer system may enhance the molecular weight stability of thepolycarbonate, thus reducing the decrease in molecular weight under processing conditions or exposure to high humidity conditions. The polycarbonate may be any polycarbonate suitable to compound with buffer systems, one or more flame retardants, one or more glass fibers or any combination thereof. The composition may comprise one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds. The composition may comprise from 0 to about 30 weight percent of the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted compounds. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may comprise one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers and optionally, one or more unsaturated nitriles and / or one or more conjugated dienes. The composition may include additives that enhance properties so long as the melt flow rate and molecular weight are not negatively impacted. Disclosed herein are methods of producing compositions containing polycarbonates, one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, and buffer systems that have a pKa value of above 5.0 to about 9.0 in water. Disclosed herein are methods of making articles through molding and the like.

[0012] In compositions that include recycled polycarbonate, variability of the recycled polycarbonate changes between recycle streams. For example, recycled streams may include the recycled polycarbonate derived from water bottles, electronics, plastic waste, toys, packages, conveyors, trays, automobile parts, medical devices, home appliances, loud-speakers, home furnishings, combinations thereof, or any other recycled articles including non-PC polymers, metals, printed circuit boards, printed circuitry, laser directed circuitry, batteries, magnets, or any combination thereof. These recycled polycarbonates tend to be degraded from long term use and exposure, have broken chains, and / or have free hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups pendant from the polymer chains that impact hydrolytic stability, especially during processing. The free hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups can additionally cause changes to the pH of the composition which negatively impact hydrolytic stability. The presence of other recycled materials (e.g., recycled fibers, flame retardants, antioxidants, or the like) may have an impact on the pH or hydrolytic stability of the recycled or virgin polycarbonates because these other recycled materials are difficult to remove as they may already be blended with the recycled polycarbonate in the recycle stream. Application of heat and / or processing steps may accelerate issues in undesirable pH conditions, such as causing the polymer chains to chain scission, reducing molecular weight, negatively impacting color, and / or undesirably impacting melt flow rates. When chains are broken, more hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups can be introduced into the composition due to increased degradation. Increases in hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups and degradations of polycarbonate may occur when processing either or both of the virgin and / or recycled polycarbonate. Additionally the amount of degradation and presence of free hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups or othercompounds (e.g., BPA or other phenolic species) in the compositions may vary such that it is difficult to determine solutions for varying streams of recycled polycarbonate.

[0013] To mitigate the presence of hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups and / or compounds and to increase hydrolytic stability, a buffer system may be used while processing virgin or recycled polycarbonate. In polycarbonates compositions, hydrolytic stability is generally achieved at or near neutral (e.g. about 7). The buffer system is designed or configured to push the pH of the composition towards 7. Whether the composition is acidic (below 7) or basic (above 7), the buffer system will operate to stabilize the composition. This provides an advantage of being able to modulate different polycarbonate streams having different hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content and / or pH levels into desirable articles, pellets, or the like because the buffer system can stabilize both acidic and basic polycarbonate feedstocks. Additionally, use of the buffer system provides an advantage of retaining one or more properties (e.g., molecular weight, melt flow rate, color) during high heat processing, such as extruding, compounding, molding, or otherwise applying heat to mix ingredients or form articles.

[0014] Polycarbonate as used herein includes the terms one or more polycarbonate polymers and / or copolymers containing carbonate units. The “SAN copolymer” as used herein means a copolymer of unsaturated nitriles and vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers. Impact modifiers as described herein are any substance used to improve the impact strength qualities of the one or more polymers. The rubber modifiers as used may be conjugated dienes. As used herein percent by weight or parts by weight refer to, or are based on, the weight of the disclosed compositions unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise stated such parts by weight are based on 100 parts.

[0015] POLYCARBONATE

[0016] The composition disclosed herein may include one or more polycarbonates. Polycarbonate as used herein means a polymer containing carbonate units. Such polymers may be homopolymers consisting essentially of carbonate monomer units or copolymers containing one or more other monomer units (co-monomer units) and carbonate units. Such copolymers may be block copolymers containing two or more blocks of different monomer units or may be random copolymers with the different monomer units randomly located along the polymer backbone. The other monomer units may comprise any monomer units that do not negatively impact the inherent properties of polycarbonates, for instance heat resistance, impact resistance, moldability, flexural modulus, bending strength, haze and transparency, where required for the intended use. Among exemplary comonomer units are ester units, polysiloxane units, and the like. The amount ofcarbonate monomer units in copolycarbonates is selected such that the resulting polymer retains the desirable properties of polycarbonates, for instance heat resistance, impact resistance, moldability, flexural modulus, bending strength, elongation, tensile strength and Notched Izod impact strength, where required for the intended use. The copolycarbonates may contain greater than 50 mole percent carbonate monomer units, about 75 mole percent or greater carbonate monomer units, about 80 mole percent or greater carbonate monomer units or about 85 mole percent or greater carbonate monomer units. The copolycarbonates may contain about 99 mole percent or less carbonate monomer units, about 97 mole percent or less carbonate monomer units or about 95 mole percent or less carbonate monomer units. The copolycarbonates may contain about 1 mole percent or greater co-monomer monomer units, about 3 mole percent or greater co-monomer monomer units or about 5 mole percent or greater co-monomer monomer units. The copolycarbonates may contain less than 50 mole percent co-monomer monomer units, about 25 mole percent or less co-monomer monomer units, about 20 mole percent or less comonomer monomer units or about 15 mole percent or less co-monomer monomer units. The polycarbonate units may contain aromatic units in the backbone of the polymer.

[0017] The production of polycarbonates is affected, for example, by the reaction of diphenols with carbonic acid halides, preferably phosgene, and / or with aromatic dicarboxylic acid dihalides, preferably benzenedicarboxylic acid dihalides, by the phase boundary method, optionally with the use of chain terminators, e.g., monophenols, and optionally with the use of trifunctional branching agents or branching agents with a functionality higher than three, for example triphenols or tetraphenols. Diphenols useful to produce the aromatic polycarbonates and / or aromatic polyester carbonates may correspond to formula I:Iwherein A denotes a single bond, a C 1-5 alkylene, a C 2-5 alkylidene, a C5-6cycloalkylidene, -O-, -SO-, -CO-, -S-, -SO2-, or a C 6-12 arylene, on to which other aromatic rings, which optionally contain hetero atoms, can be condensed, or a radical of formula II:wherein B in each case is independently hydrogen, a C 1-12 alkyl, preferably methyl, or a halogen, preferably chlorine and / or bromine; x in each case is mutually independently 0, 1 , or 2; and p is 0 or 1 :Rcand Rdare mutually independent of each other and are individually selectable for each X1and are hydrogen or a Ci - C6alkyl, preferably hydrogen, methyl or ethyl;X1denotes carbon; and m denotes an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4 or 5, with the proviso that Rcand Rdsimultaneously denote an alkyl on at least one X1atom.

[0018] Exemplary diphenols are hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxybiphenyls, bis(hydroxyphenyl)-Ci-Cs alkanes, bis(hydroxyphenyl)-Cs-C6 cycloalkanes, bis(hydroxyl- phenyl)ethers, bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxides, bis(hydroxyphenyl)ketones, bis(hydroxyl- phenyl)sulfones and 4,4”-bis(hydroxyphenyl)diisopropylbenzenes, as well as derivatives thereof which have brominated and / or chlorinated nuclei. Diphenols which are particularly preferred are4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, bisphenol A, 2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methyl-butane, 1 ,1-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexane, 1 ,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethyl-cyclohexane, 4,4- dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide and 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, as well as di- and tetrabrominated or chlorinated derivatives thereof, such as 2,2-bis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis- (3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane or 2,2-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane. 2, 2- bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (bisphenol A) is particularly preferred. The diphenols can be used individually or as arbitrary mixtures. The diphenols are known from the literature or can be obtained by methods known from the literature. Apart from bisphenol A homopolycarbonates, exmplary polycarbonates include copolycarbonates of bisphenol A with up to 15 mole percent, with respect to the molar sums of the diphenols, of other diphenols which are disclosed, such as 2,2-bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane.

[0019] Exemplary chain terminators for the production of the polycarbonates include phenolic compounds, exemplary phenolic compounds include phenol, p-chlorophenol, p-tert-butylphenol, 4-(1 ,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol; long chain alkylphenols, such as monoalkylphenols or dialkylphenols which contain a total of 8 to 20 C atoms in their alkyl substituents, exemplary are 3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenol, p-iso-octylphenol, p-tert-octylphenol, p- dodecylphenol, 2-(3,5-dimethylheptyl)-phenol and 4-(3,5-dimethylheptyl)-phenol. The amount of chain terminators used may be about 0.1 mole percent or greater based on the molar sum of the diphenols used in each case. The amount of chain terminators used may be about 10 mole percent or less based on the molar sum of the diphenols used in each case.

[0020] The polycarbonates can be branched in the known manner, for example by the incorporation of about 0.05 to about 2.0 mole percent, with respect to the sum of the diphenols used, of trifunctional compounds or of compounds with a functionality higher than three, for example those which contain three or more phenolic groups. Branched polycarbonates useful for the compositions disclosed can be prepared by known techniques, for example several methods are disclosed in USP 3,028,365; 4,529,791 ; and 4,677,162; which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Exemplary branching agents that may be used are tri- or multi-functional carboxylic acid chlorides, such as trimesic acid trichloride, cyanuric acid trichloride, 3, 3'-, 4,4'- benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid tetrachloride, 1 ,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic acid tetrachloride or pyromellitic acid tetrachloride for example, in amounts of about 0.01 to about 1 .0 mole percent (with respect to the dicarboxylic acid dichlorides used) or tri- or multi-functional phenols such as phloroglucinol, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-heptene, 4,4- dimethyl-2,4,6-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane, 1 ,3,5-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzene, 1 ,1 ,1 -tris(4- hydroxyphenyl)ethane, tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenyl-methane, 2,2-bis[4,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]-propane, 2,4-bis[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-ethyl]phenol, tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-methane, 2,6-bis(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzyl)-4-methyl-phenol, 2-(4- hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane, or tetrakis(4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1- methylethyl]-phenoxy)-methane in amounts of about 0.01 to about 1.0 mole percent with respect to the diphenols used. Phenolic branching agents can be placed in the reaction vessel with the diphenols. Acid chloride branching agents can be introduced together with the acid chlorides.

[0021] Co-polycarbonates, copolymers containing carbonate units and other monomer units, may be prepared by known processes in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, about 1 to about 25 parts by weight, about 2.5 to about 25 parts by weight (with respect to the total amount of diphenols to be used) of polydiorganosiloxanes comprising hydroxy-aryloxy terminal groups can also be used. These are known (see, for example, USP 3,419,634) or can be produced by methods known from the literature. The ester forming monomers may be utilized in the polycarbonate containing polymer preparation process. Exemplary ester forming monomers include dicarboxylic acid halides and hydroxycarboxylic acids. The aromatic dicarboxylic acid dihalides used for the production of the aromatic polyester carbonates may be the diacid dichlorides of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, diphenyl ether-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid and naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid. Mixtures of the diacid dichlorides of isophthalic acid and terephthalic in a ratio from about 1 :20 to about 20:1 may be used. A carbonic acid halide, such as phosgene, may be used in conjunction as a difunctional acid derivative during the production of the polyester carbonates. The aromatic polyester carbonates may also contain incorporated hydroxycarboxylic acids. The polyester carbonates may be either linear or may be branched. Branching agents are disclosed hereinabove.

[0022] Apart from the monophenols, exemplary chain terminators to produce the aromatic polyester carbonates include chlorocarboxylic acid esters thereof, as well as the acid chlorides of aromatic monocarboxylic acids which may optionally be substituted by C-i - C22 alkyl groups, or by halogen atoms, and also include aliphatic C2- C22 monocarboxylic acid chlorides. The amount of chain terminator may be about 0.1 to about 10 mole percent in each case, with respect to the moles of diphenols in the case of phenolic chain terminators and with respect to the moles of dicarboxylic acid dichlorides in the case of monocarboxylic acid chloride chain terminators.

[0023] The one or more polycarbonates from multiple sources may be utilized. The one or more polycarbonates may be branched, linear, or a mixture thereof. The one or more polycarbonates may contain virgin polycarbonate. Virgin polycarbonate is polycarbonate which has not been used in any previous composition. Virgin polycarbonate may be added to the blend in any amount sufficient to achieve desirable properties. In some examples, no virginpolycarbonates are included in the blend. The virgin polycarbonates may be present in the composition in any amount sufficient to achieve desirable melt flow rates, Charpy impact strength, color, or any other property desirable. The virgin polycarbonates may be present in the composition or blend in an amount of about 5 weight percent or more, about 10 weight percent or more, about 15 weight percent or more, or about 20 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition. The virgin polycarbonates may be present in the composition or blend in an amount of about 60 weight percent or less, about 50 weight percent or less, about 40 weight percent or less, or about 30 weight percent or less.The polycarbonates may be derived from recycled materials, such as post-consumer recycled materials. The polycarbonates may contain 100 percent recycled materials or may contain any desired mixture of recycled and virgin material. The amount of recycled polycarbonates present in the composition may be adjusted based on the hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content, the molecular weight (Mw, Mz, Mn, Mz+1), and / or the branching pendant from the polymer backbone of the recycled polycarbonates such that desirable properties are present in the composition. The recycled polycarbonate may be present in the composition or blend in an amount of about 5 weight percent or more, about 10 weight percent or more, about 15 weight percent or more, or about 20 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition. The recycled polycarbonates may be present in the composition or blend in an amount of about 60 weight percent or less, about 50 weight percent or less, about 40 weight percent or less, or about 30 weight percent or less. In this disclosure, recycled and waste polycarbonates may be used interchangeably.

[0024] The recycled polycarbonate may be linear, branched or a mixture thereof. The recycled polycarbonate may be branched. The recycled polycarbonate may be in flake form. The recycled polycarbonate may be recycled from bottles or other structures wherein the used structures are shredded into flake form. The recycled polycarbonate can be formed into other structures such as pellets. The use of the recycled polycarbonate in flake form is the most efficient way to utilize the material. The recycled polycarbonates may contain impurities such as polyesters, for instance 0.1 to 1 .0 or 0.1 to 0.25 percent by weight based on the recycled polycarbonates.

[0025] The composition may contain a sufficient amount of linear and / or branched polycarbonates to provide the desired properties as described in this application. The total amount of the polycarbonates may be about 60 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the composition, 70 percent by weight or greater or about 85 percent by weight or greater. The amount of the polycarbonates may be about 97 percent by weight or less based onthe weight of the composition c, or about 90 percent by weight or less. The composition may comprise from about 60 to about 97 percent by weight, about 70 to about 90 percent by weight, or about 85 to about 90 percent by weight of one or more polycarbonates based on the weight of the composition.

[0026] The one or more polymers containing carbonate monomer units can comprise polycarbonates, co-polycarbonates or blends of polycarbonates and co-polycarbonates. The polycarbonates and / or co-polycarbonates may exhibit a weight average molecular weight, number average molecular weight, and / or Mz average molecular weight sufficient to provide the desired properties to articles prepared from the polycarbonates and / or co-polycarbonates as described hereinbefore.

[0027] The polycarbonate may have a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kg / mol or more, about 20 kg / mol or more, about 30 kg / mol or more, about 40 kg / mol or more. The polycarbonate may have a weight average molecular weight of about 120 kg / mol or less, about 90 kg / mol or less, or about 60 kg / mol or less, or above 40 kg / mol or less. The polycarbonate may have a number average molecular weight of about 10 kg / mol or more, about 20 kg / mol or more, about 30 kg / mol or more, about 40 kg / mol or more. The polycarbonate may have a number average molecular weight of about 120 kg / mol or less, about 90 kg / mol or less, or about 60 kg / mol or less, or above 40 kg / mol or less. The polycarbonate may have a polydispersity index of about 5 or less, about 4.5 or less, about 4 or less, about 3.5 or less, about 3 or less, or about 2.5 or less. The polydispersity index may be 1 .5 or more, about 2.0 or more, or about 2.5 or more.

[0028] The branching in the polycarbonates may be present and sufficiently high to provide a polycarbonate polymer which exhibits desirable polymeric properties, such as processability, color, flame retardancy, and / or low temperature impact properties. Because the waste or recycle feedstocks often include many different polymers, the branching sites and independent chains may vary between feedstocks such that the polycarbonate polymer has chains branched along the backbone and / or at the ends that have different molecular weights and different comonomers. The chains of varying or different molecular weights (relative to other chains within or pendant from the polycarbonate backbone) may in part be from different waste or recycled polycarbonate polymers or oligomers being connected together with or without the use of functional compounds to bridge between the chains and the polymeric backbone. The chains of varying or different molecular weights may impact the molecular weight of the polymer (e.g., Mz+1 , Mz) or related polymeric properties, like shear thinning. In some examples, the chains of varying or different molecular weights may be polycarbonate polymers or oligomers and / or maybe other comonomers (e.g., siloxane, ester, impact modifiers, or other chains) added to the composition or found in the waste or recycled feedstock. The chains of varying or different molecular weights may be added to the polycarbonate through functional compounds (e.g., functional compounds described in PCT Publication WO2025026755A2 filed on July 18, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) or through reaction with hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups pendant from the polymer backbone and / or at ends of the backbone such that the polycarbonate is end capped, chain extended, and / or branched further. The other comonomers may be present within the polymer backbone, pendant to the backbone through one or more of the residues of hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups on the polycarbonate, and / or at terminal ends. A mixture of polycarbonate and other comonomers may be advantageous to achieve certain properties, such as flame retardancy, shear thinning, melt flow rates, and / or impact strength. The buffer system may advantageously aid in using different streams of polycarbonates with different levels of branching because the buffer system may stabilize the different streams when mixed together and retain advantageous properties during process (e.g., compounding, molding, extrusion, or the like). The other comonomers may be present in an amount of 1 percent or more, 5 percent or more, 10 percent or more, or 20 percent or more, based on the total weight of the recovered polycarbonate. The other comonomers may be present in an amount of 50 percent or less, 40 percent or less, or 30 percent or less.

[0029] The branching in the polycarbonate may be sufficient to provide a polycarbonate polymer which exhibits desirable flame retardancy, melt flow rate, processability, and low temperature impact properties. The degree of branching impacts the Mz+1 , which is in direct relation to the degree of branching. The polymers with the Mz+1 disclosed herein have an appropriate degree of branching. The polycarbonate polymer may have a z-average molecular weight (Mz) and / or Mz+isufficiently high to achieve low temperature impact resistance, processability, and / or flame retardancy. The Mzof the polycarbonate may be about 40 kg / mol or more, about 50 kg / mol or more, about 60 kg / mol or more, about 80 kg / mol or more. The Mzof the polycarbonate may be about 120 kg / mol or less, about 100 kg / mol or less, about 90 kg / mol or less. The polycarbonate may have a ratio of z-average / weight average molecular weight of about 1 .5 or more, about 1.6 or more, about 1 .7 or more, about 1 .8 or more, about 1 .9 or more, about 2.0 or more. The ratio of z-average / weight average molecular weight may be about 3.0 or less, about 2.6 or less, or about 2.2 or less.

[0030] The Mz+imay be sufficiently large such that desirable branching is present in the polycarbonate and has sufficient flame retardancy, processability, color, and / or low temperature impact properties. The Mz+iof the polycarbonate may be about 60,000 g / mol or more, about80,000 g / mol or more, about 100,000 kg / mol or more. The Mz+iof the polycarbonate may be about 300,000 g / mol or less, about 240,000 g / mol or less, about 180,000 g / mol or less. The adjusted and / or recovered polycarbonate may have a ratio of Mz+i / weight average molecular weight that is sufficiently large to achieve desirable viscosity, flame retardancy, and / or low temperature impact properties. The ratio of Mz+i / weight average molecular weight of the polycarbonate may be about 2.0 or more, about 2.5 or more, about 3.0 or more, or about 3.5 or more. The ratio may be about 5.0 or less, about 4.5 or less, or about 4.0 or less.

[0031] The polymer molecular weight may be measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using narrow molecular weight polystyrene standards and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvent, standard integrating software issued together with a UV- detector. All molecular weights are determined by GPC, by the same analysis (Mw, Mn, MWD, Mz, Mz+1 , etc), molecular weights may be reported in units of g / mole or Dalton wherein 1 Dalton is equal to 1 g / mole.

[0032] Unlike small molecules, the molecular weight of a polymer is generally not one unique value. Rather, a given polymer will have a molecular weight distribution (MWD). The distribution generally will depend on the way the polymer is produced. For polymers the distribution of molecular weight is a function P(Mi), where P(Mi) is the probability, or fraction of molecules having a molecular weight Mi. As used herein, molecular weight distribution describes the distribution of the molecular weight of a polymer. The molecular weight of the adjusted and / or recovered polycarbonate polymer, refers to the molecular weight of the soluble fraction of the matrix. The molecular weight may be measured using gel permeation chromatography. Different solvents can be used, and a typical solvent is tetrahydrofuran. Polystyrene standards may be used for calibration. The average molecular weight may be characterized by the number average molecular weight (i.e., Mn), the weight average molecular weight (i.e., Mw), the z-average molecular weight (i.e., Mz), Z+1 average molecular weight (i.e., Mz+i), or any combination thereof. The polydispersity index is defined as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight, Mw, and the number average weight, Mn.

[0033] The melt flow rate of the polycarbonate may be sufficiently low to achieve processing properties sufficient for downstream use. Desirably, the melt flow rate is retained or minimally impacted during standard processing (e.g., compounding, extrusion, or the like) due to the presence of the buffer system. The melt flow rate of the polycarbonate may be about 1 g / 10 min or more, about 5 g / 10min or more, or about 20 g / 10min or more. The melt flow rate of the polycarbonate may be about 80 g / 10 min or less, about 60 g / 10min or less, or about 40 g / 10min or less, according to ASTM D-1238. The melt flow rate may be determined by measuring the grams passing through a standard die (2.095 x 8 mm) for 10 minutes (g / 10 min) as determinedat 300°C under a load of 1.2 kg according to the ISO 1133 standard.

[0034] The polycarbonate may have a pendant hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content along the backbone of the polymer that is due to the degradation in recycled or otherwise processed polycarbonate. The buffer may be present in an amount sufficient to avoid undesirable chain scission or reaction with other components in the polymer composition from presence of the hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups or compounds in the composition. Generally, hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups can be generated through degradation of the recycled polycarbonate over time, exposure to ultraviolet light, and / or other hydroxylation processes. In other examples, hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of the composition may be increased due to compounding and / or other high heat processing steps. The hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of the waste polycarbonate may be about 10 ppm or more, about 50 ppm or more, or about 100 ppm or more. The hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of the waste polycarbonate may be about 4000 ppm or less, about 1000 ppm or less, or about 500 ppm or less. Hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content may be due to the presence of small hydroxyl and / or carboxyl containing compounds (e.g., BPA), other phenolic polymers, oligomers, or monomers, or hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups that extend from the ends or pendant from the polymer chains of the polycarbonate. The amount of carboxyl and / or hydroxyl groups may be measured within the polycarbonate solution by techniques known in the art, such as those discussed in Mork, C.O. and Priddy, D.B. (1992), Facile measurement of phenolic end-groups in bisphenol-a polycarbonate using GPC-UV analysis. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 45: 435-442 and J. E. Biles, T. P. McNeal, T. H. Begley, and H. C. Hollifield, Determination of Bisphenol-A in Reusable Polycarbonate Food-Contact Plastics and Migration to Food- Simulating Liquids, J. Agric. Food Chem. 1997, 45, 9, 3541-3544, September 15, 1997, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content and / or compounds may be further described in PCT publication WO2025026755A2 filed on July 18, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0035] The polycarbonates or compositions described herein may have a desirable color that is improved by presence of the buffer system. The buffer system may mitigate chain scissioning and / or improve hydrolytic stability of the composition and reduce negative color impacts. Yellowness index may be calculated using any techniques known in the art such as ASTM E313, ASTM D1925, and / or ISO 17223. The yellowness index may be about -10 or more, -5 or more, - 1 or more. The yellowness index may be about 50 or less, about 30 or less, about 10 or less, about 5 or less, or about 0 or less. On the yellow-blue axis (b*), the composition may have a desirable color after processing due to the presence of the buffer system. The b* may be sufficiently low due to improved hydrolytic stability of the composition with the buffer system. Theb* may be measured by known technique or standards such as CIE 15:2004 orASTM E308. The b* may be about 20 or less, about 10 or less, about 5 or less, or about 1 or less. The b* may be about -5 or more, about -1 or more, about 0 or more, or about 1 or more.

[0036] The polycarbonates and / or co-polycarbonates may be used in pellet form, flake form, powder form or in a mixture thereof. Where used in powder form the particle size is selected for efficiently blending the materials. The particle size may be about 0.1 mm or greater or about 0.5 mm or greater. The particle size may be about 2.0 mm or less or about 1 .5 mm or less. BUFFERS

[0037] The compositions disclosed herein contain a buffer system. The buffer system may control the pH of water such that the buffer system positively stabilizes the molecular weight and melt flow rate of the composition. The buffer system may control the pH of water so that the pH is about neutral (i.e. , 7). The temperature of the water for purposes of determining the pH of the buffer system may be about 25 °C. The buffer system may be soluble in water, insoluble in water, partially soluble in water, partially insoluble in water, or any combination herewith.

[0038] A buffer system as described herewith may be any compound that donates protons (i.e., H+or hydronium ion), accepts protons (i.e., H+or hydronium ion), or both. The buffer system may comprise a weak acid and a conjugate base. The buffer system may comprise a weak acid and / or a weak base. The buffer system may comprise a buffer pair. The buffer pair may comprise a weak acid and a weak base. The buffer system may resist pH changes upon the addition of basic or acidic components. The buffer system may be characterized based on the total number of protons (i.e., H+or hydronium ion), hydroxyl groups (i.e., hydroxide or OH ), or both. The buffer system may include one or more buffer compounds that are monoprotic, diprotic, triprotic, or polyprotic. The buffer system may stabilize polycarbonates, flame retardants, glass fibers, vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds, conjugated dienes, or any combination thereof based on the total amount of buffer system present.

[0039] A buffer system as described herewith includes one or more buffers that has an acidic and basic functionality such that the pH of the composition may be directed to about neutral. The buffer system may include one or more buffer compounds, two or more buffer compounds, three or more buffer compounds, or a plurality of buffer compounds. The buffer system may comprise a single compound. More than one buffer compound may be more effective at attaining a neutral pH than a single buffer compound. The buffer system may comprise a pair of compounds (buffer pair). The buffer system may include an inorganic compound, an organic compound, or both. The buffer system may include a counterion.

[0040] The buffer system is present in a concentration (i.e., percentage by weight of the totalcomposition) sufficient to facilitate improved molecular weight stability of polycarbonate, flame retardants, glass fibers, vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds, or any combination thereof. Higher concentrations of the buffer system than described herewith may disrupt the manufacturing, polymerization, compounding, or any combination thereof of the composition. Lower concentrations of the buffer system than described herewith may have a negligible or effectively inert effect on the overall composition. Lower concentration of the buffer system than described herewith may not control the pH sufficiently to maintain enhanced molecular weight stability. Lower concentrations of the buffer system than described herewith may not control the pH sufficiently to maintain stable melt flow rates.

[0041] The buffers system may include a buffer compound that is an inorganic compound or organic compound that balances the pH of the composition such that the optimal copolymerization and compounding is achieved. Inorganic compounds may include compounds that are free of saturated carbons (i.e. , free of C-H bonds). The inorganic compounds may include carbon atoms that do not include hydrogen bonds. Organic compounds may include compounds that contain saturated carbons (i.e., contains C-H bonds). The buffer compounds may include acetates, sulfonates, phosphates, ammonia, formates, or any combination thereof. The buffer system may include buffer compounds that are aromatic or aliphatic. The buffer system may include pairs of buffer compounds that are weak acids and conjugate bases. The buffer system may include a single buffer compound. The buffer system may include one or more buffer compounds, two or more buffer compounds, three or more buffer compounds, or a plurality of buffer compounds. The buffer compounds may be chosen based on a pKa that is about neutral. The buffer compounds may control the pH of water to about neutral. The buffer system may include a Good’s buffer. Organic compounds may include 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 2-[Bis(2- hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1 ,3-diol (Bis-Tris Methane), 2-[(2-amino-2- oxoethyl)-(carboxymethyl)amino]acetic acid (ADA), N-(2-Acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (ACES), piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (PIPES), 2-Hydroxy-3-morpholinopropane sulfonic acid (MOPSO), 1 ,3-bis(tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino)propane (Bis-6-Tris Propane), N-N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesuflonic acid (BES), MOPS, 2-[[1 ,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxy methyl)propan-2-yl]amino]ethanesulfonic acid (TES), 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1 -piperazine ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), 3-(N,N-Bis[2-hydroxyethyl]amino)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (DIPSO), 4-(N-Morpholino)butanesulfonic acid (MOBS), 3-[[1 ,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxy methyl)propan-2-yl]amino]-2-hydroxypropane-1 -sulfonic acid (TAPSO), 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazine-1-(2-hyrdoxypropansulfonic acid) (HEPPSO), POPSO, 3-[4-(2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazin-1 -yl]propane-1 -sulfonic acid (EPPS or HEPPS), N-(2-Hydroxy-1 ,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)glycine (Tricine), Glycyl-glycine (Gly-Gly), 2-(Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)acetic acid (Bicine), N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-(4-butanesulfonic acid) (HEPBS), [tris(hydroxymethyl) methylamino]propanesulfonic acid (TAPS), 2-Amino-2-methyl-1 ,3-propanediol (Ammediol or AMPD), N-tris(Hydroxymethyl)methyl-4-aminobutanesulfonic acid (TABS), N-(1 ,1-Dimethyl-2- hydroxyethyl)-3-amino-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (AMPSO), N-Cyclohexyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (CHES), 3-(Cyclohexylamino)-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid (CAPSO), 2-Amino -2-methylpropan-1-ol (Aminomethyl propanol or AMP), N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (CAPS), 4-(Cyclohexylamino)-1 -butanesulfonic acid (CABS), or any combination thereof. Inorganic compounds include metal phosphates, metal sulfonates, metal acetates, metal formats, and the like. Exemplary inorganic compounds include monosodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0042] The buffer system may include a counterion that is an anion or a cation that balances the buffer system when compounded in the compositions. The counterion may be any compound sufficient to balance the charge of the opposite compound in a buffer system. The counterion may be positively or negatively charged. The counterion may be paired with a compound that has an opposite charge. A counterion that is positively charged may be paired with a negatively charged compound, and a counterion that is negatively charged may be paired with a positively charged compound. The counterion may be a metal. The counterion may be lipophilic. Metals may be any metal, examples include sodium, potassium, calcium, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0043] The composition may include any amount of buffer system sufficient to control the pH to about neutral and positively impact the stability of the polymer compositions disclosed herein. The percentage of buffer system herewith may include all buffers present in the composition. The total amount of buffer system present may be the sum of one or more buffer compounds, two or more buffer compounds, three or more buffer compounds, or a plurality of buffer compounds. The buffer system may be present in the composition in an amount of about 0.001 percent by weight or more, about 0.010 percent by weight or more, about 0.040 weight percent or more, or about 0.0.10 weight percent or more based on the weight of the composition. The buffer system may be present in the composition in an amount of about 1 .00 weight percent or less, about 0.50 weight percent or less, about 0.20 weight percent or less, or about 0.10 weight percent or less based on the weight of the composition. The buffer system may be present in the composition in an amount of about 0.001 percent by weight to about 1 .0 percent by weight, about 0.010 percent by weight to about 0.20 percent by weight, or about 0.10 percent by weight, based on the weight of the composition.

[0044] The total amount of the buffer system, the vinylidene substituted aromatic compound,and the polycarbonate in the polymeric composition may be about 80 weight percent or more, about 90 weight percent or more, about 95 weight percent or more, or about 97 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition. The total amount of buffer system, vinylidene substituted aromatic compound, and polycarbonate may be about 100 or less, about 99.9 or less, about 99 or less, or about 98 or less, based on the total weight of the composition. The total amount of the buffer system, the rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic compound, and the polycarbonate in the composition may be about 99.9 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0045] The pKa or the pH of the buffer system may be determined by the Henderson- Hasselbalch equation, formulated as pH = pKa+ log (^).

[0046] The buffer system may control the pH of the water to about neutral such that desirable polymerization or compounding of the composition is achieved. The pH that is neutral as described herein may mean that the acidic and basic functionalities of the buffer system, polycarbonate, or vinylidene substituted aromatic compound are effectively cancelled out. The pH that is neutral as described herein may mean that the acidic and basic functionalities of the buffer system, polycarbonate, or vinylidene substituted aromatic compound are effectively in equal proportions. The pH that is neutral as described herein may mean that the free protons (i.e. , H+or hydronium ion) and hydroxyl groups (i.e., hydroxide or OH ) are effectively at even concentrations. The desired pH may be about 8.0 or less, about 7.8 or less, about 7.6 or less, about 7.4 or less, or about 7.2 or less. The desired pH may be about 6.0 or more, about 6.2 or more, about 6.4 or more, about 6.6 or more, or about 6.8 or more. The pH may be about 6.8. to about 7.2.

[0047] The buffer system may have a pKa that is about neutral such that the buffer system pushes either a basic or acidic composition to a neutral state. The buffer system may have a pKa that pushes the acidity, basicity, or both in the compositions disclosed herein to a pH that is about neutral. A pKa that is about neutral may be 10.0 or less, 9.0 or less, 8.0 or less, or 7.5 or less. A pKa that is about neutral may be 4.0 or more, 5.0 or more, 6.0 or more, or 6.5 or more. The buffer system may have a pKa value of about 5.0 to about 9.0 in water.

[0048] The buffer system may be blended / compounded with the polycarbonate, flame retardants and / or glass fibers to mitigate undesirable molecular weight, melt flow rates, or both, that may result from a change in pH that may result from the pH variation of the various elements used in the composition. The buffer system may be blended / compounded with the polycarbonate, flame retardants and / or glass fibers, and vinylidene substituted aromatic compound to mitigate undesirable molecular weight, melt flow rates, or both, that may result from a change in pH thatmay result from the pH variation of the various elements used in the composition. The buffer system is included in the process of compounding the polycarbonates, flame retardants and / or glass fibers. The buffer system is included in the process of compounding the polycarbonates, flame retardants and / or glass fibers and the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds. The buffer system may be blended with the polymeric composition (i.e. Polycarbonate, flame retardants and / or glass fibers or polycarbonates, flame retardants and / or glass fibers and the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds) at any time sufficient to enhance any of the properties of the overall composition. The buffer system may be blended with the polymeric composition at one or more stages of the compounding process.

[0049] The buffer system may push the basicity, acidity, or both to a pH that is about neutral such that the molecular weight of the composition is enhanced. The buffer system may push the basicity, acidity, or both to a pH that is about neutral such that the melt flow rate of the composition is enhanced. The buffer system may push the basicity, acidity, or both to a pH that is about neutral such that the melt flow rate and the molecular weight of the composition is enhanced. The buffer system may enhance the stability of the polymeric components, such as the one or more polycarbonates of the disclosed composition, for example the color stability may be enhanced. Vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds based on conjugated dienes and polycarbonates from multiple sources may be utilized. More than one vinylidene substituted aromatic compound containing conjugated dienes may be produced from conjugated dienes that provided by different sources, which may result in inconsistent properties. More than one polycarbonate provided by different sources may be blended together, which may result in inconsistent properties of the overall blend of polycarbonates. One reason for the inconsistent properties in blends of polycarbonates is that the difference sources may use different materials to produce polycarbonates. The buffer system may stabilize the inconsistent properties by pushing a basic or acidic polymeric composition to a pH that is about neutral. The buffer system may push a basic or acid polymeric composition to a pH that is about neutral at any time during compounding, polymerizing, blending, or the like such that the overall blend of polycarbonates and / or vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds have stabilized properties (i.e., stabilized molecular weight, melt flow rate, or color).FLAME RETARDANT

[0050] The polymeric compositions may contain one or more flame retardants commonly used in thermoplastic compositions. The polymeric compositions containing polycarbonates may contain one or more flame retardants commonly used in polycarbonate compositions. The flame retardants may be any flame retardant known for use in polycarbonate-based compositions whichprovide flame retardant properties, and which do not negatively impact the impact, heat resistance, flexural modulus, bending strength, haze and transparency of the composition. Flame retardants may be used in a sufficient amount to meet the flame retardancy requirements for the final use and in an amount that does not deleteriously impact the properties of articles prepared from the compositions. The one or more flame retardants may comprise one or more halogenated flame retardants, one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants, one or more brominated polycarbonates, or any combination thereof.

[0051] The one or more flame retardants may contain one or more brominated polycarbonate flame retardants. Exemplary brominated polycarbonate flame retardants include brominated polycarbonates, such as tetrabromobisphenol A polycarbonate oligomer, polybromophenyl ether, brominated BPA polyepoxide, brominated imides, halogenated polyacrylates, such as poly (haloaryl acryl-ate), poly(haloaryl methacrylate), brominated polystyrenes such as polydibromostyrene and polytribromostyrene, decabromobiphenyl ethane, tetrabromobiphenyl, brominated alpha, omega-alkylene-bis-phthalimides,such as. N,N'-ethylene-bis- tetrabromophthal-imide, oligomeric brominated carbonates, especially carbonates derived from tetrabromo-bisphenol A, which, if desired, are end-capped with phenoxy radicals, or with brominated phenoxy radicals, or brominated epoxy resins. Mixtures of halogenated flame retardants may be utilized in the compositions.

[0052] The one or more flame retardants may contain one or more halogenated flame retardants commonly used in polycarbonate compositions. Exemplary halogenated flame retardants include brominated polyacrylates, brominated polystyrenes and tetrabromobisphenol A polycarbonate oligomers.

[0053] The one or more flame retardants may contain one or more non-halogenated flame retardants commonly used in polycarbonate compositions. Non-halogenated means that there are no halogen atoms contained in the flame retardant. The use of non-halogenated flame retardants means that no halogens are released during combustion of the compositions containing non-halogenated flame retardants. The flame retardant may be any flame retardant known for use in thermoplastic compositions which provide flame retardant properties, and which do not negatively impact the impact, heat resistance, flexural modulus, bending strength, haze and transparency of the composition. Flame retardants may be used in a sufficient amount to meet the flame retardancy requirements for the final use and in an amount that does not deleteriously impact the properties of articles prepared from the compositions. The one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants may be one or more phosphorus containing flame retardants. The one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant may comprise a phosphateester, a phosphazene, or a mixture thereof. Exemplary phosphorus flame retardants include phosphorous containing compounds, such as phosphate esters, such as oligomeric phosphates, poly(block-phosphonato-esters), and / or a poly(block-phosphonato-carbonates) see US 7,645,850 which is incorporated in its entirety. Exemplary oligomeric phosphates include bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BAPP). Exemplary additional fire retardants include 1 , 3- phenylenetetrakis (2, 6-dimethylphenyl) ester (Daihachi PX-200).

[0054] The one or more non-halogenated flame retardants may be one or more phosphazenes. Any one or more phosphazenes which enhances fire retardancy may be used. The phosphazenes may comprise more than one phosphazene unit. A phosphazene is an organic compound having a -P=N- structure. The phosphazene may be a linear structure containing one or more phosphazene units or a cyclic structure containing structure containing one or more phosphazene units. The phosphorous atoms on the phosphazene structure may have bonded thereto one or more hydrocarbyloxy structures. The hydrocarbyloxy groups may be alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl substituted aryloxy, or alkoxy substituted aryloxy. The hydrocarbyloxy groups may be aryloxy or alkyl substituted aryloxy. The hydrocarbyloxy groups may be phenoxy or alkyl substituted phenoxy. The alkyl groups may be C 1-10 alkyl, C 1-3 alkyl or methyl or ethyl. The cyclic phosphazene compounds may contain 1 or more phosphazene units or 3 or more phosphazene units. The cyclic phosphazene compounds may contain 25 or less phosphazene units, 10 or less phosphazene units or 5 or less phosphazene units. The linear phosphazene compounds may contain 1 or more phosphazene units, 3 or more phosphazene units, 5 or more phosphazene units or 6 or more phosphazene units. The linear phosphazene compounds may contain 10,000 or less phosphazene units, 1 ,000 or less phosphazene units, 100 or less phosphazene units, or 25 or less phosphazene units. Exemplary cyclic phosphazenes include phenoxy cyclotriphosphazene, octaphenoxy cyclotetraphosphazene, hexa-phenoxy-cyclo- phosphazene and decaphenoxy cyclopentaphosphazene. The phosphazene compounds may be crosslinked. The phosphazene compounds may be crosslinked by a bisphenol compound such as a 4,4'-diphenylene group, such as a 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenylene (bisphenol S residue), 2,2-(4 ,4'- diphenylene), isopropylidene group, 4,4'-oxydiphenylene group, and 4,4'-thiodiphenylene group. The phenylene group content of the crosslinked phenoxyphosphazene compound is generally 50 to 99.9 percent by weight or 70 to 90 percent by weight. The crosslinked phenoxyphosphazene compound may not have any free hydroxyl groups in the molecule.

[0055] The one or more flame retardants may be present in an amount of about 0 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the composition, about 1 .0 percent by weight or greater, about 3.0 percent by weight or greater, or about 5.0 percent by weight or greater. The one or moreflame retardants may be present in an amount of about 20 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition, about 15 percent by weight or less, or about 13 percent by weight or less. The one or more flame retardants may be present in an amount from 0 to about 20 percent by weight, about 1 to about 20 percent by weight, about 3 to about 15 percent by weight, or about 5 to about 13 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition.GLASS FIBERS

[0056] The composition may contain one or more glass fibers. The one or more glass fibers may be short glass fibers, long glass fibers, or a combination thereof. The glass fibers may improve the strength of the polycarbonate composition and / or may reduce the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the composition. The glass fibers may be filament glass rovings naturally cut during twin screw extrusion. The one or more glass fibers may be a continuous glass fiber or a glass fabric. The glass fibers may be chopped glass fiber. The chopped glass fiber may be long chopped glass fibers, short chopped glass fibers, or a combination thereof. The glass fibers may be any length that positively impacts the flame retardant properties of the composition. The glass fibers may have a diameter of about 40 pm or less, or about 17 pm or less. The glass fibers may have a diameter of about 6 pm or greater or, about 12 pm or greater. The glass fibers may have a diameter of about 6 pm to about 40 pm, or about 12 pm to about 17 pm.

[0057] The composition may comprise one or more glass fibers in an amount that positively impacts the flame retardant properties of the composition. The composition may comprise one or more glass fibers in an amount of about 10 percent by weight or greater, about 20 percent by weight or greater, or about 30 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the composition. The composition may comprise glass fibers in an amount of about 50 percent by weight or less, 40 percent by weight or less, or about 30 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition. The composition may comprise one or more glass fibers in an amount of about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight, about 30 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight, or about 30 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition.IMPACT MODIFIER

[0058] The compositions disclosed may contain one or more impact modifiers. The terms impact modifiers and rubbers are used interchangeably herein. Various impact modifiers may be used in the compositions disclosed; such as diene rubbers, ethylene propylene rubbers, ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubbers, ethylene copolymer rubbers, acrylate rubbers, polyisoprene rubbers, silicon rubbers, silicon-acrylate rubbers, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, halogen containing rubbers, and mixtures thereof. Also suitable are inter-polymers of rubberforming monomers with other copolymerizable monomers. The rubbers may be present in theformulated composition in sufficient amount to provide the desired impact properties to the composition. Desired impact properties include increased izod, charpy, gardner, tensile, falling dart, and the like. Compositions, formulated compositions, as used in this context are the formulated compositions containing all of the ingredients for the intended use.

[0059] The rubbers may be diene rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polypiperylene, polychloroprene, and the like or mixtures of diene rubbers, that is, any rubbery polymers of one or more conjugated 1 ,3-dienes, such as 1 ,3-butadiene. Such rubbers include homopolymers of 1 ,3-butadiene and copolymers of 1 ,3-butadiene with one or more copolymerizable monomers, such as vinylidene substituted aromatic (styrene). The diene rubber may be the homopolymer of 1 ,3-butadiene. Exemplary copolymers of 1 ,3-butadiene are block or tapered block rubbers of at least about 30 weight percent 1 ,3-butadiene, from about 50 weight percent, from about 70 weight percent, or from about 90 weight percent 1 ,3-butadiene and up to about 70 weight percent vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer, up to about 50 weight percent, up to about 30 weight percent, or up to about 10 weight percent vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer, weights based on the weight of the 1 ,3-butadiene copolymer.

[0060] The impact modifiers employed may be those polymers and copolymers which exhibit a second order transition temperature, sometimes referred to as the glass transition temperature (Tg), for the diene fragment which is not higher than 0° C or not higher than -20° C. as determined using conventional techniques, for example ASTM Test Method D 746-52 T. Tg is the temperature or temperature range at which a polymeric material shows an abrupt change in its physical properties, including, for example, mechanical strength. Tg can be determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The diene rubber may have a cis content equal to or less than 99 percent or less than 97 percent. The cis content of the diene rubber may be equal to or greater than 20 percent or greater than 37 percent wherein the cis weight percent is based on the weight of the diene rubber. The average particle size of the rubber particles may be equal to or greater than about 0.05 micrometers (microns) (pm), equal to or greater than about 0.1 micrometers, and equal to or greater than about 0.5 micrometers. The average particle size of the rubber particles may be equal to or less than about 10 micrometers, equal to or less than about 5 micrometers, or equal to or less than about 4 micrometers.

[0061] The impact modifier may be butadiene- or styrene-butadiene rubber-based and methyl methacrylate-styrene-grafted impact modifiers having a core-shell structure (MBS), siloxaneacrylate rubbers having a core-shell structure, acrylate rubber-based core-shell impact modifiers, and the like. The butadiene- or styrene-butadiene rubber-based core-shell impact modifiers are butadiene- or styrene-butadiene rubber-based impact modifiers grafted with methyl methacrylateor methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymers. Siloxane-acrylate rubbers having a core-shell structure may be produced from alkyl methacrylates and / or alkyl acrylates, crosslinkers, and grafting agents. Exemplary alkyl methacrylates and / or alkyl acrylates are C-i.5-alkyl esters, e.g., methyl ester, ethyl ester, n-butyl ester, tert-butyl ester, n-propyl ester, n-hexyl ester, n-octyl ester, n-lauryl ester, and 2-ethylhexyl ester; haloalkyl esters, preferably halo C-i.5-alkyl esters, e.g., chloroethyl acrylate, and mixtures of these monomers. Particularly preferred is n-butyl acrylate. A monomer having more than one polymerizable double bond can be used as the crosslinker for the polyalkyl(meth)acrylate-rubber component of siloxane-acrylate rubber. Examples of the crosslinking monomers are esters of unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and unsaturated monohydric alcohols having 3 to 12 carbon atoms or saturated polyols having 2 to 4 OH-groups and 2 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, propanediol dimethacrylate, 1 ,3-butanediol dimethacrylate, and 1 ,4-butanediol dimethacrylate. Such crosslinkers may be used alone or as mixtures of at least two crosslinkers. Exemplary grafting agents are allyl methacrylate, triallylcyanurate, triallylisocyanurate or mixtures thereof. The allyl methacrylate may further be used as the crosslinker. Such grafting agents may be used alone or as mixtures of at least two grafting agents. The crosslinker and grafting agent may be present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.-% to about 20 wt.-% based on the total weight of the polyalkyl(meth)acrylate-rubber component of siloxane-acrylate rubber. The core may be based on a siloxane rubber. The siloxane core may be about 20 percent by weight or greater of the weight of the impact modifier, about 50 percent by weight or greater. The siloxane core may be about 70 percent by weight or less of the weight of the impact modifier or about 40 percent by weight or less.

[0062] The composition may comprise one or more impact modifiers comprised of a butadiene, a styrene-butadiene rubber-based methyl methacrylate-styrene, a methyl methacrylate-grafted impact modifier having a core-shell structure, a siloxane-acrylate rubber having a core-shell structure, an acrylate rubber-based core-shell impact modifiers, styrenebutadiene rubber-based methyl methacrylate-styrene core-shell impact modifier, methacrylate- butadiene-styrene grafted impact modifiers having a core-shell structure (MBS) or any combination thereof. The one or more impact modifiers may be methacrylate-butadiene-styrene grafted impact modifiers having a core-shell structure (MBS).

[0063] The impact modifier may be a 1 ,3-butadiene rubber having at least about 1 weight percent 1 ,2-vinyl or at least about 7 weight percent 1 ,2-vinyl based on the weight of the 1 ,3- butadiene rubber. The 1 ,3-butadiene rubber may have less than or equal to about 30 weight percent 1 ,2-vinyl or less than or equal to about 13 weight percent 1 ,2-vinyl based on the weightof the 1 ,3-butadiene rubber. The diene rubber may have a weight average molecular weight of at least about 100 kilogram per mole (kg / mole)- or a weight average molecular weight of at least about a 300 kg / mole. The diene rubber may have a weight-average molecular weight equal to or less than about 900 kg / mole or a weight average molecular weight equal to or less than 600 kg / mole. The diene rubber having a solution viscosity of at least 10 centi Stokes (cSt) (10 percent (%) solution in styrene) or a solution viscosity of about 30 cSt. The diene rubber may have a solution viscosity equal to or less than about 500 cSt or equal to or less than about 400 cSt. The rubber, with graft and / or occluded polymers if present, is dispersed in the continuous matrix phase as discrete particles. The rubber particles may comprise a range of sizes having a mono-modal, bimodal, or multimodal distribution. The average particle size of a rubber particle, as used herein, will, refer to the volume average diameter. In most cases, the volume average diameter of a group of particles is the same as the weight average. The average particle diameter measurement generally includes the polymer grafted to the rubber particles and occlusions of polymer within the particles. Unless otherwise specified, the rubber particle sizes disclosed and claimed herein are determined on a Coulter Multisizer II or II e with the ACCUCOMP™ Software Version 2.01 by the following method: about 3 granules of polymer samples (30-70 mg) are dissolved in 5 milliliters (ml) of Dimethyl Formamide (DMF), using an ultrasonic bath for agitation for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. 10 ml of an electrolyte solution (1 percent of NH4SCN in DMF) is mixed with 0.2 ml of the sample solution. The coulter measuring stand is used with 20 micrometer Coulter tube and a 1.16 micrometer calibration material. The coincidence level indicator of the apparatus should read between 5 and 10 percent. If the reading is above 10 percent, dilute the sample in a beaker with electrolyte solution, or if it is too low, add more drops of the polymer solution in DMF. The volumetric mean particle size is reported. The average particle size of the rubber particles may be equal to or greater than about 0.05 micrometers (microns) (pm), equal to or greater than about 0.1 micrometers, and about 0.5 micrometers. The average particle size of the rubber particles may be equal to or less than about 10 micrometers, equal to or less than about 5 micrometers, or equal to or less than about 4 micrometers.

[0064] The composition may comprise one or more impact modifiers in an amount of about 0 percent by weight or greater, about 0.5 percent by weight or greater, about 1 .0 percent by weight or greater, or about 2.0 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the compositions. The compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more impact modifiers in an amount of about 8 percent by weight or less, about 6 percent by weight or less, about 5 percent by weight or less, or about 3.0 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the compositions. The compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more impact modifiers inan amount of about 0 percent by weight to about 6 percent by weight based on the weight of the compositions.VINYLIDENE SUBSTITUTED AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

[0065] The composition may contain one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers disclosed herein may contain vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers. Vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers may comprise vinylidene, alkenyl groups, bonded directly to aromatic structures. The vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers may contain one or more aromatic rings, may contain one or two aromatic rings, or may contain one aromatic rings. The aromatic rings can be unsubstituted or substituted with a substituent that does not interfere with polymerization of the vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers, or the fabrication of the polymers formed into desired structures. The substituents may be halogens or alkyl groups, such as bromine, chlorine or Ci to C4 alkyl groups; or a methyl group. Alkenyl groups comprise straight or branched carbon chains having one or more double bonds, or one double bond. The alkenyl groups useful for the vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers may include those that when bonded to an aromatic ring are capable of polymerization to form copolymers. The alkenyl groups may have 2 to 10 carbon atoms, 2 to 4 carbon atoms or 2 carbon atoms. Exemplary vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers include styrene, alpha methyl styrene, N-phenyl-maleimide and chlorinated styrenes; or alpha-methyl styrene and styrene. The vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers may be mono-vinylidene aromatic monomers, which may contain one unsaturated group. Vinylidene aromatic monomers include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,666,987; 4,572,819 and 4,585,825, which are herein incorporated by reference. The monomer may correspond to the formula:Wherein R1is separately in each occurrence hydrogen or methyl; andAr is separately in each occurrence an aromatic group. Ar may contain one or more aromatic rings, may contain one or two aromatic rings, or may contain one aromatic ring, n is separately in each occurrence 1 to 3, 1 to 2 or 1. The aromatic rings can be unsubstituted or substituted with a substituent that does not interfere with polymerization of the vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers, or the fabrication of the polymers formed into desired structures. The substituentsmay be halogens or alkyl groups, such as bromine, chlorine or Ci to C4alkyl groups; or a methyl group. The vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers may be present in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount sufficient to exhibit the advantageous properties associated with polymers of vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers, for instance polystyrene. Among the advantageous properties of polymers of vinylidene substituted monomers include glass transition temperatures of about 100 °C or greater, transparency where desired for the use, high heat deflection temperatures, and the like. Other advantageous properties of polymers of vinylidene substituted monomers include processability, stiffness, and thermal stability. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may contain vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers in an amount of about 25 percent by weight of the polymers or greater, about 40 percent by weight greater, about 50 percent by weight or greater, or about 60 percent by weight or greater. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may contain vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers in an amount of about 94 percent by weight of the polymers or less, about 90 percent by weight or less, about 80 percent by weight or less, or about 70 percent by weight or less or about 60 percent by weight or less.

[0066] The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may contain branching agents commonly used in vinylidene aromatic based polymers. The branching agents may be vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers having 2 or more vinylidene groups. Other branching agents may include other difunctional and in general multifunctional (functionality >2) monomers, multifunctional initiators and multifunctional chain transfer agents and the like. The branching agents may be present in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of about 0.001 percent by weight of the composition or greater, about 0.002 percent by weight or greater or about 0.003 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers. The branching agents may be present in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of about 0.5 percent by weight or less, about 0.2 percent by weight or less or about 0.1 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers.

[0067] The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may contain branching agents commonly used in vinylidene aromatic based polymers. The branching agents may be vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers having 2 or more vinylidene groups. Other branching agents may include other difunctional and in general multifunctional (functionality >2) monomers, multifunctional initiators and multifunctional chain transfer agents and the like. Thebranching agents may be present in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of about 0.001 percent by weight of the composition or greater, about 0.002 percent by weight or greater or about 0.003 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers. The branching agents may be present in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of about 0.5 percent by weight or less, about 0.2 percent by weight or less or about 0.1 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers.

[0068] The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may further comprise one or more unsaturated nitriles. Unsaturated nitriles include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, ethacrylonitrile, fumaronitrile and mixtures thereof. The unsaturated nitrile may be acrylonitrile. The unsaturated nitriles may be used in the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers to enhance the glass transition temperature, transparency, chemical resistance and the like. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers disclosed herein may contain one or more unsaturated nitriles in an amount of about 0 percent by weight or greater, or about 5 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers. The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers disclosed herein may contain one or more unsaturated nitriles in an amount of about 40 percent by weight or less, about 35 percent by weight or less, about 30 percent by weight or less or about 20 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers.

[0069] The one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers may contain one or more additional vinyl monomers or comonomers, in an amount sufficient to provide the desired properties as disclosed herein, including conjugated 1 ,3 dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene, etc.); alpha- or beta-unsaturated monobasic acids and derivatives thereof (for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.); vinyl halides such as vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, etc.; vinylidene chloride, vinylidene bromide, etc.; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, etc.; ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides and derivatives thereof, such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, dialkyl maleates or fumarates, such as dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, dibutyl maleate, the corresponding fumarates, N-phenyl maleimide (N- PMI), and the like. These additional comonomers can be incorporated into the composition in several ways including, interpolymerization with the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic polymers and / or polymerization into polymeric components which can be combined, for example blended into the matrix. If present, the amount of such comonomers may be equal to or less thanabout 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers. Such comonomers may be present in an amount of about 1 percent by weight or greater.

[0070] The one or more vinylidene aromatic monomers may be modified with one or more impact modifiers (rubbers), such as conjugated dienes. Wherein discussed as such, vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds (e.g., acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) may be vinylidene aromatic monomers that are modified with rubbers (e.g., conjugated dienes). The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be produced by any method discussed herein. Vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be produced through mass, bulk, emulsion, or the like. The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may further add impact modifiers to the vinylidene substituted aromatic monomers by grafting to the backbone of the polymeric compound.

[0071] The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be used in pellet form, flake form, or in a mixture thereof.

[0072] The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may have a desirable melt flow rate during various applications. The mixture of vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds and / or copolymers containing conjugated diene units having different melt flow rates may contain vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds and / or copolymers containing conjugated diene units having low melt flow rates and vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds and / or copolymers containing conjugated diene units having high melt flow rates. The melt flow rate of the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be the same or similar to the melt flow rate of the polycarbonates disclosed herewith. The melt flow rate of vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be indicative of the value of molecular weight of the compounds present within. Melt flow rate may indicate that several different conjugated diene rubbers (i.e. , the conjugated diene rubbers did not come from the same source) have been used in the polymeric compound, and a correction is required to attain desirable properties in the compound. Melt flow rates are determined according to ISO 1133-1 at 220°C / 10kg expressed in g / 10’The melt flow rate may be about 40 g / 10’ or less, about 35 g / 10’or less, or about 30 g / or less. The melt flow rate may be about 2.0 g / 10’or more, about 3.0 g / 10’ or more, or about 4.0 g / 10’or more. Melt flow rates may be between about 2.0 g / 10’ and about 40 g / 10’.

[0073] The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may have a desirable molecular weight. The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may exhibit a mean weight average molecular weight, number average molecular weight, and / or Mz average molecular weight sufficient to provide the desired properties to articles prepared from the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds as described hereinbefore. The desired molecular weight of the vinylidenesubstituted aromatic compound may be about 250,000 or less, about 220,000 or less, or about 200,000 or less. The molecular weight may be about 50,000 or more, about 75,000 or more, or about 100,000 or more. Molecular weights may be between about 50,000 and about 250,000. Unless otherwise indicated, the molecular weight in reference to vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds is determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography and is given in units of grams per mole (g / mole).

[0074] The composition disclosed herein may contain one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of 0 percent by weight or greater. The composition disclosed herein may contain one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic substituted polymers in an amount of about 30 percent by weight or less, about 15 percent by weight or less or about 7 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition.POLYCARBONATE AND VINYLIDENE SUBSTITUTED AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

[0075] The composition disclosed herein may include a plurality of polymers. The plurality of polymers may include one or more polycarbonates and one or more vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds for example acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene “ABS”. Although the composition may include additional polymers, other polymers are typically present as minor components in the composition. The total amount of the polycarbonate and the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be about 70 weight percent or more, about 80 weight percent or more, about 90 weight percent or more, or about 95 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the plurality of polymers in the composition. The total amount of the polycarbonate and the vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds in the composition may be about 99.9 weight percent or less, about 99 weight percent or less, or about 98 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0076] The total weight of the polymers in the composition may be about 75 weight percent or more, about 83 weight percent or more, or about 88 weight percent or more. The total weight of the polymers in the composition may be about 99.9 weight percent or less, about 99 weight percent or less, or about 98 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0077] The polycarbonate is present in an amount of about 10 weight percent or more, about 20 weight percent or more, about 25 weight percent or more, about 28 weight percent or more, or about 30 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or based on the total weight of the polymers in the composition. The polycarbonate may be present in an amount of about 90 weight percent or less, about 85 weight percent or less, about 80 weight percent or less, about 75 weight percent or less, about 70 weight percent or less, or about 65 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or based on the totalweight of the polymers in the composition.

[0078] The amount of copolymer of vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer and unsaturated nitriles may be about 90 weight percent or less, about 80 weight percent or less, about 75 weight percent or less, or about 70 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition. The copolymer of vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer and unsaturated nitriles may be present in an amount of about 10 weight percent or more, about 15 weight percent or more, about 20 weight percent or more, or about 25 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0079] The concentration of the impact modifier (e.g., the conjugated diene or the polybutadiene) is about 3 weight percent or more, about 5 weight percent or more, or about 7 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition. The concentration of the impact modifier (e.g., the conjugated diene or the polybutadiene) may be about 23 weight percent or less, about 20 weight percent or less, about 18 weight percent or less, about 15 weight percent or less, or about 14 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0080] If employed, any additional copolymer of unsaturated nitriles and vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer (i.e. , other than the copolymer in the rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic compound), is about 25 weight percent or less, about 20 weight percent or less, about 15 weight percent or less, or about 10 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition. Such additional copolymer of unsaturated nitriles and vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer may be present in an amount of about 0 weight percent or more. The ratio of the weight of such additional copolymer of unsaturated nitriles and vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer to the weight of the rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic compound is about 1 .0 or less, about 0.8 or less, about 0.6 or less, or about 0.45 or less.

[0081] Some or all of the rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic compound in a substrate may be replaced with the combination of i) a copolymer of unsaturated nitriles and vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer (such as described herein); and ii) an impact modifier (e.g. the conjugated diene). The amount of impact modifier may be about 2 percent or more, about 3 percent or more, or about 4 percent or more. The amount of impact modifier may be about 30 percent or less, about 20 percent or less, or about 15 percent or less. The impact modifier may include any polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 0 °C or less. The impact modifier may impart ductility to the SAN copolymer. Some embodiments of impoact modifier includes butadiene monomer, styrene monomer, or both. The impact modifier may include a sufficient amount of vinylidene substituted aromatic monomer for improving the compatibility of the impact modifier with the SAN copolymer. The impact modifier may be a copolymer includingbutadiene and styrene. The impact modifier may be a core shell polymer. The impact modifier may include a core including or consisting essentially of a polymer including butadiene and styrene. The impact modifier may have a shell including an acrylate monomer. The impact modifier may have a shell including polymethyl methacrylate. The impact modifier may be a core shell MBS modifier including a poly (butadiene / styrene) core and a polymethyl methacrylate shell. The impact modifier may be provided as an emulsion ABS and / or a grafted rubber concentrate. The amount of elastomer in the grafted rubber concentrates may be about 20 weight percent or more, about 30 weight percent or more, about 45 weight percent or more, or about 55 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the grafted rubber concentrate. The grafted rubber concentrate may be grafted on an SAN copolymer (e.g., produced by an emulsion process). The grafted rubber concentrate may consist of (i.e. , about 95 weight percent or more), or entirely of one or more elastomers (e.g., butadiene) and one or more styrene containing polymers (e.g., SAN). The grafted rubber concentrate may be added separately to the composition, e.g., with additional SAN copolymer. The grafted rubber concentrate may be mixed with additional styrene containing polymer (e.g., SAN copolymer) prior to adding to the composition. The impact modifier may include a copolymer (e.g., an SAN copolymer or an ABS polymer) that further includes one or more alkyl acrylates. Alkyl acrylates for the copolymer can include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate (e.g., n-butyl acrylate), and hexyl acrylate. The vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may include the residual content of ABS polymers within the composition.

[0082] The total amount of the reinforcing filler, the vinylidene substituted aromatic compound, and the polycarbonate in the composition may be about 80 weight percent or more, about 90 weight percent or more, about 95 weight percent or more, or about 97 weight percent or more, based on the total weight of the composition. The total amount of the reinforcing filler, the rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic compound, and the polycarbonate in the composition may be about 99.9 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0083] The blend of polycarbonates and vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be used in pellet form, flake form or in a mixture thereof.

[0084] The blends of polycarbonates and vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may have a desirable melt flow rate during various applications. The melt flow rate of blends of polycarbonates and vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds may be indicative of the value of molecular weight of the compounds present within. Melt flow rate may indicate that several different polycarbonates and the conjugated diene rubbers (i.e., the different polycarbonates anddifferent conjugated diene rubbers did not come from the same source) have been used in the compound, and a correction is required to attain desirable properties in the compound. A specific amount of buffer system is added to the blends of polycarbonates and vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds to attain desirable melt flow rates.ADDITIVES

[0085] The disclosed compositions may also optionally contain one or more additives that are commonly used in compositions of this type. Such additives of this type include, but are not limited to: fillers, fibers, ignition resistant additives, thermal stabilizers, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, light diffusing agents, pigments, dyes, colorants, antioxidants, antistatic agents, silicon oils, flow enhancers, mold releases, etc. Additionally, ignition resistance additives, such as, but not limited to halogenated hydrocarbons, halogenated carbonate oligomers, halogenated diglycidyl ethers, organophosphorous compounds, fluorinated olefins, antimony oxide and metal salts of aromatic sulfur, or a mixture thereof may be used. Compounds which stabilize mass polymerized rubber- modified vinylidene substituted aromatic copolymer compositions against degradation caused by, but not limited to heat, light, and oxygen, or a mixture thereof may be used. Fillers and reinforcements may also be present. Fillers include talc, clay, wollastonite, mica, glass or a mixture thereof. If used, such additives and / or fillers may be present in the formulated compositions in an amount about 0.01 percent by weight or greater, about 0.1 percent by weight or greater, about 1 percent by weight or greater, about 2 percent by weight or greater, or about 3 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the compositions. The additives and / or fillers may be present in an amount of about 40 percent by weight or less, about 30 percent by weight or less, about 20 percent by weight or less, about 15 percent by weight or less, about 10 percent by weight or less, about 5 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition. The additives may be present in amounts up to 5 weight percent while fillers may be present in amounts up to 40 weight percent based on the weight of the compositions. The composition may be substantially free or entirely free of fillers and / or additives so that the low density of the selected polymers is generally maintained. Examples of additives that may be employed include the additives described in US Patent Application Publication 2013 / 0196130 A1 (by Hufen et al., published August 1 , 2013, see e.g., paragraphs 0144 through 0147), incorporated herein by reference. One or more of the additives may be blended with the one or more polycarbonates prior to adding them to the mixing system.Mold Release Agents

[0086] The disclosed composition may comprise one or more mold release agents. Exemplary mold release agents include any mold release agent known in the art andcombinations thereof. The mold release agents may be internal mold release agents. The mold release agents may include one or more compatibilizing agents such as are taught in now expired United States patent US5, 212, 209A which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Exemplary classes of mold release agent include aliphatic carboxylic acids; esters of an aliphatic carboxylic acid and an alcohol; aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 15,000; and polysiloxane-based silicone oils. Examples of the aliphatic carboxylic acids include saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic monovalent, divalent, or trivalent carboxylic acids. The aliphatic carboxylic acids also include alicyclic carboxylic acids. The aliphatic carboxylic acids may be C6-36 monovalent or divalent carboxylic acids. The aliphatic carboxylic acids may be C6-36 aliphatic saturated monovalent carboxylic acids. Specific examples of such aliphatic carboxylic acids include palmitic acid, stearic acid, caproic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, arachic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, melissic acid, tetratriacontanoic acid, montanic acid, adipic acid, and azelaic acid. Examples of the aliphatic carboxylic acid in the esters of an aliphatic carboxylic acid and an alcohol include the same aliphatic carboxylic acids as described above. Examples of the alcohol include saturated or unsaturated, monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, which may have a substituent such as a fluorine atom or an aryl group. The alcohols may be monohydric or polyhydric, saturated alcohols having a carbon number of not more than 30. The alcohols may be aliphatic saturated monohydric alcohols and aliphatic saturated polyhydric alcohols having a carbon number of not more than 30. The term “aliphatic” herein is used as a term also including alicyclic compounds. Specific examples of such alcohols include octanol, decanol, dodecanol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerin, pentaerythritol, 2,2- dihydroxyperfluoropropanol, neopentylene glycol, ditrimethylolpropane, and dipentaerythritol. Each of the above esters may be either a pure substance or a mixture of a plurality of compounds. Each of the aliphatic carboxylic acid and the alcohol bound to each other to constitute one ester may be of a single type, or two or more types thereof may be used in an arbitrary combination at arbitrary ratios. Specific examples of the ester of the aliphatic carboxylic acid and the alcohol include bees waxes (mixtures containing myricyl palmitate as a major component), stearyl stearate, behenyl behenate, stearyl behenate, glycerin monopalmitate, glycerin monostearate, glycerin distearate, glycerin tristearate, pentaerythritol monopalmitate, pentaerythritol monostearate, pentaerythritol distearate, pentaerythritol tristearate, and pentaerythritol tetrastearate. Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbons having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 15,000 include liquid paraffins, paraffin waxes, microwaxes, polyethylene waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, and a-olefin oligomers having a carbon number of3 to 12. The aliphatic hydrocarbons also include alicyclic hydrocarbons. Each of these hydrocarbons may be partially oxidized, the aliphatic hydrocarbons may be paraffin waxes, polyethylene waxes, and partially oxidized polyethylene waxes are preferred. Paraffin waxes and polyethylene waxes are more preferred. The number average molecular weight of the aliphatic hydrocarbon may not more than 5000. Examples of the polysiloxane-based silicone oils include dimethyl silicone oils, methylphenyl silicone oils, diphenyl silicone oils, and fluorinated alkyl silicone oils. A single type of mold release agent described above may be included, or two or more types of mold release agents described above may be included in an arbitrary combination at arbitrary ratios. Exemplary mold release agents comprise at least one of aliphatic carboxylic acids or esters of an aliphatic carboxylic acid and an alcohol. The mold release agent may be at least one of at least one of pentaerythritol ester, pentaerythritol tetrastearate, glycerol monostearate, and octyldodecyl stearate. The mold release agent may be a pentaerythritol ester.

[0087] The composition may comprise one or more mold release agents in an amount of about 0 percent by weight or greater based on the composition, about 0.01 percent by weight or greater, about 0.1 percent by weight or greater, or about 0.2 percent by weight or greater. The amount of the mold release agent is not limited and may be about 2 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition, about 1 percent by weight or less, about 0.7 percent by weight or less, or about 0.6 percent by weight or less. In cases where the content of the mold release agent is less than the lower limit of this range, the mold-releasing effect may be insufficient, while in cases where the content of the mold release agent exceeds the upper limit of this range, a decrease in the hydrolysis resistance, mold contamination during injection molding, and the like may occur. The composition may comprise from about 0 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight, about 0.01 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight, or about 0.1 percent by weight to about 0.7 percent by weight based on the composition of one or more mold release agents.Antioxidants

[0088] The composition of the disclosed compositions may comprise one of more antioxidants. Antioxidants may be introduced into the compositions from ingredients utilized, such as the impact modifiers and post-consumer recycled polymer. The antioxidants may be added to the compositions separately. The antioxidants may be one or more of phenol, phosphorous, hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinone, tocopherol, O- and N-benzyl compound, alkylidenebisphenol, hydroxybenzylated malonate, aromatic hydroxybenzyl compound, triazine compound, benzylphosphonate, acylaminophenol, esters and amides ofpropionic acid, ascorbic acid, or aminic based antioxidants. The antioxidant may be one or more of phenol, phosphorous, hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinone, tocopherol, O- and N- benzyl compound, alkylidenebisphenol, hydroxybenzylated malonate, aromatic hydroxybenzyl compound, triazine compound, benzylphosphonate, acylaminophenol, esters and amides of propionic acid, ascorbic acid, or aminic based antioxidants which do not contain sulfur containing groups.

[0089] Phenol based antioxidants include 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol; 2,6-diphenyl-4- methoxyphenol; 2,2'-methylenebis (6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol); 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl- 4-methylphenol); 2,2'-methylene bis [4-methyl-6-(a-methylcyclohexyl)phenol]; 1 ,1-bis (5-tert- butyl-4-hdyroxy-2-methyl phenyl) butane; 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexyl phenol); 2,2'- methylenebis(4-methyl-6-nonylphenol); 1 , 1 ,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) butane; 2,2-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercapto butane; ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hdyroxyphenyl) butyrate]; 1 ,1-bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(n- dodecylthio)butane; 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methyl phenol); 1 ,3,5-tris (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene; dioctadecyl 2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl- 4- hydroxybenzyl)malonate ester; n-octadecyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl) propionate; tetrakis[methylene (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy hydrocinnamate) ]methane; and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate. Hydroquinone and alkylated hydroquinone-based antioxidants include 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, 2,5-di-tert- butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-di phenyl 4-octadecyloxyphenol, 2,6-di- tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy anisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) adipate. Tocopherol based antioxidants include a-tocopherol, [3-tocopherol, y-tocopherol, b-tocopherol and mixtures thereof (vitamin E). O- and N-benzyl compounds, based antioxidants include for example 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether, tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl) amine. Alkylidenebisphenol, based antioxidants include, 2,2'-methylenebis(6- tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4- methyl-6-(a-methyl cyclohexyl) phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'- methylene bis(6-nonyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'- ethylidenebis (4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'- methylene bis[6-(a-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylene bis[6-(a,a-dimethyl benzyl)-4- nonylphenol], 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2- methylphenol), 1 ,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5- methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol, 1 , 1 ,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methyl phenyl)butane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxy phenyl)butyrate], bis[2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'- hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenyl] terephthalate, 1 , 1 -bis-(3,5-dimethyl-2- hydroxyphenyl)butane, 2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 1 ,1 ,5,5-tetra(5-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) pentane. Hydroxybenzylated malonate based antioxidants include dioctadecyl-2 ,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)malonate, di-octadecyl-2-(3-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl benzyl)malonate, bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl)phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5- di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy benzyl)malonate. Aromatic hydroxybenzyl based antioxidants include1 .3.5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethyl benzene, 1 ,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-buty I-4- hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, 2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) phenol. Triazine compounds based antioxidants include 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyanilino)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1 ,3,5- triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy phenoxy)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2 ,4,6-tris- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1 ,2 , 3-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine,1.3.5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl propionyl)-hexahydro-1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,3,5- tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate. Benzylphosphonates, based antioxidants include dimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diethyl-3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxybenzylphosphonate, diocta decyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate, the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid. Acylaminophenol based antioxidants include, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, octyl N-(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) carbamate. Exemplary antioxidants include esters of D-(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2- propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thia pentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha- 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Exemplary antioxidants include esters of |3-(5-tert-buty I-4- hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2- propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis-(hydroxyethyl) oxamide, 3-thia undecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1- phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; 3,9-bis[2-{3-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionyloxy}-1 ,1-dimethylethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]-undecane. Exemplary antioxidants include esters of [3-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxy phenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris (hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N,N'- bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thia pentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1 -phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Exemplary antioxidants include esters of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9- nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'- bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thia pentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1 -phospha-2, 6, 7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Exemplary antioxidants include amides of p-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid e.g. N,N'- bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hexamethylene diamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) tri methylenediamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl propionyl)hydrazide, N,N'-bis[2-(3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyloxy)ethyl] oxamide (Naugard® XL-1 , supplied by Uniroyal).An exemplary antioxidant is ascorbic acid (vitamin C).Aminic antioxidants include N,N'-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p- phenylene diamine, N,N'-bis(1 ,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-ethyl-3- methylpentyl) -p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-methylheptyl)-p-phenylene diamine, N,N'- dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(2-naphthyl)-p- phenylene diamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1 ,3-dimethyl butyl)-N'- phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1 -methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl- N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylene diamine, diphenylamine, N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxy diphenylamine, N-phenyl-1 -naphthyl amine, N-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1 -naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, octylated diphenylamine, p,p'-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-n-butylaminophenol, 4-butyryl amino phenol, 4- nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoyl aminophenol, 4-octa decanoyl aminophenol, bis(4- methoxyphenyl)amine, 2,6-di-tert-butyl -4-dimethylaminomethylphenol, 2,4'-diamino diphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-4,4'-diamino diphenyl ethane, 1 ,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl) amino]ethane, 1 ,2-bis(phenylamino) propane, (o- tolyl)biguanide, bis[4-(1 ',3'-dimethyl butyl)phenyl]amine, tert-octylated N-phenyl-1 -naphthyl amine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl / tert-octyldiphenylamines, a mixture ofmono- and dialkylated nonyl diphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated isopropyl / isohexyl diphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines, N,N,N',N'-tetraphenyl-1 ,4- diaminobut-2-ene, N,N-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperid-4-yl-hexa methylene diamine, bis(2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperid-4-yl)sebacate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidin-4-one, 2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidin-4-ol. Phosphoric antioxidants include tetrakis(2,4-di-t-butyl phenyl)-4,4- biphenylene phosphonite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, 2,2'-methylene bis(4,6-di-t- butylphenyl) octyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-t- butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, di(nonylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, phenyl-bisphenol A-pentaerythritol diphosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite, dioctylpentaerythritol diphosphite, dilaurylpentaerythritol diphosphite, diphenylpentaerythritol diphosphite, dicyclohexylpentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl) fluorophosphite, trisindecyl phosphite, trisdodecyl phosphite, phenylisooctyl phosphite, phenylindecyl phosphite, phenyldodecyl phosphite, diphenylisooctyl phosphite, diphenylisodecyl phosphite, diphenyldodecyl phosphite, triphenyl phosphite, tris(monononylphenyl) phosphite and tris(dinonylphenyl)phosphite. The antioxidant may be octadecyl 3,5-di-(tert)-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate which is commercially available as IRGANOX 1076 from BASF.

[0090] Exemplary antioxidant additives include, for example, organophosphites such as tris(nonyl phenyl)phosphite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite (e.g., “IRGAFOS 168” or “1-168”), bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite or the like; alkylated monophenols or polyphenols; alkylated reaction products of polyphenols with dienes, such as tetrakis[methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydro cinnamate) methane, or the like; butylated reaction products of para-cresol or dicyclopentadiene; alkylated hydroquinones; hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers; alkylidene-bisphenols; benzyl compounds; esters of beta-(3,5- di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid with monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; esters of beta-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-propionic acid with monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; esters of thioalkyl or thioaryl compounds such as distearylthiopropionate, dilaurylthiopropionate, ditridecyl-thio-dipropionate, octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy phenyl)propionate, pentaerythrityl-tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate or the like; amides of beta-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionic acid or the like, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing antioxidants.

[0091] The antioxidants may be one or more of phenol and / or phosphorous based antioxidants. The antioxidants may be at least one of tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite andOctadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate. The antioxidant may be tris(2,4-di- tert. -butylphenyl) phosphite which is commercially available as IRGAFOS 168. The antioxidant may be Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate which is commercially available as IRGANOX B900.

[0092] The antioxidants may be present in the composition and structures formed therefrom in any amount which retards oxidation of the polymers. The antioxidants may be present in an amount based on the weight of the composition disclosed of about 100 parts per million or greater (0.01 percent by weight), about 200 parts per million or greater (0.02 percent by weight), about 300 parts per million or greater (0.03 percent by weight), about 500 parts per million or greater (0.05 percent by weight) or about 1000 parts per million or greater (0.1 percent by weight). The antioxidants may be present in an amount based on the weight of the composition disclosed of about 10,000 parts per million or less (1 .0 percent by weight) about 8,000 parts per million or less (0.8 percent by weight), about 6,000 parts per million or less (0.6 percent by weight), about 5,000 parts per million or less (0.5 percent by weight) or about 3000 parts per million or less (0.3 percent by weight), about 2,000 parts per million or less (0.2 percent by weight).Anti-Drip Agents

[0093] The composition of the disclosed composition one or more anti-drip agents. Any antidrip agents which positively impact the fire retardancy of the compositions may be utilized. Antidrip means to reduce the tendency of the composition to form burning drips in the event of a fire. The anti-drip agent may be an Organo-functional liquid siloxane. Exemplary Organo- functional liquid siloxane are marked under the brand name DOWSILTM40-001 by Dow. The composition may comprise a fluorinated anti-drip agent. Fluorinated polyolefins known in the art as anti-drip agents may be used in the compositions. The anti-drip agent may be a fiber-forming fluorine-containing polymer, those forming a fibril construction in the compositions. Fiber-forming fluorine-containing polymers include polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene type copolymers (for example, tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymers and the like), the partially fluorinated polymers shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,910, relevant parts incorporated herein by reference, polycarbonates manufactured from fluorinated diphenol and the like. Polytetrafluoroethylenes having a molecular weight of at least 1 ,000,000, a secondary particle size of at least 100 pm and an ability to form fibrils may be used. Exemplary fluorinated polyolefins are described in EP-A 0 640 655. They are marketed under the brand name Teflon® 30N by DuPont. The anti-drip agent may be a polytetrafluoroethylenes in a styrene-acrylonitrile matrix. The anti-drip agent may be a 50 % masterbatch of polytetrafluoroethylenes in a styrene-acrylonitrile matrix. The anti-drip agent may be polytetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene / styrene-acrylonitrile masterbatch, or an organo-functional liquid siloxane. The amount of the anti-drip agent may be any amount which enhances the flame retardant properties of the composition. The amount of anti-drip agent may depend on the anti-drip agent used. When an organo-functional liquid siloxane anti-drip agent is used the amount of anti-drip agent may be about 0 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition or greater, about 0.5 percent by weight or greater, or about 1 or greater. When an organo-functional liquid siloxane anti-drip agent is used the amount of anti-drip agent may be about 5 percent by weight or less, about 3 percent by weight or less, or about 2 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition. When an organo-functional liquid siloxane anti-drip agent is used the amount of anti-drip agent may be about 0 wt.% to about 5 wt.%. When a fluorinated anti-drip agent is used the amount of the anti-drip agent may be 0 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition or greater, about 0.01 percent by weight or greater, or about 0.1 or greater. When a fluorinated anti-drip agent is used the amount of the anti-drip agent may be about 1.0 percent by weight or less, about 0.9 percent by weight or less, or about 0.5 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition.UV Absorbers

[0094] The compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more UV absorber (i.e. , UV stabilizers) that in one more embodiment function to stabilize the color of the composition. When UV absorbers are added, the polycarbonates, vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds, or both may absorb light energy from UV rays as heat. UV absorbers may reduce weathering in polymeric compositions, such as compositions of polycarbonates and / or vinylidene substituted aromatic compounds. UV absorbers may include benzotriazoles, hydroxyphenyltriazines, benzophenoses, s-triazines, the like, or any combination thereof. UV absorbers may be present in an amount of about 500 ppm or more, about 1 ,000 ppm or more, or about 1 ,500 ppm or more. UV absorbers may be present in about 10,000 ppm or less, about 8,000 ppm or less, or about 6,000 ppm or less. UV absorbers may be present in an amount of about 500 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. Additional Additives

[0095] The disclosed compositions may contain one or more additional additives not previously discussed herein, commonly used in polymeric compositions of this type. Exemplary additives include: zinc salts, colorants, fillers, stabilizers, antistatic agents, silicon oils, flow enhancers, etc. Exemplary ignition resistance additives may also include antimony oxide and metal salts of aromatic sulfur, or a mixture thereof may be used. Compounds which stabilize rubber-modified vinylidene substituted aromatic copolymer compositions against degradationcaused by, but not limited to heat, light, and oxygen, or a mixture thereof may be used. Some of these additives may adsorb volatile organic compounds, such as, for example, zeolites, activated carbon, bamboo charcoal, etc.

[0096] The disclosed composition may optionally include a component which adsorbs volatile organic compounds. The component may be a zeolite, activated carbon, bamboo, charcoal, or combinations thereof.

[0097] The compositions disclosed may contain one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metalloid oxides. Any carbon based particulates, metal of metal oxide which enhances the flame retardancy rating of V0@1.5 mm, may be utilized. Exemplary metal or metalloid oxides include group 3 or 4 metal or metalloid oxides. Exemplary metal or metalloid oxides include TiO2, MgO, SiO2, Fe2O3, AI2O3and the like. Exemplary metal or metalloid oxides include TiO2, MgO and SiO2. The one or more metal or metalloid oxides may be a mixture of metal and / or metalloid oxides, such as talc which contains MgO and SiO2. The one or more carbon based particulates may be any particulate carbon materials which improves the flame retardancy of the compositions disclosed herein. Exemplary carbon based particulates may be carbon black or carbon nanotubes. The one or more carbon compounds, metals or metalloid oxides may be present in a sufficient amount to enhance the flame retardancy of the composition. The one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metalloid oxides may be present in an amount sufficient to provide a flame retardancy rating of V0@1 .5 mm. The one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metalloid oxides may be present in an amount of 0 percent by weight by weight or greater based on the weight of the composition, about 0.2 percent by weight by weight or greater, about 0.3 percent by weight or greater, or about 0.5 percent by weight or greater based on the weight of the composition. The one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metal oxides may be present in an amount of about 10 percent by weight by weight or less based on the weight of the composition, about 5 percent by weight or less, about 3 percent by weight or less, or about 2 percent by weight or less based on the weight of the composition. The one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metal oxides may be present in particulate form. The one or more carbon based particulates, metal or metal oxides may be nanoparticles. The particle size may be any particle size that which enhances the flame retardancy rating of the compositions. The particle size may be about 0.2 micrometers or more or about 0.35 micrometers or more. The particle size may be about 2.0 micrometers or less, or about 1 .0 micrometers or less. The particle size may be determined using the laser diffraction technique described in ISO13322. The particle size determined is the average diameter.

[0098] The composition disclosed herein may include fillers, the fillers may include or consist essentially of reinforcing fillers, such as fibers having a length to diameter ratio of about 4 or more. The amount of other fillers (e.g., non-reinforcing fillers, such as talc, clay, etc.) may be about 6 weight percent or less, about 4 weight percent or less, about 2 weight percent or less, or about 1 weight percent or less, based on the total weight of the polymeric composition. A reinforcing filler may be employed for improving the strength of the polymeric composition and / or for reducing the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the composition. The reinforcing filler may include a glass fiber, a carbon fiber, a metal fiber, or any combination thereof. Other reinforcing fillers include mineral fillers having a needle-like structure (i.e. , acicular structure), such as wollastonite.

[0099] The median diameter of the acicular structures may be about 5 microns or more, 10 microns or more, 15 microns or more, or 20 microns or more. The median diameter may be 60 or less, 50 or less, 40 or less, or 30 or less. Acicular structures are defined by their aspect ratios. The aspect ratios may be about 2:1 or more, about 4:1 or more, about 6:1 or more, about 10:1 or more or about 14:1 or more . Conversely, high aspect ratios may be about 44:1 or less; 20:1 or less, 15:1 or less, or 10:1 or less. The aspect ratios may be determined by a ratio of length relative to diameter (i.e., aspect ratio = length:diameter), US 2006 / 0036012A paragraph 0004 and US 7,001 ,944B2 Column 1 lines 39 to 50, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. The acicular structure measurements may be determined by microscopic examination of fibers as described in as described in US 2018 / 0340051 paragraph 0016 and THE EFFECT OF WOLLASTONITE MICRO-FIBRE ASPECT RATIO ON REINFORCEMENT OF PORTLAND CEMENT-BASED BINDERS, M. P. Norman available at http: / / www.canadianwollastonite.com / wp-content / uploads / 2018 / Q2 / Effect-Of-Wollastonite-Micro- Fibre-Aspect-Ratio-On-Reinforcement-Of-Portland-Cement-Based-Binders.pdf, and US Patent 9,028,946 B2, column 5 lines 14 to 21 , relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 200X, 500x, or 1000x magnification may be useful for ascertaining measurements and subsequent aspect ratios. Length and diameter measurements may then be taken using known methods, mean average length and aspect ratio are then calculated in known manner from the individual fiber measurements, and aspect ratios may be subsequently calculated. A number of websites provide aspect ratio calculators, which are well known to the skilled artisan. Reinforcing filler suppliers publish the aspect ratios of their fillers and many users rely on the published aspect ratios from the suppliers, see US 7,001 ,944 and US2006 / 0036012, incorporated herein by reference. In samples, high purity reinforcing fillers, such as wollastonite, may be desirable including about 96% pure or more, 97% pure or more, 98% pure or more, or 99% pure or more.METHODS

[0100] The compositions disclosed may be produced by mixing the components in a known manner and melt-compounding and / or melt-extruding them at temperatures of from 200°C to 300°C in conventional units such as internal kneaders, extruders and twin-screw extruders. The individual components may be mixed in a known manner both in succession and simultaneously and both at approximately 23°C (room temperature) and at a higher temperature.

[0101] Disclosed are various techniques for producing the composition. Examples of these known polymerization processes include bulk, mass-solution, or mass-suspension polymerization, generally known as mass polymerization processes. For a good discussion of how to make vinylidene substituted aromatic copolymers containing compositions see “Modern Styrenic Polymers” of Series in Polymer Science (Wiley), Ed. John Scheirs and Duane Priddy, ISBN 0 471 497525. Also, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,660,535; 3,243,481 ; and 4,239,863, which are incorporated herein by reference. Continuous mass polymerization techniques are advantageously employed in preparing the composition. The polymerization may conducted in one or more substantially linear, stratified flow or so-called “plug-flow” type reactors such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,727,884, sometimes referred to as multizone plug flow bulk process, which may or may not comprise recirculation of a portion of the partially polymerized product or, alternatively, in a stirred tank reactor wherein the contents of the reactor are essentially uniform throughout, which is generally employed in combination with one or more plug-flow type reactors. The stirred tank reactors can be boiling and / or coil reactors. Such reactors can be used in series. Processes for use of the stirred tank reactors for preparing copolymers are disclosed in Modern Styrenic Polymers, Edited by John Schiers and Duane Priddy, Wiley, ISBN 0 471 49752 5, published in 2003, see pp 43-72, relevant portions incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, a parallel reactor set-up, as taught in EP 412801 , may also be suitable for preparing the copolymers, relevant portions are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Polycarbonates may be produced by interfacial polymerization as generally described herewith. The polycarbonates may be produced by any known method for polymerization of polycarbonates.

[0103] The disclosed compositions may be molded using procedure known in the art. The polycarbonate compositions may be molded into useful shaped articles by a variety of means such as injection molding, over molding, extrusion, rotational molding, blow molding and thermoforming to form various molded articles. Such articles may include thin-walled articles for consumer goods like cellphones, MP3 players, computers, laptops, cameras, video recorders, electronic tablets, hand receivers, kitchen appliances, electrical housings, etc., e.g. a smart meterhousing, and the like; electrical connectors, and components of lighting fixtures, ornaments, home appliances, roofs, greenhouses, sun rooms, swimming pool enclosures, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and light panels, extruded film and sheet articles; electrical parts, such as relays; and telecommunications parts such as parts for base station terminals. The present disclosure further contemplates additional fabrication operations on said articles, such as, but not limited to, molding, in-mold decoration, baking in a paint oven, lamination, and / or thermoforming. The compositions disclosed are heated to temperatures at which the composition flows, which may be above the glass transition temperatures of the polycarbonates in the composition. Such temperatures may be greater than 155 °C, above 200 °C or greater, 250 °C or greater. Such temperatures may be 400 °C or less or 300 °C or less. The mold may be heated to facilitate processing such as to 60 °C or greater, 80 °C or greater or 100 °C or greater.

[0104] Disclosed are formed articles comprising the disclosed compositions. Exemplary formed articles include interior trim for rail vehicles, interior and / or exterior automotive article, enclosures for electrical devices containing small transformers, enclosures for information dissemination and / or transmission devices, enclosures and / or cladding for medical purposes, message devices and / or enclosures therefore, toy vehicles for children, sheet wall elements, enclosures for safety equipment, hatchback spoilers, thermally insulated transport containers, apparati for keeping and / or caring for small animals, articles for sanitary and / or bathroom installations, cover grills for ventilation openings, articles for summer houses and sheds, and / or enclosures for garden appliances. Exemplary fabricated articles include an instrument housing or enclosure such as for: a power tool, an appliance, a consumer electronic equipment such as a TV, a VCR, a DVD player, a web appliance, an electronic book, etc., or an enclosure for information technology equipment such as a telephone, a computer, a monitor, a fax machine, a battery charger, a scanner, a copier, a printer, a hand held computer, a flat screen display, and the like.Embodiments

[0105] 1 . A composition comprising: a) one or more polycarbonates; b) one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers; and c) a buffer system with a pKa value of about 5.0 to about 9.0 in water.

[0106] 2. The composition of embodiment 1 , comprising from about 0.001 to about 1 .0 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the buffer system.

[0107] 3. The composition of embodiment 2, comprising from about 0.01 to about 0.2 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the buffer system.

[0108] 4. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffersystem comprises an inorganic buffer, an organic buffer, or both.

[0109] 5. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system comprises a counterion that may be any metal including sodium, potassium, calcium, a similar counterion, or any combination thereof.

[0110] 6. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system comprises acetates, sulfonates, phosphates, ammonia, formates, or any combination thereof.

[0111] 7. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system comprises a Good’s buffer.

[0112] 8. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments wherein the buffer system comprises a weak base.

[0113] 9. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system comprises a buffer pair.

[0114] 10. The composition of embodiment 9, wherein the buffer pair comprises a weak base and a weak acid.

[0115] 11. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system comprises from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak base.

[0116] 12. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak acid.

[0117] 13. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising from about 60 to about 97 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the one or more polycarbonates.

[0118] 14. The composition of embodiment 13, comprising from about 70 to about 90 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the one or more polycarbonates.

[0119] 15. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates are branched, linear, or both.

[0120] 16. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate, virgin polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.

[0121] 17. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate and virgin polycarbonate.

[0122] 18. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate.

[0123] 19. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate and two or more virgin polycarbonates having different melt flow rates.

[0124] 20. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more virgin polycarbonates that are branched.

[0125] 21. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more virgin polycarbonates that are branched and one or more virgin polycarbonates that are linear.

[0126] 22. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are linear.

[0127] 23. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are linear and one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are branched.

[0128] 24. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants or one or more glass fibers.

[0129] 25. The composition of any one of embodiment 1-23, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants and one or more glass fibers.

[0130] 26. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants.

[0131] 27. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising from 0 to about 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants.

[0132] 28. The composition of embodiment 27, comprising from about 1 .0 to about 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants.

[0133] 29. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more halogenated flame retardants, one or more brominated polycarbonate, one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants, or any combination thereof.

[0134] 30. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more halogenated flame retardants.

[0135] 31. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more brominated polycarbonates.

[0136] 32. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one ormore flame retardants comprises one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants.

[0137] 33. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants is one or more phosphorus containing flame retardants.

[0138] 34. The composition of embodiment 33, wherein the one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant comprises a phosphate ester or a phosphazene.

[0139] 35. The composition of embodiments 33 or 34, wherein the one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant is bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), hexa-phenoxy-cyclo- phosphazene, or a mixture of bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) and hexa-phenoxy-cyclo- phosphazene.

[0140] 36. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises one or more glass fibers.

[0141] 37. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises from 0 to about 50 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of the one or more glass fibers.

[0142] 38. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of the one or more glass fibers.

[0143] 39. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition contains one or more fibers, one or more thermal stabilizers, one or more UV absorbers, one or more light stabilizers, one or more light diffusing agents, one or more mold release agents, one or more colorants, one or more pigments, one or more dyes, one or more additives commonly used in a polycarbonate composition, or any combination thereof.

[0144] 40. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises one or more impact modifiers.

[0145] 41 . The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

[0146] 42. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises from 0 to about 30 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

[0147] 43. The composition of embodiment 41 or 42, wherein the one or more the vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises: a) from about 5 to about 40 percent by weight of one or more unsaturated nitriles; b) from about 1 to about 70 percent by weight of one or more conjugated dienes; and c) from about 25 to about 94 percent by weight of the one ormore vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers.

[0148] 44. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-43, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes.

[0149] 45. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-44, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes and virgin conjugated dienes.

[0150] 46. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-45, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes and two or more virgin conjugated dienes having different melt flow rates.

[0151] 47. The composition of any one of the embodiments 41-46, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises one or more virgin conjugated dienes that are branched and one or more virgin conjugated dienes that is linear.

[0152] 48. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-47, wherein the one or more unsaturated nitriles comprise acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, ethacrylonitrile, fumaronitrile or mixtures thereof.

[0153] 49. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-48, wherein the one or more conjugated dienes comprise conjugated 1 ,3 dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene, etc.); alpha- or beta-unsaturated monobasic acids and derivatives thereof (for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.); vinyl halides such as vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, etc.; vinylidene chloride, vinylidene bromide, etc.; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, etc.; ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides and derivatives thereof, such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, dialkyl maleates or fumarates, such as dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, dibutyl maleate, the corresponding fumarates, N-phenyl maleimide (N- PMI) or mixtures thereof.

[0154] 50. The composition of any one of embodiments 41-49, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers comprise styrene, alpha methyl styrene, N-phenyl- maleimide and chlorinated styrene; or alpha-methyl styrene.

[0155] 51 . The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition is hydrolytically stable.

[0156] 52. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system hydrolytically stabilizes the composition such that a pH of the polycarbonate is maintained during and / or after applying heat to the composition.

[0157] 53. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition has a free hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of 100 ppm or more.

[0158] 54. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more recycled polycarbonates has a hydroxyl and / or carboxyl group content of 100 ppm or more.

[0159] 55. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the recycled polycarbonate has a hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of about 100 ppm or more, and wherein the hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content is based at least in part on an amount of hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups at ends or pendant from polycarbonate chains, hydroxyl and / or carboxyl compounds, and / or other phenolic oligomers or polymers.

[0160] 56. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises an amount of the buffer system sufficient to balance a pH of the composition.

[0161] 57. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a number average molecular weight of 8,000 g / mol or more.

[0162] 58. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a weight average molecular weight of 25,000 g / mol or more.

[0163] 59. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a z-average molecular weight of 40,000 g / mol or more.

[0164] 60. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the buffer system is configured to maintain a pH of the composition at about 7 during and after one or more processing steps that include application of heat.

[0165] 61 . The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition has a yellow index of about 0 or less.

[0166] 62. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition has a b* index of about 0 or less.

[0167] 63. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition comprises the one or more recycled polycarbonates in an amount of about 50 percent by weight or more, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0168] 64. The composition of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the composition has a melt flow rate of about 10 g / 10min or less after application of heat.

[0169] 65. The method for making the composition of any one of the proceeding embodiments comprising:

[0170] a) mixing together the one or more polycarbonates comprising the virgin and / or recycled polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, and / or the one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system; and

[0171] b) extruding the composition.

[0172] 66. The method of embodiment 65, wherein the one or more polycarbonates are produced using an interfacial polymerization process.

[0173] 67. The method of embodiments 65 or 66, wherein the composition is a molded structure.

[0174] 68. The method of any one of embodiments 65-67, comprising: injecting the extruded composition into a mold; cooling the composition to for a molded structure; and removing the molded structure from the mold.

[0175] 69. The method of any one of embodiments 65-68, comprising:

[0176] cooling the extruded composition; and

[0177] forming powder, flakes, and / or pellets of the extruded composition.

[0178] 70. The method of embodiment 69, comprising:

[0179] melting composition in powder, flakes, and / or pellet form;

[0180] injecting the melted composition into a mold in a molten form;

[0181] cooling the composition to form a molded structure; and

[0182] removing the molded structure from the mold.

[0183] 71. The method of any one of embodiments 65-70, comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, and / or the buffer system.

[0184] 72. The method of any one of embodiments 65-71 , comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, the one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system.

[0185] 73. The method of any one of embodiments 65-72, comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more glass fibers, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, and the buffer system.

[0186] 74. The method of any one of embodiments 65-73, wherein one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are mixed with the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system.

[0187] 75. The method of embodiment 74, the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are polymerized by a mass polymerization process comprising: a) chopping the one or more conjugated dienes; b) mixing the one or more polybutadienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers; c) polymerizing the one or more polybutadienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers; d) degassing the one ormore vinylidene aromatic substituted polymer by recycling volatile monomers; and e) pelletizing the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

[0188] 76. The method of embodiment 74 or 75, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are one or more acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymers.

[0189] 77. An article according to any one embodiment 1-76, wherein the composition is a molded structure.Illustrative Examples

[0190] The following examples are provided to illustrate the disclosed materials but are not intended to limit the scope thereof. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

[0191] Ingredients:-Polycarbonate Composition (PC):- Polycarbonate having a weight average molecular weight of 23200 (PC) - Antioxidant- tris(2,4-di-tert.-butylphenyl) phosphite (Irgafos P168)- H3PO4- Flame Retardant Bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BAPP)- Monosodium Phosphate (MSP)- Disodium Phosphate (DSP)-Mold release-pentaerythritol esters (LOXIOL P 861)-Antioxidant- Octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (Ingranox B900)

[0192] Compositions of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1-9 are shown in Table 1. Comparative Example 1 is the polycarbonate composition, as described above. Comparative Example 2 is a composition of the polycarbonate composition, bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), and anti-oxidants. Examples 1-3 are compositions of the polycarbonate composition, bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), and monosodium phosphate (weak acid). Examples 4-6 are compositions of the polycarbonate composition, bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), and disodium phosphate (weak base). Examples 7-9 are compositions of the polycarbonate composition, bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), and a buffer system. The buffer system in the examples is an equimolar composition of monosodium phosphate and disodium phosphate.

[0193] Table 1P168) and H3PO4noted as in PC composition.In Comparative Example 1 the Irgafos is mixed with powdered polycarbonate before they are fed to the extruder, about 50% of the Irgafos is oxidized to phosphate, most of the Irgafos is oxidized in the compounding. During compounding extra antioxidant is added. The blends of the compositions are prepared in a 25 mm twin screw extruder. Conditions used for pelletization are summarized in Table 2. All components are added to the feed hopper of the compounding extruder.

[0194] Table 2.

[0195] The polymeric compositions are pelletized. The pellets of the polycarbonates utilized are dried, for example in an air-circulating oven at 120 °C for 4 hours.The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is used to determine the number average molecular weight (Mn), weight average molecular weight (Mw), and z-average molecular weight (Mz) of the compositions. The molecular weights of the compositions are measured at 0 hours and then again after 48 hrs. autoclave at 125°C / 100% RH to determine the change of the average molecular weight (Mw).

[0196] Table 3 shows the testing data of the examples. Molecular weight (Mw)(Mn)(Mz) is in g / mol units.

[0197] Table 3Mn = number average molecular weightMw = weight average molecular weightMz= z average molecular weightExample 10

[0198] Comparative example 3 includes 0.020 weight percent of octyldodecyl stearate, 10.00 weight percent of STPC fines, and 89.98 weight percent of waterbottle PCR shreds.

[0199] Example 10 includes 0.020 weight percent of disodium phosphate anhydrous, 0.20 weight percent of monosodium phosphate anhydrous, and 0.020 weight percent of octyldodecyl stearate, 10.00 weight percent of STPC fines, and 89.94 weight percent of waterbottle PCR shreds

[0200] The waterbottle PCR shreds (PCR) is post consumer recycled water bottles that are shredded. The buffer system in this example is the combination of disodium phosphate anhydrous and monosodium phosphate anhydrous.

[0201] The compounds of Table 4 are compounded on a 25mm co-rotating twin-screw extruder running at 500 RPM with a throughput of 15 kg / hr. Barrel temperatures are set to 285 C. The compounds of Table 4 are autoclaved at 120 C at 100 percent humidity for 24 hours.

[0202] As shown in Table 3, MFR is low and stable after heating for 30 mins, there is minimal yellowing during and after compounding and autoclave, and there is minimal molecular weight reduction. Each of these data points is indicative of improved hydrolytic stability in recycled polycarbonate and reduced undesired chain scissioning in the compositions from the buffer combination.

[0203] Parts by weight as used herein refers to 100 parts by weight of the composition specifically referred to. Any numerical values recited in the above application include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51 , 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001 , 0.001 , 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value, and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps. Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Claims

1. CLAIMSWhat is claimed:1 . A composition comprising: a) one or more polycarbonates comprising one or more virgin and / or recycled polycarbonates; b) one or more flame retardants, one or more recycled polycarbonates, and / or one or more glass fibers; and c) a buffer system with a pKa value of about 5.0 to about 9.0 in water.

2. The composition of claim 1 , comprising from about 0.001 to about 1 .0 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the buffer system.

3. The composition of claim 2, comprising from about 0.01 to about 0.2 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the buffer system.

4. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises an inorganic buffer, an organic buffer, or both.

5. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises a counterion that may be any metal including sodium, potassium, calcium, a similar counterion, or any combination thereof.

6. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises acetates, sulfonates, phosphates, ammonia, formates, or any combination thereof.

7. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises a Good’s buffer.

8. The composition of any one of the preceding claims wherein the buffer system comprises a weak base.

9. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises a buffer pair.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the buffer pair comprises a weak base and a weak acid.11 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak base.

12. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system comprises from about 0.02 to about 0.1 weight percent of the weak acid.

13. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising from about 60 to about 97 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the one or morepolycarbonates.

14. The composition of claim 13, comprising from about 70 to about 90 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of the one or more polycarbonates.

15. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates are branched, linear, or both.

16. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate, virgin polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.

17. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate and virgin polycarbonate.

18. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate.

19. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise post-consumer recycled polycarbonate and two or more virgin polycarbonates having different melt flow rates.

20. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more virgin polycarbonates that are branched.21 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more virgin polycarbonates that are branched and one or more virgin polycarbonates that are linear.

22. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are linear.

23. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates comprise one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are linear and one or more post-consumer recycled polycarbonates that are branched.

24. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants or one or more glass fibers.

25. The composition of any one of claim 1-23, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants and one or more glass fibers.

26. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises one or more flame retardants.

27. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising from 0 to about 20 percent by weight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants.

28. The composition of claim 27, comprising from about 1.0 to about 20 percent byweight based on the weight of the composition of one or more flame retardants.

29. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more halogenated flame retardants, one or more brominated polycarbonate, one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants, or any combination thereof.

30. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more halogenated flame retardants.31 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more brominated polycarbonates.

32. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more flame retardants comprises one or more non-halogen containing flame retardants.

33. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more nonhalogen containing flame retardants is one or more phosphorus containing flame retardants.

34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant comprises a phosphate ester or a phosphazene.

35. The composition of claims 33 or 34, wherein the one or more phosphorus containing flame retardant is bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), hexa-phenoxy-cyclo-phosphazene, or a mixture of bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) and hexa-phenoxy-cyclo-phosphazene.

36. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises one or more glass fibers.

37. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises from 0 to about 50 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of the one or more glass fibers.

38. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of the one or more glass fibers.

39. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains one or more fibers, one or more thermal stabilizers, one or more UV absorbers, one or more light stabilizers, one or more light diffusing agents, one or more mold release agents, one or more colorants, one or more pigments, one or more dyes, one or more additives commonly used in a polycarbonate composition, or any combination thereof.

40. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises one or more impact modifiers.41 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compositioncomprises one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

42. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises from 0 to about 30 weight percent based on the weight of the composition of one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

43. The composition of claim 41 or 42, wherein the one or more the vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises: a) from about 5 to about 40 percent by weight of one or more unsaturated nitriles; b) from about 1 to about 70 percent by weight of one or more conjugated dienes; and c) from about 25 to about 94 percent by weight of the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers.

44. The composition of any one of claims 41-43, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes.

45. The composition of any one of claims 41-44, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes and virgin conjugated dienes.

46. The composition of any one of claims 41-45, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises post-consumer recycled conjugated dienes and two or more virgin conjugated dienes having different melt flow rates.

47. The composition of any one of the claims 41-46, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers comprises one or more virgin conjugated dienes that are branched and one or more virgin conjugated dienes that is linear.

48. The composition of any one of claims 41-47, wherein the one or more unsaturated nitriles comprise acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, ethacry lonitrile, fumaronitrile or mixtures thereof.

49. The composition of any one of claims 41-48, wherein the one or more conjugated dienes comprise conjugated 1 ,3 dienes (for example butadiene, isoprene, etc.); alpha- or betaunsaturated monobasic acids and derivatives thereof (for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.); vinyl halides such as vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, etc.; vinylidene chloride, vinylidene bromide, etc.; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, etc.; ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides and derivatives thereof, such as maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, dialkyl maleates or fumarates, such as dimethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, dibutyl maleate, the corresponding fumarates, N-phenyl maleimide (N-PMI) or mixtures thereof.

50. The composition of any one of claims 41-49, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers comprise styrene, alpha methyl styrene, N-phenyl-maleimide and chlorinated styrene; or alpha-methyl styrene.51 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition ishydrolytically stable.

52. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system hydrolytically stabilizes the composition such that a pH of the polycarbonate is maintained during and / or after applying heat to the composition.

53. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a free hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of 100 ppm or more.

54. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more recycled polycarbonates has a hydroxyl and / or carboxyl group content of 100 ppm or more.

55. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycled polycarbonate has a hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content of about 100 ppm or more, and wherein the hydroxyl and / or carboxyl content is based at least in part on an amount of hydroxyl and / or carboxyl groups at ends or pendant from polycarbonate chains, hydroxyl and / or carboxyl compounds, and / or other phenolic oligomers or polymers.

56. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises an amount of the buffer system sufficient to balance a pH of the composition.

57. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a number average molecular weight of 8,000 g / mol or more.

58. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a weight average molecular weight of 25,000 g / mol or more.

59. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more polycarbonates have a z-average molecular weight of 40,000 g / mol or more.

60. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer system is configured to maintain a pH of the composition at about 7 during and after one or more processing steps that include application of heat.61 . The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a yellow index of about 0 or less.

62. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a b* index of about 0 or less.

63. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises the one or more recycled polycarbonates in an amount of about 50 percent by weight or more, based on the total weight of the composition.

64. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a melt flow rate of about 10 g / 10min or less after application of heat.

65. The method for making the composition of any one of the proceeding claims comprising:a) mixing together the one or more polycarbonates comprising the virgin and / or recycled polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, and / or the one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system; and b) extruding the composition.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the one or more polycarbonates are produced using an interfacial polymerization process.

67. The method of claim 65 or 66, wherein the composition is a molded structure.

68. The method of any one of claims 65-67, comprising: injecting the extruded composition into a mold; cooling the composition to for a molded structure; and removing the molded structure from the mold.

69. The method of any one of claims 65-68, comprising: cooling the extruded composition; and forming powder, flakes, and / or pellets of the extruded composition.

70. The method of claim 69, comprising: melting composition in powder, flakes, and / or pellet form; injecting the melted composition into a mold in a molten form; cooling the composition to form a molded structure; and removing the molded structure from the mold.71 . The method of any one of claims 65-70, comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, and / or the buffer system.

72. The method of any one of claims 65-71 , comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, the one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system.

73. The method of any one of claims 65-72, comprising mixing together the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more glass fibers, the one or more recycled polycarbonates, and the buffer system.

74. The method of any one of claims 65-73, wherein one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are mixed with the one or more polycarbonates, the one or more flame retardants and / or one or more glass fibers, and the buffer system.

75. The method of claim 74, the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are polymerized by a mass polymerization process comprising: a) chopping the one or more conjugated dienes; b) mixing the one or more polybutadienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers; c) polymerizing the oneor more polybutadienes, the one or more unsaturated nitriles, and the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted monomers; d) degassing the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymer by recycling volatile monomers; and e) pelletizing the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers.

76. The method of claims 74 or 75, wherein the one or more vinylidene aromatic substituted polymers are one or more acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymers.

77. An article according to any one of claims 1-76, wherein the composition is a molded structure.

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