Polyarylene Sulfide Composition With Dynamic Vulcanized Impact Modifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyarylene sulfide compositions face challenges in achieving high strength and flexibility while maintaining resistance to degradation, especially in extreme temperature environments, due to incompatibility and phase separation issues with elastomeric impact modifiers.

Innovation Solution

A polyarylene sulfide composition is formed by combining polyarylene sulfide with a crosslinked impact modifier, where the impact modifier is distributed throughout the sulfide and reacted with a non-polymeric crosslinking agent, enhancing bonding and preventing phase separation through dynamic vulcanization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If elastomeric impact modifiers are blended with polyarylene sulfides to improve impact resistance, then toughness is enhanced, but phase separation occurs due to incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidphase separation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A compatibilizer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the polyarylene sulfide and elastomeric impact modifier. The compatibilizer has molecular structures that are compatible with both phases, reducing interfacial tension and preventing phase separation. This allows the impact modifier to remain uniformly dispersed in the polyarylene sulfide matrix, maintaining both toughness and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system consisting of polyarylene sulfide, elastomeric impact modifier, and compatibilizer. This multi-component composite leverages the strengths of each component: the high strength and heat resistance of polyarylene sulfide, the toughness enhancement from the elastomer, and the phase-stabilizing effect of the compatibilizer, achieving a synergistic effect that resolves the contradiction between impact resistance and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If compatibilizers are added to prevent phase separation, then composition formation is improved, but product performance in high heat and high impact resistance applications is still insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition formationVSAvoidproduct performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes multiple parameters including the types and amounts of elastomeric impact modifiers, compatibilizers, and crosslinking agents. By carefully controlling the molecular weight, composition, and concentration of each component, the invention achieves a balance where the compatibilizer sufficiently prevents phase separation while the crosslinked elastomer phase provides enhanced mechanical properties and heat resistance, thereby improving overall product performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates local regions with different properties: a continuous polyarylene sulfide matrix providing heat resistance, dispersed elastomeric domains providing toughness, and interfacial compatibilizer layers ensuring stable morphology. This local differentiation of properties allows each phase to contribute its specific function while maintaining overall system performance in demanding applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If dynamic vulcanization is performed during combination of polymeric components, then temperature and chemical resistance is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and chemical resistanceVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crosslinking agents are pre-added to the compound along with the polyarylene sulfide and elastomeric impact modifier before processing. The dynamic vulcanization occurs automatically during the extrusion or molding process itself, eliminating the need for separate post-vulcanization steps. This preliminary preparation of all components simplifies the overall processing workflow while achieving the desired temperature and chemical resistance through in-situ crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition exhibits high toughness, flexibility, and resistance to chemical degradation, maintaining strength across a wide temperature range with improved processing characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the crosslinking agent being fed to the melt processing unit following distribution of the impact modifier throughout the polyarylene sulfide, the crosslinking agent comprising reactive functionality that is reactive to the epoxy functionality of the impact modifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the polyarylene sulfide and the impact modifier mixing in the melt processing unit such that the impact modifier becomes distributed throughout the polyarylene sulfide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2836555B1Dynamically vulcanized polyarylene sulfide composition
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 TICONA LLC
  • EP2836555B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2836555B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2836555B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Polyarylene sulfide compositions are described that exhibit high strength and flexibility. Methods for forming the polyarylene sulfide compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures and can be used to form, e.g., tubular member such as pipes and hoses and fibers.