Page 19 - Engineering Plastics Handbook

Preface xvii

considerations for flame-retardant additives, particularly halogen-based
and phosphorus-based compounds, and synergies with antimony trioxide
flame retardant auxiliaries. The author provides an extensive and sophis-
ticated view of transparent ABS: heat-resistant ABS grades with resist-
ance up to 115°C (239°F), and current research on the compatibility and
thermodynamics of ABS with an imide-based matrix. Many other relevant
subjects are covered including new developments with extruded ABS
compounds.
Chapter 7, “Polybutylene Terephthalate,” from LG Chem, describes
the science and technology of PBT blends, compounds, and composites.
The chapter offers details on the advantages of different polymer blends,
types of fiber, and mineral and fiber-mineral hybrid reinforcements as well
as chemical and hydrolysis resistance, flammability, and other PBT
attributes. The author states that “the most important applications of PBT
are automotive and electrical, electronics and telecommunications, as
well as precision engineering and general mechanical engineering,” and
concludes that “the ability to modify for various applications, combined
with a range of reinforcement and blend, has enabled PBT as one of the
most widely used engineering polymers.”
Chapter 8, “Thermoplastic Polyetherimides,” from GE Plastics, describes
important differences in the chemistry and characterizations among ther-
moplastic polyetherimides (PEIs), especially biphenol-A dianhydride
®
(BPADA)-based PEIs. GE Plastics produces and supplies Ultem PEI
worldwide. A key to thermoplastic polyetherimide melt flowability and
flexibility is the three flexible linkages on the BPADA-MPD polymer: two
ether links and the isopropylidene group of the BPA. From this molecu-
lar vantage point, the author develops the foundations for traditional
and new PEI advantages such as higher glass transition temperatures
(T ). The author states “BPADA has been polymerized with a wide vari-
g
ety of other diamines and other dianhydrides to produce a family of poly-
mers and copolymers.” Significant members of the family of polymers
and copolymers are covered in this chapter, which provides readers with
an unbiased appraisal of the merits of PEI performance and processing
conditions. The chapter describes four developments contributing to the
increasing uses of PEI resins for new applications: 1) PEI blends with a
growing number of resins, especially silicone-polyetherimide copolymers,
lubricants, thermoplastic polyesters, polycarbonates, and PAEKs; 2) new
formulations; (3) fiber and mineral-filled composites and (4) PEI resins
as the preferred choice over metals, ceramics, glass, and thermosetting
polymers.
Chapter 9, “Polyphenylene Ether Blends and Alloys,” from GE Plastics
describes traditional and new polyphenylene-ether grades based on GE
®
Plastics’Noryl . GE Plastics originally invented polyphenylene ether (PPE),
® ®
its blends and alloys, and PPO polyphenylene oxide. Noryl is typically