Reinforced polymeric compositions and process for the preparation thereof

Abstract

Abstract Inorganic materials for use as reinforcing agents for polymers are treated with compounds which contain groups reactive both with the reinforcing agents and with the polymers to be reinforced. An Example (27) describes treating feldspar with 3,4-epoxybutyl triethoxysilane.ALSO:Organic thermoplastic resinous material free from aliphatic unsaturation is reinforced by an inorganic reinforcing agent which is bound to the resinous material through the groups of a coupling agent. The compositions are made either by: (a) reacting a coupling agent containing appropriate coupling groups either with an inorganic reinforcing agent or with a monomer or prepolymer, and then bringing the reinforcing agent and monomer or prepolymer together under polymerization conditions, or (b) reacting a coupling agent containing appropriate coupling groups with an inorganic reinforcing agent, mixing the product with a resinous material and subjecting the mixture to a shearing force. Resinous materials specified are cellulose esters and ethers, acetal resins, silicone resins, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, saturated polyesters and, particularly, polyamides produced by lactam polymerization and epoxy resins. Reinforcing agents specified are feldspar, asbestos, aluminium silicates, calcium magnesium silicates, silica, alumina, metal oxides, heavy metal phosphates, sulphides and sulphates, spodumene, chrysolite, garnet hercynite, chopped glass fibres, clays and metals. Coupling agents specified are silanes containing reactive groups co-ordinated chromium complexes containing reactive groups, and organic compounds containing reactive groups, e.g. amino, hydroxy, epoxy, carboxyl and isocyanate groups. The examples describe: (1-26) the anionic polymerization of caprolactam in the presence of the following reinforcing agents and coupling agents: (a) 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane and spodumene, quartz, fibrous aluminium silicate, fibrous calcium metasilicate, feldspar, mullite, wollastonite, enstatite and alumina, and (b) wollastonite and 3-(N-ethylamino) aminopropyl trimethoxysilane and diphenylsilanediol, and (27) making an epoxyterminated polycarbonate by reacting epichlorohydrin, bisphenol-A and phosgene in the presence of feldspar treated with 3,4-epoxy-butyltriethoxysilane. During the anionic polymerization of the caprolactam a cross-linking agent, e.g. a difunctional isocyanate, polyethyleneimine or tetra-(3-oxymethylene-1-propylamine) methane may be present.

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