Molded articles comprising fiber reinforced polyether modified styrene polymers

Claim 2

A molded article comprising a glass fiber reinforced polyether modified styrene polymer wherein the weight ratio of the glass fiber reinforcement to the styrene polymer is in the range of about 45:55 to about 75:25, wherein the glass fiber reinforcement is a mat or weave of fibers of length at least about 25 mm and of diameter in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns containing from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an unsaturated polyester binder of molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 10000, wherein the polyether modified styrene polymer is obtained by copolymerizing a polyacrylyloxy polyether with a styrene monomer mixture in a weight ratio of 1 to 99 to 25 to 75, and wherein the styrene monomer mixture comprises up to 50 weight percent acrylonitrile.

Claim 3

The molded article of claim 1 wherein the heat distortion temperature determined under a load of 264 psi (1819 kPa) is above 200° C.

Claim 4

The molded article of claim 1 wherein the polyacrylyloxy polyether is represented by the formula: ##STR2## wherein R 1 is hydrogen or CH 3 , R 2 is a moiety derived from a poly(C 1 to C 4 oxacycloalkane)polyol of hydroxyl functionality m in the range of 2 to 6 and of molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 6000 and wherein n is at least about 2 and is equal to or less than m.

Claim 5

A process of preparing a molded article of a fiber-reinforced polyether modified styrene polymer of heat distortion temperature above 200° C. determined under a load of 264 psi (1819 kPa), and weight ratio of the glass fiber reinforcement to the styrene polymer in the range of about 45:55 to about 75:25, said process comprising: A. fitting a weave or mat of glass fibers of length at least about 25 mm and of diameter in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns containing from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an unsaturated polyester binder of molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 10000 into the cavity of a transfer mold; B. closing and clamping the mold; C. filling the free space in the mold with a mixture comprising a polymerization effective amount of a free-radical initiator, 1 to 25 weight % polyacrylyloxy polyether, and 99 to 75 wt. % of a styrene monomer mixture comprising from 50 to 100 parts styrene and 50 to 0 parts acrylonitrile; D. heating the mold to a temperature which allows the polymerization of the monomers, initiated by the free radical initiator to proceed to about a 98 percent conversion; and E. opening the mold and removing the molded article.

Claim 6

A process of preparing a molded article of a fiber-reinforced polyether modified styrene polymer of heat distortion temperature above 200° C. determined under a load of 264 psi (1819 kPa), and weight ratio of the glass fiber reinforcement to the styrene polymer in the range of about 45:55 to about 75:25, said process comprising: A. fitting a weave or mat of glass fibers of length at least about 25 mm and of diameter in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns containing from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of an unsaturated polyester binder of molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 10000 into the cavity of a transfer mold; B. closing and clamping the mold; C. filling the free space in the mold with a mixture comprising a polymerization effective amount of a free-radical initiator, 1 to 25 weight % polyacrylyloxy polyether, and 99 to 75 wt. % of a styrene monomer mixture comprising from 50 to 100 parts styrene and 50 to 0 parts acrylonitrile; D. heating the mold to a temperature which allows the polymerization of the monomers, initiated by the free radical initiator to proceed to about a 98 percent conversion; and E. opening the mold and removing the molded article.

Claim 7

The process of claim 4 wherein the fibers are of diameter in the range of about 5 to about 25 microns and of length at least about 25 mm.

Claim 8

The process of claim 4 wherein the polyacrylyloxy ether is represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R 1 is hydrogen or CH 3 , R 2 is a moiety derived from a poly(C 1 to C 4 oxacycloalkane)polyol of hydroxyl functionality, m, in the range of 2 to 6 and of molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 6000 and wherein n is at least 2 and is equal to or less than m.