Polyethylene terephthalate blends
FIELD 
     Thermoplastic compositions comprising polyethylene terephthalate and a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride are disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has become an important raw material for production of moldings, film and fibers. Preparation of PET is described inter alia in Whinfield et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,465,319 and in Pengilly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,047,539, and in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Vol. 16, pp. 159 et seq. (1968), all disclosures being incorporated herein by reference. 
     Many applications for injection and extrusion molded parts require heat resistance, and it is in such applications that PET manifests certain undesirable properties. Unreinforced PET has been of limited interest for making such parts due to its low HDT (Heat Deflection Temperature)--about 75° C. at 264 psi. HDT is a measure of an important thermal property of a thermoplastic material wherein a bar of the material, held in flexure under constant load (usually at 264 or 66 psi), deforms a specified amount and the temperature at which this specified deformation occurs is the HDT--see Billmeyer, Textbook of Polymer Science, p. 112, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (1962). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,574 discloses blends of 1,4-butanediol polyesters with from about 1 to about 40 weight percent of a vinyl aromatic polymer (e.g., a styrenic polymer) which polymer may be inter alia, a copolymer with maleic anhydride. The blends of this patent exhibit increased HDT over the unblended polyester. However, that patent discloses at Column 1, lines 42-47 that the improvements observed with polybutylene terephthalate are not obtained when the polyester is poly(ethylene terephthalate). 
     A welcome contribution to the art would be a thermoplastic composition comprising PET that has improved HDT and good surface appearance. These highly desirable compositions are provided by this invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a thermoplastic composition which comprises an intimate admixture of: (a) a polyethylene terephthalate, (b) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride, said copolymer being a rubber-modified graft copolymer or a rubber-free copolymer, (c) a fibrous modifier, and (d) a nucleating agent. The invention also provides a process for producing injection molded articles having good surface appearance as well as providing the articles themselves. 
     Articles molded from the compositions of this invention have a good balance of physical properties--e.g. HDT @ 264 psi and good surface appearance. Preferable compositions of this invention provides articles having an HDT @ 264 psi (as measured by ASTM procedure D 648-72) of at least about 80° C. Injection molded objects having a Gardner 60° Gloss of at least 60% can readily be provided by means of this invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The polyethylene terephthalate used herein is crystalline and is preferably homopolymeric PET. Halogenated crystalline PET can also be used and is normally formed by condensation of a mixture of a halogenated, preferably brominated, terephthalic acid (e.g., 2,5-dibromoterephthalic acid and 2,3,5,6-tetrabromoterephthalic acid) and terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol. Additionally, providing the resulting copolymer is crystallizable, the polyethylene terephthalate used herein can also contain radicals of other aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as, for example, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, diphenyl-4,4&#39;-dicarboxylic acid and the like as well as their halogenated counterparts. The copolymers, provided the copolymer remains crystallizable, can also contain radicals of other glycols such as, for example, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, dibromoneopentyl glycol, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether of tetrabromobisphenol A and tetrabromo-p-xylylene glycol. See for example Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Second Edition, Vol. 16, pp. 161-172 (1968). 
     The polyethylene terephthalates used herein may be virgin or recycled PET&#39;s and should be moldable (i.e., injection moldable or moldable by extrusion), and thus generally will have an intrinsic viscosity (I.V.) falling between about 0.25 and 1.5, and more usually between about 0.5 and 1.2, as measured at 25° C. using a solvent consisting of 60 percent by weight phenol and 40 percent by weight of tetrachloroethane. For best results the polyethylene terephthalate should have an I.V. (measured in the foregoing manner) in the range of 0.4 to 1.2, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.1, and for most injection molding applications polyethylene terephthalates in which the I.V. is in the range of 0.5 to 0.9 are deemed most desirable. 
     Copolymers of a vinyl aromatic compound and an α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride are well known in the art and are described in the literature. In general, they are prepared by conventional bulk or solution techniques using free-radical initiation. For example, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers can be obtained by simply reacting the two monomers, i.e., styrene and maleic anhydride, at 50° C. in the presence of benzol peroxide. The rate of polymerization may be better controlled if a solvent such as acetone, benzene or xylene is used. 
     Vinyl aromatic compounds of component (b) can be derived from compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R 1  and R 2  are selected from the group consisting of (lower) alkyl groups of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and hydrogen; R 3  and R 4  are selected from the group consisting of chloro, bromo, hydrogen and alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 5  and R 6  are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (lower) alkyl groups of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or R 5  and R 6  may be concatenated together with hydrocarbyl groups to form a naphthyl group. These compounds are free of any substituent that has a tertiary carbon atom. Styrene is the preferred vinyl aromatic compound. 
     The cyclic anhydride compounds of component (b) are preferably, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydrides. For example, the term cyclic anhydride identifies anhydrides having the formula: ##STR2## wherein the dotted lines represent a single or a double carbon-to-carbon bond, R 7  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl or aryl radicals containing up to 8 carbon atoms, R 8  is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, vinyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkylcarboxylic or alkenyl carboxylic of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and n is an integer of from 0 to about 10. Examples include maleic anhydride, methyl maleic anhydride (also known as citraconic anhydride), dimethyl maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, phenylmaleic anhydride, aconitic anhydride, and mixtures thereof. Maleic anhydride is preferred. 
     Copolymers of vinyl aromatic compounds and α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydrides which can be used are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,769,804; 2,971,939 and 3,336,267, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The rubber-modified copolymers may be graft rubber modified or the rubber component may be both blended and grafted in the copolymer. In preparing the rubber-modified copolymers, use of such rubbers as polybutadiene, an isobutylene-isoprene copolymer, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a polyisoprene, ethylene-propylene diene monomer terpolymers (EPDM) and the like can be employed. For a description of a typical method of preparing the rubber-modified graft copolymers see U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,354 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Component (b) copolymers can comprise from about 40 to about 5 percent by weight of the α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride and from about 60 to about 95 percent by weight of a vinyl aromatic compound in the resin phase and, when rubber is present, up to about 50 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer. Preferred rubber-modified copolymers used herein contain from about 5 to about 35 and more preferably about 10 to about 30 percent by weight of the α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride and about 95 to about 65 percent by weight and more preferably about 90 to about 70 by weight of the vinyl aromatic compound in the resin phase and from about 4 to about 30 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer. Preferred rubber-free copolymers used herein contain from about 5 to about 35 and more preferably about 10 to about 30 percent by weight of the α,β -unsaturated cyclic anhydride and from about 95 to about 65 percent and more preferably about 90 to about 70 percent by weight of a vinyl aromatic compound. 
     Rubber-modified graft vinyl aromatic α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydride copolymers utilizable in the composition of this invention were supplied by, for example, ARCO Polymers, Inc. (ARCO). Examples of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA copolymers) from ARCO include: DYLARK DKB 218, reported to comprise about 10 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer, 17 percent by weight of maleic anhydride and 83 percent by weight of styrene in the resin phase; DYLARK 338S, reported to comprise 4 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer, 14 percent by weight of maleic anhydride and 86 percent by weight of styrene in the resin phase; DYLARK 350, reported to comprise 15 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer, 13 percent by weight of maleic anhydride and 87 percent by weight of styrene in the resin phase; DYLARK 378, believed to have the same proportions of styrene, maleic anhydride and rubber as DYLARK 350; and DYLARK DKB 1117, reported to comprise 15 percent by weight of rubber in the total graft copolymer, 20 percent by weight of maleic anhydride and 85 percent by weight of styrene in the resin phase. Another useful SMA copolymer is Dow Experimental Resin XP-5272.08 made by Dow Chemical Company. This is a high impact SMA copolymer believed to contain about 23 percent by weight of maleic anhydride and about 77 percent by weight of styrene in the resin phase and about 15 percent by weight of polybutadiene in the total graft copolymer. 
     Examples of rubber-free copolymers of (b) include SMA copolymers, supplied by, for example, ARCO. Examples include: DYLARK DKB 290, reported to comprise about 18 percent by weight maleic anhydride and about 82 percent by weight styrene; DYLARK 332, reported to comprise about 14 percent by weight maleic anhydride and 86 percent by weight styrene and DYLARK 134 reported to comprise about 17 percent by weight maleic anhydride, the balance being styrene. 
     The modifier of (c) must have an aspect ratio significantly greater than one and is either glass fibers or processed mineral fibers (PMF) or may be a combination of the two but preferably glass fibers. The glass fibers are either chopped strands or milled with chopped strands being preferred. It is contemplated that other mineral fillers having an aspect ratio significantly greater than one, either alone or in combination with any of the aforementioned modifiers, may function as the modifier of (c). 
     It is most preferred to use fibrous glass filaments of lime-aluminum borosilicate glass that are relatively soda free. This is known as &#34;E&#34; glass. The length of the glass filaments and whether they are bundled into fibers and the fibers bundled in turn to roving, etc., is not critical to this invention. However, it has been found convenient to use glass strands of at least 1/16 inch in length, with at least 1/8 inch being preferred. It is to be understood that during compounding considerable fragmentation of the strands will occur and that even further reduction of length occurs in the final injection molded article. 
     Examples of glass fibers utilizable in the compositions of this invention include those supplied by Owens-Corning Fiberglas, Corp. such as OCF 419 AA (3/16 inch chopped strands), OCF 431 CA (1/16 inch milled glass fiber), OCF 731 CA (1/16 inch milled glass fiber), OCF 739 BA (1/16 inch milled glass fiber); and OCF 885 EB (1/4 inch chopped strands); those supplied by PPG Industries, Inc. such as PPG 3540 (1/8 inch chopped strands), PPG X 3012 (1/8 inch chopped strands) and PPG 3541 (1/4 inch chopped strands); and those supplied by Certainteed Corporation, Valley Forge, Pa. such as Certainteed 931-A1 (1/8 inch chopped strands) and Certainteed 963-A4 (3/16 inch chopped strands). 
     Alkali metal salts of monocarboxylic acids, such as alkali metal salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and alkali metal salts of aromatic carboxylic acids, are useful as nucleating agents in the compositions of the invention. Examples include but are not limited to: sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium-n-butyrate, sodium caprylate, sodium myristate, potassium stearate, sodium stearate, sodium montanate, sodium benzoate and the like. Additional useful alkali metal salts of carboxylic acids may include, for example, the potassium salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as, for example, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric and caprylic acid, myristic acid, montanic acid benzoic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salts of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as, for example, formic acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, nonadecanoic acid, arachidic acid, heneicosanoic acid, behenic acid, triconanic acid, tetracosanic acid, pentacosanic acid, cerotic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salts of unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as, for example, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salts of aromatic carboxylic acids, such as, for example, toluic and, p-tert-butylbenzoic acid, salicylic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, veratric acid, gallic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, homophthalic acid, and the like, the sodium or potassium salts of mildly unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as, for example, the fatty acids oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, vaccenic acid, erucic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salts of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, such as, for example, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salt of unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, such as, for example, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid and the like; the sodium or potassium salts of aliphatic tricarboxylic acids, such as, for example, tricarballyic acid, citric acid and the like; and the sodium or potassium salts of dimers or trimers of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as, for example, dimers and trimers of C 18  fatty acids, such as, for example oleic and linoleic acids. 
     Alkali metal salts of aromatic carboxylic acids substituted with halogen and/or nitro groups are useful as nucleating agents, such as, for example sodium 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoate. Other substituted aromatic monocarboxylic acids may also be effective. Examples include, but are not limited to the sodium and potassium salts of 2-, 3-, or 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 2- or 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 2-chloro-6-fluorobenzoic acid, 2-chloro-3-nitro-benzoic acid, 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoic acid, 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoic acid, 3-chloro-2-nitrobenzoic acid, 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoic acid, 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid, 5-chloro-2-nitrobenzoic acid, and the like. 
     Still other useful nucleating agents include but are not limited to: inorganic compounds, such as, for example, boron nitride and the like; the alkali metal salts of carbonic acid, such as, for example, sodium carbonate, and the like; minerals, such as, for example, talc (available as MICROTALC CP-10-40 from Pfizer Inc.), mica and the like; commercially available soaps, such as, for example, IVORY SNOW (manufactured by The Proctor and Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio and believed to comprise the sodium salts of tallow fatty acids and the sodium salts of coconut fatty acids) and the like; ionomer resins (sodium salt), preferably those having a melt flow index of from about 1.0 to about 2.8 g/10 min. as measured by ASTM procedure D 1236, such as, for example, SURLYN 8940 having a melt flow index of 2.5 g/10 min., SURLYN 8020 having a melt flow index of 1.0 g/10 min., SURLYN 8528 having a melt flow index of 1.0 g/10 min. and SURLYN 1605 having a melt flow index of 2.8 g/10 min. (manufactured by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company) and the like. 
     It is contemplated that other substances which will prove to be effective nucleating agents for use in this invention include metal salts of carboxylic acids such as zinc, lead, calcium, barium and cupric laurates and stearates, and potassium benzoate; metal salts of inorganic acids such as silver nitrate and stannous chloride; highly polar organic compounds such as m-hydroxybenzoic acid, tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, inositol and phthalimide; sodium and potassium salts of organic polymers containing pendant carboxyl groups such as copolymers of olefins and acrylic or methacrylic acids and copolymers of aromatic olefins and maleic anhydride; and the like. Note in this connection French Pat. No. 2,129,162; British Pat. No. 2,015,013; and The British Polymer Journal, Volume 11, pages 146-150 (September 1979). 
     Preferred nucleating agents are sodium stearate, sodium 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoate, sodium montanate, potassium stearate, sodium propionate, sodium acetate, sodium n-butyrate, sodium caprylate, sodium myristate, boron nitride, a mixture comprising the sodium salts of tallow fatty acids and the sodium salts of coconut fatty acids (e.g., IVORY SNOW), talc, sodium carbonate and ionomer resins (sodium salt) having melt flow indexes of 2.5, 1.0, and 2.8 g/10 min. based on ASTM procedure D 1236 (e.g., SURLYN 8940, SURLYN 8020, SURLYN 8528 and SURLYN 1605. 
     Sodium stearate is a preferred nucleating agent. Any standard commercial grade or any heat stable grade of sodium stearate is utilizable in the compositions of this invention provided that the sodium stearate utilized is of a particle size so that at least 30% will pass through a 100 mesh, U.S. Standard Sieve. For example, such sodium stearate can be purchased as &#34;Sodium Stearate T-1&#34; or &#34;Sodium Stearate, Heat-Stable&#34; from Witco Chemical Corporation, Organic Division, New York, N.Y. 10017. 
     In the compositions of this invention the amount of fibrous modifier is within the range of from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the weight of components (a) plus (b) plus (c), with from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight being preferred and from about 3 to about 10 percent by weight being more preferred; the amount of PET is preferably within the range of from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight, based on the weight of (a) plus (b) only, with from about 20 to about 80 percent by weight being more preferred, and from about 70 to about 30 percent by weight being most preferred; and the amount of nucleating agent is preferably within the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 parts per 100 parts of PET, with about 0.5 to about 3 parts being more preferred and with about 0.5 to about 2 parts being even more preferred and with about 1 part being most preferred. 
     It is contemplated that compositions of this invention can also include other ingredients, such as flame retardants, impact modifiers, extenders, processing aids, pigments, stabilizers and the like, for their conventionally employed purposes. Reinforcing fillers, in amounts sufficient to impart reinforcement, can be used, such as carbon filaments, silicates, e.g., acicular calcium silicate, asbestos, titanium dioxide, potassium titanate, titanate whiskers, and glass flakes and fibers. 
     The compositions of this invention may include impact modifiers, such as, for example, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer with polycaprolactone end blocks (such as PD0071-81 supplied by Phillips Petroleum Company), a bisphenol A polycarbonate (such as MERLON M40 available from Mobay Chemical Company), and a polyetherester segmented block copolymer (such as HYTREL 4056 available from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company). Amounts of impact modifiers will generally fall within the range of from about 5 to about 40 percent by weight based on the weight of the total blend. The results obtained in any given situation will, of course, depend upon a variety of factors such as the impact modifier selected, the manner by which it is compounded into the blends, the concentration in which it is employed, and indeed upon the criteria used in measuring or judging the toughness of the resultant blend. 
     For protection against thermo-oxidative degradation, the customary amounts of stabilizers, preferably 0.001 to 0.5 percent by weight, relative to components (a) plus (b) can be added to the composition according to the invention. Examples of suitable stabilizers are phenols and phenol derivatives, preferably sterically hindered phenols which contain alkyl substituents with 1-6 carbon atoms in the two positions ortho to the phenolic hydroxyl groups, amines, preferably secondary arylamines and their derivatives, phosphates and phosphites, preferably the aryl derivatives thereof and quinones. Non-limiting examples include 
     4,4&#39;-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol); 
     1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene; 
     4,4&#39;-butylidene-bis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol); 
     3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl-phosphonic acid diethyl ester; 
     N,N&#39;-bis(β-naphthyl)-p-phenylenediamine; 
     N,N&#39;-bis(1-methyl-heptyl)-p-phenylenediamine; 
     phenyl-β-naphthylamine; 
     4,4&#39;-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)diphenylamine; 
     hydroquinone; 
     p-benzoquinone; 
     toluhydroquinone; 
     p-tert-butylpyrocatechol; 
     chloranil; and 
     naphthoquinone. 
     Flame-retarding additives which can be used for the compositions according to the invention comprise a large number of chemical compounds which are well known to those skilled in the art. In general, they contain chemical elements which are used because of their flame-retarding capacity, for example bromine, chlorine, antimony, phosphorus and nitrogen. Preferably, the flame-retarding additives are halogenated organic compounds (brominated or chlorinated), optionally used together with auxiliary compounds sometimes referred to as synergists, such as antimony trioxide, zinc borate, or the like, Elementary phosphorus or phosphorus compounds such as ammonium polyphosphate are also preferred flame retardants. Other examples include bromine or chlorine containing organic phosphate esters, hexaphenoxyphosphazene, and the like. 
     Compositions of this invention may be prepared by blending the components in a mixer (e.g., a Henschel mixer) and compounding the mixture on an extruder (e.g., a twin-screw compounding extruder such as a 28 mm Werner-Pfleiderer extruder or the like). Thereafter, the extrudate is chopped into pellets and molded on an injection molding machine. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the PET and SMA copolymer components and the PET/SMA copolymer blends should be dried prior to melt processing. 
     When injection molded, the compositions of this invention yield articles having good surface appearance. These articles can have a Gardner 60° Gloss of at least about 60% as measured, for example, by a portable Gardner Gloss Unit. Thus, articles having good balance of surface appearance and physical properties--e.g., HDT @ 264 psi are provided for by this invention. 
     Surface appearance is a term that describes both the molded articles surface gloss and the extent of any surface markings present as a result of the glass fibers or other fibrous modifiers used. The extent of the markings is determined by comparing the molded article to one molded from only PET/SMA copolymer. An article having a good surface appearance will have a good surface gloss and little or no surface markings from the fiberous modifiers used. 
     A process for producing injection molded articles, as well as the articles themselves, having good surface appearance when injection molded from the compositions of this invention is also provided for. Thus, another embodiment of this invention is a process for producing articles having good surface appearance by injection molding at a hold pressure of about 5,000 psi to about 20,000 psi, with preferred hold pressures being about 5,000 to about 10,000 psi, from a thermoplastic composition comprising: 
     (a) a polyethylene terephthalate, 
     (b) a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic compound and an α,β-unsaturated anhydride said copolymer being a rubber-modified graft copolymer or a rubber-free copolymer, 
     (c) a fibrous modifier, 
     (d) a nucleating agent. 
     Still another embodiment of this invention provides for the articles injection molded from the compositions of this invention. 
     The thermoplastic compositions of this invention used to produce the articles of this invention, can be prepared by mixing the components to form a premix, compounding the premix and injection molding the compositions at mold temperatures from about 120° F. to about 200° F., preferably from about 120° F. to about 150° F. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exact compounding and molding condition may vary depending on the equipment used (e.g., the size of the extruder, the screw configuration or other physical or mechanical properties). Articles having a desirable balance of surface appearance and physical properties--e.g. HDT @ 264 psi--have been obtained using a 11/2&#34; NRM extruder with barrel zone temperatures (rear and front) within the range of about 480° F. to about 550° F. Preferred temperatures for this extruder were found to be a rear zone temperature of about 500° F. and a front zone temperature of about 540° F. 
     The compositions of this invention may be compounded in single pass or double pass steps. In the single pass method all of the components are extrusion compounded in a one step. In the double pass method the compounding is done in two steps. In the first step of the double pass method components (b) and (c) are compounded together. In the second step components (a) and (d) are compounded with the composition compounded in the first step of the double pass method. 
     Additional components, such as, for example, impact modifiers, flame retardants, anti-oxidants and the like can be added during the single pass extrusion process or during either of the two extrusion compounding steps of the double pass compounding. 
     The extrusion compounding is accomplished, for example, by using a non-vacuum-vented extruder such as a 11/2 inch NRM Model 55 Plastics Extruder or a vacuum-vented 11/4 inch Killion extruder or a vacuum-vented 31/2 inch extruder. The extrusion process may also be carried out under an inert atmosphere, such as, for example, nitrogen. 
     The present invention is further illustrated in the following examples, which are not to be construed as limiting. 
    
    
     EXAMPLES 
     Prior to melt processing the PET and SMA copolymer components and blends were dried, for example, either overnight at 110° C. or at least for a minimum of 31/2 to about 6 hours or for about 4 hours at 125° C. such that the residual moisture content was low, e.g., ≦0.05% by weight. 
     Compositions of the following examples were prepared by mixing the components to form a premix, compounding the premix in a 11/2 inch NRM Model 55 Plastics Extruder, except where it is indicated otherwise and molding the pellets into test bars in a Cincinnati-Milacron Model No. 250-12 injection molding machine unless indicated otherwise. 
     Under the heading &#34;PET/SMA Ratio&#34; in the tables that follow the ratio of PET to SMA in the PET/SMA composition is given in weight percent. The amount of PET plus SMA in the PET/SMA composition is given in weight percent in these tables under the heading &#34;Composition&#34;. Thus, by way of example, a composition may comprise 95 weight percent PET/SMA with this amount of PET plus SMA being in a PET/SMA weight percent ratio of 70/30. 
     The designation &#34;phr&#34; in the tables stands for parts per hundred parts by weight of polyethylene terephthalate. 
     The materials used in these compositions were as follows: 
     Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 
     VITUF 5900, from Goodyear Chemical Company, having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.59 as measured at 25° C. using a solvent consisting of 60 percent by weight of phenol and 40 percent by weight of tetrachloroethane 
     VITUF 5901, from Goodyear Chemical Company, having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.59 measured by the same procedure as stated for VITUF 5900. 
     ENKA T-740, from America Enka Co. (Enka, N.C.), having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.60 measured by the same procedure as stated for VITUF 5900 
     DuPont Grade E, a recycle PET, obtained from clear bottles, from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.63 to 0.66 measured by the same procedure as for VITUF 5900. 
     DuPont Grade A, a recycle PET containing a small amount of green bottle material, from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.63 to 0.66 measured by the same procedure as stated for VITUF 5900 
     Pure Tech Recycle PET from Pure-Tech Industries (Pinebrook, N.J.) having an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.68 measured by the same procedure as stated for VITUF 5900 
     Styrene/Maleic Anhydride Copolymer (SMA copolymer) 
     DYLARK 332 
     DYLARK 338S 
     DYLARK DKB 290 
     DYLARK 350 
     DYLARK 378 
     DYLARK DKB 1117 
     DYLARK DKB 218 
     Modifiers 
     Glass Fiber Modifiers 
     OCF 419 AA 
     OCF 431 CA 
     OCF 731 CA 
     OCF 739 BA 
     OCF 885 EB 
     PPG X3012 
     PPG 3540 
     PPG 3540M 
     Certainteed 931-A1 
     Certainteed 963-A4 
     Mineral Modifiers 
     BURGESS B2211, a calcined clay of aspect ratio of about 1.2 
     WOLLASTONITE P-4, calcium silicate fibers of aspect ratio of about 15 
     PMF, processed mineral fiber 
     Nucleating Agents 
     sodium stearate 
     sodium 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoate, the acid was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. and neutralized with sodium hydroxide 
     boron nitride 
     sodium montanate 
     potassium stearate 
     IVORY SNOW 
     sodium benzoate 
     SURLYN 8940 
     MICROTALC CP-10-40 
     SURLYN 8020 
     SURLYN 8528 
     sodium propionate 
     sodium acetate 
     sodium carbonate 
     sodium n-butyrate 
     sodium caprylate and 
     sodium myristate 
     Impact Modifiers 
     HYTREL 4056, a poly[poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol-co-1,4-butanediol terephthalate] from E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company 
     PD0071-81, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer with polycaprolacetone end blocks from Phillips Petroleum Company 
     MERLON M40, A Bisphenol A polycarbonate from Mobay Chemical Company 
     PETG 6763, a copolyester from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. 
     KODAR A150, a copolyester from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc. 
     In the tables that follow, physical properties were determined by the following ASTM procedures: Flexural Strength and Flexural Elastic Modulus--D 790-71 (1978); Izod Impact--D 256-78; and Heat Deflection Temperature--D 648-72 (1978). 
     EXAMPLES 1-4 
     Table I reports the physical properties of PET/SMA compositions that contain various amounts of glass fiber. The samples were injection molded on a New Britain Injection Molder. The extruder barrel temperature was 500/505 (Rear °F./Front °F.), the hold pressure was 13,000 psi and the mold temperature was 135° F. 
     
                       TABLE I                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Properties of PET/SMA Compositions Containing Glass Fibers                
But No Nucleating Agent                                                   
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 1    2      3      4                                     
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5900, Wt. %  70     70     70   70                                  
DYLARK 332, Wt. %  30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     100    90     85   80                                  
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %  --     10     15   20                                  
Properties                                                                
Specific Gravity   1.266  1.321  1.358                                    
                                      1.397                               
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   14.4   12.3   19.6 23.3                                
Flexural Elastic Modulus,                                                 
                   452    663    856  1030                                
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.3    1.0    1.1  1.4                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; unnotched                                               
                   6.1    3.3    4.5  6.4                                 
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   88     72     80   78                                  
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
                   115    101    117  126                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table I demonstrate that the HDT @ 264 psi of glass modified alloys having no nucleating agent were substantially lower than unmodified alloy--i.e., alloy containing no glass fiber. 
     EXAMPLES 5-8 
     Table II reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions containing different levels of sodium stearate. The extruder barrel temperature was 500/540 (rear °F./front °F.), the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE II                                                    
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Sodium Stearate Level On Physical Properties of                
PET/SMA Compositions                                                      
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 5    6      7      8                                     
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  70     70     70   70                                  
DYLARK 338S, Wt. % 30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     95     95     95   95                                  
PPG 3540, Wt. %    5      5      5    5                                   
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                   0.5    1.0    1.5  2.0                                 
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   14.4   12.8   12.2 10.3                                
Flexural Elastic Modulus,                                                 
                   5.75   5.72   5.73 5.80                                
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.5    0.5    0.4  0.4                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.4    0.4    0.3  0.4                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   100    107    104  106                                 
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   102    107    102  108                                 
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table II demonstrate that about 1 part of sodium stearate per 100 parts PET gives the best balance in HDT (@ 264 psi), Izod Impact and Flexural Strength properties. 
     EXAMPLES 9-20 
     Table III reports the physical properties of PET/SMA compositions containing sodium stearate and various modifiers. The extruder barrel temperature was 500/510 (rear °F./front °F.), the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                                           TABLE III                               
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects of Various Modifiers on PET/SMA Composition Properties            
                Examples                                                  
                9  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20                       
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
                70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70                       
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
                30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30                       
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %  100                                                       
                   100                                                    
                      90 90 90 90 90 90 95 90 90 95                       
BURGESS B2211, Wt. %                                                      
                -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       
WOLLASTONITE P-4, Wt. %                                                   
                -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                       
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
                -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- -- -- 5                        
PMF, Wt. %      -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- -- --                       
PMF.sup.a, Wt. %                                                          
                -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- -- --                       
WOLLASTONITE P-4.sup.a,                                                   
                -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- -- --                       
Wt. %                                                                     
OCF 731 CA, Wt. %                                                         
                -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5  10 -- --                       
OCF 739B A, WT. %                                                         
                -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 --                       
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                -- 1.0                                                    
                      1.0                                                 
                         1.0                                              
                            1.0                                           
                               1.0                                        
                                  1.0                                     
                                     1.0                                  
                                        1.0                               
                                           1.0                            
                                              1.0                         
                                                 1.0                      
Properties                                                                
Specific Gravity                                                          
                1.275                                                     
                   1.278                                                  
                      1.341                                               
                         1.348                                            
                            1.342                                         
                               1.350                                      
                                  1.351                                   
                                     1.343                                
                                        -- -- -- 1.309                    
Flexural Strength,                                                        
                14.3                                                      
                   13.1                                                   
                      9.3                                                 
                         9.1                                              
                            13.0                                          
                               12.5                                       
                                  12.0                                    
                                     10.1                                 
                                        -- -- -- 13.5                     
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic                                                          
                4.2                                                       
                   4.4                                                    
                      5.1                                                 
                         5.0                                              
                            7.1                                           
                               5.5                                        
                                  5.6                                     
                                     5.1                                  
                                        -- -- -- 5.6                      
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34;                                                         
                0.5                                                       
                   0.3                                                    
                      0.3                                                 
                         0.4                                              
                            0.7                                           
                               0.4                                        
                                  0.3                                     
                                     0.3                                  
                                        0.3                               
                                           0.4                            
                                              0.4                         
                                                 0.4                      
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34;                                                         
                0.8                                                       
                   0.3                                                    
                      0.3                                                 
                         0.3                                              
                            0.6                                           
                               0.3                                        
                                  0.3                                     
                                     0.3                                  
                                        0.3                               
                                           0.3                            
                                              0.3                         
                                                 0.4                      
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                78 85 85 85 172                                           
                               94 94 85 89 93 92 148                      
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                114                                                       
                   117                                                    
                      120                                                 
                         111                                              
                            225                                           
                               121                                        
                                  200                                     
                                     125                                  
                                        118                               
                                           146                            
                                              132                         
                                                 224                      
__________________________________________________________________________
 .sup.a Coated with 1.25 percent by weight DowCorning Z6020               
 
    
     The data in Table III demonstrate that OCF 419 AA glass fiber was extremely effective in upgrading PET/SMA composition HDT @ 264 psi. Observation showed that, as compared to unmodified PET/SMA composition, the surface appearance was reduced in these examples. It is believed that this reduced surface appearance is due to inadequate hold pressure during the injection molding process. 
     EXAMPLES 21-30 
     Table IV reports physical properties of PET/SMA Alloy compositions containing various glass fibers. The extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.), hold pressure (psi) and mold temperature (°F.) for examples 21-23 were 500/510, 8,000 and 150, respectively; and for examples 24-30 they were 500/540, 5,000 and 150, respectively. 
     
                                           TABLE IV                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects of Various Glass Fibers on PET/SMA Compositions                   
            Examples                                                      
            21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
ENKA T-740, Wt. %                                                         
            70 70 70 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                 
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
            -- -- -- 70 70 80 80 70 70 70                                 
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
            30 30 30 30 30 20 20 30 30 30                                 
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
            95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95                                 
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
            5  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                 
PPG3540, Wt. %                                                            
            -- 5  -- 5  -- 5  -- 5  -- --                                 
PPG X3012, Wt. %                                                          
            -- -- 5  -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                 
OCF 885 EB, Wt. %                                                         
            -- -- -- -- 5  -- 5  -- -- --                                 
Certainteed 931-Al,                                                       
            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5  --                                 
Wt. %                                                                     
Certainteed 963-A4,                                                       
            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5                                  
Wt. %                                                                     
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
            1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1                                  
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
            -- -- -- 13.1                                                 
                        12.9                                              
                           11.1                                           
                              12.1                                        
                                 13.5                                     
                                    12.0                                  
                                       11.7                               
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic                                                          
            -- -- -- 5.68                                                 
                        5.81                                              
                           5.99                                           
                              5.80                                        
                                 5.72                                     
                                    5.84                                  
                                       5.75                               
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34;                                                         
            0.5                                                           
               0.5                                                        
                  0.5                                                     
                     0.5                                                  
                        0.5                                               
                           0.5                                            
                              0.5                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.6                                   
                                       0.5                                
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34;                                                         
            0.5                                                           
               0.5                                                        
                  0.5                                                     
                     0.4                                                  
                        0.4                                               
                           0.3                                            
                              0.4                                         
                                 0.4                                      
                                    0.4                                   
                                       0.4                                
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
            98 101                                                        
                  97 94 114                                               
                           97 113                                         
                                 101                                      
                                    112                                   
                                       100                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
            92 102                                                        
                  94 97 111                                               
                           108                                            
                              98 105                                      
                                    108                                   
                                       101                                
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
            140                                                           
               169                                                        
                  226                                                     
                     -- -- -- -- -- -- --                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     The data in Table IV demonstrate that PPG 3540, PPG X3012, OCF 419 AA, Certainteed 931-A1 and Certainteed 963-A4 yield comparable results in terms of the physical properties of the molded article. The data also demonstrate that even though the foregoing tested glass fibers are suitable for use in the compositions of this invention, OCF 885 EB is a preferred glass fiber as its use yields HDT (@ 264 psi) properties that are higher. Observation of Examples 24-27 shows that those examples with OCF 885 EB had slightly better surface appearance of the molded parts and much better glass dispersion into the polymer matrix. 
     EXAMPLES 31-45 
     Table V reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions which contain various nucleating agents and different glass fiber loading level. The extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.), hold pressure (psi) and mold temperature (°F.) were 500/510, 5,000 and 150, respectively. 
     
                                           TABLE V                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects of Nucleating Agents and Glass Loading On Properties of PET/SMA   
Compositions                                                              
            Examples                                                      
            31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42*                          
                                                43*                       
                                                   44*                    
                                                      45*                 
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
            70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 85 70 70 70 70                  
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
            30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 15 30 30 30 30                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
            100                                                           
               100                                                        
                  95 95 90 90 100                                         
                                 100                                      
                                    95 90 90 100                          
                                                99 97.5                   
                                                      95                  
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
            -- -- 5  5  10 10 -- -- 5  10 10 -- 1  2.5                    
                                                      5                   
Sodium Stearate,                                                          
            1  -- 1  -- 1  -- 1  -- -- -- -- 1  1  1  1                   
phr                                                                       
Sodium 2-Chloro-                                                          
            -- 1  -- 1  -- 1  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                  
4-nitrobenzoate,                                                          
phr                                                                       
Boron Nitride, phr                                                        
            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1  1  1  1  -- -- -- --                  
Properties                                                                
Specific Gravity                                                          
            1.278                                                         
               1.288                                                      
                  1.309                                                   
                     1.318                                                
                        1.342                                             
                           1.351                                          
                              1.278                                       
                                 1.272                                    
                                    1.305                                 
                                       1.337                              
                                          1.382                           
                                             1.274                        
                                                1.280                     
                                                   1.289                  
                                                      1.305               
Flexural Strength,                                                        
            13.1                                                          
               7.4                                                        
                  13.5                                                    
                     7.9                                                  
                        13.0                                              
                           9.4                                            
                              12.4                                        
                                 14.0                                     
                                    15.5                                  
                                       19.0                               
                                          19.7                            
                                             -- -- -- --                  
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic                                                          
            4.4                                                           
               4.7                                                        
                  5.6                                                     
                     5.8                                                  
                        7.1                                               
                           7.2                                            
                              4.6                                         
                                 4.4                                      
                                    5.6                                   
                                       7.1                                
                                          6.8                             
                                             -- -- -- --                  
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34;                                                         
            0.3                                                           
               0.2                                                        
                  0.4                                                     
                     0.6                                                  
                        0.7                                               
                           1.1                                            
                              0.3                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.7                                   
                                       1.2                                
                                          1.1                             
                                             0.5                          
                                                0.3                       
                                                   0.4                    
                                                      0.6                 
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34;                                                         
            0.3                                                           
               0.2                                                        
                  0.4                                                     
                     0.5                                                  
                        0.6                                               
                           0.9                                            
                              0.3                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.6                                   
                                       1.0                                
                                          0.9                             
                                             0.4                          
                                                0.4                       
                                                   0.4                    
                                                      0.5                 
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
            85 87 148                                                     
                     152                                                  
                        172                                               
                           187                                            
                              87 80 91 113                                
                                          106                             
                                             78 90 97 105                 
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
            117                                                           
               124                                                        
                  224                                                     
                     229                                                  
                        225                                               
                           244                                            
                              119                                         
                                 99 197                                   
                                       245                                
                                          245                             
                                             115                          
                                                116                       
                                                   145                    
                                                      221                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 *Examples 42-45 utilized heat stable sodium stearate.                    
 
    
     The data in Table V demonstrate that as little as 1 percent by weight glass fiber loading level is sufficient to yield a HDT @ 264 psi of 90° C. A glass fiber loading level of 2.5 to 5 percent by weight is preferable, as these levels of glass fiber provide better Izod Impact and substantially better HDT @ 66 psi over the 1 percent by weight glass fiber loading level. 
     The data also show that sodium stearate, boron nitride and sodium 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoate increase HDT @ 264 psi--compare Examples 1-4, Table I, which do not contain a nucleating agent. 
     Observation shows that surface appearance at 5 percent by weight glass fiber loading was slightly better than at 10 percent by weight. 
     EXAMPLES 46-63 
     Table VI (Examples 46-57) and Table VII (Examples 58-63) report the properties of PET/SMA compositions containing various SMA and glass fiber components. The barrel extruder temperature (rear °F./front °F.), for example 46, 47, 58 and 59 was 500/500, for example 49 it was 540/550 and for examples 48, 50, 51-57 and 60-63 it was 500/540; the hold pressure (psi) and mold temperature (°F.) for examples 46-63 were 5,000 and 150, respectively. 
     
                                           TABLE VI                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Physical Properties of various PET/SMA Compositions                       
Examples                                                                  
              46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57                         
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
              70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70                         
DYLARK DKB 338S, Wt. %                                                    
              30 -- 30 -- -- 30 30 30 -- -- -- --                         
DYLARK DKB 290, Wt. %                                                     
              -- 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                         
DYLARK DKB 218, Wt. %                                                     
              -- -- -- 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                         
DYLARK DKB 1117, Wt. %                                                    
              -- -- -- -- 30 -- -- -- -- -- -- --                         
DYLARK 350, Wt. %                                                         
              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 30 -- --                         
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
              -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 30 30                         
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
              95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95                         
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
              5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5  5                          
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
              1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1                          
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength                                                         
              -- -- 13.1                                                  
                       9.9                                                
                          14.4                                            
                             12.5                                         
                                12.5                                      
                                   13.5                                   
                                      15.3                                
                                         15.2                             
                                            11.2                          
                                               15.8                       
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic                                                          
              -- -- 5.68                                                  
                       5.71                                               
                          5.44                                            
                             5.62                                         
                                5.76                                      
                                   5.72                                   
                                      5.22                                
                                         5.33                             
                                            5.30                          
                                               5.44                       
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact,  0.5                                                         
                 0.6                                                      
                    0.5                                                   
                       0.8                                                
                          0.7                                             
                             0.4                                          
                                0.4                                       
                                   0.5                                    
                                      0.8                                 
                                         0.6                              
                                            0.7                           
                                               0.8                        
1/4&#34; bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                      
Izod Impact,  0.4                                                         
                 0.5                                                      
                    0.4                                                   
                       0.5                                                
                          0.6                                             
                             0.3                                          
                                0.3                                       
                                   0.4                                    
                                      0.7                                 
                                         0.5                              
                                            0.5                           
                                               0.7                        
1/8&#34; bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                      
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
              103                                                         
                 112                                                      
                    95 104                                                
                          114                                             
                             90 101                                       
                                   101                                    
                                      98 104                              
                                            99 112                        
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
              100                                                         
                 117                                                      
                    97 109                                                
                          100                                             
                             95 108                                       
                                   105                                    
                                      106                                 
                                         96 99 97                         
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
              195                                                         
                 182                                                      
                    -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                         
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     
                       TABLE VII                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Physical Properties of Various PET/SMA Compositions                       
            EXAMPLES                                                      
            58   59     60     61   62   63                               
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
              70     70     70   70   70   70                             
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
              30     --     30   --   --   --                             
DYLARK DKB 290,                                                           
              --     30     --   --   --   --                             
WT. %                                                                     
DYLARK 350, Wt. %                                                         
              --     --     --   30   --   --                             
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
              --     --     --   --   30   30                             
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
              95     95     95   95   95   95                             
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
              5      5      --   --   --   --                             
OCF 885 EB, Wt. %                                                         
              --     --     5    5    5    5                              
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
              1      1      1    1    1    1                              
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
              --     --     12.9 15.1 14.9 16.2                           
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic                                                          
              --     --     5.65 5.43 5.40 5.33                           
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact,  0.5    0.6    0.4  0.8  0.7  0.7                            
1/4&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb./in.                                                               
Izod Impact,  0.4    0.4    0.3  0.7  0.4  0.5                            
1/8&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb /in.                                                               
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
              106    97     94   97   94   108                            
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
              110    116    96   98   97   92                             
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
              127    184    --   --   --   --                             
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Tables VI and VII demonstrate the good physical properties obtained with these SMA and glass fiber components. 
     EXAMPLES 64-66 
     Table VIII reports physical properties for PET/SMA compositions derived from recycled PET. The barrel extruder temperature was 500/540 (rear °F./front °F.), the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE VIII                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Properties of PET/SMA Compositions Derived from Recycle PET               
                   EXAMPLES                                               
                   64   65     66                                         
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %    70     --     --                                     
DuPont Grade A, Wt. %                                                     
                     --     70     --                                     
DuPont Grade E, Wt. %                                                     
                     --     --     70                                     
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %   30     30     30                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %       95     95     95                                     
PPG 3540, Wt. %      5      5      5                                      
Sodium Stearate, phr 1      1      2                                      
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,   12.0   11.3   8.3                                    
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Elastic     5.76   5.56   5.80                                   
Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                                     
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.5    0.4    0.5                                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.4    0.4    0.4                                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     92     99     105                                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     99     100    106                                    
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table VIII demonstrate that the du Pont recycle PET grades are essentially similar to VITUF 5901 PET with respect to composition HDT (@ 264 psi) and Izod Impact properties. Observation showed that the du Pont recycle PET grades gave darker (amber) colored compounds than the VITUF 5901. A possible explanation for this observation is contamination from the labels from the recycled bottles. 
     EXAMPLES 67-74 
     Table IX reports the reproducibility of HDT @ 264 psi of PET/SMA compositions. The extrusion barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) was 500/510, the holding pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE IX                                                    
______________________________________                                    
Reproducibility of HDT @ 264 psi of PET/SMA Compositions                  
EXAMPLES                                                                  
         67   68    69     70*  71*  72  73   74                          
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901,                                                               
           70     70    70   70   70   70  70   70                        
Wt. %                                                                     
DYLARK 338S,                                                              
           30     30    30   30   30   30  30   30                        
Wt. %                                                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA,   95     95    95   95   95   95  95   95                        
Wt. %                                                                     
OCF 419 AA,                                                               
           5      5     5    5    5    5   5    5                         
Wt. %                                                                     
Sodium Stearate,                                                          
           1      1     1    --   1    1   1    1                         
phr                                                                       
Sodium 2-Chloro-                                                          
           --     --    --   1    --   --  --   --                        
4-                                                                        
Nitrobenzoate,                                                            
phr                                                                       
Properties                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi,                                                            
           105    93    148  152  112  96  100  104                       
°C.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi,                                                            
           --     87    110  116  --   --  --   110                       
°C.                                                                
(Duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 *Same as examples 33 and 34, respectively.                               
 
    
     The data in Table IX demonstrate that the HDT @ 264 psi tend to fall within the range of about 100° to 110° C. There is no apparent explanation for the anomalously high HDT properties obtained in Examples 69 and 70 (148° and 152° C., respectively). 
     EXAMPLES 75-78 
     Table X reports physical properties for PET/SMA compositions that were extrusion compounded by double passing. In the second-pass the remaining components needed to form the finished PET/SMA composition were extrusion compounded with the composition that was extrusion compounded in the first-pass. For example, in Example 77, glass fiber (GF) and PET were extrusion compounded in the first-pass and in the second-pass SMA and sodium stearate were extrusion compounded with the first-pass composition to form the PET/SMA composition comprising 5 weight percent glass, 95 weight percent of PET/SMA (where the ratio of PET to SMA is 70 weight percent PET and 30 weight percent SMA), and 1 part sodium stearate per 100 parts PET. In a similar fashion, in Example 78, glass fiber (GF) and SMA were extrusion compounded in the first-pass and in the second-pass PET and sodium stearate were extrusion compounded with the composition of the first-pass to form the PET/SMA composition. 
     The compositions comprised 5% OCF 419 AA glass fiber, 1 phr sodium stearate and 95 parts of a 70% VITUF 5901/30% DYLARK 338S PET/SMA blend. The barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) was 500/510 for both extrusion passes, the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE X                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Physical Properties of Single-Pass vs. Double-Pass                        
Compounding of PET/SMA Compositions                                       
                  EXAMPLES                                                
                  75   76     77     78                                   
______________________________________                                    
Composition Compounded                                                    
in First Pass                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %   66.5   70     93   --                                 
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %  28.5   30     --   85                                 
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %   5      --     7    15                                 
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                    1      --     --   --                                 
Composition Compounded                                                    
in Second Pass                                                            
VITUF 5901/DYLARK 338S                                                    
                    --     95     --   --                                 
blend*, Wt. %                                                             
OCF 419 AA/VITUF 5901                                                     
                    --     --     71.5 --                                 
blend*, Wt. %                                                             
OCF 419 AA/DYLARK 338S                                                    
                    --     --     --   33.5                               
blend*, Wt. %                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %   --     --     --   66.5                               
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %  --     --     28.5 --                                 
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %   --     5      --   --                                 
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                    --     1      1    1                                  
Properties                                                                
Specific Gravity    1.313  1.311  1.324                                   
                                       1.312                              
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                    0.5    0.6    0.6  0.4                                
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8 &#34; bar,                                                   
                    0.4    0.4    0.4  0.3                                
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                    94     95     89   93                                 
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                    93     102    87   95                                 
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
                    183    185    218  182                                
______________________________________                                    
 *Composition compounded in first pass.                                   
 
    
     The lowest HDT (@ 264 psi) properties were obtained in Example 77 in which PET and glass fiber were compounded in the first pass. 
     EXAMPLES 79-91 
     Table XI reports physical properties for PET/SMA compositions that were extrusion compounded under different conditions of temperature. 
     
                                           TABLE XI                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Properties of PET/SMA Composition Extrusions Compounded Under Various     
Conditions                                                                
               Examples                                                   
               79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91                     
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               70 70 70 70 70 90 90 80 80 70 70 70 70                     
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
               30 30 30 30 30 10 10 20 20 30 30 30 30                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. % 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95 95                     
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
               5  5  5  5  5  -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                     
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
               -- -- -- -- -- 5  5  5  5  5  5  -- --                     
PPG 3541, Wt. %                                                           
               -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5  5                      
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
               1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1                      
Compounding Conditions                                                    
NRM Rear Zone Temp., °F.                                           
               490                                                        
                  500                                                     
                     500                                                  
                        500                                               
                           510                                            
                              540                                         
                                 500                                      
                                    540                                   
                                       500                                
                                          540                             
                                             500                          
                                                500                       
                                                   500                    
NRM Front Zone Temp., °F.                                          
               490                                                        
                  510                                                     
                     510                                                  
                        540                                               
                           540                                            
                              550                                         
                                 540                                      
                                    550                                   
                                       540                                
                                          550                             
                                             540                          
                                                540                       
                                                   510                    
Molding Conditions                                                        
Mold Temp., °F.                                                    
               150                                                        
                  150                                                     
                     150                                                  
                        150                                               
                           150                                            
                              150                                         
                                 150                                      
                                    150                                   
                                       150                                
                                          150                             
                                             150                          
                                                150                       
                                                   150                    
Screw, rpm     70 70 70 70 70 90 70 80 70 70 70 70 70                     
Back Pressure, psi                                                        
               25 25 25 25 25 0  0  0  0  25 0  25 25                     
Cooling time, seconds                                                     
               35 35 35 35 35 35 45 35 45 35 45 45 45                     
Hold Pressure, 10.sup.3 psi                                               
               5.0                                                        
                  5.0                                                     
                     5.0                                                  
                        5.0                                               
                           5.0                                            
                              5.0                                         
                                 5.0                                      
                                    5.0                                   
                                       5.0                                
                                          5.0                             
                                             5.0                          
                                                5.0                       
                                                   5.0                    
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
               -- -- -- -- -- 8.9                                         
                                 9.8                                      
                                    10.0                                  
                                       11.1                               
                                          11.7                            
                                             12.4                         
                                                11.9                      
                                                   --                     
Flexural Elastic Modulus,                                                 
               -- -- -- -- -- 5.98                                        
                                 6.09                                     
                                    5.92                                  
                                       5.99                               
                                          5.83                            
                                             5.74                         
                                                5.78                      
                                                   --                     
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
               0.4                                                        
                  0.4                                                     
                     0.4                                                  
                        0.4                                               
                           0.3                                            
                              0.6                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.5                                   
                                       0.5                                
                                          0.5                             
                                             0.5                          
                                                0.5                       
                                                   0.4                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
               0.4                                                        
                  0.4                                                     
                     0.4                                                  
                        0.4                                               
                           0.3                                            
                              0.5                                         
                                 0.4                                      
                                    0.4                                   
                                       0.3                                
                                          0.4                             
                                             0.3                          
                                                0.3                       
                                                   0.3                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               92 92 96 108                                               
                           103                                            
                              88 93 95 97 103                             
                                             103                          
                                                93 109                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               94 100                                                     
                     98 104                                               
                           106                                            
                              87 91 100                                   
                                       108                                
                                          105                             
                                             108                          
                                                102                       
                                                   105                    
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
               155                                                        
                  -- 130                                                  
                        147                                               
                           -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --                     
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     The data in Table XI demonstrate that higher barrel temperatures--e.g., Example 82--yield optimum composition HDT @ 264 psi, while increasing barrel temperatures as high as 540° F. (282° C.) rear and 550° F. (288° C.) front did not give any corresponding improvements in HDT (@ 264 psi) properties. 
     The data also demonstrate that approximately 10 weight percent of SMA based on the weight of the PET/SMA blend component is sufficient to obtain HDT (@ 264 psi) of at least 90° C. 
     EXAMPLES 92-94 
     Table XII reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions injection molded at different mold temperatures. 
     
                       TABLE XII                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Injection Mold Temperature on Properties of                    
PET/SMA Composition                                                       
              EXAMPLES                                                    
              92     93       94                                          
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
                 70       70       70                                     
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
                 30       30       30                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %   95       95       95                                     
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
                 5        5        5                                      
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                 1        1        1                                      
Compounding Conditions                                                    
Barrel Temperature,                                                       
                500/510  500/510  500/510                                 
(rear °F./front °F.)                                        
Molding Conditions                                                        
Mold Temp., °F.                                                    
                200      175      150                                     
Hold Pressure, 10.sup.3 psi                                               
                5.0      5.0      5.0                                     
Properties                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                0.4      0.4      0.4                                     
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                0.4      0.4      0.4                                     
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                102      103      109                                     
(first determination)                                                     
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                104       98      100                                     
(second determination)                                                    
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
                158      157      183                                     
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XII demonstrate that the mold temperatures tested had no significant effect on HDT (@ 264 psi) and Izod Impact properties. It was observed that the lowest mold temperature yielded slightly better surface appearance. 
     EXAMPLES 95-102 
     Table XIII reports the effects of sodium stearate grade, glass fiber grade and injection molding conditions on HDT properties of PET/SMA compositions. 
     
                                           TABLE XIII                              
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects Of Sodium Stearate Grade, Glass Grade, and Injection              
Molding Conditions on HDT Properties of PET/SMA Compositions              
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             95   96   97   98   99   100  101  102                       
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
             70   70   70   70   70   70   70   70                        
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
             30   30   30   30   30   30   30   30                        
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
             95   95   95   95   95   95   90   90                        
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
             5    5    5    5    --   --   --   --                        
Sodium Stearate.sup.a,                                                    
             1    1    --   --   --   --   --   --                        
phr                                                                       
Sodium Stearate.sup.b,                                                    
             --   --   1    1    1    1    1    1                         
phr                                                                       
OCF 731 CA   --   --   --   --   5    5    10   10                        
Compounding Conditions                                                    
Barrel temperature                                                        
             500/510                                                      
                  500/510                                                 
                       500/510                                            
                            500/510                                       
                                 500/510                                  
                                      500/510                             
                                           500/510                        
                                                500/510                   
rear °F./front °F.                                          
Molding conditions                                                        
Mold Temp. °F.                                                     
             150  150  150  150  150  150  150  150                       
Hold Pressure,                                                            
             5    10   5    10   5    10   5    10                        
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Shot Size, in.                                                            
             1.98 2.08 1.98 2.08 1.98 2.08 1.98 2.08                      
Properties                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
             112  97   96   89   91   90   98   92                        
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
             218  222  218  215  220  200  209  192                       
__________________________________________________________________________
 .sup.a Heat stable grade                                                 
 .sup.b Technical grade                                                   
 
    
     The data in Table XIII demonstrate that heat stable sodium stearate may yield slightly higher HDT (@ 264 psi) properties, although the advantage is relatively small. 
     The data also show that a hold pressure of 5,000 psi yields a higher HDT @ 264 psi than a hold pressure of 10,000 psi. 
     Table XIV reports the Gardner Gloss data for PET/SMA compositions. In Examples 103-109 the PET/SMA ratio in the PET/SMA compositions was 70 Wt. % VITUF 5901 and 30 Wt. % DYLARK 338. The amount of PET/SMA and the amount of glass fiber in the PET/SMA composition are given in Wt. % in parenthesis. The compositions also contained 1 part of sodium stearate per hundred parts PET. 
     
                       TABLE XIV                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Glass Fiber and Molding Conditions on                          
Surface Glass of PET/SMA Compositions                                     
Ex-                    Mold Hold 60° Gloss (%).sup.a               
am-                    Pressure  Spruce                                   
                                       Rear                               
ple  Composition       (10.sup.3 psi)                                     
                                 Side  Side                               
______________________________________                                    
103  PET/SMA (100 Wt. %)                                                  
                       5         86    84                                 
     no glass fiber                                                       
104  PET/SMA (95 Wt. %) with                                              
                       5         60    51                                 
     OCF 419 AA (5%)                                                      
105  PET/SMA (95 Wt. %) with                                              
                       10        80    78                                 
     OCF 419 AA (5%)                                                      
106  PET/SMA (95 Wt. %) with                                              
                       5         58    53                                 
     OCF 731 CA (5%)                                                      
107  PET/SMA (95 Wt. %) with                                              
                       10        79    78                                 
     OCF 731 CA (5%)                                                      
108  PET/SMA (90 Wt. %) with                                              
                       5         30    30                                 
     OCF 731 CA (10%)                                                     
109  PET/SMA (90 Wt. %) with                                              
                       10        73    72                                 
     OCF 731 CA (10%)                                                     
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.a Measured with portable Gardner Gloss Unit; measurement at central 
 area of 23/4&#34; × 4&#34; × 1/8&#34; plaque specimens                   
 
    
     The data in Table XIV demonstrate that PET/SMA compositions comprising 5 to 10 percent glass fiber and injection molded with 10,000 psi hold pressure have good gloss ratings. Moreover, these data demonstrate the excellent surface gloss achieved with up to 10% glass fiber loading level; and that there is very little loss of surface gloss, in comparison with PET/SMA composition without glass fiber, with up to 10% glass fiber when the hold pressure is high enough. 
     EXAMPLES 110-119 
     Table XV reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions containing impact modifiers. For examples 110 to 119 the extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) was 500/540 (except 500/510 and 510/540 for Examples 118 and 119, respectively), the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                                           TABLE XV                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Properties of PET/SMA Compositions Containing Nucleant,                   
Glass Fiber and Impact Modifiers                                          
            Examples                                                      
            110                                                           
               111                                                        
                  112                                                     
                     113                                                  
                        114                                               
                           115                                            
                              116                                         
                                 117                                      
                                    118                                   
                                       119                                
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
            70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70                                 
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
            30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30                                 
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
            95 85 85 80 85 85 85 85 85 85                                 
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
            5  5  5  10 5  5  5  5  5  5                                  
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
            1  1  -- 1  -- -- 1  1  1  1                                  
Boron Nitride, phr                                                        
            -- -- 1  -- 1  1  -- -- -- --                                 
HYTREL 4056, Wt. %                                                        
            -- 10 10 10 -- -- -- -- 10 10                                 
PD0071-81, Wt. %                                                          
            -- -- -- -- 10 5  -- -- -- --                                 
MERLON M 40, Wt. %                                                        
            -- -- -- -- -- 5  -- -- -- --                                 
PETG 6763, Wt. %                                                          
            -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- -- --                                 
KODAR A150, Wt. %                                                         
            -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10 -- --                                 
Properties                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34;                                                         
            0.5                                                           
               0.9                                                        
                  1.0                                                     
                     1.0                                                  
                        0.7                                               
                           0.7                                            
                              0.5                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.9                                   
                                       0.7                                
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34;                                                         
            0.4                                                           
               0.7                                                        
                  0.9                                                     
                     0.8                                                  
                        0.7                                               
                           0.8                                            
                              0.4                                         
                                 0.5                                      
                                    0.7                                   
                                       0.6                                
bar, ft.-lb/in.                                                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
            100                                                           
               86 80 107                                                  
                        84 91 84 98 91.sup.a                              
                                       91.sup.b                           
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
            142                                                           
               140                                                        
                  134                                                     
                     188                                                  
                        174                                               
                           111                                            
                              165                                         
                                 140                                      
                                    -- --                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
 .sup.a Duplicate measurement yielded 93° C.                       
 .sup.b Duplicate measurement yielded 95° C.                       
 
    
     The majority of the data in Table XV demonstrate that the incorporation of impact modifiers resulted in blends having HDT values (@ 264 psi) greater than 80° C. and improved Izod Impact. Furthermore, good HDT @ 66 psi was obtained with HYTREL 4056. 
     EXAMPLES 120-125 
     Table XVI reports the HDT properties of PET/SMA compositions and PET compositions. The tests were done in triplicate, thus Examples 120 and 121 form one group of tests; Examples 122 and 123 form another group of tests; and Examples 124 and 125 form still another group of tests. A different batch compound was used for each run. The extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) was 500/540, the hold pressure was 5,000 psi and the mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE XVI                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Composition of HDT Properties of PET/SMA Compositions                     
With PET Compositions                                                     
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             120  121    122    123  124  125                             
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               70     --     70   --   70   --                            
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %                                                        
               30     --     30   --   30   --                            
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. % 95     --     95   --   95   --                            
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
               5      --     5    --   5    --                            
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
               1      --     1    --   1    --                            
PET Composition                                                           
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               --     95     --   95   --   95                            
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %                                                         
               --     5      --   5    --   5                             
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
               --     1      --   1    --   1                             
Properties                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               105    85     93   86   87*  84                            
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
               221    249    --   --   223  243                           
______________________________________                                    
  *This HDT value is suspiciously low.                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XVI demonstrate that the HDT for the PET/SMA compositions @ 264 psi is higher than for the PET compositions. Observation showed that the PET/SMA compositions gave better surface appearance on injection molded parts. Specifically, use of 10,000 psi hold pressure gave surfaces virtually free of glass marks for the PET/SMA compositions, while the PET compositions yielded parts with numerous glass marks. The conclusion is that glass-reinforced, nucleated PET/SMA compositions are superior to glass-reinforced, nucleated PET compositions in surface appearance and HDT (@ 264 psi) properties. 
     Tables XVII-XXII report the physical properties of diffferent nucleating agents in PET/SMA compositions in comparison with sodium stearate. The extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) for Examples 126-128 was 510/540, for Examples 129-147 it was 500/540. For examples 126-147 the mold temperature was 150 ° F. and the hold pressure was 5,000 psi. 
     
                       TABLE XVII                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
                   EXAMPLES                                               
                   126  127    128                                        
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %    70     70     70                                     
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %   30     30     30                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %       95     95     95                                     
PPG 3540, Wt. %      5      5      5                                      
Sodium Stearate, phr 1      --     --                                     
Sodium Montanate, phr                                                     
                     --     1      --                                     
Potassium Stearate, phr                                                   
                     --     --     1                                      
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                     12.7   13.5   12.3                                   
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                     5.66   5.38   5.62                                   
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.60   0.40   0.60                                   
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.50   0.40   0.50                                   
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     110    89     101                                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     101.6  87     101                                    
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE XVIII                                                 
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 129  130    131    132                                   
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  70     70     70   70                                  
DYLARK 338S, Wt. % 30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     95     95     95   95                                  
PPG 3540, Wt. %    5      5      5    5                                   
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                   1      --     --   --                                  
Ivory Snow, phr    --     1      --   --                                  
Sodium Benzoate, phr                                                      
                   --     --     1    --                                  
SURLYN 8940, phr   --     --     --   1                                   
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   12.6   11.8   12.9 14.1                                
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                   5.70   5.65   5.64 5.40                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.40   0.40   0.50 0.40                                
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.30   0.40   0.40 0.40                                
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   102    98.8   97   93.8                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   93     95     97   96                                  
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE XIX                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
                    EXAMPLES                                              
                    133  134    135                                       
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %     70     70     70                                    
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %    30     30     30                                    
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %        95     95     95                                    
PPG 3540, Wt. %       5      5      5                                     
Sodium Stearate, phr  1      --     --                                    
MICROTALC CP-10-40, phr                                                   
                      --     1      --                                    
SURLYN 8020, phr      5.0    5.0    5.0                                   
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                      12.9   14.0   13.9                                  
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                      5.66   5.52   5.38                                  
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                      0.50   0.40   0.40                                  
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                      0.30   0.40   0.40                                  
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                      96     90     96                                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                      87     91     97                                    
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE XX                                                    
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
                   EXAMPLES                                               
                   136  137    138                                        
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %    70     70     70                                     
DYLARK 338S, Wt. %   30     30     30                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %       95     95     95                                     
PPG 3540, Wt. %      5      5      5                                      
Sodium Stearate, phr 1      --     --                                     
SURLYN 8528, phr     --     1      --                                     
Sodium Propionate, phr                                                    
                     --     --     1                                      
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                     12.7   14.4   9.99                                   
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                     5.56   5.34   5.79                                   
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.40   0.50   0.50                                   
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.40   0.40   0.40                                   
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     89.2   90     116                                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     106    91     117                                    
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE XXI                                                   
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 139  140    141    142                                   
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  70     70     70   70                                  
DYLARK 378, Wt. %  30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     95     95     95   95                                  
PPG 3540, Wt. %    5      5      5    5                                   
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                   1      --     --   --                                  
Sodium Propionate, phr                                                    
                   --     1      --   --                                  
Sodium Acetate, phr                                                       
                   --     --     1    --                                  
Sodium Carbonate, phr                                                     
                   --            --   1                                   
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   13.8   10.9   14.7 15.0                                
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                   5.11   5.18   5.11 5.14                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.7    0.5    0.7  0.7                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.6    0.5    0.6  0.6                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   94     116    95   96                                  
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   102    115    94   99                                  
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE XXII                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Nucleating Agents in PET/SMA Compositions            
               EXAMPLES                                                   
               143  144    145    146  147                                
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
                 70     70     70   70   70                               
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
                 30     30     30   30   30                               
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %   95     95     95   95   95                               
PPG 3540, Wt. %  5      5      5    5    5                                
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                 1      --     --   --   --                               
Sodium Propionate, phr                                                    
                 --     1      --   --   --                               
Sodium n-butyrate*, phr                                                   
                 --     --     --   --   --                               
Sodium Caprylate, phr                                                     
                 --     --     --   1    --                               
Sodium Myristate, phr                                                     
                 --     --     --   --   1                                
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
                 14.2   13.1   12.6 14.3 14.5                             
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Modulus,                                                         
                 4.91   5.07   5.41 5.36 5.36                             
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                 0.8    0.6    0.6  0.6  0.7                              
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                 0.6    0.5    0.5  0.6  0.6                              
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                 91     102    106  98   95                               
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                 93     105    111  108  95                               
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 *Large amounts of irritating fumes were generated during compounding, but
 the molding parts retained only a faint trace of odor.                   
 
    
     Surface appearance with sodium caprylate and sodium myristate is at least as good as with sodium stearate, but with sodium propionate and sodium n-butyrate the parts are not as glossy as with sodium stearate. 
     Tables XVII-XXII demonstrate the good physical properties obtained with different nucleating agents in compositions of this invention. 
     EXAMPLES 148-153 
     Table XXIII reports physical properties for compositions of this invention in which the nucleating agent level was varied. The mold temperature was 150° F., the extruder barrel temperature (rear °F./front °F.) was 500/540 and the hold pressure was 5,000 psi. 
     
                       TABLE XXIII                                                 
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Varying Nucleating Agent Level                                 
In PET/SMA Compositions                                                   
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             148  149    150    151  152  153                             
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               70     70     70   70   70   70                            
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
               30     30     30   30   30   30                            
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. % 95     95     95   95   95   95                            
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
               5      5      5    5    5    5                             
Sodium Stearate,                                                          
               0.5    1.0    1.5  --   --   --                            
phr                                                                       
Sodium Propionate,                                                        
               --     --     --   0.5  1.0  1.5                           
phr                                                                       
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
               14.2   14.6   14.5 14.7 11.3 7.9                           
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Modulus,                                                         
               4.91   5.07   5.10 5.25 5.37 5.17                          
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact,   0.8    0.8    0.8  0.6  0.5  0.5                           
1/4&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact,   0.6    0.6    0.6  0.5  0.5  0.4                           
1/8&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               91     91     98   112  122  124                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               93     102    95   114  116  114                           
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXIII show that a preferred nucleating agent range is 0.5 to 1.0 phr. When the level of sodium stearate is increased from 0.5 to 1.5 phr there is a relatively small increase in HDT @ 264 psi. Further, when the level of sodium propionate is decreased from 1.5 to 0.5 phr the flexural strength and Izod Impact approach the values routinely obtainable with 1.0 phr sodium stearate while maintaining a 10° C. or larger advantage in HDT @ 264 psi. 
     EXAMPLES 154-159 
     Table XXIV reports physical properties of compositions of the invention in which the nucleating agent was either sodium stearate or sodium propionate and in which the level of glass fibers was varied. The mold temperature, barrel extruder temperature and hold pressure were the same as for Examples 148-153. 
     
                       TABLE XXIV                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Different Levels of Glass Fibers In                            
PET/SMA Compositions                                                      
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             154  155    156    157  158  159                             
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               70     70     70   70   70   70                            
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
               30     30     30   30   30   30                            
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. % 95     93     90   95   93   90                            
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
               5      7      10   5    7    10                            
Sodium Stearate,                                                          
               1.0    1.0    1.0  --   --   --                            
phr                                                                       
Sodium Propionate,                                                        
               --     --     --   1.0  1.0  1.0                           
phr                                                                       
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
               9.95   11.1   13.3 14.3 15.3 16.8                          
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Modulus,                                                         
               5.20   5.96   6.73 5.12 8.25 6.71                          
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact,   0.6    0.8    1.1  0.8  0.9  1.3                           
1/4&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact,   0.4    0.6    0.8  0.7  0.9  1.1                           
1/8&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               114    127    130  103  114  131                           
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               110    125    131  97   115  130                           
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXIV demonstrate the good physical properties with various levels of glass fibers in the compositions of this invention. 
     In the above experiments some parts were molded at 10,000 psi hold pressures and the surfaces inspected. The compositions containing sodium stearate retained good gloss as the glass loading increased to 10% with a small increase in the amount of glass marks. The surfaces of the alloys containing sodium propionate were substantially less glossy and deteriorated as the glass concentration was increased. 
     EXAMPLES 160-167 
     Table XXV reports the physical properties of composition of this invention containing processed mineral fiber (Jim Walter Resources PMF 604) milled glass fibers (OCF 739 BA) or PPG 3540. As indicated in Table XXV, in some of the examples the glass fiber was treated with 1 phr (parts per hundred parts glass fiber) Union Carbide A187 epoxy silane. The mold temperature, barrel extruder temperature and hold pressure were the same as for Examples 148-153. 
     
                                           TABLE XXV                               
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects of Different Fiber Modifiers On PET/SMA Compositions              
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             160                                                          
                161                                                       
                   162                                                    
                      163                                                 
                         164                                              
                            165                                           
                               166                                        
                                  167                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
             70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70                                      
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
             30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30                                      
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %                                                            
             95 90 95 90 95 95 95 90                                      
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
             5  10 -- -- 5  -- -- --                                      
PMF 604, Wt. %                                                            
             -- -- 5  10 -- -- -- --                                      
OCF 739 BA, Wt. %                                                         
             -- -- -- -- -- 5  5  10                                      
A187, epoxy silane, phr*                                                  
             -- -- 1  1  -- -- 1  1                                       
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
             1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1                                       
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
             14.1                                                         
                17.1                                                      
                   10.3                                                   
                      10.6                                                
                         14.5                                             
                            10.4                                          
                               9.74                                       
                                  9.95                                    
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
             4.63                                                         
                6.65                                                      
                   4.24                                                   
                      5.14                                                
                         5.30                                             
                            4.20                                          
                               4.27                                       
                                  4.32                                    
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
             0.8                                                          
                1.2                                                       
                   0.5                                                    
                      0.4                                                 
                         0.8                                              
                            0.3                                           
                               0.3                                        
                                  0.4                                     
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
             0.7                                                          
                1.2                                                       
                   0.4                                                    
                      0.3                                                 
                         0.6                                              
                            0.3                                           
                               0.3                                        
                                  0.5                                     
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
             95 132                                                       
                   85 93 94 79 79 85                                      
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
             96 139                                                       
                   87 90 97 79 79 86                                      
(duplicate)                                                               
__________________________________________________________________________
 *Parts per hundred parts glass fiber.                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXV demonstrate the good physical properties obtained with the various fiber modifiers. Examples 160-167 show that PPG 3540 is a preferred modifier. Thus, at the 5% loading level with PPG 3540, the physical properties obtained showed more improvement than with a 10% loading of PM 604 or OCF 739 BA and the surface of the molded article was more desirable with the PPG 3540. Example 165, OCF 739 BA without A 187, showed a glossier surface than Example 166, OCF 739 BA with A 187. 
     EXAMPLES 168-170 
     Table XXVI reports physical properties of blends of this invention containing various amounts of sodium propionate as the nucleating agent. The mold temperature, barrel extruder temperature and hold pressure were the same as for Examples 148-153. 
     
                       TABLE XXVI                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Various Sodium Propionate Levels                               
On PET/SMA Compositions                                                   
                   EXAMPLES                                               
                   168  169    170                                        
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %    70     70     70                                     
DYLARK 378, Wt. %    30     30     30                                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %       95     95     95                                     
PPG 3540, Wt. %      5      5      5                                      
Sodium Propionate, phr                                                    
                     0.1    0.3    0.5                                    
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                     15.0   14.1   13.3                                   
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                     5.13   4.90   5.14                                   
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.7    0.6    0.6                                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                     0.7    0.7    0.5                                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     88     101    108                                    
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                     94     104    110                                    
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXVI demonstrate that sodium propionate is effective at a concentration as low as about 0.1 phr in the compositions of this invention. 
     EXAMPLES 171-174 
     Table XXVII reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions having various glass fiber loading levels. The mold temperature, barrel extruder temperature and hold pressure are the same as for Examples 148-153. 
     
                       TABLE XXVII                                                 
______________________________________                                    
Effect of Glass Fiber Loading Level on PET/SMA Compositions               
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 171  172    173    174                                   
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  70     70     70   70                                  
DYLARK 378, Wt. %  30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     95     85     80   70                                  
PPG 3540, Wt. %    5      15     20   30                                  
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                   1      1      1    1                                   
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   14.1   19.6   20.3 19.6                                
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                   5.12   7.94   8.59 10.4                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.7    1.3    1.4  1.5                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.6    1.4    1.6  1.8                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   94     138    137  127                                 
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   93     143    130  129                                 
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXVII demonstrate the good physical properties obtained with the various loading levels of glass fibers. Visual inspection of plaques injection molded at 10,000 psi hold pressure showed that excellent surface appearance was maintained with these compositions up to a 15% glass fiber loading level. 
     EXAMPLES 175-178 
     Table XXVIII reports physical properties of a PET/SMA composition with a different glass fiber (PPG 3540M) in comparison with previously available glass fibers (PPG 3540, OCF 419 AA and OCF 885 EB). PPG 3540M is reportedly a new version of PPG 3540. The compositions were compounded on a vacuum vented 11/4&#34; Killion extruder at a vacuum level of about 25 inches of Hg (21-28 range) with zone temperatures (rear °F./middle °F./front °F.) of 525/525/525, a melt temperature of about 530° F. (526-531 range), a feeder speed of 12 ppm, a machine residence time of 35 seconds, a screw speed of 100 ppm and a die temperature of 550° F. The mold temperature was 150° F. and the hold pressure was 5,000 psi. 
     
                       TABLE XXVIII                                                
______________________________________                                    
Comparison of The Effect of Different Glass Fibers                        
on PET/SMA Compositions                                                   
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 175  176    177    178                                   
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  85     85     85   85                                  
DYLARK 378, Wt. %  15     15     15   15                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     95     95     95   95                                  
PPG 3540, Wt. %    5      --     --   --                                  
PPG 3540M, Wt. %   --     5      --   --                                  
OCF 419, Wt. %     --     --     5    --                                  
OCF 885, Wt. %     --     --     --   5                                   
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                   1      1      1    1                                   
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                   16.3   17.1   14.1 14.4                                
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                   5.56   5.62   6.64 5.65                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.7    0.7    0.7  0.8                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.6    0.6    0.6  0.6                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   94     102    100  94                                  
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   101    106    96   94                                  
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The data in Table XXVIII demonstrate that PPG 3540M is as effective as PPG 3540. 
     EXAMPLES 179-184 
     Table XXIX reports physical properties of PET/SMA compositions that were compounded at various temperatures using a vacuum-vented 11/4&#34; Killion extruder. The screw speed was 100 rpm, the feeder speed was 11-12 rpm, the melt temperature was 529°-531° F. (Examples 181 and 182), 506°-509° F. (Examples 179 and 180) and 545°-550° F. (Examples 183 and 184), the vacuum pressure was 24-28 inches Hg and the machine residence time was about 37 seconds (Examples 181-184) and about 34 seconds (Examples 179-181). The mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                       TABLE XXIX                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Effects of Melt Compounding Conditions                                    
On PET/SMA Compositions                                                   
             EXAMPLES                                                     
             179  180    181    182  183  184                             
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
               85     85     85   85   85   85                            
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
               15     15     15   15   15   15                            
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. % 95     95     95   95   95   95                            
PPG 3540, Wt. %                                                           
               5      5      5    5    5    5                             
Sodium Stearate,                                                          
               1      1      1    1    1    1                             
phr                                                                       
Compounding Conditions                                                    
Zone Temperatures,                                                        
               490    490    525  525  550  550                           
°F.*                                                               
Die Temperature                                                           
               510    510    525  525  550  550                           
Molding Conditions                                                        
Hold Pressure, 5      10     5    10   5    10                            
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength,                                                        
               15.9   15.1   16.4 17.3 15.1 15.3                          
10.sup.3 psi                                                              
Flexural Modulus,                                                         
               5.57   5.60   5.53 5.73 5.62 5.64                          
10.sup.5 psi                                                              
Izod Impact,   0.6    0.6    0.7  0.6  0.7  0.7                           
1/4&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact,   0.6    0.6    0.6  0.6  0.6  0.7                           
1/8&#34; bar,                                                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
               100    100    93   102  112  101                           
HDT @  264 psi, °C.                                                
               111    107    110  102  113  106                           
(duplicate)                                                               
______________________________________                                    
 *Rear °F./middle °F./front °F.                      
 
    
     The data in Table XXIX show the good physical results obtained under the various compounding conditions with excellent plaque surfaces at 10,000 psi hold pressure. 
     EXAMPLES 185-192 
     Table XXX reports physical properties for PET/SMA compositions compounded on a vacuum-vented 11/4&#34; Killion Extruder at a vacuum level of about 15 to about 20 inches of mercury. The mold temperature was 150° F. 
     
                                           TABLE XXX                               
__________________________________________________________________________
Effects of Vacuum-Vented Compounding Conditions On PET/SMA Compositions   
                EXAMPLES                                                  
                185  186  187  188  189  190  191  192                    
__________________________________________________________________________
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %                                                         
                70   70   70   70   70   70   70   70                     
DYLARK 378, Wt. %                                                         
                30   30   30   30   30   30   30   30                     
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %  95   95   95   95   95   95   95   95                     
PPG 3540, Wt. % 5    5    5    5    5    5    5    5                      
Sodium Stearate, phr                                                      
                1    1    1    1    1    1    1    1                      
Extrusion Conditions*                                                     
Screw Speed, rpm                                                          
                70   70   80   80   120  120  120  120                    
Feeder speed, rpm                                                         
                8    8    11   11   11   11   18   18                     
Melt temperature, °F.                                              
                520-523                                                   
                     520-523                                              
                          525-528                                         
                               525-528                                    
                                    532-534                               
                                         532-534                          
                                              530-533                     
                                                   530-533                
Machine Residence Time,                                                   
                60   60   50   50   35   35   28   28                     
Seconds                                                                   
Molding Conditions                                                        
Hold Pressure 10.sup.3 psi                                                
                5    10   5    10   5    10   5    10                     
Screw Recovery Time, Seconds                                              
                11-12                                                     
                     11-12                                                
                          11-12                                           
                               11-12                                      
                                    15-16                                 
                                         15-16                            
                                              14-15                       
                                                   14-15                  
Properties                                                                
Flexural Strength, 10.sup.3 psi                                           
                15.1 15.5 15.2 15.4 15.5 15.1 15.2 15.4                   
Flexural Modulus, 10.sup.5 psi                                            
                5.12 5.33 5.03 5.17 5.08 5.16 4.99 5.05                   
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                0.7  0.7  0.7  0.6  0.7  0.6  0.7  0.6                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                0.7  0.7  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6  0.6                    
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                95   94   98   94   96   99   98   99                     
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                95   92   94   96   104  104  89   95                     
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                91   96   --   --   --   --   --   --                     
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                98   98   --   --   --   --   --   --                     
__________________________________________________________________________
 *Zone/Die Temperatures were 525° F. on all compounding runs.      
 
    
     The data in Table XXX demonstrate the good physical properties obtained with various compounding conditions. The vacuum-venting resulted in solid pellets which yielded rapid and consistent screw recovery times when injection molded. 
     EXAMPLES 163-196 
     Table XXXI reports physical properties of another series of tests utilizing recycle PET in the composition of this invention. The mold temperature, barrel extruder temperature and hold pressure were the same as for Examples 148-153. 
     
                       TABLE XXXI                                                  
______________________________________                                    
Use of Recycle PET In PET/SMA Compositions                                
                 EXAMPLES                                                 
                 193  194    195    196                                   
______________________________________                                    
PET/SMA Ratio                                                             
VITUF 5901, Wt. %  70     --     70   --                                  
Pure Tech PET, Wt. %                                                      
                   --     70     --   70                                  
DYLARK 338S, Wt. % 30     30     30   30                                  
Composition                                                               
PET/SMA, Wt. %     100    100    95   95                                  
OCF 419 AA, Wt. %  --     --     5.0  5.0                                 
Sodium Stearate*, phr                                                     
                   --     --     1.0  1.0                                 
Properties                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/4&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.5    0.5    0.5  0.5                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
Izod Impact, 1/8&#34; bar,                                                    
                   0.5    0.4    0.4  0.4                                 
ft.-lb/in.                                                                
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   84     79     106  96                                  
HDT @ 264 psi, °C.                                                 
                   82     80     110  102                                 
(duplicate)                                                               
HDT @ 66 psi, °C.                                                  
                   102    108    127  133                                 
______________________________________                                    
 *Witco heatstable grade.