Polyphenylene ether/thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer blends for adhesives and sealants

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for making a method for making high service temperature rubber compound, hot melt adhesive or sealant compositions by combining a polyphenylene ether resin with an elastomeric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, which comprises (a) making a masterbatch of 2 to 50 phr of a polyphenylene ether having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.3 deciliters per gram or more and 100 phr of said block copolymer by extruding them together with 2 to 30 phr of an endblock compatible resin, and (b) optionally mixing the masterbatch with more of the block copolymer.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for making high service temperature rubber compounds and hot melt adhesive and sealant compositions by combining a polyphenylene ether resin with an elastomeric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, which comprises: (a) making a masterbatch of 2 to 50 phr of a polyphenylene ether having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.3 deciliters per gram or more and 100 phr of said block copolymer by mixing them together with 2 to 30 phr of an endblock compatible resin in a twin screw extruder, and   (b) mixing the masterbatch with more of the block copolymer.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 with the additional step of mixing the masterbatch with other formulating ingredients. 
     
     
       3. The masterbatch of step (a) of claim 1. 
     
     
       4. The product of the process of claim 1.