| abstract |
Rigid thermoplastics, such as acrylic polymers and vinyl halide polymers are modified to impart high impact resistance. Modified rigid acrylic thermoplastics retain clarity upon exposure with a modification of a particular acrylic elastomer having a minimum attachment level to the rigid phase of 20 percent. The elastomer comprises at least 50 weight percent alkyl or aralkyl acrylate, 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent of a graft-linking monomer, 0.05 to 5.0 weight percent of a cross-linking monomer and 0 to 10.0 weight percent of a hydrophilic monomer. The elastomer can be present in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 50 weight percent of the total modified material, and can be prepared integrally with the rigid phase or as separate additive comprising elastomer and attached rigid phase. |