CA1320774C

CA1320774C - Polymer blend compositions

Info

Publication number: CA1320774C
Application number: CA000567497A
Authority: CA
Inventors: James Martin Dumler; Thomas Benson Cleveland; Satish Kumar Gaggar
Original assignee: GE Chemicals Inc
Current assignee: GE Chemicals Inc
Priority date: 1987-06-08
Filing date: 1988-05-24
Publication date: 1993-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-27
Also published as: EP0294722A2; AU1657088A; MX165205B; US4857590A; ES2059439T3; KR960008820B1; EP0294722B1; JPS641748A; JP2736654B2; DE3883614D1; AU613916B2; EP0294722A3; KR890000576A; DE3883614T2

Abstract

POLYMER BLEND COMPOSITIONS

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
Polymer blend compositions exhibiting good antistatic properties and ductility comprise a styrenic polymer, an epihalohydrin copolymer and an acrylate polymer present in an amount sufficient to effect compatability of the styrenic polymer and the epihalohydrin polymer as compared with a blend of the styrenic polymer and the epihalohydrin copolymer not including the acrylate polymer. In a more specific embodiment the polymer blend compositions comprise from about 40 to about 96 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer, from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer, and from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an acrylate polymer.

Description

~2~7~

POL~ EI BLEND CC!MPOSITIONS

FIELD OF T}IE I~VENI ION
The present lnvention relates to polymer bl~d compositions exhibiting good antistatic E~roper~ies and improved ductility. More particularly, the present invention relates to polymer blend compositions comprising a styrenic polymer, an epihalohydrin copolymer and an acrylate polymer.

BACKGROUND OF T~D3 INVENTION
. _ _ Compositions containin~ styrenic pol~mers such as .~BS
are widely used owing to the high impact strength, tensile strength and hardness and the thermoplastic properties of styrenic polymers. ~owever, many compositions contai.ning styrenic polymers exhibit relatively 510w electrostatic charge dissipation rates which make the compositions unacceptable for uses wherein rapid dissipation of static electrical char~es i5 required.
Various means have been developed for r~duci~g electrostatic charge retention in polymer compositions.
According to one method, an article molded from a polymer composition may be coated with an antistatic film coating material. According o another m~thod, ~tatic charge retention in a polymer compositivn may be reduced by incorporating a material having antistatir properties into the polymer composition. For example, the Puletti et al U,S. patent No. 3,425,9~1 di closes polymer compositions including homopolymers and copol~mers of ~thylene oxide to reduce static charge retention and the Ebneth et al U.S.
patent No. 3,~50,794 discloses polymer compositions including polypropylene glyrol. The Tanaka et al U.S.
patent No. 4,543,390 disrlc)ses anti~tatic polymer compositions including ~uper ~ine particle polymers comprising graft copolymers of polyalkylene oxide and at least one vinyl monomer.
The Fedarl et al U.S. patent No. 4,588,773 discloses an improved antistatic polymer composition compri~ing less than ao~ by weight of an ABS graft copolymer and more than 20% by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer. The polymer compositions disclosed by Federl et al exhibit char~ed decay rates from 5,000 volts to o volts of less than about ~ seconds. The ability of these compositions to rapidly dissipate static electrical charge mak~s these polymer compositions particularly advantageous for use in many applications. ~owever, Applicants have discovered that the delamination tendencies and low tensile elongation properties of the polymer compositions disclosed by Federl et al are somewhat inferior to other polymer compositions containing ABS polymers, therefore limiting the use of these compositions in variou~ applications.
It is there~ore an ob~ect of the present invention to provide polymer blend compositions which exhibit good antistatic properties with reduced delamination and improved ductility as indicated by tensile el4ngation.
Specifically, it is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide polym~er bl~nd compositions which exhibit rapid dissipation of static electrical charges and improved ductility and reduced delamination tendencies exhibited by ~32(~77~

increased tensile elongation before breaking.
SU~ARY OF THE INvENrIoN
.
These ~nd additional ob ~ec~s are provided by the polyrner blend compositions of the present invention which 5 comprise a styrenic polymer, an ~3pihalohydrin copolyrner and an acryla e polymer. The acryla~e pol~mer is included in the polymer blend compositions in an amount suf~icient to increa~e the compatabil:ity of the epihalohydrin copolymer ~nd the styrenic polymer ~s compared with a blend of the styrenic polymer a~d the epih~lohydrin copolymer not including the acrylate polymer. The increase in compatability is evidenced in part by an increase in ductility as demonstrated by tensile elongation. More preferably, the polymer blend compositions according to the present inv~ntion which exhibit good antistatic properties and improved ductility comprise from about 40 to about 96% by weight of a styrenic polymer, from about 2 to about 50~ by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer, and from about 2 to about 50~
by weight of an acrylate polymer. In a more preferred embodiment, the compositions include from about 55 to about 90 percent by weight of a styrenic polym r, from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer an~ from about 5 to about ~5 percent by weight of an acrylate polymer.
These and additional advantases of the polymer bl2nd compositions according to the ?~esent invention will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description.

3 O DETAILED DESC:RIPTION
The polymer blend compositio~s of the i~vention comprise a st:yrenic polymer, an ~pihalohydrin copolymer .~3207~

and an acrylate polymer. The acrylate polymer is included in the polymer blend compositions in ~n ~mount su~ficient to increa~e the compatability o~ the epih~lohydrin copolymer ~nd the ~tyrenic polymer as compared with a blend of the styrenic polym~r and the epihalohydrin copolymer not including the acrylate polymer.
In order tha~ th~ polymer blend composi~ions exhibit the high impact strength and hardness and thermoplastic properties generally associated with styrenic polymers, it is preferred that the styrenic polymer is included in the polymer blend compositions of the present invention in an amount of from about 40 to about 96~ by weight.
Additionally, in order to provide the polymer blend compos itions of the invention with antistatic properties and the ability to quickly dissipate static electrical charges, it is preferred that the epihalohydrin copolymer is included in an amount of from about 2 to about 50% by weight. Additionally, in order that the polymer blend compositions of the invention exhibit improved ductility, it is preferred that the acrylate polymer be included in the compositions, preferably in an ~mount of from about 2 to about 50~ by weight. In a more preferred embodiment, the polymer blend compositions of the invention include from about 55 to about 90~ by weight of the styrenic polymer, from about s to about 25~ by weis~ht of the epihalohydrin copolymer and from about 5 to about 25~ by weight of the acrylate polymer. The amounts of each component included in the polymer blend compositions of the invention are selected to add up to 100 weight percent.
The styrenic polymers which are useful for the purposes of this invention are polymers and copolymers of s tyrene and include both the rigid resins and the resins commonly desis3nated as high-impact styrenic resin~. The ~ 3 ~

high impact resins are generally prepared by the graft polymerization of mixtures of styrene and optionally one or more sdditional copolym~riz2~ble vinyl monomers in the presence of a rubbery polymeric substrate. ~nalogous resins may also be produced by blending a rigid matrix polymer with a grafted rubbery substrate, such as a high rubber graft. Generally, high rubber gra~ts contain a high percentage of rubkers, ~or example 30 or more weight percent, preferably ~0 or more weight percent, and ~re known in the art. Comonomers which may be ~mployed in mixtures with styrene ~or the preparation of rlgid ~tyrene copolymers as well as for use as grafting monomers include monomers selected from the group 21pha methylstyrene, halostyrenes, vinyl alkyl-benzenes such as vinyl toluene, vinylxylene, butylstyrene and ~he like, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, the lower alkyl esters o~ methacrylic acid and mix~ures thereof. In the high-impact styrenic resins, the rubbery polymeric substrate will usually comprise from 5 to 80%, preferably from 5 to 50% of the total weight of the graft polymer and will include rubbery polymers selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, rubbery tyr~n~-diene copolymers, acrylic rubber, nitrile rubber and olefin rubbers such as EPDM and EPRo Additionally, other styrenic polymers known in the art may be used in the blend compositions of the invention.
Specific examples of graft polymers which may be usefully modified for the purpose of this invention are the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene graft polymer resi~s (ABS), methylmethacrylate~-butadiene-acrylonitrile ~tyrene (MABS) resin;, styrene-butadien~ graft polymer resins (HIPS), and methylm~thacrylate-butadiene-styrene resins (MBS). Specific examples of styrene polymers which may be usefully moclified for the purpos~ of this invention 132~7~

include polystyrene and copolymers of styrene such a~
styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, styrene-methacrylate ester copolymers, ~tyrene acrylollitrile-maleic anhydride terpolymer resins ~SAM.~), 3tyrene-msl~ic 5 anhydride copolymer resin~ (S~9A), ~imilar polymer~
containing N-phenyl and other substituted maleimides and the like, and mixtures thereof. ~dditionally, the analogous copolymer resins wherein a portion of the styrene monomer component i5 replaced wi~h o ther ~tyrenic monomers ~uch as alpha-methyl~styrene, halogenated styrenes or vinyl toluene may al~o be used. Blends of styrenic polymers and one or more of polyphenylene ethers, polyvinyl chloride polymers, polyamides, polycarbonates and other polymers generally known in the art for blending with styrenic polymers may also be used. These additional polymers are generally known in the art and are disclosed in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia~ 1986-1987 McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, New York.
The epihalohydrin copolymer is included in the 2Q polymer blend compositions of t~e ~resent invention in order to provide the composition~ with good antistatic properties. The epihalohydrin may be copolymerized with any of a variety o~ known, copolymerizable monomers which have an oxirane group. Such monomers include ~lycidyl ethers, monoepoxides of dienes and polyenes, glycidyl esters and alkylene oxides. ~xamples of such monomers include vinyl glycidyl ether, isopropenyl glycidyl @ther, butadiene monoxide, chloroprene monoxide, 3,4-epoxy-1-pentene, glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, 1,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane, phenyl glycidyl ether, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and trichlorobutylene oxide.
PrefPrably, the monomer is an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butyls~ne oxide, 3,4-~ ~ r;~ 7 ~

epoxy-l-pentene, l,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane, trichlorobutylen~ oxide and the like. More pre~erably, the slkylene oxide i5 e~hylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixtures thereof. Ethylene ox:ide i~ most preferrsd.
In a preferre~ em~odiment, the epih~lohydrin and the alkylene oxide are copolymeri.zed o ~orm ~ epihalohydrin rubber prior to combination with the styrenic polymer.
Suitable epihalohydrin copolymer~ are availa~le commercially or may be prepared from known, commercially available monomers using known techniques. G~nerally, the epihalohydrin copolymer may include about 2~ to about 98%
by weight epihalohydrin, and about 98S to about 2% by weight of another monomer. Mors preferably, however, the copolymer includes about 5% to about 50~ by weight epihalohydrin and about 95% to about 50% by weight of another monomer, which is preferably an alkylene oxide.
In a most preferred embodiment the copolymer comprises from about 10 to about 40 percent by w~ight of an epihalohydrin and about 90 to about 60 percent by weight of another monomer.
The acrylate polymPr which is included in the polymer blend compositions of the present invention to provide the compositions with improved ductility may comprise an acrylate homopolymer or an acrylate copolymer. If an acrylate copolymer is used, it is preferred that ~he copolymer is formed from greater than 50~ by weight acrylate monomer. Pr~ferred acrylate polymers comprise acrylats homopolymers such as polyalkylacrylates and polyalkylmethacrylates and acrylate copolymers containing small (for example, less than 10 wt%) amounts of acrylate comonomer. A particularly preferred ~crylate polymer for u s e i n th e p res e n t in v e n ti o n c om p rise s polymethylmethacrylate.
~ he blend compositions of the invention may be ~ ~2~77~

prepared by combining the styrene polymer, the epihalohydrin polymer and the acrylate polymer in any of the conventional me~hods known in the art. For example, the polymers may be combined to Porm the blend compositio~s by melt mixing ~le polym~r ingredients in a Banbury mixer, extruder or on a mill. Other known additives, such as impact modifiers, pigments, lubricants, stabilizers, fillers, flame retaxdants, foaming agents and antioxidants may al~o be inc:luded in the polymer blend composition~.
The acrylate polymers disclosed h~rein for ~mproving the ductility and ~ompatability of blends of styrenic polymers and epihalohydrin copolymers may also be used for improving the ductility and/or compatibility of blends of e~ihalohydrin copolymers and other thermoplastic polymers, for example, polyphenylene ethers, polyvinyl chlorides, polycarbonates, thermoplastic polyesters, polysulfones and the like.
The following examples are provided in order to illustrate several polymer blend compositions according to the present invention.

An styrenic polym~r was formed by blending 47 parts by weight of a styrene acrylonitrile copolym~r (styrene to acrylonitrile weight ratio of 75/25) with ~3 parts by weight of a high rubber graft copol~mer. To the mixture were added 15 parts by weight of a copolymer comprising epichlorohydrin and ethylene oxide having an approximate weight ratio of 20~ epihalohydrin and 80% ethylene oxide, and 15 parts by weight polymethylme~hacrylate. The mixture was compounded in a Banbury mixer and then in~ection mollded at 430 F to evaluate the mechanical and electrostatic dissip2tive ~ESD) properties. Specifically, li 3~f,~

the surface resistivity, the percent of tensile elongation and the electrostatic dissipativ~ rate from 5 Kv to O
volts a~ 15 and 50% rela~ive humidity were measur~d, the results o~ which are set ~orth in Table I~

A compo~ition was prepared as ~et ~orth in Example 1 except that a different styrene acrylonitril2 copolym~r (styrene to acrylonitrile ratio of 72/28) was sub~tituted for the styrene acrylonitrile copolymer of Ex~mple 1. The resultant product wa~ sub~ected to the surface resistivity, percent tensile elongation a~d electrostatic dissipative rate measurements as set forth in Example 1, the results of which are also set ~orth in Table I.

A polymer blend composition according to the present invention was prepared by combining 70 parts by weight of a styrenic polymer comprising a copolymer of acrylonitrile and styrene graft polymerized onto a rubber substrate, 15 parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin copolymer of 20 Example 1 and 15 parts by weight of the polymethylmethacrylate of Example 1. Th~ resultan~
mixture was Gompound~d in a Banbury mixer and injection molded at 430 F. Tbe resultant product was sub~ected to ~urface resistivity, percent tensile elongation and the electrostatic dissipa~ive measurements as et ~orth in Exampls 1, the results of which are set forth in Table I.

EXA~PLE 4 ~_.
~ preferred polymer blend composltion according to the present invention was prepared by combining 7~ parts by weight of a styr~nic ~BS polymer (5~ parts o~ the styrene-acry:lonitrile copolymer ~rom Example 2 and 23 parts of the high rubber substrate from Example 1), 18 :~2~7~

parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin copolym~.r o~
Example 1, ~nd 7 part~ by weight polymethylme hacrylate.
The resultant mixture was compounded in a ~anbury mixer and injection molded at 430 F. The resulta~t product was then subjected to the surface resistivity, the percent tensile elongation and ~he electrostatic dis ipative mQasur~ments as set ~orth in Example 1, the result~ of which are set ~orth in Table I.

_ A polymer blend composition was prepared comprising an A~S polymer includiny 62 parts by weight of the stryene acrylonitrile copolymer of Example 2 blended with 23 parts by weight of a high rubber graft copolymer, and 15 parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin copolymer of Example 2.
The mixture was compounded in a Banbury mixer and injection molded at 430 F. The resultant product was subjected to the surface resistivity, the percent tensile elongation and electrostatic dissipative measurements set forth in Example 1, the results of which are set forth in Table I.

~ 3~17~

v~ n t~ t~l tD C r~~ O ~ O ~ ~ 1~ ~C
O V rD V~ O '~ ~ r1 0 ~ ~ D~
~ ~ c _ vl to n ~ n D ~ ~r~ ~c rl o n ~ g _ ~ n ~n o ~ 5 3~ n 9 ~ 1~ 3~ ~ ~D ~0 O V ~ 3 o ~ tD
Y~~J 55 ts ~t a n -- ~-3 0 ~ W _ ~D I ~0 m ,-- ~ ro O ~ n ~ ~ ~ u~ 3 5~ O
o ~ _ r~ Go 50~ 3 r~ 5:1 3 n n ~ ~: r, n v. ~
, 5 _ _ ,. ~
3- 0 3 ~ ~~
O CL ~ 9~
~D

-- O ~
~D . i O Vl ~n O _ _ i u~ ~ : ~
w _ O ---- _ _ ~ I_ -- I O vl ~
_ o~ ~ ~
O ~

-- O _ __ ~I ~.;
L~ . I O ~ul O
v~ _ ~ O

-- O _ _ _ _l w ~n . I Q
_ _ These examples demonstrate that the antistatic and electrostatic dissipative proper~ies o~ the compo~itions according to the present ~nvention are comparable to or better than those of the Comparative composition which does not include the acrylate polymer. ~owever, as demonstrated by the percent t,ensile elongation ~o break measurements, the polymer blend compo3ition~ o~ the present invention ~xhlbit ~ignificantly improved ductility. Thus, the polymer blend compositions of the present invention are particularly adapted for u~e in applications requiring good antistatic or electrostatic dissipative properti~s and good ductility.

Polymer blend compositions were prapared according to the present invention comprising a high impact polystyrene (HIPS), an epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer and polymethylmethacrylate. The amounts of each component included in the compositions of ~xamples 5-9 are set forth in Table II. These compositions were twin-scr~w extrusion compounded at 42~ F and inj~ction molded at 430 F. The products were then tested to evaluate th~ir mechanical and electrostatic ~issipative properties. Specifically, the products were subiected to ten~ile elongation, yield and modulus m~asurements and Dynatup dart impact and notched Izod impact measurements. The electrostatic dissipation performance was measured in terms of decay time from 5000 to O volts at 11 p rcent relative humidity. The same ASTM
procedures set forth in connection ~i~h Examples 1-4 were applied with respect to the products of Examples 5-9. The results of these measurements are set forth in Table II.

~32~7~

, A polymer blend composition w~ prepared including 85 parts by weight of the high imp~ct polystyrene used in Examples 5-? and 15 pa:rts by weight of the epichlorohydrin ethylene oxide ~opolymer used in Ex~mples 5-9O This composition was twin-screw extrusion compounded at 425 F and inJection moldel~ at ~30 ~. The resultant product was then ~ub~ected to th~ tensile elon~ation, yield and modulus measurements and the Dynatup dart impact and notched Izod impact mea-~urements as described in Examples 5-9. The composition product was al50 subiected to the electrostatic dissipation performance evaluation as set forth in connection with Examples 5-9.
The results of these measurements are also set forth in Table II.

A polymer composition was prepared comprising 100 parts by weight of the high impact polystyrene used in Examples 5-9. This polymer composition was ~ubjected to the molding processing set forth in Examplss 5-9 and then subjected to the tensile, impact and electrostatic dissipation performance measurements set ~orth in Examples 5-9, the results of which are set forth in Tabl~ II.

14 ~ 32077~
~ 9 _ ~ ~ oI ~ ~ o ~ o~O
Z ~ r~~ `C G~
O _ n D~ CIn ~ P~ o n i ~ 3 _ r- n I~ ~ 3r~ ~
tD 1~ rl ~ :1: ~ ~ C ~ Y ~ 3 ~.
,- o o a~ g O - f r ~0 a ~ ~ v r n = ~ n r- SI ~ ~ ~
~1 ~ rr I ~~r C -- _ O _ a ~ o o ~ ~- . CL ~ O
u~ n n ~~ 3 ~. rr ~
n ~ _ rn c~ nw ~ o~ ~- oC a rr ~o , n O~
r.
~- rr rD
ul _.
~9 o r~ w r. ~
o ~ ~ ~ ~~ o ~n ~n o ~n O
~D ~3 o~ ~n ~D
rl o ~ w r r~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _~I _ I . . . . O ~ -Ul D r~
C w ~ _ H
n O v~ ~n O
~1~ ~ cn ~ W

~ -- O _ _ _ _ n ~ C~
O
i n Ul ~ n _ _ ~I ~O
O ~ ~n ~ ~ Cl u~ ~n O
O
o~ ~

~, , _ 0 n n ~n ~Iq n h~
Ul n O _ ~ n O I I C:l W
O W
il ce ~n 1~

~2~

Examples 5-9 demonstrate the significant improv~ment in ductility as represented by perc~nt tensile elongation, dart impact and Izod impact values for polymer blend compositions containing a styrenic polym~r, ~n 5 epi ::hlorohydrin copolymer and polymethylmethacrylate relative to the fonnulation o~ Comparative Example 2 which does not include polymethylm~thacryl~e. Additionally, Examples 5-9 demon~trate ~he significa~t electro~atic dissipation properties of the polymer blend compositions of the pre~ent invention as compared with the high impact polystyrene control composition o~ Comparative Example 3 which does not contain either ~he epichlorohydrin copolymer or polymethylmethacrylate. All of the compositions of Examples 5-9 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 exhibited a surface resistivity within the range of to 10 ohmsjsquare.

This example demonstrates a polymer blend composition according to the present invention co~taining a high impact polystyrene, an epichlorohydrin copolymer and polymethylmethacrylate. Specifically, the composition comprised 70 parts by weight of the high impact polystyrene, 15 parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer as set forth in Ex~mple 1, and 10part~ by weight of the polymethylmethacrylate. The composition also included 5 parts by weight of a rubber modifier. The composition was mixed and ln~ectlon molded to produce products whi~h were then tested to ~valuate 30 their mecha~ical and ~lectro~t~tic dissipative properties.
Specifically, the products ~ere sub~ected to the tensile elongation, ~zod impact and dart impact measurements set forth in the discussion of Examples 5-9 and the electrostatic dissipation measursment also set forth in 132~77~

the discussion of Examples 5-9. The composition products of this example exhibited 32% l:ensile elongation, 3R2 ft-lbs/in notch2d Izod imp~t and 14.0 ~-lb~ ~ynatup dart impact. Additionally, the electrostatic dissipation decay time from 5000 to O volts at ~ relative humidity was 1.8 seconds. Thus, the composition of ~his example ind uding a high impact polystyr~ne with ~ rubber modifier, a polyepichlorohydrin copolymer ~nd pol~methylmethacrylate exhibited both improved ductility and enhanced electrostatic dissipation properties.
The preceding Examples are set ~orth to lllustrate sp~cific embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the compositions and methods of the present invention. Additional embodiments and advantages within the scope of the claimed invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A polymer blend composition, comprising:
(a) from about 40 to about 96 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer comprising a polymer or copolymer of styrene;
(b) from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an epihalohydrin copolymer; and (c) from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of an acrylate polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate homopolymers and acrylate copolymers formed from greater than 50 percent by weight acrylate monomer, the amounts of each of components (a), (b) and (c) of the blend adding up to 100 weight percent.

2. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, comprising:
(a) from about 55 to about 90 percent by weight of the styrenic polymer;
(b) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of the epihalohydrin copolymer; and (c) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of the acrylate polymer.

3. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the styrenic polymer comprises an ABS graft copolymer.

4. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 3, wherein the ABS polymer comprises a copolymer of acrylonitrile and a styrene monomer graft polymerized onto a rubber substrate.

5. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the styrenic polymer comprises a high impact polystyrene.

6. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the styrenic polymer comprises a polymethylmethacrylate styrene acrylonitrile butadiene graft copolymer.

7. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the styrenic polymer comprises a blend of a polystyrene and polyphenylene ether.

8. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the styrenic polymer comprises a high rubber graft polymer and at least one polymer selected from styrene-acrylonitrile-maleic anhydride polymers and styrene-maleic anhydride polymers.

9. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the epihalohydrin copolymer comprises a copolymer of epihalohydrin and an alkylene oxide.

10. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 9, wherein the alkylene oxide is selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.

11. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 9, wherein the epihalohydrin copolymer comprises a copolymer of epichlorohydrin and ethylene oxide.

12. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 11, wherein the epihalohydrin copolymer comprises 10-40 weight percent epichlorohydrin and 90-60 weight percent ethylene oxide.

13. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the acrylate polymer comprises an acrylate homopolymer.

14. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 13, wherein the acrylate homopolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyalkyl acrylates and polyalkylmethacrylates.

15. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 14, wherein the acrylate homopolymer comprises polymethylmethacrylate.

16. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, wherein the acrylate polymer comprises an acrylate copolymer formed from greater than 50 percent by weight acrylate monomer.

17. A polymer blend composition as defined by claim 1, comprising:
(a) from about 55 to about 90 percent by weight of an ABS polymer comprising a graft copolymer;
(b) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of a copolymer of epichlorohydrin and ethylene oxide; and (c) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of a polymethylmethacrylate.