METHOD FOR MAKING POLYETHERIMIDES AND PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREBY

摘要

1463298 Aromatic polyetherimides GENERAL ELECTRIC CO 21 Dec 1973 [29 Dec 1972] 58791/73 Heading C3R A method of making a polyetherimide comprises (1) effecting reaction between one or more aromatic bis(etheranhydrides) and one or more diamines H 2 N-R-NH 2 in a mixture consisting essentially of the specified reactants and an organic solvent at at least 130‹ C. while effecting removal of water of reaction and (2) separating the polyetherimide from the resulting mixture consisting essentially of polymer and solvent. R is one of a number of defined aromatic radicals and R1 is one of a larger number of defined radicals including C 2-20 alkylene or cycloalkylene and alkyleneterminated polydiorganosiloxane as well as aromatic radicals. The polyetherimides per se are claimed in Specification 1,463,300 except for those produced by the present process, which are disclaimed therein apart from the specific products of certain examples which are disclaimed in the present Specification. Specified reaction solvents are various hydrocarbons and halohydrocarbons; water is preferably removed azeotropically. In step (2) the polymer may be precipitated in methanol, washed and dried. The recovered polymer may be injection moulded or dissolved, e.g. in methylene chloride, chloroform or N,N-dimethyl-form- or -acet-amide and cast to form a film; it may be reinforced with fillers, e.g. perlite, fume silica, carbon whiskers or glass fibres. It may have 5 to 500 repeating units and phthalic acid or amino end groups. Reference is made to Specification 1,393,835 in respect of the dianhydride and its preparation. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specifications 1,289,491 and 1,357,396.