AES/PC Blends for Exterior Automotive Applications

Blends of acrylonitrile-styrene grafted EPDM rubber (AES) polymers have been used in unpainted exterior automotive applications for seven years. The need for higher heat distortion weatherable materials, which can survive paint touchup ovens and horizontal use temperatures, stimulated the development of AES/polycarbonate (PC) blends. The fundamental chemistry and morphology of these polymers is presented along with rheology, physical property, and weatherability data to show their utility in exterior automotive applications.