1. A composition comprising, based in each case on the total weight of the composition,
A) 50.0% by weight to 99.5% by weight of at least one (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and
B) 0.5% by weight to 50.0% by weight of at least one copolymer obtained by polymerisation of a monomer mixture comprising
I 70% by weight to 92% by weight of a vinylaromatic monomer and
Ii 8% by weight to 30% by weight of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile or mixtures thereof and
Iii 0% by weight to 22% by weight of at least one further monomer,
wherein the composition has a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 2.0% at 23\xb0 C. and a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 4.0% at 40\xb0 C. and the composition comprises at least one (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) having a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25\xb0 C. (ISO 1628\u2014part 6) of greater than 55 mlg.
2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) has a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25\xb0 C. (ISO 1628\u2014part 6) of greater than or equal to 65 mlg.
3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the copolymer B) is obtainable by polymerisation of a monomer mixture comprising
I 75% by weight to 92% by weight of a vinylaromatic monomer and
ii 18% by weight to 25% by weight of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile or mixtures thereof.
4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, styrene and maleic anhydride.
5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) is a copolymer of
50% by weight to 90% by weight of methyl methacrylate,
10% by weight to 20% by weight of styrene and
5% by weight to 15% by weight of maleic anhydride.
6. The composition according to claim 4, wherein said composition comprises the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) in an amount of at least 75% by weight, based on the total weight of all (meth)acrylate (co)polymers.
7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) is a homopolymer or copolymer of at least 80% by weight of methyl methacrylate and optionally up to 20% by weight of further monomers copolymerisable with methyl methacrylate.
8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer a) is a copolymer of 95% by weight to 99.5% by weight of methyl methacrylate and 0.5% by weight to 5% by weight of methyl acrylate.
9. The composition according to at least claim 7, wherein said composition further comprises at least one low molecular weight (meth)acrylate (co)polymer b) having a solution viscosity in chloroform at 25\xb0 C. (ISO 1628\u2014part 6) of less than or equal to 55 mlg.
10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer b) is a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, styrene and maleic anhydride.
11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymer b) is a copolymer of
50% by weight to 90% by weight of methyl methacrylate,
10% by weight to 20% by weight of styrene and
5% by weight to 15% by weight of maleic anhydride.
12. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the (meth)acrylate (co)polymers a) and b) are present in the following ratios, based on the total weight of the (meth)acrylate (co)polymers:
a) 25% by weight to 75% by weight
b) 25% by weight to 75% by weight.
13. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one lubricant as an auxiliary.
14. The composition according to claim 13, further comprising stearyl alcohol as a mould release agent.
15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a melt volume flow rate MVR, measured according to ISO 1133 at 230\xb0 C. and 3.8 kg, of greater than 1.2 cm310 min.
16. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of granules.
17. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a light transmittance TD65 according to DIN 50337 greater than 80% both at 23\xb0 C. and at 40\xb0 C.
18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition has a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 3.0% at 40\xb0 C.
19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition has a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 6.0% at 60\xb0 C.
20. A process comprising forming a composition according to claim 1.
21. The process according to claim 20, wherein the composition is extruded or injection moulded.
22. A moulding produced by a process according to claim 20, wherein the moulding has a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 2.0% at 23\xb0 C. and a haze according to ASTM D1003 of less than 4.0% at 40\xb0 C.
23. The moulding according to claim 22, having a light transmittance TD65 according to DIN 50337 in the range of 40% to 93% and a yellowness index according to DIN 6167 of less than 6.
24. The moulding according to claim 22, having at least one of the following properties
a a Vicat softening temperature according to ISO 306-B50 of at least 109\xb0 C.,
b a nominal elongation at break according to ISO 527 of at least 3.0% and
c a modulus of elasticity according to ISO 527 of greater than 3200 MPa.
25. The moulding according to claim 22, having a normalised stress cracking resistance factor greater than 0.80 in the stress cracking resistance test according to the ESCR method after 30 minutes at an outer fibre strain of 1%.
26-27. (canceled)
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A brake adapted to be carried by a rotatable shaft comprising a housing having an open end; a plurality of stationary discs in said housing; a plurality of rotatable discs adapted to rotate with the shaft; said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs; a plurality of springs biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs; a piston movable to oppose the force of said springs; said housing, said rotatable discs and said stationary discs each having at least one bore; a shipping bolt adapted to be received in each said bore during shipping and installation of said brake, and adapted to be permanently removed after positioning of said brake on said shaft.
2. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said bolt includes a threaded portion, one of said bores of said stationary discs being provided with threads, said threads receiving said bolt threaded portion.
3. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said open end of said housing is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body.
4. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said rotating discs include splines on the radially interior portion, said splines are adapted to mesh with splines on the rotating shaft.
5. A brake according to claim 4 wherein when said shipping bolts are received in said bores, said splines of said rotating discs are aligned.
6. A brake according to claim 1 wherein said piston includes an annular body portion and a plurality of projections, said piston being moveable by a pressurized fluid to cause said projections to apply a force to the stationary disc which is proximate to said springs.
7. A brake according to claim 6 wherein when no said pressurized fluid is provided, said springs cause said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs, applying a torque to the shaft.
8. A brake according to a claim 1 wherein when said piston is actuated and applies a force greater than the force of said springs, said stationary discs and said rotatable discs disengage.
9. A brake adapted to be carried by a rotatable shaft comprising, a housing having an open end, a plurality of stationary discs in said housing, a plurality of rotatable discs adapted to rotate with the shaft, said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs, a plurality of springs biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs, a piston movable to oppose the force of said springs, a plurality of pin assemblies, and a spring retaining ring slidably mounted to said pin assemblies, said springs being retained between said spring retaining ring and one of said stationary discs by the pin assemblies during shipping and installation of said brakes.
10. A brake according to claim 9 wherein said pin assemblies are carried by one of said stationary discs.
11. A brake according to claim 10 wherein prior to positioning the brake on the shaft, the force of said springs maintains said spring retaining ring spaced from said one of said stationary discs.
12. A brake according to claim 11 wherein said pin assembly includes a washer which provides a stop for said spring retaining ring.
13. A brake according to claim 9 wherein said pin assembly includes a washer, a screw and a spacer, said screw including a screw head and wherein said spacer and said washer are held between said screw head and said stationary disc.
14. A brake according to claim 9 wherein when said brake is positioned on the shaft, said spring retaining ring is adapted to interface with a vehicle body, wherein the body is provided with holes which are adapted to allow said pin assemblies to reside therein.
15. A brake according to claim 9 wherein said piston includes an annular body portion and a plurality of projections, said piston being moveable by a pressurized fluid to cause said projections to apply a force to the stationary disc which is proximate to said springs.
16. A brake according to claim 15 wherein when no said pressurized fluid is provided, said springs cause said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs, applying a torque to the shaft.
17. A brake according to a claim 9 wherein when said piston is actuated and applies a force greater than the force of said springs, said stationary discs and said rotatable discs disengage.
18. A brake adapted to be carried by a rotatable shaft comprising a housing having an open end; a plurality of stationary discs in said housing; a plurality of rotatable discs adapted to rotate with the shaft; said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs; a plurality of springs biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs; a piston movable to oppose the force of said springs; said housing, said rotatable discs and said stationary discs each having at least one bore; a shipping bolt received in each said bore; a plurality of pin assemblies; and a spring retaining ring slidably mounted to said pin assemblies, said springs being retained between said spring retaining ring and one of said stationary discs prior to positioning the brake on the shaft, said bolts being adapted to be received in each said bore during shipping and installation of said brake and adapted to be permanently removed after positioning of said brake on said shaft.
19. A brake adapted to be carried by a rotatable shaft and to be mounted on a vehicle body comprising a housing having an open end and a plurality of holes, a plurality of stationary discs in said housing, a plurality of rotatable discs adapted to rotate with the shaft, said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs, a plurality of springs biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs, a piston movable to oppose the force of said springs, and a plurality of torque pins received in said housing holes and projecting from said housing, said torque pins being adapted to be received in corresponding holes in the vehicle body thereby aligning the brake during mounting.
20. A brake adapted to be carried by a rotatable shaft comprising a housing having an open end; a plurality of stationary discs in said housing; a plurality of rotatable discs are provided with a splined radially inner portion which is adapted to mesh with a splined portion of the shaft; said rotatable discs being positioned to be engaged by said stationary discs; a plurality of springs biasing said stationary discs to engage said rotatable discs; a piston movable to oppose the force of said springs; said housing, said rotatable discs and said stationary discs each having at least one bore; a shipping bolt received in each said bore, said bolts holding said splined portions of said rotatable discs in an aligned orientation to facilitate easy mounting to the splined portion of the shaft, said shipping bolts being removed after positioning the brake on the shaft to allow rotation of said rotatable discs.