Thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer/lignin blends

A method for preparing a thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer/lignin copolymer composite comprising:

• melt blending (i) a thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer, wherein the thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer is a first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, (ii) lignin, wherein the lignin is selected from a kraft lignin, a sulfite lignin, a sulfur-free lignin, or combinations thereof and sourced from a hardwood or softwood feedstock, and (iii) a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent includes at least a dianhydride, and a second acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene copolymer having a butadiene content of at least 50% by weight, which is a different copolymer than the first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer,
• forming a substantially homogeneous blend of (i)-(iii);
• and
• forming a composite article from the substantially homogeneous blend, wherein the composite article has a notched izod impact strength of at least 2 kJ/m2 and/or an elongation at break of at least 2% and wherein the lignin is present in an amount from about 5 to 50 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii), components (i) and (ii) are present together in an amount from 75 wt % or greater by weight of the total weight of the blend, and the compatibilizing agent comprises from about 0.5 to 25% by weight of the total weight of the blend.

A thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer/lignin blend comprising:

• (i) an amount of lignin, wherein the lignin is selected from a kraft lignin and sourced from a hardwood feedstock;
• (ii) an amount of a thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer, wherein the thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer is a first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer;
• and
• (iii) an amount of a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent is phthalic anhydride and a second acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene copolymer having a butadiene content of at least 50% by weight, which is a different copolymer than the first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and
• wherein the kraft lignin is present in an amount from about 15 to 50 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii), components (i) and (ii) are present together in an amount from 75 wt % or greater by weight of the total weight of the blend, and the compatibilizing agent comprises from about 5 to 25% by weight of the total weight of the blend.

A composite article comprising:

• a thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer/lignin blend comprising:
• (i) an amount of lignin, wherein the lignin is selected from a kraft lignin, a sulfite lignin, a sulfur-free lignin, or combinations thereof and sourced from a hardwood or softwood feedstock,
• (ii) an amount of a thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer, wherein the thermoplastic acrylonitrile containing copolymer is a first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer;
• and
• (iii) an amount of a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent includes at least a dianhydride, and a second acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene copolymer having a butadiene content of at least 50% by weight, which is a different copolymer than the first acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, and
• wherein the lignin is present in an amount from about 5 to 50 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii), components (i) and (ii) are present together in an amount from 75 wt % or greater by weight of the total weight of the blend, and the compatibilizing agent comprises from about 0.5 to 25% by weight of the total weight of the blend, and
• wherein the composite article is an exterior or interior automotive component.