Polyphenylene ether compositions having improved mechanical and heat properties

A thermoplastic composition comprising:

• (a) about 30 wt % to about 60 wt % of a resin component comprising polyphenylene ether (PPE) and polystyrene (PS), wherein the PS does not comprise a rubber reinforcement;
• (b) from about 35 wt % to about 65 wt % of a filler component;
• (c) from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of a flow promoter comprising at least a partially hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin;
• and
• (d) an elastomer component comprising from 2.5 wt % to 5 wt % rubber content in the composition excluding the filler component,
• wherein the combined weight percent value of all components does not exceed 100 wt %, and all weight percent values are based on the total weight of the composition except as indicated in (d),
• wherein components (c) and (d) are distinct components, and
• wherein the composition has a tensile strength retention, a flexural strength retention, or a notched Izod impact strength (NII) retention of at least 75% after heat ageing at 150° C. for 1000 hours, wherein tensile strength is determined at a speed of 5 mm/min in accordance with ISO527, flexural strength is determined at a speed of 2 mm/min in accordance with ISO178, and NII is determined at room temperature in accordance with ISO180.