Molding compositions containing modified polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) random copolymers derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

A composition comprising:

• (a) from 20 to 49.9 wt % of a first polyester component having an intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 and comprising:
• a first polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) has at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and
• (b) from 20 to 49.9 wt % of a second polyester component having an intrinsic viscosity ranging from 1.1 to 1.4 and comprising:
• a second polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) has at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and
• (c) from 0.01 to 20 wt. % of a carboxy reactive component;
• (e) from 0 to 25 wt % of an impact modifier;
• (f) from 0 to 1 wt % of a ultraviolet stabilizer;
• (g) from 0 to 30 wt % of a flame retarding component;
• and
• (h) from 0 to 1 wt % of a mold release agent;
• wherein the first polyester component, the second polyester component, the carboxy reactive component, the impact modifier, the ultraviolet stabilizer, the flame retarding component, the mold release, and optionally, at least one additive, are present in a total amount of 100 wt %;
• wherein the molding composition has a melt volume rate that is at least 10% higher than the same molding composition made with a monomer-derived polybutylene terephthalate homopolymer instead of the first and second polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers, as measured on pellets according to ISO 1133 method at 250° C. and 5 kgf at dwelling time of 240 seconds and a 2.1 mm orifice;
• wherein the composition has a heat deflection temperature at 0.455 MPa that is greater than 180° C.;
• and
• wherein the composition has a total monomer content selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, isophthalic acid groups, and diethylene glycol groups in an amount ranging from more than 0 and less than or equal to 17 equivalents of a residue selected from the group of isophthalic acid groups, ethylene glycol groups, and diethylene glycol groups, and combinations thereof, relative to the total of 100 equivalents of diol and 100 equivalents of diacid groups in the polybutylene terepthalate random copolymer.