Milliken + Co

Polyone Corporation

Jiannong Xu

Jiang Li

Darin L Dotson

Daike Wang

Kemper David Lake, Jr

Keith Alan Keller

Xiaodong Edward Zhao

Brian Michael Burkhart

Robbie Willem Johan M Hanssen

Tamara L Robertson

Nathan A Mehl

Jason Dean Sprinkle

Shawn R Sheppard

Scott R Trenor

Christopher Thomas Kochanowicz

Cristina M Acevedo

Michael J Mannion

Jing Liu

John David O Anderson

Keith Allen Keller

Dave Keegan

Dale W Chandler

Benjamin W Bolt

Robbie Willem J M Hanssen

Robbie Willem Hanssen

Jack Frautschi

Jr Kemper David Lake

A radiopaque, optically translucent thermoplastic polyurethane compound is disclosed. The use of nano-sized particles of barium sulfate optionally in combination with a minor amount of certain dispersion aids allows the barium sulfate to be sufficiently dispersed within the thermoplastic polyurethane to retain optical translucency according to a defined Haze Determination Test. Medical devices, needing both visual spectrum observation before and during in-vivo medical use and radiopacity monitoring during in-vivo medical use, benefit from this compound. Optionally, a surface enhancer can also be used.

Radiopaque, optically translucent thermoplastic compounds

A thermoplastic additive composition comprises an acetal compound and at least one co-additive. The acetal compound can be the product of the reaction between an alditol or a C-substituted alditol and a benzaldehyde. The co-additive can be a fatty acid amide compound, a fatty acid ester compound, and/or a fluoropolymer. A thermoplastic composition comprises a thermoplastic (e.g., one or more polyolefins) and an additive composition as described above.

Additive composition and thermoplastic compositions comprising the same

A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a nucleating agent. The nucleating agent comprises a compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I) or Formula (II) 

Thermoplastic polymer composition

A thermoplastic additive composition comprises an acetal compound and at least one co-additive. The acetal compound can be the product of the reaction between an alditol or a C1 substituted alditol and a benzaldehyde. The co-additive can be a fatty acid amide compound, a fatty acid ester compound, and/or a fluoropolymer. A thermoplastic composition comprises a thermoplastic (e.g., one or more polyolefins) and an additive composition as described above.

An additive composition comprises a liquid medium and a clarifying agent. The liquid medium is either a liquid hydrocarbon or a surfactant having an HLB of about 6 or less. The clarifying agent is dispersed in the liquid medium. In certain particular embodiments, the additive composition comprises both the liquid hydrocarbon and the surfactant, with the liquid hydrocarbon providing the medium for the additive composition. A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an additive composition of the invention. A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of providing a thermoplastic polymer, providing an additive composition, and mixing the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition to produce the thermoplastic polymer composition.

Liquid dispersion and thermoplastic compositions comprising the same

A thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a nucleating agent. The nucleating agent comprises a compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III) 

It is possible to improve significantly the optical performance of diacetal or DBS-based nucleating or clarifying agents using a co-additive. Haze is a measure of the lack of clarity in a thermoplastic or plastic material. A low level of haze is usually quite desirable, and nucleating/clarifying agents are designed to reduce the degree of haze in a plastic or thermoplastic material. A co-additive may be used in connection with a nucleating/clarifying agents in a polymer or copolymer to achieve even greater results in terms of improved clarity (reduced haze), or in terms of a higher crystallization temperature (Tc) of the polymer. A method for reducing haze in polymer articles using a co-additive composition in addition to nucleating and clarifying agents is disclosed.

Co-additive compositions and methods for applying co-additive compositions into nucleated polymer compounds

Chemical additives disclosed for reducing 'plate-out' which have applications in polymers, such as polyolefins. It is possible to provide for a composition and a process for producing parts, sheet and film from polyolefin extrusion applications wherein the polyolefins are processed with a minimal quantity of 'plate-out.' A polyolefin composition may contain a sorbitol-based clarifying system of a derivative of Dibenzylidene, along with one or more co-additives to achieve a reduction in undesirable plate-out.

Method and compositions for reducing plate-out in the manufacture of plastic articles

Diacetals of sorbitols and xylitols are employed in polyolefins as nucleating agents. Diacetals of sorbitols and xylitol nucleating agents may be provided in granular or powder form from hoppers or mixing equipment into polyolefins during the formation of polymeric compositions and polymeric articles. Flow of diacetals of sorbitols and xylitols is improved by the use of certain silicas, in certain defined weight percentages. Submicron size range silica compounds may provide excellent flow enhancement properties when blended and used with diacetals of sorbitols and xylitols powder compounds. A hydrophobic silica mixed with diacetals of sorbitols and xylitols compounds also may provide enhanced flow properties for such mixture, as compared to mixtures using hydrophilic silica. Loading ranges of silica may be important in improving the flow of diacetals of sorbitols and xylitols compounds.

Silica-containing nucleating agent compositions and methods for using such compositions in polyolefins

Nucleating agent compounds are used in polymers, such as polypropylene, to improve both the properties and processing characteristics of the polymer. Some nucleating agents may be used also as clarifiers to reduce the visual haze in finished polymeric articles, thereby increasing clarity of finished polymeric articles. Compounds of a carboxylate salt which employ a combination of an amide group and a metal cation salt perform well as nucleating agents, and provide substantial clarity benefits in a polymer. Other compounds of the invention may employ metal carboxylate salts in combination with an ester group. In other embodiments of the invention a dimer of such compounds may be employed.

Metal carboxylate salt nucleating or clarifying agent compounds and related polymer compositions and methods

Clarified polyolefins such as polypropylene are used widely to make polymer articles, containers, and the like. Such articles may be manufactured by the injection of molten polymer into a mold or forming device in manufacturing processes at high rates. A clarified composition is provided to achieve optimized clarity and organoleptic performance at lower processing temperatures and/or within a polypropylene resin having a higher melt flow rate.

Polyolefin composition

Addictive composition and articles containing the same

Specific methods of inducing high nucleation rates in thermoplastics, such as polyolefins, and particularly, though not necessarily, polypropylenes, through the introduction of two different compounds that are substantially soluble within the target molten thermoplastic resin (such as, as one non-limiting example, an added compound including at least one acid group and an added organic salt) are provided. Such introduced components react to form a nucleating agent in situ within such a target molten thermoplastic resin which is then allowed to cool. Preferably, one compound is an acid, preferably bicyclic (i.e., two cyclic systems sharing at least three carbon atoms) or monocycloaliphatic (i.e., a single, saturated ring system) in nature, such as, without limitation, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane dicarboxylic acid or hexahydrophthalic acid, and the other compound is an organic salt, such as a carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphate, oxalate, and the like, and more preferably selected from the group consisting of metal C&#x2013;Cesters. Such a production method thus provides a manner of generating in Situ the desired nucleating agent through reaction of such soluble compounds. Kits (e.g., masterbatch methods, for example) comprising such components for easy introduction within target molten polyolefin resins are also contemplated within this invention.

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Spartanburg, SC, United States of America

Jiannong Xu