Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation

Sandra A Kupperblatt

Robert F Eaton

Daniel Goldberg

Wong F Ark

David M Simpson

George E Ealer

Michael William Tilston

Lactone copolymers are disclosed which are polymerized from a first lactone monomer and a second amorphous monomer which is effective to suppress the crystallization of the copolymer. It is disclosed that suppression of the crystallization can provide enhanced mechanical properties in films made from the copolymers. As a result, films prepared from the copolymers of the present invention can have properties rendering them suitable for use as biodegradable trash bags as well as for other uses.

Biodegradable lactone copolymers

Condensation copolymers are disclosed which are polymerized from a first monomer which is capable of polymerization by condensation polymerization, e.g., ring opening lactone polymerization, and a second monomer which is effective to suppress the crystallization of the copolymer. It is disclosed that suppression of the crystallization can provide enhanced mechanical properties in films made from the copolymers. As a result, films prepared from the copolymers of the present invention can have properties rendering them suitable for use as biodegradable trash bags as well as for other uses.

Condensation copolymers having supressed crystallinity

A blend comprising a mixture of two ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymers, said blend having a flow index in the range of about 5 to about 50 grams per 10 minutes; a melt flow ratio in the range of about 10 to about 50; a density in the range of 0.900 to 0.940 gram per cubic centimeter; a molecular weight in the range of about 98,000 to about 190,000; and an Mw/Mn ratio in the range of about 2 to about 8, said blend having been prepared by mixing first and second copolymers having about equal molecular weights, each copolymer being a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, the first copolymer having a flow index in the range of about 5 to about 75 grams per 10 minutes; a melt flow ratio in the range of about 10 to about 50; a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.930 gram per cubic centimeter; a molecular weight in the range of about 87,000 to about 190,000; and an Mw/Mn ratio in the range of about 2 to about 4 and the second copolymer having a flow index in the range of about 5 to about 75 grams per 10 minutes; a melt flow ration in the range of about 10 to about 50; a density in the range of 0.935 to 0.970 gram per cubic centimeter; a molecular weight in the range of about 87,000 to about 190,000; and an Mw/Mn ratio in the range of about 2 to about 4, the weight ratio of the first copolymer to the second copolymer being in the range of about 70:30 to about 30:70.

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Flanders, NJ, United States of America

Sandra A Kupperblatt