Cyclics Corporation

Steven R Bahr

Tohru Takekoshi

Steven J Winckler

Yi-Feng Wang

James Pawlson

Paul Willey

Sunita S Baghel

The invention provides alternatives to traditional polycondensation processes for preparing copolymers. For example, in certain embodiments, the invention provides a process that includes an extrusion step and a solid state polymerization step to prepare high molecular weight block copolymer with a 'hard block' contributed by a macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) and a 'soft block' contributed by a dihydroxyl-functionalized polymer, an oligoether, and/or a dimerized fatty acid (i.e. a polyol). The invention also provides new copolymer compositions made possible by the new processes&#x2014;for example, copolymers of higher molecular weight, copolymers with higher weight ratio of soft block units to hard block units, copolymers made with higher molecular weight polyol, and copolymers with hard block units that are themselves random copolyesters of units contributed by a MPO and a cyclic ester.

Processes for making copolymers using macrocyclic oligoesters, and copolymers therefrom

The invention provides intimate physical mixtures of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) and filler, as well as methods for their preparation and use. Improved dispersion of filler in a polymer matrix is achieved upon polymerization, and larger amounts of filler with high aspect ratio can be used. In one aspect, the invention provides mixtures of MPO with magnesium silicate. In another aspect, the invention provides a mixture of MPO, filler, and polymerization catalyst as a one-part, ready-to-polymerize material with a long shelf life. The one-part material can be used, for example, in the manufacture of parts without modification of existing processing equipment.

Intimate physical mixtures containing macrocyclic polyester oligomer and filler

The invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) with high-molecular-weight polymer and polymerization catalyst as friable, one-component, ready-to-polymerize materials with long shelf life. The invention also provides methods for preparation and use of the blend materials. The blends are used, for example, in the production of thermoplastics via low-pressure processes, such as rotational molding and powder coating, without modification of existing equipment. The blends are particularly useful where it is desired to exploit the ability to polymerize and crystallize MPO isothermally, but where the melt viscosity of unfilled MPO is too low for use in existing equipment.

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Schenectady, NY, United States of America

Steven R Bahr