Methods of nucleating thermoplastics using concentrates of saturated bicyclic dicarboxylate salts

Abstract

Concentrates (also known as masterbatches) of certain bicyclic dicarboxylate salt thermoplastic nucleating additives in order to facilitate use thereof in typical thermoplastic manufacturing procedures are provided. Such nucleating additives have been found to impart high peak crystallization temperatures to thermoplastics (such as polypropylene, as one example); however, when combined in masterbatch form in the past such a nucleation property was sacrificed to a certain extent due to unforeseen problems associated with polymer-containing concentrates (i.e., pellets, for example) of such additives. Thus, improvements in masterbatching of these bicyclic dicarboxylate salt thermoplastic nucleators have been accomplished to the level necessary to allow for concentrate use with concomitant effective nucleation effects at the same level (if not in excess thereof) of the utilization of such a nucleator mixed prior to melt-compounding with a target or resin or added directly into a molten resin (i.e., at-level, or not in concentrate form). Methods of producing thermoplastics with such nucleator additive concentrates and thermoplastic articles made therefrom are also contemplated within this invention.