MXPA98002371A

MXPA98002371A - Improved process for the production of adapta thermoplastic resins

Info

Publication number: MXPA98002371A
Application number: MXPA/A/1998/002371A
Authority: MX
Inventors: M Hurley James; B Brian Bernd; E Tuttle Mary; Popovski Blagojce
Original assignee: Basf Corporation
Priority date: 1997-06-30
Filing date: 1998-03-26
Publication date: 1999-02-24

Abstract

An adapted thermoplastic resin having a thermoplastic resin body and a coating on the thermoplastic resin body is disclosed. The coating consists essentially of an additive component and a polymer component. The polymer component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range below the initial temperature for the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin body. The adapted thermoplastic resins of the invention can be produced more efficiently than conventionally adapted thermoplastic resins, while the thermoplastic resins adapted from the invention can be used in the same methods as conventional materials to produce many useful articles.

Description

IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RESINS ADAPTED THERMOPLASTICS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to thermoplastic color resins which are useful in the molding articles. In particular, the invention relates to adapted thermoplastic resins having a thermoplastic or resin-based resin body covered with a layer of a lower melt thermoplastic coating composition. The composition of the re-coverings consists essentially of a polymeric component - and at least one additive, preferably a dye or pigment, and particularly preferably an additive not present in the composition of the body of the plasticplastic resin. In a preferred embodiment, the coating contains an additive, a pigment that is dispersed in the polymer component. The adapted thermoplastic resin is formed into an article by melting and mixing together with the body of the thermoplastic resin and the thermoplastic coating compositions and extruding, molding or otherwise molding the mixture in the article.

Background and Compendium of the Invention Thermoplastic resins are formed "in many types of articles, for example by extrusion, thermoforming, and compression molding processes.The plasticplastic resins are usually composed and manufactured as granules or powders that can be easily shipped and can be handled easily and conveniently during the formation of the desired articles or stored for further processing.The most economical is to manufacture the thermoplastic resins as granules in a continuous extrusion process in which the granules are compounded to meet the requirements of many uses.

However, it is often the case that a thermoplastic resin must be formulated or adapted especially for a particular use or application, such as the color molding process, for example including special additives for that use, such as pigments to achieve a particular color or a stabilizer package that meets the requirements for a particular use. In particular, the thermoplastic resins can be adapted to influence certain pigments and / or dyes. It is often desirable that the manufactured article have a particular color. A particular color can, for example, improve the aesthetic appearance of the article or even, it can serve to help identify a particular brand or manufacturer.

However, the adaptation of the color or additive package of the platinum resin can present problems. While the general-purpose thermoplastic resin or resin base can be produced by means of continuous extrusion operations, colored thermoplastic resins or dealplastic resins with special additive packages are typically required in much smaller quantities which are relatively expensive to produce . Manufacturing, especially post - production cleaning is an extremely intensive task. The equipment for processing (such as mixers, feeders, extruders and granulation equipment) must be thoroughly cleaned after each particular color or blend adapted to avoid contamination of the thermoplastic resins that will occur later in the equipment. The cleaning process requires significant time in which the equipment is not used during which no material is manufactured, adding manufacturing costs to the specialized product.

Alternatively, the colored articles have been produced by dry blending the uncolored thermoplastic resin with a colored concentrate (also known as color masterbatch) which is known in the art as a "salt and pepper mixture". The thermoplastic resin and the color concentrate used for these mixtures are typically pieces or granules of similar size. The color concentrate is generally a minor sanctity by weight of the mixture, typically only up to about 5% by weight, and with much lower frequency.

Then the mixture of salt and pepper is introduced to the molding or forming equipment used to produce the final article. The melting mixture of the uncolored resin and the solder solution should be carried in the molding or forming equipment. However, this process may result in color variations from piece to piece, or even in areas within the same piece, due to incomplete mixing, particularly for the low mixing proportions of the color concentrate. The segregation of particular additives during packing and transportation is also experienced with dry blends and contributes to the lack of homogeneity in the final formed articles.

In a method related to the use of the salt and pepper mixture, the lacquers and liquid colors can be introduced into the mouth of an injection molding extruder or other forming equipment. This method also has a number of disadvantages, the manufacturer may require sophisticated measuring equipment in order to produce uniform coloration. Secondly, this method is similar to the salt and pepper method in that the coloring material and the uncolored resin are introduced essentially separately, relying on a total mixing in the forming equipment before the article It is finally formed. It can be an insomplete mezslado and several colors.

Gose and collaborate-odors in U.S. Patent No. 5, 443, 910 and related patents describe the scaling of certain processing, stabilization or other functional polymer additives to polymeric particles by spraying the particles with an aqueous emulsion of the polymer additive. The emulsion includes an emulsifier (acidic funsional), surfactant, base, additive and water. However, this method of adapting thermoplastic resins has several disadvantages. First, the inclusion of a base compound in the applied material can cause unwanted coloration or changes in colors. For example, Gose et al. Point out problems when using potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The dessoloración that can result from the amines in certain systems is also very conosida. Second, the water of the emulsion or the combination of water and the base presents problems for the hydrophilic resins. In addition, it may be desirable in some instances to exclude the surfactants from the thermoplastic resin. Finally, the application method of the emulsion has disadvantages that are inherent in the process, for example, that the applied emulsion layer must be dry and the emulsion must be stored and used under conditions that are carefully maintained to avoid destabilization and separation.

Sharma, in U.S. Patent No. 5,300,256 and related patents, also discloses the application of an additive to a polymeric particle of an aqueous medium. Sharma discusses the handling or storage problems of Gose and provides a two-phase solid additive system that can be dispersed in water just before application. The polymer additives used by Sharma must be melted at a temperature not higher than 100 ° C, and may include hydrophilic polymers such as low molecular weight poly-olefins with carboxylic moieties. The additives again contain water and are further diluted with water and applied in an aqueous emulsion, still with many of the problems mentioned above.

It is also possible to prepare the color concentrates by means of a mixing method together with a pigment mixture, low-weight silicates and thermoplastic polyolefin granules. The pigment and wax are included at relatively high levels, for example, about 40% by weight of the mixture. The wax dispersed in the pigment forms a layer on the granules of the polymer. This masterbatch is mixed with unmodified base polylefins to form a "salt and pepper" mixture. The masterbatch requires a high charge of pigment and dispersed wax in order to achieve the loading of the desired final pigment in the salt and pepper mixture. These mixtures containing the masterbatch suffer from the same problems mentioned above. further, the relatively thick layer of wax on the granules is undesirable because these coarse coatings have to be easily peeled off and detached, which could result in a segregation and inhomogeneity in the molded articles, as well as the problems of dust in the production.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide adapted thermoplastic resins that overcome the disadvantages of those produced by the methods described above.

We have now discovered a new method for preparing adapted thermoplastic resins in which the parts, typically the thermoplastic resin granules are covered with a layer consisting essentially of a polymer component and an additive component. The polymer component of the layer has a melting point, softening point, or glass transition temperature that is less than the melting point, softening point or glass transition temperature of the body of the thermoplastic resin. The aforementioned melting point, the softening point or glass transition temperature (or other temperature or temperature range where the J. resins begin to soften or flow) of a particular resin or resin composition may be referred to as the temperature of the beginning of the fusion processing range. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term "principle temperature for the range of the melt processing" is used herein for convenience and that it can be referred to either at a different single temperature or at a range of temperatures. In references to the differences between the ranges, one can use the difference of the highest, lowest or average temperature within a range; the term of preference employs the most significant separation of temperature in the application under consideration.

In a preferred embodiment, the layer is a color concentrate consisting essentially of a psimeric component and one or more pigments, optionally with other additives. In a process for producing the thermoplastic resins adapted from the invention, the body or piece of thermoplastic resin is brought into contaste with the re-coating or sapa at a temperature at which the coating composition melts. The pieces or coated resin granules are cooled to solidify the coating in a layer on the body of the thermoplastic resin. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of an outer layer of the adapted coating is applied substantially inclusive. Coated resin pieces or granules are easy to handle and can be formed into articles using the same process and in the same way as would be used resin granules that would have had the color or other additive integrally mixed therein.

The color concentrate or other adapted coating composition is coated on the resin after the resin part is formed. The custom-modified resin resins of the invention can thus be produced in the easy-to-clean equipment and without requiring time outside the equipment used for the body of the thermoplastic resin, resulting in a much more versatile and economical process. Furthermore, because each granule or other body of the thermoplastic resin is in intimate contact are the pigment or additive needed to produce the desired resin adapted, the defestos are avoided as the lack of homogeneity, which is espesially apparent when the solor is invoked . Additionally, the surfactants, water, amines and resins with hydrophilic functionalities that the prior art compositions required are not necessary for the coatings of the present invention.

In particular, the present invention provides an adapted thermoplastic resin having a thermoplastic resin body and an outer thermoplastic coating layer, which covers at least a portion of the body, consisting essentially of a polymer component and an additive component. Particularly it is preferred that the additive be a pigment.

Detailed Description The thermoplastic resins adapted from the invention have a thermoplastic resin body and an outer thermoplastic coating layer which suffers less partially from the body. The coating includes a polymer component having a starting temperature for its melt processing range that is lower than the beginning temperature of the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin body. The coating also includes an additive component that comprises when less than one additive. Preferably, the additive component comprises at least one colorant or pigment as the additive or as one of a plurality of additives.

The body of the thermoplastic resin is preferably a granule. The nameplastic resins are customarily manufactured as granules for further processing in the desired article. The term "granules" is understood and used in the present to contour various geometrical shapes, somo-squares, trapezoids, cylinders, lenticular forms, cylinders with diagonal faces, slabs and substantially spherical shapes that include a dust particle or a sphere of Larger size. While the nameplastic resins are often sold as granules, the resin could be in any suitable shape or size to be used in the equipment that is used to form the final article.

The body of the thermoplastic resin is preferably a granule. The thermoplastic resins are customarily manufactured as pellets for further processing in the desired article. The term "granules" is understood and used in the present to contour various geometrical shapes, such as squares, trapezoids, cylinders, lenticular forms, cylinders with diagonal faces, lamellae, chunks and substantially spherical shapes that include a powder particle or a sphere Larger in size While thermoplastic resins are often sold as granules, the resin could be in any suitable shape or size to be used in the equipment that is used to form the final article.

The body of the thermoplastic resin can comprise virtually any suitable thermoplastic resin to be formed into articles by thermal, molding, extrusion or other processes that can be used in the methods of the invention, with the proviso that the thermoplastic resin of the body of the The resin must have a temperature at the beginning for its melt processing range higher than the beginning temperature of the melt processing range of the polymeric somponent of the outer coating sap. For example, and without limitation, the following thermoplastic materials can be used advantageously: _ styrene-butadeno-asyronitrile (ABS), acetal resins such as polyoxymethylene, acrylics, acrylonitrile (AN), allyl resins, cellulosics, epoxies, ketones polyarylether, polyether eternketons (PEEK). phenolic, polyamides (nylons) including polyamide-6, polyamide-β, 6, polyamide-6,10 and more; polyamides, polyamide-imide resins, polyolefins (TPO), including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene hourpolymers and sopolymers; polysarbonates; polyesters, including polyalkylene terephthalates such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyphenylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyarylene sulphites such as polyphenylene sulphite, polyarylene sulfides such as phenylene sulfide, polyvinyl resins, including polystyrene (PS) and styrene copolymers such as styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) and acrylic sopolymer -syrene-acrylonitrile (ASA), polyvinyl polymers including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinylphenylene chloride, polyurethanes (TPU) and polysulfones, including polyaryl ether sulphides, polyether sulfones, and polyphenyl sulfones Block mixtures or copolymers of two or more resins can also be used.The preferred materials for the body of The thermoplastic resin includes polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes and polystyrene copolymers, polyacetals, polycarbonates, acrylics, polyether ethernets and mixtures thereof. Copolymers of polyesters, polyamides, polystyrenes and polystyrene and mixtures of these are the ones that are especially preferred.

The body of the thermoplastic resin of the resins adapted herein can also comprise a fibrous material. These fibers may include reinforcing agents. Useful fibers include, without limitation, glass fibers, carbon and graphite fibers, polymer fibers including aramid fibers, boron filaments, silica fibers, metal fibers, asbestos fibers, berilium fibers, silica carbide fibers and more. The fibers can be conductive and these conductive fibers, for example the conductive carbon fibers or conductive metal fibers, can be used to produce articles for conductive or static charge dispersion or EMI coating applications. Among these, fiberglass, carbon fibers and aramid fibers are preferred. The methods for preparing the thermoplastic resins that include this type of fibers are well known in the art. In one method, pieces of split glass fiber are fed into the melting zone of the extruder that is in use to form the body of the thermoplastic resin, for example, by introducing fiber tow or. fiber bundles through a food port.

The adaptive re-cover or the sapa sub at least part of the body of the plasticplastic resin. In one modality preferred, the coating substantially encapsulates the "sporeps of the plastic-plastic resin." substantially encapsulated "means that at least about three quarters of the body surface of the thermoplastic resin is covered, and preferably less than about nine-tenths of the body of the thermoplastic resin. Resin is coated It is particularly preferred that the cover cover substantially the entire body of the resin The coating of the adapted thermoplastic resin has a thickness which will result in the desired weight ratio of the composition composition of the resin body composition when two are melted mixtures when forming the final article, the proportion of the weight of the thermoplastic resin resorption can be - in the range of less than approximately 0.1% by weight and up to about 10% by weight, based on the weight of the resin adapted thermoplastic, preferably the coating is at least approximately 0.5% by weight and up to 5% by weight based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin. In this way the thickness of the coating can. depend on these factors, such as the area of the body surface of the thermoplastic resin that is covered and the consension of the additive or additives in the coating compared to the desired concentration in the final mixture of the body of the resin and the coating. For a typical cylindrical granulate, the coating can be up to an average of approximately 300 microns thick. In a preferred embodiment, the average thickness of the coating for this granulate can be at least about 10 microns and up to about 200 microns.

The coating consists essentially of a polymer component and a component additive. The polymer component consists essentially of one or more resins or polymers. Examples of suitable materials for the polymer component include, without limitation, the above-mentioned thermoplastic materials such as those suitable for the body of the resin, waxes and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer component is a crystalline material.

When the body of the thermoplastic resin contains a water-sensitive material such as a polyamide, it is preferable that the coating contains a hydrophobic resin component as its polymer component. It is thought that a coating based on a hydrophobic polymer as a coating containing wax will decrease or prevent the reabsorption of water by means of a body of hydroscopic resin. Examples of the adesuados materials for the somponente of the hydrophobic resin include without limitation, seras and mixtures of waxes. Waxes are generally defined as materials that are solid at ambient temperatures, have relatively low melting points, and can be heated and hardened by cooling. Useful waxes include, without limitation, waxes of natural occurrence such as animal, vegetable, mineral and petroleum waxes, as well as synthetic waxes. Preferred among these,? You will find the hydrosarbon seras, the paraffin waxes; polyalkylene polymers and homopolymers, especially polyethylene, polypropylene and alkene copolymers having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, particularly copolymers of ethylene with alkenes having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, especially ethylene copolymers are propylene or butylene; microcrystalline waxes, carnuba waxes: mountain waxes; you will be Fissher-Tropsch; fatty acids, especially those having from about 12 to about 18 sarbono atoms, including stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, stic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and fatty acid of resin oil, and the fatty acid derivatives including dimer fatty acids, fatty amides, fatty acid soaps such as stearate of zins and esters of fatty acids; hydrogenated wastes hydrogenated castor oil; polyethers, including polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and block copolymers thereof; polytetrahydrofuran, and ezsás of the same. Particularly preferred are polyethylene waxes having molecular weights, preferably at least about 2000 and preferably below about 12,000; polypropylenes, copolymers, oxidized polyethylenes, ester ester waxes, polystyrenes and copolymers of styrene, sarnuba waxes, esters of fatty acids and mixtures thereof. Other aforementioned polymeric materials include derivatives of polystyrenes and polystyrene, polyvinyl polymers including polyvinyl polymers of slorinate, polyvinyl chloride and mixtures thereof.

The coating component includes at least one additive. Examples of suitable additives include, without limitation, plasticizers, tixstrspss, optical brighteners, antioxidants, UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers, fire retardants, pigments, dyes, condusts, nonfibrous reinforcers and particulate fillers. like talc, impact modifiers such as ionomers, maléate elastomers and natural and synthetic rubber particles, processing aids such as lubricants, mold release agents and slip agents, fragrances, anti-foam agents, antioxidants, antistatic agents, antimicrobials, biocides, and ás. The surfactants and acids or bases used for ionic resin resins or polymers are not considered as additives within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment the additive component of the coating comprises when less than one pigment or dye. Preferably, the pigment is present in an amount of up to about 8% by weight, and especially up to about 4% by weight, based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin. The suitable pigments are black, white or solor pigments, as well as the extension pigments. Examples of useful pigments include, without limitation, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulphide, barium sulfate, aluminum silicate, calsium silicate, sarbono black, black iron oxide, envelope sromite black, oxides of yellow iron, red iron oxides, iron oxides sap, osre, sienna, u ber, hematite, limonite, mixed iron oxides, chromium oxide, Prussian blue (ammonium ferrocyanide) green chromium, yellow chromium, violet magnesium, cobalt phosphate, cobalt lithium phosphate, ultramarines, green and blue copper phthalocyanines, non-metallized and metallic azo reds, gold, red and purple quinacridones, diarylide and modiarilide yellows, naphthol reds, pyrrolo-pyrroles , anthraquinone, thioindigo, flavantrone and other tub pigments, pigments based on benzimidazolone, perylenes, dioxazine, carbazole violet, perinone, isoindoline, and more.

The dyes can be used in place of a pigment or in addition to a pigment. For example, a dye can be used to produce a brighter color than would otherwise be obtained with a composition that is only pigments. Examples of useful dyes include, without limitation, azo dyes, such as Yellow Solvent 14 and Yellow Metanil; anthraquinsne dyes or Solvent Red 111, Solvent Blue 56, and Green Solvent 3 xanthene dyes, such as Rhodamine B, Rhodamine Sulfo, Green Sovent 4, Red Sour 52, Red Básso 1, and Orange Sopvente 63; dyes azine, co or indulipa and nigrssinas; fluorescent dyes, sulfur flavin brillant (acid yellow 7) orange sovente 50 / a tincture of perinone) basic dyes of triphenylmethane, such as violes de methyl and vistoria B and yellow quinoline.

Conducting materials include conductive pigments with those of certain grades of carbon black and graphite. Carbon black can function both as a conductive material and as a colorant. These conductive materials can be incorporated into the composition of the coating in accordance with the usual methods of fillers or incorporation pigments, which will now be described generally with particular reference to the pigments.

The pigments can be dispersed in the carrier, which is a polymer component and one of the resins of the polymer component, by a two-step process. In a first step, the pigment agglomerate breaks into smaller particles. In a second step, the air in the superfisie of the pigment particles is displaced by the resin to "moisten" the pigment and thereby fully develop its shadow of color and strength. A method for dispersing the pigment in the resin or polymer component is first to precipitate the pigment with granules of the resin and then obtain an intimate mixture by the process of the mixture precipitated in a cylinder mill, Banbur mixer, intensive mixer or an extruder double or single screw.

The disperse dye may be a conventional color concentrate or a liquid color. If a liquid color is used, it should be used at a sufficiently low level to be ensapsulated by the polymeric component so that the coating is solid at ambient temperatures. Typical color concentrates may include one or more thermoplastic resins and one or more pigments. Examples of suitable dealplastic resins include, without limitation, seras, as are the examples given above; polyolefins, polystyrenes and polyvinyl slurry resins. The colorplastic resin of the color concentrate forms or forms a part of the polymeric component of the coating. The pigment can be any of those known in the art, such as those mentioned above, and mixtures of this pigment. Concentrates of conventional color may be in the form of granules, cubes, beads, sheets or micro pearls. The color concentrates can have a pigment filler of about 10% by weight to about 80% by weight, typically from about 30% by weight to about 60% by weight, based on the weight of the solder screen. Preferably, the solder concentrate has a pigment twill of up to about 80% by weight and preferably at least about 50% by weight. The consintration of the pigment will vary depending on the selection of the pigment and the carrier. Liquid colors typically have pigment twists of about 10% to about 80%.

It is particularly preferred that the coating comprises at least one color consentrate. The color concentrate can be prepared according to the conosid media, less pigments are sweated and optionally with additional additives such as anti-oxidants and used as the coating to prepare the adapted resins of the invention. Alternatively, two or more color concentrates can be mixed to obtain the desired color and applied as the coating of the invention. Solor consentrates are easily commercially available from a number of companies, including ReedSpectrum, Holden, MA; Unifor Color Company, Holland, MI; Americhem Inc., Cuyahoga Falls, OH; and Holland Colors Amerisas Inc., Richmond, IN.

The body of the thermoplastic resin may also include one or more additives. When the same additive is present in the composition of the body of the thermoplastic resin and in the layer of the plastic-plastic coating, then the composition of the coating can be used to increase the amount of the additive in order to adapt the level of that additive on top of the additive. the base resin. When the additive which is present in the coating is not present in the body deposition of the thermoplastic resin, then the addition of a layer of the coating can be used to adapt to the granulate by not including an additive in the body of the resin. The coating preferably includes less an additive that is not included in the body of the thermoplastic resin. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the body of the plasticplastic resin is not pigmented - that is, it does not substantially contain pigment or solderant - and the coating comprises at least one pigment or dye.

The polymeric component of the coating must have an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is less than the temperature- i or i of the fusion processing range of the thermoplastic resin body. Of this ods, the melt of the coating comprising the polymeric component can be applied as a melt to the thermoplastic resin body composition while the latter is a solid or substantially a solid. The initial temperature of the melt processing range of the polymer component of the resubrimiept is preferably above about 20 ° C and more preferably above about 60 ° C, and even more preferably it is found at about the same time. 80 ° C. The initial temperature of the melt processing range of the polymer component of the coating preferably has an initial temperature for its melt processing range of at least about 20 ° C below, and even more preferably at least 40 ° C below, The initial temperature for the fusion processing range of the body of the thermoplastic resin. If the adapted thermoplastic resin granules are to be dried using a dryer, then the melt processing range of the polymer component is preferably higher than the dryer temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the coating encapsulating the granulate of the thermoplastic resin is essoge to avoid or decrease the water's absorption, so that the drying step before forming the desired article is unnecessary.

The initial temperature of the melt processing range of the rewind somposisance which is the polymeric somponent should be below the initial melt processing range temperature of the thermoplastic body composition. An initial temperature lower than the melting process range can be obtained by using a different polymer material, for example, using a nylon ortho-synthesis for the deposition of the thermoplastic resin body and a polyethylene composition as the coating composition or using resins within the same class of psimeric material that have different processing temperature ranges that are due to molecular weights, plasticizers with lower melting materials, or using different monomers in the resin synthesis that tends to decrease its temperature range of prosesamiento. For example, the somposision of the thermoplastic resin body can comprise a polyolefin resin and a coating sompostion can also comprise a polyolefin, but with the polyolefin of the coating having a lower initial temperature of the melt processing range.

The thermoplastic resins or resins that are included in the polymer component of the coating preferably have no deleterious effects on any resin in the body composition of the plasticplastic resin. For example, the polymeric component should not have resin that is incompatible with a resin of the composition of the thermoplastic resin body at the expected processing temperatures, in which the adapted resin will be used to form the final article. An example of this harmful interaction would result from a combination of polyvinyl chloride and nylon in which HCl generation of PVC during the process could lead to the degradation or discoloration of nylon. A second example of an undesirable interassion would be a transesterification or transmidifisation between a nylon and a polyester. Another example of an undesirable interassión would be the stratification of two resins during the weight of formation of the final article due to the incompatibility. While it is not preferred to use the resin combinations that have this type of interactions, still another type of undesirable resins can be used in the re-surfacing solution in small sanctities, such as those less than about 5% by weight and especially less than about 3%. % by weight based on the total weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

For convenience, but without limitation, the adapted thermoplastic resin of the present invention will be described hereinafter generally in terms of a granule shape, even when other forms are contemplated, as mentioned above.

In a preferred process for the production of adapted thermoplastic resins of the invention, the unmodified thermoplastic resin and optionally, one or more additives such as UV stabilizers or processing aids are charged to a hopper and fed into a screw extruder or double screw If desired, a protruding feed of glass or mineral reinforcements, and optionally a modifier can be introduced into the melting zone of the extruder. The extruded nozzle can be cooled, for example, in a bath of j > water and then granulate t in accordance with the methods customary to produce the body of the thermoplastic resin. In the case of a thermoplastic resin that is susceptible to yellowing, the extrudate is preferably rapidly cooled to a temperature below the melting point range, preferably at a temperature below about 150 ° C, and preferably at a temperature that is not less than about 60 ° C. In general, coatings compositions having low melt processing ranges are preferred for thermoplastic resins that tend to turn yellow. Granules based on hydroscopic thermoplastic materials should be allowed to dry before coating.

After being formed, the granulates can be coated by different methods. In one method, the granulates are placed in a container with a coating composition while the granulates are still ensued at a temperature per unit of the initial temperature of the melt processing range of the coating composition. In this case, the composition of the coating could already be fused or it could be fused by the heating of the granules or by means of the salifier externally apportioned to the sontener. For example, without limitation, the coating is. You can introduce to the container a dust suando is going to melt in the sontenedsr. It is preferred, particularly if the coating composition does not fuse before being contacted with the granules, that the coating composition has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is below the temperature of the granules in the container. , which will generally be above about 60 ° C and up to about 150 ° C. The contents of the container are mixed, for example by tamboreasing or "with wheel vane or auger blade." Additional heat can be applied to the container if necessary to obtain the desired coating of the granules with the coating composition. they are cooled by using a cooling jacket stirring the contents of the container, with the direct application of cooling air to the granules in the container or to the granules after they are taken from the sontener, or by putting in sontasto the granules are a cooler without reassignment such as liquid nitrogen or dry ice, the granules can be precipitated or stirred during the cooling so that they can not clump together, preferably the granules are cooled to a temperature at which the coating hardens to be easily removed. of the granules of the container and they can also be cooled what is necessary before being impassable.

In a second method for delaying the rewind of the granules, the granules after the granulator exists and while they are still projecting, are transported to an area where the deposition of the coating is applied as a melt (ie, without solvent). The composition of the coating can be applied by sprinkling, since the composition is of a viscosity suitable for the spray equipment or is applied by powder coating methods. The coating is preferably applied as a hot melt - Although it is not necessary to apply the coating to all surfaces of the granulate, care must be taken (as is true for the coating layer application method) to apply an adequate amount of the coating. composition of the coating so that the ratio of the desired weight of the coating to the granulate is achieved. Too much dew (ie, the rosy coating composition that does not become deposited on a granule) can be re-absorbed, re-coated. ? merge and re-spray. The fused coating composition can be dripped into the granulates instead of being blended. In a second method, the coating composition can also be applied by transporting the granules through a melt bath of the coating composition. The granules can be transported through the melting bath by means of, for example and without limitation, a conveyance belt or by immersing the mixture in a porous metal basket.

It is also possible to allow the granules to be completely cooled and then the granulate to be left at a desired temperature again before coating. This reheating should be carried out, for example, with hot air or radiant heating. In this way the granules which made the body of the thermoplastic resin of the thermoplastic resins adapted from the invention could be reheated and covered a time later to form the adapted thermoplastic resin.

In some cases, it would be beneficial to cool the granules below the initial temperature of the fusion processing range of the composition of the overlay. For example, in the processes described above in which the molten coating composition is applied to the granules of the resin, it would be possible to use cooled granules to speed the cooling and harden the coating being applied. For example, it would be desirable to use granules that are at ambient temperature or below it to increase the thickness of the reuptake pouches that can be piled up or hasten the production of the sub-granules.

In a further method of granular re-surfacing, the granules and coating composition are charged to a fluidized bed reactor, a cylinder mill, a ball mill (with the granules replacing the steel balls) or a dispersing equipment with a flat impeller together with the coating. It is also possible to load the granules and the components of the individual coating of the polymeric component, such as a polyolefin wax and the additive component, consisting of for example, one or more pigments or dyes and / or optionally one or more other additives. The materials are then processed at a temperature at which the coating or the polymer component is a melt but in which the granules remain solid. This can be achieved by adding the coating or the polymeric component as a melt, applying heat to the processing container after the ingredients are loaded, by the heat generated by the frissión and sizállamiento of the materials during the process or by any combination of these . After processing them for a sufficient time to produce a substantially homogeneous coating on the granules, the coated granules are cooled, preferably by stirring or precipitating to prevent the granules from agglutinating as the coating solidifies.

The sub-granules or the adapted thermoplastic resin of the invention may be formed into articles according to any of the methods known in the art for the thermal fusion processing of the thermoplastic resin compositions. For example, compression molding, vessel molding, injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, calendering, melting, extrusion, filament winding, lamination, spin or bone molding, transfer molding, contact molding or accumulation , stamping, and combinations of these > Methods can be used with the adapted thermoplastic resins formed by the present methods.

The thermoplastic resins adapted from the invention can be formed in any of the articles that are generally made thermoplastic resins. Among mushas of the possibilities, are without limitation, bases for chairs, connectors and electrical housings, automotive components including grilles for horns, accommodation for mirrors, and receivers of fluid, accommodations for power tools, somponentes for electrical appliances or shelves for refrigerators and handles for oven doors, toys such as plastic construction clusters, toothbrushes and films or extruded layers.

The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are merely illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention as it is dessribe and claimed. All parts are parts by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE A coating composition is produced as follows: 35 parts by weight phthalocyanine blue / Blue Heliogen K7090, available from BASF Corp., Mt. Olive, NJ) combined are 65 parts by weight of Luwax 61 (melting point = 103 -111 ° C, available from Basf Corp., Mt. Olive, NJ) in a divided sinclinal fold kneader, opened for 50 minutes at 150 ° C. The mixture is allowed to cool, is removed from the kneader and then ground until it has a rough powder.

A suitable thermoplastic resin is prepared as follows: 70 parts by weight of nylon 6 (Ultramid ™ B3, available from BASF Corp., Mt. Olive, NJ) is made up of 30 parts by weight of sorted glass fibers (strips sortadas 3540 de PPG, Inc., Pittsburg, PA) on a two-screw extruder from ZSK 40 (Werner &Pfleiderer) at 260 ° C at a total output of 80 kg / hr. Immediately upon exciting the nozzle plate, the ribbons are run through a 36-inch water bath, after which they are blown with compressed air to remove excess water and then fed through a knife granulator Rotary Scherr. 5th kg. of granules are collected in a 55-gallon metal drum, mounted on the drum of the rotating drum. The temperature of the granules is approximately 120 ° C. 1.5 kg. of the composition of the coating prepared above is added to the drum and the mixture is precipitated for about one hour until the coating composition has uniformly coated the granules and the temperature of the granules has cooled to 60 ° C. The coated granules are bleached at a moisture content of 0.08% by weight of the granule.

The adapted thermoplastic resin is injection molded into tension bars that have a uniform blue single phase and an appearance and exessive physical properties.

The invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof. However, it should be understood that variations and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention and the following claims.

Claims

1. An adapted thermoplastic resin comprising a thermoplastic resin body having a coating thereon; wherein the coating consists essentially of an additive component and a polymer component, the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range below the initial temperature for the fusion processing range of the body of the coating. thermoplastic resin.

2. A thermoplastic resin adapted to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes and copolymers of polystyrene, polyacetals, polycarbonates, acrylics, polyether ether ketones and mixtures thereof.

3. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic resin body comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polystyrenes and polystyrene copolymers and mixtures thereof.

4. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the coating comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of waxes and mixtures thereof.

5. A suitable plasticplastic resin according to claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the coating comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon waxes, polyalkylene homopolymers and alkene copolymers having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. carbon, microcrystalline waxes, carnuba waxes, mountain waxes, Foscher-Tropsch waxes, fatty acids having from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms and derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.

6. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the re-surfacing consists of less than one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethylene copolymers, are alkynes having from 3 to 10 sarbono atoms, you will be sarnuba, fatty acids having from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms and derivatives thereof, montane waxes, and mixtures thereof.

7. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the coating comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, thixotropes, antioxidants, UV absorbers, optical brighteners, obstructed amine light stabilizers, stabilizers thermics, flame retardants, pigments, dyes, conductive materials, non-fibrous reinforcers, particular fillers, impasto modifiers, elastomers, natural and synthetic rubber particles, lubricants, mold release agents, slip agents, fragrances, antifoams, antioxidants , antistatic agents, antimicrobials, biocides and mixtures thereof.

8. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coating comprises at least one pigment. ?

9. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is ensured by about 20 ° C.

10. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polymer component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is above about 60 ° C.

11. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is ensured by approximately 80 ° C.

12. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range is at least about 20sC below the initial temperature for the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin body,

13. A thermoplastic resin adapted from the claim 1, wherein the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is at least approximately 40 ° C below the initial temperature for the range of fusion processing of the body of the thermoplastic resin.

14. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin has a substantially spherical shape.

15. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin is not pigmented and in which the coating additive comprises at least one pigment.

16. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises less of a selessionate additive from the group consisting of plasticizers, thixotropes, antioxidants, UV absorbers, optical brighteners, obstructed amine light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers, flame retardants, pigments, dyes, conductive materials, non-fibrous reinforcers, particular fillers, impasto modifiers, elastomers, natural and synthetic sausage particles, lubricants, mold release agents, slip agents, fragrances, antifoaming agents, antioxidants, antistatic agents, antimicrobials, biocides and mixtures thereof.

17. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises a fibrous material.

18. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin consists of sucking less a material selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers and aramid fibers and mixtures thereof.

19. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the coating consists essentially of at least one color concentrate.

20. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises a non-pigmented polyamide resin and furthermore wherein the re-coating comprises at least one pigment.

21. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the average coating thickness is up to about 300 microns.

22. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, in the back of the coating is up to about 10% by weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

23. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the re-surfacing is up to about 5% by weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

24. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the additive is up to about 80% by weight of the re-surfactant.

25. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the re-surfacing is up to about 80% by weight of at least one pigment.

26. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the additive comprises at least one pigment; this pigment is present in an amount of up to about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

27. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the additive comprises at least one pigment; this pigment is present in a sanctity of up to about 4% by weight, based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

28. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 1, wherein the additive sucks less pigment; the pigment is present in an effective amount.

29. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polimerisate of the resorption is crystalline.

30. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic resin body is substantially encapsulated by the coating.

31. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin comprising the application of at least a portion of a thermoplastic resin body, a re-surfacing that is essentially of an additive somponent and a polymeric component, the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its range of Fusion processing below the initial temperature for the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin body.

32. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin according to claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin body comprises a semistructured polymer material from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes and polystyrene copolymers, polyacetals, polycarbonates, acrylics, polyether ethernets and mixtures thereof.

33. One method for adapting a thermoplastic resilience resin is claim 31, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polystyrenes and polystyrene copolymers and mixtures thereof.

34. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resilient resin to claim 1, wherein the polymeric component of the coating comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of waxes and mixtures thereof.

35. One method for adapting a thermoplastic resin of resilience is the claim 31, wherein the polymeric surfactant of the re-surfacing consists less than one member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon waxes, polyalkylene homopolymers and alkene copolymers having 2 to 10 sarbono atoms, microcrystalline waxes, carnuba waxes, montana waxes, Foscher-Tropsch waxes, fatty acids having from about 12 to about 18 sarbono atoms and derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.

36. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin according to claim 31, wherein the polymeric component of the coating comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, ethylene copolymers are alkynes having from 3-10. sarbono atoms, you will be sarnuba, fatty acids having from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms and derivatives thereof, montana waxes, and mixtures thereof.

37. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resilience resin is claim 31, wherein the polymer component of the coating comprises at least one member bonded from the group consisting of plasticizers, thixotropes, antioxidants, UV absorbers, optical brighteners, amine light stabilizers. obstructed, thermal stabilizers, flame retardants, pigments, dyes, conductive materials, non-fibrous reinforcers, particular fillers, impasto modifiers, elastomers, natural and synthetic particles, lubricants, mold release agents, slip agents, fragrances, agents antifoams, antioxidants, antistatic agents, antimicrobials, biocides and mixtures thereof.

38. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin according to claim c, wherein the coating comprises at least one pigment,

39. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin according to claim 31, wherein the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is ensured by about 20 ° C.

40. A method for adapting a thermoplastic resin according to claim 31, wherein the polymer component of the coating has an initial temperature for its melt processing range that is above about 60 ° C,

41. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the polymeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its range of 5. fusion processing that is above about 80 ° C.

42. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the psimeric component of the coating has an initial temperature for its range of melting processing, which is at least approximately 20 ° C below the initial temperature for the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin.

43. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the polymeric surfacing material has an initial temperature for its melt processing range which is at least approximately 40 ° C below the initial temperature for the range of fusion processing of the thermoplastic resin.

44. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin has a substantially spherical shape.

45. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin is not pigmented and others where the additive of the re-surfactant at least one pigment appears.

46. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, tyrosotropes, antioxidants, UV absorbers, optical brighteners, obstructed amine light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers. Flame retardants, pigments, dyes, conductive materials, non-fibrous reinforcers, particle fillers, impaction impactors, elastomers, natural and synthetic rubber particles, lubricants, mold release agents, glidants, fragrances, anti-foaming agents, antioxidants , antistatic agents, antimicrobials, biocides and mixtures thereof.

47. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin comprises a fibrous material.

48. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 31, wherein the thermoplastic resin comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers and aramid fibers and mixtures thereof.

J 49. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the coating consists essentially of at least one color concentrate.

50. A thermoplastic resin adapted to be a sonicity is claim 31, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin comprises a non-pigmented psiliamide resin and furthermore wherein the coating comprises at least one pigment.

51. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the average coating thickness is up to about 300 microns.

52. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the coating is up to about 10% by weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

53. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the coating is up to about 5% by weight of the adapted thermoplastic esine.

5 . A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the additive is up to about 80% by weight of the re-coating.

55. A thermoplastic resin adapted to be in accordance with claim 31, wherein the coating comprises up to about 80% by weight of at least one pigment.

56. A thermoplastic resin adapted in accordance with claim 31, wherein the additive contains at least one pigment; this pigment is present in an effective amount.

57. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the additive comprises at least one pigment; this pigment is present in an amount of up to about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

58. A thermoplastic resin adapted from a sonority is the claim 31, where the additive contains at least one pigment; this pigment is present in an amount of up to about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the adapted thermoplastic resin.

59. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the polymer component of the coating is crystalline.

60. A thermoplastic resin adapted according to claim 31, wherein the body of the thermoplastic resin is substantially encapsulated. for the coating.

61. A method for producing articles from an adapted thermoplastic resin comprising the steps of: (a) providing a thermoplastic resin granulate; (b) applying to the at least one proportion of the thermoplastic resin granulate a coating consisting essentially of an additive component and a polymer component; this polimerisation component of the resorption has an initial temperature for its melt processing range below the initial temperature for the melt processing range of the thermoplastic resin body to produce an adapted thermoplastic resin; (c) fusing the adapted thermoplastic resin and mixing the thermoplastic resin of the granulate and the substantially uniform mixing coating; (d) forming the mixture in an article.

62. A produsido product of sonformidad are the method of reivindisasión 61.