摘要:
A film that contains a thermoplastic composition having a substantial portion of a renewable, natural starch polymer, and yet is elastic and exhibits good strength properties, is provided. Although starch is normally chemically incompatible with most elastomeric polymers due to their different polarities, the present inventors have discovered that phase separation may be minimized by selectively controlling certain aspects of the film, such as the nature of the elastomeric polymer and the starch polymer, and other film components, the relative amount of the film components, and the process for making the film.
摘要:
A film that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer is provided. The film is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water. The dual attributes of elasticity and water-sensitivity may be achieved by reducing the tendency of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer to form separate phases. Namely, phase separation may cause the elastomer to act as a barrier and limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and thereby disperse. To minimize such phase separation, a variety of aspects of the film construction may be selectively controlled, such as the nature of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer, the relative amount of each component, and so forth.
摘要:
A biodegradable and renewable film that may be employed in a wide variety of applications is provided. The film is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one starch and at least one plant protein. Even at a high renewable material content, the present inventors have discovered that films may be readily formed from plant proteins and starches by selectively controlling the individual amount of the starch and plant proteins, the nature of the starch and plant proteins, and other components used in the film. Balancing the amount of starches and plant proteins within a certain range, for instance, can reduce the likelihood of plant protein aggregation and enhance the ability of the composition to be melt processed. The composition also contains at least one plasticizer that improves the thermoplastic nature of the protein and starch components. The selection of the plasticizer may also help reduce the tendency of the plant protein to aggregate during melt processing. For example, a relatively acidic plasticizer (e.g., carboxylic acid) may be employed in certain embodiments to minimize the formation of disulfide bonds in a gluten protein, and thereby decrease its tendency to aggregate.
摘要:
A thermoplastic material composition containing certain biodegradable and renewable components is described. The thermoplastic composition that includes a least one kind of algae or a blend of at least one kind of algae and a plant polymer a blend of algae and/or plant-based polymers, such as proteins and starches, as relatively low cost feedstock. The algae or blend may be plasticized. Additionally, a method adapted for large scale fabrication of fibers, films, or extruded articles is also described.
摘要:
A thermoplastic starch for use in a melt-processed composition (e.g., fiber, nonwoven web, etc.) is provided. The thermoplastic starch contains an enzymatically debranched starch and a plasticizer. By selectively controlling certain parameters of the enzymatic modification process (e.g., temperature, enzyme and starch concentrations, reaction time, isolation method, etc.), the present inventors have discovered that a native starch may be hydrolyzed in a highly efficient manner to form compositions having a comparably lower weight average molecular weight and viscosity, which are particularly suitable for use in the formation of thermoplastic starches for use in melt processing applications.
摘要:
A melt-extruded substrate (e.g., film, nonwoven web, etc.) that contains a thermoplastic starch formed from a starch and plasticizer is provided. The starch and plasticizer are melt blended together in the presence of a weak organic acid (e.g., lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, etc.). By selectively controlling certain parameters of the melt blending process (e.g., extrusion temperature, content of the components, etc.), the present inventors have discovered that the starch may be hydrolyzed in a highly efficient manner to form compositions having a comparably lower weight average molecular weight, polydispersity index, and viscosity, which are particularly suitable for use in the formation of melt-extruded substrates.
摘要:
A film that is formed from a biodegradable polymer blend of different aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters is provided. More specifically, the blend contains a first copolyester formed from a terephthalic acid monomer. The use of a terephthalic acid monomer results in a polymer chain containing 1,4-(para-) terephthalate units linked in a generally linear configuration (e.g., ˜180°). The blend also contains a second aliphatic-aromatic copolyester formed from a phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid monomer. The use of such a monomer results in a polymer chain containing 1,2-(ortho-) and/or 1,3-(meta-) linked units. The inclusion of 1,2-(ortho-) and/or 1,3-(meta-) linked units into the polymer backbone of the second copolyester introduces an angle or “kink” (e.g., ˜120° kink for a 1,3-linkage) into the otherwise linear polymer chain. The “kinks” in the second copolyester backbone reduce its melting point and degree of crystallinity, which have an influence on its physical properties (e.g., toughness, tensile strength, and crystallization rate). Thus, the physical properties of the second copolyester may differ substantially from those of the first copolyester. In this regard, the “kinked” second copolyester can provide flexibility for forming films with a wide range of properties that is superior to that which may be achieved using either of copolyesters alone.
摘要:
A film that is biodegradable and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The film contains a biodegradable polyester, starch, water-soluble polymer, and plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive attributes of film may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the film is formed, and so forth.
摘要:
A film that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer is provided. The film is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water. The dual attributes of elasticity and water-sensitivity may be achieved by reducing the tendency of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer to form separate phases. Namely, phase separation may cause the elastomer to act as a barrier and limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and thereby disperse. To minimize such phase separation, a variety of aspects of the film construction may be selectively controlled, such as the nature of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer, the relative amount of each component, and so forth.
摘要:
A melt-extruded substrate (e.g., film, nonwoven web, etc.) that contains a thermoplastic starch formed from a starch and plasticizer is provided. The starch and plasticizer are melt blended together in the presence of a weak organic acid (e.g., lactic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, etc.). By selectively controlling certain parameters of the melt blending process (e.g., extrusion temperature, content of the components, etc.), the present inventors have discovered that the starch may be hydrolyzed in a highly efficient manner to form compositions having a comparably lower weight average molecular weight, polydispersity index, and viscosity, which are particularly suitable for use in the formation of melt-extruded substrates.