POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE ALLOY CONTAINING TALC.

Abstract

A method for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blend with talc comprising: providing a supply of PET (PET supply); a supply of talc (talc supply); blending the PET supply with the talc supply in a mixer in a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a PET / talc blend; and providing the PET / talc blend as output. A method for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy containing talc comprising: providing a supply of the PET / talc blend (PET / talc supply); providing a supply of PET (PET supply); blending the PET supply with the PET / talc supply in a mixer to form a PET alloy containing from approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc; and providing the PET alloy as output.

Description

POLYETHYEENE TEREPHTHALATE ALLOY CONTAINING TALC CROSS REFERENCE This application claims priority over U.S. provisional patent application No. 62 / 648,119 filed on March 26, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a crystallizable polymer, and its crystallization influences many of the PET product's properties, such as clarity, stiffness, and strength. The high molecular weight of commercial PET leads to poor flow properties, which limits the manufacture of thin-walled injection-molded parts using PET. PET crystallizes slowly, resulting in long cycle times that are not commercially viable. Additionally, PET has a low heat deformation temperature (TDC), meaning that PET articles can soften at relatively low temperatures. It is desirable that a PET polymer have better flow, faster crystallization, and a higher TDC while maintaining the good properties of PET. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em PET SUMMARY In one embodiment, a method is provided for forming a mixture of polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) with talc. The method may include: providing a supply of PAT (TPA supply); providing a supply of talc (talc supply); mixing the TPA supply with the talc supply in a mixer in a TPA:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a TPA / talc mixture; and providing the TPA / talc mixture as the product. In one embodiment, a system is provided for forming a mixture of polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) with talc. The system may include: a supply of TPA (supply of TPA); a talc supply (talc supply); and a mixer coupled to an outlet of the TPA supply and coupled to an outlet of the talc supply, wherein the mixer is capable of mixing TPA with talc in a TPA:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a TPA / talc mixture. In one embodiment, a method is provided for forming a polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) alloy containing talc. The method may include: providing a supply of TPA (TAP supply); providing a supply of TPA / talc (TPA / talc supply); blending the TPA supply with the TPA / talc supply in a blender to form a TPA alloy containing from approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc; and providing the TPA alloy as a product. In one embodiment, a system is provided for forming a polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) alloy containing talc. The system may include: a TPA supply (TPA supply); a TPA / talc supply (talc supply); a mixer coupled to an outlet of the TPA supply and coupled to an outlet of the TPA / talc supply, wherein the mixer is capable of mixing TPA with TPA / talc to form a TPA alloy having approximately 1% (w / w) talc up to approximately 50% (w / w) talc. In one embodiment, a polyalkylene terephthalate / talc (TPA / talc) mixture may include: polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) containing talc in a TPA:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3. In one embodiment, a polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA) alloy may include TPA containing talc. The TPA may include: a first portion of TPA polymers having a first average molecular weight; and a second portion of TPA polymers having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is less than the second average molecular weight. The talc is present in the TPA in an amount of at least 1% and less than 50%. In one embodiment, the mold system may include: a mold having a mold cavity; and a TPA alloy comprising a first portion of TPA polymers having a first average molecular weight and a second portion of TPA polymers having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is less than the second average molecular weight, and talc in the TPA, wherein the talc is present in an amount of at least 1% and less than 50%, wherein the TPA alloy completely fills the mold cavity. The TPA may be: 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi > ω Ν C Ν CC -JCC -J Ν TRA In ΤΡΑ, η can be any reasonable integer, such as 1 (Polymethylene Terephthalate (PPM)), 2 (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)), 3 Polypropylene Terephthalate (TPP), 4 (Polybutylene Terephthalate (TPB)) or 5 Polypentylene Terephthalate (TPpent) or similar (for example, n is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.). The foregoing summary is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, modalities, and characteristics described above, other aspects, modalities, and characteristics will become evident with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The preceding and following information, as well as other features of this description, will become more apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It being understood that these drawings represent only various embodiments according to the description and, therefore, should not be considered limiting its scope, the description will be further specified and detailed by means of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for preparing a PET / talc mixture. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a system for preparing a PET alloy containing talc. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a system for preparing a PET alloy in different articles and, optionally, with additional optional components. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an injection molding system for preparing a PET alloy into an injection-molded article. Figures 5A-5C show the relationship between flow and resistance versus the chain length of the PET polymer. Figure 6A includes a graph showing the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data for PET. Figure 6B includes a graph showing CBD data for a PET containing talc. Figure 6C includes a graph showing CBD data for a PET that has talc formed at 110°C. Figure 6D includes a graph showing CBD data for a PET that has talc formed at 120°C. Figure 6E includes a graph showing CBD data for a PET that has talc formed at 125°C. Figure 6F includes a graph showing CBD data for a PET that has talc formed at 105 °C. Figure 7 includes a table showing the PET alloy properties obtained by CDB. Figure 8 includes a table showing the oxygen permeability of the PET alloy. Figure 9 includes a table showing the PET alloy properties obtained by CDB. Figure 10 includes a table showing the average molar mass molecular weights for PET and PET / talc alloys. Figure 11 includes a graph showing the heat deformation temperature (TDC) of PET and PET alloys that have various amounts of talc. Figure 12 includes a table showing the mechanical properties of the PET alloy that also contains shredded glass fiber (GGF). Figure 13A includes a table showing the mechanical properties of the PET alloy. Figure 13B includes a table showing the mechanical properties of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). DETAILED DESCRIPTION The accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description below, refer to and are incorporated herein. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components unless the context indicates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, the drawings, and the claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or 4 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi Scope of the subject presented in the present description. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present description, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated in the present description. Generally, the present technology includes a system and method for preparing a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy containing talc. The PET alloy is formed using a system that prepares a PET / talc mixture and then combines the PET / talc mixture with a PET composition to produce the PET alloy. Consequently, the system and method can be used to produce a precisely manufactured talc-filled PET (e.g., a PET / talc mixture), and such a PET / talc mixture is then blended with PET (e.g., fresh PET, virgin PET, or talc-free PET, etc.) to form a PET alloy material that has improved flow characteristics, rapid crystallization, a higher temperature of concentration (TDC), and better barrier properties than PET, while retaining other desirable PET properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength. PET can be advantageous in various products due to its water-repellent and moisture-barrier properties, making PET alloy items suitable for use as containers for liquids such as beverages (e.g., soft drinks, water, beer, etc.). The high mechanical strength of PET alloys allows their use in tapes, such as magnetic tape carriers or backings for pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, among other applications. Furthermore, PET alloys can be modified through processing and by adjusting the amount of talc in the PET / talc mixture, as well as by modulating the crystallization process, thus allowing for adjustments to the clarity, rigidity, and strength of the resulting PET alloy product.PET alloys can include low molecular weight PET blended with talc and high molecular weight PET, which can lead to faster or improved flow. Therefore, PET alloys can now be used in injection molding, such as for manufacturing thin-walled injection-molded parts, as well as by extrusion to form a variety of extruded products, such as tapes and fibers, and pellets for use with a crusher. PET alloys have a significantly shorter crystallization cycle time, which allows for improved methods and applications for PET. Additionally, PET alloys have a higher heat deformation temperature (TDC), which now allows them to soften at a significantly higher temperature. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi compared to the previous PET (e.g., unalloyed). Therefore, the PET alloy provides a polymer that has better flow, faster crystallization, and a higher TDC. Improved systems and methods can now be used to produce a precisely manufactured talc-filled PET (e.g., a PET / talc blend), which is then blended with virgin PET (e.g., without talc) to form a PET alloy material that has improved barrier properties, such as reduced oxygen permeability (see data in Figure 8). The data show that the PET alloy is a more effective barrier to gas permeability compared to standard, unmodified PET. The data are also expected to show reduced permeability to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases.The improved barrier results from increased crystallinity and the presence of talc, a lamellar, impermeable solid. These two changes reduce permeability to all types of penetrants. PET alloys can be formed into an amorphous (transparent) or semicrystalline article. The semicrystalline material may appear transparent (e.g., when it has a particle size less than 500 nm) or opaque and white (e.g., when it has a particle size up to a few micrometers) depending on its crystalline structure and particle size. In one example, the PET supply material may be prepared by any suitable process. As is generally known, the bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate monomer may be synthesized by the esterification reaction between terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol with water as a byproduct, or by the transesterification reaction between ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate (TDM) with methanol as a byproduct. Polymerization is via a polycondensation reaction of the monomers (e.g., immediately following esterification / transesterification) with water as a byproduct. The PET supply material may be prepared as described in U.S. Document 2009 / 0212457, which is incorporated herein by specific reference in its entirety. The PET supply material may be in sheet, granule, or other form, as well as liquid PET.The PET supply material can be processed so that it is in a liquid and fluid state for the methodologies described herein. In one embodiment, a method is provided for forming a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with talc. Such a method can be carried out using a PET / talc 100 system, as shown in Figure 1. The PET / talc 100 system for forming a PET mixture with talc may include: 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi a PET supply 120 (PET supply); a talc supply 122 (talc supply); and a mixer 110 coupled to a PET supply outlet 120 and coupled to a talc supply outlet 122. The mixer 110 is capable of mixing PET with talc in a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a PET / talc blend or other ratio as desired. The system 100 may also include an outlet 136 operatively coupled to an outlet of the mixer 110. The outlet 136 is selected from a container, pump, flow line, heater, cooler, extruder, die cutter, pelletizer, mixer, and combinations thereof, as well as other components known in the art for PET systems. As shown, system 100 can include the PET supply 120 which has an inlet coupled to a PET supply 124. It should be recognized that PET can be substituted for TPA or any other type of TPA in Method and System 100. That is, the system can be configured for use with any TPA, and therefore, descriptions of PET may also refer to TPA in this description and for the other methods and systems provided herein. For example, the PET / tac 100 system may be a TPA / talc 100 system, and so on. System 100 may also include a talc supply 122, which has an inlet coupled to a talc dispenser 126. System 100 may include one or more of the following: a PET reactor system 128; a PET recycling system 130; a PET conditioning system 132; or a PET storage tank 134. The PET reactor system 128 is configured to polymerize PET from PET precursor reagents. The PET recycling system 130 is configured to recycle PET from PET articles. The PET conditioning system 132 is configured to condition PET for blending with talc. The conditioning is selected from one or more of the following: heating, grinding of PET granules or sheets or other PET components, stirring, extrusion, drying, degassing, or similar processes. The PET storage tank 134 contains liquid PET, where the liquid PET is molten PET. System 100 may include talc dispenser 126, which contains talc powder in a fluid format. The fluid format may contain talc particles, as in a talc powder format. The talc powder includes talc particles ranging in size from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or from approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or from approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or from approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns, or from 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em approximately 10 mieras to approximately 25 mieras, or from approximately 15 mieras to approximately 20 mieras. System 100 includes mixer 110, which can be any mixer capable of blending liquid PET and talc in batch or continuous formats, such as a single-screw mixer, a twin-screw mixer, a continuous kneader (e.g., a B&P Littleford continuous kneader; Buss Kneeder), a reciprocating screw mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford TriVolution), a twin-screw extruder (B&P Littleford), or a continuous plow mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford). In one aspect, mixer 110 also performs one or more of the following functions: degassing, homogenization, dispersion, or heating. System 100 may include storage 138 for the PET / talc mixture. The PET / talc mixture may be stored in any format, and the PET / talc may be included in any format. However, the PET / talc may be granulated before entering storage or formed into any other storable format (e.g., molten liquid).System 100 may include an analytical system 140. Analytical system 140 includes one or more analytical systems capable of various analytical processes. For example, analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the intrinsic viscosity of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102. In another example, analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the flow rate of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102. In another example, analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the melting point of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102. In another example, analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the crystallization temperature of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102. In yet another example, analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the differential bath calorimetry profile of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102.In another example, the analytical system 140 can be configured to determine the heat deformation temperature of the molten PET / talc mixture at outlet 102. According to system 100 for forming the PET / talc mixture, a method for forming the PET / talc mixture can be implemented. Such a method may include: providing a supply of PET 120 (PET supply); providing a supply of talc 122 (talc supply); mixing the PET supply with the talc supply in a mixer 110 at a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a PET / talc mixture; and providing the PET / talc mixture as product 102. In one aspect, the PET supply 120 8 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em comes from a PET supplier 124. In one respect, talc supply 122 comes from a talc supplier 126. In one embodiment, the PET 124 supplier receives the PET supply from one or more of: a PET 128 reactor system; a PET 130 recycling system; a PET 132 conditioning system; or a PET 134 storage facility. The PET 128 reactor system polymerizes PET from PET precursor reagents. The PET 130 recycling system recycles PET from PET articles. The PET 132 conditioning system conditions the PET for blending with talc; the conditioning is selected from one or more of the following: heating, shredding of PET granules or sheets or other PET components, stirring, extrusion, drying, or degassing. The PET 134 storage facility holds liquid PET, where the liquid PET is molten PET. In one embodiment, the supplier of talc 126 includes talc powder in a fluid format. This may include supplying the talc in powder form, which may include talc particles of approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns, or approximately 10 microns to approximately 25 microns, or approximately 15 microns to approximately 20 microns. In one embodiment, the method may include preparing the talc to have talc particles; preparation includes extraction, milling, crushing, or other processing to form the talc particles. Optionally, System 100 may include equipment for preparing the talc, such as extraction equipment, mills, crushers, or similar equipment. Mixing can be performed using mixer 110, which can be any mixer capable of blending liquid PET and talc in batch or continuous formats, such as a single-screw mixer, twin-screw mixer, continuous kneader (e.g., B&P Littleford; Buss Kneeder), reciprocating screw mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford TriVolution), twin-screw extruder (B&P Littleford), or continuous plow mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford), or any other mixer capable of blending PET and talc. Optionally, mixer 110 also performs one or more of the following: degassing, homogenization, dispersion, or heating. The method may also include supplying the PET / talc mixture outlet 102 to an outlet system 136. The outlet system 136 supplies the PET / talc mixture to storage 138. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi (for example, in granules) or to the PET alloy system 200 or to analytical system 140. The method may include granulating the PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 with a granulator. Analytical system 140 includes one or more analytical systems capable of: determining the intrinsic viscosity of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102; determining the flow regime of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102; determining the melting point of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102; determining the crystallization temperature of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102; determining a differential scanning calorimetry profile of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102; or determining the heat deformation temperature of the PET / talc molten mixture from outlet 102. The PET 200 alloy system is described in detail below. However, in one aspect, the PET 200 alloy system is configured to combine the PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 with a second supply of PET 220 (second PET supply) to produce a PET 202 alloy. In one respect, the PET 120 supply is free of any other polymer. In another respect, the talc 122 supply is free of any other polymer. However, the PET 120 supply and / or the talc supply may include other polymers, such as a TPA as defined herein or a polycarbonate. In one respect, the PET 120 supply consists essentially of (or is made of) PET. In one respect, the talc 122 supply consists essentially of (or is made of) talc (optionally with traces of water). In one respect, the PET 120 supply includes molten PET. In one embodiment, the PET 120 supply includes water in an amount less than 5%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or a small amount of water, or is devoid of water. Accordingly, the method may include drying the PET 120 supply before mixing it with the talc 122 supply. Additionally, the method may include drying the talc 122 supply before mixing it with the PET 120 supply. In one embodiment, the method may include the preparation of PET. As such, the method may include polymerizing PET from polymerizable reagents. The method may include providing a PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 having a PET:talc ratio of approximately 2:1 to approximately 1:2 or approximately 1:1. Alternatively, the provided PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 has a PET concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%, approximately 25% to approximately 75%, approximately 40% to approximately 60%, or 10 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi approximately 50%. Alternatively, the provided PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 has a talc concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%, approximately 25% to approximately 75%, approximately 40% to approximately 60%, or approximately 50%. In one embodiment, the provided PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.7, or approximately 0.3 to approximately 0.65, or approximately 0.35 to approximately 0.6, or approximately 0.4 to approximately 0.5. A method for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy containing talc can be carried out using System 200 of Figure 2. A System 200 for forming a talc polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy can include a PET supply 220 (PET supply), which can include any type of PET, such as virgin PET, recycled PET, or another source of PET (e.g., with or without other polymers, additives, etc.). System 200 may also include a PET / talc supply 222 (talc supply), which may be the PET / talc mixture from outlet 102 obtained from the method used with System 100 of Figure 1. System 200 may include a mixer 210 coupled to a PET feed outlet 220 and coupled to a PET / talc feed outlet 222, wherein the mixer 210 is capable of mixing the PET with PET / talc to form a PET alloy having from approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc.System 200 may include an outlet 136 operatively coupled to a mixer outlet 110, wherein the outlet is selected from a container, pump, flow line, heater, cooler, extruder, die cutter, granulator, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, System 200 may include PET supply 220 having an inlet coupled to a PET supply 224. The PET supply 224 may be of the same type as the PET supply 124 of System 100 in Figure 1. System 200 may include a PET reactor system 128 configured to polymerize PET from PET precursor reagents. System 200 may include a PET recycling system 130 configured to recycle PET from PET articles. System 200 may include a PET conditioning system 132 configured to condition PET for blending with PET / talc. The conditioning is selected from one or more of the following: heating, grinding of PET granules or sheets or other PET material, stirring, extrusion, drying, gas release, or other conditioning. System 200 may include a PET granule storage tank 134. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em of solid PET or liquid PET, wherein the liquid PET is molten PET. A heating system may also be included to heat the PET to the appropriate temperature and liquefy the solid PET granules, wherein such a heating system may be included in any component of the system or flow line. In one embodiment, system 200 may include PET / talc supply 122 having an inlet coupled to PET / talc supply 226. The PET / talc supply 226 may include the PET / talc mixture outlet 202 and may be in a solid granular form or a molten liquid form. In one aspect, the PET / talc supply 226 includes the PET / talc in a fluid form and / or includes a heater for heating the PET / talc in a fluid form (e.g., molten liquid PET / talc). In one aspect, PET / talc includes talc particles from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or from approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or from approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or from approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns, or from approximately 10 microns to approximately 25 microns, or from approximately 15 microns to approximately 20 microns. In one embodiment, the 210 mixer is any mixer capable of blending liquid PET and PET / talc in batch or continuous formats, such as a single-screw mixer, a twin-screw mixer, a continuous kneader (e.g., a B&P Littleford continuous kneader; Buss Kneeder), a reciprocating screw mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford TriVolution), a twin-screw extruder (B&P Littleford), a continuous plow mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford), or another. The 210 mixer is configured to perform one or more of the following: degassing, homogenization, dispersion, or heating. In one embodiment, system 200 may include storage 238. Storage 238 may include the PET alloy in any format, such as a heated liquid or a solid (e.g., a pelletized solid). System 200 may include an analytical system 240. Analytical system 240 includes one or more analytical systems capable of various analytical processes. For example, analytical system 240 may be configured to determine the intrinsic viscosity of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In another example, analytical system 240 may be configured to determine the flow rate of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In another example, analytical system 240 may be configured to determine the melting point of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In yet another example, analytical system 240 may be configured to determine the 12 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em crystallization temperature of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In another example, the analytical system 240 can be configured to determine a differential scanning calorimetry profile of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In another example, the analytical system 240 can be configured to determine the heat deformation temperature of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In one embodiment, system 200 may include a manufacturing system 300 that is configured to convert output PET alloy 202 into a manufactured article 302. Manufacturing system 300 may include an optional input feed component 320. The optional input feed component 320 may be configured to provide an optional component to the PET alloy. The optional component may be selected from a filler, TiCh, a second polymer, glass granules, glass fibers, glass particles, sodium ionomers, sodium stearate, a nucleating agent, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (TPB) or another polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA), or another component of a manufactured PET article 302.As shown in Figure 3, the manufacturing system 300 may include one or more of: a PET alloy supply 301; one or more flow channels 308 containing a fluid PET alloy; a mixer 310; a heating system 312; an extrusion system 316 producing an extruded PET alloy product 317; a pumping system 318; an injection molding system 322; and / or a cooling system 314. In one respect, the optional component can be supplied in mixer 110 for blending with the PET / talc mixture from outlet 102, or supplied in mixer 210 for blending at the PET alloy outlet 202. Alternatively, the supplied PET 220 can include the optional component, or the supplied PET / talc 222 can be prepared to include the optional component. Therefore, the optional component can be introduced into the PET at any stage of the processing described herein. System 200 may have several modifications, as described herein. In one aspect, PET supply 220 is free of any other polymer. In one aspect, PET / talc supply 222 is free of any other polymer. In one aspect, PET supply 220 consists essentially of (or consists of) PET. In one aspect, PET / talc supply 222 consists essentially of (or consists of) PET and talc (optionally with traces of water). In one aspect, PET supply 220 includes molten PET. In one aspect, PET supply 220 includes water in an amount less than 5%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or a small amount of water, or is free of water. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi In one embodiment, system 200 may include a dryer for drying the PET supply 220 before mixing it with the PET / talc supply 222. Such a dryer may be included anywhere within system 200, or any suitable component may be equipped with one. The dryer can facilitate water removal to improve the processing and preparation of the talc-containing PET alloy. In one embodiment, system 200 may include the supplied PET / talc 222 having a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3, or approximately 2:1 to approximately 1:2, or approximately 1:1. In one aspect, the supplied PET alloy from outlet 202 has a PET concentration of approximately 50% to approximately 99%, approximately 25% to approximately 75%, approximately 40% to approximately 60%, or approximately 50%. In one aspect, the supplied PET alloy from outlet 202 has a talc concentration of approximately 2% to approximately 40%, approximately 5% to approximately 30%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, or approximately 20%. In one embodiment, the PET supplied from system 200 has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.55 or more, such as approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.9, or approximately 0.625 to approximately 0.8, or approximately 0.65 to approximately 0.7. In one aspect, the PET alloy supplied from outlet 102 has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.5 to approximately 0.9, or approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.8, or approximately 0.625 to approximately 0.7, or approximately 0.65 to approximately 0.675. In one embodiment, a method for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy containing talc can be carried out using system 200 as described herein. The method for forming the talc-containing PET alloy may include: providing a PET supply 220 (PET supply); providing a PET / talc supply 222 (PET / talc supply); mixing the PET supply 220 with the PET / talc supply 222 in a mixer 210 to form a PET alloy containing from approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc; and proportioning the PET alloy as output 202. In one aspect, the PET supply 220 is provided by a PET supplier 224, as described herein. In one aspect, the PET / talc supply 222 is provided by a PET / talc supply 226, as described herein. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi In one embodiment, the method may include the PET supplier 224 receiving the PET supply from one or more of: a PET reactor system 128; a PET recycling system 130; a PET conditioning system 132; or a PET storage facility 134. The PET reactor system 128 may polymerize PET from PET precursor reagents. The PET recycling system 130 may recycle PET from PET articles. The PET conditioning system 132 may condition PET for blending with PET / talc, the conditioning being selected from one or more of the following: heating, crushing of PET granules or sheets or other PET components, stirring, extrusion, drying, or degassing. The PET storage facility 134 may hold PET in a solid state (e.g., granules) or as liquid PET, wherein the liquid PET is molten PET. In one embodiment, the method may include obtaining talc. Talc may be obtained in particulate form or formed into particles by milling. Talc particles may range in size from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or from approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or from approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or from approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns, or from approximately 10 microns to approximately 25 microns, or from approximately 15 microns to approximately 20 microns. In one embodiment, the method includes mixer 210, which blends PET and talc into the talc-containing PET alloy. Such blending can be performed using any mixer capable of blending liquid PET and talc in batch or continuous formats, such as a single-screw mixer, a twin-screw mixer, a continuous kneader (e.g., a B&P Littleford continuous kneader; Buss Kneeder), a reciprocating thyme mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford TriVolution), a twin-screw extruder (B&P Littleford), a continuous plow mixer (e.g., B&P Littleford), or similar equipment. In another aspect, mixer 210 also performs one or more of the following: degassing, homogenization, dispersion, or heating. In one embodiment, the PET alloy from outlet 202 is supplied to an outlet system 236. The outlet system 236 supplies the PET alloy to storage 238, analytical system 240, or manufacturing system 300. Storage 238 can be adapted to hold the PET alloy as a liquid, for example, by including heaters, or as granules, so the outlet system 236 can include a granulator for granulating the PET alloy. In one aspect, the analytical system 240 includes one or more analytical systems capable of performing one or more of the following analytical methods on the PET alloy: determining the intrinsic viscosity 15 7. Determine the flow rate of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202; determine the melting point of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202; determine the crystallization temperature of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202; determine a differential scanning calorimetry profile of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202; or determine the heat deformation temperature of the molten PET alloy from outlet 202. In one aspect, manufacturing system 300 operates to convert the molten PET alloy from outlet 202 into a manufactured article. In one aspect, the manufactured article may be a PET alloy pellet. In one aspect, the manufactured article may include other components, which may be introduced into the PET alloy in system 300 or another system as described herein.The 300 manufacturing system is described in more detail in this description. In one embodiment, the method includes providing PET supply 220 that is devoid of any other polymer. In one aspect, the method may include providing PET / talc supply 222 that is devoid of any other polymer. In one aspect, the method may include providing PET supply 220 that consists essentially of (or consists of) PET. In another aspect, the method may include providing PET / talc supply 222 that consists essentially of (or consists of) PET and talc (optionally with traces of water). In one aspect, the method includes providing PET supply 220 as molten PET. In one aspect, the method includes providing PET supply 220 that includes water in an amount of less than 5%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or a small amount of water, or is devoid of water. In one embodiment, the method may include drying the PET 220 supply before mixing it with the PET / talc 222 supply. In one aspect, the method may include drying the PET / talc 222 supply before mixing it with the PET 220 supply. In one embodiment, the method may include polymerizing PET from polymerizable reagents. In one embodiment, the method may include providing the PET / talc supply 222 with a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3, or from approximately 2:1 to approximately 1:2, or from approximately 1:1. In one aspect, the method may include providing the PET alloy of outlet 202 with a PET concentration of approximately 60% to approximately 99%, from approximately 70% to approximately 95%, from approximately 75% to approximately 90%, or from approximately 80%. In one aspect, the method may include providing the PET alloy of outlet 202 with a talc concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%, from approximately 5% to approximately 16%. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em % to about 30%, from about 10% to about 25% or from about 20%. In one embodiment, the method may include providing the PET supply 220 with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.55 or more, such as from about 0.6 to about 0.9, or from about 0.625 to about 0.8, or from about 0.65 to about 0.7. In one aspect, the method may include forming the PET alloy of outlet 102 with an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.5 to about 0.9, or from about 0.6 to about 0.8, or from about 0.625 to about 0.7, or from about 0.65 to about 0.675. In one embodiment, system 200 may include a manufacturing system 300 that is configured to convert the PET alloy from output 202 into a manufactured article 302. The manufacturing system 300 may include an optional input feed component 320. The optional input feed component 320 may be configured to provide an optional component to the PET alloy. The optional component may be selected from a filler, T1O2, a second polymer, glass granules, glass fibers, glass particles, sodium ionomers, sodium stearate, a nucleating agent, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (TPB) or another polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA), or another component of a PET manufactured article 302. As shown in Figure 3, the manufacturing system 300 may include one or more of: a supply 301 of PET alloy; one or more flow channels 308 containing a fluid PET alloy; a mixer 310; a heating system 312 capable of heating any component of system 300; an extrusion system 316 producing an extruded PET alloy product 317 (for example, which may also include a granulator for granulating the extruded PET alloy product 317); a pumping system 318 capable of pumping the PET alloy to any component of system 300; an injection molding system 322; and / or a cooling system 314 capable of cooling any component of the system. As described herein, System 100 and the corresponding method can prepare a polyethylene terephthalate / talc (PET / talc) mixture comprising PET and talc. The PET / talc mixture may contain varying amounts of talc in the PET. Therefore, the PET:talc mixture may have a suitable ratio of PET to talc to form the talc-containing PET alloy. The PET / talc mixture may include a PET:tal ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3; however, other ratios are possible. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em PET / talc may include talc particles. The talc particles may range in size from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or from approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or from approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or from approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns, or from approximately 10 microns to approximately 25 microns, or from approximately 15 microns to approximately 20 microns. In one aspect, the PET / talc mixture has a PET:talc ratio of approximately 2:1 to approximately 1:2 or approximately 1:1. In another aspect, the PET / talc mixture has a PET concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%, approximately 25% to approximately 75%, approximately 40% to approximately 60%, or approximately 50%.In one aspect, the PET / talc mixture has a talc concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%, approximately 25% to approximately 75%, approximately 40% to approximately 60%, or approximately 50%. In one embodiment, the PET / talc mixture includes water in an amount less than 5%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or trace amounts of water, or is water-free. Therefore, the PET and / or talc supplies that make up the PET / talc mixture may be water-free or contain significantly small amounts of water. In one aspect, the PET / talc mixture has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.7, or approximately 0.3 to approximately 0.65, or approximately 0.35 to approximately 0.6, or approximately 0.4 to approximately 0.5. As described herein, System 200 and the corresponding method can prepare a polyethylene terephthalate alloy containing talc. The PET alloy may contain varying amounts of talc. Therefore, the PET:tal alloy can have a suitable ratio of PET to form various manufactured articles, such as those produced by injection molding. Such a PET alloy may include PET and talc. The PET in the PET alloy comprises: a first portion of PET polymers having a first average molecular weight; and a second portion of PET polymers having a second average molecular weight. The first average molecular weight is less than the second average molecular weight. Talc is present in the PET in an amount of at least 1% and less than 50%. High molecular weight PET chains provide good strength but poor flow. There is usually a trade-off whereby any operation performed to improve flow sacrifices strength. This PET alloy provides good flow and 18 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi good strength. The PET alloy can be considered a bimodal PET, as shown in Figure 5C. Figure 5A shows a normal average molecular weight distribution of PET, where lower weights have good flow but poor strength and higher weights have good strength but poor flow. Figure 5B shows a lower average molecular weight distribution that has more PET polymer with good flow and poor strength. In Figure 5B, the PET polymer chains have been shortened, for example, by hydrolysis by talc or by water in talc, to give good flow, but the PET has poor strength because the shorter chains are not long enough to crosslink effectively.Figure 5C shows the PET alloy, which has a portion with good flow but poor strength and a portion that is normal PET, where the lower molecular weight portion contributes to good alloy flow without significantly reducing strength. By producing the high-flow, low-molecular-weight PET / talc blend and then combining a small fraction of the PET / talc blend with virgin high-molecular-weight PET, it was surprisingly found that the resulting PET alloy material has very good flow while retaining excellent strength. The diagrams in Figures 5A–5C are for illustrative purposes only. In one embodiment, most of the talc is associated with the PET polymers of the first portion of the PET polymers. Talc has been found to reduce the molecular weight of PET, and therefore the PET in the PET / talc mixture may have a lower molecular weight than the PET used to form the PET / talc mixture and / or the PET alloy. The PET in the PET / talc mixture may have the first average molecular weight. The PET supplied to System 100 or System 200 may have the second average molecular weight. In one embodiment, the PET alloy includes talc that is distributed unevenly throughout the PET. In some cases, the PET alloy can be prepared without thoroughly mixing the PET and the PET / talc, so that one portion has more PET / talc than others. This can be useful for facilitating the processing of the PET alloy, such as in injection molding. Alternatively, the PET alloy includes talc that is distributed evenly throughout the PET. It can be useful to homogenize the talc in the PET for some products where consistency and composition are important. In one embodiment, the PET alloy includes talc particles of approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns, or from approximately 0.5 microns to approximately 75 microns, or from approximately 0.75 microns to approximately 0.5 microns, or from approximately 1 micron to approximately 40 microns, or from approximately 5 microns to approximately 30 microns. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi mieras, or from approximately 10 mieras to approximately 25 mieras, or from approximately 15 mieras to approximately 20 mieras. In one embodiment, the PET alloy includes water in an amount less than 5%, or less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or a small amount of water, or is devoid of water. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has a PET concentration of approximately 60% to approximately 99%, approximately 70% to approximately 95%, approximately 75% to approximately 90%, or approximately 80%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has a talc concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%, approximately 5% to approximately 30%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, or approximately 20%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.5 to approximately 0.9, or approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.8, or approximately 0.625 to approximately 0.7, or approximately 0.65 to approximately 0.675. The PET alloy may include an optional component. The optional component may be selected from a filler, TiO2, a second polymer, glass granules, glass fibers, glass particles, sodium ionomers, sodium stearate, a nucleating agent, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (TPB) or another polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA), or another component of a PET 302 fabrication article. In one aspect, the PET alloy includes TiO2. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has a combination of talc and TiO2 particles at a combined concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%, approximately 5% to approximately 30%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, or approximately 20%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has TiO2 particles at a concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%, approximately 5% to approximately 30%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, or approximately 20%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has an optional component at a concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%, approximately 5% to approximately 30%, approximately 10% to approximately 25%, or approximately 20%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has a melting temperature between approximately 240 °C and approximately 250 °C, or approximately 245 °C. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has an oxygen permeability rate of approximately 3-6 CC / (m2-day), + / - 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, or 1%. In one aspect, the 20 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / B / Yi PET alloy has approximately 10% (w / w) talc, so the PET alloy has an oxygen permeability rate of approximately 3.6 CC / (m2-day), + / - 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2% or 1%. In one aspect, the PET alloy has approximately 20% (w / w) talc, so the PET alloy has an oxygen permeability rate of approximately 5.6 CC / (m2-day), + / - 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2% or 1%. In one embodiment, the PET alloy has a crystallization temperature between approximately 200°C to approximately 230°C, or from approximately 210°C to approximately 220°C, or from approximately 212°C. In one embodiment, the PET alloy can be used for injection molding to form manufactured articles. As such, an injection molding system 400 may include a PET alloy supply 420, as shown in Figure 4, to form an injection-molded manufactured article 402 that includes the PET alloy. The PET alloy supply 420 may be a liquid PET alloy (e.g., a molten PET alloy). However, the injection molding system 400 may include a PET alloy heater 424 that heats the PET alloy supply 420 so that it flows as a liquid PET alloy. The heater 424 may receive a PET alloy as a pellet 428, a heated liquid PET alloy 430, or as PET 432 together with PET / talc 434 that is mixed in the heater 424, which is configured as a mixer, such as a mixer described herein.The heater 424 can provide a supply 420 of PET alloy to an extruder 410. Optionally, a supply 422 of dry and / or filtered PET alloy granules can be provided to the extruder 410 from a PET alloy drying and / or filtering device 426. The PET alloy can be processed in the 400 injection molding system and by an in-line filtration system within the injection molding system. The PET alloy granules can be fed to the 400 system via a drying hopper, which in turn feeds the inlet end of a plasticizing screw in the 410 extruder. The extrusion plasticizing screw is encapsulated in a cylinder heated by cylinder heaters (i.e., the 410 extruder). Helical (or other) screw sections convey the PET alloy along the screw's operating axis. Typically, the screw root diameter increases progressively along the screw's operating axis in a direction away from the inlet end. Once a desired amount of molten PET alloy accumulates in the 410 extruder, it is transferred to a melt accumulator 440, where the melt accumulator... 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi 440 can be equipped with an injection plunger, which performs the function of injecting the molten PET alloy into a cavity of mold 438. A melt filter 436, located in fluid communication with and between the extruder 410 and the melt accumulator 440, performs in-line filtration of the pass. The purpose of the melt filter 436 is to filter impurities and other foreign matter from the PET alloy material being transferred from the extruder 410 to the melt accumulator 440. The specific implementation of the melt filter is not specifically limited, and, as an example, a standard filter from Gneuss Inc. of Matthews, NC (www.gneuss.com) can be used to implement the melt filter 436. The inline filtration stage can be performed in the 436 melt filter, which has an inlet to allow the PET alloy to be filtered to enter and an outlet to allow the filtered PET alloy to exit. The 436 melt filter includes a filter element positioned between the inlet and outlet. Mold 439 receives the PET alloy to fill the cavity of mold 438. This is an improvement over the previous PET, which was not sufficiently injected by this type of injection molding system. Now, the cavity of mold 438 can be completely filled with the PET alloy without air gaps that would ruin an injection-molded product. This allows the PET alloy to be injection-molded into a PET manufacturing part, molded 402. In one embodiment, a mold system may include a mold 439 having a mold cavity 438. The PET alloy may comprise PET consisting of a first portion of PET polymers having a first average molecular weight and a second portion of PET polymers having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is less than the second average molecular weight. The PET alloy may contain talc in the PET, wherein the talc is present in an amount of at least 1% and less than 50%. The PET alloy completely fills the cavity 438 of the mold 439. The systems and methods described herein provide a novel PET alloy that can be used to prepare various PET products and can be used in diverse processing techniques, such as injection molding. This allows the PET alloy to be injected into a mold to form an article with thin walls. Furthermore, the PET alloy facilitates injection molding because the cycle time from liquid PET to solid PET is significantly reduced compared to the cycle times for PET. 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi PET alloy also has an improved heat deformation temperature compared to PET. The heat deformation temperature (TDC) of PET can be above 66°C at 0.46 MPa (i.e., 66 psi) and can therefore range from 68°C at 0.46 MPa to approximately 95°C at 0.46 MPa, or from approximately 70°C at 0.46 MPa to approximately 90°C at 0.46 MPa, or from approximately 72°C at 0.46 MPa to approximately 88°C at 0.46 MPa. This allows manufactured items made with PET alloy to contain or retain hot materials, such as hot liquid beverages, and therefore PET alloy can be used to manufacture hot beverage containers.Furthermore, many manufacturing processes involve filling a container with a hot material, which then cools while in the container. Now, the improved temperature of change (TDC) of PET alloy allows it to be used as such a container in a manufacturing process to hold hot liquids. PET alloy retains the container's shape without deformation or other unfavorable distortion. In one aspect, PET alloy has sufficient TDC to form articles that are dishwasher-safe. In another aspect, PET alloy has sufficient TDC to form articles that are microwave-safe. PET alloy also exhibits easy moldability, making it useful in grooved end products such as multi-cup yogurt containers and medical blister packs, as well as related products. Although PET has been described in the present description, the systems and methods can also be used to prepare polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA). 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi In the polyalkylene terephthalate (PAT) structure, n can be any reasonable integer, such as 1 (polymethylene terephthalate (TPM)), 2 (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), 3 (polypropylene terephthalate (TPP)), 4 (polybutylene terephthalate (TPB)), or 5 (poly(polypropylene terephthalate) (TPPent)), or similar (e.g., n is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.). As such, the methods and systems described herein can be adapted for use with any suitable polyalkylene. That is, the PET in PET / talc can be substituted with any TPA to form TPA / talc. The PET in the PET alloy can be substituted with any TPA to form the TPA alloy. In some cases, TPA / talc may include a first TPA (e.g., PET) and virgin TPA mixed with TPA / talc may include a second different TPA (e.g., TPB), so that the TPA alloy has two different TPAs ​​with the talc. Accordingly, although the systems and methods described in this description are directed to the PET, such systems and methods may include any reasonable TPA, such as TPB. EXPERIMENTAL The PET alloy was prepared by first preparing the PET / talc mixture and then preparing the PET alloy. A comparison was made between PET (e.g., without talc), PET / talc with 50 wt% PET and 50 wt% talc, PET / talc with 80 wt% PET and 20 wt% talc, and the PET alloy with 80 wt% PET and 20 wt% talc. The parameters are shown in Table 1. Table 1 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em PET % PET / % Talc 100 / 0 IV 0.684 % Crystallinity 39.7 PET / talc 50 / 50 0.361 27.92 PET / talc 2 80 / 20 0.482 13 PET Alloy 80 / 20 0.664 34.4 Table 1 shows the intrinsic viscosity (IV), which indicates the size of the molecules within the polymer, for: PET; PET / talc with 50% (by weight) talc in the undried PET; PET / talc 2, which is the polymer with 20% talc added directly to PET without intermediate steps to produce the alloy; and PET alloy. As can be seen from the numbers, the PET alloy has a lower crystallinity and a lower VI. The direct addition example has too low an VI to be useful in final products produced by injection molding. Therefore, the PET alloy provides a significant advantage. A comparative study was conducted to test the flow differences between talc-containing PET alloy and talc-free PET. The fork tested was a 0.023” thick fork, and the fork mold was tested on a 250 MT Krauss Maffei injection molding machine. The talc-containing PET alloy filled the mold, but talc-free PET did not, even when attempts were made to maximize pressure and increase cycle time. Therefore, the talc-containing PET alloy can now be used in injection molding because it can fill the mold space without unfavorable air gaps. The PET alloy was prepared and tested using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to standard procedures. The following were tested: PET; talc-filled PET sheet; PET alloy thermoformed at 110 °C (PET 110 alloy); PET alloy thermoformed at 120 °C (PET 120 alloy); PET alloy thermoformed at 125 °C (PET 125 alloy); and PET alloy thermoformed at 105 °C (PET 105 alloy). Figure 6A shows an overlay of the DSC thermograms for PET. Figure 6B shows an overlay of the DSC thermograms for the talc-filled PET sheet. Figure 6C shows an overlay of the CDB thermograms for a PET 110 alloy. Figure 6D shows an overlay of the CDB thermograms for a PET 120 alloy. Figure 6E shows an overlay of the CDB thermograms for the PET 125 alloy. Figure 6F shows an overlay of the DSC thermograms for the PET 125 alloy.The data provided the following information, shown in Figure 7. Additionally, the following percentage crystallinity was determined: PET 5.3%; talc-filled PET sheet 13.5%; PET alloy thermoformed at 110 °C (PET 110 alloy) 25.8%; PET alloy thermoformed at 120 °C (PET 120 alloy) 27.2%; PET alloy thermoformed at 125 °C (PET 125 alloy) 29.5%; and PET alloy thermoformed at 105 °C (PET 105 alloy) 23.8%. The PET alloy contains 16% talc. Therefore, higher or lower amounts of talc can adjust the values ​​closer to those of PET when there is less talc, and further from those of PET when there is more talc. The presence of a talc filler was found to generally reduce thermal transition temperatures. In the first heating cycles, the melting temperature of the unfilled PET sheet (PET only) was approximately 252 °C, while the other samples melted between 245 °C and 247 °C. Other transitions in both heating cycles were similarly affected. Crystallinity was observed to be temperature-dependent. The samples exhibited increasing crystallinity with increasing temperature. This increased crystallinity proves that talc nucleates PET crystallization. It is well known that increased crystallinity improves the yield strength and barrier properties (crystals are impermeable). Most importantly, to achieve a high TDC, the PET 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi needs significant crystallinity plus a reinforcing filler, such as talc, which is achieved with the PET alloy containing talc. Figure 8 shows the gas permeability data for PET (control), PET alloy with 10% talc (VF2), and PET alloy with 20% talc (VF4). These data show that standard PET has an oxygen transmission rate of 8.67 cc / m²-day, while the PET alloy materials have values ​​35% and almost 60% lower. Permeability to other gases will change by the same amounts. The reduced gas permeability can be useful for food packaging applications, as it helps keep food fresher for longer, demonstrating that PET can be used in food containers. Dilute solution viscometry was performed on PET, PET with 20% talc (e.g., PET containing 20 wt% talc), and PET alloys (e.g., PET containing 50 wt% talc at 40% and PET at 60%). The sample mass of each specimen was adjusted to account for the filler content as appropriate. Portions of each sample were dissolved by heating in phenol / 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 60 / 40 containing isooctyl mercaptopropionate as a stabilizer. The solutions were heated for a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes. The solutions were then filtered through a wire mesh, and the viscosities were measured on an Ubbelohde IB viscometer at 30.00 °C. The inherent viscosity is reported as follows, as is the intrinsic viscosity calculated using the Billmeyer Approximation. The PET had an inherent viscosity of 0.654 (dL / g) and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.684 (dL / g).The PET with 20% talc had an inherent viscosity of 0.467 dL / g and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.482 dL / g. The PET alloy had an inherent viscosity of 0.636 dL / g and an intrinsic viscosity of 0.664 dL / g. These three PET compositions were also tested with CBD, resulting in the data shown in Figure 9. The crystallinity for these three PET compositions was determined to be: PET 30.7%; PET 20% Talc 13.0%; and PET alloy 34.4%. PET compositions with 20% talc and PET alloy were subjected to size exclusion chromatography, which resulted in the data in Figure 10. Refractive index (RI) chromatograms, cumulative molar mass distribution plots and differential molar mass distribution were compared with the calibration curve to determine the average molar mass (Mn (average number), Mw (average weight) and Mz (average Z) and polydispersity (Mw / Mn)).The data indicated that the PET alloy had a higher molar mass than the PET sample with 20% talc. The PET alloy also exhibited a higher polydispersity index, consistent with a wider distribution. 26. 7. The pure PET sample, which was tested only for inherent viscosity, has a higher molar mass than the PET alloy and the PET samples containing 20% ​​talc. The PET sample containing 20% ​​talc exhibited a melting peak at 247 °C. The pure PET sample and the PET alloy exhibited bimodal melting peaks with maximum temperatures of approximately 233 °C and 247 °C, respectively. The crystallinity for the PET sample containing 20% ​​talc, as received, was substantially lower at 13% compared to the crystallinity of pure PET (40%) and the PET alloy (34%). Molecular weights can be defined as shown in the examples. Combining a small amount of low molecular weight PET with a large fraction of high molecular weight PET should be valid regardless of the molecular weights. However, for practical purposes, the mechanical properties, particularly strength, will be too low if the higher molecular weight component has insufficient molecular weight for crosslinking to occur. For example, the higher molecular weight fraction (e.g., virgin PET or TPA) should have a molecular weight (VW) greater than 0.55. Additionally, the temperature coefficient of friction (TDC) was tested for PET and the PET alloy with talc at a range of talc weight percentages, as shown in Figure 11. Consequently, the TDC increased as the amount of talc increased, indicating that the PET alloy can be used for products with higher operating temperatures than PET. Figure 12 shows that the addition of fiberglass further increases the TDC, flexural modulus (Kpsi), and flexural strength (psi). Furthermore, the PET alloy (Figure 13A) was compared to general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) (Figure 13B) to study its mechanical properties. The PET alloy exhibits better mechanical properties than GPPS, and the PET alloy can be prepared at comparable costs. Therefore, the PET alloy prepared using the systems and methods described herein from the two-stage preparation of PET and PET / talc can be a useful plastic for manufacturing various articles using a wide range of manufacturing techniques. The PET alloy can now be used in injection molding to produce thin-walled molded articles. The PET / talc mixture is prepared as described herein for use in the experiments. An example of such a process is provided. The 60% PET and 40% talc mixtures were fed into the extruder, which had a barrel temperature between approximately 517°F and 565°F (e.g., above 500°F), and mixed while the 7. The Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi mixture was pushed through the extruder. The die pressure was approximately 370 psi, the suction pressure 293 psi, the discharge pressure 424 psi, and the melt pressure 266 psi. The extruder operated at 145.5 RPM with a torque of 49.7 Nm, and the gear pump operated at 17 RPM with a torque of 7.1 Nm. There were several die zones with a temperature of approximately 530°F. The throughput was approximately 1098 lb / hr. The intrinsic viscosity was approximately 0.656. Various percentages of PET and talc can be prepared with similar operating parameters. Furthermore, the PET / talc mixture was blended with virgin PET using similar operating parameters, with some variations, to prepare the PET alloy. These parameter values ​​for preparing the PET / talc mixture or the PET alloy may vary by + / - 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 50%. PET alloy was successfully used for injection molding, where the PET alloy filled the mold. While a single-cavity hot runner was used as an example, multiple cavities have also been successfully used. The molding machine was a KM 120, with injection radii of 3.4” and a 9.32” bore. The barrel temperature was 470°F, 465°F, 460°F, 455°F, and 445°F along its length. The injection speed was approximately 2 inches / second, with an injection pressure setting of 7500 psi and a holding pressure of 5000 psi. The plasticizing speed was approximately 200 RPM. The cooling time was approximately 2 seconds with a cycle time of 8.67 seconds. The injection time was approximately 0.44 seconds. The mold cooling temperature was approximately 65°F at the front and 90°F at the back. The gate was a 0.031-pin gate.This shows that PET alloy can be used in injection molding to manufacture a variety of injection-molded products, from utensils, food containers, hot product containers, plates, and other manufactured items. For an injection-molded fork, the cycle time for the PP copolymer was 7.1 seconds, while the PET alloy material described herein could be molded in 6.2 seconds. Furthermore, the PP fork was too thin and lacked sufficient rigidity to be used as a fork, whereas the PET alloy material provided a more rigid and usable fork. The mold temperature was changed between 100°F and 60°F. The gate valve was at approximately 650°F. A further reduction of the mold temperature to only 50°F resulted in a cycle time of just 5.9 seconds. An additional 28 7. Lnn Ln / nznz / B / Yi A black color was applied to the PET alloy material using a masterbatch concentrate. The color was uniform, and cycle times were unaffected. All tests were performed in multiple takes and under steady-state conditions to ensure repeatability. This test was conducted on a 120-ton Krauss Maffei injection molding machine. Other successful tests were performed on different machines with a variety of gate / injection channel configurations. The average weight of the PET alloy fork was 2.8 g, while the PP fork produced in the same mold weighed 1.7 g. In a separate trial, general-purpose polystyrene was compared to PET alloy material. The trial used Ineos Styrolution 3600 / 3601 general-purpose grade polystyrene (UPPG), commonly used for cutlery production. The molding process for UPPG was refined to a total cycle time of 8.67 seconds. The fork had a wall thickness of 0.023 inches, which is suitable for the modified PET but produced a weak and brittle general-purpose polystyrene fork. A gate with a hot pin diameter of 0.026 inches was used. The cycle time for the PET alloy material was 9.6 seconds. Additional testing was conducted using a 1991 Krauss Maffei 350-ton hydraulically clamped injection molding machine and a 24-ounce barrel. A 25-cavity hot-to-cold ladle mold was used. The PET alloy material with 15% and 20% talc resulted in good cycle times and molded parts of good quality. For this and other processes and methods described herein, the operations performed may be implemented in a different order. Furthermore, the operations described are provided only as examples, and some operations may be optional, combined into fewer operations, eliminated, supplemented with additional operations, or expanded to include additional operations, without compromising the essence of the described methods.

Claims

1. A method for forming a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with talc, the method comprising: providing a supply of PET (PET supply); providing a supply of talc (talc supply); mixing the PET supply with the talc supply in a mixer in a PET:tal ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a PET / talc mixture; and providing the PET / talc mixture as output.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the PET supply is from a PET supplier; and / or the talc supply is from a talc supplier having talc particles from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the PET supplier receives the PET supply from one or more of: a PET reactor system, and the PET reactor system polymerizes the PET from PET precursor reagents; a PET recycling system, and the PET recycling system recycles the PET from PET articles; a PET conditioning system, the PET conditioning system conditions the PET for blending with talc, the conditioning being selected from one or more of heating, crushing of PET granules or sheets or other PET member, stirring, extrusion, drying; degassing; or a PET tank, the PET tank being of liquid PET, wherein the liquid PET is molten PET.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising supplying the output PET / talc mixture to an output system that supplies the PET / talc mixture to the storage or PET alloying system or the analytical system, wherein the analytical system includes one or more analytical systems that perform:

7. The determination of the intrinsic viscosity of the output molten PET / talc mixture; the determination of the flow regime of the output molten PET / talc mixture; the determination of the melting point of the output molten PET / talc mixture; the determination of the crystallization temperature of the output molten PET / talc mixture; the determination of a differential scanning calorimetry profile of the output molten PET / talc mixture; or the determination of the heat deformation temperature of the output PET / talc mixture.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising combining the output PET / talc mixture with a second PET supply (second PET supply) to produce a PET alloy.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising: drying the PET supply before mixing it with the talc supply; and / or drying the talc supply before mixing it with the PET supply.

7. A system for forming a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with talc using the method of claim 1, the system comprising: a PET supply (PET supply); a talc supply (talc supply); and a mixer coupled to an outlet of the PET supply and coupled to an outlet of the talc supply, wherein the mixer is capable of mixing PET with talc in a PET:talc ratio of approximately 3:1 to approximately 1:3 to form a PET / talc mixture.

8. A method for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy having talc, the method comprising: providing a supply of the PET / talc mixture (PET / talc supply of claim 1); providing a supply of PET (PET supply); 7. mixing the PET supply with the PET / talc supply in a mixer to form a PET alloy having from approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc; and providing the PET alloy as output.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the PET supply receives the PET supply from one or more of: a PET reactor system, the PET reactor system polymerizes the PET from PET precursor reagents; a PET recycling system recycles the PET from PET articles; a PET conditioning system that conditions the PET for blending with PET / talc, the conditioning being selected from one or more of heating, crushing of PET granules or sheets or other PET member, stirring, extrusion, drying, degassing; or a liquid PET storage tank, wherein the liquid PET is molten PET.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the mixer also performs one or more of: degassing, homogenizing, dispersing, or heating.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising providing the PET alloy output to an outlet system, wherein the outlet system provides the PET alloy to storage, an analytical system, or a manufacturing system, wherein the analytical system includes one or more analytical systems capable of: determining the intrinsic viscosity of the molten PET alloy output; determining the flow regime of the molten PET alloy output; determining the melting point of the PET alloy output; determining the crystallization temperature of the PET alloy output; determining a differential scanning calorimetry profile of the PET alloy output; or determining the heat deformation temperature of the PET alloy output.

7. Lnn Ln / nznz / E / Yi 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the manufacturing system is configured to convert the output PET alloy into a manufactured article, the method comprising converting the output PET alloy into the manufactured article.

13. The method of claim 8, comprising: drying the PET supply before mixing it with the PET / talc supply; and / or drying the PET / talc supply before mixing it with the PET supply.

14. A system for forming a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy having talc by the method of claim 8, the system comprising: a PET supply (PET supply); a PET / talc supply (talc supply); a mixer coupled to a PET supply outlet and coupled to a PET / talc supply outlet, wherein the mixer is capable of mixing PET with PET / talc to form a PET alloy having approximately 1% (w / w) talc to approximately 50% (w / w) talc.

15. A polyethylene terephthalate / talc (PET / talc) blend comprising: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containing talc in a PET:talc ratio of about 3:1 to about 1:

3.

16. The PET / talc mixture of claim 15, wherein the talc includes talc particles from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns.

17. The PET / talc mixture of claim 16, wherein the PET / talc mixture includes water in an amount less than 5%.

18. The PET / talc mixture of claim 15, wherein the PET / talc mixture has a PET concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%.

19. The PET / talc mixture of claim 15, wherein the PET / talc mixture has a talc concentration of approximately 20% to approximately 80%.

7. Lnn Ln / nznz / Em 20. The PET / talc mixture of claim 15, wherein the PET / talc mixture has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.25 to approximately 0.

7.

21. The PET / talc mixture of claim 15, further comprising one or more of: a filler, TiCh, a second polymer, glass granules, glass fibers, glass particles, sodium ionomers, sodium stearate, a nucleating agent, antistatic agents, antibacterial agents, foaming agents, stabilizers, UV blockers, acetaldehyde scavengers, pigments, lubricants and other typical plastic additives, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (TPB) or other polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA), or another component of a PET manufacture article.

22. A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alloy comprising: PET comprising: a first portion of PET polymers having a first average molecular weight; a second portion of PET polymers having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is less than the second average molecular weight; and talc in the PET, wherein the talc is present in an amount of at least 1% and less than 50%.

23. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein most of the talc is associated with the PET polymers of the first portion of the PET polymers.

24. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the talc includes talc particles from approximately 0.25 microns to approximately 100 microns.

25. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy includes water in an amount of less than 5%.

26. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has a PET concentration of approximately 60% to approximately 99%.

7. Lnn Ln / nznz / B / Yi 27. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has a talc concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%.

28. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.5 to approximately 0.

9.

29. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has a combination of talc and TiO2 particles at a combined concentration of approximately 1% to approximately 40%.

30. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has a melting temperature of between approximately 240°C and approximately 250°C.

31. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has an oxygen permeation rate of approximately 3-6 CC / (m2-day), + / - 25%.

32. The PET alloy of claim 22, wherein the PET alloy has a crystallization temperature of between approximately 200 °C and approximately 230 °C.

33. The PET alloy of claim 22, further comprising one or more of: a filler, TiO2, a second polymer, glass granules, glass fibers, glass particles, sodium ionomers, sodium stearate, a nucleating agent, antistatic agents, antibacterial agents, foaming agents, stabilizers, UV blockers, acetaldehyde scavengers, pigments, lubricants and other typical plastic additives, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate (TPB) or other polyalkylene terephthalate (TPA), or another component of a PET manufacture article.