Polymer composition and method for producing same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a polymer composition and a method for making the same. The polymer composition comprises 93% to 99% by weight of a mixture comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane; and 1% to 7% by weight of a compatibilizer, the compatibilizer comprising at least one of one or more modified siloxanes; or one or more condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer and at least one polyester.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates to polymer compositions and methods for making the same.

[0002] background Polyamide elastomers have been widely used in the sports industry due to their inherent properties such as low density, excellent fatigue resistance, transparency, and good flexibility.

[0003] Thermoplastic polyurethanes, based on either polyethers or polyesters, have also been widely used due to their properties such as abrasion resistance. One of the limitations of using thermoplastic polyurethanes in sports equipment is their shortcomings in terms of density and stiffness.

[0004] It would be very beneficial if blends of polyamides and thermoplastic polyurethanes could achieve a combination of the advantages of these two components while avoiding their disadvantages. To achieve this, good compatibility between the polyamide elastomers and the TPU is required. However, it is widely known that thermoplastic polyurethanes and polyamide elastomers are incompatible.

[0005] Summary of the Disclosure One object of the present disclosure is to provide homogeneously mixed polyether block amide-thermoplastic polyurethane blends that can maintain desired performance properties such as high mechanical modulus and high elongation at break.

[0006] Such an object is achieved by a polymer composition comprising, relative to the total weight of the polymer composition, 93% to 99% by weight of a mixture comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane; and 1% to 7% by weight of a compatibilizer, the compatibilizer comprising at least one of the following: one or more modified siloxanes; or one or more condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer and at least one polyester.

[0007] The mixture according to the present invention is a blend comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0008] According to some embodiments, the mixture comprises 5% to 95% by weight of polyether block amide and 95% to 50% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, preferably 10% to 90% by weight of polyether block amide and 90% to 10% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, more preferably 55% to 90% by weight of polyether block amide and 45% to 10% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, even more preferably 60% to 90% by weight of polyether block amide and 40% to 10% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, based on the total weight of the mixture.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the modified siloxane comprises a polyester modified polysiloxane.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the polyester-modified siloxane is a polysiloxane having one or more terminal ester moieties.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the amino-functional polymer is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amino-functional polyamino acids, amino-functional silicones, polyamidoamines, polyallylamines, and poly(N-alkyl)allylamines, polyvinylamines, and polyalkyleneimines. It is preferred that the amino-functional polymer does not contain epoxy groups.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the amino-functional polymer has a number average molecular weight of 400 g / mol to 600,000 g / mol.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the polyester is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of one or more lactones selected from the group consisting of β-propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, δ-valerolactone, γ-valerolactone, ε-caprolactone, γ-caprolactone, 4-methylcaprolactone, 2-methylcaprolactone, 5-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the polyester has an average molecular weight Mn of 100 to 5,000 g / mol.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the polyether comprises a group selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, dodecene oxide, tetradecene oxide, 2,3-dimethyloxirane, cyclopentene oxide, 1,2-epoxypentane, 2-isopropyloxirane, glycidyl methyl ester, glycidyl isopropyl ester, epichlorohydrin, 3-methoxy-2,2-dimethyloxirane, 8-oxabicyclo[5.1.0]octane, 2-pentyloxirane, 2-methyl-3-phenyloxirane, 2,3-epoxypropylbenzene, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxirane, or even pure enantiomeric pairs or enantiomeric mixtures thereof.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane is a thermoplastic polyester-polyurethane or a thermoplastic polycarbonate-polyurethane.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the thermoplastic polyurethane is a thermoplastic polyether-polyurethane.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the polyether block amides are based on subunit 1 composed of at least one lactam or α,ω-amino carboxylic acid having 6 to 14 carbon atoms and subunit 2 composed of at least one amino- or hydroxy-terminated polyether having at least 2 carbon atoms and at least 2 primary amino per ether oxygen or having at least 2 carbon atoms and at least 2 hydroxy groups at the chain ends per ether oxygen.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an article made from a polymer composition according to any of the preceding claims.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the article is selected from a clothing element, a sports element, a sealing part, a transportation element, or a construction element.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the article is a shoe sole.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method for preparing a polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of: providing 93% to 99% by weight of a mixture comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane, and 1% to 7% by weight of a compatibilizer; compounding the polyether block amide, the thermoplastic polyurethane, and the compatibilizer to form a blend; homogenizing the blend under rolling; and obtaining a polymer composition, wherein the compatibilizer comprises one or more modified siloxanes; or one or more condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer and at least one polyester.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the step of compounding the polyether block amide, the thermoplastic polyurethane, and the compatibilizer is carried out using a twin screw extruder.

[0024] Detailed Description Polyether block amides (PEBA) are block copolymers obtained by polycondensation of (oligo)polyamides, in particular acid-controlled polyamides, with alcohol-terminated or amino-terminated polyethers. The acid-controlled polyamides have an excess of carboxylic acid end groups. The skilled artisan calls the polyamide blocks the hard blocks and the polyether blocks the soft blocks. Their preparation is known in principle. DE-A-2 712 987 (US Pat. No. 4,207,410) describes polyamide elastomers of this type, which are composed of lactams having 10-12 carbon atoms, dicarboxylic acids and polyether diols. The products obtained according to this document are notable for their long-term flexibility and ductility even at low temperatures, but are already cloudy or opaque in mouldings of moderate layer thickness and are noticeable on prolonged storage at room temperature due to surface deposits with a mouldy appearance. Likewise, structured polyamide elastomers composed of diamines containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, aliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acids and polyether diols are known from EP 0 095 893. Characteristic properties are improved heat distortion resistance and flexibility. No data are available from this document on the translucency of the moulded articles or on the formation of deposits.

[0025] The blend is formed by compounding the polyether block amide and the thermoplastic polyurethane. The compounding method can use a mixer with high shear force. A preferred mixer is a twin screw extruder.

[0026] [Articles manufactured from polymer compositions] The compounded PEBA-TPU composition can be subjected to molding processes known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, compression molding, extrusion, coextrusion, blow molding, 3D blow molding, coextrusion blow molding, coextrusion 3D blow molding, coextrusion suction blow molding, injection molding, press molding, roll molding, sheet molding, or additive manufacturing methods such as stereolithography, digital stereolithography, continuous liquid interface manufacturing, selective laser sintering, composite filament manufacturing, sheet lamination, selective heat sintering, fused filament manufacturing.

[0027] Various articles can be manufactured from the polymer composition according to the present disclosure. The article can be, but is not limited to, a clothing element, a sports element, a sealing part, a transportation element, or a structural element. The article can be applied in the form of articles of clothing, footwear, sports equipment, sealing rings, automobile interiors, brakes, aircraft, protective equipment, straps, and their parts.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the article may be a shoe sole, since the polymer composition has a high breaking elongation and a high mechanical modulus.

[0029] [PEBA] The PEBAs used herein are preferably based on subunit 1 composed of at least one lactam or α,ω-amino carboxylic acid having 6 to 14 carbon atoms and subunit 2 composed of at least one amino- or hydroxy-terminated polyether having at least two carbon atoms and at least two primary amino groups per ether oxygen, or having at least two carbon atoms and at least two hydroxy groups at the chain ends per ether oxygen.

[0030] PEBAs are known in the art and result from the polycondensation of a polyamide block with a reactive end and a polyether block with a reactive end. It is preferred to obtain PEBA from a polyamide block with a dicarboxylic acid chain end. Subunit 1 may result from the condensation of one or more α,ω-aminocarboxylic acids or one or more lactams in the presence of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably a linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The dicarboxylic acid may contain from 4 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of dicarboxylic acids include 1,4-cyclohexyldicarboxylic acid, butanedioic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, octadecanedicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, but also dimerized fatty acids. PEBAs and methods for their preparation are described, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0189784.

[0031] PEBA for use in molding compositions can be used as prepared or obtained commercially.

[0032] [Thermoplastic polyurethane] Thermoplastic polyurethanes as used herein may be a variety of polyurethanes made from aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates, polyols based on polyether, polyester or polycarbonate linkages, and optionally short-chain diols (referred to as "chain extenders"). In general, thermoplastic polyurethanes are classified as thermoplastic polyester-polyurethanes, thermoplastic polycarbonate-polyurethanes, and thermoplastic polyether-polyurethanes.

[0033] The aliphatic polyisocyanate of the thermoplastic polyurethane may be any aliphatic polyisocyanate. Exemplary aliphatic polyisocyanates include methylene bis(4-cyclohexylisocyanate) (HMDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate, and isophorone diisocyanate. The aromatic polyisocyanate may be a polyisocyanate having at least two isocyanate groups attached to an aromatic ring. Exemplary aromatic polyisocyanates include toluene diisocyanate (TDI), methylene di(phenylisocyanate) (MDI), and isomers of naphthalene diisocyanate.

[0034] Polyether polyols can be produced by reacting alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, with diols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, and the like. Exemplary polyether diols include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and polytetramethylene glycol. Polyester polyols can be produced by condensation of a dicarboxylic acid with an excess of a diol, by reaction of a diol with a polyester, such as polylactide, or by ring-opening of a lactone with a diol. Exemplary polyester diols include poly(1,4-butylene adipate) diol, polylactide diol, and polycaprolactone diol. Polycarbonate polyols can be produced by reaction of an aliphatic carbonate with one or more diols. Exemplary polycarbonate diols include poly(propylene carbonate) diol, poly(hexamethylene carbonate) diol, or poly(polytetramethylene carbonate) diol.

[0035] Thermoplastic polyurethanes can be commercially purchased from a variety of manufacturers, such as BASF SE, Lubrizol Corporation, and Covestro AG.

[0036] The present disclosure is illustrated by the following examples.

[0037] [Compatibilizer] In order to make the components in the polymer composition compatible, one or more additives, collectively referred to as "compatibilizers", can be added. According to the present disclosure, the compatibilizers include modified polysiloxanes and / or condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer and at least one polyester. In some cases, the modified polysiloxanes and the condensation products can be mixed and added together.

[0038] The modified polysiloxane may be an alkyl-modified polysiloxane or a polyester-modified polysiloxane. Preferably, the modified polysiloxane is a polyester-modified polysiloxane. Preferably, the polyester-modified polysiloxane is a polysiloxane having one or more terminal ester moieties. The polyester-modified polysiloxane may be a polyester polysiloxane block copolymer, a polyester polysiloxane graft copolymer. Commercially available products include Tegomer® H-Si 6440P and Tegomer® H-Si 6441P manufactured by Evonik Specialty Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, the condensation product of the amino-functional polymer and the polyester can be obtained by partial or complete reaction of the terminal carboxyl group in the polyester with the amino group in the amino-functional polymer. Commercially available products include Tegomer® DA626 from Evonik Specialty Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

[0040] The condensation product is A) one or more amino-functional polymers having at least four amino groups; B) General formula (I) or (Ia) TC(O)-[OAC(O)] x -OH (I) TO-[C(O)-AO-]y -Z (Ia) and one or more polyesters of C) General formula (II) or (IIa) TC(O)-BZ (II) TOBZ (IIa) and one or more polyethers of can be obtained by partial or complete reaction of T is a hydrogen group and / or an optionally substituted linear or branched aryl, arylalkyl, alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms; A is at least one divalent group selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons; Z is at least one group selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid, carboxylic acid, isocyanate, epoxide, in particular phosphoric acid and (meth)acrylic acid, B is a group represented by the general formula (III) -(C l H 2l O) a -(C m H 2m O) b -(C n H 2n O) c -(SO) d - (III) where SO=-CH2-CH(Ph)-O-, where Ph=phenyl group; a, b and c are each independently 0 to 100; d is ≧0, preferably 1 to 5, the sum of a+b+c is ≧0, preferably 5 to 35, particularly 10 to 20, with the proviso that the sum of a+b+c+d is >0; l, m, and n are each independently ≧2, preferably 2 to 4; x and y are each, independently, ≧2.

[0041] The reaction products can be in the form of amides and / or corresponding salts. When the molecular moiety "Z" has multiple bonds, as can occur, for example, in polyethers and alcohol-initiated polyesters in which the terminal OH groups are esterified with unsaturated acids such as (meth)acrylic acid, the conjugation is carried out by Michael addition of NH functional groups to the double bonds.

[0042] Examples of amino-functional polymers include amino-functional polyamino acids, such as polylysine from Aldrich Chemical Co.; amino-functional silicones available under the trade name Tegomer® ASi 2122 from Evonik Operations GmbH; polyamidoamines available under the trade names Polypox®, Aradur® or "Starburst®" as dendrimers from Aldrich Chemical Co.; polyallylamines and poly(N-alkyl)allylamines available under the trade name PAA from Nitto Boseki Co.; polyvinylamines available under the trade name Lupamin® from BASF AG; polyalkyleneimines, such as polyethyleneimines available under the trade names Epomin® (Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.), Lupasol (BASF AG); polypropyleneimines available under the trade name Astramol® from DSM AG. Further examples of amino-functional polymers are the above systems crosslinked with amine-reactive groups. The crosslinking reaction is carried out, for example, by polyfunctional isocyanates, carboxylic acids, (meth)acrylates, epoxides. Further examples include poly(meth)acrylate polymers which contain dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylamide (Evonik Operations GmbH) or dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate (Evonik Operations GmbH) as monomers.

[0043] The amino-functional polymers used are typically those having a number average molecular weight of 400 g / mol to 600,000 g / mol.

[0044] Examples of the group T include, but are not limited to, alkyl groups having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, isohexyl, octyl, nonyl, isononyl, decyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl groups. Examples of unsubstituted or substituted aryl or arylalkyl groups having up to 24 carbon atoms include phenyl, benzyl, tolyl or phenethyl groups.

[0045] Polyester group - [OAC(O)] x - and -[C(O)-AO-] y contains on average more than two ester groups and has an average molecular weight Mn of 100 to 5000 g / mol. Particularly preferred are values ​​of Mn=200 to 2000 g / mol.

[0046] In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the polyesters are obtained in a conventional manner by ring-opening polymerization of starter molecules such as T-CH2-OH or T-COOH with one or more lactones such as β-propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, δ-valerolactone, γ-valerolactone, ε-caprolactone, γ-caprolactone, 4-methylcaprolactone, 2-methylcaprolactone, 5-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0047] The starter molecules, such as T-COOH and also the fatty alcohols T-CH2-OH which can be prepared therefrom, are preferably monobasic fatty acids, conventional and known in the art, based on natural vegetable or animal fats and oils having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, in particular 12 to 18 carbon atoms, such as caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, isostearic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, petroselinic acid, elaidic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, gadoleic acid, rapeseed oil fatty acid, soybean oil fatty acid, sunflower oil fatty acid, tall oil fatty acid, etc., in the form of their glycerides, methyl or ethyl esters or as free acids, alone or in mixtures, and also as technical grade mixtures obtained in the course of pressure cleavage. In principle, all fatty acids with a similar chain distribution are suitable.

[0048] The unsaturation content of these fatty acids or fatty acid esters is adjusted, if necessary, to the desired iodine value by known catalytic hydrogenation methods or achieved by blending fully hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated fatty components.

[0049] The iodine value, as an indicator of the average degree of saturation of fatty acids, is the amount of iodine absorbed by 100 g of the compound when saturating its double bonds.

[0050] The fatty acids as well as the resulting alcohols can be modified by addition reactions with alkylene oxides, in particular ethylene oxide and / or styrene oxide.

[0051] Examples of polyether groups of B are alkylene oxides, including, but not limited to, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, styrene oxide, dodecene oxide, tetradecene oxide, 2,3-dimethyloxirane, cyclopentene oxide, 1,2-epoxypentane, 2-isopropyloxirane, glycidyl methyl ester, glycidyl isopropyl ester, epichlorohydrin, 3-methoxy-2,2-dimethyloxirane, 8-oxabicyclo[5.1.0]octane, 2-pentyloxirane, 2-methyl-3-phenyloxirane, 2,3-epoxypropylbenzene, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxirane, tetrahydrofuran, and also pure enantiomeric pairs or enantiomeric mixtures thereof.

[0052] The group Z can consist of adducts including, but not limited to, carboxylic anhydrides such as succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, and the like.

[0053] The weight ratio of polyester to polyether in the composition is 50:1 to 1:9, preferably 40:1 to 1:5, and more preferably 30:1 to 1:1.

[0054] Working Example The following materials were used in the examples and comparative examples: Vestamid® E55-S3 from Evonik Operations GmbH is a low density polyether block amide (PEBA) block polymer containing PA 12 and polyether segments. Vestamid® E55-S3 has a Shore D hardness of 55.

[0055] Elastollan® 1195A10 from BASF Polyurethanes GmbH is a transparent thermoplastic polyether polyurethane based on methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, polytetramethylene glycol with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 1,000 g / mol, and 1,4-butanediol as chain extender. Its Shore A hardness is 95.

[0056] Covestro TPU Desmopan® 3695 AU from Covestro AG is a transparent thermoplastic polyester-polyurethane. Its Shore A hardness is 95.

[0057] Tegomer® H-Si 6441P from Evonik Operations GmbH is a polyester-modified siloxane in pellet form that has excellent compatibility with thermoplastic resins.

[0058] Tegopren® 6846 from Evonik Operations GmbH is an alkyl-modified siloxane.

[0059] Tegomer® DA 626 from Evonik Operations GmbH is a condensation product of polyester and amino-functional polymers used primarily as a polymeric dispersant. In the examples, a masterbatch containing 50% by weight of Tegomer® DA 626 and 50% by weight of polyamide 12 (hereinafter referred to as "Masterbatch T") was used.

[0060] Tensile modulus, tensile stress at break and elongation at break were measured on ISO tensile specimens, type 1A, 170 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm, according to ISO 527, using a Zwick Z020 material testing system at a temperature of (23±2)°C and a relative humidity of (50±10)%.

[0061] Polyether block amide (PEBA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and compatibilizer were mixed, discharged and pelletized using a Coperion ZSK-26cm co-rotating twin screw extruder to obtain compounded PEBA-TPU pellets. The temperature was set at 220°C and the screw rotation speed was set at 250 revolutions per minute (RPM). Compounding was carried out at a throughput of 20 kg / h. The specific input energy was 0.154-0.163 kWh / kg. The torque was 57-62%. Masterbatch T (wt%) is a masterbatch with a concentration of Tegomer® DA 626 of 50 wt%, so its metered amount was doubled to be equivalent to the other two compatibilizers. Thus, in Examples 5, 10-11, 18-19 and 20-29, the actual weight percentage of the compatibilizer is half of the weight percentage of Masterbatch T.

[0062] The compounded PEBA-TPU composition in pellet form was processed in an injection molding machine Engel VC 650 / 200 (melt temperature: 220° C., mold temperature: 35° C.) to produce test specimens. The injection pressure was 400 bar and the holding pressure was 600 bar.

[0063] The mechanical test results of the samples made from the compounded PEBA-TPU compositions are shown in Tables 1 to 5. C1 to C2, C10, C12, C13 to C14, C22, and C24 are comparative examples, and the rest are examples.

[0064] [Table 1]

[0065] [Table 2]

[0066] [Table 3]

[0067] [Table 4]

[0068] The elongation at break of the compounded PEBA-TPU composition increases when a small amount of compatibilizer is added, as shown in the examples. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that this improvement is the result of improved compatibility. When the amount of Masterbatch T reaches 10 wt%, the elongation decreases.

[0069] Various aspects and embodiments are possible, some of which are described herein. Upon reading this specification, a person skilled in the art will understand that these aspects and embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A polymer composition comprising, based on a total weight of the polymer composition: 93% to 99% by weight of a mixture comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane; and Compatibilizer 1% to 7% by weight In a polymer composition comprising: one or more modified siloxanes; or one or more condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer, at least one polyester, and at least one polyether; The polymer composition comprising at least one of:

2. 2. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the mixture comprises from 5% to 95% by weight of polyether block amide and from 95% to 5% by weight of thermoplastic polyurethane, based on the total weight of the mixture.

3. The polymer composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the modified siloxane comprises a polyester-modified polysiloxane.

4. The polymer composition of claim 3, wherein the polyester-modified siloxane is a polysiloxane having one or more terminal ester moieties.

5. 5. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the amino-functional polymer is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amino-functional polyamino acids, amino-functional silicones, polyamidoamines, polyallylamines, and poly(N-alkyl)arylamines, polyvinylamines, and polyalkyleneimines.

6. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the amino-functional polymer does not contain epoxy groups.

7. The polymer composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amino-functional polymer has a number average molecular weight of 400 g / mol to 600,000 g / mol.

8. 8. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyester is obtained by ring-opening polymerization of one or more lactones selected from the group consisting of β-propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, δ-valerolactone, γ-valerolactone, ε-caprolactone, γ-caprolactone, 4-methylcaprolactone, 2-methylcaprolactone, 5-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxydodecanolactone, 12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

9. The polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polyester has an average molecular weight Mn of 100 to 5,000 g / mol.

10. 10. The polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the polyether comprises a group selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, dodecene oxide, tetradecene oxide, 2,3-dimethyloxirane, cyclopentene oxide, 1,2-epoxypentane, 2-isopropyloxirane, glycidyl methyl ester, glycidyl isopropyl ester, epichlorohydrin, 3-methoxy-2,2-dimethyloxirane, 8-oxabicyclo[5.1.0]octane, 2-pentyloxirane, 2-methyl-3-phenyloxirane, 2,3-epoxypropylbenzene, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)oxirane, or even pure enantiomeric pairs or enantiomeric mixtures thereof.

11. The polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a thermoplastic polyester-polyurethane or a thermoplastic polycarbonate-polyurethane.

12. The polymer composition of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane is a thermoplastic polyether-polyurethane.

13. 13. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyether block amide is based on subunit 1, which is composed of at least one lactam or α,ω-amino carboxylic acid having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, and subunit 2, which is composed of at least one amino- or hydroxy-terminated polyether having at least two carbon atoms and at least two primary amino groups per ether oxygen, or having at least two carbon atoms and at least two hydroxy groups at the chain ends per ether oxygen.

14. An article made from the polymer composition of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The article of claim 14 , wherein the article is selected from a clothing element, a sports element, a sealing component, a transportation element, or a structural element.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the article is a shoe sole.

17. 1. A method for producing a polymer composition, the method comprising: providing 93% to 99% by weight of a mixture comprising a polyether block amide and a thermoplastic polyurethane, and 1% to 7% by weight of a compatibilizer; compounding the polyether block amide, the thermoplastic polyurethane, and the compatibilizer to form a blend; homogenizing the blend under rotation; Obtaining a polymer composition; and the compatibilizer comprises one or more modified siloxanes; or One or more condensation products of at least one amino-functional polymer and at least one polyester. A method comprising:

18. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of compounding the polyether block amide, the thermoplastic polyurethane, and the compatibilizer is carried out using a twin screw extruder.

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