Polymer compositions comprising non-fluorinated compounds and articles formed from same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are non-fluorinated, non-silicone polymer compositions including, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% long chain fatty amide and a thermoplastic polymer. The long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol. Also disclosed herein are non-fluorinated polymer compositions including, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% alkyl silicone. The alkyl silicone has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, and has a dimethyl silicone content of greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone. Articles formed from the polymer compositions may have low levels of fluid retention, low amounts of fluid retention, low haze, or a combination thereof.

Description

POLYMER COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING NON-FLUORINATED COMPOUNDS AND ARTICLES FORMED FROM SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 650,679 filed on May 22, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 769,721 filed on March 10, 2025, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 566,611 filed on March 18, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 710,186 filed on October 22, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 702,451 filed on October 2, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 769,712 filed on March 10, 2025, the contents of each of which are relied upon and are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUNDField

[0002] The present specification generally relates to non-fluorinated polymer compositions and, in particular, to non-fluorinated polymer compositions that form articles having low fluid retention and / or low binding to biological matter.Technical Background

[0003] Polymeric parts having low fluid retention surfaces may have various applications, such as pipette tips, cell culture ware, assay plates, and liquid handling vessels, among other examples. Conventionally, fluorinated compounds or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone compounds may be added to polymer compositions to reduce fluid retention. However, the use of fluorinated compounds may lead to increased manufacturing times, due to slow surface development of the fluorinated compound. Moreover, the use of fluorinated compounds in polymeric parts or polymeric articles is believed to have a negative impact on the environment. Silicone compounds (including PDMS) have transparency problems, leaching problems, and solvent-resistance problems. Therefore, a continuing need exists for non-fluorinated polymer compositions for use in forming articles that have reduced fluid retention properties, while in some instances having similar transparency to existing fluorinated polymer compositions.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides non-fluorinated, and non-fluorinated, non-silicone polymeric compositions that have low retention properties when formed into polymeric parts (articles). The present disclosure further provides non-fluorinated, and non-fluorinated, non- silicone polymeric compositions and articles that have similar transparency to articles formed from conventional fluorinated polymeric compositions available in the market and / or that are resistant to polar solvents.

[0005] Aspect 1. In a first aspect, an article comprises a long chain fatty amide and a thermoplastic polymer. The article is substantially free of fluorine and has a low fluid retention surface. The long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol and present in an amount between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the article. In one part of this aspect, the molecular weight of the long chain fatty amide may be greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol. In one part of this aspect, the long chain fatty amide may be between Cs and C45 carbon atoms. In one part of this aspect, the long chain fatty amide may have between C15 and C25 carbon atoms.

[0006] Aspect 2. The article of Aspect 1, wherein the article further comprises, based on the total weight of the article, greater than or equal to 0.2 wt.% and less than or equal to 15 wt.% of the long chain fatty amide.

[0007] Aspect 3. The article of Aspect 1 or 2, the article further comprising, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.% of the thermoplastic polymer.

[0008] Aspect 4. The article of Aspect 3, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is chosen from polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrenic polymers, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polymethyl pentene, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkamoate, and a combination thereof.

[0009] Aspect 5. The article of Aspect 3 or 4, wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises polypropylene or polystyrene, or a combination thereof.

[0010] Aspect 6. The article of any one of Aspects 1-5, the article further comprising, based on the total weight of the article, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.% of one or more additives.

[0011] Aspect 7. The article of Aspect 6, wherein the one or more additive comprises an antioxidant, a clarifying agent, a nucleating agent, an antistatic agent, a colorant, a radiation stability agent, and a conductive agent, or a combination thereof.

[0012] Aspect 8. The article of any one of Aspects 1-7, wherein the article further comprises a fatty acid present in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% of the total weight of the article.

[0013] Aspect 9. The article of Aspect 8, wherein the fatty acid is rice bran oil.

[0014] Aspect 10. The article of any one of Aspects 1 -9, wherein the long chain fatty amide is erucamide or stearyl erucamide.

[0015] Aspect 11. The article of any one of Aspects 1-10, wherein the article is substantially free of silicone.

[0016] Aspect 12. The article of any one of Aspects 1-11, the article further comprising an alkyl silicone present in amount between 0.1 wt.% and 19.9 wt.% based on the total weight of the article. The alkyl silicone has a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone. The combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

[0017] Aspect 13. The article of Aspect 13, wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.%.

[0018] Aspect 14. The article of any one of Aspects 1-13, wherein the article is free of fluorine.

[0019] Aspect 15. The article of any one of Aspects 1-14, wherein the article is free of fluorine and silicone.

[0020] Aspect 16. The article of any one of Aspects 1-15, wherein the article comprises a pipet, a pipette tip, an assay plate, a well plate, a cell culture dish, a liquid storage vessel, a tube, a liquid receptacle, a vent filter, or a laboratory consumable.

[0021] Aspect 17. The article of any one of Aspects 1-15, wherein the article comprises a pipette tip.

[0022] Aspect 18. The article of any one of Aspects 1-17, wherein the article is a sterilized article. In some parts of this aspect, the sterilization is by gamma irradiation, x-ray irradiation, or e-beam irradiation at a dosage between 10 kGy and 50 kGy.

[0023] Aspect 19. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the article has a level of fluid retention less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of fluid retention scale.

[0024] Aspect 20. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the article has a level of fluid retention less than or equal to Level 2 as measured by a visual level of fluid retention scale.

[0025] Aspect 21. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the amount of fluid retention is less than about 10.0 per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

[0026] Aspect 22. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the amount of fluid retention is less than about 6.0 per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

[0027] Aspect 23. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the amount of fluid retention is less than about 2.0 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

[0028] Aspect 24. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the article retains less than or equal to 10% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

[0029] Aspect 25. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the article retains less than or equal to 5% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

[0030] Aspect 26. The article of any one of Aspects 1-18, wherein the article retains less than or equal to 2% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

[0031] Aspect 27. The article of any one of Aspects 1-26, wherein the article has a sliding angle between 5 degrees and 17 degrees.

[0032] Aspect 28. The article of any one of Aspects 1-27, wherein the article has a water contact angle between 85 degrees and 125 degrees.

[0033] Aspect 29. The twenty-ninth aspect is a method of forming an article, the method comprising the steps of solidifying a polymer composition within a mold to form the article and removing the article from the mold. The polymer composition comprises a long chain fatty amide having a molecular weight between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol that is present in an amount between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the article, and a thermoplastic polymer. The article is substantially free of fluorine. The formed article has a low fluid retention surface.

[0034] Aspect 30. The method of Aspect 29, wherein the formed article is substantially free of silicone.

[0035] Aspect 31. The method of Aspect 29, wherein the polymer composition further comprises an alkyl silicone present in amount between 0.1 wt.% and 19.9 wt.% based on the total weight of the article. The alkyl silicone has a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone. The combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

[0036] Aspect 32. The method of any one of Aspects 29-31, further comprising the step of injecting the polymer composition into the mold.

[0037] Aspect 33. The method of any one of Aspects 29-32, further comprising the step of sterilizing the article with irradiation at a dosage between 10 kGy and 50 kGy, after removing the article from the mold.

[0038] Aspect 34. The method of Aspect 33, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 3, as measured with a visual level of fluid retention scale.

[0039] Aspect 35. The method of Aspect 33, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises an amount of fluid retention less than or equal to 10 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

[0040] Aspect 36. The method of Aspect 33, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises a fluid retention of less than 3% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

[0041] Aspect 37. A thirty-seventh aspect is a non-fluorinated article that comprises a thermoplastic polymer and a long chain fatty amide. The non-fluorinated article has a fluid retention of less than or equal to 3% of any fluid added and then dispensed, and the non-fluorinated article is substantially free of fluorine.

[0042] Aspect 38. The non-fluorinated article of Aspect 37, wherein the non-fluorinated article is substantially free of silicone.

[0043] Aspect 39. The non-fluorinated article of Aspect 37, further comprising an alkyl silicone with a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone.

[0044] Aspect 40. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-39, wherein the article comprises greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide, based on the total weight of the article, and the long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol.

[0045] Aspect 41. The non-fluorinated article of Aspect 39, wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% and the long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol.

[0046] Aspect 42. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-41, wherein the long chain fatty amide is erucamide or stearyl erucamide.

[0047] Aspect 43. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-42, wherein the non-fluorinated article has a sliding angle between 5 degrees and 17 degrees.

[0048] Aspect 44. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-43, wherein the article comprises, based on the total weight of the article, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.% of a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer is chosen from polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrenic polymers, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polymethyl pentene, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkamoate, or a combination thereof.

[0049] Aspect 45. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-44, wherein the non-fluorinated article comprises a pipette tip.

[0050] Aspect 46. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-45, wherein the article further comprises a fatty acid present in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%. The fatty acid may be rice bran oil.

[0051] Aspect 47. The non-fluorinated article of any one of Aspects 37-45, wherein the article further comprises a level of haze of less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of haze scale.

[0052] Aspect 48. The article of any one of Aspects 1-28, wherein the article further comprises a level of haze less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of haze scale.

[0053] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview orframework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIG. I is a schematic of an article comprising a polymer composition, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a photographic scale of levels of fluid retention identified in articles made from polymeric compositions (a visual level of fluid retention scale), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 3A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP1 in the absence of a fluorinated additive, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 3B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from a composition comprising 98 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 2 wt.% POLR (fluorinated additive), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 3C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP2 in the absence of a fluorinated additive, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 3D is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 2 wt.% POLR (fluorinated additive), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 4A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP2 1 in the absence of a fluorinated additive, a long chain fatty amide, or a fatty acid, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 4B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 99.9 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 0.1 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 4C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 99.75 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 0.25 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 4D is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 99.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 0.5 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 4E is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 99.0 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.0 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 4F is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 4G is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.0 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 2.0 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 4H is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 95 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 5.0 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 5A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP1 in the absence of a fluorinated additive, a long chain fatty amide, or a fatty acid, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 5B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 5C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 1.5 wt.% oleamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 5D is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP2 in the absence of a fluorinated additive, a long chain fatty amide, or a fatty acid, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 5E is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0073] FIG. 5F is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% oleamide, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 6A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 99.9 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 0.1 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] FIG. 6B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 6C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 95.0 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 5.0 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0077] FIG. 6D is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt. % polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt. % oleamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiationdosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0078] FIG. 6E is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 99.9 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 0.1 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 6F is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 6G is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 95.0 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 5.0 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 6H is a photograph of the fluid retention in three pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP2 and 1.5 wt.% oleamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 7A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.0 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 2 wt.% POLR (fluorinated additive), after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 7B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 7C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt. % polypropylene TP 1 and 1.5 wt. % ol eamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 3 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 7D is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 98.0 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 2 wt.% POLR (fluorinated additive), after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 7E is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP1 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 7F is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from 98.5 wt. % polypropylene TP 1 and 1.5 wt. % ol eamide, after gamma irradiation with a 20 kGy irradiation dosage and 14 days in an oven at 55° C, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a bar graph of the averages and standard deviations from gravimetric testing depicting the amounts of fluid retention that occurs with pipette tips formed from polymeric Controls 3-4 and Compositions 1-11 in Example 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a bar graph of the averages and standard deviations from gravimetric testing depicting the amounts of fluid retention before gamma radiation, and after gamma irradiation followed by either 3 days or 14 days in an oven at 55° C, that occurs with pipette tips formed from polymeric compositions titled Controls 1-3 and Compositions 1, 5, 7-11 in Example 1 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a bar graph of the sliding angle measured in degrees for each of Controls 1 -2 and Compositions 1 -4, 6-7, 11 - 16 in Example 1 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG 11 is a bar graph of the water contact angle measured in degrees for each of Controls 1-2 and Compositions 1-4, 6-7, 11-16 in Example 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 12A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight pipette tips formed from polypropylene TP2, 0.5 wt.% erucamide, and 1.0 wt.% rice bran oil, in the absence of gamma radiation, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 12B is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from polypropylene TP2, 0.5 wt.% erucamide, and 1.0 wt.% rice bran oil, 3 days after being gamma irradiated with a 20 kGy dosage, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 12C is a photograph of the fluid retention in four pipette tips formed from polypropylene TP2, 0.5 wt.% erucamide, and 1.0 wt.% rice bran oil, 14 days after being gamma irradiated with a 20 kGy dosage, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 13A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight post-molded pipette tips formed using bag mixing and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkylsilicone, or 90 wt. % polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] FIG. 13B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips formed using bag mixing and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, or 90 wt. % polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] FIG. 14A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight post-molded pipette tips formed using bag mixing and injection molding, made from either 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 1.5 wt. % OD-Eru, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, or 90 wt. % polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl- silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0098] FIG. 14B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips formed using bag mixing and injection molding, made from either 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, or 90 wt. % polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl- silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0099] FIG. 14C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips 14 days after sitting in an oven at 55°C (i.e., post-oven) formed using bag mixing and injection molding, made from either 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, or 90 wt. % polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0100] FIG. 15A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight post-molded pipette tips formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, or 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0101] FIG. 15B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, or 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] FIG. 15C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips 14 days after sitting in an oven at 55°C (i.e., post-oven) formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 95 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 5% alkyl silicone, or 92.5 wt.% polypropylene and 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure..

[0103] FIG. 16A is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight post-molded pipette tips formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, or 98 wt.% polypropylene TP3 with 1.0 wt. % OD-Eru and 1.0 wt.% alkyl silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0104] FIG. 16B is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, or 98 wt.% polypropylene TP3 with 1.0 wt. % OD-Eru and 1.0 wt.% alkyl silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] FIG. 16C is a photograph of the fluid retention in eight gamma-irradiated pipette tips 14 days after sitting in an oven at 55°C (i.e., post-oven) formed using a master batch and injection molding, made from either 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, or 98 wt.% polypropylene TP3 with 1.0 wt. % OD-Eru and 1.0 wt.% alkyl silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0106] FIG. 17 is a series of GC-MS chromatograms of the level of the alkyl-silicone present in extraction solution after the surfaces of pipette tips having 0 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, or 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone were subjected to surface extraction by chloroform, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0107] FIG. 18A is a series of TOF-SIMS micrographs taken from different points along a pipette tip formed from 90 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0108] FIG. 18B is a series of TOF-SIMS micrographs taken from pipette tips formed from either 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru, 95 wt.% polypropylene and 5 wt.% alkyl-silicone, or 90 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0109] FIG. 19 is a series of therm ogravimetric analysis (TGA) scans overlay ed onto a single graph depicting the thermal stability of 100 wt.% alkyl-silicone and pipette tips made from 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru and 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3, 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone and 92.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3, and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone and 90 wt.% polypropylene TP3, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] FIG. 20 is a photographic scale of levels of haze identified in articles made from polymeric compositions (a visual level of haze scale), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0111] FIG. 21 is a series of photographs depicting the level of haze of polymeric compositions comprising either 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, or 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru and the remainder polypropylene TP3, as determined from comparison to the visual level of haze scale in FIG. 20, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0112] FIG. 22 is a series of photographs depicting the level of haze of polymeric compositions comprising either 5.0 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, or 10.0 wt.% alkyl silicone and the remainder polypropylene TP3, as determined from comparison to the visual level of haze scale in FIG. 20, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The various aspects and embodiments will now be fully described herein. These aspects and embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided so the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present subject matter to those skilled in the art. All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0114] Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.A. Definitions

[0115] Unless defined otherwise, all terms and phrases used herein include the meanings that the terms and phrases have attained in the art, unless the contrary is clearly indicated or clearly apparent from the context in which the term or phrase is used. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, particular methods and materials are now described.

[0116] Unless otherwise stated, the use of individual numerical values are stated as approximations as though the values were preceded by the word “about” or “approximately.” Similarly, the numerical values in the various ranges specified in this application, unless expressly indicated otherwise, are stated as approximations as though the minimum and maximum values within the stated ranges were both preceded by the word “about” or “approximately.” In this manner, variations above and below the stated ranges can be used to achieve substantially the same results as values within the ranges. As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” when referring to a numerical value shall have their plain and ordinary meanings to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed subject matter is most closely related or the art relevant to the range or element at issue. The amount of broadening from the strict numerical boundary depends upon many factors. For example, some of the factors which may be considered include the criticality of the element and / or the effect a given amount of variation will have on the performance of the claimed subject matter, as well as other considerations known to those of skill in the art. As used herein, the use of differing amounts of significant digits for different numerical values is not meant to limit how the use of the words “about” or “approximately” will serve to broaden a particular numerical value or range. Thus, as a general matter, “about” or “approximately” broaden the numerical value. Also, the disclosure of ranges is intended as a continuous range including every value between the minimum and maximum values plus the broadening of the range afforded by the use of the term “about” or “approximately.” Consequently, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0117] As used herein, the term “and / or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0118] As used herein, “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to.”

[0119] “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described element, component or circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the element, component, or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0120] As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0121] The term “substantially free,” when used to describe the amount and / or absence of a particular component in a composition and the resultant article, means that the component is not intentionally added to the composition and the resultant article. However, the composition and the resultant article may contain traces of the component as a contaminant or trace amounts of less than 0.05 weight percent (wt.%).

[0122] The term “free,” when used to describe the amount and / or absence of a particular component in a composition and the resultant articles, means that the component is not present in the article.

[0123] In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

[0124] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.B. Introduction

[0125] Commercially available low fluid retention polymer parts, such as pipette tips and PCR tubes widely employ fluorinated melt additives and, in some cases, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicones. However, fluoro-molecules are the subject of increasing regulation in US and Europe. PDMS-based materials often have poor solvent resistance, leachability (contamination ofbiological fluids) and poor miscibility with polyolefins, and they produce hazy (non-transparent) parts. Hence, there is a need for alternative compositions that have low fluid retention and are transparent without the problems encountered with currently available formulations.

[0126] Although the resin industry has been trying to solve the problem of a non-fluorinated polymeric composition that produces polymeric parts or articles with low fluid retention and low haze, the industry has been unable to fiFnd a solution. The present disclosure provides an inexpensive alternative in the form of a non-fluorinated, non-silicone, polyolefin composition that comprises a long-chain fatty amide, which provides excellent low fluid retention along with sufficient clarity (transparency) to be useful to a number of applications, including applications with biological matter. The present disclosure also provides an inexpensive alternative in the form of a non-fluorinated polyolefin composition that comprises a long-chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone additive, which also provides excellent low fluid retention yet still has clarity similar to the non-fluorinated, non-silicone compositions of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also provides an inexpensive alternative in the form of a non-fluorinated polyolefin composition that comprises an alkyl silicone additive, which also provides excellent low fluid retention yet still has clarity similar to the non-fluorinated, non-silicone compositions of the present disclosure.

[0127] According to embodiments, the polymer compositions include a long chain fatty amide and a thermoplastic polymer. The long chain fatty amide may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol), which results in an article having low fluid retention and preferably also has low haze. The polymer composition may include greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% long chain fatty amide, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.

[0128] According to embodiments, the polymer compositions include a long chain fatty amide, a fatty acid, and a thermoplastic polymer. The long chain fatty amide may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol) and the fatty acid may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol), which results in an article having low fluid retention and preferably has low haze. The polymer composition may include greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.%and less than or equal to 20 wt.% long chain fatty amide and greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% fatty acids, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.

[0129] According to embodiments, the polymer compositions include an alkyl silicone and a thermoplastic polymer. The alkyl silicone may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol) and dimethyl silicone content (e.g. greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% dimethyl silicone, based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone), which results in an article having low fluid retention and preferably has low haze. The polymer composition may include greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% alkyl silicone, based on the total weight of the polymer composition. In certain further embodiments, the polymer composition may further include at least one fatty acid (with a molecular weight between 150 g / mol and 600 g / mol) in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.

[0130] According to embodiments, the polymer compositions include a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, and a thermoplastic polymer. The long chain fatty amide may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol) and the alkyl silicone may have a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol) and dimethyl silicone content (e.g. greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% dimethyl silicone, based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone), which results in an article having low fluid retention and preferably has low haze. The polymer composition may include greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% long chain fatty amide, and greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% alkyl silicone, based on the total weight of the polymer composition. However, when both alkyl silicone and a long chain fatty amide are present, the total combined weight of the alkyl silicone and the long chain fatty amide does not exceed 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the polymer composition. In certain further embodiments, the polymer composition may further include at least one fatty acid (with a molecular weight between 150 g / mol and 600 g / mol) in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.Polymeric Compositions

[0131] It may be desirable to avoid use of fluorinated compounds in polymer compositions to reduce fluid retention due to increased manufacturing times and their negative environmental impact.

[0132] According to aspects of the present disclosure, polymeric compositions are provided from which polymeric parts (articles) may be formed that have low fluid retention properties. In one aspect, polymeric parts having low fluid retention properties may be substantially free (or even free of) of fluorine or fluorinated compounds. Such polymeric parts may comprise a thermoplastic polymer and either a long chain fatty amide or an alkyl silicone, or a combination of a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone. In another aspect, polymeric parts having low fluid retention properties may be substantially free of (or even free of) fluorine or fluorinated compounds and may also be substantially free (or even free of) silicone or silicone compounds. Such polymeric parts may comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a long chain fatty amide.

[0133] The polymer compositions described herein may comprise a long chain fatty amide having at least 8 carbons and no more than 45 carbons. As used herein, a “long chain fatty amide” is an alkyl chain, either saturated or unsaturated, that is derived from a fatty acid. Examples of long chain fatty amides include erucamide, behenamide, oleamide, stearyl erucamide (i.e., octadecyl erucamide or N-octadecyl-13-docosenamide), and N,N'-ethylenebis(stearamide), among others know to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the long chain fatty amide is erucamide, oleamide, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the long chain fatty amide is erucamide, oleamide, behenamide, stearyl erucamide, or N,N'-ethylenebis(stearamide), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the long chain fatty amide is erucamide, oleamide, behenamide, stearyl erucamide, N,N'-ethylenebis(stearamide), linoleoyl ethanolamide, linoleamide, oleoyl ethanolamide, palmitic amide, octadecanamide, stearamide, or N- oleylpalmitamide.

[0134] Embodiments of the polymer compositions described herein may comprise, based on a total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% long chain fatty amide. For example, without limitation, the polymer compositions may comprise long chain fatty amide in an amount, based on the total weight of thepolymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.25 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 3 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 7 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 9 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 11 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 13 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 15 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 17 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 19 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 18 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 16 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 14 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 12 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 10 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 8 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 4 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 2 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 1 wt.%, or any range or combination of ranges formed from these endpoints. In some embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise greater than or equal to 0.25 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% long chain fatty amide. In some embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise greater than or equal to 1 wt.% and less than or equal to 7 wt.% long chain fatty amide. In one embodiment, the polymer composition may comprise greater than or equal to 0.4 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% long chain fatty amide.

[0135] If the amount of long chain fatty amide in the polymer composition is too low, for example less than 0.1 wt.%, then articles formed from the polymer composition may not exhibit the desired low fluid retention properties and / or the desired low binding properties. Additionally, minimizing the amount of long chain fatty amide, such as in amounts less than or equal to 20 wt.%, may be cost effective. If the amount of long chain fatty amide in the polymer composition is too high, the articles formed from the polymer composition may have decreased mechanical strength, which is undesired. Further, if the amount of long chain fatty amide in the polymer composition is too high, the articles formed from the polymer composition may experience decreased friction causing low grip strength, which is undesirable for articles that need to be attached to devices (for example, pipette tips with low grip strength will not stay attached to a pipettor).

[0136] According to embodiments, the long chain fatty amide may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol. As used herein, “molecular weight” refers to weight average molecular weight. In some embodiments, the long chain fatty amide may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 500 g / mol, greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 400 g / mol, greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 300 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol, greater than or equal to 300 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol, greater than or equal to 400 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol, greater than or equal to 500 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol, greater than or equal to 600 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 650 g / mol, greater than or equal to 300 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 400 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 300 g / mol, greater than or equal to 300 g / mol and less than or equal to 400 g / mol, or in any other range or value between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol. In one specific embodiment, the long chain fatty amide may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 500 g / mol.

[0137] The size of the long chain fatty amide may affect the properties of the long chain fatty amide with the thermoplastic polymer used in the polymer composition. If the number of methylene (CH2) groups in the long chain fatty amide is too great, for example greater than 45, then the long chain fatty amide may be too compatible with the thermoplastic polymer and may not migrate to the surface of the formed part.

[0138] In one or more embodiments, the long chain fatty amide may comprise between C7 and C44 methylene groups. As described herein, a “Cx methylene group” refers to a fatty amide comprising X number of methylene groups (CH2 groups). In embodiments, the long chain fatty amide may comprise between C7 and C40 methylene groups, between C7 and C35 methylene groups, between C7 and C30 methylene groups, between C7 and C25 methylene groups, between C7 and C20 methylene groups, or between C7 and C15 methylene groups, between C10 and C44 methylene groups, between C15 and C44 methylene groups, between C20 and C44 methylene groups, between C25 and C44 methylene groups, between C30 and C44 methylene groups, between C35 and C44 methylene groups, or between C40 and C44 methylene groups, or any range of methylene groupsbetween C7 and C44 methylene groups. For example, in one specific embodiment, the long chain fatty amide may comprise between C15 and C20 methylene groups. In another specific embodiment, the long chain fatty amide may comprise between C10 and C15 methylene groups. In yet another specific embodiment, the long chain fatty amide may comprise between C20 and C25 methylene group.

[0139] According to embodiments, the alkyl silicone may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol. For example, without limitation, the alkyl silicone may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 2,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 3,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 4,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 5,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 6,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 7,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 8,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 9,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 9,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 8,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 7,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 6,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 5,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 4,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 3,000 g / mol, greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 2,000 g / mol, or any value or range or combination of ranges formed from these endpoints. In some embodiments, the alkyl silicone may have a molecular weight from 1,500 g / mol to 8,000 g / mol.

[0140] According to embodiments described herein, an “alkyl silicone” is a polymer comprising repeating units of siloxane, where at least some of the siloxane monomers are functionalized with alkyl groups other than methyl groups. In one or more embodiments, some of the siloxane monomers may comprise dimethyl siloxane. The content of dimethyl siloxane monomers in an alkyl silicone may be referred to as the “dimethyl silicone content” of the alkyl silicone. If the dimethyl silicone content of the alkyl silicone is too low (e.g., less than 40 wt.%), then the alkyl silicone may have difficulty moving to the surface of an article formed from thepolymer composition during manufacturing. This may increase manufacturing times and lead to poor fluid retention properties of articles comprising the polymer composition. If the dimethyl silicone content of the alkyl silicone is too great, for example greater than 70 wt.%, then articles formed from the polymer composition may similarly have poor surface development. A relatively high dimethyl silicone content may also increase haze, which may be undesirable in certain applications.

[0141] In embodiments, the alkyl silicone may have a dimethyl silicone content of greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone. For example, the alkyl silicone may have a dimethyl silicone content, based on the total weight of the alkyl silicone, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 45 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 50 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 55 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 60 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 65 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.%, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 65 wt.%, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 60 wt.%, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 55 wt.%, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 50 wt.%, greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 45 wt.%, or any value or range or combination of ranges formed from these endpoints. In some embodiments, a dimethyl silicone content of the alkyl silicone may be greater than or equal to 45 wt.% and less than or equal to 65 wt.%.

[0142] In one or more embodiments, the alky silicone may comprise C8-C45 alkyl groups. As described herein, a “Cx alkyl group” refers to an alkyl group comprising X number of carbon atoms. For example, a Cs alkyl group comprises 8 carbon atoms. In embodiments, the alkyl silicone may comprise C8-C45 alkyl groups, C10-C45 alkyl groups, C15-C45 alkyl groups, C20-C45 alkyl groups, C25-C45 alkyl groups, C30-C45 alkyl groups, C35-C45 alkyl groups, C40-C45 alkyl groups, Cs- C40 alkyl groups, C8-C35 alkyl groups, C8-C30 alkyl groups, C8-C25 alkyl groups, C8-C20 alkyl groups, Cs-Cis alkyl groups, Cs-Cio alkyl groups, or alkyl groups having any value or range of the number of carbon atoms formed from any of these endpoints. In some embodiments, the alkyl silicone may comprise C12-C40 alkyl groups.

[0143] Embodiments of the polymer compositions described herein may comprise, based on a total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% alkyl silicone when a long chain fatty amide is present in the composition. However, if there is no long chain fatty amide in the polymeric composition and the amount of alkyl silicone in the polymer composition is too low, for example less than 0.5 wt.%, then articles formed from the polymer composition may not exhibit the desired low fluid retention properties. Additionally, minimizing the amount of alkyl silicone, such as in amounts less than or equal to 20 wt.%, may be cost effective.

[0144] For example, without limitation, the polymer compositions with no long chain fatty amide may comprise alkyl silicone in an amount, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 3 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 5 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 7 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 9 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 11 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 13 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 15 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 17 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 19 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 18 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 16 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 14 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 12 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 10 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 8 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 4 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 2 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 1 wt.%, or any value, range, or combination of ranges formed from any of these endpoints. In some embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise greater than or equal to 1 wt.% and less than or equal to 15 wt.% alkyl silicone.

[0145] However, in polymeric compositions where both an alkyl silicone and a long chain fatty amide are present in the polymeric composition, the total amount of combined alkyl silicone and long chain fatty amide in the polymeric composition should be greater than or equal to 0.1wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.%. In one non-limiting example, a polymeric composition may comprise between 0.1 wt.% and 10 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide and between 0.1 wt.% and 10 wt.% of an alkyl silicone, between 0.1 wt.% and 5 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide and between 0.1 wt.% and 15 wt.% of an alkyl silicone, between 0.1 wt.% and 15 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide and between 0.1 wt.% and 5 wt.% of an alkyl silicone, between 0.1 wt.% and 5 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide and between 0.1 wt.% and 5 wt.% of an alkyl silicone, between 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of a long chain fatty amide and between 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of an alkyl silicone, or in any range or at any value for a combined amount of long chain fatty amide and alkyl silicone that is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% the total weight of the polymer composition. Stated a different way, the polymeric composition may comprise a combined amount of long chain fatty amide and alkyl silicone in any range or at any value between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% of the total weight of the polymeric composition.

[0146] The polymeric compositions described herein comprise a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer included in the polymer compositions is not limited. For example, the thermoplastic polymer may be selected based on the intended use of the article formed from the polymer composition. In embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer comprises polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrene polymers, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polymethyl pentene, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer may comprise a propylene homopolymer or a propylene ethylene copolymer. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer may comprise polypropylene. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer is a bio-based polymer, such as polysaccharides, polylactide, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and poly(dihydrofuran), among others known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0147] In some embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer may have a melt flow index (MFI), also known as melt flow rate, greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min. For example, the thermoplastic polymer may have a melt flow rate greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 10 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 20 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 30 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 40 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 50 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 60 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 70 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 80 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 90 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 90 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 80 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 70 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 60 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 50 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 40 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 30 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 20 g / 10 min., greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 10 g / 10 min., or at any value, any range, or any combination of ranges formed from any of these endpoints. In one specific embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer may have a melt flow rate greater than or equal to 5 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 40 g / 10 min. As described herein, “melt flow rate” may be measured according to ASTMD1238. Without intending to be bound by theory, polymers having melt flow rates greater than or equal to 1 g / 10 min. and less than or equal to 100 g / 10 min. may relatively easily fill parts having thin walls and long flow paths while maintaining desirable physical properties.

[0148] In embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.% of the thermoplastic polymer. For example, without limitation, the polymer composition may comprise thermoplastic polymer in an amount, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.%, greater than or equal to 80 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.%, greater than or equal to 85 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.%, greater than or equal to 90 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.%, greater than or equal to 95 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.%, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 95 wt.%, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 90 wt.%, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 85 wt.%, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 80 wt.%, or at any value, or in any range or combination of ranges formed from any of these endpoints.

[0149] In some embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise fatty acids, such as a vegetable oil, a seed oil, or any other substance (oil or non-oil) comprising fatty acids or a combination of fatty acids. Examples of fatty acids include myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, oc-linolenic acid, margaroleic acid, margaric acid, palmitoleic acid, and stearic acid. However, it should be understood that these are merely examples, and that any saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acid, or combination thereof may be used. In some embodiments, the fatty acid or combination of fatty acids is in an oil form. Examples of oils comprising fatty acids, or a combination of fatty acids, include rice bran oil, almond oil, safflower oil, grape oil, hemp oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, pumpkin seed oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, olive oil, rice bran oil, and karanja seed oil, among others known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise rice bran oil, almond oil, karanja seed oil, or a combination thereof.

[0150] In embodiments, the polymer composition may comprise, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% of fatty acids. For example, without limitation, the polymer composition may comprise fatty acids in an amount, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 2 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.3 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.7 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.9 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 2 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 3 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than or equal to 4 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 4 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 3 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 2 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 0.9 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 0.7 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 0.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 0.3 wt.%, or ay any value, or in any range or combination of ranges formed from the endpoints of greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.%. In one specific embodiment, the polymer composition may comprise, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 1.5 wt.% of fatty acids.

[0151] According to some embodiments, the fatty acid or combination of fatty acids may each have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, or in any range or at any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the fatty acid may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 550 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 500 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 500 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 450 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 400 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 350 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 300 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 250 g / mol, greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 200 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 250 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 300 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 350 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 400 g / mol and less than or equal to 600 g / mol, greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 400 g / mol, or greater than or equal to 225 g / mol and less than or equal to 275 g / mol. In one specific embodiment, the fatty acid may be combination of fatty acids, each fatty acid comprising a molecular weight greater than or equal to 200 g / mol and less than or equal to 300 g / mol.

[0152] Any polymer compositions may further comprise one or more additive other than a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, or a fatty acid. For example, a polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a long chain fatty amide, and an additive other than a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, or a fatty acid. In another embodiment, a polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a long chain fatty amide, a fatty acid, and an additive other than an alkyl silicone. In another embodiment, polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, an alkyl silicone, and an additive other than a long chain fatty amide or a fatty acid. In yet another embodiment, a polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, and an additive other than a fatty acid. And in another embodiment, a polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, a fatty acid, and an additive.

[0153] The additives other than a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, or a fatty acid that may be included in the polymer composition are not necessarily limited. In embodiments, theadditives may comprise antioxidants, clarifying agents, nucleating agents, antistatic agents, colorants, radiation stability agents, and conductive agents. Antioxidants may be included in the polymer composition to prevent degradation of the polymers. Some embodiments of the polymer composition include multiple antioxidants. Clarifying agents and nucleating agents may improve the clarity of articles formed from the polymer composition. Without intending to be bound by theory, clarifying agents and nucleating agents may initiate the growth of crystalline phases of crystalline polymers, such as polypropylene. Increasing the number of relatively small crystalline structures in the article may reduce the light scattered by the crystalline phases improving the clarity of articles formed from the polymer composition. Antistatic agents may reduce the resistivity of the polymer composition to provide static protection. Colorants may be included in the polymer composition to impart color to articles formed form the polymer composition. Suitable colorants may be selected for use in transparent, translucent, or opaque articles. Radiation stability agents may be included in the polymer composition to reduce the effects of irradiation on the polymer composition. For example, radiation stability agents may reduce discoloration, such as yellowing, that may occur in some polymer compositions. Radiation stability agents may also reduce the effect of radiation on the mechanical properties of articles formed from the polymer composition. Conductive agents may be included in the polymer composition to improve the electrical conductivity of the polymer composition. Conductive agents may include, for example, carbon black and carbon fibers. Some conductive agents, such as carbon black, may also impart color to the polymer composition and articles formed from the polymer composition.

[0154] In embodiments where the polymer composition further comprises one or more additives other than a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, or a fatty acid, the polymer composition may comprise, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.% of the one or more additives, or at any value or in any range therebetween. For example, the polymer composition may comprise the one or more additives in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 0.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 1 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 1.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 2 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 2.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 3 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 3.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 4 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%,greater than or equal to 4.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than or equal to 5.5 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5.0 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 4.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 4 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 3.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 3 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 2.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 2 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 1.5 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 1 wt.%, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 0.5 wt.%, or any range or value that is greater than or equal to 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.%. In embodiments, the polymer composition may be free or substantially free of additives other than a long chain fatty amide, an alkyl silicone, or a fatty acid.

[0155] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may be free or substantially free of fluorine. For example, the alkyl silicone, the long chain fatty amide, the fatty acid (if employed), and / or any other additives (if employed) may be free from any moieties or functionalities comprising fluorine. Likewise, the thermoplastic polymer and / or any additives may be free from any moieties or functionalities comprising fluorine. In embodiments where the polymer composition comprises one or more additives, the additives may each be free or substantially free from fluorine. Without intending to be bound by theory, articles formed from polymer compositions that are free or substantially free of fluorine may have reduced manufacturing times relative to articles formed from polymer compositions comprising fluorinated compounds. Furthermore, fluorinated compound in articles formed from polymer compositions that are used to handle biological samples may contaminate the biological samples. Using polymer compositions that are free from fluorine to form such articles may reduce the likelihood of such samples being contaminated with fluorinated compounds. Additionally, in certain industries, it may be desirable to avoid fluorinated compounds due to their potential environmental impact.

[0156] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may be free or substantially free of silicone. For example, the long chain fatty amide (and / or fatty acid if employed) may be free from any moieties or functionalities comprising silicone. Likewise, the thermoplastic polymer and / or any additives may be free from any moieties or functionalities comprising silicone. Inembodiments where the polymer composition comprises one or more additives, the additives may each be free or substantially free from silicone.Articles Formed from the Polymeric Compositions

[0157] The polymeric parts (articles) formed from polymeric compositions of the present disclosure have low fluid retention surfaces and / or surfaces with low binding to biological matter. The articles comprising the polymer composition are not necessarily limited. They may have various applications for biological matter. In one or more embodiments, an article may comprise a pipette tip, a pipet (e.g., serological pipets and other transfer pipets), a tube such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tubes and centrifuge tubes, a tube rack, a storage vessel, a plate and / or well for cell culture (e.g., well plates for two-dimensional or three-dimensional cell cultures), an assay plate (e.g., PCR plates), a liquid handling vessel, a liquid storage vessel, a vent filters or other bioreactor components, a packaging container, or a laboratory consumable, among other examples. As described herein, a “laboratory consumable” refers to any item for laboratory use that is replaced regularly after it is used or after it wears down. In some embodiments, the article comprises a pipette tip, a PCR tube, a pipette tip rack, a pipet, a well plate, a plate, a vent filter, or a storage vessel.

[0158] Embodiments of the polymer compositions described herein may be used to form various articles. Such articles may comprise the polymer compositions previously described. In some embodiments, the articles may be formed from the polymer compositions. In some embodiments, the articles may consist essentially of the polymer composition.

[0159] Referring now to FIG. 1, an article 100 comprising a polymer composition as described herein may comprise a first major surface 110 and a second major surface 120. The second major surface 120 may be opposite the first major surface 110. It should be noted that the shape of the article is not necessarily limited to the structure depicted in FIG. 1. Articles comprising the polymer composition may have any suitable form or shape. For example, the polymer composition may be shaped to form any of the articles described hereinabove.

[0160] In one or more embodiments of an article made from the polymer compositions described herein, a concentration of the long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fattyacid), at the first major surface 110 of article 100 may be greater than a concentration of the long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) at a midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. Likewise, in one or more embodiments, the concentration of the long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) at the second major surface 120 of the article 100 may be greater than a concentration of the long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) at the midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. This difference in concentration of long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) between the surfaces of the article and the middle of the article may be achieved in several ways. For example, during manufacturing processes, long chain fatty amides (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) may separate from the thermoplastic polymer and migrate to the surface (blooming) of the article formed from the polymer composition. Once the article is formed, the concentration of long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) may be greater on the surface of the article. Without intending to be bound by theory, increasing the concentration of long chain fatty amide (or long chain fatty amide and fatty acid) on the surface of an article may improve the fluid retention properties of the article; specifically, reducing the fluid retention of the article.

[0161] In one or more embodiments of an article made from the polymer compositions described herein, a concentration of the alkyl silicone at the first major surface 110 of article 100 may be greater than a concentration of the alkyl silicone at a midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. Likewise, in one or more embodiments, the concentration of alkyl silicone at the second major surface 120 of the article 100 may be greater than a concentration of the alkyl silicone at the midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. This difference in concentration of alkyl silicone between the surfaces of the article and the middle of the article may be achieved in several ways. For example, during manufacturing processes, the alkyl silicone may separate from the thermoplastic polymer and migrate to the surface (blooming) of the article formed from the polymer composition. Once the article is formed, the concentration of the alkyl silicone may be greater on the surface of the article. Without intending to be bound by theory, increasing the concentration of the alkyl silicone on the surface of an article may improve the fluid retention properties of the article; specifically, reducing the fluid retention of the article.

[0162] In one or more embodiments, a concentration of the alkyl silicone, the long chain fatty amide, or the fatty acid at a depth from 0 nm to 10 nm from the first major surface 110 of the article 100 may be greater than its concentration at a midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. In such embodiments, the midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 is greater than 10 nm from the first major surface. In one or more embodiments, the concentration of the alkyl silicone, the long chain fatty amide, or the fatty acid at a depth from 0 nm to 10 nm from the first major surface 110 of the article 100 may be 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 or even 20 times greater than its concentration at a midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. Likewise, in one or more embodiments, the concentration of the alkyl silicone, long chain fatty amide, or fatty acid at a depth from 0 nm to 10 nm from the second major surface 120 of the article 100 may be greater than its concentration at the midpoint 130 between the first maj or surface 110 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. In such embodiments, the midpoint 130 between the first major surface 110 and the second major surface 120 is greater than 10 nm. In one or more embodiments, the concentration of the alkyl silicone, the long chain fatty amide, or the fatty acid at a depth from 0 nm to 10 nm from the second major surface 120 of the article 100 may be 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 or even 20 times greater than its concentration at a midpoint 130 between the second major surface 120 and the second major surface 120 of the article 100. The concentration of the alkyl silicone, long chain fatty amide, or fatty acid at a depth from 0 nm to 10 nm may be measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

[0163] The article formed from the polymeric compositions described herein may have low fluid retention. An article that has “low fluid retention” as used herein is an article that has one or more of a low level, a low amount, or a low percentage of fluid retained in the article after aspirating and then dispensing a volume of fluid from the article. How levels of fluid retention, amounts of fluid retention, and percentages of fluid retention are determined along with what levels, amounts and percentages are considered “low” are now described in more detail.

[0164] Starting with a low level of fluid retention, an article formed from the polymeric compositions described herein may have a low level of fluid retention. The level of fluid retention an article is determined by visual inspection with comparison to a standard. In one or more embodiments, the article may comprise a fluid retention level of less than or equal to a Level 3 onthe below described fluid retention scale. As described herein, the “level of fluid retention” for an article in the form of a pipette tip is measured by the following method. A 200 pL pipette tip formed from a polymeric composition is attached to a manual pipettor. 200 pL of McCormick® green food coloring dye (or an equivalent) is drawn (aspirated) into the pipette tip. The dye is then dispensed from the pipette tip. Each round of aspirating and dispensing is considered an aspirate / dispense cycle. The pipette tip is then visually inspected against the visual level of fluid retention scale shown in FIG. 2 and assigned the level number it closest matches to. If the pipettor is a multi-channel pipettor with multiple pipette tips being observed, and more than one level is present across the pipette tips, both levels are listed. For example, if the visual observation shows that with an 8-channel multi-channel pipettor shows that three tips match Level 1 and five tips match Level 2, the Level for that set of eight pipette tips is Level 1-2. An article that has a low level of fluid retention refers to an article having Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, Level 0, or a combination thereof, as measured by the level of fluid retention scale shown in FIG. 2.

[0165] It should be understood that the level of fluid retention of a pipette tip may be measured after any given aspirate / dispense cycle. In the Examples section of the present disclosure, the pipette tip is subjected to five aspirate / dispense cycles. The level of fluid retention of a pipette tip may be measured after any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or any subsequent aspirate / dispense cycles.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 2, a Level 0 score is present when no visible fluid retention (i.e., no dye is visible) is present in the pipette tip and corresponds to no fluid retention in the tip. A Level 1 score is present when the total visible fluid retention in the pipette tip is less than or equal to 1 mm of fluid drag on the surface. As used herein, “fluid drag” refers to the length that a fluid droplet extends along a surface as measured by its greatest length. A Level 2 score is present when the total visible fluid retention in the pipette tip is greater than 1 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm. A Level 3 score is present when the total visible fluid retention in the pipette tip is greater than 2 mm and less than or equal to 4 mm. A Level 4 score is present when the total visible fluid retention in the pipette tip is greater than 4 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm. A Level 5 score is present when the total visible fluid retention in the pipette tip is greater than 5 mm.

[0167] In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention of an article (including pipette tips) formed from the polymer compositions described herein may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after a single aspirating / dispensing cycle. In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after two aspirating / dispensing cycles. In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after two aspirating / dispensing cycles. In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after three aspirating / dispensing cycles. In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after a four aspirating / dispensing cycles. In some embodiments, the level of fluid retention may be less than or equal to Level 3, Level 2-3, Level 2, Level 1-2, or Level 1 after five aspirating / dispensing cycles.

[0168] As described herein, the “amount of fluid retention” for a pipette tip is measured by the following method using gravimetric testing. A solution may be formed by adding 50 wt.% of glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® green food dye (or equivalent), and 10 wt.% deionized water. An article formed from a polymer composition is weighed for mass using a mass balance scale having at least three decimal places and the measurement is recorded (i.e., the pre-cycle mass). The pipette tip is added to a pipettor and then a single cycle of drawing up the described solution (aspirating) and then dispensing it is performed. The pipette tip is then removed from the pipettor and re- weighed, and the measurement is recorded (i.e., the post-cycle mass). The pre-cycle mass is subtracted from the post-cycle mass and that difference in mass is the amount of fluid retained by the tip. Pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions described herein that have a gravimetric testing amount less than or equal to 6 mg per 200 pL of the described solution in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirating dispensing cycle are considered to have a low amount of fluid retention.

[0169] In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention in a 200 pL pipette tip formed from the polymer compositions described herein is less than or equal to 10.0 mg, 9.0 mg, 8.0 mg, 7.0 mg, 6.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 4.0 mg, 3.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 1.9 mg, 1.8 mg, 1.7 mg, 1.6 mg, 1.5 mg, 1.4 mg, 1.3 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.1 mg, 1.0 mg, 0.9 mg, 0.8 mg, 0.7 mg, 0.6 mg, 0.5, 0.4 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.2 mg, or 0.1 mg per 200 pL of a solution comprising 50 wt.% of glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® green fooddye (or equivalent), and 10 wt.% deionized water, after a single aspirating dispensing cycle, as measured with gravimetric testing. In one specific embodiment, the amount of fluid retention in a 200 pL pipette tip formed from the polymer compositions described herein is less than or equal to 6.0 mg per 200 pL of a solution comprising 50 wt.% of glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® green food dye (or equivalent), and 10 wt.% deionized water, after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured with gravimetric testing.

[0170] The amount of fluid retention of an article comprising a polymer composition may be greater than 7% less than a similar article lacking the long chain fatty amide or fatty acid. As described herein, a “similar article lacking the long chain fatty amide” refers to an article that is identical to the article comprising the polymer composition in both structure and composition, except that the long chain fatty amide content of the polymer composition is replaced with the thermoplastic polymer in the “similar article lacking the long chain fatty amide.” In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of an article comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar article lacking the long chain fatty amide. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the long chain fatty amide after the first aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the long chain fatty amide after the second aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the long chain fatty amide after the third aspirate / dispense cycle. These same embodiments apply to polymeric compositions comprising a long chain fatty amide and a fatty acid.

[0171] Likewise, the amount of fluid retention of an article comprising a polymer composition may be greater than 7% less than a similar article lacking the alkyl silicone. Asdescribed herein, a “similar article lacking the alkyl silicone” refers to an article that is identical to the article comprising the polymer composition in both structure and composition, except that the alkyl silicone content of the polymer composition is replaced with the thermoplastic polymer in the “similar article lacking the alkyl silicone.” In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of an article comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar article lacking the alkyl silicone. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the alkyl silicone after the first aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the alkyl silicone after the second aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking the alkyl silicone after the third aspirate / dispense cycle. These same embodiments apply to polymeric compositions comprising a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone (with or without a fatty acid in the composition).

[0172] Likewise, the amount of fluid retention of an article comprising a polymer composition may be greater than 7% less than a similar article lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone. As described herein, a “similar article lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone” refers to an article that is identical to the article comprising the polymer composition in both structure and composition, except that the long chain fatty amide and alkyl silicone content of the polymer composition is replaced with the thermoplastic polymer in the “similar article lacking a long chain fatty amide and alkyl silicone.” In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of an article comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar article lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%,40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone after the first aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone after the second aspirate / dispense cycle. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid retention of a pipette tip comprising the polymer composition described herein may be greater than 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or even 85% less than a similar pipette tip lacking a long chain fatty amide and an alkyl silicone after the third aspirate / dispense cycle.

[0173] In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising a long chain fatty amide as described herein may retain less than or equal to 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, or even less, of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In one embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising a long chain fatty amide as described herein may retain less than or equal to 10% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising a long chain fatty amide as described herein may retain less than or equal to 5% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising a long chain fatty amide as described herein may retain less than or equal to 1% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In yet another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising a long chain fatty amide as described herein may retain less than or equal to 0.5% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). An article having a low percentage of fluid retention retains less than or equal to about 3% of a fluid that is aspirated and then dispensed from the article.

[0174] When the article is a pipette tip, the amount of fluid retained in the pipette tip may be determined as described earlier. The total mass of the fluid aspirated into the pipette tip may be determined as follows. An empty 200 pL pipette tip may be weighed on a mass balance scale that has at least three decimal places and the resultant value for the mass is recorded as the empty mass.Then, 200 pL of a solution comprising 50 wt.% of glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® green food dye (or equivalent), and 10 wt.% deionized water is aspirated into the 200 pL pipette tip. The filled pipette tip is then re- weighed and the resultant value for the mass is recorded as the filled mass. The empty mass of the pipette tip is subtracted from the filled mass of the pipette tip, and the difference is the amount of fluid aspirated into the pipette tip. The percentage of fluid retained, is then calculated by dividing the amount of fluid retained as described earlier by the amount of fluid aspirated into the pipette tip and then multiplying the resultant value by 100%. For example, if the amount of fluid retained after a single aspiration / dispense cycle is 1 mg (0.001 g), and the amount of fluid aspirated into the pipette tip was 220 mg (0.220 g), then the percentage of fluid retained would be 0.5%.

[0175] Likewise, in some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising an alkyl silicone (with or without a long chain fatty amide and / or fatty acid) as described herein may retain less than or equal to 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.9%, 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, 0.1%, or even less, of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In one embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising an alkyl silicone (with or without a long chain fatty amide and / or fatty acid) as described herein may retain less than or equal to 10% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising an alkyl silicone (with or without a long chain fatty amide and / or fatty acid) as described herein may retain less than or equal to 5% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising an alkyl silicone (with or without a long chain fatty amide and / or fatty acid) as described herein may retain less than or equal to 1% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted). In yet another embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition comprising an alkyl silicone (with or without a long chain fatty amide and / or fatty acid) as described herein may retain less than or equal to 0.5% of a fluid that is aspirated or added to the article and then dispensed (or decanted).

[0176] An article formed from the polymeric compositions described herein may have level of haze (transparency). The level of haze of an article is determined by visual inspection withcomparison to a standard. In one or more embodiments, the article may comprise a level of haze of less than or equal to a Level 3 on the below described visual haze scale. As described herein, the “level of haze” for an article is measured by the following method. An article (e.g. a 200 pL pipette tip) formed from a polymeric composition is molded and allowed to cool. The article is then visually inspected against the visual haze scale shown in FIG. 20 and assigned the level number it closest matches to. If the article is between two levels on the visual haze scale shown in FIG. 20, both levels are listed. For example, if the visual observation shows has a haze that matches between Level 1 and Level 2, the Level for that article is Level 1-2. An article that has a low level of haze (i.e., a low haze) refers to an article having Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, of Level 0 or a combination thereof, referring to the scale shown in FIG. 20. In some embodiments, an postmolded article (including a pipette tip) formed from the polymer compositions described herein may have low haze as determined by the visual level of haze scale shown in FIG. 20, meaning the article has less than or equal to a Level 3, a Level 2-3, a Level 2, a Level 1-2, a Level 1, a Level 0-1, or a Level 0 as determined by visual comparison to the level of haze scale shown in FIG. 20.

[0177] The articles may be sterilized after they have been formed from one of the polymeric compositions described herein. Sterilization techniques include gamma irradiation, e- beam irradiation, x-ray irradiation, and ethylene oxide, among others known to those of ordinary skill in the art. High energy irradiation (including gamma, e-beam, and x-ray) can alter the properties of the surface of articles such that an article that has low fluid retention pre-sterilization may not have low fluid retention post-sterilization. High energy irradiation (including gamma, e- beam, and x-ray) can also alter the properties of the surface of articles such that an article that has low haze pre-sterilization may not have low haze post-sterilization.

[0178] In some embodiments, the dosage for irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) is greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, or in any range or at any value between these two endpoints. In one embodiment, the dosage for irradiation is greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 45 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 40 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 35 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 25 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 25 kGy, greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 20 kGy, greater than or equal to 20 kGy and less than or equalto 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 25 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 30 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 35 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 40 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 45 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy, greater than or equal to 20 kGy and less than or equal to 45 kGy, greater than or equal to 20 kGy and less than or equal to 40 kGy, greater than or equal to 20 kGy and less than or equal to 35 kGy, greater than or equal to 20 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy. In one specific embodiment, the irradiation is gamma irradiation, and the dosage is greater than or equal to 17.5 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy, or greater than equal to 17.5 kGy and less than or equal to 22.5 kGy. In one specific embodiment, the irradiation is gamma irradiation, and the dosage is about 20 kGy.

[0179] In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low fluid retention after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) that is greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 50 kGy dosage, or in any range or at any value therebetween. The low fluid retention may be one or more of a low level of fluid retention, a low amount of fluid retention, or a low percentage of fluid retention. In one embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low fluid retention after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) greater than or equal to 17.5 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy, or in any range or at any value therebetween. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low fluid retention after sterilization with a dosage of gamma irradiation of about 20 kGy.

[0180] An article can also be tested for its fluid retention properties after aging it to aid in determination of how well the article maintains its low retention or low haze properties with time and exposure to heat. Aging can be simulated by putting an article (sterilized or unsterilized) in an oven at 55 C for a period of time (e.g., 3 days, 14 days). The aged articles can then be tested for their properties such as their level, amount, or percentage of fluid retention, or for their haze level.

[0181] In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low fluid retention after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e-beam) with a dosage greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 35 kGy, and spending about 1 day,2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low fluid retention after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e-beam) with a dosage greater than or equal to 10 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy, and spending about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low fluid retention after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e-beam) with a dosage of about 20 kGy, and spending about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C.

[0182] In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e- beam) of between 15 kGy and 50 kGy has low fluid retention (one or more of a low level, low amount, or low percentage of fluid retention). In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation of between 15 kGy and 50 kGy has a fluid retention of less than or equal to 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%, as measured by the amount of fluid retained in the article after aspirating (or adding) a volume of a certain amount and then dispensing (or decanting) it from the article, using the gravimetric test described earlier. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein after sterilization with a dosage of high- energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) of between 15 kGy and 50 kGy has a lower fluid retention after equilibrating in an oven at 55°C for at least 3 days than the same article without equilibrating in an oven at 55°C, as measured by the amount of fluid retained in the article after aspirating (or adding) a volume of a certain amount and then dispensing (or decanting) it from the article, using the gravimetric test described earlier.

[0183] In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low haze after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) that is greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 35 kGy dosage, or at any range or value therebetween. In one embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low haze after sterilization with a dosage of high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-ray, or e-beam) greater than or equal to 17.5 kGy and less than or equal to30 kGy, or at any range or value therebetween. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition as described herein has low haze after sterilization with a dosage of gamma irradiation of about 20 kGy. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low haze after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e- beam) with a dosage greater than or equal to 15 kGy and less than or equal to 35 kGy, and spending about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low haze after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e-beam) with a dosage greater than or equal to 10 kGy and less than or equal to 30 kGy, and spending about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has low haze retention after high-energy irradiation (gamma, x-rays, or e-beam) with a dosage of about 20 kGy, and spending about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, or more, in an oven at 55 °C.

[0184] The articles formed from the polymeric compositions described herein have certain surface characteristics, such as wettability and a sliding angle (“SA”). The wettability can be characterized with a surface wettability test by measuring the water contact angle (“WCA”) using a goniometer (such as a KRUSS goniometer, model #DSA30) equipped with a liquid dispenser, charge coupled device camera, and image-processing software that analyzes drop shape. A sessile drop method is employed to measure the static contact angles using a drop of deionized water (volume of ~5 pL) at room temperature (~24-25°C). In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a water contact angle between 85° and 125°, or any range or value between 85° and 125°. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a water contact angle between 85° and 120°, between 85° and 115°, between 85° and 110°, between 85° and 105°, between 85° and 100°, between 85° and 95°, between 85° and 105°, between 90° and 125°, between 95° and 125°, between 100° and 125°, between 105° and 125°, between 110° and 125°, between 115° and 125°, between 120° and 125°, between 90° and 120°, between 90° and 115°, between 95° and 115°, or between 90° and 110°. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a water contact angle between 85° and 115°

[0185] A sliding angle is a measurement related to the slipperiness of the surface. A sliding angle is the angle that a 50 pL drop of deionized water on a flat sample (in this disclosure, a flat article made from a polymeric composition herein) begins to slide down as the sample is tilted. An article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a sliding angle between 5° and 17°, or in any range or value between 5° and 17°. In some embodiments, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a sliding angle between 5° and 17°, 5° to 16°, from 5° to 15°, from 5° to 14°, from 5° to 13°, from 5° to 12°, from 5° to 11°, from 5° to 10°, from 6° to 17°, from 7° to 17°, from 8° to 17°, from 9° to 17°, from 10° to 17°, from 11 ° to 17°, or from 12° to 17°. In one specific embodiment, an article formed from a polymeric composition described herein has a sliding angle from 7° to 17°.

[0186] The articles formed from the polymeric compositions described herein have low fluid retention without sterilization, low fluid retention after sterilization, low fluid retention after aging, or a combination thereof. These articles may further have low haze. These properties may be desirable for the articles formed from the polymer compositions described herein. For example, in one specific embodiment, an article without sterilization that is formed from the polymeric compositions described herein comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2. This article may have low haze. In another specific embodiment, an article sterilized with gamma irradiation that is formed from the polymeric compositions described herein comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2. This article may further have low haze. In another specific embodiment, a sterilized article formed from a polymeric composition described herein comprises an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 2 mg of fluid per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing. This article may further have low haze. In yet another specific embodiment, an unsterilized article formed from a polymeric composition described herein comprises an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 2 mg of fluid per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing. This article may have low haze. In one embodiment, an unsterilized article formed from a polymeric composition described herein comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and the article comprises an amount of fluid retention less than or equal to 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing. This articlemay further have low haze. In another embodiment, a sterilized article formed from polymeric composition described herein comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and the article comprises an amount fluid retention less than or equal to 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing. This article may further have low haze.

[0187] According to embodiments, a non-fluorinated article includes a non-fluorinated polymer composition of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has a level of fluid retention less than or equal to a Level 3 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 4 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 3 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is substantially free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a 3 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is substantially free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has a level of fluid retention less than or equal to a Level 2 as measured by a visual level of fluid retention scale and is free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non- fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is substantially free of fluorine. This article may have low haze. In some embodiments, the non- fluorinated article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is substantially free of fluorine. This article may have low haze.

[0188] Likewise, according to embodiments, a non-fluorinated, non-silicone article includes a non-fluorinated, non-silicone polymer composition of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has a level of fluid retention less than orequal to a Level 3 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 4 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 3 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is substantially free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a 4 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is substantially free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has a level of fluid retention less than or equal to a Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non-silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 2 as measured by the visual level of fluid retention scale in FIG. 2 and is substantially free of fluorine and silicone. In some embodiments, the non-fluorinated, non- silicone article has an amount of fluid retention of less than or equal to a 2 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume as measured by gravimetric testing and is substantially free of fluorine and silicone.Methods of Making Articles

[0189] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a method for forming an article including a polymer composition may comprise solidifying the polymer composition within a mold to form an article and removing the article from the mold.

[0190] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any apparatus specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any apparatus claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of an apparatus is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order ororientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0191] The methods of making articles described herein use the polymer compositions described above. The polymer compositions used to form the articles described herein may be summarized as comprising one of following: (1) a long chain fatty amide and a thermoplastic polymer, (2) a long chain fatty amide, a fatty acid, and a thermoplastic polymer, (3) an alkyl silicone and a thermoplastic polymer, (4) an alkyl silicone, a long chain fatty amide, and a thermoplastic polymer, (5) an alkyl silicone, a fatty acid, and a thermoplastic polymer, or (6) an alkyl silicone, a long chain fatty amide, a fatty acid, and a thermoplastic polymer. The articles formed from the polymer compositions described herein are either non-fluorinated articles or nonfluorinated, non-silicone articles having low fluid retention and / or low binding of biological matter. As used herein, a “non-fluorinated article” is an article formed from a polymer composition that is substantially free (or even free of) fluorine. As used herein, a “non-silicone article” is an article formed from a polymer composition that is substantially free (or even free of) silicone. In some embodiments, the articles formed from the polymer compositions described herein are non- fluorinated articles having low fluid retention. In some embodiments, articles formed from the polymer compositions described herein are non-fluorinated, non-silicone articles having low fluid retention.

[0192] Specifically, the polymer compositions disclosed herein comprise one of the following: (1) a long chain fatty amide comprising a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol) and a specified number of CH2 groups (e.g., greater than or equal to C7 and less than or equal to C44), which results in an article having a low amount of fluid retention (e.g., less than or equal to 6 mg / 200 pL fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip) and / or a low level of fluid retention (i.e., less than or equal to Level 3); (2) an alkyl silicone comprising a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol) and silicone content greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% (based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone), which results in an articlehaving a low amount of fluid retention (e.g., less than or equal to 6 mg / 200 pL fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip) and / or a low level of fluid retention (i.e., less than or equal to Level 3); or (3) a long chain fatty amide comprising a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol) and a specified number of CH2 groups (e.g., greater than or equal to C7 and less than or equal to C44), and an alkyl silicone comprising a specified molecular weight (e.g., greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol) and silicone content greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% (based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone), the combination of which results in an article having a low amount of fluid retention (e.g., less than or equal to 6 mg / 200 pL fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip) and / or a low level of fluid retention (i.e., less than or equal to Level 3).

[0193] The specified molecular weight and chemistry within the long chain fatty amides and alkyl silicones described herein ensure separation of the long chain fatty amide and / or alkyl silicone from the polymer and migration towards the surface of the polymeric part or article being formed during manufacturing. The increased long chain fatty amide and / or alkyl silicone content on or near the article (polymeric part) surface may result in the article having low fluid retention. The polymer composition may undergo surface development during manufacturing, such that the long chain fatty amide and / or alkyl silicone migrates to the surface of the article formed from the polymer composition. This may contribute to the lower fluid retention properties of articles formed from the polymer composition.

[0194] Methods for forming articles comprising the polymer composition are not necessarily limited. In some embodiments, articles comprising the polymer composition may be formed by injection molding, blowmolding, extrusion, compression molding, or any other suitable processes. In some embodiments, methods for forming an article comprising the polymer composition may comprise the steps of solidifying a polymer composition within a mold to form an article comprising the polymer composition and removing the article from the mold. The polymer composition may be processed at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient amount of time to ensure surface development of long chain fatty amides and / or alkyl silicones that are included in the polymer composition.

[0195] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may be disposed into the mold. In such embodiments, the polymer composition is formed outside the mold and before it is disposed into the mold. The polymer composition may be formed by mixing the long chain fatty amide (or a combination of long chain fatty amides if more than one type is used) and / or the alkyl silicone (or a combination of alkyl silicones if more than one type is used), the thermoplastic polymer, and optionally, a fatty acid, and / or one or more additives, each of which are previously described. The polymer composition may then be disposed into the mold, and solidified within the mold to form an article comprising the polymer composition. In some embodiments, the polymer composition may be disposed into the mold in a single step. In such embodiments, the long chain fatty amide and / or alkyl silicone may undergo surface development and move toward the surface of the article as the polymer composition is disposed into the mold and solidifies within the mold to form the article.

[0196] In some embodiments, the polymer composition may be formed within the mold. In such embodiments, at least a portion of the mold may be coated with the long chain fatty amide (or a mixture of more than one long chain fatty amide type) and / or an alkyl silicone (or mixture of more than one alkyl silicone type), followed by disposing the thermoplastic polymer into the mold to form the polymer composition. Any optional additives present in the polymer composition may be present in the long chain fatty amide or the thermoplastic polymer, or both. The polymer composition may then be solidified within the mold to form the article. In such embodiments, surface development of the long chain fatty amide may be minimal, as the long chain fatty amide is positioned near the eventual surface of the article when the polymer composition is formed within the mold.EXAMPLES

[0197] The embodiments described herein will be further clarified by the following examples.EXAMPLE 1Polymer Compositions

[0198] Polymer compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and long chain fatty amides were formed by blending thermoplastic polymers (“TP”) and either long chain fatty amides (“LFA”) or a conventional fluorinated melt additive (“FLA”), or a combination of a long chain fatty amide and a fatty acid mixture (“FAM”). The thermoplastic polymers, long chain fatty amides, fatty acid mixtures, and fluorinated melt additives used in the present Examples are listed in Table 1.

[0199] Table 1

[0200] From these ingredients, four control compositions were created with either 100 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP1, 100 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP2, 98 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP1 and 2 wt.% POLR, or 98 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP2 and 2 wt.% POLR. Compositions were also created with either 0.1 wt.%, 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 2.0 wt.%, or 5.0 wt.% erucamide, and either 99.9 wt.%, 99.75 wt.%, 99.5 wt.%, 99 wt.%, 98.5 wt.%, 98 wt.%, or 95 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP2 respectively. Compositions were created with either 0.1 wt.%, 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, 2.0 wt.%, or 5.0 wt.% erucamide, and either 99.9 wt.%, 99.75 wt.%, 99.5 wt.%, 99 wt.%, 98.5 wt.%, 98 wt.%, or 95 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP1 respectively Compositions were also created with either 1.5 wt.% oleamide and 98.5 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP1, or 1.5 wt.% oleamide and 98.5 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP2. And finally, one composition was created comprising 0.5 wt.% erucamide, 1.0 wt.% rice bran oil, and 98.5 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP2. The compositions used are summarized below in Table 2.

[0201] Table 2

[0202] None of the compositions in Table 2 have silicone, they are non-silicone compositions. Controls 1-2 and Compositions 1-17 are non-fluorinated compositions. Controls 3- 4 are fluorinated compositions.

[0203] The level of fluid retention of pipette tips formed from polymer compositions 1-10 was analyzed by the following process. McCormick® green food coloring at 100% strength (i.e., undiluted) was poured into a clean reservoir.

[0204] Eight 200 pL pipette tips were loaded onto a manual multi-channel pipette. The eight pipette tips were formed from the polymeric compositions of Controls 1-4 and Compositions 1-10 respectively. After the pipette tips were loaded onto the pipette, 200 pL of the green dye wasaspirated from the reservoir and subsequently dispensed back into the reservoir. The aspirating / dispensing process was repeated four more times, for a total of five cycles. For Controls 3-4, the tests were performed 5 days after tips were made. The pipette tips were then photographed while still on the multi-channel pipette. The photographs are shown in FIGS. 3-5. Each photograph was visually compared to the levels shown in FIG. 2 to determine the corresponding level of the fluid retention. Table 3 provides the level of fluid retention for each of Controls 1-4 and Compositions 1-10. If some of the eight tips on the multi-channel pipettor had one level of fluid retention but others had a different level, both levels were noted, as is reflected in Table 3.

[0205] In a separate experiment, 200 pL pipette tips formed from Control 2 (100 wt.% TP2), Control 4 (98 wt.% TP1 and 2 wt.% POLR), Composition 1 (99.9 wt.% TP2 and 0.1% erucamide), Composition 5 (98.5 wt.% TP2 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide), Composition 7 (95 wt.% TP2 and 5.0% erucamide), Composition 8 (98.5 wt.% TP2 and 1.5 wt.% oleamide), Composition 9 (98.5 wt.% TP1 and 1.5 wt.% erucamide), and Composition 10 (98.5 wt.% TP1 and 1.5 wt.% oleamide) were subjected to gamma irradiation at a 20 kGy dosage and then left to sit in an oven for either 3 days or 14 days at 55 °C. Only 3-4 tips were evaluated at the 14 days post-oven time point. The sterilized tips were then subjected to testing to determine the level of fluid retention using the process described in the above paragraph. A total of three replicas were performed for each of the compositions. The results of the testing for these pipette tips are shown descriptively in Table 3 and visually in FIGS. 6A-6H and FIGS. 7A-7F. Polymer compositions comprising TP- 1 polypropylene are shown in FIGS. 7A-7F while polymer compositions comprising TP-2 polypropylene are shown in FIGS. 6A-6H.

[0206] Table 3

[0207] As shown in Table 3, the pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Compositions 1-10 without gamma irradiation showed reduced levels of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from the Controls 1-2 polymer compositions. Compositions 2-7 (comprising erucamide) and 9 (comprising erucamide) showed similar levels of fluid retention to the pipette tips to Controls 3-4 (comprising perfluorinated additive). Compositions 2-10 (comprising erucamide or oleamide) showed low levels of fluid retention without gamma irradiation. Out of compositions subjected to gamma irradiation, Control 3 (comprising perfluorinated additive), andCompositions 5, 7, and 9 (each comprising erucamide) retained low levels of fluid retention after gamma irradiation at both 3 days post-oven at 55°C and 14 days post-oven at 55°C.Amount of Fluid Retention of Pipette Tips formed from Fatty Amide Polymer Compositions

[0208] The amount of fluid retention of pipette tips formed from polymer compositions 1 - 10 was analyzed by the following process.

[0209] 200 pL pipette tips were formed from the polymeric compositions of Controls 1-4 and Compositions 1-10 respectively. A solution of 50 wt.% glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® Green food dye and 10 wt.% deionized water was prepared. Each tip was weighed on a mass balance scale to determine its mass in milligrams. The tips were then placed on an 8-tip multi-channel pipettor until all eight channels of the pipettor had a tip. The solution containing the food dye was aspirated into the tips using the multi-channel pipettor and then the solution was dispensed. Each tip was then reweighed on the scale to determine its post-cycle mass. The entire process was replicated two additional times with new tips formed from the same polymeric composition, creating a total of three replicated tests for a single polymeric composition.

[0210] This process was repeated for each of Controls 1-4 and Compositions 1-10. The results of gravimetric testing for the pipette tips formed from polymeric compositions Controls 1- 4 and Compositions 1-10 respectively are shown numerically in Table 4 and graphically in FIG.8.

[0211] In a separate experiment, 200 pL pipette tips formed from Control 3 and Compositions 1-5 and 7-10 were subjected to gamma irradiation at a 20 kGy dosage and then left to sit in an oven for 14 days at 55 °C. The sterilized tips were then subjected to gravimetric testing to determine the amount of fluid retention using the process described in the above paragraphs. A total of three replicas were performed for each of the compositions. The results of the gravimetric testing for these pipette tips are shown numerically in Table 4 and graphically in FIG. 7.

[0212] Table 4

[0213] As shown in Table 4, the non-irradiated pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Compositions 1-10 showed reduced amounts of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from the Controls 1-2 polymer compositions, and Compositions 2-7, and 9 showed amounts of fluid retention similar to Control 4. Controls 3-4 and Compositions 2-10 showed low amounts of fluid retention prior to gamma irradiation. For compositions that were tested with gamma irradiation (also shown in Table 4), Control 3 and Compositions 5, 7, and 9 had low fluid retention after being gamma irradiated.

[0214] To determine the percentage of fluid retention, the mass of 200 pL of the solution comprising 50 wt.% glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® Green food dye and 10 wt.% deionized water was weighed with a mass balance and the mass was determined to be about 223 mg (0.223 g). For each mean amount of fluid retained described in Table 4 above, that amount was divided by the 223 g mass of 200 L of the solution comprising 50 wt.% glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® Green food dye and 10 wt.% deionized water and the resultant value was multiplied by 100% to obtain the percentage. The results of the determination of percentage of fluid retention are shown in Table 5.

[0215] Table 5

[0216] As shown in Table 5, the non-irradiated pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Compositions 1-10 showed reduced percentages of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from the Controls 1-2 polymer compositions, and Compositions 3-7 and 9 showed percentages of fluid retention similar to Controls 3-4. Compositions that were gamma irradiated and oven treated all had increased percentages of fluid retention after the irradiation and after the oven time except Composition 9 remained approximately the same throughout.Surface Characteristics of Articles Formed from Faty Amide Polymer Compositions

[0217] 200 pL pipette tips were formed from compositions with 0%-5% erucamide and either polypropylene TP1 or TP2, as described below in Tables 6-7. These pipette tips were investigated for characteristics at their surfaces. The pipette tips were not irradiated. The sliding angle for each pipette tip was determined by measuring the angle at which a 50 pL drop of deionized water began to slide off a flat surface made of each of the polymeric compositions when the surfaces were tilted from horizontal. The results are shown numerically below in Table 6 and graphically in FIG. 10.

[0218] Table 6

[0219] The sliding angle was highest for pipette tips made from 100% polypropylene (either TP1 or TP2), between 18 degrees and 23 degrees. The sliding angle was lower for compositions with erucamide, between about 9 degrees and about 17 degrees. Compositions comprising at least 0.25% erucamide (Compositions 2-7 and 12-16) generally had lower sliding angles (between about 9 degrees and 15 degrees) than Compositions 1 and 11 with 0.1% Eru (between about 14 degrees and 17 degrees).

[0220] The water contact angle was also determined for 200 pL pipette tips formed from each of the compositions. The pipette tips were not irradiated. The water contact angle for each pipette tip was determined using a KRUSS goniometer (model #DSA30) equipped with a (manual) liquid dispenser, charge coupled device camera, and image-processing software for drop shape. A sessile drop method was employed with deionized water (volume of ~5-6 pL) at room temperature (~24-25°C) to determine the water contact angle. The average contact angle was determined from 4-5 measurements performed at different locations on the same sample. The results are shown numerically below in Table 7 and graphically in FIG. 11.

[0221] Table 7

[0222] The water contact angle for the compositions in Table 6 are fairly similar, with water contact angles between about 97 degrees and about 104 degrees. Water contact angles in this range are indicative of a hydrophobic surface, both with 100% polypropylene and with 0.1%- 5.0% erucamide.Articles Formed from Faty Amide and Rice Bran Oil Polymer Compositions

[0223] 200 L pipette tips were formed from Composition 17 (98.5% polypropylene TP-2, 1.0% erucamide, and 0.5% rice bran oil). This composition is detailed in Tables 1-2 above. The level of fluid retention and the amount of fluid retention was determined for the tips in the same manner as described earlier above in this example. Certain tips were subjected to gamma irradiation at a 20 kGy dose and the tips’ levels and amounts of fluid retention were determined immediately after gamma irradiation, or after gamma irradiation and then 8 days in an oven at 55 °C. FIGS. 12A-12C show the level of fluid retention of tips formed from Composition 11 without gamma irradiation (FIG. 12A), immediately after gamma irradiation (FIG. 12B), and after gamma irradiation and 8 days in an oven at 55 °C (FIG. 12C), and is summarized in Table 8 below.

[0224] Table 8

[0225] As shown in FIGS. 12A-12C and in Table 8, Composition 17 has a low level of fluid retention without gamma irradiation, as well as after gamma irradiation followed by 8 days in an oven at 55 °C. Pipette tips tested immediately after gamma irradiation showed an increased level of fluid retention, but this subsided by the time pipette tips spent 8 days in an oven 55 °C.

[0226] Additional 200 L tips formed from Composition 17 were subjected to gravimetric testing as described in the earlier examples. The amount of fluid retention without gamma irradiation, immediately after gamma irradiation, and after gamma irradiation and 8 days in an oven at 55 °C post-gamma irradiation, is shown graphically in FIGS. 8-9 and is shown numerically in Table 9 below.

[0227] Table 9

[0228] As shown in FIGS. 8-9 and in Table 9, Composition 17 has a low amount of fluid retention without gamma irradiation, as well as with gamma irradiation and 14 days in an oven at 55 °C post gamma. The pipette tips tested immediately after gamma irradiation showed higher amounts of fluid retention, but this subsided after pipette tips spent 14 days in an oven at 55 °C.

[0229] Lastly, the percentage of fluid retention was calculated for Composition 17 as described earlier in this Example for Controls 1-4 and Compositions 1-10. The percentage of fluid retention for Composition 17 at the post-molding stage (prior to gamma irradiation) was 0.2%. The percentage of fluid retention for Composition 17 after gamma irradiation but before aging for14 days in the oven was 1.3%. The percentage of fluid retention for Composition 17 after aging in the oven for 14 days was 0.2%.EXAMPLE 2Polymer Compositions

[0230] Polymer compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and long chain fatty amides were formed by blending thermoplastic polymers (“TP”) and either long chain fatty amides (“LFA”), or an alkyl-silicone (“ASi”). The thermoplastic polymers, long chain fatty amides, and alkyl-silicone used in the present Examples are listed in Table 10.

[0231] Table 10

[0232] One control composition was created with 100 wt.% polypropylene homopolymer TP3 (Control 1). A first set of test compositions were created for the alkyl silicone compositions with either 5.0 wt.% (Compositions 1, 4), 7.5 wt.% (Compositions 2, 5), or 10.0 wt.% (Composition 3) alkyl-silicone and either 95.0 wt.%, 92.5 wt.%, or 90.0 wt.%, polypropylene homopolymer TP3 respectively. Two different methods of mixing the compositions were performed. The first method (bag mixing) used for Compositions 1-3 involved combining the polypropylene with pellets of the alkyl silicone and mixing the two in a bag, which was then used to form the pipette tips. The second method (master batch) used for Compositions 4-5 involved combining the polypropylene and pellets of the alkyl silicone by melting and mixing the two together and extruding the mixture into a pellet form that was the used to form the pipette tips. A second set of test compositions was created with 98.5 wt.% TP3 and 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru made using bag mixing (Composition A), and with 98 wt.% TP3, 1 wt.% OD-Eru, and 1 wt.% alkyl-siliconemade using a master batch (Composition 6). The compositions used are summarized below in Table 11.

[0233] Table 11

[0234] Control 1, Composition A, and Compositions 1-6 are non-fluorinated compositions. Composition A is a non-fluorinated, non-silicone composition that has low retention and good transparency.Level of Fluid Retention in Pipette Tips Formed from the Polymer Compositions

[0235] The level of fluid retention of 200 pL pipette tips formed from injection molded polymer compositions of Table 11 were analyzed by the following processes. McCormick® green food coloring at 100% strength (i.e., undiluted) was poured into a clean reservoir. Post-molding, two 200 pL pipette tips per polymer composition described above in Table 10 were loaded onto manual multi-channel pipettors. After the pipette tips were loaded onto the pipettor, 200 pL of the green dye was aspirated from the reservoir and subsequently dispensed back into the reservoir. The aspirating / dispensing process was repeated four more times, for a total of five cycles. The pipette tips were then photographed (FIGS. 13 A, 14A, 15A, 16A) while still on the multi-channel pipettor and the level of fluid retention was determined by visually comparing the tips to the scaledepicted in FIG. 2. Table 12 provides the level of fluid retention post-molding for each of polymer compositions described in Table 11. If some of the eight tips on the multi-channel pipettor had one level of fluid retention but others had a different level, both levels were noted, as is reflected in Table 12.

[0236] In a second experiment, post-molded 200 pL pipette tips of the polymer compositions described in Table 11 were subjected to gamma irradiation at a 20 kGy dosage. The sterilized pipette tips were then tested post-gamma irradiation for the level of fluid retention as described above. Photographs of the testing results were obtained (FIGS. 13B, 14B, 15B, 16B). The levels of fluid retention determined by comparing the tested tips to the fluid level scale shown in FIG. 2 are described in Table 12.

[0237] In a third experiment, post-molded 200 pL pipette tips of the polymer compositions described in Table 10 were first gamma irradiated at a 20 kGy dosage after then left to sit in an oven for 14 days at 55 °C. The sterilized, post-oven tips were then subjected to testing to determine the level of fluid retention using the process described above. Photographs of the testing results were obtained (FIGS. 14C, 15C, 16C). The levels of fluid retention determined by comparing the tested tips to the fluid level scale shown in FIG. 2 are described in Table 12.

[0238] Table 12

[0239] As shown in Table 12, the pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Composition A having the OD-Eru long chain fatty amide, and Compositions 1-6 having the alkylsilicone at the post-molding step showed reduced levels of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from Controls 1 having no alkyl silicone or long chain fatty amide. Compositions A and 1-6 showed low levels of fluid retention post-molding. For testing post-gamma, Compositions A, and 1-6 retained low levels of fluid retention. For testing post-oven (after gamma irradiation and 14 days at 55°C), Composition A, and Compositions 1-6 showed low levels of fluid retention.Amount of Fluid Retention in Pipette Tips formed from the Polymer Compositions

[0240] The amount of fluid retention in pipette tips formed from polymer compositions in Table 11 was analyzed by the following gravimetric testing process. One additional composition, Composition B, was added in addition to the compositions in Table 11. Composition B had 98.5 wt.% polypropylene TP3 and 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru, but used a master batch instead of bag mixing in process of making the pipette tips.

[0241] 200 pL injection molded pipette tips were made from each of the polymer compositions in Table 11 above. A solution of 50 wt.% glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® Greenfood dye and 10 wt.% deionized water was prepared. Eight post-molded tips were weighed on a mass balance scale to determine a total mass in milligrams. The weighed tips were then placed on an 8-tip multi-channel pipettor. The solution containing the food dye was aspirated into the tips using the multi-channel pipettor and then the solution was dispensed. The eight tips were then reweighed on the scale to determine a total post-cycle mass. Each of the total masses before and after exposure to the fluid were divided by eight to determine the average tip mass before exposure to the fluid, and the average tip mass after exposure to the fluid.

[0242] The results of the gravimetric testing for the post-molded pipette tips formed from polymeric compositions in Table 11 and Composition B are shown in Table 13.

[0243] In a second experiment, post-molded 200 pL pipette tips of the polymer compositions described in Table 10 were subjected to gamma irradiation at a 20 kGy dosage. The sterilized pipette tips were then tested post-gamma irradiation for the amount of fluid retention with gravimetric testing process described above. The results of the gravimetric testing for the post-gamma irradiated pipette tips formed from the polymeric compositions in Table 11 and Composition B are shown in Table 13.

[0244] In a third experiment, post-molded 200 pL pipette tips of the polymer compositions described in Table 11 were first gamma irradiated at a 20 kGy dosage after then left to sit in an oven for 9 days at 55 °C. The sterilized, post-oven tips were then subjected to the gravimetric testing described above to determine the amount of fluid retention. The results of the gravimetric testing for the post-oven sterilized pipette tips formed from polymeric compositions in Table 11 and Composition B are shown in Table 13.

[0245] Table 13

[0246] As shown in Table 13, the post-molded (non-irradiated) pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Compositions A-B and Compositions 1-6 showed reduced amounts of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from Control 1 (thermoplastic polymer only). Compositions A-B and Compositions 1-6 showed low amounts of fluid retention prior to gamma irradiation. Testing after gamma irradiation showed that Compositions A-B and Compositions 1- 6 retained lower fluid retention than Control 1 (thermoplastic polymer only). Testing post-oven showed that Compositions A-B and Compositions 1-6 retained lower fluid retention than Control 1.

[0247] The percentage of fluid retention was determined for the amounts of fluid retention described in Table 13 using the method described in Example 1, where the mass of 200 pL of the solution comprising 50 wt.% glycerol, 40 wt.% McCormick® Green food dye and 10 wt.% deionized water was determined to be about 223 mg (0.223 g). The respective percentages are shown in Table 14.

[0248] Table 14

[0249] As shown in Table 14, the post-molded (non-irradiated) pipette tips formed from the polymer compositions of Compositions A-B and Compositions 1-6 showed reduced percentages of fluid retention over the pipette tips formed from Control 1 (thermoplastic polymer only) at the post-molding, post-gamma irradiation, and post-aging (post-oven).Surface Characteristics of Articles Formed from the Polymer CompositionsChloroform Extraction:

[0250] The presence of alkyl-silicone on the surface was investigated using chloroform extraction of pipette tips followed by analysis with gas-chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC- MS). 200 pL pipette tips were formed from Control 1 (100 wt.% polypropylene TP3), and 5 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone polymer compositions. Ten tips of each of the foregoing polymer compositions were aspirated and dispensed with chloroform five times (200 pL each time). After chloroform extraction, the extracted samples were tested with GC-MS for the presenceof peaks from the alkyl-silicone on the chromatogram. FIG. 17 shows the results of the of GC-MS chromatograms. Peaks appearing between a time of 20.00 and 26.00 minutes were attributed to the alkyl-silicone. Control 1 (100 wt.% polypropylene TP3) did not show any peaks in this region. Each of the 5 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone polymer compositions chromatograms had peaks in this region, and higher percentages of alkyl-silicone in the polymer composition resulted in higher peak heights, confirming higher amounts of the alkyl silicone being present on the surface.ToF-SIMS Imaging:

[0251] The presence of alkyl silicone on the surface and throughout pipette tips formed from Control 1 (100 wt.% polypropylene TP3), and 5 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, and 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone polymer compositions were investigated by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF- SIMS) and various points on the external and internal surfaces of pipette tips and along cross sections of pipette tips. Pipette tips of each of the polymer compositions were vertically cut into two halves and the cut halves were analyzed by ToF-SIMS at the locations indicated in FIG. 18A. The variation in values (light versus dark) represent the alkyl silicone (light) and the polypropylene polymer (dark). As shown in FIG. 18A, the entirety of the pipette tip comprising 10 wt.% alkyl silicone composition has the alkyl silicone present throughout the pipette tip and on the interior and exterior surface of the pipette tip. The ToF-SIMS experiment was repeated for the pipette tips comprising 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru, with the darker portions of the image representing the thermoplastic polymer and the lighter portions of the image representing OD-Eru. As shown in FIG. 18B, the 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru and 10 wt.% alkyl silicone distributes more evenly than the 5 wt.% alkyl silicone composition, which has prominent striation throughout the micrograph.Thermogravimetric Analysis:

[0252] The thermal stability of the alkyl-silicone alone, the polypropylene TP3 polymer alone, the 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru polymer composition, the 7.5 wt.% alkyl-silicone polymer composition, and the 10 wt.% alkyl-silicone polymer was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As shown in FIG. 19, the TGA curve for the alkyl-silicone has good thermal stability and begins to degrade after 250°C with a maximum degradation occurring around 500°C.The tips with either OD-Eru or alkyl silicone retained a high thermal stability (approximately 460°C), similar to that of 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3.Dynamic Sliding Angle:

[0253] 200 pL pipete tips were formed from compositions with 100 wt.% polypropyleneTP3 (Control 1), 2 wt.% fluorinated additive (POLR) and 98 wt.% polypropylene TP3 (Control 2), and either 1 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, or 2 wt.% OD-Eru with the remainder polypropylene TP3, as described below in Table 15. These pipette tips, post-molding, were investigated for characteristics at their surfaces. The pipette tips were not irradiated. The sliding angle for each pipete tip was determined by measuring the angle at which a 50 pL drop of de-ionized water began to slide off a flat surface made of each of the polymeric compositions when the surfaces were tilted from horizontal. The results are shown numerically below in Table 15.

[0254] Table 15

[0255] The sliding angle was on average highest for pipete tips made from 100% polypropylene (TP3) and those made with either 1 wt.% or 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru (between 14.6 degrees and 19.5 degrees). The sliding angle was lower for the Control 2, which had the fluorinated additive POLR (13.4 degrees). The lowest sliding angle was for 2 wt.% OD-Eru (12.2 degrees).Water Contact Angle:

[0256] The water contact angle was also determined for 200 pL pipete tips formed from each of the compositions described in Table 15 above. Again, the measurements were taken of pipete tips post-molding and the tips were not irradiated. The water contact angle for each pipete tip was determined using a KRUSS goniometer (model #DSA30) equipped with a (manual) liquiddispenser, charge coupled device camera, and image-processing software for drop shape. A sessile drop method was employed with deionized water (volume of ~5-6 pL) at room temperature (~24- 25°C) to determine the water contact angle. The average contact angle was determined from 4-5 measurements performed at different locations on the same sample. The results are shown numerically below in Table 16.

[0257] Table 16

[0258] The water contact angle for the compositions in Table 16 were the most hydrophilic for Control 1 having 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3 (averaging 101.5 degrees), and the most hydrophobic for Control 2 having 2 wt.% fluorinated additive (POLR) (averaging 113.0 degrees). The water contact angles for all of the OD-Eru compositions were more hydrophobic than 100 wt.% polypropylene TP3 but more hydrophilic than the composition with the 2 wt.% fluorinated additive.EXAMPLE 3Polymer Compositions

[0259] Polymer compositions comprising thermoplastic polymers and long chain fatty amides were formed by blending thermoplastic polymers (“TP”) and either long chain fatty amides (“LFA”), or an alkyl-silicone (“ASi”). The thermoplastic polymers, long chain fatty amides, and the alkyl-silicone used in the present Example are listed in Table 17 below.

[0260] Table 17

[0261] A first set of 200 pL pipette tips for investigating haze were created for polymer compositions having TP3 and OD-Eru, with the OD-Eru being 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.% or 1.5 wt.% OD-Eru in the total polymer composition. A second set of 200 pL pipette tips for investigating haze were created for polymer compositions having TP3 and alkyl silicone with either 5.0 wt.%, 7.5 wt.%, or 10.0 wt.% alkyl-silicone in the total polymer composition. The polymer compositions used are summarized below in Table 18.

[0262] Table 18

[0263] Compositions A-D, and Compositions 1-3 are non- fluorinated compositions.Compositions A-D are a non-fluorinated, non-silicone compositions.Level of Haze

[0264] The level of haze in compositions for Compositions A-D and Compositions 1-3 was investigated using the visual scale for haze shown in FIG. 20. More specifically, each postmolded pipette tip formed from Compositions A-D and Compositions 1-3 were visually compared to the visual scale for haze shown in FIG. 20, and the observed level was recorded as detailed below in Table 19 and in FIGS. 21-22.

[0265] Table 19

[0266] The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of polymer compositions and articles formed from the polymer composition. The polymer compositions may comprise a long chain fatty amide and a thermoplastic polymer. The long chain fatty amide may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol. The polymer compositions may comprise an alkyl silicone and a thermoplastic polymer. The alkyl silicone may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000 g / mol and less than or equal to 10,000 g / mol and a dimethyl silicone content of greater than or equal to 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkyl silicone. The polymer compositions may comprise a thermoplastic polymer, a long chain fatty amide having a molecular weight between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol, and an alkyl silicone having a molecular weight between 1,000 g / moland 10,000 g / mol and a dimethyl silicone content of between 40 wt.% and 70 wt.% based on the total weight of the alkyl silicone. Any of these polymer compositions may further comprise a fatty acid. The fatty acid may have a molecular weight greater than or equal to 150 g / mol and less than or equal to 350 g / mol.

[0267] The specified molecular weight of the long chain fatty amide and / or alkyl silicone, may lead to compatibility with the thermoplastic polymer, decreasing haze and ensuring separation from the thermoplastic polymer and surface development during manufacturing, leading to low fluid retention. The articles formed from the polymer composition may be free or substantially free from fluorinated compounds while having a low fluid retention. The articles formed from the polymer composition not comprising an alkyl silicone may be free or substantially free from silicone compounds while having a low fluid retention. Articles formed from the polymer composition may retain low fluid retention properties after exposure to solvents, such as isopropanol, ethanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0268] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An article, comprising: a long chain fatty amide having a molecular weight between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol and present in an amount between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the article; and a thermoplastic polymer; wherein the article is substantially free of fluorine; and wherein the article has a low fluid retention surface.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the article further comprises, based on the total weight of the article, greater than or equal to 0.2 wt.% and less than or equal to 15 wt.% of the long chain fatty amide.

3. The article of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the article further comprises, based on the total weight of the polymer composition, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.% of the thermoplastic polymer.

4. The article of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is chosen from polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrenic polymers, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polymethyl pentene, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkamoate, and a combination thereof.

5. The article of any one of claims 1 -4, the article further comprising, based on the total weight of the article, greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 6 wt.% of one or more additives other than a long chain fatty amide, a fatty acid, or an alkyl silicone.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the one or more additives comprises an antioxidant, a clarifying agent, a nucleating agent, an antistatic agent, a colorant, a radiation stability agent, and a conductive agent, or a combination thereof.

7. The article of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the article further comprises a fatty acid present in an amount greater than 0 wt.% and less than or equal to 5 wt.% of the total weight of the article.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the fatty acid is rice bran oil.

9. The article of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the long chain fatty amide is erucamide or stearyl erucamide.

10. The article of any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the article is substantially free of silicone.

11. The article of any one of claims 1-10, the article further comprising an alkyl silicone present in amount between 0.1 wt.% and 19.9 wt.% based on the total weight of the article; wherein the alkyl silicone has a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone; and wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.%.

13. The article of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the article is free of fluorine.

14. The article of any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the article is free of fluorine and silicone.

15. The article of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the article comprises a pipet, a pipette tip, an assay plate, a well plate, a cell culture dish, a liquid storage vessel, a tube, a liquid receptacle, a vent filter, or a laboratory consumable.

16. The article of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the article comprises a pipette tip.

17. The article of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the article is a sterilized article.

18. The article of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the article further comprises a level of fluid retention less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of fluid retention scale.

19. The article of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the amount of fluid retention is less than or equal to 6 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

20. The article of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the article retains less than or equal to 3% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

21. The article of any one of claims 1 -20, wherein article has a sliding angle between 5 degrees and 17 degrees.

22. The article of any one of the claims 1-21, wherein the article has a water contact angle between 85 degrees and 125 degrees.

23. A method of forming an article, comprising the steps of:(a) solidifying a polymer composition within a mold to form the article, the polymer composition comprising: a long chain fatty amide having a molecular weight between 140 g / mol and 700 g / mol present in an amount between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the article; and a thermoplastic polymer; wherein the article is substantially free of fluorine; and(b) removing the article from the mold; wherein the formed article has a low fluid retention surface.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the formed article is substantially free of silicone.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the polymer composition further comprises an alkyl silicone present in amount between 0.1 wt.% and 19.9 wt.% based on the total weight of the article; wherein the alkyl silicone has a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone; and wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

26. The method of any one of claims 23-25, the method further comprising injecting the polymer composition into the mold.

27. The method of any one of claims 23-26, the method further comprising the step of sterilizing the article with high-energy irradiation at a dosage between 10 kGy and 50 kGy, after removing the article from the mold.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises a level of fluid retention of less than or equal to a Level 3, as measured with a visual level of fluid retention scale.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises an amount of fluid retention less than or equal to 6 mg per 200 pL of fluid volume in a 200 pL pipette tip after a single aspirate / dispense cycle, as measured by gravimetric testing.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein after sterilizing the article, the article comprises a fluid retention of less than 3% of fluid added to the article and then dispensed.

31. A non-fluorinated article, comprising: a thermoplastic polymer and a long chain fatty amide; wherein the non-fluorinated article comprises a fluid retention of less than or equal to 3% of any fluid added and then dispensed; and wherein the non-fluorinated article is substantially free of fluorine.

32. The non-fluorinated article of claim 31, wherein the non-fluorinated article is substantially free of silicone.

33. The non-fluorinated article of claim 31, further comprising an alkyl silicone with a molecular weight between 1,000 g / mol and 10,000 g / mol, and a dimethyl silicone content greater than or equal 40 wt.% and less than or equal to 70 wt.% based on a total weight of the alkyl silicone.

34. The non-fluorinated article of any one of claims 31-33, wherein the article comprises greater than or equal to 0.1 wt.% and less than or equal to 20 wt.% of the long chain fatty amide, based on the total weight of the article; and wherein the long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol.

35. The non-fluorinated article of claim 33, wherein the combined amount of the long chain fatty amide and the alkyl silicone present in the total weight of the article is between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% and the long chain fatty amide has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 140 g / mol and less than or equal to 700 g / mol.

36. The non-fluorinated article of any one of claims 31-35, wherein the long chain fatty amide is erucamide or stearyl erucamide.

37. The non-fluorinated article of any one of claims 31-36, wherein the non-fluorinated article has a sliding angle between 5 degrees and 17 degrees.

38. The non-fluorinated article of any one of claims 31-37, wherein the article comprises, based on the total weight of the article, greater than or equal to 74 wt.% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt.% of a thermoplastic polymer; and wherein the thermoplastic polymer is chosen from polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene butadiene copolymers, hydrogenated styrenic polymers, polyurethanes, polyethylene,polymethyl pentene, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkamoate, or a combination thereof.

39. The non-fluorinated article of any one of claims 31-38, wherein the non- fluorinated article comprises a pipette tip.

40. The article of any one of claims 31-39, wherein the article further comprises a level of haze less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of haze scale.

41. The article of any one of claims 1-22, wherein the article further comprises a level of haze less than or equal to Level 3 as measured by a visual level of haze scale.

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