Biopolymer Acrylic Copolymer Blends for Melt Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biopolymers, such as polylactide, exhibit poor metal release when heated above their glass transition or melting temperatures, leading to difficulties in melt processing techniques like injection molding and calendering due to metal sticking issues, and existing acrylic copolymer processing aids have not significantly improved melt strength in polymers like polycarbonate.
Innovation Solution
A biopolymer composition comprising 85-99.9% biopolymers and 0.1-15% acrylic copolymers, specifically designed to enhance metal release and melt strength, where the acrylic copolymers include a blend of acrylic and methacrylic monomers with varying molecular weights, are used as process aids to improve processing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If biopolymers are heated above glass transition or melting temperature for melt processing, then processing capability is improved, but metal release deteriorates due to poor sticking release
Solution Approach 1:
An acrylic copolymer processing aid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the biopolymer and metal processing equipment. This processing aid modifies the interface interactions, enabling the biopolymer to be processed at temperatures above its glass transition or melting temperature without adhering to metal surfaces, thus resolving the metal sticking problem while maintaining melt processing capability
2Object-generated harmful factors
If acrylic copolymer processing aids are added to improve metal release, then metal release is improved, but melt strength does not significantly improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the acrylic copolymer processing aid, including its molecular weight (20,000-500,000 g/mol), composition (acrylic and/or methacrylic monomers with 0-80% styrene), and concentration (0.1-5% by weight). These parameter changes enable the processing aid to simultaneously improve metal release and enhance melt strength, unlike conventional processing aids that only address metal release
3Productivity
If neat polylactide resin is processed in calendering equipment, then processing is attempted, but metal sticking occurs making processing impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The acrylic copolymer processing aid serves as a mediator that prevents direct contact and adhesion between the polylactide resin and metal calendering equipment. By incorporating this processing aid, the resin can be successfully processed through calendering equipment without the metal sticking that makes neat polylactide processing impossible
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a blend of one or more biopolymers with one or more acrylic copolymers, for the purpose of improving the properties of the biopolymer(s). The biopolymer composition comprises 30-99.9 weight percent of biopolymer(s) and 0.1 to 15 weight percent of one or more acrylic copolymers.