Cellulose Acetate Polymer Composition Impact Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biodegradable polymers lack the physical properties and characteristics of petroleum-based polymers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, particularly in terms of impact strength and melt processing, making them unsuitable for replacing conventional plastics in applications like disposable items and medical devices.

Innovation Solution

A polymer composition combining cellulose acetate with bio-based impact modifiers, such as acrylic core/shell particles and plasticizers, to enhance impact resistance and melt strength while maintaining biodegradability, allowing for the production of articles with improved mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cellulose ester polymers are used as biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers, then environmental friendliness and biodegradability are improved, but impact strength and melt processing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidimpact strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cellulose acetate with plasticizers and impact modifiers to create a composite polymer composition. This composite approach allows the material to achieve both biodegradability and improved mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and impact strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of cellulose acetate by incorporating plasticizers that change the glass transition temperature and melt viscosity, and impact modifiers that alter the fracture behavior. These parameter changes enable the material to maintain biodegradability while achieving comparable impact strength to petroleum-based polymers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If cellulose ester polymers are used to replace conventional plastics, then biodegradability is improved, but melt processing capability deteriorates due to melting temperature being close to degradation temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidmelt processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces plasticizers as intermediary substances that mediate between the cellulose acetate polymer chains and the processing conditions. These plasticizers lower the melt viscosity and broaden the processing temperature window, enabling successful melt processing while maintaining the biodegradable nature of the polymer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cellulose esters are used as biodegradable polymers, then environmental friendliness is improved, but physical properties and characteristics of conventional polymers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidphysical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modification by incorporating impact modifiers that specifically target and improve the impact resistance property, while maintaining other biodegradable characteristics. This localized enhancement of specific properties allows the material to achieve both environmental friendliness and improved physical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12012503B2Impact-modified biodegradable polymer compositions

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 TICONA LLC

AI summary

A polymer composition containing cellulose acetate in combination with one or more impact modifiers is described. The polymer composition can also contain a plasticizer and a bio-based polymer in addition to the cellulose acetate. The polymer composition is formulated so as to have properties similar to petroleum-based polymers for producing, for example, single-use biodegradable articles.