Cyclobutanediol Polyester Containers for High-Heat Barrier Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic materials for containers, such as PET and polycarbonate, face challenges in high-heat applications due to poor barrier properties and processing difficulties, and existing copolyesters suffer from deficiencies in impact strength, glass transition temperature, and chemical resistance.
Innovation Solution
A polyester composition comprising terephthalic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol with specific monomer ratios, offering high impact strength, hydrolytic stability, chemical resistance, and thermoformability while maintaining processability on standard equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PET is used for container production, then good barrier properties are achieved, but high-heat applications become difficult due to elevated fill temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of polyester by incorporating cyclobutanediol units with specific ring structures and substituent patterns. This changes the molecular parameters (glass transition temperature, crystallization behavior, barrier properties) to achieve high-heat resistance while maintaining container-formability and barrier performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a copolyester composition combining terephthalic acid units with cyclobutanediol units in specific ratios. This composite molecular structure integrates the heat resistance of aromatic polyesters with the processability and barrier properties of copolymer systems
2Temperature
If polycarbonate or acrylic polymers are used for high-heat applications, then temperature tolerance is improved, but barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the glass transition temperature and molecular structure of the polyester through cyclobutanediol incorporation to achieve heat resistance comparable to polycarbonate, while the polyester backbone structure inherently provides superior barrier properties against gas and vapor transmission
3Ease of manufacture
If copolyesters are made from terephthalic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol to achieve long crystallization half-times, then ease of manufacture is improved, but glass transition temperature and impact strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ethylene glycol with cyclobutanediol units that have different molecular characteristics. This parameter change in the glycol component maintains long crystallization half-times for easy manufacturing while simultaneously improving glass transition temperature and impact strength through the rigid cyclobutane ring structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses commercially available terephthalic acid and cyclobutanediol monomers that can be polymerized using standard polyester production equipment, making the material economically viable and easily manufacturable despite the specialized molecular structure
Data Source
AI summary
Articles, including water bottle(s) having a weight from 200 to 800 grams comprising a polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component comprising 30 to 40 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole and the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.50 to 0.68 dl/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; and wherein the polyester has a Tg of from 100 to 140° C.; and wherein the polyester composition contains no polycarbonate.