Flexible Polymer Pellets Blocking Resistance via Elastic Modulus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible resin pellets exhibit poor blocking resistance, leading to sticking issues during storage and processing, especially when transported from high to cold temperatures, despite previous attempts to improve handling with powders and liquids.
Innovation Solution
The development of pellets with a polymer having an elastic modulus in tension of 100 MPa or less, blended with a thermoplastic resin of higher elastic modulus, and specific characteristics such as average weight, particle size distribution, and L/D ratio, along with powders and/or liquid adherence, to prevent sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If powders such as talc and calcium stearate or liquid such as silicone oil are applied to flexible resin pellets to improve handling, then ease of operation is improved, but blocking resistance is insufficient and pellets still stick together under load or high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the pellets by controlling the polymer's elastic modulus to be 100 MPa or less, and controlling the average weight per 30 pellets to be 0.80 to 2.00 g, and the Lave/Dave ratio to be 1.00 to 1.70. These parameter changes fundamentally alter the pellet properties to prevent sticking without requiring surface coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite approach by blending polymer (A) with elastic modulus of 100 MPa or less and thermoplastic resin (x) with elastic modulus of 100 to 1700 MPa in specific proportions (35 wt% or less of resin x). This composite material structure combines the flexibility of polymer A with the structural integrity of resin x to achieve both ease of operation and blocking resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible resin pellets are stored at high temperatures under load and then transported to cold regions, then adaptability to temperature changes is improved, but pellets stick together more heavily
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by selecting a polymer (A) with elastic modulus of 100 MPa or less that inherently resists sticking, and by controlling pellet physical parameters (average weight 0.80-2.00 g, Lave/Dave ratio 1.00-1.70). This creates a buffer against the harmful sticking effect that occurs during temperature transitions, preventing the problem before it manifests.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the pellets by controlling the polymer's elastic modulus to be 100 MPa or less, and controlling the average weight per 30 pellets to be 0.80 to 2.00 g, and the Lave/Dave ratio to be 1.00 to 1.70. These parameter changes fundamentally alter the pellet properties to prevent sticking without requiring surface coatings.
Data Source
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AI summary
First pellets according to the present invention is characterized by satisfying all of the following requirements (Z), (1), (2), and (3): (Z) the pellet comprises a polymer (A) having an elastic modulus in tension of 100 MPa or less, (1) the pellets have an average weight per 30 pellets in the range of 0.80 to 2.00 g; (2) the pellets have a particle size distribution obtained by sieving in which pellets providing a maximum weight fraction account for 90 to 100% of the pellets; and (3) the pellets have a Lave/Dave value in the range of 1.00 to 1.70. Second pellets according to the present invention is characterized by satisfying the requirements of the (Z) and the following (4) : (4) the pellets have a blocking force of 35 N or less that is measured after the pellets are left under a load at 35°C for 24 hours and further at -10°C for 7 days.