Isosorbide PET Copolyester for Hot-Fill Heat Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyethylene terephthalate containers suffer from hygroscopicity, oxidative degradation, and high reactivity of isosorbide, leading to non-transparent and inadequate barrier properties, and cannot withstand high temperatures without deformation or shrinkage, limiting their use in hot fill packaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the copolymerization of isosorbide oligomer or polymer with a polyester of alkylene aryl dicarboxylate, using specific catalysts and additives to enhance mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties, resulting in a polyester capable of withstanding temperatures up to 90°C without deformation or shrinkage, with improved transparency and barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If isosorbide monomer is added to improve hot fillability, then glass transition temperature increases, but the polyester becomes hygroscopic and undergoes oxidative degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters by introducing cyclic carbonate groups into the polyester chain. This structural modification alters the physical and chemical properties, reducing hygroscopicity and oxidative degradation while maintaining the desired glass transition temperature range for hot fillability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polyester structure by combining traditional polyester chains with cyclic carbonate moieties. This composite approach integrates the benefits of both material systems - the processability of polyester and the chemical stability of cyclic carbonate structures - to achieve both hot fillability and resistance to degradation.
2Ease of manufacture
If isosorbide is used to enhance hot fillability, then processing temperature range improves, but transparency and barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure by incorporating cyclic carbonate groups, which changes the physical parameters of the polyester. This structural change improves transparency by reducing crystallinity and enhances barrier properties by creating a more compact molecular structure, while still maintaining hot fillability through appropriate glass transition temperature control.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polyester is used for hot fill applications, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but heat resistance at high temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite polyester-cyclic carbonate material that combines the ease of polyester processing with enhanced heat resistance. The cyclic carbonate groups create a more thermally stable structure that maintains its properties at high temperatures, while the overall polyester matrix preserves manufacturing simplicity and compatibility with existing equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting polyester exhibits enhanced heat resistance, transparency, and barrier properties, allowing for the production of hot fillable packaging materials and containers with improved melt flow properties and impact strength, suitable for various packaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
a process involving the copolymerization of isosorbide oligomer or polymer with a polyester of alkylene aryl dicarboxylate
Implementation Method 2
The polyester exhibits glass transition temperature (Tg) from 82 to 180 °C based on the quantity of isosorbide used
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing polyester. The process for preparing the polyester essentially involves the preparation of the isosorbide oligomer and the isosorbide polymer from the isosorbide oligomer. The isosorbide oligomer or isosorbide polymer is then co- polymerized with the polyester. The copolymerization isosorbide oligomer or isosorbide polymer may be carried out at any stage of the preparation of the polyester. The polyester obtained in accordance with the process of the present disclosure can be used in packaging applications such as preparing packaging materials or containers. The material or container obtained from the polyester of the present disclosure is capable of withstanding a temperature of 60 to 90 °C without undergoing any deformation and shrinkage. Further, the material or container obtained from the polyester of the present disclosure is transparent or has lower color b* value.