Polyether Dispersant for Thermoplastic Pigment Aggregates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing thermoplastic masterbatches with pigments result in pigment aggregates, leading to filter blocking in extruders, incomplete dispersion causing color defects in finished articles, and increased production costs due to inefficient processing.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a particulate solid, a thermoplastic polymer, and a polyether-based polymer with specific amine groups and fatty acid or fatty acid anhydride residues, which acts as a dispersant to reduce aggregates and improve dispersion, thereby enhancing tinctorial strength and brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional dispersants are used to disperse pigment in thermoplastic polymer, then dispersion is achieved, but regulatory scrutiny increases and effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical nature of the dispersant from conventional non-polymeric dispersants to polyether-based polymers with specific molecular weight ranges (200-2000) and defined amine group structures. This parameter change maintains dispersion effectiveness while improving regulatory compliance and long-term stability in the thermoplastic matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite dispersant system combining polyether backbones with specific amine groups (2 or 3 per molecule) and fatty acid or fatty acid anhydride residues. This composite structure integrates multiple functional properties: the polyether provides solubility and compatibility, the amine groups provide dispersing power, and the fatty acid residues provide additional stabilizing interactions with the pigment particles.
2Illumination intensity
If pigment concentrates are used to color thermoplastics, then color development is achieved, but pigment aggregates form causing filter blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The polyether-based polymer acts as an intermediary substance between the pigment particles and the thermoplastic matrix. It adsorbs onto pigment surfaces through its amine groups and fatty acid residues, creating a protective interface that prevents particle aggregation and facilitates smooth flow through extruder filters while maintaining color strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the dispersant to a specific range (200-2000), which is low enough to not interfere with processing but high enough to provide sufficient steric stabilization. The defined structure with 2 or 3 amine groups per molecule optimizes the balance between dispersing power and compatibility with the thermoplastic polymer.
3Illumination intensity
If pigment is dispersed in thermoplastic polymer, then color development is maximized, but processing efficiency decreases due to aggregates and specks
Solution Approach 1:
The polyether-based dispersant is incorporated into the pigment concentrate before masterbatch production, performing preliminary dispersion and protection of pigment particles. This preliminary action prevents aggregate formation during subsequent processing steps, maintaining both color strength and processing efficiency throughout the manufacturing chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific molecular weight range (200-2000) and structured amine groups (2 or 3 per molecule) of the polyether dispersant are optimized to provide effective steric stabilization without excessive viscosity increase. This parameter optimization enables efficient processing while maintaining high pigment dispersion quality and tinctorial strength.
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 polyether-based dispersant composition effectively reduces pigment aggregates, improves dispersion, and enhances color strength and brightness, leading to more efficient processing and reduced production costs by minimizing filter blocking and specks in thermoplastic articles.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer capable of being a dispersant... the polymer are capable of dispersing a pigment allowing a thermoplastic to have at least one of: (i) a reduction in aggregates and/or specks; (ii) a finer state of dispersion
Implementation Method 2
The polymer used as dispersant is a polyetheramine whose amine groups react with anhydride to form imide groups
Data Source
AI summary
A composition including a particulate solid, a plastic material and a polymer represented by formula (1): A–(B)n wherein: A is a residue of a polyether having a polyether segment and 2 or 3 amine groups; wherein the polyether segment is derived from monomers of at least one of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or tetrahydrofuran; wherein the polyether segment has a number average molecular weight of from 160 to 2000; and wherein the amine groups are primary or secondary; each B is independently a residue of a C6-C50 fatty acid or fatty acid anhydride, which is linear or branched, and which is saturated or unsaturated; and n is 2 or 3; wherein each B is independently bound to A by an amide bond or a cyclic imide group. Methods of using, and use of, a polymer represented by the formula (1) as a dispersant in a composition further comprising a particulate solid and a plastic material.