# US 11,078,341 B2 · Thermoplastic polymers

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- Number: US 11,078,341 B2
- Document ID: US11078341B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/596,544
- Filed: 2019-10-08
- Published: 2020-02-06
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2013-05-13
- Assignees: Colormatrix Europe Limited
- Applicants: Colorant Chromatics AG
- Inventors: Andrew Overend; Steven John Moloney; Bjorn Klaas; Bo Sjoblom
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078341B2

## CPC

- C08J 9/08: developing carbon dioxide
- B29C 44/3415: {Heating or cooling}
- C08J 9/18: by impregnating polymer particles with the blowing agent
- C08K 5/098: Metal salts of carboxylic acids
- H01B 3/445: {from vinylfluorides or other fluoroethylenic compounds}
- B29K 2067/003: {PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate}
- B29K 2077/00: Use of {PA, i.e.} polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material
- B29K 2995/0077: Yield strength; Tensile strength
- B29K 2995/0082: Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
- C08J 9/16: Making expandable particles
- C08J 2201/024: Preparation or use of a blowing agent concentrate, i.e. masterbatch in a foamable composition
- C08J 2201/03: Extrusion of the foamable blend
- C08J 2203/02: CO2-releasing, e.g. NaHCO3 and citric acid
- C08J 2207/06: Electrical wire insulation
- C08J 2300/22: Thermoplastic resins
- C08J 2327/18: Homopolymers or copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene
- C08J 2327/20: Homopolymers or copolymers of hexafluoropropene
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

## Abstract

Thermoplastic polymers, for example fluoropolymers, are foamed by use of a solid formulation comprising thermoplastic polymer and manganese oxalate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of preparing a foamed thermoplastic polymer which comprises:
subjecting a mixture formed by contacting 1 to 36 wt % of a masterbatch with 64 to 99 wt % of a first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed to a temperature of greater than 300° C.,
wherein the masterbatch is in the form of melt-processed pellets which include 3 to 9 wt % of an oxalate compound, 2 to 10 wt % of a nucleator, and 87 to 95 wt % of a second thermoplastic polymer,
wherein said second thermoplastic polymer has a melt-processing temperature of at least 250° C. and is a fluoropolymer, and
wherein said oxalate compound comprises manganese oxalate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed is a fluoropolymer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed is a fluorinate ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP).

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said mixture is subjected to a temperature of greater than 330° C.; and is subjected to a maximum temperature of less than 390° C.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein said mixture is subjected to a temperature of greater than 330° C.; and is subjected to a maximum temperature of less than 390° C.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed:
(i) has a melting point of at least 250° C.; and/or
(ii) has a continuous use temperature of at least 160° C.; and/or
(iii) has a melt flow rate (MFR) at 372° C. and a 5.0 kg load assessed using ISO12086 in the range 1.2 to 36 g/10 min; and/or
(iv) has a tensile strength, measured in accordance with ASTM D638, of at least 1500 psi; and/or
(v) has a flexural modulus, in accordance with ASTM D790 at +23° C., of at least 70,000 psi; and/or
(vi) has a tensile modulus, in accordance with ASTM D638, of at least 30,000.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein said first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed is a fluoropolymer.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein said first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed is a FEP.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said nucleator is boron nitride.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said first thermoplastic polymer to be foamed is a FEP and said nucleator is boron nitride.