Resin-immobilized biocides

A method of preparing a biocide-containing end use resin composition, the major component of which is a primary thermoplastic resin in which the biocide cannot be stably incorporated and immobilized at 20 times or more normal end use concentration, the method comprising

• providing (1) particulates of a first thermoplastic resin identical to or substantially identical to said primary thermoplastic resin, (2) particulates of a second thermoplastic resin having good compatiblity with the biocide and (3) the biocide, selected from the group consisting of 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine and its derivative, N(2-methyl-1-naphthyl) malemid and 2-octyl, 4-isothiazolin-3-one, at a percent by weight of said thermoplastic resins at least about 20 times the normal weight percent relative to resin components of the end use resin composition;
• said first thermoplastic resin being selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride/polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate and polymethyl methacrylate, and providing that when said first thermoplastic resin is polyethylene, said second thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polyacrylic acid and ethylene/vinyl acetate/carbon monoxide terpolymer;
• and providing that when said first thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate and polymethyl methacrylate, said second thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene/vinyl acetate/carbon monoxide terpolymer,
• fusing said first and second resins and said biocide to form a solid biocide resin concentrate in which said biocide is stably incorporated and immobilized,
• forming particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate,
• mixing particulates of the primary resin and said particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate plus either no additional components or additional components selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, ultraviolet stabilizers, heat stabilizers, fillers, dyes, pigments, lubricants and mixtures thereof to form an end use resin compound, and
• fabricating said end use resin compound into the end use resin composition.

A method of preparing a biocide-containing end use resin composition comprising

• providing a primary thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride/polyvinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate and polymethyl methacrylate,
• mixing thermoplastic resin particulates, (1) between about 30 and 100 wt. percent of which are either (a) a copolymer of ehtylene and acrylic acid with acrylic acid mer units comprising between about 3 and about 25 molar percent or (b) a terpolymer of ethylene, vinyl acetate and carbon monoxide, wherein between about 40 and about 75 molar percent of the mer units are ethylene, between about 20 and about 30 molar pecent of the mer units are vinyl acetate and between about 5 and about 35 molar percent of the mer units are carbon monoxide, (2) balance a thermoplastic resin substantially identical to said primary resin and (3), the biocide, selected from the group consisting of 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine and its derivatives, N(2-methyl-1-naphtyl) malemid and 2-octyl, 4-isothiazolin-3-one, at a percent by weight of said thermoplastic resins which is at least about 20 times the normal weight percent relative to thermoplastic resin components of the end use resin composition,
• fusing said thermoplastic resin particulates and said biocide to form a solid biocide resin concentrate in which said biocide is stably incorporated and immobilized,
• forming particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate,
• mixing particulates of said primary thermoplastic resin, said particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate plus either no additional components or additional components selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, ultraviolet stabilizers, heat stabilizers, fillers, dyes, pigments, lubricants and mixtures thereof to form an end use resin compound, and
• fabricating said end use resin compound into the end use resin composition.

A method of preparing a biocide-containing end use resin composition, a major portion of which is a primary homopolymeric polyethylene thermoplastic resin in which the biocide cannot be stably incorporated and immobilized at 20 times or more normal weight percent relative to thermoplastics in the end use resin composition, the method comprising

• providing particulates of a first thermoplastic resin selected form the group consisting of ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene/vinyl acetate/carbon monoxide terpolymer,
• mixing (1) from about 30 to 100 wt percent particulates of said first resin, (2) balance, thermoplastic polyethylene resin, and (3), the biocide, selected from the group consisting of 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine and its derivatives, N(2-methyl-1-naphthyl) malemid and 2-octyl, 4-isothiazolin-3-one, at a percent by weight relative to said thermoplastic resins at least about 20 times the normal end use wt. percent of biocide relative to thermoplastic resins in the end use resin composition,
• fusing said resins particulates and said biocide to form a solid biocide resin concentrate in which said biocide is stably incorporated and immobilized,
• forming particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate,
• mixing particulates of the primary resin, said particles of said solid biocide resin concentrate plus either no additional components or additional components selected form the group consisting of plasticizers, ultraviolet stabilizers, heat stabilizers, fillers, dyes, pigments, lubricants and mixtures thereof to form an end use resin compound, and
• fabricating said end use resin compound into the end use resin composition.