Polyester polymer and copolymer compositions containing metallic nickel particles
AssigneeEastman Chemical Company
InventorsZhiyong Xia, Donna Rice Quillen
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Abstract
Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein metallic nickel particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The nickel particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.
Claims13
A polyester composition having improved reheat, comprising:
- a poly(ethylene terephthalate) polyester polymer, present in the polyester composition in an amount of at least 95 wt. % based on the weight of polymers;
- and
- metallic nickel particles chosen from particles of nickel metal in the elemental state and particles of alloys wherein nickel is the major alloying element, having a median particle size from about 0.005 μm to 0.9 μm, randomly dispersed in the polyester polymer in an amount from 0.5 ppm to 32 ppm, with respect to the total weight of the polyester composition;
- wherein said polyester composition is in the form of pellets, a bottle preform, a bottle, or a container.
A polyester composition having improved reheat, comprising:
- a polyester polymer in which poly(ethylene terephthalate) residues comprise at least 90 wt. % of the polyester polymer, present in the polyester composition in an amount of at least 95 wt. % based on the weight of polymers;
- and
- metallic nickel particles, having a median particle size from about 0.005 μm to 0.9 μm, randomly dispersed in the polyester polymer in an amount from 0.5 ppm to 32 ppm, wherein the polyester composition has a reheat index of 1.05 or more and an L* brightness level of 70 or more at the reheat rate index of 1.05.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.