Enhancing the physical properties of semi-crystalline polymers via solid-state shear pulverization
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsJohn M. Torkelson, Cynthia Pierre, Amanda Flores
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solid-state shear pulverization of semi-crystalline polymers and copolymers thereof and related methods for enhanced crystallization kinetics and physical/mechanical properties.
Claims13
A method of using solid-state shear pulverization to affect a physical property of a semi-crystalline homopolymer, said method comprising,
- providing a solid semi-crystalline homopolymer component, said homopolymer component a single homopolymer;
- introducing said single homopolymer into a solid-state shear pulverization apparatus, said apparatus comprising a cooling component at least partially sufficient to maintain said homopolymer in a solid state;
- shear pulverizing said single homopolymer, said pulverization at least partially sufficient to affect a physical property of said homopolymer, said property selected from spherulite size and number, said homopolymer and said pulverization substantially absent nucleating agent and filler components;
- and
- discharging said shear pulverized single homopolymer from said apparatus.
A method of using solid-state shear pulverization to affect a physical property of a semi-crystalline homopolymer, said method comprising,
- providing a solid semi-crystalline homopolymer;
- introducing said homopolymer into a solid-state shear pulverization apparatus, said apparatus comprising a cooling component at least partially sufficient to maintain said homopolymer in a solid state;
- shear pulverizing said homopolymer, said pulverization at least partially sufficient to affect a physical property of said homopolymer, said property selected from spherulite size and number during homopolymer crystallization, said homopolymer and said pulverization substantially absent nucleating agent and filler components;
- discharging said shear pulverized homopolymer from said apparatus;
- and
- compression molding said shear pulverized homopolymer into a film, said film having decreased oxygen permeability as compared to a compression molded film of said homopolymer component absent shear pulverization.
A method of using solid-state shear pulverization to affect oxygen permeability of a semi-crystalline homopolymer, said method comprising,
- providing a solid semi-crystalline homopolymer, said homopolymer component a single homopolymer selected from a poly(butylene)terephthalate and a polycaprolactone;
- introducing said single homopolymer into a solid-state shear pulverization apparatus, said apparatus comprising a cooling component at least partially sufficient to maintain said homopolymer in a solid state;
- shear pulverizing said single homopolymer, said pulverization at least partially sufficient to affect oxygen permeability of said homopolymer, said homopolymer and said pulverization substantially absent nucleating agent and filler components;
- discharging said shear pulverized single homopolymer from said apparatus;
- and
- compression molding said shear pulverized single homopolymer into a film, said film having decreased oxygen permeability as compared to a compression molded film of said single homopolymer component absent shear pulverization.
A method of using solid-state shear pulverization to affect isothermal crystallization half-time of a semi-crystalline homopolymer, said method comprising,
- providing a solid semi-crystalline homopolymer component, said homopolymer component a single homopolymer selected from a poly(butylene)terephthalate and a polycaprolactone;
- introducing said single homopolymer into a solid-state shear pulverization apparatus, said apparatus comprising a cooling component at least partially sufficient to maintain said homopolymer in a solid state;
- shear pulverizing said single homopolymer, said pulverization at least partially sufficient to affect isothermal crystallization half-time of said homopolymer, said homopolymer and said pulverization substantially absent nucleating agent and filler components;
- and
- discharging said shear pulverized single homopolymer from said apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.