Algae-blended compositions for thermoplastic articles
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsBo Shi, James H. Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermoplastic material composition containing certain biodegradable and renewable components is described. The thermoplastic composition that includes a least one kind of algae or a blend of at least one kind of algae and a plant polymer a blend of algae and/or plant-based polymers, such as proteins and starches, as relatively low cost feedstock. The algae or blend may be plasticized. Additionally, a method adapted for large scale fabrication of fibers, films, or extruded articles is also described.
Claims34
A thermoplastic composition comprising:
- (a) from about 10 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticized microalgae blend, wherein the plasticized microalgae blend comprises from about 10 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a microalgae powder having a particle size of up to about 115 microns and a plasticizer;
- and (b) from about 50 wt. % to about 90 wt % of a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises a microbial polymer or a synthetic polymer, wherein the thermoplastic composition exhibits a melting point temperature (Tm) ranging from about 60° C. to about 190° C., and multiple glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from about −40° C. to about 70° C.
An injection molded article, wherein the article is formed from a material comprising from about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of a renewable resin and (a) from about 10 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticized microalgae blend, wherein the plasticized microalgae blend comprises from about 10 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a microalgae powder having a particle size of up to about 115 microns and a plasticizer;
- and (b) from about 50 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises a microbial polymer or a synthetic polymer, wherein the thermoplastic composition exhibits a melting point temperature (Tm) ranging from about 60° C. to about 190° C., and multiple glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from about −40° C. to about 70° C.
A method for fabricating an article from a thermoplastic material, wherein the method comprises a) melting a thermoplastic composition comprising (i) from about 10 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a plasticized microalgae blend, wherein the plasticized microalgae blend comprises from about 10 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of a microalgae powder having a particle size of up to about 115 microns and a plasticizer;
- and (ii) from about 50 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises a microbial polymer or a synthetic polymer, wherein the thermoplastic composition exhibits a melting point temperature (Tm) ranging from about 60° C. to about 190° C., and multiple glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from about −40° C. to about 70° C. b) injecting said molten thermoplastic composition into a cavity defined by a molding apparatus;
- c) cooling said thermoplastic composition in said cavity to form an article;
- and d) removing said article from said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.