Cellulosic inclusion thermoplastic composition and molding thereof

摘要

A cellulosic inclusion-thermoplastic composition that includes cellulosic inclusions and a thermoplastic polyolefin that forms a matrix in which the cellulosic inclusions are dispersed. A maleated polymer and a polar thermoplastic polymer resin of a polyamide or polyester are provided to improve adhesion between the cellulosic inclusions and the thermoplastic polyolefin. The polar thermoplastic polymer resin is characterized by a melting temperature greater than that of the thermoplastic polyolefin. The composition as provided has increased break tensile strength relative to a composition devoid of the polar thermoplastic polymer resin but otherwise is unchanged. The break tensile is measured at 23° Celsius and at an elongation rate of 50 millimeters per minute.

主权项

1. A cellulosic inclusion-thermoplastic composition comprising:
a plurality of cellulosic inclusions; a thermoplastic polyolefin having a thermoplastic polyolefin melting temperature and forming a matrix in which said plurality of cellulosic inclusions are dispersed, the thermoplastic polyolefin being selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, a copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and a mixture of polypropylene and polyethylene; a coupling polymer comprising a maleated polymer and present at a coupling polymer total weight percent; and a polar thermoplastic polymer resin of a polyamide or a polyester, said polar thermoplastic resin having a resin melting temperature and present at polar polymer total weight percent, said coupling polymer and said polar thermoplastic resin being dispersed and interacting synergistically to promote adhesion between said plurality of cellulosic inclusions such that the composition has an increased break tensile strength as measured at 23° Celsius and at an cross-head speed of 50 millimeters per minute relative to a composition devoid of said resin, wherein the coupling polymer total weight percent is present between 0.1 to 10 total weight percent and the polar polymer total weight percent is present between 1 to 10 total weight percent, and said plurality of cellulosic inclusions has a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent of said plurality of cellulosic inclusions and the composition has a density between 0.9 and 1.096 grams per cubic centimeter.