PREPARATION OF THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITION BY SOLID STATE POLYMERIZATION

摘要

PREPARATION OF THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITION BY SOLID STATE POLYMERIZATION This invention relates to a process for preparing a thermoplastic resin composition through a solid state polymerization process. The thermoplastic resin composition made in accordance with this invention is particularly suitable for use in thermoforming thin walled articles. The process of this invention specifically comprises (1) melt blending a polyethylene terephthalate prepolymer with at least one liquid crystalline polymer to produce a polyethylene terephthalate/liquid crystalline polymer blend; and (2) solid state polymerizing said polyethylene terephthalate/liquid crystalline polymer blend at a temperature within the range of about 195.degree.C to about 255.degree.C for a period of at least about 1 hour to produce a thermoplastic resin composition. The subject invention also deals with thermoforming such thermoplastic resin compositions into articles, such as food trays, having a crystallinity within the range of about 10% to about 40%.