Melt-stable lactide polymer composition and process for manufacture thereof
US6143863A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31993
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A lactide polymer composition combining compositional and purity limitations and catalyst optimization or addition of stabilizing agents resulting in a melt-stable polymer is disclosed. The melt-stable lactide polymer comprises a plurality of polylactide polymer chains, residual lactide in concentration of less than 2 percent and water in concentration of less than 1000 parts-per-million. A stabilizing agent in an amount sufficient to reduce depolymerization of the lactide polymer during melt-processing or alternatively, control of catalyst level at a molar ratio of monomer to catalyst greater than 3000:1 is also included in the melt-stable composition. A process for manufacture of a melt-stable lactide polymer composition includes polymerizing a lactide mixture and adding stabilizing agents sufficient to reduce depolymerization of the polylactide during melt-processing, followed by devolatilizing the polylactide to remove monomer and water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.