Compositions for imparting a translucent optical effect to transparent thermoplastic polymers
US6524694B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/26
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention provides compositions and methods for imparting a translucent optical effect to transparent thermoplastic polymers. The compositions comprise the thermoplastic polymer and 0.01 to 15 parts per hundred by weight (preferably 0.1 to 6, more preferably 0.2 to 5 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.5 to 2 parts by weight, and most preferably 0.5 to 1.5 parts by weight) of at least one particulate, light diffusing material in the form of powders, fibers, whiskers, platelets, flakes, aggregates, agglomerates, and mixtures of these, comprising a average maximum particle size of from about 0.1 microns to about 200 microns (preferably from about 1 to about 100 microns). A first embodiment of the invention comprises a one step method for imparting the translucent optical effect. A second embodiment comprises a two step method, including the use of a concentrate composition. The translucent optical effects are obtainable in a continuum of very smooth to very grainy, depending on the type and concentration of the particles employed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.