Polytrimethylene terephthalate resins with improved properties

US7223471B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Zimmer, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Eckhard Seidel · Frankfurt, DE
• Bernd Gemmel · Gelnhausen, DE
• Karl-Heinz Heldmann · Raunheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 20, 2003
• Grant date: May 29, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2924
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A composition comprising Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with a reduced emission of acrolein is obtained by contacting Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin with an effective amount of a melt stable, organic stabilizing compound. Such PTT resin has an acrolein formation rate at 280° C. of less than 15 ppm/minute. Preferably the residual acrolein content of the PTT resin is less than 10 ppm. The additive organic stabilizing compounds are free from nitrogen atoms. Preferred additive compounds include polyfunctional alkohols, alcoholates, aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acids and salts of carboxylic acids. The additive compounds are added to the polymer in molten state and/or to the resin, which is then processed to fibers, filaments, non-wovens, films and/or mouldings.