THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS EXHIBITING SUPERIOR FOOD CONTACT COMPLIANCE
A blend of any of three specific olefin polymers and ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer is disclosed. Optionally, the blend also includes styrene-isobutylene-styrene thermoplastic vulcanizate and calcium carbonate filler. The blend has good processability and passes Olive Oil Extraction Test EU82/711/EEC and the FDA Food Contact Test required at 21 CFR §177.2600, enabling plastic articles of the blend to be used as thermoplastic elastomers in food handling and storage articles.
1 . A plastic article, comprising a compound comprising
(a) an olefin polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, a homopolymer of propylene, and a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and combinations thereof and
(b) ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer,
wherein the plastic article passes Olive Oil Extraction Test EU82/711/EEC or Iso-octane Extraction Test EN1186-14.
2 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound further comprises additives selected from the group consisting of adhesion promoters; biocides (antibacterials, fungicides, and mildewcides), anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; nanoclay or nanofillers; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppresants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; nucleating agents, pigments, colorants and dyes; oils and plasticizers; processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; and combinations of them.
3 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the olefin polymer comprises from about 10 to about 70 weight percent of the compound and wherein the ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer comprises from about 10 to about 80 weight percent of the compound.
4 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the plastic article is molded.
5 . The plastic article of claim 4 , wherein the article is a food container.
6 . The plastic article of claim 4 , wherein the article is a food utensil.
7 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound is overmolded on a second polymer.
8 . The plastic article of claim 7 , wherein the second polymer comprises polyethylene or polypropylene.
9 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer comprises polymerized units of ethylene and α-olefin, wherein the interpolymer is characterized by an average block index greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.3.
10 . The plastic article of claim 9 , wherein the α-olefin is styrene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, norbornene, 1-decene, 1,5-hexadiene, or a combination thereof.
11 . A method of using a plastic article of claim 1 , comprising the step of using the plastic article shaped from the compound to contain fatty foodstuffs in compliance with Olive Oil Extraction Test EU82/711/EEC.
12 . A method of making a plastic article compliant with Olive Oil Extraction Test EU82/711/EEC, comprising the step of shaping the plastic article from a compound comprising
(a) an olefin polymer selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, a homopolymer of propylene, and a random copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and combinations thereof and
(b) ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the olefin polymer comprises from about 10 to about 70 weight percent of the compound and wherein the ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer comprises from about 10 to about 80 weight percent of the compound.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the compound further comprises additives selected from the group consisting of adhesion promoters; biocides (antibacterials, fungicides, and mildewcides), anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; fillers and extenders; nanoclay or nanofillers; fire and flame retardants and smoke suppresants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; nucleating agents, pigments, colorants and dyes; oils and plasticizers; processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; and combinations of them.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the shaping is molding.
16 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound is in compliance with United States Government regulations promulgated at 21 CFR §177.2600.
17 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound further comprises a styrene-isobutylene-styrene thermoplastic vulcanizate.
18 . The plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound further comprises calcium carbonate.
19 . The method of using the plastic article of claim 11 , wherein the compound is in compliance with United States Government regulations promulgated at 21 CFR §177.2600, wherein the compound further comprises a styrene-isobutylene-styrene thermoplastic vulcanizate, and wherein the compound further comprises calcium carbonate.
20 . The method of making the plastic article of claim 1 , wherein the compound is in compliance with United States Government regulations promulgated at 21 CFR §177.2600, wherein the compound further comprises a styrene-isobutylene-styrene thermoplastic vulcanizate, and wherein the compound further comprises calcium carbonate.