Transparent poly(phenylene ether) compositions, their methods of manufacture, and food packaging films and containers derived therefrom

1. A microwavable food package or food wrapping film fabricated from a polymer composition which comprises a blend of 13 to 94 percent by weight of master batch and 87 to 6 percent by weight of styrenic polymer, wherein the master batch comprises:

(a) 40 to 75 percent by weight of a poly(phenylene ether);

(b) 25 to 60 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer;

(c) 0.01 to 2.5 percent by weight of an optical enhancing additive; wherein the optical enhancing additive is an alpha-hydroxyketone selected from the group consisting of hydroxyacetone (1-hydroxy-2-propanone); acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone); 2-hydroxyacetophenone; benzoin (2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone); and 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-p-tolyl-ethanone;

(d) 0.003 to 0.012 percent by weight of a colorant;

(e) 0.01 to 2 percent by weight of a di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, and malic acid, and mixtures thereof; and wherein:

the master batch is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 92° C. to 146° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa;

(ii) a Haze value of less than 5; and

and the blend is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 92° C. to 146° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa; and

(ii) a Haze value of less than 3 as measured according to; and

(iii) a Yellowness index for films that are 200 micrometers thick of between −5 and 2.5; and provided:

when di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid is present, the microwavable food package or wrapping film contains 1250 or less specks that are 200 μm in size or larger in 1 m 2 as measured according to film surface analyzer; and further provided:

when there is 0.009 to 0.012 percent by weight of colorant present in the composition, the amount of di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid is greater than 0 percent by weight.

2. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein a film that is fabricated from the composition contains 300 or less specks that are 200 μm in size or larger in 1 m 2 of the film.

3. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein the poly(phenylene ether) is poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having an intrinsic viscosity of approximately 0.29-0.49 dL/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C.

4. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein the styrenic polymer is a general purpose polystyrene.

5. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein the optical enhancing additive is benzoin.

6. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein 0.008 to 0.012 percent by weight of colorant is present in the master batch.

7. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein the di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid is fumaric acid, citric acid, or a mixture thereof.

8. The microwavable food package or food wrapping film of claim 1 , wherein the master batch comprises:

(a) 40 to 60 percent by weight of a poly(phenylene ether);

(b) 40 to 60 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer;

(c) 0.25 to 2.40 percent by weight of benzoin;

(d) 0.004 to 0.012 percent by weight of a colorant;

(e) 0.01 to 2 percent by weight of a carboxylic acid which is fumaric acid, citric acid, or a mixture thereof

wherein the master batch is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 105° C. to 140° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa;

(ii) a Notched Izod Impact of 1.5 to 3.5 kg cm/cm as measured according to ASTM D256;

(iii) a Haze value of less than 3;

(iv) a melt flow rate of 10 to 100 g/10 min at 300° C., 5 kg loading as measured according to ASTM D1238;

and the blend comprises 16 to 94 percent by weight of master batch and 6 to 84 percent by weight of styrenic polymer, wherein the blend is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 105° C. to 138° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa.

9. A process for preparing a polymer composition for microwavable food container and film fabrication, comprising:

compounding to form a master batch comprising:

(a) 40 to 75 percent by weight of a poly(phenylene ether);

(b) 25 to 60 percent by weight of a styrenic polymer;

(c) 0.01 to 2.5 percent by weight of an optical enhancing additive; wherein the optical enhancing additive is an alpha-hydroxyketone selected from the group consisting of hydroxyacetone (1-hydroxy-2-propanone); acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone); 2-hydroxyacetophenone; benzoin (2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone); and 2-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-p-tolyl-ethanone;

(d) 0.003 to 0.012 percent by weight of a colorant;

(e) 0.01 to 2 percent by weight of a di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, and malic acid, and mixtures thereof; and wherein:

the master batch is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 92° C. to 146° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa;

(ii) a Haze value of less than 5; and

blending the master batch with additional styrenic polymer to form a blend comprising 13 to 94 percent by weight of master batch and 87 to 6 percent by weight of styrenic polymer, wherein the blend is characterized by:

(i) a heat deflection temperature that is 92° C. to 146° C. as measured according to ASTM D648 on 6.4 mm thick bars at 1.82 MPa; and

(ii) a Haze value of less than 3 as measured according to; and

(iii) a Yellowness index for films that are 200 micrometer in thick of between −5 and 2.5; and provided:

when di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid is present, the microwavable food package or wrapping film contains 1250 or less specks that are 200 μm in size or larger in 1 m 2 as measured according to film surface analyzer; and further provided:

when there is 0.009 to 0.012 percent by weight of colorant present in the composition, the amount of di- or trifunctional carboxylic acid is greater than 0 percent by weight.

10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the master batch is compounded in an extruder at high temperature and the master batch is blended with the styrenic polymer in an extruder.