Versatile color concentrate for clear polymers
A color concentrate comprising a high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin carrier that can be used in the manufacturing of colored clear plastics.
1. A method of forming a clear polymer article comprising:
a. forming a solid color concentrate by mixing a high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin having a molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000, a dispersant, and at least one colorant; and
b. mixing the color concentrate with a melt-processible polymer selected from polycarbonate (PC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PET modified with cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), copolyester, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polysulfone, specialty polyamides, or a combination of two or more thereof to form a polymeric article having less than 20% haze as determined by ASTM D 1003.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the color concentrate comprises about 0.10% to about 2.0% by weight of the melt-processible polymer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin has a molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 30,000.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.55 dl/g to about 0.65 dl/g.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin has a glass transition temperature of between about 50° C. and 80° C.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the high molecular weight thermoplastic saturated polyester resin comprises about 20% by weight to about 99.9% by weight and the at least one colorant comprises about 0.1% to about 80% by weight.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming of the color concentrate further includes mixing an additive selected from the group of antioxidants, ultraviolet light absorbers, light stabilizers, flame-retardants, antibacterial agents, surface tension reducers, deodorizing agents, anti-static agents, anti-blocking agents, plasticizer agents, fillers, and blowing agents.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the additive is present in an amount of about 5-60% by weight.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the additive includes at least one component selected from a group consisting of: antioxidant, an ultraviolet light absorber, and a light stabilizer and, when present, the component is 0-15% by weight of an antioxidant; 0-45% by weight of an ultraviolet light absorber, and 0-45% by weight of a light stabilizer.