Biodegradable textiles, masterbatches, and method of making biodegradable fibers
A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO 3 , an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.
1. A masterbatch comprising:
39-48 weight % polyethylene terephthalate (PET);
39-49 weight % polycaprolactone (PCL); and
1 weight % calcium carbonate.
2. The masterbatch according to claim 1 and further comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of 5-10 weight % polylactic acid (PLA), 5-10 weight % polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), 5-10 weight % polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), 10-20 weight % polybutylene succinate (PBS), 1 weight % silicon dioxide, and combinations of these compositions.
3. A molten intermediate, comprising:
the masterbatch of claim 1 ; and
at least 90 mass % of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.
4. A quenched, size-characterized plurality of polymer pellets formed from the molten intermediate of claim 3 .
5. A quenched polymer filament formed from the molten intermediate of claim 3 .
6. The molten intermediate of claim 3
further comprising polybutylene succinate (PBS) in an amount of 9-11 mass %; and
at least 90 mass % of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.
7. The molten intermediate of claim 3 consisting essentially of:
0.39-0.49 weight % polycaprolactone (PCL); and
0.01 weight % calcium carbonate; and
at least 90 mass % polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
8. The molten intermediate of claim 3 and further comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of 0.05-0.1 weight % polylactic acid (PLA), 0.05-0.1 weight % polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), 0.05-0.1 weight % polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), 0.10-0.20 weight % polybutylene succinate (PBS), 0.01 weight % silicon dioxide, and combinations of these compositions.