IMPROVED THERMOPLASTIC CONDENSATE POLYMERS AND METHOD TO FORM THEM
Copolymers of condensation polymers are formed by a method of cleaving and reacting with a chain extender to form an end capped cleaved condensation polymer that is further reacted with a second compound that may be comprised of a further chain extender and condensation polymer that react with a reactive group still remaining in the chain extender capping the cleaved condensation polymer. The method allows the formation of block copolymers, branched copolymers and star polymers of differing condensation polymers bonded through the residue of a chain extender.
1 . A method of forming a chain extended condensation polymer comprising:
(i) heating a condensation polymer to within 50° C. of its melting temperature under and in the presence of multifunctional chain extender to cause a portion of the condensation polymer to be cleaved to form a cleaved polymer having a cleaved end, wherein the chain extender reacts with at least a portion of the cleaved ends to form an end capped cleaved condensation polymer having an end cap that has at least one condensation reactive group,
(ii) reacting a second compound having a reactive group that reacts with the end cap reactive group of the cleaved condensation polymer to form the chain extended condensation polymer, the second compound being different than the condensation polymer.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multifunctional chain extender is comprised at least two functional groups comprised of epoxides, carboxylic acids, alcohols, anhydrides, amines, isocyanates, aziridines, oxazolines, phoshite esters, or combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chain extender has about 2 to about 10 carboxylic acid moieties.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chain extender has at least two functional groups having different reactivity.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the chain extender functional group is a carboxylic acid, epoxide, or anhydride.
6 . The method of claim, wherein the functional group of the chain extender is comprised of an anhydride.
7 . (canceled)
8 . (canceled)
9 . (canceled)
10 . (canceled)
11 . (canceled)
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the end cap has at least 2 to 5 reactive groups.
13 . (canceled)
14 . A block copolymer comprising a plurality of blocks and each block is a condensation polymer that is attached to another block through the residue of a chain extender with at least two blocks being chemically different.
15 . The block copolymer of claim 14 , wherein the blocks are selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamideimide, polyimide, or polyacetal.
16 . The block copolymer either claim 15 , wherein at least one block is the polyamide and at least one block is the polyester.
17 . (canceled)
18 . (canceled)
19 . (canceled)
20 . The block copolymer of claim 14 , wherein the block copolymer has an A block and a B block having an A-B-A or A-B-A-B-A block structure.
21 . The block copolymer of claim 20 , wherein the A block is a polyester or polyamide and the B block is a polyester or polyamide.
22 . The block of copolymer of claim 14 , wherein the block copolymer is a compatibilizer.
23 . A branched block copolymer comprising, a plurality of blocks, each block being a condensation polymer and each block and branch is attached through the residue of a chain extender with at least one block or one branch being different than another branch or block of the branched block copolymer.
24 . The branched block copolymer of claim 23 , wherein the blocks and branches are polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamideimide, polyimide, or polyacetal.
25 . The branched block copolymer of claim 24 , wherein at least one block or branch is the polyamide.
26 . The branched block copolymer of claim 25 , wherein at least one block or branch is a polyester.
27 . The branched block copolymer of claim 23 , wherein the chain extender is comprised of the residue of at least two functional groups comprised of epoxides, carboxylic acids, alcohols, anhydrides, amines, isocyanates, aziridines, oxazolines, phoshite esters, or combination thereof.
28 . The branched block copolymer of claim 27 , wherein the chain extender functional group is a carboxylic acid, epoxide, or anhydride.
29 . The branched block copolymer of claim 23 , wherein the branched block copolymer has one or more rheological properties that is different by at least about 10% compared to a linear condensation polymer comprised of the same chemical and essentially same molecular weight and polydispersity.
30 - 37 . (canceled)