Plasticizer blends and plastisol compositions comprised thereof
10214628 ยท 2019-02-26
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C08K2201/014
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C08J2300/00
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C08L27/06
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
Abstract
A novel plasticizer blend(s) useful for plastisol compositions, including organisols, having good solvating properties, good viscosity profiles and compatibility with other plasticizers and solvents traditionally used in plastisols, comprising benzoate ester plasticizer(s) and a compatibilizing plasticizer component. Methods for preparing a plastisol having low viscosity and good rheology characteristics and for rendering a benzoate ester plasticizer, or blends thereof, compatible with organic solvents traditionally used in plastisols, by incorporating the novel plasticizer blend(s), which do not require adjusting the solubility parameters of the solvents to accommodate the plasticizer, are disclosed.
Claims
1. A plastisol composition comprising: a) a polymer; b) an organic solvent as a diluent to reduce viscosity wherein the organic solvent is a mineral spirit, cycloaliphatic or other petroleum distillate, detergent alkylate or isoparaffin; and, c) a plasticizer blend comprising a dibenzoate plasticizer as the primary plasticizer mixed in combination with a compatibilizing component consisting of dioctyl succinate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate or 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, present in the plastisol in an amount of about 30 to about 120 phr total plasticizer content, wherein 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate is not used as a compatibilizing component when it comprises a part of the primary plasticizer.
2. The plastisol composition of claim 1, where the primary dibenzoate plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate and mixtures thereof.
3. A method of achieving compatibility between a mixture of a primary dibenzoate plasticizer and an organic solvent in a plastisol, comprising: adding a compatibilizing plasticizer component to the primary dibenzoate plasticizer prior to mixing with the organic solvent, wherein the dibenzoate plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate and mixtures thereof, and wherein the compatibilizing plasticizer component is dioctyl succinate, 3-phenyl propyl benzoate or 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate or mixtures thereof, provided that 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate is not used as a compatibilizing component when it comprises a part of the primary plasticizer, wherein the compatibilizing plasticizer component and primary dibenzoate plasticizer, combined, are present in the plastisol in an amount of about 30 to about 120 phr total plasticizer content, and wherein the organic solvent is a mineral spirit, cycloaliphatic or other petroleum distillate, detergent alkylate or isoparaffin.
4. A method of achieving compatibility between a mixture of a primary dibenzoate plasticizer and an organic solvent in a plastisol, comprising: adding a compatibilizing plasticizer component to the primary dibenzoate plasticizer/organic solvent mixture, wherein the dibenzoate plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate and mixtures thereof, and wherein the compatibilizing plasticizer component is dioctyl succinate, 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate or mixtures thereof, provided that 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate is not used as a compatibilizing component when it comprises a part of the primary plasticizer, wherein the compatibilizing plasticizer component and primary dibenzoate plasticizer, combined, are present in the plastisol in an amount of about 30 to about 120 phr total plasticizer content, and wherein the organic solvent is a mineral spirit, cycloaliphatic or other petroleum distillate, detergent alkylate or isoparaffin.
5. A method for preparing a plastisol having low viscosity comprising: adding a plasticizer blend to an organic solvent and dispersing a polymer therein, wherein the plasticizer blend consists essentially of: a) a dibenzoate ester plasticizer as a primary plasticizer selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, or 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate, and mixtures thereof; and b) a compatibilizing plasticizer component selected from the group consisting of dioctyl succinate, 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate, and mixtures thereof, provided that 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate is not used as a compatibilizing plasticizer component when it comprises a part of the primary plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer blend is present in the plastisol in an amount of about 30 to about 120 phr total plasticizer content, and wherein the organic solvent is a mineral spirit, cycloaliphatic or other petroleum distillate, detergent alkylate or isoparaffin.
6. A plasticizer blend comprising: a) a dibenzoate plasticizer diblend comprising a 4:1 ratio of diethylene glycol dibenzoate to dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, as a primary plasticizer; and b) a compatibilizing plasticizer component that is dioctyl succinate, wherein the ratio of the diblend to the dioctyl succinate is 4:1.
7. A plasticizer blend comprising: a) a dibenzoate plasticizer diblend comprising a 4:1 ratio of diethylene glycol dibenzoate to dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, as a primary plasticizer; and b) a compatibilizing plasticizer component that is 1, 2-propylene glycol dibenzoate, wherein the ratio of the diblend to the 1, 2-propylene glycol dibenzoate is 3:7.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(11) The present invention is based on the discovery that known, incompatible mixtures of benzoate ester plasticizer(s) and organic liquids (solvents) may be rendered compatible by the addition of a compatibilizing plasticizer component to the primary plasticizer, while maintaining good solvating and rheology characteristics.
(12) The present invention is directed to a novel blend of plasticizers that is compatible with a wide variety of polymers, as well as organic diluents traditionally used to lower plastisol viscosity. The novel plasticizer blend comprises benzoate ester plasticizer(s) in combination with a compatibilizing plasticizer component that is compatible with high solvating benzoate plasticizers and capable of rendering them compatible with traditional solvents used in plastisols. Particularly useful compatibilizing plasticizer components include: dioctyl succinate (DOSx), 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate (PGDB), 3-phenyl propyl benzoate, or mixtures thereof, although the invention is not limited as such.
(13) The invention is also directed to a liquid dispersant for polymers comprising the novel plasticizer blend and an organic diluent (solvent). The invention is also directed to a method of rendering the liquid phase components of a plastisol compatible with each other, i.e., compatibilizing the plasticizer/solvent combination to avoid increases in viscosity.
(14) The novel plasticizer blends of the present invention are useful for a variety of plastisol applications. The invention is particularly useful in the flooring industry, but the invention is not limited as such.
(15) In the past, benzoate ester plasticizers have been known to be high solvators with poor rheology characteristics. For many applications, organic diluents (solvents) are required to lower viscosity of the resulting plastisol so that it may be processed using conventional equipment. It is known that the benzoate esters are incompatible with some traditional organic diluents used for viscosity lowering. The novel plasticizer blend of the present invention provides good compatibility between the plasticizer and the organic solvent without the need to change solvents or alter formulations based on the solubility parameters of the components or any mathematical relationships relating to solubility parameters.
(16) The preferred embodiment of the invention is a blend of benzoate ester plasticizers with DOSx, PGDB, or 3-PPB as a compatibilizing plasticizer. The present invention is not restricted to any particular dibenzoate ester plasticizer or blends thereof, compatibilizing plasticizers, or polymers, although the invention may be described in terms of particular components in the examples.
(17) The inventive plasticizer blend can generally be utilized with different polymeric dispersions. By way of non-limiting examples, the inventive plasticizer blend may be used to prepare a reduced viscosity PVC, PVC copolymer or acrylic-based plastisol in accordance with the present invention.
(18) Suitable acrylic polymer compositions useful in the present invention include various polyalkyl methacrylates, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, or allyl methacrylate; or various aromatic methacrylates, such as benzyl methacrylate; or various alkyl acrylates, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, or 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; or various acrylic acids, such as methacrylic acid and styrenated acrylics.
(19) Other polymers for which the inventive plasticizer blend may be useful will be evident to one skilled in the art.
(20) For purposes of the invention, plastisol means a liquid polymer composition comprising a particulate form of at least one non-crosslinked organic polymer dispersed in a liquid phase comprising a plasticizer for the polymer. As used in the invention, plastisol also means and includes an organisol that is a plastisol in which solvents, such as liquid hydrocarbons, ketones, or other organic liquids, are used in amounts greater than about 5 wt. % to control viscosity and other properties of a plastisol.
(21) As used herein, high solvator or high solvating is a term that describes the plasticizer's efficiency in penetrating, thickening, and gelling a plastisol before full physical properties are developed. High solvating means that all of the plasticizer is absorbed into the PVC (or other polymer) of a plastisol at lower temperatures than that for general purpose plasticizers, thus facilitating a faster formation of a homogenous phase.
(22) As used herein, organic diluent, organic solvent, organic liquid, solvent and hydrocarbon liquids are interchangeable.
(23) As used herein, benzoate plasticizer and benzoate ester plasticizer are interchangeable.
(24) Dibenzoate plasticizers useful in the novel plasticizer blend of the invention include but are not limited to: DEGDB, DPGDB, TEGDB, PGDB and blends thereof. Other benzoate ester plasticizers, including the monobenzoates, may be useful in the claimed invention, including 2-ethyl hexyl benzoate (EHB), isononyl benzoate (INB), 3-phenyl propyl benzoate (3-PPB) and isodecyl benzoate (IDB).
(25) Compatibilizing plasticizer component(s) useful in the present invention include but are not limited to: dioctyl succinate (DOSx), PGDB, 3-PPB, or combinations thereof. Other compatibilizing plasticizer components that are compatible with high solvating benzoate plasticizers are known to one skilled in the art. The characteristic of useful compatibilizing plasticizer components is that it must be capable of rendering high solvating dibenzoate plasticizer systems compatible with traditional solvents used in plastisols, as contemplated by the invention.
(26) The compatibilizing plasticizer component is added to the plasticizer in amounts ranging from about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. %, based upon the total plasticizer content. Amounts lower or higher than the stated range are within the scope of the invention, because amounts of the compatibilizing plasticizer useful in the invention also depend on the amount of organic solvent being utilized. Higher solvent amounts require more compatibilizing plasticizer than lower solvent amounts.
(27) The total amount of plasticizers used in any particular polymeric dispersion would range broadly depending on the particular polymer, the characteristics of the polymer and other components, the process, the application or use and the results desired. Generally, the total amount of plasticizers ranges from about 1 to about 300, desirably from about 10 to about 100, and preferably from about 20 to about 80 phr for one or more thermoplastic, thermoset, or elastomeric polymers, including without limitation those identified above. A particularly preferred embodiment is a plastisol comprising from about 30 to about 120 phr total plasticizer content.
(28) Organic diluents useful in plastisols include liquid hydrocarbon mixtures, ketones, and other organic liquids. A traditional organic diluent comprises a mixture of C.sub.10-C.sub.16 alkyl benzenes with about 20% normal low molecular weight paraffins available commercially as Santicizer 375 (Ferro Corp.), among others. Other organic diluents useful in plastisols include solvents such as mineral spirits, cycloaliphatic or other petroleum distillates, detergent alkylates or isoparaffins and the like. Organic diluents are used in plastisols in wide ranging amounts. Plastisols that contain a total of more than about 5 wt. % liquid diluent, in addition to the amount of the required plasticizers, are referred to as organisols.
(29) The novel plasticizer blend may be pre-mixed prior to adding to a plastisol or organic diluent, or the compatibilizing plasticizer component may be post-added to a blend of the benzoate ester plasticizer and organic liquid. Adding the compatibilizing plasticizer component to a blend of the benzoate plasticizer and organic liquid may require less of the compatibilizing component than if the plasticizer blend is pre-mixed.
(30) Useful amounts for the components of the novel plasticizer blend are included in the examples. It is expected that one skilled in the art would be able to arrive at additional acceptable amounts based on the intended use and desired performance in the particular polymeric application.
(31) Plastisols of the present invention may also include, in addition to the plasticizer and organic diluent, conventional additives, such as oils, antioxidants, surfactants, heat stabilizers, flame retardants, surfactants, blending resins, fillers, waxes, other solvents and the like, depending on the particular application or polymeric dispersion. Additive amounts can generally vary widely and often range from about 0.1 to about 75 parts by weight for every 100 parts by weight of the plastisol composition.
(32) There are a large variety of uses for the plastisols of the invention, including but not limited to resilient flooring, wear layers, wall coverings, toys, gloves, and leather and textile applications. Other uses will be known and evident to one skilled in the art based upon the description of the invention herein.
(33) The invention is further described by the examples set forth herein.
EXAMPLES
(34) It was discovered that dibenzoates were not compatible nor miscible with Santicizer 375 (S-375), a traditional liquid hydrocarbon diluent used for plastisols to lower viscosity, comprising a mixture of C.sub.10-C.sub.16 alkyl benzenes and about 20% normal low molecular weight paraffins. Unexpectedly, a simple addition of dioctyl succinate (DOSx) rendered the dibenzoates completely compatible with the S-375. In addition, it was discovered that blending sufficient amounts of a dibenzoate, 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate (PGDB) with other dibenzoate esters previously known to be incompatible with the solvent, unexpectedly rendered the entire dibenzoate blend compatible with the solvent.
(35) The following plasticizer and solvent components were utilized in the examples: K-Flex 975 P (975 P)a dibenzoate triblend (20 wt. % 1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate (PGDB) with 80 wt. % of a 4:1 DEGDB/DPGDB diblend) K-Flex 850 P (850 P)a dibenzoate diblend (4:1 DEGDB:DPGDB) K-Flex PG1,2-propylene glycol dibenzoate (PGDB) X-6133-phenyl propyl benzoate (3-PPB) Santicizer 375 (S-375)liquid organic diluent comprising a mixture of C.sub.10-C.sub.16 alkyl benzenes and 20% normal low molecular weight paraffins
Example 1
(36) DOSx Liquid Component Experiments.
(37) The first example evaluated K-Flex 975 P (dibenzoate triblend) and DOSx in different ratios with the organic diluent. The plasticizer components were mixed first, then the S-375 was added. The mixture was shaken again, and the compatibility, based upon clarity and phase separation or homogeneity, was recorded on a 0-10 scale, with 0 being completely incompatible (separate phases), and 10 being completely compatible (clear homogeneous liquid). The results are shown below in Table 1.
(38) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 975 P DOSx Compatible Run (g) (g) S-375 (g) (0-10) 1 24.09 2.31 3.6 10 2 25.08 1.32 3.6 10 3 23.76 2.64 3.6 10 4 21.12 5.28 3.6 10 5 25.08 1.32 3.6 9slow 6 22.44 3.96 3.6 10 7 23.1 3.3 3.6 10 8 25.08 1.32 3.6 9slow 9 21.12 5.28 3.6 10 10 22.11 4.29 3.6 10 11 21.12 5.28 3.6 10
(39) The K-Flex 975 P was then replaced with K-Flex 850 P (dibenzoate diblend), and the experiment was performed again. The results are shown in Table 2.
(40) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 850 P DOSx Compatible Run (g) (g) S-375 (g) (0-10) 1 24.09 2.31 3.6 10 2 25.08 1.32 3.6 9slow 3 23.76 2.64 3.6 10 4 21.12 5.28 3.6 10 5 25.08 1.32 3.6 9slow 6 22.44 3.96 3.6 10 7 23.1 3.3 3.6 10 8 25.08 1.32 3.6 9slow 9 21.12 5.28 3.6 10 10 22.11 4.29 3.6 10 11 21.12 5.28 3.6 10
(41) Based on these two experiments, it was concluded that about 8.7% of DOSx, based on the total weight of the plasticizer components, was needed to achieve complete compatibility of the K-Flex 975 P (dibenzoate triblend) or K-Flex 850 P (dibenzoate diblend) with S-375.
Example 2
(42) PGDB & DOSx Liquid Component Experiments.
(43) The experiment was changed to include varying ratios of K-Flex PG (PGDB) in the plasticizer system. This evaluation allowed for formulations where DOSx was completely removed from the mixture, and the compatibility of the mixture of K-Flex PG and K-Flex 850 P was determined with S-375. The results are shown below in Table 3.
(44) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 850 P PG DOS S-375 Compatible Run (g) (g) (g) (g) (0-10) 1 13.34 3.34 3.34 5 10 2 0 20 0 5 10 3 3.34 13.34 3.34 5 10 4 0 0 20 5 10 5 20 0 0 5 0 6 10 0 10 5 10 7 6.66 6.66 6.66 5 10 8 0 20 0 5 10 9 10 10 0 5 0 10 20 0 0 5 0 11 10 10 0 5 0 12 0 10 10 5 10 13 0 0 20 5 10 14 3.34 3.34 13.34 5 10
(45) This experiment showed that PG and DOSx, alone, are compatible with S-375. These results show that there are more opportunities to vary the amount of PG used in dibenzoate plasticizer mixtures to facilitate solubility and compatibility in a plastisol composition, which would have been otherwise closed to dibenzoate plasticizers.
Example 3
(46) PGDB Liquid Component Experiment.
(47) Another experiment was performed to determine how much K-Flex PG was needed to achieve complete compatibility between the K-Flex 850 P (dibenzoate diblend) and the S-375. The results are shown below in Table 4.
(48) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Compatible Run 80 P (g) PG (g) S-375 (g) (0-10) 1 10 10 10 0 2 8 12 10 8some gradient lines 3 6 14 10 10
(49) The results suggested that a higher percentage of the compatibilizing plasticizer, PGDB, is needed in the inventive plasticizer blends, than is required for DOSx, to achieve complete compatibility. However, this may not be the case, because the percentage (%) of S-375 in each of the tested blends varied (from 12% in the original DOSx testing (Example 1) to 30% in the PGDB testing above in Table 4). With less solvent (S-375) in the PGDB testing, less PGDB would be required to compatibilize the system. Regardless, the results showed that by varying the ratios of dibenzoate plasticizers, complete compatibility with the organic diluent may be achieved, without altering the solvent.
Example 4
(50) 3-PPB Liquid Component Experiments.
(51) This experiment evaluated the compatibility of X-613 (3-PPB, a monobenzoate) with S-375, an organic diluent used in the flooring industry that is not typically compatible with most dibenzoates. Because the X-613 monobenzoate is useful in plastisols as a viscosity reducer, compatibility with S-375 was considered important.
(52) A simple one-to-one mixture of X-613 and S-375 was combined in a vial and hand shaken. The mixture cleared right away, indicating complete compatibility of the two components. Following this discovery, blends of X-613 with K-Flex 850 P (dibenzoate diblend) were prepared to determine the minimum amount of X-613 necessary to compatibilize K-Flex 850 P with S-375. The use of X-613 in a blend with K-Flex 850 P would be useful as X-613 should help to reduce viscosity in plastisols. Table 5 shows the results of the premixed benzoate blend testing; 0 indicates a cloudy/emulsified mixture, 10 indicates a clear mixture (compatible).
(53) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Minimum level of X-613 in a premixed blend with 850 P to have compatibility with S-375 (present at an additional ~30%). X-613 850 P Clarity 16.7% 83.3% 0 20.0% 80.0% 0 23.1% 76.9% 10
(54) As shown in Table 5, the minimum amount of X-613 necessary in a blend of K-Flex 850 P to allow complete compatibility with S-375 was approximately 23%.
(55) Additional testing was performed to determine what amount of X-613 would be necessary to compatibilize K-Flex 975 P (dibenzoate triblend) with S-375. It was expected that it would require less X-613, as K-Flex PG is completely compatible with S-375 and is present in K-Flex 975 P at 20 wt. %. Table 6 sets forth the amount of X-613 determined to be necessary in a premixed benzoate blend to achieve compatibility with S-375.
(56) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Minimum level of X-613 in a premixed blend with 975 P to have compatibility with S-375 (present at an additional ~30%). X-613 975 P Clarity 9.1% 90.9% 0 14.5% 85.5% 0 16.7% 83.3% 10
(57) As shown in Table 6, for complete compatibility with S-375, the minimum amount of X-613 in a blend with K-Flex 975 P is approximately 17%.
(58) During testing, it was discovered that premixing the primary dibenzoate plasticizers with the compatibilizing plasticizer component, versus post-adding the compatibilizing plasticizer component to a blend of the solvent and primary plasticizer, made a difference in the amount necessary to achieve compatibility. Typically, when post-adding the compatibilizing component to a blend of S-375 and incompatible dibenzoate(s), less of the compatibilizing plasticizer component was needed. Therefore, the harsher and more relevant test involves premixing the benzoates before adding the S-375.
Example 5
(59) Liquid Component Compatibility Testing.
(60) Several neat liquid compatibility tests were run in order to determine the proper ratios of liquid raw materials used in a typical S-375 wear layer formulation. Each component was weighed into a vial; the vial was shaken and observed for clarity. When the liquid components came out clear or somewhat cloudy when shaken together for a given formulation, it was found that the viscosity of that formulation was low once it was prepared. When the liquid components were very cloudy and separated after resting, the prepared formulation had a high viscosity due to the incompatibility of the liquids in the system.
(61) The following components were evaluated: BBP, K-Flex 850 P (dibenzoate diblend), DOSx, S-375, TXIB (trimethyl pentanyl diisobutyrate), Viscobyk 4040 (low volatility viscosity depressant for plastisols), and Mark 1221 (Ca/Zn organic stabilizer for plastisols).
(62) Table 7, below, outlines the neat liquid compatibility observations determined on several iterations of the wear layer formulation. The end result was that TXIB was removed from the formulation as it was found to be playing the same role as PGDB or DOSx does in rendering the liquids in the system compatible.
(63) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Neat Liquid Compatibility Observations Raw Material (parts) Viscobyk Mark Compatibility Observations Run BBP KF850P DOSx S-375 TXIB 4040 1221 Clear Cloudy Layered 1 8 2 X 2 8 2 1.2 X 3 8 2 0.5 X 4 8 2 0.8 X 5 8 2 0.7 X 6 8 2 0.6 X 7 8 2 0.8 0.4 X 8 8 2 0.8 0.4 0.8 X 9 8 2 0.7 0.1 X 10 8 2 0.7 0.1 0.4 X 11 8 2 1.2 0.4 X 12 2 0.4 X 13 8 0.4 clear-settled cloudy-initial 14 8 2 0.4 0.8 X X 15 8 2 0.4 0.8 X 16 8 0.4 X 17 6.8 1.2 2 0.4 0.8 X
Example 6
(64) Test Methodology.
(65) The various methodologies used to evaluate the formulations of Examples 6 and 7 in plastisols are set forth below.
(66) AR2000 Gel/Fusion Method:
(67) The 25 mm ETC steel plate geometry was used in combination with the ETC. The gap was set at 800 m. The temperature was ramped at a rate of 5 C./min from 40 C. to 200 C. using a controlled strain of 2% and an angular frequency of 1 rad/sec.
(68) AR2000 Shear Method, Steel Plate:
(69) A 20 mm steel plate geometry with Peltier plate and gap set to 200 m was used. A dime sized amount of plastisol was placed on the Peltier plate. The shear ramp was run at 25 C. from 0 to 1000 s.sup.1 over five minutes.
(70) Brookfield Viscosity Method:
(71) The Brookfield viscosity was tested using a RVDVII+ Pro Viscometer. A 30 second reading at 20 RPMs was taken; temperature was 231 C.
(72) Formulations:
(73) Dry ingredients were mixed into liquid ingredients at 500 RPM; speed was increased to 750 RPM and mixed for 10 minutes. A water bath was utilized when necessary to keep the plastisol from overheating during mixing (kept temperature under 30 C.). Plastisols were degassed thoroughly prior to testing.
(74) Wear Layer Formulations.
(75) The four wear layer formulations that were evaluated are shown in Table 8, below. The controls included a positive control (PC), comprising BBP, which demonstrated typical expected performance, and a negative control (NC), replacing BBP with K-Flex 850P, a dibenzoate diblend, which demonstrated higher viscosities consistent with an incompatibility between the raw materials of the formulation. The inventive examples are designated as IE.
(76) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Wear Layer Formulations (amounts shown in PHR) Raw Material Controls Inventive Examples (amounts in PHR) Positive (PC) Negative (NC) IE-DOSx IE-PGDB Geon 172 80 80 80 80 (PVC) Geon 217 20 20 20 20 (PVC homopolymer) BBP 40 K-Flex 850P 40 32 12 (X250) K-Flex PG 28 (PGDB) DOSx 8 Santicizer 375 10 10 10 10 Mark 1221 4 4 4 4 Viscobyk 4040 2 2 2 2 Total 156 156 156 156
(77) The viscosity results of these samples are shown in
(78) The shear results from initial through seven days are shown in
(79) Gel/fusion results determined for the inventive blends are shown in
Example 7
(80) Blending Ratio Experiments.
(81) To further evaluate the proper ratio of K-Flex 850P (X-250) to DOSx in a wear layer formulation, several blends of this inventive example were prepared and tested. The resultant viscosity data is shown in Table 9, below. The initial, one day and seven day ramp response results are also depicted in
(82) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Initial 1 Day 7 Day Vis- Vis- Vis- Formulation cosity Temp cosity Temp cosity Temp NC -850P 1815 22.9 2085 22.7 2035 23.2 PC - BBP Control 722 22.5 1496 22.6 3795 23.3 IE-DOSx - 32:8 842 22.2 944 23.4 1262 23.7 850P/DOSx IE-PGDB - 12:28 858 23.1 1010 22.6 1200 23.2 850P/PGDB 34:6 850P/DOSx 1040 23 1126 23.1 1325 23.6 36:4 850P/DOSx 1105 23.1 1190 22.4 1536 23.1
(83) For the wear layer formulations tested in the above experiments, it was determined that a ratio of 4:1 K-Flex 850P:DOSx or 3:7 K-Flex 850P:PGDB is required to obtain a compatible system with low viscosity that is comparable to the BBP control. The inventive examples exhibited improved viscosity stability over the BBP control as reflected by the dramatic increase in viscosity for the BBP control over seven days of testing.
(84) While in accordance with the patent statutes the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.