LUBRICIOUS THERMOPLASTIC COMPOUNDS AND THERMOPLASTIC ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM

Abstract

Lubricious thermoplastic articles are formed from thermoplastic compounds including (a) thermoplastic elastomer selected from thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether block amide, and combinations thereof; and (b) from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, by weight of the compound, of hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer selected from polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof. The thermoplastic compounds are capable of providing enhanced lubricity in the thermoplastic articles without significant degradation in mechanical properties such as elongation and tensile strength, as compared to thermoplastic articles formed from the neat thermoplastic elastomer and subjected to the same heat processing history.

Claims

1. A lubricious thermoplastic article formed from a thermoplastic compound comprising: (a) from about 55 to about 95 weight percent, by weight of the compound, of thermoplastic elastomer; and (b) from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, by weight of the compound, of hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer selected from polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is selected from thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether block amide, and combinations thereof.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer is selected from polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer, and wherein the polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer is selected from polypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the polypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer has a molar ratio of polyoxyethylene to polypropylene that is less than about 1:1.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein the molar ratio of polyoxyethylene to polypropylene ranges from about 0.6:1 to about 0.9:1.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer is selected from crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone is a powder having a particle size distribution wherein at least 95% of particles have a particle size of less than 250 micrometers.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the article has a Relative Dynamic COF of less than about 0.9.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the article has at least one of a Relative Tensile Strength at Break of greater than about 0.8 and a Relative Elongation at Break of greater than about 0.8.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the article has a Relative Dynamic COF of less than about 0.6, and wherein the article has at least one of a Relative Tensile Strength at Break of greater than about 1 and a Relative Elongation at Break of greater than about 1.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the article has a Relative Dynamic COF (Wet) of less than about 0.5, and wherein the article has both a Relative Tensile Strength at Break of greater than about 1 and a Relative Elongation at Break of greater than about 1.

12. The article of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic compound further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agents; antioxidants and stabilisers; colorants; radiopaque agents; and combinations thereof.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a tube.

14. A method of making the article of claim 1 for an intended use, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing ingredients comprising the thermoplastic elastomer and the hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer; (b) melt mixing the ingredients to provide the thermoplastic elastomer compound; and (c) forming the thermoplastic article.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of forming comprises extruding the thermoplastic elastomer compound.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the intended use comprises inserting the article into a human body.

17. A lubricious thermoplastic article comprising a thermoplastic compound prepared by melt mixing a (a) thermoplastic elastomer; and (b) from about 5 to about 20 weight percent, by weight of the compound, of hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer selected from polyolefin-polyoxyalkylene block copolymer, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein the hydrophilic water-insoluble polymer is selected from crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone is a powder having a particle size distribution wherein at least 95% of particles have a particle size of less than 250 micrometers.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0070] Non-limiting examples of thermoplastic compounds of various embodiments of the disclosed invention are provided.

[0071] Table 2 below shows sources of ingredients for the thermoplastic compounds of the Examples.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Ingredient Description Brand Source Thermoplastic polyurethane PELLETHANE Lubrizol elastomer 2363-80A Thermoplastic polyurethane ELASTOLLAN BASF elastomer 1180A 10 Polyether block amide elastomer PEBAX 3533 SA01 Arkema Polyether block amide elastomer PEBAX 7233 Arkema Polypropylene-polyoxyethylene PELESTAT 300 Sanyo block copolymer Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone KOLLIDON CL-F BASF Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone KOLLIDON CL BASF Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone KOLLIDON CL-SF BASF Radiopaque agent BARIUM SULFATE Multiple

[0072] Table 3 below show the formulations and certain properties of the Examples 1 to 4.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 1 2 3 4 Example Wt. % Ingredients PELLETHANE 2363-80A 90 85 ELASTOLLAN 1180A 10 PEBAX 3533 SA01 90 70 PEBAX 7233 PELESTAT 300 10 15 10 10 KOLLIDON CL-F KOLLIDON CL KOLLIDON CL-SF BARIUM SULFATE 20 TOTAL 100 100 100 100 Properties Hardness (Shore A) 83 84 86 88 Relative Hardness (unitless) 0.95 0.97 1.01 1.04 Tensile Strength at Break 2932 3004 1744 1622 (psi) Relative Tensile Strength 1.07 1.10 0.89 0.91 at Break (unitless) Elongation at Break (%) 336 461 555 511 Relative Elongation at 1.07 1.47 1.09 0.97 Break (unitless) Dynamic COF (unitless) 0.85 0.77 0.196 0.335 Relative Dynamic COF 0.48 0.43 0.12 0.37 (unitless)

[0073] Table 4 below show the formulations and certain properties of the Examples 5 to 7.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 5 6 7 Example Wt. % Ingredients PELLETHANE 2363-80A 90 90 ELASTOLLAN 1180A 10 PEBAX 3533 SA01 90 PEBAX 7233 PELESTAT 300 KOLLIDON CL-F 10 KOLLIDON CL 10 KOLLIDON CL-SF 10 BARIUM SULFATE TOTAL 100 100 100 Properties Hardness (Shore A) 87 88 Relative Hardness (unitless) 1.00 1.01 Tensile Strength at Break 2529 1711 (psi) Relative Tensile Strength 0.92 0.62 at Break (unitless) Elongation at Break (%) 554 554 Relative Elongation at 1.76 1.76 Break (unitless) Dynamic COF (unitless) 0.126 0.11 0.314 Relative Dynamic COF 0.07 0.06 0.20 (unitless)

[0074] Table 5 below show the formulations and certain properties of the Examples 8 to 10.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 8 9 10 Example Wt. % Ingredients PELLETHANE 2363-80A ELASTOLLAN 1180A 10 75 PEBAX 3533 SA01 72 PEBAX 7233 75 PELESTAT 300 KOLLIDON CL-F 5 5 8 KOLLIDON CL KOLLIDON CL-SF BARIUM SULFATE 20 20 20 TOTAL 100 100 100 Properties Hardness (Shore A except * = 86 70 * 86 Shore D) Relative Hardness (unitless) 1.01 1.00 1.02 Tensile Strength at Break 2697 5633 2354 (psi) Relative Tensile Strength 0.89 0.82 1.28 at Break (unitless) Elongation at Break (%) 601 211 542 Relative Elongation at 1.09 0.86 1.04 Break (unitless) Dynamic COF (unitless) 0.535 0.187 0.396 Relative Dynamic COF 0.45 0.87 0.40 (unitless)

[0075] Without undue experimentation, those having ordinary skill in the art can utilize the written description, including the Examples, to make and use aspects of the disclosed invention.

[0076] All documents cited in the Embodiments of the Invention are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety unless otherwise specified. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the disclosed invention.

[0077] While particular embodiments of the disclosed invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications that are within the scope of the disclosed invention.