EP1203039A1 - Biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and method of manufacture - Google Patents
Biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and method of manufactureInfo
- Publication number
- EP1203039A1 EP1203039A1 EP00952623A EP00952623A EP1203039A1 EP 1203039 A1 EP1203039 A1 EP 1203039A1 EP 00952623 A EP00952623 A EP 00952623A EP 00952623 A EP00952623 A EP 00952623A EP 1203039 A1 EP1203039 A1 EP 1203039A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- film
- mol
- acid
- aromatic polyester
- glycol
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 27
- 229920006267 polyester film Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Terephthalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C1=CC=C(C(O)=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Malonic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC(O)=O OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bisulfite Chemical compound OS([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 109
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 20
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000009477 glass transition Effects 0.000 description 8
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 7
- -1 alkaline earth metal salt Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000009264 composting Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000009864 tensile test Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- RTBFRGCFXZNCOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-methylsulfonylpiperidin-4-one Chemical compound CS(=O)(=O)N1CCC(=O)CC1 RTBFRGCFXZNCOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- CARJPEPCULYFFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-Sulfo-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid Chemical class OC(=O)C1=CC(C(O)=O)=CC(S(O)(=O)=O)=C1 CARJPEPCULYFFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- JFCQEDHGNNZCLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N anhydrous glutaric acid Natural products OC(=O)CCCC(O)=O JFCQEDHGNNZCLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910001120 nichrome Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001225 polyester resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004645 polyester resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 3
- WNLRTRBMVRJNCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N adipic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCCCC(O)=O WNLRTRBMVRJNCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052784 alkaline earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- BDJRBEYXGGNYIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N nonanedioic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCCCCCCC(O)=O BDJRBEYXGGNYIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006122 polyamide resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000006068 polycondensation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000379 polymerizing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920005672 polyolefin resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 2
- CXMXRPHRNRROMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N sebacic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCCCCCCCC(O)=O CXMXRPHRNRROMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- JSYUFUJLFRBMEN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-sulfobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid Chemical class OC(=O)C1=CC=C(S(O)(=O)=O)C(C(O)=O)=C1 JSYUFUJLFRBMEN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WNKQDGLSQUASME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-sulfophthalic acid Chemical class OC(=O)C1=CC=C(S(O)(=O)=O)C=C1C(O)=O WNKQDGLSQUASME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001273 Polyhydroxy acid Polymers 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KDYFGRWQOYBRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Succinic acid Natural products OC(=O)CCC(O)=O KDYFGRWQOYBRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001361 adipic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011037 adipic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001342 alkaline earth metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052787 antimony Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N antimony atom Chemical compound [Sb] WATWJIUSRGPENY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006167 biodegradable resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- KDYFGRWQOYBRFD-NUQCWPJISA-N butanedioic acid Chemical compound O[14C](=O)CC[14C](O)=O KDYFGRWQOYBRFD-NUQCWPJISA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002361 compost Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000013039 cover film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920006237 degradable polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000009313 farming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010413 gardening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009998 heat setting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009863 impact test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011256 inorganic filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910003475 inorganic filler Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021645 metal ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VUZPPFZMUPKLLV-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane;hydrate Chemical compound C.O VUZPPFZMUPKLLV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OJURWUUOVGOHJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N methyl 2-[(2-acetyloxyphenyl)methyl-[2-[(2-acetyloxyphenyl)methyl-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]acetate Chemical compound C=1C=CC=C(OC(C)=O)C=1CN(CC(=O)OC)CCN(CC(=O)OC)CC1=CC=CC=C1OC(C)=O OJURWUUOVGOHJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000002362 mulch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005026 oriented polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004798 oriented polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012785 packaging film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006280 packaging film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000575 pesticide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006381 polylactic acid film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000006116 polymerization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011342 resin composition Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006300 shrink film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 159000000000 sodium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- YXTFRJVQOWZDPP-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;3,5-dicarboxybenzenesulfonate Chemical compound [Na+].OC(=O)C1=CC(C(O)=O)=CC(S([O-])(=O)=O)=C1 YXTFRJVQOWZDPP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000002910 solid waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003460 sulfonic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000014616 translation Effects 0.000 description 1
- ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCOCCO ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J5/00—Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances
- C08J5/18—Manufacture of films or sheets
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
- C08G63/68—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
- C08G63/688—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen containing sulfur
- C08G63/6884—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen containing sulfur derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
- C08G63/6886—Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
- C08G63/66—Polyesters containing oxygen in the form of ether groups
- C08G63/668—Polyesters containing oxygen in the form of ether groups derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
- C08G63/672—Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2367/00—Characterised by the use of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J2367/04—Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids, e.g. lactones
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and a method for manufacturing the film.
- the invention relates more particularly to an oriented aromatic polyester film and its manufacture, which film is biodegradable, transparent and heat-sealable by conventional sealing techniques such as impulse sealing, high-frequency sealing and ultrasonic sealing.
- the film has selectively low moisture vapor transmission, low oxygen or carbon dioxide transmission to meet the requirements of a gas barrier necessary for packaging materials, and is endowed with excellent mechanical strength, making it highly suitable for use in such applications as packaging materials.
- JP-A 6-23836 and JP-A 7-205278 describe biodegradable films and methods for their production, which films are biaxially oriented films produced by melt-extruding a biodegradable polylactic acid polymer as a film then orienting the extruded film.
- Such films have properties similar to those of films endowed with good strength and clarity, such as oriented polypropylene film, oriented polystyrene film and oriented polyethylene terephthalate film.
- Tokuhyo 5-508819 discloses a film of improved properties, including strength, stiffness and clarity, that is formed by extruding a polyhydroxy acid composition, then carrying out stretching treatment to give a biaxially oriented film.
- Films made of ordinary resins such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins and polyvinyl chloride resins are currently widely used today as packaging materials.
- the relevant properties (e.g., mechanical strength, clarity and gas barrier properties) of the films generally fall somewhat short of the properties of resins that have hitherto been used in packaging materials, such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins and polyvinyl chloride resins.
- oriented films made of polylactic acid resins have improved strength and clarity. Yet, they continue to lack sufficient stiffness, impact resistance, heat-sealability and gas barrier properties for practical use.
- the melting point is 170°C. Because the temperature difference with the glass transition temperature (about 60°C) and with the crystallization temperature (about 110°C) is small, the allowable range of conditions for carrying out orientation is narrow. Hence, film composed of this type of resin is poorly suitable for orientation.
- Such a film should further have excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance, as exhibited by polyethylene terephthalate.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing oriented aromatic polyester films which has a broad range of suitable orientation conditions and presents no problem in production of the film.
- an oriented aromatic polyester film having excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance can be obtained by forming a film from a polyester copolymer having repeating units composed of terephthalic acid, a sulfonic acid salt, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, then subjecting the formed film to orientation.
- the invention provides an oriented aromatic polyester film comprising an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component which is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a glycol component which is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol.
- the film has at least one of an impulse seal strength and high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm.
- the invention also provide an oriented aromatic polyester film having moisture vapor transmission not greater than 150g/m »d, oxygen transmission not greater than 300 cc/g m •d « atm, carbon dioxide transmission not greater than 1000 cc/g m 2# d»atm. Moreover, the film may be ultrasonically sealable.
- the invention further provides a method for manufacturing an oriented aromatic polyester film having an impulse seal strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm. The method comprises the steps of preparing an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component and a glycol component, wherein the acid component is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to
- an oriented aromatic polyester film comprising an aromatic polyester copolymer.
- the copolymer has repeating units comprising an acid component and a glycol component.
- the acid component is about 50 to 90 mol %, and preferably, about 52 to 83 mol %, terephthalic acid.
- the acid component is about 0.2 to 6 mol%, and preferably about 2 to 5 mol%, sulfomc acid metal salt.
- sulfonic acid metal salt include metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, metal salts of 4-sulfoisophthalic acid, and metal salts of 4-sulfophthalic acid. Of these, metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid are preferred.
- metal ions include ions of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium, or of alkaline earth metals such as magnesium.
- the most preferred sulfonic acid metal salt is the sodium salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid.
- the sulfonic acid metal salt is not only relatively expensive, when used in excess it renders the polyester water-soluble and moreover affects physical characteristics such as film shrinkage.
- the sulfonic acid metal salt significantly contributes to the degradability of the resulting film even at a low content of 0.2 mol %.
- the acid component is about 4 to 49.8 mol %, and preferably about 10 to 45 mol %, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid.
- the glass transition temperature cannot be significantly lowered.
- an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid level in excess of 49.8 mol % invites a decline in the glass transition temperature, causing a loss of suitable stiffness in the film.
- the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid preferably has 2 to 18 carbons, and more preferably 2 to 10 carbons. Illustrative examples include azelaic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid and glutaric acid. Of these, glutaric acid is preferred. Composting that involves the degradation of plastic film is typically carried out under high-temperature, high-humidity conditions. Because this is generally done at a temperature of about 70°C or less, the polyester should have a glass transition temperature (Tg) not higher than preferably about 70°C, and especially about 65°C. In the invention, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is used to set the glass transition temperature not higher than about 70°C.
- Tg glass transition temperature
- an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is used to set the glass transition temperature not higher than about 70°C.
- An ester-forming derivative of the dicarboxylic acid such as the dimethyl ester, may be used in place of the dicarboxylic acid.
- the glycol component is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol, and preferably about 80 to 98 mol % ethylene glycol and about 2 to 20 mol % diethylene glycol. More than 50 mol % of diethylene glycol units adversely influences the mechanical properties of the film, such as the tensile strength, whereas less than 0.1 mol % results in poor degradability.
- the glass transition temperature may be further lowered by substituting up to 20 mol % of the ethylene glycol with another glycol such as triethylene glycol.
- a balanced range of properties can be achieved by preparing the film of the present invention by choosing selected amounts of respective components within the above mol% ranges. If it is desired to enhance the mechanical properties of the film, the amount of terephthalic acid is increased, and if it is desired to enhance biodegradability, the amount of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is increased, resulting in a lower glass transition temperature (T g ).
- the aromatic polyester polymer used to form the inventive film can generally be prepared by any well-known polymerization method.
- a straight-chain polyester in which the monomer units are randomly distributed along the molecular chain can be prepared by charging a polymerizer with all of the above monomer constituents together with antimony or some other catalyst, and carrying out polycondensation under suitable polycondensation conditions.
- Another method that may be used involves initially reacting two or more of the monomer constituents to prepare a prepolymer, then adding the remaining monomer constituents and polymerizing.
- the aromatic polyester polymer used to form the film of the invention decomposes under the high-humidity, high-temperature conditions typical of composting.
- polyester copolymer that forms the inventive film typically has an intrinsic viscosity within a range of 0.1 to 1.5, and preferably 0.3 to 1.2.
- the oriented aromatic polyester film of the present invention has an impulse strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm.
- "Impulse seal strength” refers to the strength measured by the impulse seal method.
- sealing is effected in a conventional manner by a conventional sealing apparatus.
- the sealing apparatus includes a nichrome wire having a 2 mm width.
- the sealing areas of separate sheets of films are overlapped and pressed with the nichrome wire while a pulsed current is passed through the wire to effect momentary heating and sealing of the film.
- the sealed film is then cut into 15 mm wide strips perpendicular to a seal bar, which is a part sealed in the films.
- the maximum strength of the sealing area is measured by means of a tensile test according to JIS K7127. This value is the impulse seal strength.
- High-frequency sealing is a method for sealing in which the films subjected to sealing are heat-bonded by the heat generated inside the films when such films are placed in a high-frequency electric field. High-frequency sealing is measured by the same tensile test as described for impulse seal strength. "High- frequency seal strength refers” to the strength of the films prepared according to this invention.
- the film of the present invention has a moisture vapor transmission not greater than 150g/m2'd, oxygen transmission not greater than 300 cc/g m 2» d'atm, carbon dioxide transmission not greater than 1000 cc/g m 2, d » atm.
- the film has an ultrasonic seal strength such that it is useful for use a packaging material.
- the oriented aromatic polyester film of the invention is well-suited for use in a range of applications, including agricultural and horticultural supplies such as mulch film for farming and gardening use, seed tape, pesticide bags and composting waste bags; household supplies such as bags for kitchen scraps, water drainage bags, shopping bags, paper cups and paper dishes; business supplies such as coated paper for recycling paper products, printed laminates, card covers, window envelopes, and cover film for printed paper; hygienic supplies such as paper diaper backing sheets, sanitary napkins, disposable gloves and laundry bags; and general packaging applications such as bottles, shrink films for various use, food packaging films and wrapping films.
- agricultural and horticultural supplies such as mulch film for farming and gardening use, seed tape, pesticide bags and composting waste bags
- household supplies such as bags for kitchen scraps, water drainage bags, shopping bags, paper cups and paper dishes
- business supplies such as coated paper for recycling paper products, printed laminates, card covers, window envelopes, and cover film for printed paper
- hygienic supplies such as paper diaper backing sheets, sanitary napkins, disposable
- a method for manufacturing an oriented aromatic polyester film comprises the step of preparing an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component which is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a glycol component which is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol.
- the method further comprises the step of forming an unstretched film using the above aromatic polyester polymer.
- the process of forming the unstretched film involves feeding aromatic polyester polymer-containing flakes to an extruder, melting the flakes, extruding the melt through a film die, then rapidly cooling the extruded material on a chill roll to form an unstretched film having a thickness within a range of about 5 to 300 ⁇ m. The film is then collected on a winding roll. Next, the resulting unstretched film is oriented.
- the film is uniaxially oriented at a fixed width, consecutively biaxially oriented or simultaneously biaxially oriented within a temperature range defined by the glass transition temperature as the lower limit and the crystallization temperature as the upper limit, thereby giving an oriented aromatic polyester film having an impulse seal strength and high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/ 15 mm.
- the orientation step is carried out as follows.
- a set of nip rolls comprising a metal roll in association with a rubber roll, vacuum-type suction rolls, or both nip rolls and suction rolls are used as rotating rolls capable of providing the holding strength necessary to restrict the speed of film travel.
- the film that has been rapidly cooled after formation is passed through the rotating rolls at a restricted speed to effect orientation in the machine direction (MD).
- MD machine direction
- the resulting MD-oriented film is introduced onto a tenter frame, both edges of the film in the transverse direction are engaged by tenter grippers, and the film is stretched in the transverse direction (TD) while traveling together with the tenter grippers.
- the film is then heat-treated at a temperature of 120 to 160°C, giving a biaxially oriented polyester film.
- Orientation of the polyester film in the machine direction and the transverse direction may be carried out sequentially in this order or in the opposite order, or may be carried out simultaneously.
- orienting the formed film serves to improve the inadequate film strength of the unstretched film, making it possible to achieve good film strength and clarity.
- Orientation is carried out by suitable selection of the orientation conditions.
- the orientation temperature is set within a range of preferably 40 to 100°C, and more preferably 60 to 80°C.
- the stretch ratio is set within a range of preferably 1.5 to 6.0, and more preferably 2.5 to 6.0. Selecting a suitable stretch ratio is critical for increasing film strength, which is one of the objects of the invention. At a stretch ratio less than 1.5, the film strength is inadequate, whereas a stretch ratio greater than 6 results in a loss in film uniformity. Neither extreme is desirable.
- the film dimensions may be stabilized by administering heat treatment (heat setting). Carrying out heat treatment makes it possible to obtain an oriented film having good heat sealability.
- Biaxial Stretch Formability When a biaxially oriented film was fabricated by carrying out biaxial stretch formation, longitudinal cracking (tearing) of the film during transverse orientation of the film on a tenter frame immediately after orientation in the machine direction was visually examined and rated according to the criteria indicated below.
- the sealing areas of separate sheets of films are overlapped and pressed with the nichrome wire having a 2 mm width while a pulsed current is passed through the wire to effect momentary heating and sealing of the film.
- the sealed film is then cut into 15 mm wide strips perpendicular to a seal bar, which is a part sealed in the films.
- High-Frequency Seal Strength Measured by the high-frequency sealing method.
- the films subjected to sealing are heat-bonded by the heat generated inside the films when such films are placed in a high-frequency electric field. High-frequency sealing is also measured by the tensile test according to JIS K7127.
- Moisture vapor transmission Measured in accordance with JIS K7129 (40°C, 90%RH).
- Test pieces of a given size were placed in soil for 5 months, following which the specimens were visually examined.
- Example 1 Flakes (small particles) of an aromatic polyester copolymer (density,
- the melt was extruded through a T-die and rapidly cooled (to 30°C) on cast rolls to form a 200 ⁇ m thick film.
- the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 60°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 70°C and a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 150°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 18 ⁇ m. Evaluations and measurements were carried out on the resulting film.
- Flakes small particles of a polylactic acid resin (produced by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. under the trade name designation LACEA H- 100E; density,
- the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 65°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 70°C and a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 140°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented, biodegradable aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 18 ⁇ m.
- Flakes small particles of polyethyleneterephthalate (density, 1.38 g/cm 3 ; melting point, 260°C; melt index at 265°C under 2,160 g of loading, 39 g/10 min) were pre-dried in an oven, then melted in a 60 mm diameter extruder at a cylinder temperature setting of 270 to 300°C. The melt was extruded through a T-die and rapidly cooled (to 30°C) on cast rolls to form a 200 ⁇ m thick film.
- the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 80°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 90°C and a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 150°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 20 ⁇ m. This film was not biodegradable.
- Example 1 On comparing the results obtained in Example 1 using a film according to the invention with the results obtained in Comparative Example 1 using a polylactic acid film, it is apparent that, although both films are biodegradable and have excellent strength, the film in Example 1 has an improved heat sealability, (as measured by heat seal strength) high-frequency sealability (as measured by high frequency seal strength) and ultrasonic sealability (as measured by ultrasonic seal strength) and much improved moisture vapor transmission, oxygen transmission and carbon dioxide transmission. Moreover, the results show that Example 1 has good stretching properties, and thus can be fabricated under a wide range of stretching conditions.
- Example 1 Comparing the results from Example 1 with those from Comparative Example 2, it is found that the film in Example 1 has mechanical properties, optical properties, moisture vapor transmission, oxygen transmission and carbon dioxide transmission which make it useful as a packaging material. In addition, the film has an improved soil degradability, and heat sealability and high-frequency sealability.
- the oriented aromatic polyester films of the invention are biodegradable, transparent, heat-sealable, high-frequency sealable, and ultrasonically sealable.
- the films also have low moisture vapor transmission, low oxygen transmission and low carbon dioxide transmission necessary for use as a packaging material.
- they have excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance. These films thus lend themselves particular well to use as packaging materials.
- the method for manufacturing films of the invention involves the orientation of polyester film having excellent stretchability, and is therefore capable of manufacturing oriented aromatic polyester film under a broader range of orientation conditions than possible with prior-art biodegradable film.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an oriented aromatic polyester film and a method of manufacture thereof. The film is biodegradable, transparent and heat-sealable, and has excellent mechanical properties. The film comprises an acid component that is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt, and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid; and a glycol component that is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol. The film has an impulse seal strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/15 mm. In addition, the film also has low moisture vapor transmission, oxygen transmission and carbon dioxide transmission, and has ultrasonic sealability.
Description
TITLE OF INVENTION
BIODEGRADABLE ORIENTED AROMATIC POLYESTER FILM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
CROSS REFERENCEfS) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS^
This application claims priority benefit from Japanese patent application No. 11(99) - 225660, filed August 9, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and a method for manufacturing the film. The invention relates more particularly to an oriented aromatic polyester film and its manufacture, which film is biodegradable, transparent and heat-sealable by conventional sealing techniques such as impulse sealing, high-frequency sealing and ultrasonic sealing. The film has selectively low moisture vapor transmission, low oxygen or carbon dioxide transmission to meet the requirements of a gas barrier necessary for packaging materials, and is endowed with excellent mechanical strength, making it highly suitable for use in such applications as packaging materials.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Prompted by societal concerns and demands concerning the disposal of plastic products such as plastic films, research is being done on biodegradable resin compositions. Active efforts are underway to develop biodegradable aromatic polyester resin compositions which are degradable under the high-humidity, high- temperature conditions associated with waste composting processes. Various uses are being proposed for such compositions. For example, the published Japanese translations of PC patent applications (designated hereinafter by the Japanese term 'Tokuhyo') 5-507109, 6-505513 and 6-505040 describe polyesters prepared by polymerizing a glycol component made of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol with two acid components; namely, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a sulfonic
acid, and terephthalic acid. These prior-art references also describe fibers, films, sheets and fiber nonwoven fabrics composed of such polyesters.
JP-A 6-23836 and JP-A 7-205278 describe biodegradable films and methods for their production, which films are biaxially oriented films produced by melt-extruding a biodegradable polylactic acid polymer as a film then orienting the extruded film. Such films have properties similar to those of films endowed with good strength and clarity, such as oriented polypropylene film, oriented polystyrene film and oriented polyethylene terephthalate film. Tokuhyo 5-508819 discloses a film of improved properties, including strength, stiffness and clarity, that is formed by extruding a polyhydroxy acid composition, then carrying out stretching treatment to give a biaxially oriented film.
Films made of ordinary resins such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins and polyvinyl chloride resins are currently widely used today as packaging materials.
When films formed of degradable polymer are used as packaging materials and in related applications, the relevant properties (e.g., mechanical strength, clarity and gas barrier properties) of the films generally fall somewhat short of the properties of resins that have hitherto been used in packaging materials, such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins and polyvinyl chloride resins.
As noted above, oriented films made of polylactic acid resins have improved strength and clarity. Yet, they continue to lack sufficient stiffness, impact resistance, heat-sealability and gas barrier properties for practical use.
Moreover, when a film is extruded using polylactic acid, and especially poly(L-lactic acid), the melting point is 170°C. Because the temperature difference with the glass transition temperature (about 60°C) and with the crystallization temperature (about 110°C) is small, the allowable range of conditions for carrying out orientation is narrow. Hence, film composed of this type of resin is poorly suitable for orientation.
BRTEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an oriented aromatic polyester film which is biodegradable, transparent and heat-sealable, high- frequency sealable and ultrasonically sealable, and which has selectively low moisture
vapor transmission, low oxygen or carbon dioxide transmission and also excellent orientation properties, film strength and gas barrier properties. Such a film should further have excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance, as exhibited by polyethylene terephthalate.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing oriented aromatic polyester films which has a broad range of suitable orientation conditions and presents no problem in production of the film.
Applicants have found that an oriented aromatic polyester film having excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance can be obtained by forming a film from a polyester copolymer having repeating units composed of terephthalic acid, a sulfonic acid salt, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, then subjecting the formed film to orientation. Accordingly, the invention provides an oriented aromatic polyester film comprising an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component which is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a glycol component which is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol. The film has at least one of an impulse seal strength and high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm.
The invention also provide an oriented aromatic polyester film having moisture vapor transmission not greater than 150g/m »d, oxygen transmission not greater than 300 cc/g m •d«atm, carbon dioxide transmission not greater than 1000 cc/g m2#d»atm. Moreover, the film may be ultrasonically sealable. The invention further provides a method for manufacturing an oriented aromatic polyester film having an impulse seal strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm. The method comprises the steps of preparing an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component and a glycol component, wherein the acid component is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to
49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and the glycol component is about 50 to
99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol; forming the aromatic polyester copolymer into an unstretched film; and orienting the unstretched film.
DETAH.ED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided an oriented aromatic polyester film comprising an aromatic polyester copolymer. The copolymer has repeating units comprising an acid component and a glycol component. The acid component is about 50 to 90 mol %, and preferably, about 52 to 83 mol %, terephthalic acid.
Further according to the present invention, the acid component is about 0.2 to 6 mol%, and preferably about 2 to 5 mol%, sulfomc acid metal salt. Illustrative examples of the sulfonic acid metal salt include metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, metal salts of 4-sulfoisophthalic acid, and metal salts of 4-sulfophthalic acid. Of these, metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid are preferred. Preferred examples of the metal ions include ions of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium, or of alkaline earth metals such as magnesium. The most preferred sulfonic acid metal salt is the sodium salt of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid.
The sulfonic acid metal salt is not only relatively expensive, when used in excess it renders the polyester water-soluble and moreover affects physical characteristics such as film shrinkage. The sulfonic acid metal salt significantly contributes to the degradability of the resulting film even at a low content of 0.2 mol %.
Further according to the present invention, the acid component is about 4 to 49.8 mol %, and preferably about 10 to 45 mol %, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. At less than 4 mol %, the glass transition temperature cannot be significantly lowered. On the other hand, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid level in excess of 49.8 mol % invites a decline in the glass transition temperature, causing a loss of suitable stiffness in the film.
The aliphatic dicarboxylic acid preferably has 2 to 18 carbons, and more preferably 2 to 10 carbons. Illustrative examples include azelaic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid and glutaric acid. Of these, glutaric acid is preferred. Composting that involves the degradation of plastic film is typically carried out under high-temperature, high-humidity conditions. Because this is generally done at a temperature of about 70°C or less, the polyester should have a glass transition temperature (Tg) not higher than preferably about 70°C, and
especially about 65°C. In the invention, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is used to set the glass transition temperature not higher than about 70°C.
An ester-forming derivative of the dicarboxylic acid, such as the dimethyl ester, may be used in place of the dicarboxylic acid.
The glycol component is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol, and preferably about 80 to 98 mol % ethylene glycol and about 2 to 20 mol % diethylene glycol. More than 50 mol % of diethylene glycol units adversely influences the mechanical properties of the film, such as the tensile strength, whereas less than 0.1 mol % results in poor degradability. The glass transition temperature may be further lowered by substituting up to 20 mol % of the ethylene glycol with another glycol such as triethylene glycol.
A balanced range of properties, especially mechanical properties and biodegradability, can be achieved by preparing the film of the present invention by choosing selected amounts of respective components within the above mol% ranges. If it is desired to enhance the mechanical properties of the film, the amount of terephthalic acid is increased, and if it is desired to enhance biodegradability, the amount of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is increased, resulting in a lower glass transition temperature (Tg).
The aromatic polyester polymer used to form the inventive film can generally be prepared by any well-known polymerization method. For example, a straight-chain polyester in which the monomer units are randomly distributed along the molecular chain can be prepared by charging a polymerizer with all of the above monomer constituents together with antimony or some other catalyst, and carrying out polycondensation under suitable polycondensation conditions. Another method that may be used involves initially reacting two or more of the monomer constituents to prepare a prepolymer, then adding the remaining monomer constituents and polymerizing. The aromatic polyester polymer used to form the film of the invention decomposes under the high-humidity, high-temperature conditions typical of composting. Most of the monomer and oligomer (i.e., terephthalic acid, glycol, and oligomers thereof) which forms as a result of such degradation is readily digested by
microorganisms in the solid wastes or compost, ultimately becoming carbon dioxide and water.
Conventional additives such as plasticizers, lubricants, inorganic fillers, antioxidants and weathering stabilizers may be added to the foregoing aromatic polyester polymer for the purpose of adjusting the film formability or mechanical properties, provided the mechanical characteristics, degradability and other properties critical to the polyester are not altered thereby, and the resulting aromatic polyester composition subjected to film formation. The polyester copolymer that forms the inventive film typically has an intrinsic viscosity within a range of 0.1 to 1.5, and preferably 0.3 to 1.2.
The oriented aromatic polyester film of the present invention has an impulse strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm. "Impulse seal strength," as used herein, refers to the strength measured by the impulse seal method. According to this method, sealing is effected in a conventional manner by a conventional sealing apparatus. The sealing apparatus includes a nichrome wire having a 2 mm width. The sealing areas of separate sheets of films are overlapped and pressed with the nichrome wire while a pulsed current is passed through the wire to effect momentary heating and sealing of the film. The sealed film is then cut into 15 mm wide strips perpendicular to a seal bar, which is a part sealed in the films. Using the test specimens thus prepared, the maximum strength of the sealing area is measured by means of a tensile test according to JIS K7127. This value is the impulse seal strength.
"High-frequency sealing" is a method for sealing in which the films subjected to sealing are heat-bonded by the heat generated inside the films when such films are placed in a high-frequency electric field. High-frequency sealing is measured by the same tensile test as described for impulse seal strength. "High- frequency seal strength refers" to the strength of the films prepared according to this invention. The film of the present invention has a moisture vapor transmission not greater than 150g/m2'd, oxygen transmission not greater than 300 cc/g m2»d'atm, carbon dioxide transmission not greater than 1000 cc/g m2,d»atm. The film has an ultrasonic seal strength such that it is useful for use a packaging material.
The oriented aromatic polyester film of the invention is well-suited for use in a range of applications, including agricultural and horticultural supplies such as mulch film for farming and gardening use, seed tape, pesticide bags and composting waste bags; household supplies such as bags for kitchen scraps, water drainage bags, shopping bags, paper cups and paper dishes; business supplies such as coated paper for recycling paper products, printed laminates, card covers, window envelopes, and cover film for printed paper; hygienic supplies such as paper diaper backing sheets, sanitary napkins, disposable gloves and laundry bags; and general packaging applications such as bottles, shrink films for various use, food packaging films and wrapping films.
Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an oriented aromatic polyester film. The method comprises the step of preparing an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component which is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and a glycol component which is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol.
The method further comprises the step of forming an unstretched film using the above aromatic polyester polymer. The process of forming the unstretched film involves feeding aromatic polyester polymer-containing flakes to an extruder, melting the flakes, extruding the melt through a film die, then rapidly cooling the extruded material on a chill roll to form an unstretched film having a thickness within a range of about 5 to 300 μm. The film is then collected on a winding roll. Next, the resulting unstretched film is oriented. The film is uniaxially oriented at a fixed width, consecutively biaxially oriented or simultaneously biaxially oriented within a temperature range defined by the glass transition temperature as the lower limit and the crystallization temperature as the upper limit, thereby giving an oriented aromatic polyester film having an impulse seal strength and high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/ 15 mm.
The orientation step is carried out as follows. A set of nip rolls comprising a metal roll in association with a rubber roll, vacuum-type suction rolls, or both nip rolls and suction rolls are used as rotating rolls capable of providing the holding strength necessary to restrict the speed of film travel. The film that has been
rapidly cooled after formation is passed through the rotating rolls at a restricted speed to effect orientation in the machine direction (MD). The resulting MD-oriented film is introduced onto a tenter frame, both edges of the film in the transverse direction are engaged by tenter grippers, and the film is stretched in the transverse direction (TD) while traveling together with the tenter grippers. The film is then heat-treated at a temperature of 120 to 160°C, giving a biaxially oriented polyester film. Orientation of the polyester film in the machine direction and the transverse direction may be carried out sequentially in this order or in the opposite order, or may be carried out simultaneously. Orientation in the machine direction followed by orientation in the transverse direction is generally preferred.
In the practice of the invention, orienting the formed film serves to improve the inadequate film strength of the unstretched film, making it possible to achieve good film strength and clarity. Orientation is carried out by suitable selection of the orientation conditions. The orientation temperature is set within a range of preferably 40 to 100°C, and more preferably 60 to 80°C. The stretch ratio is set within a range of preferably 1.5 to 6.0, and more preferably 2.5 to 6.0. Selecting a suitable stretch ratio is critical for increasing film strength, which is one of the objects of the invention. At a stretch ratio less than 1.5, the film strength is inadequate, whereas a stretch ratio greater than 6 results in a loss in film uniformity. Neither extreme is desirable.
After orientation, the film dimensions may be stabilized by administering heat treatment (heat setting). Carrying out heat treatment makes it possible to obtain an oriented film having good heat sealability.
EXAMPLES Examples are given below by way of illustration, although the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
TEST METHODS
The methods of measurement and evaluation used in the examples are described below. Biaxial Stretch Formability:
When a biaxially oriented film was fabricated by carrying out biaxial stretch formation, longitudinal cracking (tearing) of the film during transverse orientation of the film on a tenter frame immediately after orientation in the machine direction was visually examined and rated according to the criteria indicated below.
Good: No film cracking (longitudinal tearing) was observed. Film remained stable at all times during transverse stretching.
Poor: Film cracking (longitudinal tearing) occurred. Film lacked stable transverse stretchability. Modulus:
Measured in accordance with JIS K7127. Stress at Break:
Measured in accordance with JIS K7127. Elongation at Break: Measured in accordance with JIS K7127.
Impact Strength:
This is a stabbing-type impact test for thin packaging materials which was carried out in accordance with the puncture test principles described in JIS P8134. A spindle fitted with a hemispherical (1.0-inch diameter) tip was brought up from below against a horizontally stretched circular specimen having a fixed surface area. The force at which the specimen ruptured was read off with a maximum reading pointer.
Haze:
Measured in accordance with JIS K6714. Trans: Measured in accordance with JIS K6714.
Impulse Seal Strength:
Measured by the impulse seal method. In this method, the sealing areas of separate sheets of films are overlapped and pressed with the nichrome wire having a 2 mm width while a pulsed current is passed through the wire to effect momentary heating and sealing of the film. The sealed film is then cut into 15 mm wide strips perpendicular to a seal bar, which is a part sealed in the films. Using the test specimens thus prepared, the maximum strength of the sealing area is measured by means of a tensile test according to JIS K7127. High-Frequency Seal Strength: Measured by the high-frequency sealing method. In this method, the films subjected to sealing are heat-bonded by the heat generated inside the films when such films are placed in a high-frequency electric field. High-frequency sealing is also measured by the tensile test according to JIS K7127. Moisture vapor transmission Measured in accordance with JIS K7129 (40°C, 90%RH).
Gas transmission
Measured in accordance with JIS K7126 (20°C, 60%RH). Soil Degradability:
Test pieces of a given size were placed in soil for 5 months, following which the specimens were visually examined.
EXAMPLES
Example 1 Flakes (small particles) of an aromatic polyester copolymer (density,
1.35 g/cm3; melting point, 200°C; melt index at 220°C under 2,160 g of loading, 25 g/10 min) having repeating units composed of an acid component that is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sodium 5-sulfoisophthalate and about 4 to 49.8 mol % glutaric acid, and a glycol component that is about 50 to
99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol were pre- dried in an oven, then melted in a 60 mm diameter extruder at a cylinder temperature setting of 200 to 220°C. The melt was extruded through a T-die and rapidly cooled (to 30°C) on cast rolls to form a 200 μm thick film. Using a sequential biaxial orientation apparatus, the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 60°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 70°C and a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 150°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 18 μm. Evaluations and measurements were carried out on the resulting film.
The results are shown in Table 1.
Comparative Example 1:
Flakes (small particles) of a polylactic acid resin (produced by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. under the trade name designation LACEA H- 100E; density,
1.28 g/cm3; melting point, 160°C; melt index at 190°C under 2,160 g of loading, 10 g/10 min) were pre-dried in an oven, then melted in a 60 mm diameter extruder at a cylinder temperature setting of 200°C. The melt was extruded through a T-die and rapidly cooled (to 30°C) on cast rolls to form a 200 μm thick film. Using a sequential biaxial orientation apparatus, the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 65°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 70°C and a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 140°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented, biodegradable aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 18 μm.
Evaluations and measurements were carried out on the resulting film. The results are shown in Table 1.
Comparative Example 2:
Flakes (small particles) of polyethyleneterephthalate (density, 1.38 g/cm3; melting point, 260°C; melt index at 265°C under 2,160 g of loading, 39 g/10 min) were pre-dried in an oven, then melted in a 60 mm diameter extruder at a cylinder temperature setting of 270 to 300°C. The melt was extruded through a T-die and rapidly cooled (to 30°C) on cast rolls to form a 200 μm thick film. Using a sequential biaxial orientation apparatus, the extruded film was oriented in the machine direction at 80°C and a stretch ratio of 3.0 and in the transverse direction at 90°C and
a stretch ratio of 4.5, then heat-treated at 150°C for 20 seconds, giving a biaxially oriented aromatic polyester film having a thickness of 20 μm. This film was not biodegradable.
Evaluations and measurements were carried out on the resulting film. The results are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
On comparing the results obtained in Example 1 using a film according to the invention with the results obtained in Comparative Example 1 using a polylactic acid film, it is apparent that, although both films are biodegradable and have excellent strength, the film in Example 1 has an improved heat sealability, (as measured by heat seal strength) high-frequency sealability (as measured by high
frequency seal strength) and ultrasonic sealability (as measured by ultrasonic seal strength) and much improved moisture vapor transmission, oxygen transmission and carbon dioxide transmission. Moreover, the results show that Example 1 has good stretching properties, and thus can be fabricated under a wide range of stretching conditions.
Comparing the results from Example 1 with those from Comparative Example 2, it is found that the film in Example 1 has mechanical properties, optical properties, moisture vapor transmission, oxygen transmission and carbon dioxide transmission which make it useful as a packaging material. In addition, the film has an improved soil degradability, and heat sealability and high-frequency sealability. Advantages of the Invention
The oriented aromatic polyester films of the invention are biodegradable, transparent, heat-sealable, high-frequency sealable, and ultrasonically sealable. In addition, the films also have low moisture vapor transmission, low oxygen transmission and low carbon dioxide transmission necessary for use as a packaging material. In addition, they have excellent mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness and impact resistance. These films thus lend themselves particular well to use as packaging materials. The method for manufacturing films of the invention involves the orientation of polyester film having excellent stretchability, and is therefore capable of manufacturing oriented aromatic polyester film under a broader range of orientation conditions than possible with prior-art biodegradable film.
Claims
1. An oriented aromatic polyester film comprising an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units comprising an acid component and a glycol component, wherein the acid component is about 50 to 90 mol% terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to about 6 mol% sulfonic acid metal salt, and about 4 to 49.8 mol% aliphatic dicarboxylic acid; the glycol component is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about 0.1 to 50 mol% diethylene glycol; and the film has at least one of an impulse seal strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm.
2. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has at least one of the following properties: moisture vapor transmission not greater than 150g/m2»d, oxygen transmission not greater than 300 cc/g m •d»atm and carbon dioxide transmission not greater than 1000 cc/g m2»d»atm.
3. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film has an ultrasonic seal strength of
0.5 N/mm.
4. The film of claim 1 , wherein the film is biodegradable.
5. A method for manufacturing an oriented aromatic polyester film having at least one of an impulse seal strength and a high-frequency seal strength of at least 3 N/l 5 mm, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) preparing an aromatic polyester copolymer having repeating units composed of an acid component and a glycol component, wherein the acid component is about 50 to 90 mol % terephthalic acid, about 0.2 to 6 mol % sulfonic acid metal salt and about 4 to 49.8 mol % aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and the glycol component is about 50 to 99.9 mol % ethylene glycol and about
0.1 to 50 mol % diethylene glycol;
(b) forming the aromatic polyester copolymer into an unstretched film; and
(c) orienting the unstretched film.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP22566099 | 1999-08-09 | ||
| JP22566099 | 1999-08-09 | ||
| PCT/US2000/021584 WO2001010928A1 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-08-08 | Biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and method of manufacture |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1203039A1 true EP1203039A1 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
Family
ID=16832788
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP00952623A Withdrawn EP1203039A1 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-08-08 | Biodegradable oriented aromatic polyester film and method of manufacture |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1203039A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU781686B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2378230A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001010928A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003105176A (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-04-09 | Tohcello Co Ltd | Biaxially stretched biodegradable polyester film and laminated film |
| AU2002344595B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2006-06-01 | Asahi Kasei Life & Living Corporation | Biaxially oriented polylactic acid-based resin films |
| CN1639243B (en) | 2002-02-21 | 2013-02-20 | 日世株式会社 | Method for producing biodegradable molded article |
| ATE335035T1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2006-08-15 | Chienna Bv | BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER MATERIAL FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS |
| US7388058B2 (en) | 2002-05-13 | 2008-06-17 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Polyester blend compositions and biodegradable films produced therefrom |
| US8465842B2 (en) | 2007-12-27 | 2013-06-18 | Polyplex Corporation Limited | Biaxial oriented polyester film and a process for preparing the same |
| CN102015849A (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2011-04-13 | Skc株式会社 | Heat-shrinkable polyester film |
| CN103707517B (en) * | 2013-12-27 | 2015-12-02 | 青岛日能拉伸膜科技股份有限公司 | A kind of processing technology being exclusively used in high bright biaxially oriented polyester film |
| EP3808682A4 (en) | 2018-06-12 | 2022-03-23 | Toyobo Co., Ltd. | Freshness-retaining polyester film and package |
| JP7351531B2 (en) * | 2018-09-28 | 2023-09-27 | ユニチカ株式会社 | Polyester film and its manufacturing method |
| JP7532807B2 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2024-08-14 | Toppanホールディングス株式会社 | Laminate |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2576177B2 (en) * | 1988-02-17 | 1997-01-29 | 東レ株式会社 | Polyester film |
| FR2628359B1 (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1990-09-07 | Rhone Poulenc Films | COMPOSITE POLYESTER FILMS WITH IMPROVED ADHESION AND PROCESS FOR OBTAINING SAME |
| US5097005A (en) * | 1990-05-11 | 1992-03-17 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Novel copolyesters and their use in compostable products such as disposable diapers |
| TW211030B (en) * | 1991-10-01 | 1993-08-11 | Du Pont | |
| AU2751592A (en) * | 1991-10-01 | 1993-05-03 | E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Sulfonated polyesters and their use in compostable products such as disposable diapers |
-
2000
- 2000-08-08 WO PCT/US2000/021584 patent/WO2001010928A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-08-08 CA CA002378230A patent/CA2378230A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-08-08 AU AU65286/00A patent/AU781686B2/en not_active Expired
- 2000-08-08 EP EP00952623A patent/EP1203039A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO0110928A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU781686B2 (en) | 2005-06-09 |
| WO2001010928A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
| CA2378230A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
| AU6528600A (en) | 2001-03-05 |
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