FI13325Y1 - A burning-resistant thermoplastic composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A flame-resistant thermoplastic composition comprising at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler, wherein the thermoplastic composition contains 0.3-65% by weight of a lignin-based filler based on the total weight of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, wherein the lignin-based filler is made from a lignin material that has undergone a hydrothermal carbonization treatment, and wherein the lignin-based filler comprises a total amount of carbon of 62-70% by weight and a total amount of ash of up to 3% by weight, wherein the polymer is selected from one or more of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polybutene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyamide, polyacrylate, polyester, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and where the burning rate of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower than that of the equivalent burning rate of a thermoplastic composition, where the corresponding thermoplastic composition is otherwise prepared in the same way as a burn-resistant thermoplastic composition, but where the lignin material used to make the lignin-based filler has not undergone a hydrothermal carbonization treatment.

Description

BURNING RESISTANT THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION

ENGINEERING

The present publication relates to a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition. The present publication still applies to the object.

BACKGROUND

In light of ecology and the circular economy, it is desirable to use bio-based materials in thermoplastic compositions or materials, such as packaging materials. The thermal stability of thermoplastic compositions is also an important property when it comes to processing these materials. Environmentally friendly solutions related to thermoplastic compositions must be created.

SUMMARY

A flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is presented. The flame-resistant thermoplastic composition comprises at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler, wherein the thermoplastic composition contains 0.3 = 65% by weight of the lignin-based filler based on the total weight of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, wherein the lignin-based n filler is made from a lignin material for which

S hydrothermal carbonization treatment has been carried out, and ol where the lignin-based filler comprises carbon = a total amount of 62 to 70% by weight, and ash

A 30 of a total amount of no more than 3% by weight, where

E polymer is selected from one or more

K of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,

S ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA),

N polybutene adipate terephthalate (PRAT), polyamide,

S 35 polyacrylate, polyester, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),

polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and in which the burning rate of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower than the burning rate of the corresponding thermoplastic composition, in which the corresponding thermoplastic composition is otherwise manufactured in the same way as the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, but in which the lignin-based filler is used to prepare no hydrothermal carbonation treatment has been performed on the used lignin material.

Furthermore, an article is presented, which comprises the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition defined in the present publication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is presented. The fire-resistant thermoplastic composition comprises at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler, where the thermoplastic composition contains 0.3 = 65% by weight of a lignin-based filler based on the total weight of the fire-resistant thermoplastic composition, where the lignin-based filler is made from a lignin material that has undergone a hydrothermal carbonization treatment, and where the lignin-based the filler comprises carbon

A total amount of N, which is 62 to 70% by weight, and ash a. a total amount of up to 3% by weight, where = 30 the polymer is selected from one or more

T of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,

E ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA),

K polybutene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyamide,

S polyacrylate, polyester,

N 35 Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),

S polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and in which the burning rate of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower than the burning rate of the corresponding thermoplastic composition, in which the corresponding thermoplastic composition is otherwise manufactured in the same way as the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, but in which the lignin-based filler no hydrothermal carbonation treatment has been performed on the lignin material used for the production.

A lignin-based filler can be used to improve the fire resistance of the thermoplastic composition. The flame-resistant thermoplastic composition comprises at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler, wherein the lignin-based filler is made from a lignin material that has undergone a hydrothermal carbonization treatment, and wherein the lignin-based filler comprises a total amount of carbon that is 62 to 70% by weight and a total amount of ash that is at most 3 % by weight, and where the burning rate of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower than the burning rate of the corresponding thermoplastic composition, where the corresponding thermoplastic composition is otherwise manufactured in the same way as the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, but where the lignin material used to make the lignin-based filler has not undergone & hydrothermal carbonization treatment .

N Method at least one polymer and

S 30 in order to produce a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition comprising a lignin-based filler can z comprise the following: + - at least one cpolymer is arranged and

S lignin-based filler with lignin-based

S 35 filler is made of lignin material, for which

A hydrothermal carbonization treatment has been carried out, > where the lignin-based filler comprises a total amount of carbon of 62 to 70% by weight and a total amount of ash of up to 3% by weight; and - combining at least one cpolymer and a lignin-based filler to form a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, where the burning rate of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower compared to the burning rate of a corresponding thermoplastic composition, where the corresponding thermoplastic composition is otherwise manufactured in the same way as the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, but where the lignin-based no hydrothermal carbonation treatment has been performed on the lignin material used to make the filler.

Furthermore, an article is presented, which comprises the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition defined in the present publication. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic composition is shaped into an object by extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, thermoforming, vacuum molding, melt spinning, electrospinning, melt blowing, film blowing, film casting, extrusion coating, rotational molding, coextrusion, lamination, calendering, fused deposition modeling, or any of these methods. with any & any combination.

N As defined in this publication

S 30 thermoplastic composition can be used

O in a package, case, part of a motor vehicle,

Ek in a part of an aircraft, a part of a watercraft, a > part of a machine, a sports equipment, a part of a sports equipment,

S in a recreational vehicle, part of a recreational vehicle,

S 35 in tool, part of tool, tube, film,

S in hose, connector, bottle, film, bag, > sack, textile, rope, container, tank,

in an electrical component, an electronic component, an energy generating part, a toy, an appliance, a kitchen utensil, a cutlery, a floor covering, a fabric, 5 a medical application, a food contact material, a building material, a drinking water application and/or a piece of furniture.

Consequently, the term "equivalent thermoplastic composition" must be understood to mean a thermoplastic composition that is otherwise manufactured in the same way as a fire-resistant thermoplastic composition, but in which hydrothermal carbonization treatment has not been used to produce a lignin-based filler. In other words, all other components and their amounts and the process steps that have been used to prepare the corresponding thermoplastic composition have been kept the same as in the preparation of the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition, but the step in which the hydrothermal carbonization treatment of the lignin material is used has been omitted in the preparation of the lignin-based filler for the corresponding thermoplastic composition.

The burning rate can be determined by the standard

According to ISO 3795:1989 (Road vehicles, and tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry — Determination of Burning behavior of interior materials (horizontal burning test); conditions: 23 °C and 50 &% relative humidity (R.H) ., sample size: 147 mm x

N 100 mm x 2 mm).

S 30 In one embodiment, the burn-resistant © thermoplastic composition has a burning rate of at least z 30 percent, or at least 40 percent, or * at least 50 percent, or at least 60 percent,

S or at least 70 percent, less than the equivalent

S 35 burning rate of thermoplastic composition.

S The thermoplastic composition may contain 0.1 - > 65% by weight, or 0.3 - 60% by weight, or 0.5 - 50% by weight

2, or 1 to 40% by weight, or 1.2 to 30% by weight3, or 1.5 to 20% by weight, or 2 to 10% by weight, or 2.5 to 5% by weight, lignin-based filler based on the total weight of the flame resistant thermoplastic composition.

In one embodiment, the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition comprises a total amount of lignin-based filler that is 0.1 to 60% by weight, or 0.5 to 50% by weight, or 1 to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition. In this publication, "Total weight" is understood, unless otherwise stated, as the weight of all components of the flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, including any moisture.

Thermoplastic composition, or heat-softening plastic composition, as it can also be called, is a plastic polymer material that becomes flexible or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies when cooled.

The thermoplastic composition can be made using at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler. In a thermoplastic composition, at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler can be mixed together, but they may not have reacted with each other. Other components or materials such as additives, lubricants, stabilizers, & antioxidants, other fillers, etc.,

N can also be used in thermoplastic composition

S 30 to make. © In one embodiment, combining at least one z polymer And a lignin-based filler * comprises preparing a masterbatch and

S after that polymer and lignin-based

S 35 filler compounding. In one embodiment

Combining at least one polymer and a lignin-based > filler comprises combining at least one polymer, a lignin-based filler and additives and casting the resulting burn-resistant thermoplastic composition.

In one embodiment, combining at least one polymer and lignin-based filler comprises compounding at least one polymer and lignin-based filler directly at processing temperatures suitable for each type of polymer.

Processing temperatures are elevated temperatures and are specified for each polymer by the polymer supplier.

When preparing a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, the so-called masterbats can first be prepared using a polymer and a lignin-based filler. Masterbats can be made by mixing a polymer and a lignin-based filler at an elevated temperature. Other additives, lubricants, stabilizers, antioxidants, other fillers, etc. can also be included in the master bath as needed.

Masterbats are generally considered a solid product (normally plastic, rubber or elastomer) in which pigments or fillers are dispersed in an optimally high concentration in the carrier material. The carrier material is compatible with the main plastic, with which it is mixed during casting, so that the final plastic product, i.e. thermoplastic & composition, gets the characteristics of the masterbats.

N Alternatively, thermoplastic composition

S 30 is compounded directly at an elevated temperature © from one or more polymers and z from a lignin-based filler. Also other > additives, lubricants, stabilizers,

S antioxidants, other fillers, etc.

If necessary, S 35 can be compounded directly with a polymer

With N and lignin-based filler.

The temperature used to combine at least one polymer with the lignin-based filler may vary depending on the type of polymer used.

The appropriate temperature to use for each polymer is easily available to a professional in the field. Polymer suppliers also define suitable processing temperatures for different polymers. In general, e.g. 150 —- 440 C, or 180 — 350 can be used

C, or temperatures of 200 — 300 °C.

The thermoplastic composition may comprise at least one polymer, e.g. at least two different polymers, at least three different polymers, at least four different polymers, etc. The polymer may be any polymer selected from the group of thermoplastic polymers or a combination of different thermoplastic polymers. The polymer may be selected from one or more of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polybutene adipate terephthalate (PRAT), polyamide, polyacrylate, polyester, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. In one embodiment, the polymer is selected from polypropylene and/or polystyrene. That is, one type of polymer can be used to produce a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition, or a combination of two or more different polymers can be used.

N The expression "lignin-based filler" is

S 30 is to be understood in this publication, unless otherwise stated, to mean a filler z made from lignin material that has undergone * hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) treatment.

S Hydrothermal carbonation (HTC) treatment

S 35 can also be called "water-based carbonation

S at elevated temperature and pressure”. > Hydrothermal carbonization of lignin material means the thermochemical transformation process of material containing lignin in a water-based suspension. Hydrothermal carbonation treatment of lignin produces lignin derivatives with a high carbon content and functional groups. So it is a chemical process of converting organic compounds into structural carbon.

The lignin material used to prepare the lignin-containing filler can be selected from the group consisting of kraft lignin, steam explosion lignin, biorefined lignin, supercritical separation lignin, hydrolysis lignin, flash-precipitated lignin, biomass-derived lignin, alkaline pulp cooking lignin, soda process lignin, organosolv cooking lignin, alkali process lignin lignin, lignin obtained from an enzymatic hydrolysis process and any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the lignin is woody lignin. Lignin can come from conifers, hardwoods, annuals, or any combination thereof. "Kraft lignin" is to be understood in this publication, unless otherwise stated, as lignin derived from sulfate black liquor. Black liquor is lignin residues, hemicellulose and inorganic chemicals used in the sulfate & cooking process of pulp.

Alkaline aqueous solution of N broth. From the pulp cooking process

The black liquor obtained from S 30 contains components from various conifer and sapwood species in different proportions. Lignin can be separated from black liquor using various techniques, including e.g. precipitation

S and filtering. Lignin usually begins to precipitate at pH-

S 35 with values below 11 - 12. Different pH values can

S da is used for the precipitation of lignin fractions with different properties. These lignin fractions differ from each other in terms of molecular weight distribution, e.g. Mw and Mn, polydispersity, hemicellulose and extractant contents. The molar mass of lignin precipitated at a higher pH value is greater than the molar mass of lignin precipitated at a lower pH value. Furthermore, the molecular weight distribution of the lignin fraction precipitated at a lower pH value is wider than that of the lignin fraction precipitated at a higher pH value. Precipitated lignin can be cleaned of inorganic impurities, hemicellulose and wood extracts using acidic washing steps. Additional purification can be achieved by filtering.

The term "flash precipitated lignin" is to be understood in this publication as lignin that has been precipitated from black liquor in a continuous process by lowering the pH value of the black liquor flow under the influence of an overpressure of 200 to 1000 kPa to the level of lignin precipitation using a carbon dioxide-based acidifying agent, preferably carbon dioxide, and releasing the pressure suddenly to precipitate lignin. The method for producing flash-precipitated lignin is presented in patent application FI 20106073. The residence time in the above-mentioned method is less than 300 s. Flash-precipitated lignin particles with a particle diameter smaller than 2 µm form agglomerates, which can be separated from the black liquor using e.g. filtration. The advantage of flash-precipitated lignin is its greater reactive

N mouth compared to normal kraft lignin. flash

N precipitated lignin can be purified and/or activated

S 30 for further processing if necessary. © Lignin can be produced from an alkaline process. =E The alkali process can start with biomass liquefaction * with strong alkali, followed by a neutralization process.

S After alkali treatment, lignin can be precipitated sa-

S 35 as shown above.

N Lignin can be produced from steam explosion. Steam explosion is a pulp cooking and extraction technique,

which can be applied to wood and other organic fibrous material. "Biorefinery lignin" shall be understood in this publication, unless otherwise stated, as lignin that may have been recovered from a refinery or process where biomass is converted into fuel, chemicals and other materials. "Supercritical separation lignin" shall be understood in this publication unless otherwise stated said, lignin that has been recovered from biomass using supercritical fluid separation or extraction technology. Supercritical conditions correspond to temperatures and pressures above the critical point of a given substance. Under supercritical conditions, separate liquid and gas phases do not occur. Supercritical water - or liquid extraction is a method for breaking down biomass and converting it into cellulose sugar by using water or liquid under supercritical conditions.

Water or liquid acting as a solvent separates the sugars from the cellulose plant material and the lignin remains as a solid particle.

Lignin can be produced from a hydrolysis process. Lignin produced from the hydrolysis process can be recovered from paper pulp or wood chemical processes.

Lignin can be derived from the organosolv process. Organosolv is a pulp cooking technology,

N where an organic solvent is used for lignin and he-

N for solubilizing miscellulose.

S 30 In one embodiment, the lignin-based © filler is made from a lignin material that z is produced from an enzymatic hydrolysis process * and/or a sulfate process (Kraft process) and for which

S has undergone hydrothermal carbonation treatment.

S 35 In one embodiment, a lignin-based filler

S is made from lignin material produced > from an enzymatic hydrolysis process and subjected to a hydrothermal carbonation treatment. In one embodiment, the lignin-based filler is made from lignin material produced from the sulfate process and subjected to a hydrothermal carbonation treatment.

In one embodiment, the starting material for making the lignin-based filler is a lignin material taken from an enzymatic hydrolysis process. In a further embodiment, the enzymatic hydrolysis comprises the enzymatic hydrolysis of a plant-based starting material, such as a woody starting material. In one embodiment, the enzymatic hydrolysis comprises enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a process in which one or more enzymes help to break bonds in molecules while adding water elements. In one embodiment, the enzymatic hydrolysis comprises enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. In one embodiment, the lignin-based filler is made from lignin material produced from an enzymatic hydrolysis process, which has undergone a hydrothermal carbonation treatment.

In one embodiment, the lignin-based filler is made from lignin produced from wood pulp, e.g. kraft lignin.

Presented in the present publication

N lignin-based filler can be prepared

N as shown below. To be used

S 30 lignin material can be produced, e.g. © from a process in which lignin is formed z in the enzymatic hydrolysis * of lignocellulosic starting material, or lignin can be produced

S from the sulfate process. Also other sources of lignin

S 35 can be used as in the present publication

S is presented.

D

The lignin material produced may be dissolved in an alkaline solution such as NaOH.

Dissolution can be accomplished by heating the lignin/alkaline solution mixture to about 80°C, adjusting the pH to a value greater than 7, such as 9-11, and stirring the lignin/alkaline solution mixture for a predetermined time. The mixing time can be extended for about 2 — 3 hours. The exact pH value is determined based on the product's quality goal.

The dissolved lignin material can then be subjected to a hydrothermal carbonation treatment (HTC).

Hydrothermal Carbonation treatment can take place in a reactor (HTC reactor) or, if necessary, in several parallel reactors that operate on a batch principle. The dissolved lignin material can be preheated before it is transferred to the HTC reactor or

to HTC reactors. The temperature in the HTC reactor or HTC reactors can be 150 to 250 °C and the pressure can be 20 to 30 bar. The residence time in the HTC reactor or HTC reactors can be approximately three to six hours.

In the HTC reactor, lignin is carbonized, so that a stabilized lignin derivative with a large specific surface area can be precipitated. The carbonized lignin-containing sludge formed can then be removed and cooled.

In this way, a sludge is formed, which comprises a lignin-based filler.

N Contains a lignin-based filler

N sludge can be fed to a separation unit where the precipitated

S 30 lignin-based filler can be separated © from the sludge. The separated lignin-based filler z can be dried and recovered. Before drying * a lignin-based filler can be used if necessary

S wash. Crushed lignin particles can be dried,

S 35 and can be used as lignin-based

N as filler.

During the process described above, the lignin polymers connect to each other. Thus, a lignin-based filler can be considered to comprise lignin polymers or to consist of lignin polymers that have joined together.

The combined or linked lignin polymers are not necessarily soluble anymore. However, the smaller lignin polymer chains still remain soluble and thus can be subjected to normal analytical techniques such as size exclusion chromatography or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR spectroscopy), which require the analyte to be dissolved in a solvent. Thus, the different properties of the soluble fraction of the lignin-based filler can be determined.

In one embodiment, the lignin-based filler comprises a total amount of ash of 0.1 to 3% by weight, or 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, or 0.2 to 2.0% by weight, or 0.3 to 1, 5% by weight, or 0.4 to 1.0% by weight.

Ash content can be determined according to standard DIN 51719.

The inventors surprisingly discovered that when, for example, lignin material obtained from an enzymatic hydrolysis process is used to produce a lignin-based filler, it is possible to lower the ash content of the lignin-based filler.

An additional benefit of the lower ash content is e.g. greater purity of the lignin-based filler.

N Lignin-based filler may comprise

S 30 carbon in the total amount, which is 62 —- 70% by weight. © In one embodiment, the lignin-based filler z comprises a total amount of carbon of 63 — 69 wt * 2, or 64 = 68 wt%. In lignin-based

S the amount of carbon in the filler can be determined

S 35 according to DIN 51732 (1997). Inventors

S surprisingly found that the additional benefit of the amount of carbon in the lignin-based > filler has a beneficial effect on the fire resistance of the thermoplastic composition compared to other lignin-containing fillers with a lower amount of carbon. The amount of carbon in the lignin-based filler can therefore help prevent burning events.

In a fresh embodiment, the solubility of the lignin-based filler in 0.1 M NaOH is 1 to 40 wt-2, or 3 to 35 wt-3, or 5 to 30 wt%. The solubility can be measured in the following way: First, the sample is dried at a temperature of 60 °C for four hours. A 0.5 gram sample is weighed and suspended in 50 ml of 0.1 M NaOH at 1% concentration at 22°C. Mixing is continued for 1 hour, after which the sample is placed on glass microfiber paper (1.6 µm) and the filter paper is dried with the sample for 60

C for 2 hours. The dissolved fraction of the sample can be determined gravimetrically.

In the preferred embodiment, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the lignin-based filler is 1000 to 4000 Da, or 1300 to 3700 Da, or 1700 to 3200

Da, or 2500 to 3000 Da, or 2600 to 2900 Da, or 2650 to 2850 Da, as determined by the soluble fraction of the lignin-based filler. The weight average molecular weight can be determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using 0.1 M

NaOH as eluent and a sample amount of approximately 1 & mg/ml dissolved in 0.1 M NaOH. Molecular weights

N is measured in proportion

S 30 for polystyrene sulfonate standards. A UV © detector with a wavelength of 280 nm is used. = The polydispersity index (PDI) of the lignin-based filler * can be 1.5 to 5.0,

S or 1.8 — 4.5, or 1.9 — 4.3, or 2.1 to 4.0, or 2.4 to

S 35 3.5, or 2.6 to 3.2, as determined on a lignin basis

S based on the soluble fraction of the filler. > The polydispersity index can be determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). PDI is a measure of molecular mass distribution in a given polymer sample. The PDI is calculated as the weight average molecular weight (Mw) divided by the number average molecular weight (Mn). PDI indicates the distribution of individual molecular masses in a polymer batch.

The STSA number of the lignin-based filler can be 3 — 150 m?/g, or 5 — 100 m?/g, or 7 — 60 m?/g.

The STSA number can be determined according to ASTM D6556.

In the fresh embodiment, the density of the lignin-based filler is at most 1.5 g/cm3. In one embodiment, the density of the lignin-based filler is 1.0 to 1.5 g/cm 3 , or 1.15 to 1.35 g/cm 3 , or 1.1 to 1.4 g/cm 3 . Density can be determined according to ISO 21687.

An additional benefit of the burn resistant thermoplastic composition disclosed in the present publication is that it has improved burn resistance. Thus, the thermoplastic composition has the additional benefit of being thermally stable. The inventors surprisingly discovered that the carbon content in the lignin-based filler favorably affects the ability of the thermoplastic composition to withstand burning.

as presented in this publication

Q burn-resistant thermoplastic composition

An additional benefit of N is that it has good stability

S 30 compared to e.g. compositions made © using carbon black as a filler. j

EXAMPLES

S Next we refer in detail to different

S 35 — to embodiments.

S In the description below, some > embodiments are presented in such detail that a professional in the field can utilize the embodiments based on the presentation. Not all steps or features of the embodiments will be discussed in detail, as many of the steps or features will be obvious to one skilled in the art based on this publication.

Example 1 - Burning resistance testing of thermoplastic compositions

In this example, the purpose was to evaluate the fire resistance of a flame-resistant thermoplastic composition by comparing it with the fire resistance of similar thermoplastic compositions.

As described above, the corresponding thermoplastic composition was otherwise prepared in the same manner as the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition, but the lignin material was not hydrothermally carbonized during the preparation of the lignin-based filler. The filler used in the corresponding thermoplastic composition is called untreated lignin in this example.

As comparative examples, a native thermoplastic composition that did not contain any filler was also prepared, as well as a thermoplastic composition that used carbon black as a filler.

A lignin-based filler was prepared

N following the above in the present publication

N using the presented description of enzymatic

S 30 lignin material obtained from hydrolysis, which was subjected to a hydrothermal carbonization treatment.

Ek Untreated lignin was lignin obtained from * enzymatic hydrolysis but not

S performed hydrothermal carbonation treatment.

S 35 The carbon black used was supplied by Cabot

N MONARCH®800. The properties of the lignin-based filler and untreated lignin were measured and are shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1.

Measured value|Measurement- |Unit Lignii- OTHER 2 . N Concept method base- NN = lemmat nen tay- K. . lignin tea substance

ASTM 2 concentration

As you-

The solubility of 0.1M NaOH here. % 26.2 40.8 in publication

ASTM

Moisture - ASTM o

The carbon content of carbon black was > 95% and the density was 1.8 g/cm3.

First, the following thermoplastic compositions were prepared: & 10

N Table 2.

N Type of filler Polypropylene (PP) | Polystyrene (PS) n 40% by weight x x — carbon black

Ek 40% by weight x x - untreated 5 lignin

S 40% by weight x x 3 lignin-based

S filler

D

Thermoplastic compositions were prepared by combining the following components at processing temperatures suitable for each type of polymer: 40 wt% filler, 52 wt% polymer and a total of 8 wt% additive package (composed of 2% Ca stearate (lubricant), 2% from Irganox 1010 - antioxidant, from 4% polyethylene wax (lubricant)).

3 kg of each type of thermoplastic composition was prepared and made with a filler content of 40% by weight. The combustion behavior was tested on the basis of the horizontal combustion test ISO 3795:1989. The testing was done on cast PP and PS masterbatches and their counterpart without fillers (comparison example). The results of the combustion test are shown in the table below:

Table 3. Results of combustion tests

Sample Burning rate mm/min

Just PP, ci filler

PP 40% carbon black

PP 40% lignin-based filler

PP 40% untreated 79 lignin

Just PS, si filler

PS 40% carbon black

PS 40% lignin-based full- 47

S tea

S PS 40% untreated 129 ol lignin ? 0

A 20 It can be seen from the test results that combustion

I

& the burning behavior of the durable thermoplastic composition is significantly better than that of a similar thermo-

S with a plastic composition. The result is quite close

N. . N.

N thermoplastic composition in which fillers were used

S 25 nose charcoal black.

It is obvious to a professional in the field that as technology develops, the basic idea can be implemented in different ways. The execution forms are therefore not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the protection requirements.

The embodiments described above can be used in any combination with each other.

Several embodiments can be combined with each other to form a new embodiment. The thermoplastic composition, use, or method presented here may comprise at least one of the embodiments described above. It should be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may apply to one embodiment or to several embodiments. Embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems, or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

It should also be understood that a reference to 'one' object refers to one or more such objects.

The term "comprising" is used herein to mean including the following one or more features or measures, without excluding the presence of one or more other features or measures.

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D

Claims (10)

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS 1. A fire-resistant thermoplastic composition containing at least one polymer and a lignin-based filler, wherein the content of the lignin-based filler is 0.3 - 65% by weight based on the total weight of the fire-resistant thermoplastic composition, wherein the lignin-based filler is made from lignin that has undergone a hydrothermal carbonization treatment, and wherein the lignin-based filler contains carbon in a total amount of 62 - 70% by weight and ash in a total amount of not more than 3% by weight, the polymer is selected from one or more of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ethylene -vinyl acetate (EVA), polybutylene adipate phthalate (PBAT), polyamide, polyacrylate, polyester, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polylactide (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC); and wherein: the combustion rate of the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition is at least 20 percent lower than the burn rate of a corresponding thermoplastic composition, wherein the corresponding thermoplastic composition is produced in the same way as the burn-resistant thermoplastic composition with the exception that the lignin material used for the production of the S lignin-based filler a. does not have underwent a hydrothermal = charring treatment. T 2. Burn-resistant thermoplastic E composition according to protection requirement 1, wherein the > burn-resistant thermoplastic composition S burning rate is at least 30 percent, or N at least 40 percent, or at least 50 percent, S or at least 60 percent lower than the corresponding thermoplastic composition's burning rate. 3. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any preceding protection claim, wherein the total amount of the lignin-based filler in the combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition is 0.5 - 50% by weight, or 1 - 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition. 4. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the preceding protection requirements, whereby the lignin material used for the manufacture of the lignin-based filler is derived from an enzymatic hydrolysis process and/or a sulfate process. 5. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the preceding protective claims, wherein the lignin-based filler contains ash in a total amount of 0.1 - 2.5% by weight, or 0.2 - 2.0% by weight, or 0.3 — 1.5% by weight, or 0.4 — 1.0% by weight 6. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the preceding protection requirements, wherein the solubility of the lignin-based filler in 0.1 M NaOH is 1 — 40 wt%, or 3 — 35 wt%, or 5 wt%. 7. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the preceding protection requirements, wherein the lignin-based filler has a N weight average value for molecular mass of 1000 —- 4000 Da, N or 1300 —- 3700 Da, or 1700 — 3200 Da, or 2500 S = 3000 Da, or 2600 — 2900 Da, or 2650 - 2850 Da, © determined on the basis of the lignin-based filler = soluble fraction. a 8. Combustion-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the preceding protection requirements, wherein S the polydispersity index of the lignin-based filler S is 1.5 - 5.0, or 1.8 - 4.5, > or 1.9 - 4.3, or 2 ,1 - 4.0, or 2.4 - 3.5, or 2.6 — 3.2, determined on the basis of the soluble fraction of the lignin-based filler. 9. An article containing a burn-resistant thermoplastic composition according to any of the protection requirements 1 - 8. 10. Article according to claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic composition is formed into the article by extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, injection molding, hot forming, vacuum forming, melt spinning, electrospinning, melt blowing, film blowing, film casting, extrusion coating, rotational molding, coextrusion, lamination, calendering, FDM ( Fused Deposition Modeling) technique or a combination of these. O Ql O N N <Q 0 I a a N o O <t N N O N D