Composite compositions

Abstract

Disclosed are composite compositions well suited for forming shaped articles which comprise thermoplastic polymer, cellulose, a coupling agent comprising anhydride moities, and a lubricant comprising an alkyl ester of carboxylic acid. Preferably the lubricant is substantially free of zinc stearate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition for forming shaped articles comprising: 
 cellulosic fiber;    thermoplastic binder;    a coupling agent containing maleic anhydride or malieic anhydride functionality; and    a lubricant comprising alkyl ester of carboxylic acid.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant further comprises carboxyamide wax.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant is substantially free of free of zinc stearate.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant is substantially free of free of metal stearate.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said lubricant is substantially free of free of metal carboxylate.  
     
     
         6 . A lubricant composition for a cellulose containing composite comprising an alkyl ester and an amide wax in a weight ratio of alkyl ester to amide wax of from about 30:1 to about 1:1.  
     
     
         7 . The lubricant composition of  claim 6  wherein said alkyl ester and an amide wax are present in a weight ratio of from about 20:1 to about 2:1.  
     
     
         8 . The lubricant composition of  claim 6  wherein said alkyl ester comprises a mixture of alkyl esters of the formula 1 below,  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
 R is independently hydrogen, or —C(O)R′ and wherein at least on of R is —C(O)R′;  
 R′ is hydrogen, an unsaturated or saturated alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 18 carbon atoms, or —C(O)—X—COOH; and  
 X is a unsaturated or saturated alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 18 carbon atoms.  
 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing an article comprising: 
 providng a composition for forming shaped articles comprising: cellulosic fiber; thermoplastic binder; a coupling agent containing maleic anhydride or malieic anhydride functionality; and a lubricant comprising alkyl ester of carboxylic acid; and    forming said composition into a shaped article.    
     
     
         10 . A composition for forming shaped articles comprising: 
 cellulose;    thermoplastic binder;    a coupling agent comprising an organic polymer electrophilic functionality; and    a lubricant.    
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said lubricant is substantially free of free of metal carboxylate.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein said lubricant does not contain an antagonistic amount of metal carboxylate.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein said lubricant comprises alkyl ester of carboxylic acid.