Resin composition and method for producing the same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a resin composition superior in barrier properties and also superior in flexibility, secondary processability and interlayer adhesiveness. The present invention is also directed to an environmentally friendly method for producing a resin composition, the method releasing no carboxylic acid such as acetic acid to the peripheral environment. The invention provides an EVOH resin composition (F) which has a content of an alkali metal salt (A), in terms of the alkali metal, of 0.1 to 20 μmol/g and a content of a carboxyl acid or its salt (C), in terms of carboxylate radical, of 2 μmol/g or less and which has an ethylene content of 5 to 60 mol % and a saponification degree of from 80 to 99 mol %. In addition, the invention provides a resin composition comprising the EVOH resin composition (F) and an EVOH having an ethylene content of 5 to 60 mol % and a degree of saponification of 99.2 to 100 mol %.

1 . An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) which has a content of an alkali metal salt (A), in terms of the alkali metal, of 0.1 to 20 μmol/g and a content of a carboxyl acid or its salt (C), in terms of carboxylate radical, of 2 μmol/g or less and which has an ethylene content of 5 to 60 mol % and a saponification degree of from 80 to 99 mol %.  
     
     
         2 . The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 , wherein the ethylene content is 47 to 60 mol %.  
     
     
         3 . The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal salt (A) is a potassium salt.  
     
     
         4 . The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition (F) has a content of an alkaline earth metal salt (E), in terms of the alkaline earth metal, of 0.25 μmol/g or less.  
     
     
         5 . A molded article comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . A film comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . A blow molded container comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . A thermoformed container comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         9 . A multilayer structure which contains at least one layer comprising the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . A resin composition comprising: 1 to 99% by weight of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition (F) having a content of an alkali metal salt (A), in terms of the alkali metal, of 0.1 to 20 μmol/g and a content of a carboxyl acid or its salt (C), in terms of carboxylate radical, of 2 μmol/g or less and also having an ethylene content of 5 to 60 mol % and a saponification degree of from 80 to 99 mol %, and 1 to 99% by weight of another thermoplastic resin (G).  
     
     
         11 . The resin composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic resin (G) is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of 5 to 60 mol % and a degree of saponification of 99.2 to 100 mol %.  
     
     
         12 . A molded article comprising the resin composition according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         13 . A film comprising the resin composition according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         14 . A blow molded container comprising the resin composition according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         15 . A thermoformed container comprising the resin composition according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         16 . A multilayer structure which contains at least one layer comprising the resin composition according to  claim 10 .  
     
     
         17 - 30 . (canceled)