Durable polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions

Abstract

A polyhydroxyalkanoate composition, having a an elongation at break (ASTM D648) greater than 3%, an impact resistance (IS0179 1 eA, 23° C., unnotched) greater than 18 KJ/m2 and a flexural modulus of at least 950 MPa, includes at least 25% wt of a polyhydroxyalkanoate component (I); from 5 to 40% wt of a mixture (II) of a thermoplastic polyurethane and an acrylic polymer; from 0 to 40% wt of one or more fillers (III); from 0 to 20% wt of one or more plasticizers (IV); and from 0 to 10% wt of one or more additives (V). The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition can be used for the preparation of durable goods that may be labelled as containing more than 20% non-fossil carbon, and for articles prepared therefrom.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A polyhydroxyalkanoate composition having an elongation at break (ASTM D638) greater than 3%, an impact resistance (Charpy test; ISO179 1eU, 23° C., unnotched) greater than 18 KJ/m 2  and a flexural modulus of at least 950 MPa comprising:
 at least 25% wt of a polyhydroxyalkanoate component (I), comprising one or more hydroxyalkanoate copolymers wherein the content of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer is and less than 5% wt; 
 from 5 to 40% wt of a mixture (II) of a thermoplastic polyurethane (IIa) which is a block copolymer, and has a hardness lower than 56 Shore D, as measured according to ASTM D2240 in admixture with an acrylic polymer (IIb), which is thermoplastic, with a melting flow index according to ASTM D1238 at 175° C./2.16 kg higher than 0.25 g/10 min and/or a glass transition temperature less than 150° C.; wherein the acrylic polymer (IIb) is a system (IIb1) of a styrene-based polymer and an acrylic based rubber that is cross-linked, 
 comprising no more than 5% wt biodegradable polymers (ASTM D6400); 
 from 0 to 40% wt of one or more fillers (III); 
 from 0 to 20% wt of one or more plasticizers (IV); and 
 from 0 to 10% wt of one or more additives (V), 
 wherein 
 component (I) and mixture (II) together comprise at least 40% wt of the composition, and 
 the % wt of the components is calculated on the total weight of components (I) to (V) of the composition and adds up to 100% wt. 
 
     
     
         20 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate component (I) comprises one or more copolymers of a 3-hydroxyalkanoate. 
     
     
         21 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate component (I) comprises one or more copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and a 3-hydroxyalkanoate with more than 4 carbon atoms; and/or one or more copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and a 4-hydroxyalkanoate with 4 or more carbon atoms; and/or a terpolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and two or more hydroxyalkanoates. 
     
     
         22 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane (IIa) is a block copolymer having a Melting Point (measured according to ASTM3418) lower than 180° C. and/or a glass transition temperature Tg lower than 40° C. (measured according to ISO 11357) and/or a hardness lower than 56 Shore D (measured according to ASTM D2240). 
     
     
         23 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane (IIa) is based on a saturated polyester based on adipic acid, reacted with an aromatic isocyanate with two or more isocyanate groups. 
     
     
         24 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein a combination of a TPU (IIa) and an acrylic polymer (IIb) is used in relative weight amounts of 3:1 to 1:3. 
     
     
         25 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the mixture (II) is used in an amount of 10 to 35% wt. 
     
     
         26 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein component (III) is selected from mineral fillers, synthetic fillers or mixtures thereof, and/or metal oxides. 
     
     
         27 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein component (IV) is an epoxidized oil. 
     
     
         28 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein component (V) is selected from one or more from the group of additives consisting of antioxidants, anti-hydrolysis agents, UV stabilizing agents, pigments and surface modification agents. 
     
     
         29 . Use of the composition according to  claim 19 , for the preparation of durable goods containing more than 20% wt non-fossil carbon. 
     
     
         30 . Articles prepared from a polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 . 
     
     
         31 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate component (I) comprises one or more copolymers a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate p(3HB-co-4HB), a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate p(3HB-co-3HV), or a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyhexanoate p(3HB-co-3HH) or a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyoctanoate p(3HB-co-3HO). 
     
     
         32 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the epoxidized oil is an epoxidized oil of a vegetable source. 
     
     
         33 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the epoxidized oil of a vegetable source is an epoxidized soybean oil. 
     
     
         34 . Use of the composition according to  claim 19 , for the preparation of durable goods containing more than 40% wt non-fossil carbon. 
     
     
         35 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the styrene-based polymer that is part of (IIb1) is based on styrene and acrylonitrile. 
     
     
         36 . The polyhydroxyalkanoate composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the acrylic based rubber that is part of (IIb1) is based on (a) butyl acrylate; (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, and ethyl acrylate; and (c) acrylonitrile.