Thermoplastic resin compositions for laser welding and articles formed therefrom

Abstract

Thermoplastic resin compositions are disclosed that incorporate 1:2 metallic azo complex dyes and are particularly suitable for laser welding. These compositions include a variety of thermoplastic resins such as polyamides and copolymers and blends thereof. The compositions offer superior welding properties and provide for the welding of articles identically colored with these dyes.

1 . A composition suitable for laser welding comprising a thermoplastic resin and a 1:2 type metallic azo complex dye.  
     
     
         2 . A themoplastic resin composition for laser welding comprising: 
 1) at least one thermoplastic resin; and,    2) a black colorant having at least one of the metal azo complex dyes of the following formulas:    The formula [I]                          Wherein R 39 ,R 41 ,which may be the same or different, are Cl,                          ,or SO 2 R 43 , R 44 , R 45 , which may be the same or different, are independently hydrogen atom, liner or branched C1-C4alkyl, R 43 is linear or branched C1-C4alkyl,    R 40 , R 42 , which may be the same or different, are hydrogen, liner or branched C1-C18alkyl group, liner or branched C2-C18alkenyl group,sulfonamide group,carboxyl group,mesyl group, hydroxyl group, C1-C18 alkoxy group,acethylamino group,benzoylamino group,a halogen atom or —CONH—R 46 ,R 46 is functional group selected from unsubstituted or substituted liner or branched C1-C18alkyl or unsubstituted substituted C6-C18 aryl group, L 1  and L 2 are independently O or COO,    (E) +  are H + ;cation of alkali metal,ammonium ion, cations of organic amine including aliphatic primary, secondary and ternary amines,quaternary ammonium ion.    ,K 3  is an integer,m 3  is 0,1 or 2,    M 1  is a kind of metals, preferably metals having coordination numbers of from 2 to 4, more preferably trivalent metal such as Cr, Fe, Cu;    The formula [II]                          wherein R 30 and R 3  , which may be the same of different,are Cl,                          SO 2 R 32 , or H,    R 33  and R 34 , which may be the same or different, are independently hydrogen atom, linear or branchedC1-C4alkyl,    R 32 is linear or branched C1-C4alkyl, L 3  and L 4 are independently O or COO, (D) + is hydrogen ion, cation of alkali metals,ammonium ion,cations of organic amine including aliphatic primary, secondary and ternary amines,quaternary ammonium ion,    K 2  is an integer,m 2  is 0,1 or 2,    M 2  is metals of atomic numbers of from 2 to 4 such as Zn,Sr,Cr,Al,Ti,Fe,Zr,Ni,Co,Mn,B,Si and Sn, preferably metal of atomic numbers of 3 such asCr,Co,Cu,Ni,Al.    B is represented by formula                          wherein R 35  and R 37 , which may be the same of different,are Cl,                          ,SO 2 R 32 ,or H,    R 33  and R 34  , which may be the same or different, are independently hydrogen atom, linear or branchedC1-C4alkyl, and R 36  and R 38 , which may be the same or different, are independently hydrogen atom, linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl,C1-C18 alkoxy, amino or halogen atoms.    
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said 1:2 type metallic azo complex dye is selected from the group consisting of:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         Wherein R is a residual group of a coupling agent, M is divalent or trivalent metal, and A is hydrogen, aliphatic amine with 4 to 18 carbon atoms, or alkylene oxide added amine;  
         or formula (2)  
         
           
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
         
         or formula(3)  
         
           
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
         
       
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said 1:2 type metallic azo complex dye is selected from formula (2) or formula (3) .  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said 1:2 type metallic azo complex dye is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 1% by weight based upon the total weight of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising glass fiber or glass flake.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic resin is a polyamide resin.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic resin is a polyamide copolymer.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said thermoplastic resin is a blend of polyamide resins.  
     
     
         10 . A shaped article of the composition of claim  1 .