Articles comprising a polyolefin-based element joined to a polyamide-based element, and process for obtaining them

Abstract

The invention concerns manufactured articles comprising at least two assembled thermoplastic elements, a first element based on polyolefin and a second element based on polyamide. The elements are assembled by being welded together

1 . An article prepared by a process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) separately preparing at least a first and second thermoplastic element,    (b) contacting the thermoplastic elements over at least a portion of their surfaces, and    (c) heating the thermoplastic elements to at least the softening temperature thereof,    whereby the thermoplastic elements are permanently joined;    the first thermoplastic element being prepared from a composition comprising a polyolefin and the second element being prepared from a composition comprising at least one polyamide and a compatibilizer for polyamides and polyolefins.    
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizer is an ionomer.  
   
   
       3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is prepared from a composition comprising a polyamide, an ionomer and a polyolefinic compound.  
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the polyolefinic compound is an elastomer or a thermoplastic.  
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the polyolefinic compound is a thermoplastic of the same kind as that from which the first element is produced.  
   
   
       6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the polyamide is selected from the group consisting of nylon-6, nylon-11, nylon-12, nylon-4,6, nylon-6,10, nylon-6,6, nylon-6,10, nylon-6,36, copolymers and blends based on these polymers.  
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the composition of the second element has a melt flow index of between 05 g/10 min and 8 g/10 min, measured under a load of 5 kg at a temperature of 275° C.  
   
   
       8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, copolymers and blends based on these polymers.  
   
   
       9 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the polyolefinic compound is polyethylene.  
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein the elastomer is an ethylene-propylene rubber functionalized by maleic anhydride.  
   
   
       11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the composition of the second element has a continuous phase and a dispersed phase within the continuous phase, the continuous phase comprising the polyamide and the dispersed phase comprising the polyolefinic compound.  
   
   
       12 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the elements are obtained by a technique selected from the group consisting of injection molding, extrusion blow molding, gas injection molding and water injection molding.  
   
   
       13 . An article prepared by a process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) separately preparing at least a first and second hollow thermoplastic element,    (b) contacting the hollow thermoplastic elements over at least a portion of their surfaces to assemble the elements such that hollow portions thereof communicate with each other, and    (c) heating the hollow thermoplastic elements to at least the softening temperature thereof,    whereby the hollow thermoplastic elements are permanently joined;    the first thermoplastic element being prepared from a composition comprising a polyolefin and the second element being prepared from a composition comprising at least one polyamide and a compatibilizer for polyamides and polyolefins.    
   
   
       14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the second element is a tubular conduit.  
   
   
       15 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step is conducted by means of a laser.  
   
   
       16 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step is conducted by a vibration welding technique.  
   
   
       17 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step is conducted by ultrasonic welding.  
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step is conducted by hot-plate welding.  
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step is conducted by infrared welding.