Additive compositions and thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising the same

Abstract

A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of separately providing a thermoplastic polymer and an additive composition and then mixing the thermoplastic polymer and additive composition. The additive composition comprises a clarifying agent and a coloring agent. Another method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of separately providing a thermoplastic polymer, a clarifying agent, and a coloring agent and then mixing the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent. The coloring agent is present in the composition in an amount to yield a composition exhibiting CIE L*, a*, and b* values falling within a defined color space. An additive composition contains a clarifying agent and a coloring agent. The coloring agent is present in the composition in such an amount that when the additive composition is added to a thermoplastic polymer composition, the thermoplastic polymer composition exhibits CIE L*, a*, and b* values falling within a defined color space.

1 . A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a thermoplastic polymer;   (b) providing an additive composition comprising:
 (i) at least one clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I) 
   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
            wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH; and 
           (ii) a coloring agent; and 
         
         (c) mixing the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition, 
         wherein the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition are separately provided; wherein the amount of clarifying agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition is from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; wherein the amount of coloring agent present in the thermoplastic polymer composition is sufficient to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibiting a Δa* value and a Δb* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
   Δ b*≦ 0−(2.8571 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 1.5231+(5.8461 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 2.6000−(1.0909 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≦ 0+(1.2727 ×Δa *)
 
 
       
       wherein Δb* is not zero; wherein the Δa* value and the Δb* value are calculated by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from a control thermoplastic polymer composition, measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition, and subtracting the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the control thermoplastic polymer composition from the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition; and wherein the control thermoplastic polymer composition contains the thermoplastic polymer and the clarifying agent but does not contain the coloring agent. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the L* value of a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made using the thermoplastic polymer composition is about 88 or greater. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene random copolymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clarifying agent is present in an amount of about 1,000 ppm to about 2,500 ppm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         10 . A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a thermoplastic polymer;   (b) providing a clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH;
 (c) providing a coloring agent; and 
 (d) mixing the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition, 
 wherein the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent are each separately provided; wherein the amount of clarifying agent present in the thermoplastic polymer composition is from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; wherein the amount of coloring agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition is sufficient to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibiting a Δa* value and a Δb* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
   Δ b*≦ 0−(2.8571 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 1.5231+(5.8461 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 2.6000−(1.0909 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≦ 0+(1.2727 ×Δa *)
 
 
 
       wherein Δb* is not zero; wherein the Δa* value and the Δb* value are calculated by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from a control thermoplastic polymer composition, measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition, and subtracting the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the control thermoplastic polymer composition from the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition; and wherein the control thermoplastic polymer composition contains the thermoplastic polymer and the clarifying agent but does not contain the coloring agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the L* value of a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made using the thermoplastic polymer composition is about 88 or greater. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene random copolymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the clarifying agent is present in an amount of about 1,000 ppm to about 2,500 ppm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         19 . An additive composition consisting essentially of:
 (a) a clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH; and
 (b) a coloring agent, 
 wherein the coloring agent is present in the additive composition in an amount such that a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibits a Δa* value and a A/D* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
   Δ b*≦ 0−(2.8571 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 1.5231+(5.8461 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≧− 2.6000−(1.0909 ×Δa *)
 
   Δ b*≦ 0+(1.2727 ×Δa *)
 
 
 
       wherein Δb* is not zero; wherein the thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition in an amount sufficient to provide about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of the clarifying agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; and wherein the Δa* value and the Δb* value are calculated by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from a control thermoplastic polymer composition, measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition, and subtracting the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the control thermoplastic polymer composition from the a* and b* values for the plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition; and wherein the control thermoplastic polymer composition contains the thermoplastic polymer and the clarifying agent but does not contain the coloring agent. 
     
     
         20 . The additive composition of  claim 19 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         21 . The additive composition of  claim 20 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         22 . The additive composition of  claim 21 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         23 . The additive composition of  claim 19 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         24 . The additive composition of  claim 19 , wherein the coloring agent is present in the additive composition in an amount of about 0.02% to about 10%, by weight, based on the total weight of clarifying agent and coloring agent present in the additive composition. 
     
     
         25 . A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a thermoplastic polymer;   (b) providing an additive composition comprising:
 (i) at least one clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I) 
   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
            wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH; and 
           (ii) a coloring agent; and 
         
         (c) mixing the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition, 
         wherein the thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition are separately provided; wherein the amount of clarifying agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition is from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; wherein the amount of coloring agent present in the thermoplastic polymer composition is sufficient to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibiting an a* value and a b* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
     b*≦ 3.4−(1.4196 ×a *)
 
     b*≧ 3.1+(9 ×a *) 
     b*≧ 1 −a*    
     b*≦ 3.6174+(0.7449 ×a *) 
 
       
       wherein the a* value and the b* value are determined by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the L* value of a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made using the thermoplastic polymer composition is about 88 or greater. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene random copolymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the clarifying agent is present in an amount of about 1,000 ppm to about 2,500 ppm. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         34 . A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a thermoplastic polymer;   (b) providing a clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH;
 (c) providing a coloring agent; and 
 (d) mixing the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition, 
 wherein the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent are each separately provided; wherein the amount of clarifying agent present in the thermoplastic polymer composition is from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; wherein the amount of coloring agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition is sufficient to produce a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibiting an a* value and a b* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
     b*≦ 3.4−(1.4196 ×a *)
 
     b*≧ 3.1+(9 ×a *) 
     b*≧ 1 −a*    
     b*≦ 3.6174+(0.7449 ×a *) 
 
 
       wherein the a* value and the b* value are determined by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the L* value of a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made using the thermoplastic polymer composition is about 88 or greater. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene random copolymers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the clarifying agent is present in an amount of about 1,000 ppm to about 2,500 ppm. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         43 . An additive composition consisting essentially of:
 (a) a clarifying agent selected from the group consisting of trisamides, aluminum 2,2′-methylenebis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, lithium 2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, monocarboxylate compounds, and acetal compounds conforming to the structure of Formula (I)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 11  is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of —CH 2 OH and —CHOHCH 2 OH; and
 (b) a coloring agent, 
 wherein the coloring agent is present in the additive composition in an amount such that a thermoplastic polymer composition exhibits a a* value and a b* value satisfying each of the following inequalities
     b*≦ 3.4−(1.4196 ×a *)
 
     b*≧ 3.1+(9 ×a *) 
     b*≧ 1 −a*    
     b*≦ 3.6174+(0.7449 ×a *) 
 
 
       wherein the thermoplastic polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer and the additive composition in an amount sufficient to provide about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of the clarifying agent in the thermoplastic polymer composition, based on the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer composition; and wherein the a* value and the b* value are determined by measuring an a* value and a b* value exhibited by a 1.27 mm (50 mil) plaque made from the thermoplastic polymer composition. 
     
     
         44 . The additive composition of  claim 43 , wherein the clarifying agent is an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I). 
     
     
         45 . The additive composition of  claim 44 , wherein the clarifying agent is selected from the group consisting of (a) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (b) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 3  and R 8  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, (c) a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH, and (d) mixtures of at least two of (a), (b), and (c). 
     
     
         46 . The additive composition of  claim 45 , wherein the clarifying agent is a compound of Formula (I) in which R 1 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and R 10  are each hydrogen, R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , and R 9  are each a methyl group, and R 11  is —CHOHCH 2 OH. 
     
     
         47 . The additive composition of  claim 43 , wherein the coloring agent is a pigment. 
     
     
         48 . The additive composition of  claim 43 , wherein the coloring agent is present in the additive composition in an amount of about 0.02% to about 10%, by weight, based on the total weight of clarifying agent and coloring agent present in the additive composition.