Thermoplastic elastomers with silky feel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9249291-B2
Application number	US-201313794134-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2013
Priority date	Jul 6, 2012
Publication date	Feb 2, 2016
Grant date	Feb 2, 2016

Abstract

A thermoplastic elastomer compound is blended from styrenic block copolymer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, thermoplastic polyurethane, a compatibilizer, and a masterbatch containing silicone, which is added to provide a qualitative silky feel on surfaces of plastic articles made from the compound.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A thermoplastic elastomer compound, comprising
(a) styrenic block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene;
(b) thermoplastic vulcanizate in an amount of about 3 to about 6 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound, wherein the thermoplastic vulcanizate is a pre-mixed blend of a continuous phase of polyolefin and a discontinuous phase of vulcanized rubber;
(c) thermoplastic polyurethane;
(d) compatibilizer to assist in blending of the styrenic block copolymer with the thermoplastic polyurethane; and
(e) siloxane polymer in an amount of about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound.

2. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the siloxane polymer is in a masterbatch having a polyolefin carrier.

3. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of between about 70,000 and about 360,000.

4. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is polypropylene and the vulcanized rubber is crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.

5. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizer is maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene.

6. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , further comprising plasticizer oil.

7. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , further comprising filler.

8. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 7 , further comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of adhesion promoters; biocides; anti-fogging agents; anti-static agents; bonding, blowing and foaming agents; dispersants; flame retardants and smoke suppresants; impact modifiers; initiators; lubricants; micas; pigments, colorants and dyes; oils and plasticizers; processing aids; release agents; silanes, titanates and zirconates; slip and anti-blocking agents; stabilizers; stearates; ultraviolet light absorbers; viscosity regulators; waxes; and combinations of them.

9. The thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 , wherein ingredients by weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound are

Styrenic Block Copolymer Resin
1-30;

Compatibilizer
0.1-10;   

Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Resin
3-6; 

Thermoplastic Polyurethane Resin
10-90; 

Silicone
0.1-1.0; 

Optional Plasticizer Oil
0-40;

Optional Filler
0-30;

and

Optional Additives
0-10.

10. A plastic article formed from the thermoplastic elastomer compound of claim 1 .

11. The plastic article of claim 10 in the form of a molded article, an extruded article, or a calendered article.

12. The plastic article of claim 10 , in the form of a protective cover for handheld consumer electronics items.

13. The plastic article of claim 10 , in the form of an electronic console, controlling device, gaming console, desk computer, or laptop computer.

14. The plastic article of claim 10 , wherein the plastic article has an outer surface having a silky feel to a touch of a human hand.

15. A thermoplastic elastomer compound comprising:
(a) styrenic block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene;
(b) thermoplastic vulcanizate in an amount of about 3 to about 6 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound;
(c) thermoplastic polyurethane;
(d) compatibilizer to assist in blending of the styrenic block copolymer with the thermoplastic polyurethane; and
(e) siloxane polymer in an amount of about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound;
wherein the thermoplastic elastomer compound has a silky feel to a touch of a human hand.

16. A plastic article formed from a thermoplastic elastomer compound, the thermoplastic elastomer compound comprising:
(a) styrenic block copolymer selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene and styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene;
(b) thermoplastic vulcanizate in an amount of about 3 to about 6 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound;
(c) thermoplastic polyurethane;
(d) compatibilizer to assist in blending of the styrenic block copolymer with the thermoplastic polyurethane; and
(e) siloxane polymer in an amount of about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of the thermoplastic elastomer compound;
wherein the plastic article has an outer surface having a silky feel to a touch of a human hand.

Assignees

• Polyone Corp

Inventors

• Qian Guoqiang
• Venkataswamy Krishna
• Shetty Malar

Classifications

• C08L51/003 Primary

  grafted on to macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving unsaturated carbon-to-carbon bonds (C08L51/04, C08L51/06 take precedence) · CPC title

• C08L2205/03

  containing three or more polymers in a blend · CPC title

• C08L23/06

  Polyethylene · CPC title

• C08L83/04 Primary

  Polysiloxanes · CPC title

• C08L2205/08

  containing additives to improve the compatibility between two polymers · CPC title