(19)
(11)EP 2 627 698 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
12.04.2017 Bulletin 2017/15

(21)Application number: 11769875.3

(22)Date of filing:  13.10.2011
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
C08K 3/00(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/EP2011/067898
(87)International publication number:
WO 2012/049252 (19.04.2012 Gazette  2012/16)

(54)

STAIN-RESISTANT ARTICLES

SCHMUTZABWEISENDE ARTIKEL

ARTICLE RÉSISTANT AUX TACHES


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 13.10.2010 US 392856 P
11.03.2011 EP 11157968

(43)Date of publication of application:
21.08.2013 Bulletin 2013/34

(73)Proprietor: Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC.
Alpharetta, GA 30005-3914 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • DESIO, Glenn P.
    Marietta, Georgia 30062 (US)
  • CUEVAS, Amy Marie
    Atlanta, Georgia 30328 (US)
  • NORFOLK, Linda M.
    Cumming, Georgia 30041 (US)
  • VERFAILLIE, Geert J.
    B-9661 Parike (BE)
  • SINGLETARY, Nancy J.
    Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 (US)

(74)Representative: Benvenuti, Federica et al
Solvay S.A. Département de la Propriété Intellectuelle Rue de Ransbeek, 310
1120 Bruxelles
1120 Bruxelles (BE)


(56)References cited: : 
US-A1- 2004 046 279
US-A1- 2005 183 218
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS



    [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application No. 61/392856 filed on 13 Oct 2010, the whole content of this application being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION



    [0002] The present invention broadly relates to low color articles comprising a semi-aromatic polyamide that feature surprisingly anti-staining properties. The present invention relates in particular to portable electronic device housings comprising a polyamide composition featuring anti-staining properties. The invention relates also in particular to the use of a semi-aromatic polyamide in the manufacture of articles for its anti-staining properties.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0003] Semi-aromatic polyamides (like those derived from phthalic acids and aliphatic diamines, i.e. polyphthalamides, or those derived from aromatic diamines and aliphatic diacids) are polymers having excellent mechanical, physical and chemical properties which make them useful for a wide variety of different applications. Besides, they generally feature the benefit of being conveniently molded into a variety of articles of varying degrees of complexity and intricacy.

    [0004] In particular, semi-aromatic polyamides are good candidates for the manufacture of articles such as portable electronic devices. Portable electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, tablet computers, global positioning system receivers, portable games, radios, cameras, camera accessories, and the like are becoming increasingly widely used globally in many different environments. It is often important that the housings of such devices be made from materials that are able to withstand the rigors of frequent use and can meet challenging aesthetic demands while not interfering with their intended operability. It is often desirable that those materials have good stiffness and high impact resistance, and that they exhibit high dimensional stability when they are formed (as by injection molding, for example) into housings.

    [0005] Many attempts have been made to offer a polyamide material suitable for the manufacture of portable electronic devices housings. Most of them offer a very good balance of properties useful in these specific applications.

    [0006] However, these prior art housings still suffer from a significant drawback : they are not resistant to staining agents that are often put in contact with these portable electronic devices housings. Typical staining agents include : makeup (such as lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, foundation, powder, blush), artificial or natural colorants (such as those found in soft drinks, coffee, red wine, mustard, ketchup and tomato sauce), dyes and pigments (such as those found in dyed textiles and leather, used for the manufacture of portable electronic devices housings). In contact with these staining agents, the prior art articles, and in particular the portable electronic devices housings are easily stained.

    [0007] The staining issue of polyamides is known for a long time but in a different application, namely in the field of carpet and textile fibers. Polyamide fibers are relatively inexpensive and offer a desirable combination of qualities such as durability, comfort, and ease of manufacture into a broad range of colors, patterns, and textures. As a result, polyamide fibers are widely used in the home and industry as carpets, drapery material, upholstery, and clothing. Carpets made from polyamide fibers are a popular floor covering for residential and commercial applications.

    [0008] Polyamide fibers dye easily with dyes. Consequently, carpets made from polyamide fibers stain easily when exposed to dyes or staining agents that exist in some common food and beverages. The resulting stains cannot be easily removed under ordinary cleaning conditions. The severe staining of carpeting is a major problem for consumers. In fact, surveys show that more carpets are replaced because of staining than because of wear.

    [0009] Many attempts have been made to offer anti-staining polyamide carpets and textiles that resist common household and common stains, thereby increasing their life. For example, one way of avoiding such staining is to topically apply to the surface of the polyamide filaments materials a specific anti-staining agent. US 6,488,893 provides for example a solution comprising condensation product of sulfonated naphthalene sulphonic acid, and aldehyde and a dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone together with a methacrylic acid polymer that function as stain blockers so as to prevent stains from permanently coloring the yarn. Topical treatments, however, tend to be costly and non-permanent (washed away with one or more washings).

    [0010] It would thus be desirable to obtain articles and in particular housings for portable electronic devices that are made from polyamide compositions having excellent stiffness, high dimensional stability and impact resistance while exhibiting also anti-staining properties.

    [0011] It is thus a first object of the present invention to provide anti-staining polyamide articles. The polymer composition (C) according to the present invention exhibits outstanding properties : good mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, low water absorption, superior chemical resistance. It can also be easily processed and may be molded into thin walls. In addition, the inventors have surprisingly found that the polymer composition (C) according to the present invention features also outstanding anti-staining properties.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0012] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a stain- or dye-resistant article comprising a polymer composition (C) comprising :
    • at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms ;
    • at least one filler ;
    • from 0.1 to 35 wt. % of at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C);
    wherein the color of said article has a lightness (L*) of at least 70 in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space when measured according to ASTM E308-08 wherein said at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms is selected from:
    • 1,9-nonanediamine and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, and
    • 1,10-decanediamine; and
    wherein said article is an electronic equipment housing selected from mobile telephone housing, personal digital assistants housing, laptop computer housings, tablet computer housing, global positioning system receiver housing, portable game housing, radio housing, cameras housing or camera accessory housing.

    [0013] The present invention provides thus articles having excellent mechanical, physical and chemical properties while being also surprisingly stain- or dye-resistant.

    [0014] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for conferring anti-staining properties to an article comprising using a semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and an aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms, wherein said at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms is selected from:
    • 1,9-nonanediamine and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, and
    • 1,10-decanediamine; and
    wherein said article is an electronic equipment housing selected from mobile telephone housing, personal digital assistants housing, laptop computer housings, tablet computer housing, global positioning system receiver housing, portable game housing, radio housing, cameras housing or camera accessory housing.

    [0015] The article according to the present invention exhibits outstanding anti-staining properties. More precisely, the article according to the present invention has a stain-resistance rating of 1 on the Stain Rating Scale of the Stain Test Method described below. The staining is herein intended to denote a coloration produced by a staining agent that penetrates a material. In many cases, stains can be affected by heat and moisture, and may become reactive enough to bond with the underlying material. Extreme heat can cause a chemical reaction on an otherwise removable stain, turning it into a chemical compound that is impossible to remove.

    [0016] The staining agent is intended to denote any agent that causes the material that comes in contact with it to stain. Typically, staining agents comprise at least one dye or pigment. Both dyes and pigments appear to be colored because they absorb and reflect some wavelengths of light preferentially. Typical staining agents include : makeup (such as lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, lip plumper, lip balm, foundation, powder, blush), artificial or natural colorants (such as those found in soft drinks, coffee, red wine, food), dyes and pigments (such as those found in dyed textiles and leather).

    The article



    [0017] The article according to the present invention has a lightness (L*) of at least 70 in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space when measured according to ASTM E308-08. The procedure used to measure the color and in particular the luminance of the article is detailed here below:

    [0018] The lightness (L*) was determined using a CE7000 Gretag MacBeth spectrophotometer using Cool White Fluorescent (F2) illuminant, a 10° observer, a 10 nm wavelength interval, a spectral range of from 360 to 700 nm and a D/8 optical geometry configuration with a bandpass correction using table 5.27 of the ASTM E 308-08 (on page 22). Values were measured on CIE Lab coordinates. The three coordinates of CIELAB represent the lightness of the color (L* = 0 yields black and L* = 100 indicates diffuse white ; specular white may be higher), its position between red and green (a*, negative values indicate green while positive values indicate red) and its position between yellow and blue (b*, negative values indicate blue and positive values indicate yellow).

    [0019] The article according to the present invention has preferably a lightness (L*) of at least 72, more preferably at least 74, still more preferably at least 76, even more preferably of at least 78 and most preferably of at least 80.

    [0020] The article according to the present invention may be composed of one ore more parts. At least one part of the article comprises the polymer composition (C).

    [0021] In a first particular embodiment, the article according to the present invention is an electronic equipment housing and more particularly a portable electronic device housing.

    [0022] By "portable electronic device" is meant an electronic device that is designed to be conveniently transported and used in various locations. Representative examples of portable electronic devices include mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, tablet computers, radios, cameras and camera accessories, watches, calculators, music players, global positioning system receivers, portable games, hard drives and other electronic storage devices, and the like.

    [0023] By "portable electronic device housing" is meant a cover, backbone, or the like of the device. The housing may be a single article or comprise two or more components. By "backbone" is meant a structural component onto which other components of the device, such as electronics, microprocessors, screens, keyboards and keypads, antennas, battery sockets, and the like are mounted. The backbone may be an interior component that is not visible or only partially visible from the exterior of the telephone. The housing may provide protection for internal components of the device from impact and contamination and/or damage from environmental agents (such as liquids, dust, and the like). Housing components such as covers may also provide substantial or primary structural support for and protection against impact of certain components having exposure to the exterior of the device such as screens and/or antennas. Examples of such housings include but are not limited to : mobile telephones housings, personal digital assistants housings, laptop computers housings, tablet computers housings, global positioning system receivers housings, portable games housings, radios housings, cameras housings, camera accessories housings, etc.

    [0024] In a preferred embodiment, the housings of the present invention are mobile telephone housings. By "mobile telephone housing" is meant one or more of the back cover, front cover, antenna housing, and/or backbone of a mobile phone. The housing may be a single article incorporating one or more of the foregoing. By "backbone" is meant a structural component onto which other components of the mobile telephone, such as electronics, screens, battery sockets, and the like are mounted. The backbone may be an interior component that is not visible or only partially visible from the exterior of the telephone.

    [0025] The articles and in particular the housings for portable electronic devices according to the present invention are made from the compositions using any suitable melt-processing method. In particular, the article according to the present invention may be an injection molded article, an extruded molded article, a shaped article, a coated article or a casted article. Injection molding is a preferred method.

    [0026] In a second particular embodiment, the article according to the present invention is selected from:
    • an appliance like a home appliance or household machines such as refrigerators, freezers, blenders, can openers, coffee machines, microwave ovens, convection ovens, mixers, stoves, washing machines, dishwashers, trash compactors and the like ;
    • a countertop referring to a horizontal worksurface in kitchens or other food preparation areas, bathrooms or lavatories, and workrooms in general;
    • furnitures like cabinets, chairs, tables and the like.

    The semi-aromatic polyamide



    [0027] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention comprises recurring units (R) resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms.

    [0028] Recurring units (R) are advantageously obtained from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms. Preferably, they are obtained from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising less than 14 carbon atoms, more preferably less than 13 carbon atoms, even more preferably less than 12 carbon atoms. Excellent results were obtained when using one or more aliphatic diamine comprising 9, 10 or 11 carbon atoms.

    [0029] Aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms include, but are not limited to, 1,8-octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine, 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediamine and 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine; it may also be an alicyclic diamine, e.g. methylcyclohexanediamine and isophoronediamine.

    [0030] Aliphatic diamine having more than 8 carbon atoms can be a C9-C14 diamine, more preferably a C9-C12 diamine.

    [0031] In a particular embodiment, the aliphatic diamine having more than 8 carbon atoms is a C9 diamine. In such a case, the diamine may be 1,9-nonanediamine (NDA) and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine (MODA). The 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine (MODA) may be present from 0 to 50 mole %, based on the total number of moles of the diamine. When the aliphatic diamine having more than 8 carbon atoms is a mix of NDA and MODA, the molar ratio [(NDA): (MODA)] is advantageously of at least 1, preferably of at least 2, more preferably of at least 3 and still more preferably of at least 4 ; besides, it is advantageously of at most 9, preferably of at most 7, and more preferably of at most 6.

    [0032] Excellent results were obtained when the invented polyamide consisted essentially of:
    • a diamine component (a) consisting essentially of a mixture of 1,9-nonanediamine and 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine in a molar ratio [(NDA) : (MODA)] of about 1.5 or 5.6, and
    • a dicarboxylic acid component (b) consisting essentially of terephthalic acid.


    [0033] Polyamides are those often referred to as PA 9T, PA 10T and PA 11T and mixtures thereof.

    [0034] PA 9T, when made using 1,9-nonanediamine, is a polyamide the recurring units of which have the following structure :



    [0035] PA 10T is a polyamide the recurring units of which have the following structure:



    [0036] PA10T may be prepared by various ways. It is advantageously prepared at least partially from decanediamine derived from a renewable raw material such as castor bean.

    [0037] PA 11T is a polyamide the recurring units of which have the following structure:



    [0038] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention may comprise other recurring units than recurring units (R).

    [0039] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention may be obtained by the condensation of one or more dicarboxylic acids and one or more diamines, and/or one or more aminocarboxylic acids, and/or ring-opening polymerization products of one or more cyclic lactams.

    [0040] In addition to terephthalic acid (abbreviated as "T" in polyamide designations), suitable dicarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, succinic acid, glutaric acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, 1, 6-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and isophthalic acid (abbreviated as "I" in polyamide designations). Preferably, adipic acid is present in an amount of at most 30 mol %, more preferably at most 20 mol %, even more preferably at most 10 mol %, based on the total number of moles of the diacid component. Most preferably the diacid component is free of adipic acid.

    [0041] Suitable diamines include, but are not limited to, tetramethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, nonamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, dodecamethylenediamine, 2-methylpentamethylenediamine, 2-methyloctamethylenediamine, trimethylhexamethylenediamine, bis(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane, m-xylylenediamine, and p-xylylenediamine.

    [0042] In a particular embodiment, another aliphatic diamine is used in addition to the aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms. This additional aliphatic diamine may comprise from 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms. Excellent results were obtained with PA 6T/10T.

    [0043] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention comprises preferably at least 20 wt. %, more preferably at least 40 wt. %, even more preferably at least 50 wt. %, still more preferably at least 60 wt. % and most preferably at least 80 wt. % of recurring units (R) based on the total weight of the semi-aromatic polyamide. Excellent results were obtained when the semi-aromatic polyamide was essentially free or even completely free of recurring units other than recurring units (R).

    [0044] More than one semi-aromatic polyamide may be present in the polymer composition (C). In such a case, the semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms detailed above is present in at least 20 wt. %, more preferably at least 40 wt. %, even more preferably at least 50 wt. %, still more preferably at least 60 wt. % and most preferably at least 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of the semi-aromatic polyamides.

    [0045] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention has advantageously a high melting point. Its melting point is preferably above 200°C, more preferably above 240°C, even more preferably above 280°C and most preferably above 300°C. Excellent results were obtained with a semi-aromatic polyamide featuring a melting point of 316°C.

    [0046] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention has advantageously a high heat deflection temperature. Its heat deflection temperature is preferably above 200°C, more preferably above 250°C, even more preferably above 270°C and most preferably above 290°C. Excellent results were obtained with a semi-aromatic polyamide featuring a heat deflection temperature of 295°C.

    [0047] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention having advantageously a high heat deflection temperature and a high melting point, it features therefore excellent high temperature resistance.

    [0048] The semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention is preferably present in the polymer composition (C) in an amount of at least 10 wt. %, more preferably of at least 20 wt. %, still more preferably of at least 30 wt. % and most preferably of at least 40 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C). On the other hand, the semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention is preferably present in the polymer composition (C) in an amount of at most 90 wt. %, more preferably of at most 80 wt. %, still more preferably of at most 70 wt. % and most preferably of at most 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C). Excellent results were obtained when the semi-aromatic polyamide according to the present invention was present in the polymer composition (C) in about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).

    The filler



    [0049] The polymer composition (C) further comprises at least one filler. The filler may be selected from the group consisting of fibrous fillers, particulate fillers and mixture thereof.

    [0050] Examples of such filler include, but are not limited to, glass fiber, carbon fiber, glass fibers having a non-circular cross section, glass flakes, carbon fibers, wollastonite, calcined clay, kaolin, and the like.

    [0051] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the filler is preferably a particulate filler. Examples of such particulate filler include carbon black, talc, glass balls, calcium silicate, calcium metasilicate, kaolin, chalk, powdered quartz, alumina, boron nitride, mica, aluminium silicate, calcium carbonate, clay and the like.

    [0052] In another particular embodiment of the present invention, the filler is preferably a fibrous filler.

    [0053] The fibrous filler may have a circular or a non-circular cross section having a major axis lying perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the reinforcing agent and corresponding to the longest linear distance in the cross section. The non-circular cross section has a minor axis corresponding to the longest linear distance in the cross section in a direction perpendicular to the major axis. The ratio of the length of the major axis to that of the minor access is preferably between about 1.5:1 and about 6:1. The ratio is more preferably between about 2:1 and 5:1 and yet more preferably between about 3:1 to about 4:1.

    [0054] The fibrous reinforcing agent may be glass, carbon fibers, ceramic fibers or other materials. Glass fibers are preferred. The fibrous reinforcing agent may be in the form of long glass fibers, chopped strands, milled short glass fibers, or other suitable forms known to those skilled in the art. Particularly preferred according to the invention are glass fibers having a fiber diameter between 7 and 18 µm, preferably between 9 and 15 µm.

    [0055] In a further particular embodiment of the present invention, the filler is preferably a mixture of particulate and fibrous filler.

    [0056] In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition (C) comprises preferably at least 20 wt. %, more preferably at least 30 wt. %, still more preferably at least 40 wt. % and most preferably at least 45 wt. % of the filler, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C). On the other hand, the polymer composition (C) comprises preferably at most 80 wt. %, more preferably at most 70 wt. %, still more preferably at most 60 wt. % and most preferably at most 55 wt. % of the filler, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).

    The pigment



    [0057] The polymer composition (C) further comprises from 0.1 to 35 wt. % of at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C), different from the above described filler.

    [0058] Among white pigments, the white pigment according to the present invention is preferably selected from titanium dioxide, barium sulfate, zinc sulfide and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the white pigment is titanium dioxide or zinc sulfide.

    [0059] The polymer composition (C) comprises advantageously from 0.1 to 35 wt. %, preferably from 1 to 20 wt. %, more preferably from 2 to 10 wt. % and still more preferably from 3 to 8 wt. % of at least one white pigment based on the total weight of the composition.

    [0060] In addition to the at least one white pigment, the polymer composition (C) may comprise other inorganic and organic pigments. Such pigments are well known from the skilled person and are notably chosen from : iron oxide pigments, chromium oxide green, lead chromate molybdate pigments, cadmium pigments, mixed metal oxide pigments, ultramarine blue, etc.

    [0061] The total amount of pigments (taking into account both white pigments and other pigments) according to the present invention are preferably present in the composition (C) in an amount of at least 0.1 wt. %, more preferably of at least about 0.5 wt. %, yet more preferably of at least about 3 wt. %, or still more preferably of at least about 4 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C). On the other hand, the pigments according to the present invention are preferably present in the polymer composition (C) in an amount of at most 35 wt. %, more preferably of at most 25 wt. %, yet more preferably of at most 15 wt. %, or still more preferably of at most 10 wt. %, and most preferably of at most 8 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition. Excellent results were obtained when the pigments were present in the polymer composition (C) in about 5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).

    Optional ingredients



    [0062] The polymer composition (C) may further comprise other ingredients.

    [0063] For example, the polymer composition (C) may further comprise other polymer(s). In particular, the polymer composition (C) may further comprise other polyamides including aliphatic polyamides such as polyamide 6 ; polyamide 6,6 ; polyamide 4,6 ; polyamide 6,10 ; polyamide 6,12 ; polyamide 11 ; polyamide 12 ; polyamide 9,10 ; polyamide 9,12 ; polyamide 9,13 ; polyamide 9,14 ; polyamide 9,15 ; polyamide 6,16 ; polyamide 9,36 ; polyamide 10,10 ; polyamide 10,12 ; polyamide 10,13 ; polyamide 10,14 ; polyamide 12,10 ; polyamide 12,12 ; polyamide 12,13 ; polyamide 12,14 ; polyamide 6,14 ; polyamide 6,13 ; polyamide 6,15 ; polyamide 6,16 ; polyamide 6,13 ; and semi-aromatic polyamides such as poly(m-xylylene adipamide) (polyamide MXD,6), poly(dodecamethylene terephthalamide) (polyamide 12,T), poly(nonamethylene terephthalamide) (polyamide 9,T), hexamethylene adipamide/hexamethylene terephthalamide copolyamide (polyamide 6,T/6,6), hexamethylene terephthalamide.

    [0064] The polymer composition (C) may optionally further comprise an impact modifier. Preferred impact modifiers include those typically used for polyamides, including carboxyl-substituted polyolefins, which are polyolefins that have carboxylic moieties attached thereto, either on the polyolefin backbone itself or on side chains. By "carboxylic moieties" is meant carboxylic groups such as one or more of dicarboxylic acids, diesters, dicarboxylic monoesters, acid anhydrides, and monocarboxylic acids and esters. Useful impact modifiers include dicarboxyl-substituted polyolefins, which are polyolefins that have dicarboxylic moieties attached thereto, either on the polyolefin backbone itself or on side chains. By 'dicarboxylic moiety' is meant dicarboxylic groups such as one or more of dicarboxylic acids, diesters, dicarboxylic monoesters, and acid anhydrides.

    [0065] The impact modifier may preferably be based on an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin polyolefin. Diene monomers such as 1,4-butadiene ; 1,4-hexadiene ; or dicyclopentadiene may optionally be used in the preparation of the polyolefin. Preferred polyolefins include ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) polymers made from 1,4-hexadiene and/or dicyclopentadiene and styrene-ethylene-butadienestyrene (SEBS) polymers. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the impact modifier may or may not have one or more carboxyl moieties attached thereto.

    [0066] The carboxyl moiety may be introduced during the preparation of the polyolefin by copolymerizing with an unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomer. Preferred is a copolymer of ethylene and maleic anhydride monoethyl ester. The carboxyl moiety may also be introduced by grafting the polyolefin with an unsaturated compound containing a carboxyl moiety, such as an acid, ester, diacid, diester, acid ester, or anhydride. A preferred grafting agent is maleic anhydride. A preferred impact modifier is an EPDM polymer grafted with maleic anhydride, such as Royaltuf 498, which is commercially available from Chemtura. Blends of polyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and EPDM polymers with polyolefins that have been grafted with an unsaturated compound containing a carboxyl moiety may be used as an impact modifier.

    [0067] Impact modifier is present in the composition in 0 to about 20 weight percent, or preferably in about 3 to about 20 weight percent, or more preferably in about 5 to about 15 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

    [0068] The polymer composition (C) may further optionally comprise additional additives such as ultraviolet light stabilizers, heat stabilizers, antioxidants, processing aids, lubricants, flame retardants, and/or conductivity additive such as carbon black and carbon nanofibrils.

    [0069] In a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition (C) comprises:
    • preferably at least 30 wt. % and more preferably at least 40 wt. % of the at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms;
    • preferably at least 20 wt. %, more preferably at least 30 wt. %, of the at least one filler;
    • from 0.1 to 35 wt. % and preferably from 2 to 10 wt. % of at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).


    [0070] A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for conferring anti-staining properties to an article comprising using a semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and an aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms for the manufacture of said article, wherein said at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms is selected from 1,9-nonanediamine and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, and 1,10-decanediamine. Such article may be an injection molded article, an extruded molded article, a shaped article, a coated article or a casted article. According to the method for conferring anti-staining properties of the present invention, such article is selected from the group consisting of mobile telephone housings, personal digital assistants housings, laptop computers housings, tablet computer housings, global positioning system receiver housings, portable game housings, radio housings, cameras housings or camera accessory housings.

    [0071] The semi-aromatic polyamide preferably used in the manufacture of articles for its anti-staining properties may be PA 9T, PA 10T, PA 11T or mixtures thereof.

    [0072] In particular, the present invention relates to a method for conferring anti-staining properties to an article comprising using a composition comprising PA 9T, PA 10T, for the manufacture of said article. The Applicant has surprisingly found out that the use of such compositions in the manufacture of articles reduce dramatically their staining when exposed to external staining agents.

    [0073] Should the disclosure of any patents, patent applications, and publications which are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the description of the present application to the extent that it may render a term unclear, the present description shall take precedence.

    EXAMPLES



    [0074] Makeup was used as the staining agent. More precisely, the makeup was Maybelline Blush 10 Romantic Plum blush.

    [0075] This staining agent was tested on various 0.3 cm thick molded plaques made of different materials:

    PA 6,6 : Zytel® 101 commercialized by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

    PA 6T/6,6 : AMODEL® A-4122 L WH905 commercialized by SOLVAY ADVANCED POLYMERS, L.L.C.

    PA6T/6I/6,6 : AMODEL® A-1133 NL WH505 commercialized by SOLVAY ADVANCED POLYMERS, L.L.C.

    PA 10,10 : Commercially available from Shandong Dongchen Engineering Plastic Co.,Ltd.

    PA 10,12 : Commercially available from Shandong Dongchen Engineering Plastic Co.,Ltd.

    PA 9T : polymer obtained by the condensation of C9 aliphatic diamine and terephthalic acid, supplied by Kuraray.

    PA 10T : Vicnyl 700 commercialized by Kingfa.

    Glass fiber: CSG3PA-820 commercialized by Nitobo.

    Colored pigments: a mixture of pigments were used for color matching.

    White pigment I: zinc sulfide: Sachtolith® HD-L commercialized by Sachtleben Chemie GmbH.

    White pigment II: titanium dioxide: R-105 commercialized by DuPont Titanium Technologies.

    Talc: Steamic® OOS commercialized by Talc de Luzenac France.

    Sebum: Synthetic sebum commercialized by Scientific Services.

    Table 1: Materials tested
     CE1CE2CE3CE4CE5E1E2
    Polyamide       
    PA 6,6 50            
    PA 6T/6,6   66          
    PA 6T/6I/6,6     58,7        
    PA 10,10       46,22      
    PA 10,12         46,22    
    PA 9T           46,22  
    PA 0T             46,22
    Filler       
    Glass fiber 50 21 34,5 47,26 47,26 47,26 47,26
    Pigments       
    Colored pigments       0,025 0,025 0,025 0,025
    White pigment I       4,755 4,755 4,755 4,755
    White pigment II   12 6        
    Additives       
    Typical PA additives   1 0.5 0,74 0,74 0,74 0,74
    Talc     0,3 1 1 1 1

    STAINING TEST METHOD



    [0076] The color of the plaques were measured, and in particular the lightness (L*) of the samples were determined using a CE7000 Gretag MacBeth spectrophotometer using Cool White Fluorescent (F2) illuminant and the 10° observer, as detailed above.

    [0077] The following test procedure was used to determine the stain-resistance performance of examples of this invention, this test method simulates a potential real life method of staining whereby a person wearing makeup talking on their cell phone may introduce colorants to the plastic cell phone part. Synthetic face oil, sebum, was used to simulate a possible carrier or solvent for the dyes.

    [0078] A mixture of staining agent is prepared by heating sebum until it is liquid, then mixing 3 parts of the heated sebum to one part of the makeup and finally heating the mixture to maintain liquidity.

    [0079] The prepared staining agent mixture is applied to the surface of the molded plaques with a cotton swab. The plaques are placed in an environmental chamber at 65°C and 90 % humidity for 24 hours. The molded plaques are then placed at room temperature before wiping their surface with isopropyl alcohol. Once cleaned, the plaques are finally inspected for staining.

    [0080] The inspection step comprises the measurement of the lightness (L*), as detailed above. The difference between the original L* measured and the L* measured after the staining treatment is calculated.

    [0081] Stain Rating Scale : the stains can be categorized according to the following standards :
    1. 1 = no staining = ΔL ≤ 0.5
    2. 2 = moderate staining = 0.5 < ΔL < 5
    3. 3 = heavy staining = ΔL > 5


    [0082] In other words, a stain-rating of 1 is excellent, showing good stain resistance, whereas 3 is a poor rating, showing persistence of heavy staining. For a substrate to be considered to have adequate stain resistance, it should have a rating of 1 on the above-described Stain Rating Scale.
    Table 2: Staining test results
     CE1CE2CE3CE4CE5E1E2
    Initial L* value 61.6 91.0 93.9 90.9 90.8 89,7 89.4
    L* value after staining treatment 58.4 90.0 92.7 84.3 84 89.7 89.0
    Staining rating 2 2 2 3 3 1 1



    Claims

    1. An article comprising a polymer composition (C) comprising :

    - at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms ;

    - at least one filler ;

    - from 0.1 to 35 wt. % of at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C) ;

    wherein the color of said article has a lightness (L*) of at least 70 in the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space when measured according to ASTM E308-08, and
    wherein said at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms is selected from:

    - 1,9-nonanediamine and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, and

    - 1,10-decanediamine; and

    wherein said article is an electronic equipment housing selected from mobile telephone housing, personal digital assistants housing, laptop computers housing, tablet computer housing, global positioning system receiver housing, portable game housing, radio housing, cameras housing or camera accessory housing.
     
    2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the polymer composition (C) comprises at least 40 wt. % of the semi-aromatic polyamide, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).
     
    3. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition (C) comprises at least 20 wt. % of the at least one filler, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).
     
    4. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the polymer composition (C) comprises at least 1 wt. % of the at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the polymer composition (C).
     
    5. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one filler is glass fiber.
     
    6. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one white pigment is selected from titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and zinc sulfide and mixtures thereof.
     
    7. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims having a stain-resistance rating of 1 on the Stain Rating Scale of the Stain Test Method.
     
    8. The article according to anyone of the preceding claims being an injection molded article, an extruded molded article, a shaped article, a coated article or a casted article.
     
    9. Method for conferring anti-staining properties to an article comprising using a semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and an aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms for the manufacture of said article,
    wherein said at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms is selected from:

    - 1,9-nonanediamine and/or 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine, and

    - 1,10-decanediamine; and

    wherein said article is an electronic equipment housing selected from mobile telephone housing, personal digital assistants housing, laptop computers housing, tablet computer housing, global positioning system receiver housing, portable game housing, radio housing, cameras housing or camera accessory housing.
     
    10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the article is an injection molded article, an extruded molded article, a shaped article, a coated article or a casted article.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Gegenstand, umfassend eine Polymerzusammensetzung (C) umfassend :

    - wenigstens ein halbaromatisches Polyamid, das Wiederholungseinheiten umfasst, die durch Kondensation von Terephthalsäure und wenigstens einem aliphatischen Diamin, das mehr als 8 Kohlenstoffatome umfasst, erhalten sind;

    - wenigstens einen Füllstoff;

    - von 0,1 bis 35 Gew.- % an wenigstens einem weißen Pigment bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht der Polymerzusammensetzung (C);

    wobei die Farbe des Gegenstands eine Helligkeit (L*) von wenigstens 70 in dem CIE-1976-Farbraum (L*, a*, b*), wenn gemessen gemäß ASTM E308-08, aufweist und
    wobei das wenigstens eine aliphatische Diamin, das mehr als 8 Kohlenstoffatome umfasst, ausgewählt ist aus :

    - 1,9-Nonandiamin und/oder 2-Methyl-1,8-octandiamin und

    - 1,10-Decandiamin; und

    wobei der Gegenstand ein Elektronikgerätegehäuse ausgewählt aus einem Mobiltelefongehäuse, Personal-Digital-Assistant-Gehäuse, Laptopcomputergehäuse, Tabletcomputergehäuse, Global-Positioning-System-Empfänger-Gehäuse, Tragbares-Spielgerät-Gehäuse, Radiogehäuse, Kameragehäuse oder Kamerazubehörgehäuse ist.
     
    2. Gegenstand gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die Polymerzusammensetzung (C) wenigstens 40 Gew.- % an dem halbaromatischen Polyamid bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht der Polymerzusammensetzung (C) umfasst.
     
    3. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Polymerzusammensetzung (C) wenigstens 20 Gew.- % an dem wenigstens einen Füllstoff bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht der Polymerzusammensetzung (C) umfasst.
     
    4. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Polymerzusammensetzung (C) wenigstens 1 Gew.- % an dem wenigstens einen weißen Pigment bezogen auf das Gesamtgewicht der Polymerzusammensetzung (C) umfasst.
     
    5. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der wenigstens eine Füllstoff Glasfaser ist.
     
    6. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das wenigstens eine weiße Pigment ausgewählt ist aus Titandioxid, Bariumsulfat und Zinksulfid und Gemischen davon.
     
    7. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, der eine Fleckbeständigkeitsbewertung von 1 auf der Fleckbewertungsskala des Fleckprüfverfahrens aufweist.
     
    8. Gegenstand gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, der ein spritzgegossener Gegenstand, ein extrusionsgeformter Gegenstand, ein geformter Gegenstand, ein beschichteter Gegenstand oder ein gegossener Gegenstand ist.
     
    9. Verfahren zum Verleihen von fleckabweisenden Eigenschaften an einen Gegenstand, umfassend Verwenden eines halbaromatischen Polyamids, das Wiederholungseinheiten umfasst, die durch Kondensation von Terephthalsäure und einem aliphatischen Diamin, das mehr als 8 Kohlenstoffatome umfasst, erhalten sind, zum Herstellen des Gegenstands,
    wobei das wenigstens eine aliphatische Diamin, das mehr als 8 Kohlenstoffatome umfasst, ausgewählt ist aus :

    - 1,9-Nonandiamin und/oder 2-Methyl-1,8-octandiamin und

    - 1,10-Decandiamin; und

    wobei der Gegenstand ein Elektronikgerätegehäuse ausgewählt aus einem Mobiltelefongehäuse, Personal-Digital-Assistant-Gehäuse, Laptopcomputergehäuse, Tabletcomputergehäuse, Global-Positioning-System-Empfänger-Gehäuse, Tragbares-Spielgerät-Gehäuse, Radiogehäuse, Kameragehäuse oder Kamerazubehörgehäuse ist.
     
    10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei der Gegenstand ein spritzgegossener Gegenstand, ein extrusionsgeformter Gegenstand, ein geformter Gegenstand, ein beschichteter Gegenstand oder ein gegossener Gegenstand ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Article comprenant une composition polymère (C), comprenant :

    - au moins un polyamide semi-aromatique comprenant des unités de répétition résultant de la condensation d'acide téréphtalique et d'au moins une diamine aliphatique comprenant plus de 8 atomes de carbone ;

    - au moins une charge ;

    - de 0,1 à 35 % en poids d'au moins un pigment blanc, par rapport au poids total de la composition polymère (C) ;

    dans lequel la couleur dudit article a une clarté (L*) d'au moins 70 dans l'espace de couleur CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) lorsqu'elle est mesurée selon ASTM E308-08,
    et
    dans lequel ladite au moins une diamine aliphatique comprenant plus de 8 atomes de carbone est choisie parmi :

    - la 1,9-nonanediamine et/ou la 2-méthyl-1,8-octanediamine et

    - la 1,10-décanediamine ; et

    dans lequel ledit article est un boîtier d'équipement électronique choisi parmi un boîtier de téléphone portable, un boîtier d'assistant personnel numérique, un boîtier d'ordinateur portable, un boîtier de tablette, un boîtier de récepteur de système de positionnement global, un boîtier de jeu portable, un boîtier de radio, un boîtier de caméra ou un boîtier d'accessoire de caméra.
     
    2. Article selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la composition polymère (C) comprend au moins 40 % en poids du polyamide semi-aromatique, par rapport au poids total de la composition polymère (C).
     
    3. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la composition polymère (C) comprend au moins 20 % en poids de ladite au moins une charge, par rapport au poids total de la composition polymère (C).
     
    4. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la composition polymère (C) comprend au moins 1 % en poids dudit au moins un pigment blanc, par rapport au poids total de la composition polymère (C).
     
    5. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite au moins une charge est une fibre de verre.
     
    6. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit au moins un pigment blanc est choisi parmi le dioxyde de titane, le sulfate de baryum et le sulfure de zinc et leurs mélanges.
     
    7. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ayant une note de résistance aux taches de 1 sur l'échelle de notation de la résistance aux taches de la méthode de test de la résistance aux taches.
     
    8. Article selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui est un article moulé par injection, un article moulé extrudé, un article façonné, un article revêtu ou un article coulé.
     
    9. Procédé destiné à conférer des propriétés antitaches à un article comprenant l'utilisation d'un polyamide semi-aromatique comprenant des unités de répétition résultant de la condensation d'acide téréphtalique et d'une diamine aliphatique comprenant plus de 8 atomes de carbone pour la fabrication dudit article,
    dans lequel ladite au moins une diamine aliphatique comprenant plus de 8 atomes de carbone est choisie parmi :

    - la 1,9-nonanediamine et/ou la 2-méthyl-1,8-octanediamine, et

    - la 1,10-décanediamine ; et

    dans lequel ledit article est un boîtier d'équipement électronique choisi parmi un boîtier de téléphone portable, un boîtier d'assistant personnel numérique, un boîtier d'ordinateur portable, un boîtier de tablette, un boîtier de récepteur de système de positionnement global, un boîtier de jeu portable, un boîtier de radio, un boîtier de caméra ou un boîtier d'accessoire de caméra.
     
    10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'article est un article moulé par injection, un article moulé extrudé, un article façonné, un article revêtu ou un article coulé.
     






    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description