MXPA99007302A - Electrostatic dissipative composition - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermoplastic compositions are provided which have electrostatic dissipative properties. The thermoplastic composition is prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients:(i) a thermoplastic polyurethane, which is prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups;(ii) a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester is a polylactone;and (iii) a quaternary ammonium compound. The composition may additionally include an organic polymer to which is imbued electrostatic dissipative properties as a result of incorporating the three initial ingredients.

Description

ELECTROSTATIC DISSIPATOR COMPOSITION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to thermoplastic compositions useful as electrostatic dissipating agents or compositions. BACKGROUND The electronic structure of a polymer is the main reason, but not the only one for its inherent electrical charge. The formation and retention of static electricity charges on the surface of most plastics is well known. The free electrons located on the surface of the polymers, which are the result of unfilled valence bonds responsible for chemical bonds, produce the inherent electrical charge of the polymer. Plastic materials have a significant tendency to accumulate static electric charges due to low electrical conductivity. The friction between dissimilar electrical insulators can produce significant static charge in a short time. The frictional force generated by mechanical movements during polymer processing (eg, mixing, extrusion, grinding, etc.) not only converts mechanical energy to heat, but is also responsible for the separation of electrons from the surface, which results in the static charge. This static charge is not convenient for a variety of reasons: dust attraction, interference with processing during the formation of compounds or manufacture of the final product, and the generation of sparks from static buildup, which can produce serious accidents such as fire or explosion. The presence of static electric charges on sheets of thermoplastic film, for example, can cause the sheets to adhere to one another thus making their separation more difficult for further processing. In addition, the presence of static electric charges causes, for example, that the powder adheres to items packed in a plastic bag, which can nullify any sale. The increasing complexity and sensitivity of microelectronic devices make the control of static discharge a particular concern of the electronics industry. Even a low voltage discharge can cause severe damage to sensitive devices. The need to control the accumulation of static charge and dissipation often requires the total assembly environment to be constructed partially from conductive materials. It may also be required that the electrostatic protective packaging, cargo boxes, fasteners, housings, gaskets and covers are made of conductive polymeric materials for storing, shipping, protecting or supporting electrical devices and equipment. The dissipation of electrical charge from polymeric surfaces has been achieved so far by the addition of various electrostatic dissipative materials (DES), v. gr. , chemical agents surfactants, or conductive fillers for the polymer. The DES materials or conductive fillers may be composed of, and incorporated into, the host polymer during processing as an internal antistatic. Alternatively, DES materials can be applied topically, eg. , by spraying or by submersion coating, to the article containing the polymer after the manufacture although this method usually results in a temporary solution. These technologies have several limitations of manufacturing and performance. For example, the levels of additives and fillers that are required to provide sufficient conductivity to dissipate the electric charge are very high. Although the use of conductive fillers (graphite, metals, organic semiconductors) to increase the conductivity of polymers, produces a highly dissipative solution, the finished parts lack color and suffer from a reduction in physical strength and inconsistent performance. The migration of the chemicals to the surface of the polymer could interfere with the printing and sealing processes. The shelf life and shelf life limitations, chemical corrosivity and, finally, no less, the humidity dependencies of the environment for satisfactory performance are additional examples of technology limitations. There are five different groups of chemicals used as topical or internal antistats. These chemicals belong to the group of the chemical family of the surfactants and perform their function by DES altering the energy of the surface of the plastic part. These chemicals with their respective chemical structures are illustrated below: 1. Amides 2. Amides? •, CH £ HpH R-C-N x CH2CHpH 3. Alkyl esters CH¿-COOR CH H CH2OH 4. Alkyl Sulfates C ^ iSOnA- 5. Quaternary Ammonium Compound x = Cl, N03, CH3S04, S04 All these chemicals follow the same mechanism to dissipate the static charge: forming a hydrogen bond with moisture atmospheric This union is extremely weak and is not a chemical union. This bond is only strong enough to form a microscopic layer of water on the surface of the polymer to dissipate the electrical charge that follows the principles of ionic conductivity. _ yCHiCHíOHv. M R-N < HÍOH > 0 H R = Electric Load Alkyl Chain As previously mentioned, in order for these chemicals to function as an antistatic, they must first migrate to the surface in sufficient quantity and speed (which depends on the compatibility of these chemicals with the guest polymers as well as the ambient temperature). Second, there must be enough moisture present in the environment to form the hydrogen bond and the water layer on the surface. However, the incorporation of these lower molecular weight DES weight materials (antistatic agents) into the Different polymers have their own limitations. For example, during the hot temperatures that are required during conventional processing, many of said antistatic agents can not withstand high temperatures and are damaged or destroyed, thus becoming useless with respect to their DES properties. Also, many of the higher molecular weight DES agents are not compatible with the base polymers employed, and if the refractive indexes differ by more than about 0.02, there may be a substantial reduction in the transparency of the composition. These compositions may be unacceptable for transparent applications. For example, in a polymeric mixture in which the particle size of the dispersed phase is greater than 0.1 microns, the smaller the difference in the refractive indexes between the additives and the base polymer, the greater the clarity of the article formed of said mixture. A larger number of antistatic agents are not cationic or anionic. These tend to cause the degradation of plastics, particularly PVC, and result in discoloration or loss of physical properties. Other antistatic agents have significantly lower molecular weights than the base polymers themselves. Frequently, lower molecular weight antistatic agents have undesirable lubricating properties and are difficult to incorporate into the polymer. The incorporation of lower molecular weight antistatic agents into the polymers will often reduce the moldability of the base plastic because the antistatic agents can change to the surface of the plastic during the process and frequently deposit a coating on the surface of the molds, possibly destroying the finished surface on the articles of manufacture. In several cases, the surface of the article of manufacture becomes very oily and yellowish. Additionally, lower molecular weight DES agents often tend to lose their DES capacity due to evaporation, develop undesirable odors and may promote cracking or cracking on the surface of an article in contact with the article of manufacture. One of the known lower molecular weight antistatic agents is a homopolymer oligomer or copolymer of ethylene oxide. Generally, the use of lower molecular weight polymers of ethylene oxide or polyethers as antistatic agents is limited by the problems mentioned above in relation to lubricity, surface problems or less effective DES properties. In addition, these low molecular weight polymers can easily be extracted or spent from the base polymer by stripping off any electrostatic dissipative properties. There are several examples of high molecular weight electrostatic dissipating agents in the prior art. In general, these additives have high molecular weight polymers of ethylene oxide or a derivative thereof such as propylene oxide, epichlorohydrin, glycidyl ethers and the like. It has been a requirement that these additives they are high molecular weight materials to overcome the problems mentioned above. However, these DES additives of the prior art result in articles that have high risk values and therefore are not transparent enough for some end uses. Prior to the present invention, the use of low molecular weight polyether oligomers as antistatic agents was not practical since these low molecular weight oligomers suffer from problems such as blooming. Other polyurethane polymers including polyethers based on polyethers are described in the following patents: E. U.A. 2,871, 218, which discloses extruded plastic sheets resistant to hydrocarbon solvents but soluble in polar solvents: E. U.A. 4,400,498, which pertains to heat and solvent resistant interlaced polyurethanes particularly adapted to fillings and dispersed pigments and useful for adhesives; E. U.A. 4, 191, 818 directed to heat-locked, heat-resistant polyurethanes used in elastomeric casting molding; E. U.A. 3,214.41 1, which suggests polyester polyurethane polymers to be heat interlaced in high heat injection molding processes; and the E. U.A. 3,012, 992, which describes interlaced polyurethane boxes and plastics carrying the charge. The E. U .A. 4,439, 552, describes cellular polyurethane foams, while E. U .A. 4,762,884, discloses radiation activated interlaced polyurethanes.

Recently, the polymer industries have been looking for ways to develop an Inherently Dissipative Polymer (PI D) to reduce or eliminate the problems associated with the addition of chemicals to polymers to be used as DES materials, ie, antistatic. In some areas, the industry has been successful in developing a PID for specific polymers or specific applications; examples of such products include STAT-RITE from B. F. Goodrich and VERSICON from Allied Signal. Both products have been limited to the lack of success when used in non-polar polymers, e.g. , polyolefins. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION This new technology is based on the development of hydrogen-bonded material, to be present on the surface and within the polymer matrix, to allow the transfer of electronic charge without the migration of ions to dissipate the charge. The hydrogen-bonded material will eliminate the problems of moisture dependence and heat stability associated with prior art technology. Since no chemicals migrate to the surface, the problems of printing, sealing and storage life are also reduced or eliminated. In addition, flowering is eliminated. Consequently, a composition is provided, wherein the composition was prepared by combining the following initial ingredients by phases: a thermoplastic polyurethane, which was prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups, a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester is polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (CnH2N + 1-N + (CH3) 2 (A-OH)) - Y- where n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22. A is the hydrocarbon residue of an alkylene oxide having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and Y is CH 3 SO 3, CH 3 SO 4, SO 4. A particularly preferred quaternary ammonium compound having the above structure is one in which n = 8, A = CH2CH2 and Y = CH3SOs. Preferably, the thermoplastic polyurethane and thermoplastic polyester have compatible melting temperatures, preferably within 100 ° C between them. The composition of the present invention can be modified by varying the initial ingredients to make it compatible with a wide variety of polymers, surprisingly including non-polar polymers such as polyolefins. With this composition, problems associated with PID compatibility, or problems of humidity and migration dependency have been resolved. This composition exhibits good electrostatic dissipative properties for use as an ESD agent mixed with other polymers or itself. In particular, when used alone, they can also exhibit excellent transparency. The polyurethane polymer has an average molecular weight of about 60,000 to about 500,000 and comprises a glycol intermediate of hydroxyl-terminated ethylene ether oligomer having an average molecular weight of about 500 to 5,000, reacted with a thermoplastic polyurethane of non-hidden molecular weight. The glycol intermediate of ethylene ether oligomer is a polyethylene glycol. The polyester polymer has an average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 100,000, preferably from 14,000 to around 50,000. A particularly preferred polyester is poly (e-caprolactone). These and other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent with reference to the detailed description of the invention and the illustrative examples. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel aspects of the invention are exhibited with particularity in the appended claims, but the invention will be understood more fully and clearly from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1: is the absorbance curve Macro-IRTF of a Concentrate A.

FIG U RA 2: is the Macro-I RTF absorbance curve of a polymer composition containing a conventional antistatic. FIGURE 3 is the Macro-I RTF analysis of Concentrate A and the conventional antistatic at two different angles: 45 ° for the interpolymer structure and 60 ° for the surface analysis. FIGURE 4 is a graphical static decay rate (in seconds) versus days in a furnace that from the results of a longevity test comparing a polymer composition (also called coo PM 1 1205E) containing LDPE plus 30% Concentrate A and a polymeric composition containing LDPE plus 0.5% diethanolamide (a conventional antistatic). FIG U RA 5, is a graph of disintegration velocity (in seconds) against the time in months, describing the results of a storage aging test of a polymer composition (also referred to as PM 1 1205E) containing LDPE plus 30% Concentrate A. FIG U RA 6, is a disintegration velocity chart (in seconds) against relative humidity percentage of LDPE compositions containing 30% Concentrate A and LDPE containing 0.5% diethanolamide (a conventional antistatic). FIG U RA 7 is a plot of surface resistivity against percentage of moisture growth on compositions containing LDPE and 30% Concentrate A and containing LDPE and 0.5% diethanolamide (a conventional antistatic). FIGURE 8 is a graph of decay rate (in seconds) versus days in an oven describing the results of a longevity test comparing a polymer composition designated Sample H (PM 22305E) and a polymer composition containing LDPE plus 0.5% diethanolamide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a composition is provided, wherein the composition was prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients: a thermoplastic polyurethane, which was prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups; a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester is polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (C "H2N + 1-N + (CH 3) 2 (A-OH)) - Y- wherein n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, preferably from 7 to 16, A is the hydrocarbon residue of an alkylene oxide having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and Y is CH3SO3, CH3SO4, S04.

The polyurethane and thermoplastic polyester have compatible melting temperatures, preferably within 100 ° C between them. In accordance with this invention, an electrostatic dissipative plastic composition was prepared by mixing an organic polymeric material and an inherently dissipative composition. Alternatively, the organic polymeric material can be omitted and the inherently dissipative composition used alone as the plastic composition. Organic Polymeric Materials Normal organic polymeric materials include synthetic organic polymers and copolymers, especially (i) non-polar polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (1-butene), poly (4-methyl-1-pentene), ethylene-copolymers propylene, ethylene-1-butene copolymers and ethylene-1-hexene copolymers and homopolymers and copolymers of conjugated diene monomers, copolymers of two or more conjugated dienes and copolymers of a conjugated diene and vinyl orthomonomer, wherein the conjugated dienes preferably they are those containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g. , butadiene, isoprene and the like, and (ii) polymers containing polar groups including ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers and their salts, polystyrene, rubber-modified polystyrene , styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-isoprene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, poly (fluoride), vinylidene), polyoxymethylene, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (propylene oxide), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, formal polyvinyl, polyvinyl butyral, poly (methyl acrylate), poly (ethyl acrylate), poly (terephthalate ethylene), vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polymers and copolymers of acyl nitrile and, polymers and copolymers of methacrylonitrile. Polyamides can also be used. The polyamides can be α-polyamides, α, β-polyamides and mixtures and / or copolymers thereof. An example of an α-polyamide is polycaprolactam (nylon 6) and an example of an α, β-polyamide is polyhexamethylene adipamide (nylon 6: 6). See E.U.A. 4, 906, .687, issued to Modic, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferred polymers include organic hydrocarbon polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) and polystyrene. Polyurethane The thermoplastic polyurethane useful in the present invention was prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups. Said polyurethanes were described in E.U.A. 5,159,053, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the first embodiment of the invention, the thermoplastic polyurethane polymer of the present invention, useful as an elastomeric melt or a binder in a fuel tank Fabric reinforced flexible, comprises the reaction of a hydroxyl-terminated ethylene ether oligomer intermediate with a non-hidden diisocyanate and a chain extending glycol wherein the oligomer may be a glycolylactic diethylene polyester, or a polyethylene glycol. For the second embodiment, the oligomer is strictly a polyethylene glycol. Referring first to the polyester intermediate, a saturated polyester polymer was synthesized, terminating in hydroxyl by reacting excess equivalents of diethylene glycol with considerably lower equivalents of an aliphatic acid, preferably an aliphatic, preferably an alkyl, the dicarboxylic acid having four to ten carbon atoms wherein the most preferred one is adipic acid. Other useful dicarboxylic acids include succinic, glutaric, pimelic, suberic, azelaic and sebacic acids. The most preferred polyester intermediate is polyethylene glycol adipate. In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the excess moles of diethylene glycol were reacted with less moles of dicarboxylic acid at levels of from about 5 mole percent to about 50 mole percent glycol to provide a chain of hydroxy-terminated polyester oligomer having an average molecular weight between about 500 to 5,000 and preferably between about 700 and 2,500. The short chain polyester oligomer contains repeating diethylene ether structures and comprises on an equivalent basis of about 0.05 a 1.5 equivalents of diethylene glycol co-reacted with one equivalent of dicarboxylic acid to produce the low molecular weight polyester oligomer intermediate. The equivalents with high excess of diethylene glycol controls the molecular weight of the polyester oligomer preferably 2,500 and further ensures a linear polyester oligomer terminated in hydroxyl. The polyester oligomers synthesized by reacting the diethylene glycol with lower equivalents of dicarboxylic acid at temperatures of about 148.8 ° C to 232.2 ° C in the absence or presence of an esterification catalyst such as stannous chloride for a sufficient time to reduce the No. of acid to zero. The hydroxyl-terminated polyester oligomer intermediate is further reacted with considerably excess equivalents of non-hidden diisocyanate together with the chain extender glycol in a run., so-called, or in simultaneous co-reaction of oligomer, diisocyanate and chain extender glycol to produce the very high molecular weight linear polyurethane having an average molecular weight widely from about 60,000 to about 500,000, preferably from approximately 80,000 to around 180,000. The high molecular weight linear polyurethane based on the polyester oligomer according to this aspect of the invention is unique in that an extraordinarily high molecular weight polyurethane polymer is produced from a polyester oligomer prepolymer. low molecular weight.

According to a preferred aspect of this invention, a glycol intermediate of ethylene ether oligomer comprising a polyethylene glycol with a non-hidden diisocyanate and an extender glycol can be co-reacted to produce the polyurethane polymer of molecular weight. high. Useful polyethylene glycols are linear polymers of the general formula H- (OCH 2 CH 2) p-OH wherein n is the number of repeating ethylene ether units and n is at least 11, preferably from 11 to about 115. About a molecular weight base, the polyethylene glycols have an average molecular weight of at least about 500, preferably from about 500 to about 5,000 and more preferably from about 700 to about 2,500. Commercially available polyethylene glycols useful in this invention are typically designated as polyethylene glycol 600, polyethylene glycol 1500 and polyethylene glycol 4000 with the number representing the average molecular weight thereof. These high molecular weight thermoplastic polyurethanes were produced by reacting together in a process of an ethylene ether oligomer glycol intermediate run, an aromatic or aliphatic non-hidden diisocyanate and an extender glycol. On a molar basis, the amount of chain extender glycol for each mole of oligomer glycol intermediate is from about 0.1 to about 3.0 moles, preferably from about 0.2 to about 2.1 moles and more. preferably from about 0.5 to about 1.5 moles. On a molar basis, the high molecular weight polyurethane polymer comprises from about 0.97 to about 0.02 moles and preferably about 1.0 moles of diisocyanate, preferably non-hidden diisocyanate for each 1.0 total moles of the extender glycol and the oligomer glycol (s). say, chain glycol extender glycol + oligomer glycol = 1.0). Useful non-hidden diisocyanates comprise non-hidden aromatic diisocyanates and include, for example, 1,4-diisocyanatobenzene (PPDI), 4,4'-methylene-phenylisocyanate isocyanate) MDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (NDl) toluene diisocyanate (TDI), m-xylene disiocyanate (XDI) as well as non-hidden cyclic aliphatic diisocyanates such as 1,4-cyclohexyl diisocyanate (CHDI) and 4,4'-methylene bis (cyclohexyl socianate) ( H12 MDI). The most preferred diisocyanate is MDI. Suitable chain extender glycols are aliphatic short chain glycols having from two to about six carbon atoms and containing at least two primary alcohol groups. Preferred glycols include diethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol with the most preferred glycol being 1,4-butanediol. According to the present invention, the hydroxyl-terminated ethylene ether oligomer intermediate, non-hidden diisocyanate and the chain extender glycol were co-reacted simultaneously in a polymerization process of a a temperature above about 100 ° C and usually about 120 ° C, whereby the reaction is exothermic and the reaction temperature increased to about 200 ° C to about 250 ° C. Polyester The thermoplastic polyesters employed in the present invention are polyesters having a recurrent ester ligation in the molecule, for example, polylactones. The polyesters have a generally crystalline structure with a melting point above 120 ° C or are generally amorphous with a glass transition temperature above 25 ° C, and are thermoplastic opposed to thermofixing. The number average molecular weight of the polyesters is generally from about 5,000 to about 100,000 and preferably from about 10,000 to about 50,000. The polylactones have recurring ester structural units such as those obtained by the polymerization of ring opening of a cyclic lactone such as polylactone, β-propiolactone and e-caprolactone, or combinations of cyclic lactones. Accordingly, examples of suitable polylactones are poly (pivalolactone), poly (β-propiolactone) and poly (e-caprolactone).

Polyvalolactone is a linear polymer that has recurrent ester structural units of the formula: f O - CH2 - C (CH3) 2C (O) that is, the units derived from pivalolactone. Preferably, the polyester is a homopolymer of pivalolactone. However, copolymers of pivalolactone with not more than 50 mole percent, preferably not more than 10 mole percent of other β-propiolactones, such as β-propiolactone; a, α-diethyl-β-propiolactones; and a-methyl-a-ethyl-β-propiolactone. The term "β-propiolactones" refers to β-propiolactone (2-oxetanone) and to derivatives thereof which do not have substituents on the β-carbon atom of the lactone ring. Preferred β-propiolactones are those containing a tertiary or quaternary carbon atom at position a in relation to the carbonyl group. Especially, α, α-dialkyl-β-propiolactones are preferred wherein each of the alkyl groups independently has from one to four carbon atoms. Examples of useful monomers are: a-ethyl-a-methyl-β-propiolactone, a-methyl-a-isopropyl-β-propiolactone, a-ethyl-an-butyl-β-propiolactone, a-chloromethyl-a-methyl- β-propiolactone, a, a-bis (chloro methyl) -β-propiolacto na, a, a-dimethyl-β-propiolactone, (pivalolactone). See generally, the E. U .A. 3,259,607; 3,299, 171; and 3,579,489 which are incorporated herein by reference. These polypivalolactones have a molecular weight in excess of 20,000 and a melting point in excess of 120 ° C.

Another useful polyester obtainable from a cyclic lactone is polycarpolactone. Normal poly (e-caprolactones) are substantially linear polymers in which the repeating unit is (-O-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-C (O) -). These polymers have properties similar to the polypeptholactones and can be prepared by a similar polymerization mechanism. See generally E. U .A. 3,259,607. Quaternary Ammonium Compound The quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present invention have the formula (C n H 2 N + 1 -N + (CH 3) 2 (AX)) -? - wherein n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, preferably from 7 to 16, A is the hydrocarbon residue of an alkylene oxide having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 3 carbon atoms, X are hydrogen (H-) or hydroxyl (-OH) groups , and Y is CH3SO3, CH3SO4, SO4, preferably CH3SOs. Such compounds are commercially available, for example, HOST905 from LAROSTAT® available from PPG Industries and having the chemical structure CsH17-N + (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2-OH)) - CH3S? 3. "A name for HTS905 from LAROSTAT ® is 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-octy! -ammonium) -2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate.Other compound commercially available is Monaquat P-TC available from Mona Industries, Inc., St. Paterson, NJ. The quaternary ammonium compound useful in the present invention preferably has the general formula X or wherein Ri represents an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each selected from the group consisting of the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and hydroxyethyl groups, R3 is an alkylene group having from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (H-) and hydroxyl groups. The branched chain alkylene groups, e.g., CH. CH. CH - CH, - C CH. can be replaced by the CH2 - 5 X group in the previous formula. The compounds that make up the above general formula are characterized by the presence of both positive and negative charges that were neutralized internally (ie zuiterionic). Where R2 and R3 are methyl groups and R5 is an ethylene group, the chemical name is propane-1-sulfonate of 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium). Where R2 is 16 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are methyl groups and R3 is an ethylene group with a hydroxyl group attached to the second carbon atom, the compound can be described as 2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate of 3- (N , N-dimethyl-N- hexadecylammonium). These compounds can be prepared in the manner described in the patent of E.U.A. No. 2, 129,264 and in German Patent No. 1, 018,421, which is incorporated herein by reference. See also, Parris and others; "Surface Active Sulfobetaines", J. Of the American Oil Chemist 'Society, pgs. 60-63, February 1976, which is incorporated herein by reference. More preferably, the quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present invention can be conventionally represented by the following general structure: I I. - N®- - CH2 - - CH - CH2 - S - Q! I I! or wherein Ri is a C6-C22 alkyl group; R2 and R3 are a methyl group, a 2-hydroxyethyl group, or a 2-hydroxy propyl group; and R4 is H or OH. Within the alkyl group scale of about C6-C12, ie having 6 to 2 carbon atoms, these compounds have solubility in water. To chain lengths by above C12, the water solubility of these compounds at high pH (pH levels above 13) is normally lost (ie, the compound becomes insoluble in highly alkaline water). While several reaction schemes can be provided for the synthesis of said alkyl-containing compounds useful in the present invention, the following two-step reaction scheme described in the U.S. Patent. No. 5,015,412, which is incorporated herein by reference, can be used when R is OH. The initial step involves the formation of an epichlorohydrin / bisulfite intermediate. This reaction is conveniently carried out in water in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydroxide) at relatively moderate reaction temperatures (e.g., 48.8-93.3 ° C) and preferably under inert atmosphere. After formation of the epichlorohydrin / bisulfite intermediate, said intermediate was reacted with the appropriate amine to form the desired product. This second reaction step was carried out at reaction temperatures ranging from about 37.7 ° to 93.3 ° C. The unreacted material can then be neutralized and / or removed and the pH and percent non-volatile solids of the reaction product adjusted as necessary, desirable or convenient in the conventional manner. For a quaternary ammonium compound where R6 is H, a propyl sultone, it can be reacted with the appropriate amine. It is surprising that these compounds are useful in the present invention. In the past, such compounds had been used in a variety of non-analog applications. Such applications include, for example, bottle washing compounds, hot tub washing compounds, paper pulp forming, paint removers, railroad and aircraft track cleaners, dairy and food plant cleaners, detergent sanitizers, wax removers. based on polymers and the like. See, for example, Patents of E. U.A. Nos. 3, 351, 557, 3,539, 521, 3,6189, 1 15 and 5, 015,412. The novel plastic compositions employing the present invention were prepared by a number of methods. The novel plastics compositions can be formed into compounds according to any of several known techniques such as direct addition of all components, formation of master batches where any masterbatch only contains the additive composition inherently dissipative in a larger proportion in relation to the final composition, or any other corresponding procedure. The formation of master lots involves the preparation of one or more "packages" or compositions that are subsequently combined into a single homogeneous mixture with the organic polymeric material. In the master batching process, the inherently dissipative additive composition is initially present at a higher concentration than in the final composition. The separated masterbatch composition is then combined or mixed in appropriate proportions to produce a polymeric composition that modalizes the present invention. This master batching technique is a preferred method since it could improve the dispersibility of the inherently dissipative additive composition through the final polymer composition. Another preferred method, consists essentially of heating the polymer to a temperature below its decomposition temperature, incorporating the initial ingredients of the inherently dissipative aive composition and mixing so as to obtain a substantially uniform plastic composition. The composition can be molded and cooled to form a solid molded article. In the alternative, the plastic composition can be extruded and cooled to form a solid extrudate. The conventional plastic processing equipment can be used to melt the polymer, mixing the polymer with the initial ingredients of the inherently dissipative additive composition and the molding or extrusion of the resulting plastic composition. The resulting plastic composition or the inherently dissipative additive composition itself can be laminated onto a substrate to form articles whose surface dissipates static electric charges. Such lamination processes can produce the quaternary ammonium compound. It is thought that it only facilitates the union of the polyester and polyurethane compounds. The processing conditions, such as temperature, time and pressure, will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Yet another preferred process for preparing the novel plastic compositions of this invention consists essentially of mixing the starting ingredients of the additive composition inherently dissipating, optionally, with a solid polymer to obtain a substantially uniform plastic composition. The polymer and composition of inherently dissipative additives, preferably each have the form of pellets, granules or powder. Processing conditions will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The resulting plastic composition can be melted at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the polymer and the initial ingredients of the inherently dissipative additive composition. The resulting melt can be extruded or molded and cooled to form a solid extrudate or a molded or laminated article.

A preferred process for preparing the novel plastic composition of this invention consists essentially of casting a film of the inherently dissipative additive composition and, optionally, the polymer in combination therewith, in an inert solvent or diluent. By "inert solvent" it is meant that the solvent does not react with the polymer or the composition of additives or the initial ingredients thereof. The use of this method is paticojamente attractive to prepare the coatings or materials of adhesives. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cellular thermoplastic material of a composition containing a polymer, the inherently dissipative additive composition, and a blowing agent were formed. The blowing agent is a substance that releases a substantial volume of gas under appropriate conditions, either by chemical decomposition to gaseous products (chemical blowing agents) or by physical vaporization (physical blowing agents). Suitable chemical blowing agents include azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, 4,4'-oxybis (benzene sulfonyl hydrazide), and sodium bicarbonate, preferably sodium bicarbonate together with ascorbic acid or citric acid. Suitable physical blowing agents include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, trichlorofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane. As an example, a cellular (foamed) plastic material can be prepared by melting and extruding a combination of a polyolefin, inherently dissipative additive composition and an extender agent. physical blowing. Processing conditions similar to those used for the manufacture of extruded polyolefin foams lacking the additive thereof can be used. If desired, a mixed material can be prepared by co-extruding a cellular plastic material with a non-cellular composition thereof or a different polymer. Any layer or both layers can be modified by the incorporation of the additive thereof, i.e., the inherently dissipative additive composition. The foam or mixed material can be oriented, uniaxially or biaxially, in the course of extrusion. The novel polymeric compositions of the present invention may also contain non-reactive additives. By the term "non-reactive additives" is meant a modification, filler or reinforcement additive commonly used in the formulation of plastic compositions that do not materially interfere with the electrostatic dissipating properties of the inherently dissipative additive composition. For example, the compositions of the invention may contain, in addition to the inherently essential dissipative additive composition and the optional polymer, such additives as lubricants, plasticizers, colorants, pigments, anti-blocking agents, slip agents, processing aids, adhesion promoters, retarders. of flame, particle fillings and fibrous reinforcements. In particular, the use of said fillers and reinforcements in particles such as calcium carbonate, talc, clays, glass and mica is contemplated.

Antioxidants and stabilizers may also be used in the polymer compositions that modalize the present invention. In some cases, it may be necessary to help an antioxidant or stabilizer to allow processing at high temperatures, although said additive may have some adverse effects on the electrostatic dissipating properties of the polymer composition. The preferred antioxidant for this purpose is tetrakis (methylene (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-h id roxi-h id rocin amato)] methane This composition is sold as IRGANOX 1010 by Ciba-Geigy and are described by US Pat. Nos. 3,285,855 and 3,644,482, which are incorporated herein by reference, Antioxidants are used in a total amount of about 0.001 to about 0.05 weight percent of the plastic composition. that the plastic composition of this invention will ordinarily contain from 0 to 99.9 percent by weight of the organic polymer and from 0.01 percent to 100 percent by weight of the inherently dissipative additive composition.The inherently dissipative additive composition will ordinarily contain from about 20 to about 25% by weight, preferably from about 23 to about 27% by weight, of the polyurethane, from about 2 to about 8% by weight, preferably from about 4 to about 6% by weight, of polyester and from 0.1 to about 1% by weight, preferably from about 0.3 to about 0.5% by weight, of the quaternary ammonium sulfonate compound. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is from about 98 to about 60 weight percent of the organic polymer and from about 2 to about 40 weight percent of the inherently dissipative additive composition. The practice of this invention is particularly suitable for preparing or using as a composition to form flexible barrier materials, electrostatic shields, which are heat sealed, for packing items such as microcircuits, sensitive semiconductor devices, sensitive resistors and their associated overhead assemblies. These materials are transparent or translucent, waterproof, electrostatic protectors and static dissipaters. The merits of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following Illustrative Examples I. EXAMPLES In the following Examples, low density polyethylene (LDPE) blowing films containing various materials were prepared for the purpose of testing and evaluating said materials in antistatics. The various films were tested for the initial charge (volts), surface resistivity (Ohms per frame), decay speed (seconds) and compatibility of the components of the mixture: The low density polyethylene materials used were: LDPE: film grade low density polyethylene specified as melt index resin 2 in the form of solid pellets available from Rexene, Dallas, TX. 2. Stat-Rite® C-2300: a Segmented Polyether Urethane (SEU for its acronym in English) in the form of solid pellets available from B.F. Goodrich Company, Specialty Polymers and Chemicals Division, Akron, OH. It is thought that said segmented polyether urethanes (SEU) have the following structure: and it is thought that they are prepared in accordance with the U.S. Patent. No. 5,159,053, previously incorporated herein by reference. 3. Polymer Tone® P767E: a polycaprolactone (PCL) in the form of solid pellets available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company Inc., 39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury, CT, 06817-0001. The polycaprolactones have the following structure: HOR-O - (- C (0) - (CH2) s-0-) n-H where R is an aliphatic segment. 4. Antistatic agent Larostat® HTS 905: an ammonium sulfonate available as a clear viscous liquid from Mazer Chemicals, Inc., Gurnee, I L. This material is thought to have the following chemical structure: (C8H17-N + (CH3) 2-CH (OH) -CH2SO3 ') with the nitrogen having a positive charge and the sulfonate having a negative charge. The surface resistivity test was carried out in accordance with ASTM D 257. This test was used to determine the surface resistivity by measuring the surface resistance between two electrodes forming the opposite sides of a frame. The resistance was then converted to surface resistivity and reported in Ohms per frame (Ohms / cdo.). Specifically, in this test, an adapter compresses an upper electrode and a lower circular electrode enclosed in a circle with a resonant electrode. A sheet sample (8.89 cm in diameter and 0.31 to 0.049 cm in thickness) is placed between the upper and lower electrodes and a voltage of 500 volts was applied between the electrodes. After sixty (60) seconds, the resistance was recorded using an ohms meter and turned into surface resistivity in Ohms per frame. The static disintegration velocity test was carried out in accordance with Military specification MI L-B-81705C, "Barrier Materials, Flexible, Electrostatic Protective, Heat Sealable" dated January 25, 1989, with a Disintegration Meter Static, model 406C obtained from Electro-Tech Systems, Inc. Static disintegration is a measure of the ability of a material, when crushed, to dissipate a known charge that has been induced on the surface of the material. A sample sheet (7.62 by 15.24 centimeters) with 0.31 to 0.049 cm thickness was placed between the clamping electrodes contained in a Faraday cage. A charge of 5000 volts positive and negative, respectively, was applied to the surface of the specimen and the time in seconds required to dissipate the charge to 0 volts after the grind is provided, then it was measured. For purposes of the following examples, this test was operated on the samples conditioned for 48 hours at 15% relative humidity (RH). EXAMPLE 1 In this example, the electrostatic dissipative properties of a composition were investigated within the scope of the present invention. Sample A was prepared using a concentrate (master batch). The concentrate for Sample A was formulated as shown in Table 1. Table 1 The mixing equipment used to prepare Concentrate A was a Rheocord System 40 torque rheometer with a Rheomix Type 600 mixer. In this example, Stat-Rite® C2300P was mixed manually with and the Tone® P767E Polymer. The mixture of Stat-Rite® C-2300P and the Tone® P767E Polymer was then fed into the mixing chamber of the mixer and then heated to reflux. During heating to reflux, Larostat® HTS905 was added to the batch and all three areas of the equipment were set at 140 ° C. The mixer was programmed for 50 RPM for three (3) minutes, then increased to 75 RPM for two minutes to complete the reflux heating of the mixture. Consequently, the duration of the process time was programmed for five (5) minutes. At the end of five (5) minutes, the engine that powered the Rheomix 600, stopped automatically. Concentrate A was recovered from the mixing chamber of the Rheomix Type 600 mixer. Concentrate A was bulky and had a light yellow color. The concentrate A was then pressed into a thin sheet of material known as "pressing". The respective pressing was then cut into small squares (0.31 cm by 0.31 cm in size) called "pellas". The press used to make the presses was a Carver Lab press, Model # 2731, Series # 2731 -17.

The low density polyethylene (LDPE) and pellets of Concentrate A were combined in a plastic bag and physically mixed. About 280 grams (70% by weight) of LDPE and about 120 grams (30% by weight) of Concentrate A were combined in order to prepare Sample A (also referred to as PM 11205E). The physically blender ingredients for Sample A were fed into the hopper of a blown film machine to prepare blown films from Sample A. The blown film machine was an HPDE Blown Film Machine., Model MNE-42 of San Chih Machinery, Inc. The extruder of the same one had a diameter of screw of 42 mm, a relation of screw of 30: 1 L / D, speed of the extruder of 120 RPM and a diameter of die of 50 mm The temperature graduation for the four zones of the extruder thereof was 150 ° C. Other graduations for the blown film machine were a roll speed for recess of about 400 RPM (marking reading), thickness from about 0.12 kg / cm2 to about 0.16 kg / cm2 and a blowing ratio of about 2.5: 1. The results of the surface resistivity test and the decay rate test were recorded in Table 2 for Sample A. EXAMPLE II Samples B to F were prepared using Concentrate A together with low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene high density (H DPE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and polystyrene (PS). The amount of each of these materials (in percent by weight) is shown in Table 2, together with the tests of the surface resistivity and the results of the decay rate. The different polymers were combined with pellets of Concentrate A in a plastic bag and physically mixed, and the blowing films were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 The use of the ammonium sulfonate compound in combination with the polyurethane and polyester in the preparation of this novel composition has proven to be highly effective in forming ionic bonds even in non-polar polymers, such as polyolefins. In order to demonstrate that the combination of the three materials (materials 2, 3, and 4 above) with a non-polar polymer; v. gr. , LDPE, provided surprising results, a series of comparative examples were carried out with various combinations of the ingredients with LDPE. The following comparative examples were prepared by first mixing the components and then heating them to reflux to form the pallets of the composition of the respective comparative example. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 1 The first experiment was to incorporate the SEU into polyethylene using the following formulas and processes: 1. I ngredient% in Weight Supplier Stat-Rite® C-2300 10 B. F. Goodrich LDPE 90 Rexene Total 100 Ingredient% in P that Supplier Stat-Rite® C-2300 20 B. F. Goodrich LDPE 80 Rexene Total 1 00 Ingredient% in P that Supplier Stat-Rite® C-2300 30 B. F. Goodrich LDPE 70 Rexene Total 1 00 Results: Formula No. 1 produced a semi-uniform mixture. which is an indication of limited compatibility with polyethylene. However, the film produced with Formula No. 1 had an inherent electric charge of 300 volts. Formula No. 2 produced a completely non-uniform mixture, with poor quality film with high inherent load. Formula No. 3 produced a completely non-uniform mixture, with poor quality film with high inherent load.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 2 In this experiment, an attempt was made to incorporate polycaprolactone (PCL) into polyethylene (LDPE) to produce antistatic polymer, using the following formulas: Ingredient% in Weight Supplier Polymer Tone® 767E 10 Union Carbide LDPE 90 Rexene Total 100 Ingredient% in Weight Supplier Polymer Tone® 767E 20 Union Carbide LDPE 80 Rexene Total 100 Ingredient% in Weight Supplier Polymer Tone® 767E 30 Union Carbide LDPE Z0 Rexene Total 100 Results: The results of Comparative Example No. 2 are shown in the following Table.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 3 It is known that 3- (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium) 2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate, also referred to as ethoxylated dimethyloctyl-ammonium methyl sulfonate, available from PPF LAROSTAT HTS 905, is an effective antistatic in polymers non-olefinic. This study attempted to incorporate this chemical into the polyethylene polymer as an antistatic. The result was not a compatible mix at any level, with non-static properties. The LDPE sample was a 0.14 kg / cm2 film; HDPE and PP were molded in 4.2 kg / cm2 lacquers.

Ethoxylated dimethyloctyl-methyl ammonium sulfonate was selected for the compositions of the present invention based on several factors: 1. Its electrically well-balanced structure will contribute to the ionization of the resulting composition. 2. The sulfonate (S03") with an ionic conductance of 79.9 ohm-cm2 / eq is highly effective in forming an ionic bridge.A number of organic and inorganic ionic compounds were tested in place of the above chemical to see if the ionization of the composition It could also be improved The materials tested were: a) Zirconium (oxide and salts) without effect b) Sodium and zirconium silicate (high proton transfer capacity) without effect c) Polyethoxylated organic compound (in combination with sodium zirconium silicate) - no reaction was observed during the process and there was no effect on the final performance COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE No. 4 This experiment evaluated the antistatic performance of compositions using a combination of PCL, Larostat 905, and LDPE. INGREDIENT% WEIGHT 1. Polymer Tone® (PCL) 5 2. Larostat® HTS 905 1 2 * LDPE Total 100 This mixture was processed very well and produced an acceptable film quality with a thickness of 0.14 kg / cm2. However, the film does not have any antistatic properties. Results of Comparative Example No. 4: COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE NO. 5 This experiment was carried out to evaluate compounds made with Stat-Rite® 2300 and Larostat® HTS 905 as antistatic. INGREDI ENTE% WEIGHT 1. Larostat 905 5 2. Stat-Rite® 2300 24 2. LDPE 75 Total 1 00 The film quality produced from this mixture was poor and difficult to process. Results of Comparative Example No. 5: The increase in the level of ingredients 1 or 2 made the compound formation process impossible. EXAMPLE III Several tests were carried out to verify the presence of hydrogen-bonded structures in the compositions of the present invention. The analysis of the samples for this particular study involved the use of Attenuated Total Reflectance (RTA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (I RTF). Infrared spectroscopy is a method to examine vibrations between atoms in molecules. The frequency of a vibration depends on the electronic nature of the band as well as the mass of the attached atoms. The infrared radiation was absorbed when the frequency of the radiation is the same as the molecular vibration and there is an associated change in the dipole moment of the molecular bond. RTA is a useful technique to provide information related to surface material (60 ° angle) as well as information that refers to the bottom of the surface or inside the polymer (45 ° angle). The I RTF spectrometer used to collect the infrared spectrum was a Digilab FTS-40 spectrometer equipped with an infrared range UMA 300. The IORTF spectrometer also had a He-Ne laser to allow the interferogram to be digitized at equal intervals of delay. The laser-referenced interferometer provided very high accuracy (at approximately 0.005 cm "1). A total of 1024 scans and a resolution of 4 cm "1 was used to collect each spectrum of the spectrum A Veermax Variable Angle RTA junction was used to study film samples The RTA spectra were collected at 45 ° and 60 ° incidence angles. were carried out in a composition according to Example 1 and in a composition named to have the formula for amide-type antistats identified in the background section of the present when R is a C12 alkyl (referred to as "Diethanolamide") or "DEA", herein) in order to compare it with the antistatic composition of the present invention.The diethanolamide is an internal antistatic typical of a chemical amide group considered to be a migratory additive. samples of films and concentrates In order to penetrate the polymer below the surface, the samples of concentrates were first placed in microwaves, then analyzed different angles of 60 ° and 45 °. Figure 1 is the Macro-I RTF absorbance curve of PM-1990E (composition according to Example 1), which shows the hydrogen-bonded structure (NH elongation) that forms peak on the scale of 3320-3370 cm " 1, and when compared with the absorbance curve of diethanolamide, the peak at the same wavelength is missing (see Figure 2) Figure 3 is a Micro-I RTF analysis of PM-1990E (new antistatic) and Diethanolamide (conventional antistatic) at two different angles: 45 ° for the structure of internal polymer and 60 ° for surface analysis. Compare these two antistatics and indicate their differences. Further analysis of Figures 1 and 3 also reveals the formation of electron cloud in the form of the functional group C = O that shows wavelength of 1731 cm "1. The significance of this electron cloud is the ionization of the polymer for the purpose of achieving its property of electrical dissipation For the new antistatic, the peak of 1731 cm "1 can be observed on the surface at 60 ° and under the surface at an angle of 45 °, while the electron cloud does not exist in the diethanolamide sample. Samples from Example 1 using RTA, I RTF and Micro-I RTF indicated the production of a highly ionized polymer that formed electrical bridges within the polymer matrix, in order to dissipate the static charges. this polymer, a LDPE film of 0.14 kg / cm2 was produced according to Example 1 was produced and tested in accordance with Military Specification MI LB-81705 C. These data are shown in Table 3 and Figure 5. The same piece of film was then placed in an oven at 71.1 ° C and twelve (12) days later it was tested according to the same specification.Also, a film sample made with conventional antistatic was tested under the same conditions after 12 hours. gave Thus, and the results are shown in Figure 4. The performance test results indicated that the storage under the new antistatic storage conditions.

The conventional diethanolamine antistatic is present at a lower concentration in the polymer composition than the composition using the additive of the present invention because the conventional additive blooms the surface very rapidly at higher concentrations. In addition, in order to meet the surface resistivity and disintegration velocity of Military Specification ML-B-81705C, 30% by weight of PM-1990 is needed. Figures 6 and 7, compare the performance of a sample prepared according to Example 1 having a thickness of about 0.14 kg / cm2 and a sample using the conventional prior antistatic. ? \ 3 Oí O CJl I heard OR Example IV In this example, the inherently dissipating agent itself is how it is used as the thermoplastic composition for the final article (note that the balance of the formulations for Sample G and H is LDPE). Sample H (also referred to as "MW 1 1205E" herein) corresponds to Concentrate A of Example 1. Sample G was prepared in a manner similar to that of Example I using the formulation shown in Table 4. These compositions proved to be highly effective in dissipating the electric charge. Table 4 a "The balance of the composition is LDPE In addition, Figure 8 describes the results of an oven maturation test were the superiority of a composition according to the present invention on an antistatic conventional (the antistatic is referred to as "A / S"), that is, 0.5% diethanolamide. See also Tables 4 and 5.

Table 5 CONVENTIONAL A / S VS. A / S PERMANENTLY TESTED AFTER 24 HOURS OF BLOWING FILM 0.5% DEA * 100% P 11205E Transverse Machine Orientation Transverse Machine film Resistivity 1.2x1010 2.0x1010 6.0x1010 1.2x1011 surface Initial load 0 0 0 0 Speed 0.51 0.52 0.22 0.59 disintegration @ +5000 volts (sec) Speed of 0.53 0.53 0.33 0.63 disintegration @ - 5000 volts (seconds) * DietanoIamida Table 6 COMPARISON OF THE USE OF PERMANENT A / S VS. CONVENTIONAL A / S 0.5% DEA * 100% PM 11205E • Permanence NOT YES • Coloreable IF YES • Migrator YES NO • Grease surface YES NO • Shelf life YES NO (storage) • YES dependence NO humidity • Corrosividád YES NO * Diethanolamide

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A thermoplastic composition adapted to be used as an electrostatic static dissipating agent, wherein the composition was prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients: a thermoplastic polyurethane, which was prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and an extender of chain having at least two hydroxyl groups; a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester is polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (CnH2N + 1-N + (CH3) 2 (AX)) - Y "wherein n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, A is the hydrocarbon residue of an oxide of alkylene having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, X is hydrogen (-H) or a hydroxyl group (-OH), and Y is CH3SO3, CH3SO4, SO4
2. 2. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1 , wherein said polyurethane has an average molecular weight of about 60,000 to 500,000, an intermediate of hydroxyl-terminated ethylene ether oligomer having an average molecular weight of about 500 to 5,000 reacted with a non-hidden diisocyanate and said chain extender is an aliphatic extender glycol to produce said thermoplastic polyurethane, said oligomer intermediate being polyethylene glycol; wherein the polyethylene glycol consists of repeating units of ethylene ether n wherein n is from about 1 1 to about 1 15, wherein said non-hidden diisocyanate is an aromatic or cyclic aliphatic diisocyanate, wherein said chain extender consists of of glycol without ether having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing only primary alcohol groups.
3. 3. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic composition has a surface resistivity of less than about 1 x 1013 Ohms / cdo. , as measured in accordance with Military Specification MIL-B-81705C.
4. 4. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 2, wherein said hydroxyl-terminated polyester oligomer (a) contains on average from 4 to 8 repeating ester units and has an average molecular weight of about 700 to 2,500.
5. 5. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer has an average molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 100,000.
6. 6. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyester polymer is poly (e-caprolactone). A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, wherein the melting temperatures of the thermoplastic polyurethane and the thermoplastic polyester are within 100 ° C of each other. 8. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, further comprising an organic polymeric material. 9. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 1, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R, O II • R. - lß- CH, R. - s - o? I II R. o where R-. represents an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are each selected from the group consisting of the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and hydroxyethyl groups, R5 is an alkylene group having from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (H-) and hydroxyl groups. 10. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula: R. O - N N < ^ ± > - CH, CH - CH2- - O © wherein Ri is a C6-C22 alkyl group; R2 and R3 are a methyl group, a 2-hydroxy ethyl group, or a 2-hydroxy propyl group; and R4 is H or OH. eleven . A thermoplastic composition according to claim 9, wherein A is CH and X is OH. 12. A thermoplastic composition adapted for use in electrostatic dissipation applications, wherein the composition was prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients: a thermoplastic polyurethane, which was prepared by reacting polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups; a thermoplastic polyester, wherein the polyester is a polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula: (CnH2N +? - N + (CH3) 2 (AX)) -? - wherein n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, A is the hydrocarbon residue of an oxide of alkylene having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, X is hydrogen (-H) or a hydroxyl group (-OH), and Y is CH3SO3, CH3SO4, S04. 13. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 12, wherein said composition has a surface resistivity of less than about 1x1013 Ohms / cdo. 14. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 12, wherein said composition further comprises an organic polymeric material. 15. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 12, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula O II R. - N 'T CH. CH - CH - S - 0O R. wherein R represents an alkyl group having from about 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and hydroxyethyl groups, R 5 is an alkylene group having 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (H-) and hydroxyl groups. 16. A thermoplastic composition according to claim 15, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula 0 II R. - NT - CH, CH CH2 - s - or © II or wherein R-i is a C6-C22 alkyl group; R2 and R3 are a methyl group, a 2-hydroxyethyl group, or a 2-hydroxy propyl group; and R4 is H or OH. 1
7. 7. In a thermoplastic composition having an organic polymeric material, an electrostatic dissipating agent wherein the agent is prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients: a thermoplastic polyurethane, which is prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups; a thermoplastic polyester wherein the polyester is a polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (C "H2N + 1-N + (CH3) 2 (AX)) - Y" wherein n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, A is e 'hydrocarbon residue of an alkylene oxide having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, X is hydrogen (-H) or a hydroxyl group (-OH), and Y is CH3SO3, CH3SO4, SO4 1
8. 8. A shaped article having properties electrostatic dissipators, where the article comprises a thermoplastic composition to be prepared by combining at least the following initial ingredients a thermoplastic polyurethane, which is prepared by reacting a polyalkylene glycol, a diisocyanate and a chain extender having at least two hydroxyl groups; a thermoplastic polyester wherein the polyester is a polylactone; and a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (CnH2N + 1-N + (CH3) 2 (AX)) - Y- where n is an integer ranging from 6 to 22, A is the hydrocarbon residue of a alkylene oxide having from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, X is hydrogen (-H) or a hydroxyl group (-OH), and Y is CH3SO3, CH3S04, S04. 1
9. 9. The shaped article of claim 18, further comprising an organic polymeric material.