Biodegradable composition and products prepared therefrom
First Claim
1. A composition for forming a wood substitute, the composition comprising 30 to 70% (volume by volume) of a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester and the balance a comminuted cellulose-containing plant material, wherein said aliphatic polyester comprises 1,4-butanediol condensed with adipic acid and/or succinic acid and said comminuted cellulose-containing plant material is a dry material and said comminuted cellulose-containing plant material is a dry material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a composition which can be used to form a wood substitute. The composition comprises 30 to 70% (volume by volume) of a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester and comminuted cellulose-containing plant material, wherein the aliphatic polyester comprises 1,4-butanediol condensed with adipic acid and/or succinic acid. The invention also provides for producing wood substitute from the composition. The wood substitute has characteristics of natural wood. Articles made from the wood substitute are biodegradable and do not give off toxic fumes when combusted.
-
Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A composition for forming a wood substitute, the composition comprising 30 to 70% (volume by volume) of a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester and the balance a comminuted cellulose-containing plant material, wherein said aliphatic polyester comprises 1,4-butanediol condensed with adipic acid and/or succinic acid and said comminuted cellulose-containing plant material is a dry material and said comminuted cellulose-containing plant material is a dry material.
-
15. A process for producing a wood substitute, the process comprising the steps of:
-
a) heating a composition comprising 30 to 70% (volume by volume) of a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester and the balance a comminuted cellulose-containing plant material at a temperature of 110 to 180°
C. to provide a flowable material, wherein said aliphatic polyester comprises 1,4-butanediol condensed with adipic acid and/or succinic acid and said comminuted cellulose-containing plant material is a dry material;
b) forming said heated material from step (a) into a desired product; and
c) allowing said product to cool to at least ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 20)
-
- 21. A composition for forming a wood substitute, the composition comprising 50 to 70% (volume by volume) of poly (butylene) succinate having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 40,000 to 300,000 as the sole binder substance and the balance is a comminuted cellulose-containing plant material.
Specification