Patent ID: 6849678
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: C08J,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A process for the compatibilized blending of at least one polymer for a powder coating in a supercritical fluid comprising: forming a homogeneous blended powder coating without fusion or curing of the polymer, including compatibilizing the polymer with additives; dispersing the polymer and additives in a fluid at supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure; and releasing the pressure of the fluid to form the blended powder coating, wherein said compatibilizing is achieved by one of a. preparing graft copolymers having modified functional groups and preferably an average molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 6,000 to increase one of solubility and miscibility in the supercritical fluid; b. selecting a cross-linking agent to increase one of solubility and miscibility in the supercritical fluid; c. controlling starting particle size; d. modifying interfacial properties to promote intraparticle fusion; e. using selective mixing; and f. using controlled depressurization.