Stabilized hot melt adhesive systems

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive compositions stabilized against thermal degradation, discoloration, skin formation and substantial viscosity changes, said adhesives being based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a hydrocarbon tackifying resin and containing a stabilizer system of a hindered phenol antioxidant, a phosphite costabilizer and an acid scavenger.

Description: Hot melt adhesives, including those based on ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, are especially susceptible to oxidation due to high temperature (180°C) compounding, storage, handling and application. As the performance requirements for such adhesives increased, the use of antioxidants evolved to prevent discoloration, undesirable viscosity changes and skin formation on the surface of the adhesive. Hindered phenols were the primary antioxidant of choice for stabilization of the adhesive systems. A further approach to achieving stabilization beyond that provided by the hindered phenols involved the use of secondary antioxidants such as thiosynergists or phosphite stabilizers including triarylphosphites. The combination of primary and secondary antioxidants provided stabilization performance beyond that which could be expected based on the sum of the performance of the individual components. A complication was, however, encountered by the frequent use of white or light colored hydrocarbon tackifying resins in adhesive formulations where good color stability is required. Thus, negative interactions were experienced with such hydrocarbon tackifiers as evidenced by way of gray-black discoloration upon heating. Since it was hypothesized that the interactions involved the phosphite costabilizer, the applicability of the latter has been substantially reduced. Accordingly, solutions to this problem are required which eliminate the discoloration effect while still preserving the effective properties provided by the presence of the tackifier and the phosphite costabilizer. Background material on these issues are provided by the following: US-A-4,360,617 which discloses blends of phenols and symmetrical triarylphosphites for stabilizing a broad range of organic polymers including elastomers and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers; US-A-3,658,743 which discloses synergistic combinations of phenols, an organic sulfide or thioester and an epoxide or phosphite ester for the stabilization of hydrocarbon elastomers; US-A-4,835,200 which discloses stabilizer systems of a thio compound, a phenolic antioxidant, a tris(nonylated phenyl)phosphite and an aliphatic compatible epoxy compound for use in various tackified block copolymer resin systems; and US-A-4,857,572 which discloses (alkylthioalkyl) phenols with optional addition of phosphites for use in stabilizing various elastomers. It has now been surprisingly discovered that a unique combination of primary and secondary antioxidants and of an acid scavenger substantially eliminates the aforementioned difficulties encountered in the stabilization of ethylene-vinyl acetate hot melt adhesives containing hydrocarbon tackifying resins. Thus, the blend of hindered phenol, phosphite and acid scavenger provides color stability while minimizing viscosity changes, heat degradation and skin formation. By facilitating the use of phosphite costabilizers, the combination provides stabilization properties which additionally exceed the performance of the individual state of the art antioxidants. The invention pertains to a stabilized hot melt adhesive composition comprising (a) ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; (b) a hydrocarbon tackifying resin; and (c) a stabilizer composition comprising (1) a phenolic antioxidant; (2) a phosphite co-stabilizer; and (3) an acid scavenger selected from the group consisting of epoxidized oils, alkali metal salts of higher fatty acids, alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids and amines. The primary components of the hot melt adhesive system are ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a hydrocarbon tackifying resin and, optionally, petroleum derived waxes and various plasticizing oils. The applicable tackifying resins may be described as hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins (preferably hydrogenated varieties) resulting from the polymerization of monomers consisting primarily of mono- and diolefins, hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated alicyclic petroleum hydrocarbon resins. Additionally, hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated polyterpene hydrocarbon resins may be used as the tackifying resin. Mixtures of the above are also applicable. Such tackifing resins for example are present in concentrations ranging from 10 to 90%, by weight, and preferably 25 to 50%, by weight. The particular resin is selected on the basis of compatibility with the adhesive system, with colorless or white tackifiers heing particularly preferred. ®ARKON P-90 from Arakawa Chemical, ®ESCOREZ 5300 from Exxon Chemical and ®REGALREZ 1094 from Hercules, for example, are typical commercial tackifying resins. Preferred compositions are those, wherein said hydrocarbon tackifying resin is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof and alicyclic petroleum hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, polyterpene hydrocarbon resins and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred are those, wherein said hydrocarbon tackifying resin is hydrogenated. The composition described above may additionally contain (d) up to 50% by weight of a petroleum derived wax, based on components (a) and (b). In these compositions components (a), (b) and (d) are preferably present in a weight ratio of 1:1:1. The petroleum derived waxes are optionally present in concentrations ranging from 0 to 50%, by weight, and serve to impart greater fluidity to the molten material, flexibility to the set adhesive and wetting characteristics. Paraffin and microcrystalline waxes with melting points of 55°-110°C as well as polyethylene or Fischer-Tropsch waxes are illustrative of this component. Plasticizing or extending oils may also be present in order to provide wetting action and viscosity control. Concentrations from 1 to 50%, by weight, are applicable. Typical oils include olefin oligomers, vegetable and animal oils and naphthenic oils. In the compositions of the present invention components (a) and (b) are present in a weight ratio of 10:90 to 90:10, especially 25:75 to 75:25. The combination of stabilizers which substantially eliminates heat degradation, color formation, undesirable viscosity changes and skin formation comprise (1) a hindered phenolic antioxidant; (2) a phosphite co-stabilizer; and (3) an acid scavenger. Hindered phenols are well known to those skilled in the art. The composition of the present invention comprises hindered phenolic antioxidants corresponding to the formulae R₁X-(C a H 2a )-Q (I) wherein R₁ is a group of the formula Ia, X is oxygen or sulfur, a is an integer from 6 to 30, preferably 6 to 18, b is an integer from 0 to 6, R₂ and R₃ are independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉aralkyl, and R₂ is also hydrogen, Q is hydrogen or -A-(C y H 2y )-R₄, A is oxygen, sulfur or y is an integer from 2 to 20, B is C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkanoyl, and R₄ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₄alkanoyloxy or a group of the formula Ib, wherein R₂, R₃ and b are as defined above, r is 1, d is an integer from 2 to 5, and Q₁ is a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a divalent aromatic or aromatic aliphatic hydrocarbon of 6 to 20 carbon atoms or a group of the formula IIa when r is also 0 wherein f is an integer from 1 to 4, or Q₁ is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent hydrocarbon group of the formulae or alkanetriyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanetetrayl of 4 to 6 carbon atoms ; wherein R₂, R₃ and b are as defined above, and Q₂ is C₁-C₁₈alkylene; R₁X-[(C z H 2z )-Y] e -R₅ (IV) wherein R₁ and X are as defined above, z is an integer from 2 to 6, e is an integer from 3 to 40, preferably 3 to 10, Y is oxygen or sulfur, and R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl or a group of the formula Ia; wherein R₆ and R₇ are independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉aralkyl, and R₆ is also hydrogen, and A₁ is a group C(R₈)R₉ wherein R₈ and R₉ are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; wherein R₃ is as defined above, p is 1 or 2 and Q₃ is C₂-C₁₀alkylene; and wherein R₁₀ is C₁-C₁₀alkyl or C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, R₁₁ independently is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₁₂ is hydrogen or methyl. Alkyl is straight chain or branched as for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or octadecyl. C₁-C₁₈alkyloxy is for example methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, undecyloxy, dodecyloxy or octadecyloxy. C₁-C₄alkanoyl is for example acetyl, propionyl or butyryl. C₁-C₄alkanoyloxy is for example acetyloxy, propionyloxy or butyryloxy. C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl is for example cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclooctyl. Cyclohexyl is preferred. C₇-C₉aralkyl is in particular C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, for example benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, α,α-dimethylbenzyl or phenylethyl. Benzyl is preferred. C₁-C₁₈alkylene is for example methylene, dimethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene, dodecamethylene or octadecamethylene. For compounds of formula II when r is 1, Q₁ as a divalent hydrocarbon is e.g. straight-chain or branched C₂-C₁₈alkylene, preferably C₂-C₁₀alkylene, or C₂-C₆alkylidene such as, for example, ethylene, ethylidene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene, 2,2-pentamethylene-propane-1,3-diyl, and cyclohexylene or Q₁ as a divalent aromatic or aliphatic aromatic hydrocarbon of 6 to 20 carbon atoms is e.g. unsubstituted or substituted C₆-C₁₀arylene such as, for example, phenylene, phenylene substituted by one or more, for example 1 to 3 C₁-C₄alkyl, naphthylene or Q₁ as a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent hydrocarbon is, for example, a group of the following formulae or alkanetriyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, such as e.g. glyceryl or trimethylylpropane or alkanetetrayl of 4 to 6 carbon atoms such as e.g. pentaetythrityl. Formula Ia represents preferably one of the following groups: Formula Ib is in particular one of the groups In the group of the formula IIa when r is 0, f is preferably 1 or 2. Those compositions are preferred, wherein component (1) is a compound of the formula I, II, III, IV, V or VI, in particular I, II, III or IV. Preferred compositions are those, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula I and X is oxygen, b is an integer from 0 to 2, R₂ and R₃ are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, A is oxygen, y is 2, R₄ is hydrogen or a group of the formula Ia. Particularly preferred are those compounds wherein R₂ and R₃ are tert-butyl positioned ortho to the hydroxyl group and b is 2. Compounds of preference are octadecyl 3-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate and 2-ethylhexyl 3-(3',5',-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate. Further preferred compositions are those, wherein the phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula II and R₂ and R₃ are C₁-C₈alkyl, in particular tert-butyl positioned ortho to the hydroxyl group, b is 2, d is 2 or 4 and Q₁ is C₂-C₁₀alkylene or pentaerythritol. Specific compounds of preference are 1,6-hexamethylene bis[3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyhydrocinnamate] and tetrakis[methylene 3-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane. Other preferred compositions contain compounds of formula II are those, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula II, r is 0 and Q₁ is formula IIa. A preferred compound of formula II when Q₁ is formula IIa is tris(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate. Preferred compositions are those, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula III and R₂ and R₃ are C₁-C₈alkyl and preferably tert-butyl positioned ortho to the hydroxyl group, b is 2 and Q₂ is C₂-C₆alkylene. The specific compound of preference is N,N'-hexamethylene bis[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamide]. Further, compositions containing compounds of formula IV, wherein X and Y are oxygen, b is an integer from 0 to 2, R₂ and R₃ are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, z is 2, e is an integer from 3 to 20, and R₅ is a group of the formula Ia are preferred. Particularly preferred are those compounds, whereinR₂ and R₃ are tert-butyl positioned ortho to the hydroxyl group. A specific compound of preference is triethylene glycol bis[3-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-methyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate]. In preferred compositions containing compounds of formula VI R₆ and R₇ are methyl or tert-butyl and R₈ and R₉ are hydrogen or methyl. Specific compounds of preference are bis[2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl]methane and 1,1-bis[2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert-butylphenyl]ethane. A preferred compound of formula VII is A preferred composition contains a compound of formula VIII, wherein R₁₀ is C₁-C₄alkyl and most preferably methyl, R₁₁ is C₈-C₁₂alkyl and most preferably n-octyl, and R₁₂ is hydrogen. Examples for hindered phenolic antioxidants are tetrakis[methylene-3-(3'-5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate, octadecyl 3-(3',5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, triethylene glycol bis-[3-(3'-tert.butyl-5'-methyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris-(3',5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 2,6-di-tert.butyl-p-cresol, tris(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,6-hexamethylene bis(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-hydrocinnamate, and 2,4-bis(n-octylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenol. Applicable phosphites correspond to the formulae wherein R₁₄ is tert.butyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, and one of R₁₅ and R₁₆ is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, methyl, tert.butyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl; wherein R₁₇ is n-C₁₈H₃₇, or phenyl, R₁₈, R₁₉ and R₂₀ independently are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, R₂₀ is also hydrogen and R₁₉ is also D-COOR₂₁ wherein D is a direct bond, methylene or ethylene and R₂₁ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl or Preferred compositions contain compounds of formulae IX, X and XI. A preferred compound of formula IX is tris(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)phosphite. A preferred compound of formula XI is bis(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite. Applicable phosphite co-stabilizers include tris(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, and tris(4-nonylphenyl)phosphite. Applicable acid scavengers include epoxidized oils and alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids. The epoxidized oil is readily miscible in the adhesive formulation. Typical oils include epoxidized soy bean oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized linseed oil and epoxidized sunflower oil, preferably epoxidized soy bean oil. Typical salts include calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium ricinoleate, potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or tin pyrocatecholate, preferably calcium stearate. Amines are also applicable including alkanolamines such as triethanolamine and sterically hindered amines such as bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-sebacate, bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-sebacate, n-butyl-3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl malonic acid, bis-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)ester, condensation product of 1-hydroxyethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, condensation product of N,N'-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert.octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-s-triazine, tris-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butane-tetrac arbonic acid and 1,1,'-(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis-(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazinone). In preferred compositions the acid scavenger is epoxidized soy bean oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized sunflower oil or calcium stearate. The concentrations (by weight) of the respective components in the stabilizer system are as follows: from 25 to 74% of hindered phenol (c 1): and preferably 47.5%; from 5 to 74% of phosphite co-stabilizer (c 2), and preferably 25 to 74% and most preferably 47.5%; and from 2 to 50% of acid scavenger (c 3), preferably 2 to 10% and most preferably 5%. The total amount of stabilizer system (c) added to the adhesive component is from 0.1-2.5%, preferably preferably 0.5-1.0% by weight based on the total adhesive formulation. Additional stabilizers may be optionally incorporated into the adhesive compositions. Such additives include other antioxidants, light stabilizers and the like. Compositions containing (e) (mixed alkylated) diphenylamine antioxidants are particularly preferred. Typical alkyl groups include C₄-C₁₈ alkyls. The adhesive compositions of the present invention are typically prepared by blending the components at an elevated temperature, for example between 100°C and 250°C, preferably between 130°C and 200°C, until a homogeneous blend is obtained, usually less than 3 hours. Various methods of blending are known to the art and any method that produces a homogeneous blend is satisfactory. The resultant adhesives may then preferably be used in a wide variety of product assembly applications. The invention also pertains to a method for stabilizing a hot melt adhesive composition comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and an effective tackifying amount of a hydrocarbon tackifying resin against oxidative and thermal degradation which comprises incorporating into said hot melt adhesive composition (1) a phenolic antioxidant, (2) a phosphite co-stabilizer and (3) an acid scavenger selected from the group consisting of epoxidized oils, alkali metal salts of higher fatty acids and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids and amines. The following examples illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention. In these examples, all parts and percentages given are by weight unless otherwise noted. The following materials are employed in these examples: "Adhesive" - 1:1:1 weight ratio of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (®ELVAX 250 from DuPont): hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifier (®ARKON P-90 from Arakawa Chemical): microcrystalline wax (Bareco BE Square 195 from Petrolite). A. tetrakis[methylene 3-(3',5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane B. thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate C. octadecyl 3-(3',5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate D. triethylene glycol bis[3-(3'-tert.butyl-5'-methyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] E. 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3',5'-di-tert.butyl-4'-hydroxybenzyl)benzene F. 2,6-di-tert.butyl-p-cresol G. tris(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate H. 1,6-hexamethylene bis(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-hydroxy-hydrocinnamate I. 2,4-bis(n-octylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenol J. tris(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)phosphite K. bis(2,4-di-tert.butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite L. tris(4-nonylphenyl)phosphite M. epoxidized soy bean oil (Drapex 6.8 from Witco Chemical) N. epoxidized soy bean oil (Flexol from Union Carbide) P. (alkylated mixture)diphenylamine Q. calcium stearate Example 1 This Example illustrates the improved performance characteristics provided by the compositions of this invention. The adhesive composition ("Adhesive") and additives are blended until homogeneous. Samples are then maintained in an oven at 177°C and measured for color at periodic intervals utilizing a Gardner Color Scale. The results are given below. g = gray coloration b = black coloration Example 2 The procedures of Example 1 are repeated with a series of additional hindered phenols. The data in Examples 1 and 2 clearly illustrate the significantly improved stabilization characteristics provided to the ethylene-vinyl acetate hot melt adhesive formulations. Summarizing, it is seen that this invention provides improved stabilization systems for use in ethylene-vinyl acetate hot melt adhesive compositions containing hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifying resins. Variations may be made in procedures, proportions and materials without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims: A stabilized hot melt adhesive composition comprising (a) ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; (b) a hydrocarbon tackifying resin; and (c) a stabilizer composition comprising (1) a phenolic antioxidant; (2) a phosphite co-stabilizer; and (3) an acid scavenger selected from the group consisting of epoxidized oils, alkali metal salts of higher fatty acids, alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids and amines. The composition of claim 1, wherein components (a) and (b) are present in a weight ratio of 10:90 to 90:10, especially 25:75 to 75:25. The composition of claim 1, which additionally contains (d) up to 50% by weight of a petroleum derived wax, based on components (a) and (b). The composition of claim 1, wherein said hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to the formula R₁X-(C a H 2a )-Q (I) wherein R₁ is a group of the formula Ia, X is oxygen or sulfur, a is an integer from 6 to 30, b is an integer from 0 to 6, R₂ and R₃ are independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉aralkyl, and R₂ is also hydrogen, Q is hydrogen or -A-(C y H 2y )-R₄, A is oxygen, sulfur or y is an integer from 2 to 20, B is C₁-C₄alkyl or C₁-C₄alkanoyl, and R₄ is hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁-C₄alkanoyloxy or a group of the formula Ib, wherein R₂, R₃ and b are as define above, r is 1, d is an integer from 2 to 5, and Q₁ is a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a divalent aromatic or aromatic aliphatic hydrocarbon of 6 to 20 carbon atoms or a group of the formula IIa when r is also 0 wherein f is an integer from 1 to 4, or Q₁ is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent hydrocarbon group of the formulae or alkanetriyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanetetrayl of 4 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein R₂, R₃ and b are as defined above, and Q₂ is C₁-C₁₈alkylene; R₁X-[(C z H 2z )-Y] e -R₅ (IX) wherein R₁ and X are as defined above, z is an integer from 2 to 6, e is an integer from 3 to 40, Y is oxygen or sulfur, and R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl or a group of the formula Ia; wherein R₆ and R₇ are independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉aralkyl, and R₆ is also hydrogen, and A₁ is a group C(R₈)R₉ wherein R₈ and R₉ are independently hydrogen or C₁-C₆alkyl; wherein R₃ is as defined above, p is 1 or 2 and Q₃ is C₂-C₁₀alkylene; or wherein R₁₀ is C₁-C₁₀alkyl or C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, R₁₁ independently is C₁-C₁₈alkyl, phenyl or benzyl and R₁₂ is hydrogen or methyl. The composition of claim 4, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula I and X is oxygen, b is an integer from 0 to 2, R₂ and R₃ are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, A is oxygen, y is 2 and R₄ is hydrogen or a group of the formula Ia. The composition of claim 4, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula II and r is 1, R₂ and R₃ are C₁-C₈alkyl, b is 2, d is 2 or 4 and Q₁ is C₂-C₁₀alkylene or pentaerythritol. The composition of claim 4, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula III and R₂ and R₃ are C₁-C₈ alkyl, b is 2 and Q₂ is C₂-C₆ alkylene. The composition of claim 4, wherein the hindered phenolic antioxidant corresponds to formula IV and X and Y are oxygen, b is 0-2, R₂ and R₃ are C₁-C₈ alkyl, z is 2, e is 3-20 and R₅ is a group of formula Ia. The composition of claim 1, wherein said phosphite co-stabilizer corresponds to the formulae wherein R₁₄ is tert.butyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, and one of R₁₅ and R₁₆ is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, methyl, tert.butyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl; wherein R₁₇ is n-C₁₈H₃₇, or phenyl, R₁₈, R₁₉ and R₂₀ independently are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, R₂₀ is also hydrogen and R₁₉ is also D-COOR₂₁ wherein D is a direct bond, methylene or ethylene and R₂₁ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl; or The composition of claim 9, wherein the phosphite corresponds to formula IX, X or XI. The composition of claim 1, wherein said acid scavenger is epoxidized soy bean oil, epoxidized castor oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidized sunflower oil or calcium stearate. The composition of claim 1, wherein component (c) is present in a concentration of 0.1-2.5%, preferably 0.5-1,0% by weight based on the total adhesive composition. The composition of claim 1, which additionally contains (e) a (mixed alkylated) diphenylamine antioxidant. A method for stabilizing a hot melt adhesive composition comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and an effective tackifying amount of a hydrocarbon tackifying resin against oxidative and thermal degradation which comprises incorporating into said hot melt adhesive composition (1) a phenolic antioxidant, (2) a phosphite co-stabilizer and (3) an acid scavenger selected from the group consisting of epoxidized oils, alkali metal salts of higher fatty acids and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids and amines.

Inventors: HORSEY DOUGLAS W, PATEL AMBELAL R, HORSEY, DOUGLAS W., PATEL, AMBELAL R.
Applicants: CIBA GEIGY AG, CIBA-GEIGY AG
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C09J123
IPC codes: C09J131, C09J123, C08K5