U.S. patent application number 11/463545 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for phthalocyanine pigments with neutral metallic down flop.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sun Chemical Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard K. Faubion, Brian Thompson, Bethany J. Wolf, Wengan Wu.
Application Number | 20080035026 11/463545 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38973856 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolf; Bethany J. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
PHTHALOCYANINE PIGMENTS WITH NEUTRAL METALLIC DOWN FLOP
Abstract
Phthalocyanine pigments having 0-4 chlorine atoms have a narrow
particle-size range with 90% of particles between about 0.01-0.10
.mu.m, the average particle size of no more than about 0.5 .mu.m, a
D99 of no more than about 0.3 .mu.m, and a polydispersity of about
2.0 or less. Pigment compositions contain the phthalocyanine
pigment and water-based dispersing resin. The pigments and the
compositions are compatible with waterborne coating systems,
exhibit an excellent metallic down travel, and are especially
useful for the automotive painting applications.
Inventors: |
Wolf; Bethany J.; (Mt.
Pleasant, SC) ; Thompson; Brian; (Goose Creek,
SC) ; Wu; Wengan; (Mt. Pleasant, SC) ;
Faubion; Richard K.; (Mt. Pleasant, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS (6TH AVENUE)
NEW YORK
NY
10036-2714
US
|
Assignee: |
Sun Chemical Corporation
Parsippany
NJ
|
Family ID: |
38973856 |
Appl. No.: |
11/463545 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
106/413 ;
106/31.73; 106/31.78; 106/410; 106/411; 106/412; 523/160; 523/161;
524/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09B 67/0005 20130101;
C09B 67/0023 20130101; C09D 7/41 20180101; C09D 11/037 20130101;
C09B 67/0089 20130101; C09D 11/322 20130101; C09B 67/0013 20130101;
C09B 67/0016 20130101; B82Y 30/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
106/413 ;
106/31.73; 106/31.78; 106/410; 106/411; 106/412; 523/160; 523/161;
524/88 |
International
Class: |
C09B 67/12 20060101
C09B067/12; C09D 11/00 20060101 C09D011/00; C09B 67/50 20060101
C09B067/50; C09B 47/04 20060101 C09B047/04; C09B 67/02 20060101
C09B067/02; C09B 67/20 20060101 C09B067/20 |
Claims
1. A pigment composition, comprising phthalocyanine pigment having
a particle-size distribution with 90% of particles between about
0.01 and about 0.10 .mu.m, an overall average particle size of no
more than about 0.05 .mu.m, a D99 of no more than about 0.3 .mu.m,
and a polydispersity of about 2.0 or less; and a carrier
therefor.
2. The pigment composition of claim 1, wherein the phthalocyanine
pigment is a metallophthalocyanine.
3. The pigment composition of claim 2, wherein the metal of the
metallphthalocyanine is selected from the group consisting of
copper, iron, zinc, cobalt, platinum, chromium, nickel and
palladium.
4. The pigment composition of claim 3, wherein the phthalocyanine
pigment is a chlorinated copper phthalocyanine.
5. The pigment composition of claim 4, wherein the chlorinated
copper phthalocyanine contains up to 4 chlorine atoms.
6. The pigment composition of claim 5, wherein the carrier
comprises a water-based dispersing resin.
7. The pigment composition of claim 6, wherein the water-based
dispersing resin comprises a resin selected from the group
consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, homopolymers or
copolymers of (meth)acrylic acids or corresponding alkyl or
hydroxyalkyl esters, polyester, polyurethane, styrene-maleic
anhydride copolymers, rosin or polymerized rosin, alkali metal
salts of sulfosuccinate esters, and alkylene oxide polymers or
copolymers.
8. The pigment composition of claim 6, wherein the water-based
dispersing resin comprises an ethoxylated naphthalene having the
following formula: ##STR00002## wherein n is a number such that the
average molecular weight is in the range of about 1000-1100.
9. The pigment composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier
comprises a water-based dispersing resin.
10. The pigment composition of claim 9, wherein the water-based
dispersing resin comprises a resin selected from the group
consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, homopolymers or
copolymers of (meth)acrylic acids or corresponding alkyl or
hydroxyalkyl esters, polyester, polyurethane, styrene-maleic
anhydride copolymers, rosin or polymerized rosin, alkali metal
salts of sulfosuccinate esters, and alkylene oxide polymers or
copolymers.
11. The pigment composition of claim 9, wherein the water-based
dispersing resin comprises an ethoxylated naphthalene having the
following formula: ##STR00003## wherein n is a number such that the
average molecular weight is in the range of about 1000-1100.
12. A method for preparing a phthalocyanine composition,
comprising: (i) dry milling a crude phthalocyanine pigment to a
subpigmetary particle size; (ii) mixing the pigment from step (i)
with a conditioning solvent mixture; (iii) removing the solvent
from the mixture from step (ii); (iv) drying the pigments from step
(iii); (v) grinding the pigments from step (iv) with an inorganic
salt and a liquid to form a pigment paste, wherein the pigments and
the salt are substantially insoluble in the liquid; (vi) removing
the salt from the pigment paste from step (v); (vii) reslurrying
and conditioning the pigment paste from step (vi) with water,
water-miscible solvent, or a mixture thereof, containing an aqueous
water-based dispersing resin; and (viii) collecting and drying the
pigment from step (vii).
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the conditioning solvent
mixture in step (ii) comprises at least about 2 parts by weight of
water and at least about 0.2 parts by weight of the aromatic
carboxylic acid ester per part of the pigment.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the conditioning solvent
mixture in step (ii) comprises about 4 to about 5 parts by weight
of water and about 0.6 to 0.8 parts by weight of the aromatic
carboxylic acid ester per part of the pigment.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein step (ii) is conducted at the
temperature between about 70.degree. C. and about 90.degree. C. for
about 4 to about 12 hours.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the inorganic salt in step (v)
is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium
chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride,
sodium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, calcium carbonate, sodium
acetate, calcium acetate, sodium citrate, and potassium sodium
tartrate.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the liquid in step (v) is
selected from the group consisting of alcohols, lower organic
acids, ether, ketones, aromatics, esters and amide.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the liquid in step (v) is
selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol,
isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, formic
acid, acetic acid, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol
monoethyl ether, diethyl ether, oligo- and polyglycol ethers,
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene,
nitrobenzene, chloronaphthalene, methyl benzoate, dimethyl
phthalate, methyl salicylate, formamide, dimethylformamide, and
N-methyl-pyrrolidone.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the grinding in step (v) is
conducted at a temperature between about 0.degree. C. and about
100.degree. C.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the grinding in step (v) is
conducted at a temperature between about 30.degree. C. and about
60.degree. C.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the salt in step (vi) is
removed with water.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the water contains an acid or a
water-miscible organic liquid or both.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the acid is selected from the
group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid,
trifluoroacetic acid and citric acid.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the water-miscible organic
liquid is selected from the group consisting of lower aliphatic
alcohols, ketones, ketoalcohols, amides, ethers, alkylene glycols
and triols.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the water-miscible organic
liquid is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol,
propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol,
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diacetone alcohol, dimethylformamide,
dimethylacetamide, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein step (vi) is conducted at a
temperature between about 0.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein step (vi) is conducted at a
temperature between about 90.degree. C. and about 95.degree. C.
28. The method of claim 12, wherein the water-miscible solvent in
step (vii) is an alcohol or ketone.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the alcohol is selected from
the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,
ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the ketone is selected from the
group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diacetone
alcohol, methyl isopropyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methyl
n-butyl ketone, and N-methyl-pyrrolidone.
31. The method of claim 12, wherein step (vii) is conducted at a
temperature between about 25.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
32. The method of claim 12, wherein an amount of the water-based
dispersing resin in step (vii) is about 5% to about 75% based on
the pigment weight.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the amount of the water-based
dispersing resin in step (vii) is about 25% to about 35% based on
the pigment weight.
34. The method of claim 12, wherein the water-based dispersing
resin in step (vii) comprises a resin selected from the group
consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, homopolymers or
copolymers of (meth)acrylic acids or corresponding alkyl or
hydroxyalkyl esters, polyester, polyurethane, and styrene-maleic
anhydride copolymers, rosin or polymerized rosin, alkali metal
salts of sulfosuccinate esters, and alkylene oxide polymers or
copolymers.
35. The method of claim 12, wherein the water-based dispersing
resin in step (vii) comprises an ethoxylated naphthalene having the
following formula: ##STR00004## wherein n is a number such that the
average molecular weight is in the range of about 1000-1100.
36. An ink composition containing a pigment in which the pigment
comprises the pigment composition of claim 1.
37. A coating comprising a pigmented ink, wherein the pigmented ink
comprises the pigment composition of claim 1.
38. The coating of claim 37, wherein the coating is a paint.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to phthalocyanine pigments, in
particular, copper phthalocyanine pigments and compositions thereof
that are prepared without requiring the use of sulfonated or
anionic phthalocyanine complexes and yet exhibit an excellent
metallic down travel. The pigments and the compositions are
compatible with waterborne coating systems and especially useful
for automotive painting applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Due to rising environmental restraints placed on the entire
chemical industry, there has long been a need to develop more
environmentally friendly processes involving less solvent. The
automotive industry therefore has been moving more towards the use
of waterborne systems for their paint applications. Thus, the goal
of many high performance pigment manufacturers is to provide
waterborne paints with attributes comparable to their solventborne
counterparts.
[0003] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine pigments have been a
considerable problem in this area as their attributes in waterborne
systems have always been less desirable than their solventborne
equivalents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,649 discloses chlorinated copper
phthalocyanine containing 0-4 chlorine atoms having a crystal size
in the range of from 0.01 to 0.2 .mu.m and an ionic complex formed
from copper phthalocyanine sulphonic acid and a quaternary amine.
This product is produced by either acid pasting or salt ball
milling followed by a solvent treatment and exhibits a green down
flop in metallic paints. U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,204 discloses a
water-dispersible phthalocyanine pigment in combination with a
sulfonated copper phthalocyanine, having a mean particle size of
about 0.2 to about 0.3 .mu.m and exhibiting a neutral metallic down
flop. In this case, the copper phthalocyanine pigment is processed
by ball milling without salt followed by optional solvent
treatment.
[0004] It is noteworthy that both of these prior patents require
the use of copper phthalocyanine derivatives, such as sulfonated,
anionic phthalocyanine complexes, to obtain the desired effect.
Such copper phthalocyanine derivatives have been implicated in
paint film problems, such as poor humidity resistance and
occurrences of delamination.
[0005] Thus, a waterborne system for automotive painting
applications without requiring the presence of such ionic additives
is desired, in particular, for a waterborne blue exhibiting shade,
strength and metallic down travel similar to the current
solventborne products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides phthalocyanine pigments and
compositions thereof that are suitable for waterborne coating
systems, particularly useful for automotive painting applications.
In particular, the present invention provides phthalocyanine
pigments having a narrow particle-size distribution, as reflected
by a specific polydispersity value defined below, which achieve the
desired substantially neutral down travel in metallic paint films.
The terms "travel", "down travel" and "down flop" used
interchangeably herein all refer to a change in apparent color
value of a metallic paint film when measured from a 15.degree. to
110.degree. viewing angle. The term "travel delta hue (Travel dH)"
used herein refers to a difference in hue between the 15.degree.
measurement and the 110.degree. measurement. When there is no
difference between the two measurements (i.e., Travel dH=0), the
down travel is said to be "neutral." The smaller the travel dH, the
better the appearance of the paint.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, phthalocyanine pigments of the
present invention are metallophthalocyanine pigments and the metal
of the metallophthalocyanine is most preferably copper. Thus, the
present invention provides copper phathalocyanine pigments that
have excellent dispersibility in waterborne systems and exhibit an
attractive substantially neutral down travel. In a specific
embodiment, the copper phthalocyanine pigment of the present
invention has a narrow particle size distribution with 90% of
particles between about 0.01 .mu.m and about 0.10 .mu.m, an overall
average particle size of no more than about 0.05 .mu.m, a D99 of no
more than about 0.3 .mu.m, and a polydispersity of about 2.0 or
less. The term "D99" used herein refers to the size to which
particles of 99 wt % of the tested samples is smaller than or
equal. The term, "polydispersity" used herein refers to a ratio of
the weight/volume average size (Dw) to the number average size
(Dn), that is, Dw/Dn and indicates the distribution of individual
particle size in a batch of pigment. The copper phthalocyanine
pigment of the present invention may or may not contain chlorine
atoms. Typically, the copper phthalocyanine pigment containing 0-4
chlorine atoms is most preferable, but those containing more than 4
chlorine atoms may be also used. The present invention further
provides a pigment composition comprising the pigment of the
present invention and a water-based polymeric dispersing resin. In
addition, the present invention provides a process for producing
the pigment and the composition of the present invention.
Furthermore, ink compositions containing the pigments or pigment
compositions of the invention as well as coatings, such as paint
coatings, comprising the pigments or pigment compositions of the
invention, are also provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the correlations among Dw,
polydispersity and Travel dH.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the correlations among D99,
polydispersity and Travel dH.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention generally relates to water-dispersible
phthalocyanine pigments, in particular, metallophthalocyanine
pigments having a narrow particle-size distribution as reflected by
a specific polydispersity value. The metal of the
metallophthalocyanine may be any metals that are commonly used to
form metallophthalocyanine, including, but not limited to, copper,
iron, zinc, cobalt, platinum, chromium, nickel, palladium, and so
forth. The most preferred phtahlocyanine pigments are chlorinated
copper phtalocyanine pigments, but any other phthalocyanine
pigments or metallophthalocyanine pigments, unsubstituted or
substituted with, for example, halogens, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxy, or other substituents typical of
phthalocyanine pigments, are also encompassed by the present
invention so long as the pigments have the same
size-characteristics as described below.
[0011] The present invention is based on the discovery by the
present inventors that a copper phthalocyanine pigment optionally
containing chlorine atoms, having a particle-size distribution with
90% of particles between about 0.01 .mu.m and about 0.10 .mu.m, an
overall average particle size of no more than about 0.05 .mu.m, a
D99 of no more than about 0.3 .mu.m, and a polydispersity of about
2.0 or less, exhibits a better down travel than the currently
available commercial products. The pigments and the compositions
containing the same are compatible with waterborne coating systems
and useful in the automotive industry. The pigments and the
composition of the present invention can be also used for preparing
ink compositions.
[0012] Crude copper phthalocyanine to be used for preparing the
pigment of the present invention can be obtained by any method
known to one skilled in the art. For example, chlorinated copper
phthalocyanine blue crude can be obtained by a reaction of suitable
amount of 4-chlorophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride or a derivative
thereof, urea and a copper source, such as cuprous chloride, or by
a reaction of 4-chlorophthalic acid, phthalonitrile or a derivative
thereof and a copper source in an organic solvent, in the presence
or absence of a catalyst, such as ammonium molybdate or titanium
tetrachloride. Alternatively, previously prepared copper
phthalocyanine may be chlorinated in a molten chlorine salt, such
as aluminum chloride/titanium tetrachloride melt and preferably an
aluminum chloride/sodium chloride melt, or in chlorosulfonic acid.
Although the resultant chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude
can be conditioned by any method commonly used for conditioning
phthalocyanines as long as it results in the desired parameters set
forth above, the method described below is most preferable.
[0013] The crude pigment is first dry milled to a subpigmentary
particle size. The dry milling step can be carried out using
procedures known in the art, such as ball milling. To avoid
undesirable crystal growth that can produce particles outside the
desired size range of about 0.01 to about 0.5 .mu.m, dry milling is
preferably carried out at temperatures below about 80.degree. C.
and preferably at about 400 to 50.degree. C. Milling must be
carried out for a sufficient length of time to allow the particles
to reach the desired size range (as determined, for example, by
X-ray analysis), but the length of time is not otherwise critical.
In general, a period of from about 6 hours up to about 24 hours is
sufficient, with the preferred time generally depending on the
capacity of the mill used. For example, milling with a laboratory
mill might take 2 or 3 days, whereas milling with a plant-scale
mill might take only 8 to 12 hours.
[0014] The milled pigment is then conditioned by mixing (for
example, by stirring) with a conditioning solvent mixture
comprising water and an aromatic carboxylic acid ester, optionally
in the presence of a dispersant. The water and ester can be
combined with the milled pigment separately or premixed. Although
the exact amount of the solvent mixture used during the finishing
process is generally not critical, stirrable slurries typically
contain at least about 2 parts by weight of water and about 0.2
part by weight of the ester for each part of the crude pigment. In
general, about 3 to about 6 parts by weight, preferably 4 to 5
parts by weight, of water and about 0.4 to about 1.2 parts by
weight, preferably 0.6 to 0.8 parts by weight, of the ester for
each part of crude pigment, has been found particularly
advantageous to use. Larger quantities of solvent, although
effective, are unnecessary and may even be undesirable for economic
and environmental reasons.
[0015] The esters in the conditioning solvent mixture are
preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.12 alkyl esters of C.sub.6-C.sub.12
monocarboxylic and/or dicarboxylic acids. Suitable aromatic
monocarboxylic acids include, but not the way of limitation,
benzoic acid and naphthoic acids and isomeric forms thereof, as
well as aromatic ring-substituted derivatives in which the
substituent can be, for example, alkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, halogen,
hydroxy, amino, nitro, vinyl, and allyl groups. Suitable aromatic
dicarboxylic acids include phthalic, isophthalic, terephthalic, and
naphthalic acids and the isomeric forms thereof, as well as
aromatic ring-substituted derivatives. Suitable C.sub.1-C.sub.12
alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,
heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, and dodecyl, and isomeric
forms thereof. Esters of dicarboxylic acids can contain two
different alkyl groups, although esters having identical alkyl
groups are preferred. Preferred organic solvents include
C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl esters of benzoic, phthalic, and salicylic
acids, particularly methyl benzoate, methyl salicylate, and
dimethyl phthalate. Mixtures of such esters are also suitable.
Esters of aromatic tricarboxylic and tetracarboxylic acids can be
used but are less preferred.
[0016] The conditioning solvent mixture may optionally contain a
dispersant. Suitable dispersants include homopolymers or copolymers
of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as (meth)acrylic acids
or corresponding alkyl or hydroxyalkyl esters, polyester,
polyurethane, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers (e.g., SMA.RTM.
Resins), various forms of rosin or polymerized rosin, alkali metal
salts of sulfosuccinate esters, alkylene oxide polymers or
copolymers, and so forth.
[0017] The conditioning step can be carried out at temperatures in
the range of, for example, from about 30.degree. C. to about
145.degree. C. In general, however, temperatures below about
70.degree. C. are less preferred because of a tendency to give less
readily dispersed pigment. Furthermore, although temperatures above
about 90.degree. C. can be used, they are less preferred because of
potential overgrowth of crystals. Conditioning must be carried out
for a sufficient length of time to allow the particles to attain
optimum pigmentary size and distribution. Conditioning times
typically range from at least about 4 hours, preferably at least 8
hours, to about 12 hours, but the length of time is not otherwise
critical.
[0018] Isolation of the conditioned pigment can be carried out by
any of several methods known in the art. Although it is possible in
theory to remove the solvent by physical separation methods, it has
been found advantageous to hydrolyze the esters of aromatic
carboxylic acids and their by-products removed before the pigment
is collected.
[0019] Hydrolysis of such esters can be carried out, for example,
by heating the solvent-containing conditioned pigment with a
strongly alkaline solution, preferably an aqueous solution, such as
aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide. A particularly preferred
hydrolysis method involves heating the solvent-containing pigment
for about 2 hours at about 85.degree. C. in about 4 to about 10%
aqueous sodium hydroxide prepared, for example, by adding 50%
aqueous sodium hydroxide directly to the aqueous conditioning
mixture. Other hydrolysis methods known in the art may be also
suitable. The carboxylate and alcohol by-products formed during
hydrolysis can then be removed (and recovered if desired), for
example, during the separation step.
[0020] The pigment can be collected by methods known in the art,
preferably filtration, and then dried. Other collection methods
known in the art, such as centrifugation, may be also suitable, but
are generally less preferred. When the pigment is collected by
filtration, the hydrolysis by-products can be easily removed by
washing the pigment filter cake, preferably, with water. The
pigment is then dried for finishing.
[0021] The resulting dried pigment is ground within a high-shear
mixer containing about 1 to about 10 parts by weight, preferably
about 4 to 6 parts by weight, of an inorganic salt per part of
organic pigment and about 1 to about 5 parts by weight, preferably
about 1 to 2 parts by weight, of a liquid in which the organic
pigment and salt are substantially insoluble.
[0022] Suitable salts for salt grinding include sodium chloride,
potassium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum
chloride, sodium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, calcium carbonate,
sodium acetate, calcium acetate, sodium citrate, potassium sodium
tartrate, and so forth. Sodium chloride is particularly convenient
and preferred.
[0023] Suitable liquids for use in salt grinding are liquids,
preferably organic liquids or low-melting solids that liquefy
during grinding, in which the organic pigment and salt are
substantially insoluble but which enable the physical
transformation of crude pigments into finished pigments to occur
when carrying out the process of the present invention. Examples of
suitable organic liquids include alcohols, such as methanol,
ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,
or glycerin; lower organic acids, such as formic or acetic acid;
ethers such as dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol monoethyl
or diethyl ether, or oligo- and polyglycol ethers; ketones, such as
acetone or methyl ethyl ketone; aromatics, such as toluene, xylene,
chlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, or chloronaphthalene; esters, such as
methyl benzoate, dimethyl phthalate, or methyl salicylate; and
amides, such as formamide, dimethylformamide, or
N-methyl-pyrrolidone. Preferred organic liquids are glycols,
particularly ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. It is possible,
though generally less preferred, to include small amounts of water
that should not exceed 50% of the total amount of liquid, including
the amount of water that may be present in the crude pigment.
Although virtually any high-shear mixer can be used, continuous
sigma blade high-shear mixers are preferred.
[0024] The initial grinding step (a) is carried out at a
temperature of about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.,
preferably 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., for a period sufficient
to produce a uniform paste; for example, for at least one hour but
no more than 24 hours, preferably for about two to ten hours, and
most preferably for about 5 hours. Although, on one hand, it is
possible to use a relatively large amount of the liquid, which will
usually produce a thin pigment mass, it is generally necessary to
use only a small amount of liquid that will produce a relatively
thick pigment mass. If, on the other hand, the pigment mass becomes
too thick during the grinding step, either due to the evaporation
of the liquid or the formation of finer pigment particles, it may
be desirable to add small amounts of the liquid to maintain
effective and efficient grinding.
[0025] In step (b), the pigment paste from step (a) is mixed with
water, which may optionally contain or be treated with an acid
and/or various organic liquids, which are preferably water-miscible
organic liquids.
[0026] Acids that are capable of forming soluble metal salts can be
added during step (b) to help remove metal or metal oxide
contaminants from the pigment mass. Suitable acids include mineral
acids, such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and at least
moderately acidic organic acids, such as acetic acid,
trifluoroacetic acid, and citric acid.
[0027] Although it is generally preferable to use only water in
step (b), it is also possible to include certain organic liquids.
Suitable organic liquids for use in step (b) include, but not
limited to, lower aliphatic alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol,
propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or
glycerin; ketones and ketoalcohols, such as acetone, methyl ethyl
ketone, and diacetone alcohol; amides, such as dimethylformamide
and dimethylacetamide; ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane;
alkylene glycols and triols, such as ethylene glycol and glycerol;
and so forth that are known in the art. Other organic liquids may
be used but are generally much less preferred. If a low volatile
water-immiscible organic liquid is used at any step in the process
of the invention, it may be necessary to wash the pigment in two
steps: first, with water to remove salts and other water-soluble
materials and second, with a more volatile organic solvent to
remove the remaining organic materials.
[0028] The water or organic liquids in step (b) may optionally
contain a dispersant, for example, those described above.
[0029] Step (b) is carried out by stirring the pigment mixture, for
a period sufficient to dissolve the inorganic salt, essentially at
any temperature at which the mixture does not freeze or boil; for
example, at a temperature range of about 0.degree. C. to about
100.degree. C. for aqueous mixtures. However, temperatures near the
boiling point of the mixture, i.e., typically about 90.degree. C.
to about 95.degree. C. are generally preferred. When the mixture
contains an organic solvent, the temperature varies depending on
the solvent.
[0030] The finished pigment thus obtained is collected in step (c)
by methods known in the art, preferably by filtration followed by
washing to remove residual acid. Other collection methods known in
the art, such as membrane filtration, centrifugation, or even
simple decantation, are also suitable but generally less preferred.
The resulting pigment may be dried for use, but is most preferably
reslurried for further conditioning. Drying may be carried out
using conventional drying methods, such as spray drying, tray
drying, drum drying, and so forth; however, spray drying is most
preferable.
[0031] The pigment may be reslurried in water, water-miscible
solvent, or mixture thereof, for further conditioning prior to
spray drying. If reslurried in water only, the slurry can be
spray-dried directly or heated to temperatures between about
25.degree. C. and about 95.degree. C., preferably between about
25.degree. C. and about 70.degree. C., before spray-drying. If
reslurried in water-miscible solvent or mixture of water and
water-miscible solvent, the slurry is conditioned at a temperature
of about 25.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C., preferably about
90.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. If the conditioning is above
the boiling point of the solvent mixture, this step is carried out
under pressure. In general, a conditioning time of from about 30
minutes to about ten hours is sufficient, with preferred times
being about 2-6 hours. Suitable water-miscible solvents may include
alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,
ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or glycerin; or ketones, such as
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diacetone alcohol, methyl isopropyl
ketone, methyl amyl ketone, methyl n-butyl ketone, or
N-methyl-pyrrolidone, and so forth. The pigment slurry should
contain about 5% to 75%, preferably about 15% to 50%, and most
preferably about 25% to 35% of active resin dispersant based on the
pigment weight. Suitable resin dispersants include, but not limited
to, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, homopolymers or copolymers
of (meth)acrylic acids or corresponding alkyl or hydroxyalkyl
esters, polyester, polyurethane, styrene-maleic anhydride
copolymers (e.g., SMA.RTM. Resins, by Sartomer Company Inc., PA),
various forms of rosin or polymerized rosin, alkali metal salts of
sulfosuccinate esters, alkylene oxide polymers or copolymers, and
so forth.
[0032] Also suitable are commercially available active polymeric
dispersants, such as SOLSPERSE.RTM. 27000 (Noveon Inc., OH),
DISPERBYK.RTM.-190 (BYK Chemie, Germany), and Borchi.RTM. Gen SN 95
(Borchers GmbH, Germany), preferred of which is SOLSPERSE.RTM.
27000, CAS NO. 35545-57-4, a polymer of the formula:
##STR00001##
wherein n is a number such that the average molecular weight is in
the range of about 1000-1100.
EXAMPLES
[0033] The following examples illustrate the chlorinated copper
phthalocyanine pigment and composition thereof provided by the
present invention. These examples should not be construed as
limiting.
[0034] The pigments produced in the examples below were evaluated
for their Travel dH in an automotive waterborne
basecoat/solventborne clearcoat system as follows: The pigments
were dispersed into the waterborne basecoat at a pigment loading of
16.4% after pH adjustment to 8.0.+-.0.15 using a Skandex paint
conditioner for 6 hours. This dispersion stage included a
solublized acrylic resin, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and a
polypropylene glycol resin. The mixture is then reduced to 14% with
distilled water and an acrylic latex solution. The dispersion is
incorporated into waterborne paints with a ratio of 1:1
color:TiO.sub.2 and 1:1 color:Aluminum. The paints are sprayed onto
a coilcoat-primed aluminum panel at a film thickness of 25.+-.5
microns, baked at 200.degree. F., and then a solventborne acrylic
clearcoat is sprayed over the basecoat at a film thickness of
50.+-.5 microns and baked at 260.degree. F. The sprayed aluminum
paint panels are evaluated on an X-Rite MA-58 multi-angle
spectrophotometer to give a 5-angle representation of the color
performance versus the standard.
[0035] As a reference, commercially available chlorinated copper
phthalocyanine pigment, 428-4816 (Sun Chemical Corporation, OH),
was used.
[0036] The particle sizes of each pigment preparation were
determined by a disk centrifuge particle size (DCP) analyzer
(Brookhaven Instrument Corporation, NY).
Comparative Example 1
[0037] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake. Fifty (50)
grams dry weight of the presscake were then slurried in water at
20.0% total solids with a high shear mixer. The slurry was spray
dried. The down travel, particle size, and polydispersity are shown
in Table 1.
Comparative Example 2
[0038] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment is then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake. Fifty (50)
grams dry weight of the presscake were then slurried in water with
25.0% active Solsperse.RTM. 27000 resin based on pigment weight at
19% total solids with a high shear mixer. The slurry was spray
dried. The down travel, particle size, and polydispersity are shown
in Table 1.
Comparative Example 3
[0039] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake. Fifty (50)
grams dry weight of the presscake were then slurried in methanol at
15% solids with a high shear mixer and conditioned at 120.degree.
C. for three hours. The slurry was cooled to 60.degree. C. and
drowned into 300 g water. The methanol was distilled off and the
resultant slurry was spray dried. The down travel, particle size,
and polydispersity are shown in Table 1.
Comparative Example 4
[0040] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake. Fifty (50)
grams dry weight of the presscake were then slurried in methanol
with 30.0% active Solsperse 27000 resin based on pigment weight at
19% solids with a high shear mixer and conditioned at 120.degree.
C. for three hours. The slurry was cooled to 60.degree. C. and
drowned into 300 g water. The methanol was distilled off and the
resultant slurry was spray dried. The down travel, particle size,
and polydispersity are shown in Table 1.
Comparative Example 5
[0041] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake and dried.
Thirty-two (32) grams of product were charged to a sigma blade
mixer/kneader along with 243 g of salt and 60 g of propylene glycol
and ground for five hours. The paste was discharged from the
mixer/kneader into 800 g of water.
[0042] The pH is adjusted to 2.0-2.5 with concentrated HCl, heated
to 90.degree. C. for one hour and isolated. The presscake was
reslurried in 600 g of water and spray dried. The down travel,
particle size, and polydispersity are described in Table 1.
Example 1
[0043] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. The 50 grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids.
Subsequently, the slurry was conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8
hours. The methyl benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium
hydroxide to remove the methyl benzoate. The thus-prepared product
was isolated as presscake and dried. Thirty-two (32) grams of the
product were charged to an attritor along with 243 g of salt and 60
g of propylene glycol and ground for five hours. The resulting
paste was discharged from the attritor into 800 g of water and the
pH was adjusted to 2.0-2.5 with concentrated HCl. The presscake was
isolated after being heated to 90.degree. C. for one hour in the
water. The presscake was reslurried in 300 g of water with 30.0%
active SOLSPERSE 27000 resin, based on the weight of the pigment,
and spray dried. The down travel, particle size, and polydispersity
of the resultant pigment composition are shown in Table 1.
Comparative Example 6
[0044] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. Fifty (50) grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake and dried.
Thirty-two (32) grams of product were charged to an attritor along
with 243 g of salt and 60 g of propylene glycol and ground for five
hours. The paste was discharged from the attritor into 800 g of
water. The pH was adjusted to 2.0-2.5 with concentrated HCl, and
the presscake was heated to 90.degree. C. for one hour and
isolated. The presscake was reslurried in 200 g of methanol and
conditioned at 120.degree. C. for three hours. Three-hundred (300)
ml of water were added and the methanol was distilled off prior to
spray-drying. The down travel, particle size, and polydispersity
are shown in Table 1.
Example 2
[0045] Chlorinated copper phthalocyanine blue crude was charged to
a ball mill to realize a ratio of 1 to 10 parts pigment to balls.
The crude pigment was then milled for 12-24 hours at no more than
70.degree. C. The 50 grams of the resulting crude were then
slurried in 15% methyl benzoate/water at 15-17% solids. The slurry
was then conditioned at 85.degree. C. for 8 hours. The methyl
benzoate was hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide to remove the
methyl benzoate. The product was isolated as presscake and dried.
Thirty-two (32) grams of the product was charged to a sigma blade
mixer/kneader along with 243 g of salt and 60 g of propylene glycol
and ground for five hours. The paste was discharged from the
mixer/kneader into 800 g of water and the pH was adjusted to
2.0-2.5 with concentrated HCl. The presscake was isolated after
being heated to 90.degree. C. for one hour. The presscake was
reslurried in 200 g of methanol with 30.0% active SOLSPERSE 27000
resin, based on the weight of the pigment, and conditioned at
120.degree. C. for three hours. Two-hundred (200) ml of water were
added and the methanol was distilled off prior to spray drying. The
down travel, particle size, and polydispersity of the resulting
pigment composition are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dw D1 D5 D95 D99 Example Travel dH nm nm nm
nm nm Polydispersity 428 4816 43.8 52 13 15 171 476 2.6 Comparative
58.5 78 14 15 394 673 3.71 Example 1 Comparative 51.6 48 14 16 138
449 2.29 Example 2 Comparative 40.6 50 14 16 139 442 2.38 Example 3
Comparative 37.4 56 14 16 209 512 2.67 Example 4 Comparative 36.3
44 14 16 109 382 2.1 Example 5 Example 1 22.4 38 15 16 93 263 1.73
Comparative 40.1 48 15 17 115 397 2.09 Example 6 Example 2 13.3 41
15 17 87 248 1.78 Slope 0.64 -0.03 -0.03 4.86 8.37 0.035 Intercept
25.96 15.35 17.24 -23.95 106.96 1.053 R.sup.2 0.572 0.369 0.397
0.489 0.795 0.629 Correlation 0.756 -0.607 -0.630 0.699 0.892
0.793
[0046] The correlation between Dw or polydispersity and Travel dH
is shown in FIG. 1 and that between D99 or polydispersity and
Travel dH is shown in FIG. 2.
Equivalents
[0047] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to
ascertain many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the
invention described herein using no more than routine
experimentation. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by
the following claims.
[0048] All publications and patents mentioned in this specification
are herein incorporated by reference into this specification.
* * * * *