Polybutylene Terephthalate Modified With Dimer Acid Methyl Ester Derived From Fatty Acid Methyl Esters And Its Use As A Hot-Melt Adhesive

A series of polyester copolymers was synthesized via melt polycondensation of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), dimethyl isophthalate (DMI), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) with dimer acid methyl ester (DAME) monomers, previously prepared by the Diels-Alder reaction of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). We obtained copolymers with the desired composition and a high molar mass characterized by H-1 NMR, FT-IR, and SEC. The relationship among the composition, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and adhesion properties of these copolymers was examined, demonstrating that the DAME-modified copolymers could be substituted for HMA applications and are comparable to petroleum-based commercial products. As a result, these polyesters could offer improved sustainability and performance and may be good candidates for hot-melt adhesive materials. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48474.