Showing papers on "Terephthalic acid published in 1995"

New biodegradable polyester-copolymers from commodity chemicals with favorable use properties

Abstract: Copolyesters composed of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were synthesized by the polycondensation of 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, sebacic acid, adipic acid, and terephthalic acid. By applying an appropriate ratio of aliphatic to aromatic acids, the synthesized materials proved to be biodegradable, as was verified by several degradation test methods such as aqueous polymer suspension inoculated by a soil eluate (Sturm test), a soil burial test (at ambient temperature), and a composting simulation test at 60°C. The degradability of the polyester-copolymers (measured as weight loss) was investigated with respect to the aliphatic monomer components and the fraction of terephthalic acid. Excellent biodegradability was observed even for copolymers with a content of terephthalic acid up to 56 mol% (of the acid fraction) and melting points in the range up to 140°C. Degradation by chemical hydrolysis of the polyesters was determined independently and was found to facilitate microbial attack significantly only at higher temperatures. The findings demonstrate that biodegradable polymers with advantageous usage properties can easily be manufactured by conventional techniques from commodity chemicals (adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and ethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol).

Biodegradable Polymers, process for their production and their use in producing biodegradable mouldings

Abstract: Biodegradable polyesters P1 obtainable by the reaction of a mixture consisting essentially of (a1) a mixture essentially of 35 to 95 mol% adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, 5 to 65 mol% terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and 0 to 5 mol% of a sulphonate group-containing compound in which the sum of the individual mol percentages is 100, and (a2) a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C2-C6 alkane diols and C5-C10 cycloalkane diols, in which the molar ratio of (a1) and (a2) is in the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, provided that the polyester P1 have a molecular weight (Mn) in the range from 5000 to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity index in the range from 30 to 350 g/ml (measured in o-dichlorobenzole/phenol (in a ratio by weight of 50/50) at a concentration of 0.5 wt.% polyester P1 at a temperature of 25 °C) and a melting point in the range from 50 to 170 °C, and with the further proviso that from 0.01 to 5 mol% in relation to the molar quantity of the component (a1) used of compound D with at least three groups capable of forming esters are used to produce the polyesters P1, and other biodegradable polymers and thermoplastic moulding compounds and adhesives, biodegradable mouldings, foams and blends with starch obtainable from the polymers or moulding compounds of the invention.

Pet copolyesters containing succinic and naphthalenedicarboxylic acid moieties having improved barrier properties

Abstract: Disclosed are terpolymers having improved barrier properties and tensile strength relative to PET comprising copolyesters derived from acid components comprising about 45 to about 85 mol % terephthalic acid; about 10 to about 40 mol % of at least one naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and about 5 to about 15 mol % of at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and glycol component comprising ethylene glycol. The copolyesters of the present invention may be formed into a variety of articles such as blood tubes, serum vials, containers, films and sheeting.

Biodegradation of polyester copolymers containing aromatic compounds

Abstract: For investigation of the microbial accessibility of polyesters based on 1,3-propanediol, a series of different polymer structures (homo, random, and block copolymers) were synthesized by polycondensation of terephthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, and 1,3-propanediol. The alcohol component, 1,3-propanediol, can be obtained from a biotechnological process from glycerol, a surplus product of the oleochemical industry. Aliphatic dicarbonic acids can be derived from vegetable oils. Biodegradation was performed in different test systems. 1) Polyester films were exposed to an aerated liquid medium inoculated with eluates from soil. 2) For this test system, polymer films were buried in soil. Copolyesters exhibited significant differences in both tests. Furthermore, a clear influence of the polymeric structure as well as of the chain length of the aliphatic dicarbonic acids on the microbial accessibility was observed.

Terephthalic acid production using evaporative cooling

Abstract: The oxidation of p-xylene to produce terephthalic acid is carried out using pure or nearly pure oxygen and evaporative cooling. By-product and waste generation are reduced, oxygen utilization is enhanced, desirable operating conditions are employed, and the need for direct contact heat exchange surfaces in the reactor vessel is obviated.

Process for manufacturing terephthalic acid

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing terephthalic acid and more particularly, to a process of manufacturing and recovering the highly purified terephthalic acid using an alkali weight-reduction waste water discharged from weight-reduction process in a polyester textile dyeing complex, in accordance with the practice of this invention comprising the following procedures: polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to 'PET') waste scrap materials are hydrolyzed to prepare the slurry of disodium terephthalate. Then, said slurry dissolved in water is adsorbed to remove impurities, and followed by acid-neutralization to obtain terephthalic acid of this invention.

Characterization of oligomers in poly(ethylene terephthalate) by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was used for the characterization of extracted and synthesized oligo(ethylene terephthalate)s. Generally, cyclic oligomers [GT]n could be found in technical yarns and tiles, whereas our synthesized model oligomers mainly consisted of linear chains H[GT]nG. In addition, some other distributions could be identified as H[GT]nOH and H[GGT]1[GT]n−1G linear oligomers and H[GGT]1[GT]n−1 cyclic oligomers, where G is an ethylene glycol unit, GG is a diethylene glycol unit, caused by impurities of ethylene glycol, and T is a terephthalic acid unit. NMR and IR investigations were carried out to verify these results.

Biodegradable polymers, process for their preparation and their use for producing biodegradable moulded bodies

Abstract: The invention concerns biodegradable polyesters obtained by reacting a mixture comprising: (a1) 95 to 99.9 wt % of a polyester P1, obtained by reacting a mixture substantially comprising: (b1) a mixture comprising: 35 to 95 mol % adipic acid or esterifying derivatives thereof; 5 to 65 mol % terephthalic acid or esterifying derivatives thereof; and 0 to 5 mol % of a sulphonate group-containing compound; and (b2) a dihydroxy compound selected from the group comprising C2-C6 alkane diols and C5-C10 cycloalkane diols, provided that a compound D having at least three groups capable of esterification is used to prepare the polyester P1; (a2) 0.1 to 5 wt % of a divinylether C1; and (a3) 0 to 5 mol %, relative to component (b1) from the preparation of P1, of compound D, and further biodegradable polymers and thermoplastic moulding compounds. The invention further concerns a process for their preparation and their use for producing biodegradable moulded bodies and adhesives.

Main chain modification of aromatic polyamides by incorporation of kinked, flexible monomers†

Abstract: Multiring diamines and diacids containing ether and isopropylidene or hexafluoroisopropylidene bridges between phenyl groups were used alone or together with 1,4-phenylenediamine and terephthalic acid to prepare flexible or semirigid aromatic polyamides by direct polycondensation using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. All the polyamides are readily soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and N,N-dimethylformamide. The wholly flexible polyamides are completely amorphous whereas those prepared from 1,4-phenylenediamine or terephthalic acid are partially crystalline and melt in the temperature range from 276 to 330°C. Thermal analysis shows Tg's in the range from 204 to 216°C for the wholly flexible polyamides and in the range from 239 to 257°C for the semirigid ones. Both classes of aromatic polyamides show excellent thermal resistance which is comparable with that of rigid-rod aramides.

Production of high-purity terephthalic acid

Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide a method for finally producing high-purity terephthalic acid, not installing a plate, etc, in a dispersion medium substitution column, subjecting a raw slurry consisting essentially of terephthalic acid crystal and a raw dispersion medium (a dispersion medium for liquid-phase oxidation reaction or a dispersion medium for purification treatment after the reaction) to dispersion medium substitution while pouring a dispersion medium for substitution from the lower part of the bottom of the column CONSTITUTION: A raw slurry consisting essentially of terephthalic acid crystal particles obtained by liquid-phase oxidation or purification treatment after the liquid-phase oxidation and a raw dispersion medium is fed from the upper part of a dispersion medium substitution column and a dispersion medium for substitution is supplied from the lower part of the column, the solution at the lower part of the column is stirred into a scurried state uniformly as much as possible, the flow rate in supply of the dispersion medium for substitution and that in taking out the substituted slurry are regulated, both the solutions are brought into contact with each other in a liquid-liquid state while maintaining a slurry state in a concentration higher than that in the middle part of the column The prepared substituted slurry is taken out from the bottom of the column, the liquid at the middle part of the dispersion medium substitution column is divided into plural flows in parallel or not divided to provide a method for producing high-purity terephthalic acid

Dehydration of acetic acid by azeotropic distillation in the production of an aromatic acid

Abstract: In a process for production of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid by the liquid phase oxidation of a precursor (e.g. p-xylene) thereof, an overheads stream (10) comprising aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid is subjected to azeotropic distillation in column (12) to reduce the water content. The azeotropic distillation may be carried out using reflux of the entrainer only (22) with control of entrainer penetration to obtain a bottoms product (34) which is substantially entrainer free and contains a predetermined amount of residual water. Any aromatic dicarboxylic acid precursor present in the overheads stream is separated from the aliphatic carboxylic acid by withdrawal at a location (24) in the vicinity of the point of introduction of the feed (10) into the column. The amount of water in the bottoms product (34) may be controlled by regulation of a separate water feed (76) to the lower section of the azeotropic distillation column. In addition, regulation of the reflux rate (via line 22) may be employed to control the water content of the bottoms product and maintain column operation in the event of loss of feed to the column.

Production of terephthalic acid with excellent optical properties through the use of pure or nearly pure oxygen as the oxidant in p-xylene oxidation

Abstract: The production of terephthalic acid by the oxidation of p-xylene is carried out in such a manner that the oxygen concentration in the liquid phase is maximized through the use of pure or nearly pure oxygen, while simultaneously the hydrocarbon feed concentration is minimized through rapid dilution with the reactor contents.

Crystal Morphology and Phase Identification in Poly(aryl ether ketone)s and Their Copolymers. 3. Polymorphism in a Polymer Containing Alternated Terephthalic Acid and Isophthalic Acid Isomers

Abstract: Crystal structures and morphology of a polymer containing alternated terephthalic acid (T) and isophthalic acid (I) linked phenylene units in poly(ether ketone ketone) [PEKK(T/I)] have been investigated via TEM, electron diffraction (ED), WAXD, and DSC experiments. When the polymer is crystallized at high temperatures (at and above 310°C), only one orthorhombic crystal unit cell (form I) is found, and the crystal dimensions are a=0.778 nm, b=0.610 nm, and c=3.113 nm. At the crystallization temperature below 200°C, another orthorhombic crystal unit cell (form II) forms, having the dimensions of a=0.417 nm, b=1.108 nm, and c=3.113 nm. Even at this low-temperature range, form II always coexists with form I except in the case of solvent-induced crystallization. A possibility of the existence of a new form (form III) is identified in a temperature range between 200 and 300°C, and usually coexists with form I. This form also possesses an orthorhombic unit cell with dimensions of a=0.641 nm, b=0.610 nm, and c=3.504 nm. Transformations from form II to both forms I and III require melting and recrystallization. Relatively regular-shaped lamellar crystals in PEKK(T/I) can be observed

Catalytic compositions containing tetrabutyl titanate and a mixture of cocatalysts for the preparation of poly(butylene terephthalate)

Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in the preparation of poly(butylene terephthalate) from dimethyl terephthalate, comprising: (a) a titanium compound primary catalyst, from about 0.0005 PHR to about 5 PHR; (b) a first co-catalyst containing at least one of Zn, Co, Mn, Mg, Ca, or Pb series compounds, between about 0.0001 PHR and 5 PHR; and (c) a second co-catalyst containing an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal phosphite, an alkali hypophosphite, or an alkali metal polyphosphate between about 0.0001 PHR and 5 PHR; wherein PHR represents parts of the primary catalyst or the co-catalyst per one hundred parts, by weight, of dimethyl terephthalate. Preferred titanium compounds include tetrabutyl titanate or tetra(isopropyl)titanate. Preferred metal compounds for use as first co-catalyst are metal acetates. The alkali metal phosphate can be a phosphate salt containing one, two, or three metal groups; and the alkali metal phosphite can be a phosphite salt containing one or two metal groups. The alkali metal hypophosphite can be a hypophosphite salt containing any number of alkali metal groups. The alkali metal polyphosphate can be a polyphosphate salt containing one, two, three, four, or five alkali metal groups. With this catalyst composition, the rate of polycondensation was increased by 40 percent or more. The catalyst composition is also effective in the preparation of poly(butylene terephthalate) from terephthalic acid.

Surface trimer crystallization on poly (ethylene terephthalate) studied by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Abstract: The surface crystallization of cyclic trimer on poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films was studied by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. PET films synthesized from dimethyl‐ terephthalate or from terephthalic acid are compared in this study. Several thermal crystallization procedures and a solvent vapor initiated crystallization were compared in order to investigate differences in surface chemistry observed on the different types of PET. Thermal crystal growth with varying temperatures (120–180 °C) and treatment times (20 min–48 h) was compared with the crystals grown under methylene chloride vapor exposure for 24 h. PET manufactured from terephthalic acid showed a unique correlation of the trimer crystals with sodium, but only in thermal crystallization processes.

Continuous preparation of transparent polyester(s) for packaging

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of transparent polymers via two- or multi-step direct esterification at 20 - 60 deg.C and standard pressure or over pressure to give a paste consisting of terephthalic acid containing 0 - 10 mol.% other dicarboxylic acids and ethylene glycol containing 0 - 10 mol.% other diols. The paste is added continuously to a prepared hot esterification product and then catalytic pre-condensation is carried out under vacuum, followed by condensation polymerisation under high vacuum with removal of the diol cleavage product. The novel features of the process are as follows: (a) the diol component comprises a mixture of unpurified diol cleavage product and fresh diol ; (b) 15 - 60 ppm phosphorous (with respect to polyester) is added to the paste as phosphoric acid (glycol ester) and homogenously distributed in it ; and (c) the entire amount of condensation catalyst is added to the esterification mixture at 65 - 80 % of the esterification reaction dwell time.

New polymer syntheses, 81. Poly(3-oxybenzoate) randomly branched with 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid or 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid

Abstract: Randomly branched (hyperbranched) poly(3-hydroxybenzoate), poly(3-Hybe), was prepared by polycondensation of silylated 3-acetoxybenzoic acid with either silylated 3,5-diacetoxybenzoic acid or bis(trimethylsilyl) 5-acetoxyisophthalate. The number of branching points was varied by changing the feed ratio of difunctional and trifunctional monomers. 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR spectroscopy proved the nearly random incorporation of the trifunctional branching units. Cocondensations with small amounts of acetylated bisphenol-P allowed one to control the degree of polymerization (DP) and to determine the DP by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. However, analogous copolycondensations with silylated 2-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)terephthalic acid failed. According to GPC measurements, weight-average molecular weights above 10 5 were obtained. DSC measurements revealed that the glass transition temperatures (T g 's) vary largely with the degree of branching (DB) and with the nature of the end-groups. In the case of phenolic OH and acetate end-groups, the relationship T g vs. number of branching points passes through a minimum.

Process for the preparation of re-usable bottles starting from modified PET

Abstract: Process for the preparation of transparent re-usable bottles, which consists in moulding by injection-blow moulding cycle copolymers containing units deriving from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol characterized in that said copolymers contain from 0.1 to 10% in moles of units deriving from aromatic diacids different from terephthalic acid and from 0.1-15% in moles of units deriving from aromatic hydroxyacids, making reference to the units deriving from terephthalic acid.

Compositions for the coating of substrates of matt appearance

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for the coating of substrates of matt surface appearance, based on thermoplastic and/or heat-curable resins such as PA, PP, polyesters and epoxy resins and containing one or a number of matting agents which are predominantly in the form of terephthalic acid dianilide or its substituted derivatives needles or flakes of average length of between 1 and 200 μm and of aspect ratio of between 10 and 40. These compositions, generally in the form of powders, are employed for coating various substrates. The coatings are applied especially by dipping in a fluidized bed or by electrostatic spraying. The coated articles may be components of furnishing, of decoration or of construction.

Production of terephthalic acid

Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide a method for producing terephthalic acid by which high- purity terephthalic acid excellent in slurry characteristics, reactivity, powder fluidity, etc., is obtained and heat energy produced in a production system for the terephthalic acid is efficiently recovered. CONSTITUTION: In this method for producing terephthalic acid by dissolving the crude terephthalic acid in an aqueous medium, bringing the resultant solution into contact with a platinum group metallic catalyst under conditions of 260-320 deg.C temperature, purifying the crude terephthalic acid, stepwise cooling the aqueous solution of the terephthalic acid and crystallizing the terephthalic acid in the plural crystallization tanks connected in series, the crystallization temperature in the first crystallization zone is regulated to 240-260 deg.C, the crystallization is carried out by agitating with blades at an agitator power within the range of 0.4-10kW/m under agitating conditions, then the solid is separated from a liquid, the separated terephthalic acid particles is dried to afford terephthalic acid particles containing particles having the particle diameter exceeding 210μm at <=10wt.%, and steam generated by releasing the pressure and cooling a crystallization tank in the first crystallization zone is used as a heating energy for dissolving a crude terephthalic acid slurry.

Modification of Crystallization Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) by Copolymerization with Arylate Units. 1. Preparation and Isothermal Crystallization of 4,4'-Biphenol-Containing Copolymers

Abstract: Crystallization properties of the copolymers of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) comprised of a small amount of 4,4'-biphenol units were compared by isothermal crystallization with the time-resolved light scattering method. These copolyesters were prepared from PET, terephthalic acid, and 4,4'-biphenol diacetate by acidolysis reaction and following polycondensation. The copolymer with 2 mol % of 4,4'-biphenol had a crystallization characteristic similar to that of PET with a decreased crystallization rate. On the other hand, the copolymers containing 4 and 8 mol % of 4,4'-biphenol showed enhanced crystal nucleation, and the 8 mol % copolymer had a crystallization rate of ca. twice as fast as that of PET. In these systems, wide-angle X-ray diffraction peaks of the crystal which appeared with crystallization were similar to those of PET, though another ordered domain was observed in the 8 mol % copolymer, which seems to have no direct influence on the crystallization and melting cycle.

Atomospheric pressure polyester process

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure process for the continuous production of polyester is disclosed wherein a melt of dihydroxy ethyl terephthalate, or its low molecular oligomers, obtained by esterifying terephthalic acid or transesterifying dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol, is intimately contacted with an inert gas to facilitate polymerization and removal of the reaction by-products. The ethylene glycol evolved and the inert gas are recycled.

Polyamide resin composition and molding thereof

Abstract: A polyamide resin composition having good molding fluidity, heat and chemical resistance and dimensional stability is provided containing: (A) 30-90 weight percent, based on components (A) and (B), of a polyamide resin containing (i) 10-99 weight percent, based on components (i) and (ii) of an aromatic polyamide containing a carboxylic acid component derived from terephthalic acid or a mixture of terephthalic and isophthalic acid in which the isophthalic acid constitutes 40 mole percent or less of the mixture, and an aliphatic diamine component derived from a mixture of hexamethylene diamine and 2-methylpentamethylene diamine; and (ii) 1-90 weight percent, based on components (i) and (ii), of at least one polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamides containing repeat units derived from alipathic dicarboxylic acids and alipathic diamines and polyamides containing repeat units derived from aliphatic aminocarboxylic acids; and (B) 10-70 weight percent, based on components (A) and (B), of an inorganic filler.

Polyester film for lamination with metallic sheet

Abstract: PURPOSE:To obtain a polyester film for lamination with a metallic sheet excellent in lamination moldability and in impact resistance and retentivity of the flavor of contents after lamination and desirable for use in particularly can making by using a specified copolyester. CONSTITUTION:This film is a biaxially oriented polyester film made of a copolyester containing a lubricant having a mean particle diameter of 2.5mum or below. This copolyester is one made from a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 80-95mol% terephthalic acid and 5-20mol% isophthalic acid and a glycol component comprising ethylene glycol and 0.5-10wt.%, based on the total weight of the dicarboxylic acid component, polyoxy-alkylene glycol of an average molecular weight of 200-6000 and having an intrinsic viscosity [eta]of 0.5-0.7, a melting point of 210-245 deg.C and a second-order transition point of 65 deg.C or below.

Liquid crystalline polyester resin

Abstract: Liquid crystalline polyesters made from hydroquinone, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and having a selected composition range, have melting points of about 350° C. or less, good physical properties, and are readily manufactured. The polymers are useful as molding resins.

Effect of Reaction Time on Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Properties

Abstract: Byproducts are formed at various times or positions within the PET process During esterification, the conversion rate of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol is the highest, and the largest changes are observed in prepolymer carboxyl end group and diethylene glycol concentration During the polycondensation stage, under full vacuum, when the reaction temperature is highest, molecular weight increases at the fastest rate Color changes dramatically during this period The product becomes grayer and greener as a result of the reduction of the Sb 3+ polycondensation catalyst to antimony metal and more yellow because of the formation of colored, high molecular weight byproducts via polymer degradation reactions A previously unidentified byproduct, trans-4,4'-dicarboxystilbene, formed in this stage, is fluorescent and could contribute to the fluorescence of PET This compound is also significant because it indicates that the redox chemistry which produces high molecular weight byproducts during polycondensation may result in the reduction of Sb 3+ to Sb 0

Production of copolyamide

Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide an economical method for producing a copolyamide by which a mixed diamine comprising m- and p-xylylenediamines is copolymerized with a mixed dicarboxylic acid comprising adipic acid and terephthalic acid. CONSTITUTION: This method for producing a copolyamide comprises carrying out the polycondensation reaction of a mixed diamine comprising m- and p- xylylenediamines with a mixed dicarboxylic acid comprising adipic acid and terephthalic acid. In the method, the dropping of the mixed diamine into the mixed dicarboxylic acid heated at a prescribed temperature is started and continued. The reactional system is increased to a temperature higher than the temperature lower than the melting point of the copolyamide by 30 deg.C before the rate of reaction of the dicarboxylic acid attains [the content of the adipic acid in the mixed dicarboxylic acid (mol%)-5] mol%. The diamine is dropped until the molar ratio of the diamine to the dicarboxylic acid attains 0.97-1.03 and the temperature of the reactional system at the time of completing the dropping of the diamine is controlled to a higher temperature than the melting point of the finally produced copolyamide.

Polyester from terephthalic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4,4'-biphenol and resorcinol

Abstract: An aromatic polyester having recurring monomer units derived from terephthalic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4,4'-biphenol, and resorcinol. This polyester is melt processible and may be amorphous or semi-crystalline.

Resin molding and its production

Abstract: PURPOSE: To obtain a resin molding which is excellent in impact resistance and clarity, has no white clouding caused during molding, and is highly weather- resistant in long outdoor use by incorporating an ultraviolet absorber into a specific substrate. CONSTITUTION: An amorphous terephthalate polymer having a polyethylene terephthalate structure as the basic structure (e.g. a copolymer formed by reacting terephthalic acid with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and ethylene glycol) is mixed with an ultraviolet absorber [e.g. 2-(5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole] pref. in an amt. of 0.05-5.0wt. % and is formed into a sheet pref. with a thickness of 0.3-1.5mm. A covering layer 3 is formed from a resin (e.g. polymethyl methacrylate) contg. an ultraviolet absorber on at least one side of a substrate 2 comprising the amorphous terephthalate polymer. COPYRIGHT: (C)1996,JPO