Modified heterophasic polyolefin composition
AssigneeMilliken & Company
InventorsJoseph J. Peterson, Scott R. Trenor, Jason D. Sprinkle
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Abstract
A method of creating a modified heterophasic polyolefin composition is provided, whereby a polyolefin composition having at least two phases is melt mixed with a free radical generator, such as a peroxide, and a compatibilizing agent characterized by at least one nitroxide radical and at least one unsaturated bond capable of undergoing a radical addition reaction. Modified heterophasic polyolefin compositions with increased melt flow rates, impact strength, and clarity, which incorporate the compatibilizing agent, are also included within the scope of the invention.
Claims31
A heterophasic polymer composition comprising (a) a propylene polymer phase comprising propylene polymers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and up to 50 weight % of ethylene and/or C4-C10 α-olefin monomers, and (b) an ethylene polymer phase comprising ethylene polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and C3-C10 α-olefin monomers, provided that the ethylene content of the ethylene polymer phase is at least 8 weight %, and further provided that the propylene content of the propylene polymer phase is greater than the propylene content of the ethylene polymer phase, and wherein the composition further comprises propylene polymers bonded to ethylene polymers by a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of 4-((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl;
- 4,4′-((bicyclo[2.2.11hept-5-ene-2,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl);
- N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone;
- and mixtures thereof.
A heterophasic polymer composition comprising a continuous phase comprising polypropylene polymers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and up to 80 weight % of ethylene and/or C4-C10 α-olefins and a discontinuous phase comprising elastomeric ethylene copolymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene/C3-C10 α-olefin copolymers having an ethylene content of from 8 to 90 weight %, provided that the propylene content of the propylene polymer phase is greater than the propylene content of the ethylene polymer phase, wherein the composition further comprises propylene polymers bonded to ethylene copolymers by a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of 4-((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl;
- 4,4′-((bicyclo[2.2.11hept-5-ene-2,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl);
- N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone;
- and mixtures thereof.
A heterophasic polyolefin polymer composition obtained by the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a propylene polymer phase comprising propylene polymers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and up to 50 weight % of ethylene and/or C4-C10 α-olefins, and an ethylene polymer phase comprising ethylene polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and C3-C10 α-olefins provided that the ethylene content of the ethylene polymer phase is at least 8 weight %,
- (b) providing a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of 4-((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl;
- 4,4′-((bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl);
- N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone;
- and mixtures thereof;
- and
- (c) mixing the propylene polymer phase, the ethylene polymer phase and the compatibilizing agent in the presence of free carbon radicals, whereby propylene polymers are bonded to ethylene polymers by the compatibilizing agent, and whereby the propylene polymer phase and the ethylene polymer phase form a heterophasic composition.
A method of making a heterophasic polyolefin polymer composition obtained by the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a propylene polymer phase comprising propylene polymers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and up to 50 weight % of ethylene and/or C4-C10 α-olefins, and an ethylene polymer phase comprising ethylene polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and C3-C10 α-olefins provided that the ethylene content of the ethylene polymer phase is at least 8 weight %,
- (b) providing a compatibilizing agent, wherein the compatibilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of 4-((4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl;
- 4,4′-((bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-diylbis(oxy))bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl);
- N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone;
- and mixtures thereof;
- and
- (c) mixing the propylene polymer phase, the ethylene polymer phase and the compatibilizing agent, in the presence of free carbon radicals, whereby the compatibilizing agent reacts with propylene polymers and ethylene polymers thereby bonding propylene polymers to ethylene polymers, and whereby the propylene polymer phase and the ethylene polymer phase form a heterophasic composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.