Polyolefin materials having enhanced surface durability and methods of making the same by exposure to radiation

A thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability comprising a blend of:

• a base component of a thermoplastic polyolefin comprising a blend of a crystalline or semicrystalline poly-α-olefin and an amorphous poly-α-olefin;
• at least one radiation crosslinkable component present in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the thermoplastic polyolefin component when radiation-cured;
• and
• at least one photoinitiator present in an amount sufficient to initiate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component.

A method of providing a cured thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability which comprises:

• preparing a mixture comprising thermoplastic polyolefin base component, at least one radiation-crosslinkable component in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the base component when radiation cured;
• and at least one photoinitiator in an amount sufficient to facilitate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component when the thermoplastic polyolefin composition is exposed to radiation;
• and
• exposing a surface of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation in an amount sufficient to crosslink the radiation-crosslinkable component at least at the exposed surface, thereby providing a thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability.

A method of providing a cured thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability which comprises:

• preparing a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polyolefin base component which comprises a blend of a crystalline or semicrystalline poly-α-olefin and an amorphous poly-α-olefin;
• at least one radiation-crosslinkable component in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the base component when radiation cured;
• and at least one photoinitiator in an amount sufficient to facilitate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component when the thermoplastic polyolefin composition is exposed to radiation;
• and
• exposing a surface of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation in an amount sufficient to crosslink the radiation-crosslinkable component at least at the surface, thereby providing a thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability.