Process for maleating polymerization residues and products

A process for the maleation of distillation residues obtained from a process for the polymerization of high molecular weight high density polyethylene, said distillation residue containing 4 to 10 weight percent hydrocarbon diluent, 5 to 20 weight percent high molecular weight high density polyethylene, 60 to 90 weight percent low molecular weight polyethylene waxes and 0.2 to 1 weight percent catalyst residue, comprising:

• (a) heating said residue at a temperature of 120° C. to 150° C. to remove substantially all of the hydrocarbon diluent;
• (b) maintaining the essentially hydrocarbon diluent-free residue obtained from (a) in a molten state and incorporating from 1 to 10 weight percent maleic anhydride;
• (c) incorporating 0.25 to 6 weight percent organic peroxide into the melt containing the maleic anhydride from (b) while maintaining the temperature of said melt below the decomposition temperature of the organic peroxide;
• (d) increasing the temperature of the mixture from (c) above the decomposition temperature of the organic peroxide and maintaining until substantially all the maleic anhydride is reacted;
• and
• (e) recovering the maleated product.