Automotive molded-in-color thermoplastic polyolefin with clear coating for paint replacement and high gloss applications

A method of forming an article comprising:

• a) melt blending a molded-in-color composition comprising:
• i) a polyolefin composition comprising at least one polyolefin, wherein the total amount of the polyolefin composition present in the molded-in-color composition ranges from about 50 wt % to about 80 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• ii) at least one elastomer, wherein the total amount of elastomer present in the composition ranges from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• iii) an additive package present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 2 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• iv) a colorant package present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 5 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• v) wherein the composition has a ΔE* value≤2.0 (compared to a painted color master), a density ranging from about 0.9 to about 0.97 g/cm3, a melt mass flow rate (MFR) from about 15 to about 40 g/10 min (ASTM D 1238, 230° C./2.16 kg), a flexural modulus between about 600 to about 2000 MPa, and an as-molded shrinkage between about 0.6% and about 1.4%;
• and,
• b) molding the melt blended composition into an article, wherein said article has a gloss measured at 60° from about 76 to about 90 GU.

A method of forming an article comprising:

• a) melt blending a molded-in-color composition comprising:
• i) a polyolefin composition comprising a first polyolefin having a high MFR that is from about 50 to about 200 g/10 min (ASTM D 1238, 230° C./2.16 kg), and a second polyolefin has a low MFR that is from about 1 to about 5 g/10 min (ASTM D 1238, 230° C./2.16 kg), wherein the total amount of thermoplastic polyolefin present in the composition ranges from about 50 wt % to about 80 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• ii) at least one elastomer, wherein the total amount of elastomer present in the composition ranges from about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• iii) at least one compatibilizer, wherein the total amount of compatibilizer present in the composition ranges from about 5 wt % to about 15 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• iv) an additive package present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 2 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• and
• v) a colorant package present in an amount ranging from greater than 0 wt % to about 5 wt %, based on a total weight of the composition;
• wherein the composition has a ΔE* value≤2.0 (compared to a painted color master), a density ranging from about 0.9 to about 0.97 g/cm3, a melt mass flow rate from about 15 to about 40 g/10 min (ASTM D 1238, 230° C./2.16 kg), a flexural modulus between about 600 to about 2000 MPa, and an as-molded shrinkage between about 0.6% and about 1.4%;
• and,
• b) molding said melt blended composition into an article, wherein said article has a gloss measured at 60° from about 76 to about 90 GU.