Crosslinkable polyethylene composition, method of making the same, and articles made therefrom

An article comprising at least one component formed from the crosslinked product of:

• a polyethylene component;
• a crosslinking agent, wherein said crosslinking agent being an organic peroxide;
• and
• a crosslinking coagent, wherein said crosslinking coagent being an alkadiene, alkatriene, or alkatetraene compound, wherein said crosslinking coagent comprises at least two terminal carbon-carbon double bonds,
• wherein said crosslinked product has a gel content in the range of from 83to 90 weight percent based on the entire weight of said crosslinked product.

A method for producing an article comprising the steps of:

• providing a polyethylene component;
• providing a crosslinking agent, wherein said crosslinking agent being an organic peroxide;
• providing a crosslinking coagent, wherein said crosslinking coagent being an alkadiene, alkatriene, or alkatetraene compound, wherein said crosslinking coagent comprises at least two terminal carbon-carbon double bonds;
• melt blending said polyethylene component, said crosslinking agent, and said crosslinking agent;
• thereby forming a crosslinkable polyethylene composition;
• shaping said crosslinkable polyethylene composition;
• subjecting said shaped crosslinkable polyethylene composition to heat thereby raising the temperature of said shaped crosslinkable polyethylene composition to a temperature in the range of greater than the decomposition temperature of said crosslinking agent;
• thereby crosslinking said shaped crosslinkable polyethylene composition and forming a shaped crosslinked polyethylene composition;
• thereby forming said article,
• wherein said shaped crosslinked polyethylene composition has a gel content in the range of from 83 to 90 weight percent based on the entire weight of said shaped crosslinked polyethylene composition.