In-situ methods of generating water through the dehydration of metal salt hydrates for moisture crosslinking of polyolefins

A composition comprising:

• (A) A copolymer of ethylene and a vinyltrialkoxysilane in which the alkoxy group is RO and R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms,
• (B) A hydrated salt of the general formula MxQy (H2O)z, wherein M is a cation of a metal selected from groups 1 through 13 of the periodic table, Q is an anion formed from the deprotonation of a carboxylic acid, x and y are integers taken to balance the overall charge of the salt, and z is the hydration number of the salt on a molar basis at 25° C., and the hydrated salt having an onset temperature of dehydration of greater than 100° C. and less than 200° C.;
• and
• (C) A catalyst that comprises a metal ion and at least two ligands taken from the set alkoxide and carboxylate.