Abstract:
A process for the branching and foaming of a polypropylene resin, being performed continuously in an extruder, comprising: (i) mixing the polypropylene resin with a peroxide selected from the group comprising the structures represented by: R1-O-O-C(O)-C=C-C(O)-O-O-R2, R3-R5-O-C(O)-O-O-C(O)-O-R6-R4, wherein each R1 and R2 represents linear or branched alkyl groups having 1-15 carbon atoms, each R3 and R4 represents linear or branched alkyl groups having 4-30 carbon atoms, and each R5 and R6 represents cyclic or linear aliphatic groups having 6 carbon atoms, (ii) heating the constituents to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the polypropylene resin and the decomposition temperature of the peroxide while being mixed and conveyed forward, (iii) keeping the polymer melt at said temperature for a period of 3 to 100 times the half-life of the peroxide at said temperature, (iv) introducing a foaming agent, optionally also a bubble initiator, into the polymer melt inside the extruder at a position where the branching is substantially complete, (v) extruding the processed polymer melt through an extrusion die into ambient atmosphere, whereupon the polymer composition expands. The obtained polymer resins may be used in manufacturing articles by pipe extrusion, thermoforming and blow molding. Branched polypropylene resins not being subjected to foaming may be used as such in manufacturing articles by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, calandering and fibre spinning.
Abstract:
A multilayer pipe having improved resistance to rapid crack propagation is described. The pipe consists of at least two layers of different propylene plastic materials, which are so selected and combined that the pipe has a resistance to rapid crack propagation, measured as the critical temperature, which is equal to or lower than 0 DEG C. The pipe is made of polypropylene plastic, and at least one of the layers of the pipe comprises a polypropylene plastic, which is selected from a propylene containing from 1.0 to 10.0 % by weight of ethylene or C4-C10- alpha -olefin repeating units and having an MFR2 value of between 0.05 and 0.40 g/10 min or an elastomer-modified polypropylene containing from 1.0 to 30 % by weight of ethylene or C4-C10- alpha -olefin repeating units and having an MFR2 value of between 0.05 and 50 g/10 min.
Abstract:
A stabilizing agent for polymer materials, such as polyethylene, and a polymer material containing it are disclosed. The stabilizing agent comprises a copolymer of ethylene or propylene (A) and a vinyl compound (B) with the formula (I), wherein X=O, NH or NR5; R1, R2 and R3 independently each = H, C1-C8 alkyl, C1-C8-alkenyl or C1-C8 substituted aryl; R4=H, C1-C8 alkyl, C6-C12 cycloalkyl, C1-C10 acyl, C1-C10 acyloxy or C1-C8 alkyl ether; R5=C1-C8 alkyl; the copolymer contains at least 1 mol% of (B); and the copolymer has an MFR2 of 1- 1000 g/10 min.
Abstract:
A polymer composition consisting of a compatibilized blend of a polyolefin being grafted with a copolymerized allyl epoxy compound and a styrenic compound, and a polyamide. This composition is obtained by grafting the polyolefin with an allyl epoxy compound and styrene in the presence of a peroxide in a single step reactive extrusion process. This composition may be used in packages for food packaging and other products requiring an improved oxygen barrier.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns coloured polymer compositions and a process for the preparation thereof. The present composition comprises a propylene polymer nucleated with a polymeric nucleating agent containing vinyl compound units and having an at least 7 °C higher crystallization temperature than that of the corresponding non-nucleated polymer, and a colour pigment having a nucleating effect on the propylene polymer. The shrinkage of the composition varies less than 5 % for different colour pigments.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a process for producing a propylene polymer nucleated with a polymeric nucleating agent containing vinyl compound units. The method comprises modifying a catalyst by polymerizing a vinyl compound in the presence of said catalyst in a medium, which does not essentially dissolve the polymerized vinyl compound, and by continuing the polymerization of the vinyl compound until the concentration of unreacted vinyl compounds is less than about 0.5 wt- %. The thus obtained modified catalyst composition is used for polymerizing propylene optionally together with comonomers in the presence of said modified catalyst composition. Modification of the catalyst according to the present invention will reduce production costs and provide highly reliable catalyst activity.
Abstract:
A peroxide-cross-linkable ethylene polymer composition for an insulating layer of an electric cable is described. The composition is characterised in that the additives of the composition comprise an N-substituted 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound as an antioxidant and light stabilising agent; and that the composition after 21 days at 135 °C has a retained ultimate tensile strength of at least 75 % and a retained ultimate elongation of at least 75 % when tested in accordance with IEC 811. This additive acts as a combined light and thermo-oxidative stabilising agent and inhibits the generation of moisture thereby reducing the risk of water tree formation. Preferably, the composition contains no conventional antioxidants, such as phenolic antioxidants, organic phosphite oxidants and sulphur containing anti-oxidants.
Abstract:
A semiconducting composition for the inner semiconducting layer of an electric cable, an electric cable incorporating the composition, and a method of producing a cross-linked inner semiconducting layer of an electric cable are disclosed. The semiconducting composition comprises, based on the total weight of the composition, (a) 30-90 % by weight of an ethylene copolymer, (b) carbon black in an amount at least sufficient to make the composition semiconducting, (c) 0-8 % by weight of a peroxide cross-linking agent, (d) 0-8 % by weight of conventional additives, characterised in that said ethylene copolymer (a) is an ethylene-methyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, preferably comrising 5-25 % by weight of methyl(meth)acrylate, based on the weight of the copolymer.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a catalyst material, said process comprising the steps of: (a) treating a particulate support material with an alkylating agent; (b) contacting the alkylating agent treated support material with a procatalyst; optionally (c) contacting the support material with an ionic catalyst activator; and optionally (d) recovering the catalyst-carrying support material. The process allows the simple and effective alkylation of procatalysts, such as metallocene procatalysts.