CA2268834C - Impact-modified thermoplastic polyolefins and articles fabricated therefrom - Google Patents
Impact-modified thermoplastic polyolefins and articles fabricated therefrom Download PDFInfo
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- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
- C08L23/10—Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
- C08L23/12—Polypropene
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- C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
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- C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
- C08L23/16—Elastomeric ethene-propene or ethene-propene-diene copolymers, e.g. EPR and EPDM rubbers
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- C08L51/00—Compositions of graft polymers in which the grafted component is obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
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- C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
- C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
- C08L23/08—Copolymers of ethene
- C08L23/0807—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing more than three carbon atoms
- C08L23/0815—Copolymers of ethene with aliphatic 1-olefins
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- Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
Abstract
Melt processible thermoplastic compositions and method for making them are described, these compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a); and at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the elastic modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the elastic modulus of the impact modifier component (b). These thermoplastic compositions have improved processability. Processes for fabricating articles from them are described. The articles made with these compositions have improved properties such as low temperature impact strength, improved percent elongation to break, greater stiffness, and improved weld linestrength, making them useful for applications requiring both strength and flexibility in low temperature environments, such as automotive components and facia.
Description
IMPACT-MODIFIED THERMOPLASTIC POLYOLEFINS AND ARTICLES
FABRICATED THEREFROM
This invention relates to thermoplastic polymers having improved impact modification, processes for making such polymers, and products made from such polymers.
Thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) are generally produced from blends of an elastomeric material such as ethylene%propylene rubber (EPM) or ethylene/propylene diene monomer terpolymer (EPDM) and a more rigid io material such as isotactic polypropylene. Other materials or components can be added into the formulation depending upon the application, including oil, fillers, and cross-linking agents. Generally, TPOs are characterized by a balance of stiffness (modulus) and low temperature impact, good chemical resistance and broad use temperatures. Because of features such as these, TPOs are used in many applications, including automotive facia and wire and cable operations.
It is well known that narrow molecular weight distribution linear polymers disadvantageously have low shear sensitivity or low I10/12 values, which limit the extrudability of such polymers. Additionally, such polymers possess low melt elasticity, causing problems in melt fabrication such as film forming processes or blow moiding processes (for instance, difficulty in sustaining a bubble in the blown film process, or sag in the blow molding process). Finally, such resins also experienced surface melt fracture properties at relatively low extrusion rates thereby processing unacceptably and causing surface irregularities in the finished product.
While the development of new lower modulus polymers such as FlexomerTM polyolefins by Union Carbide or ExactT"" polymers by Exxon has aided the TPO marketplace, there continues to be a need for other more advanced, cost-effective polymers for compounding into polypropylene which improve or maintain low temperature impact performance, elongation to break, modulus, tensile strength and weld line strength. These and other needs are met by the present invention.
According to one aspect of this invention, a melt processible thermoplastic composition is described which is characterized as comprising:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier having a first density dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a);
and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a moiecular weight distribution iess than 3.5 and a second density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component(b), wherein the elastic modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the elastic modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
FABRICATED THEREFROM
This invention relates to thermoplastic polymers having improved impact modification, processes for making such polymers, and products made from such polymers.
Thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) are generally produced from blends of an elastomeric material such as ethylene%propylene rubber (EPM) or ethylene/propylene diene monomer terpolymer (EPDM) and a more rigid io material such as isotactic polypropylene. Other materials or components can be added into the formulation depending upon the application, including oil, fillers, and cross-linking agents. Generally, TPOs are characterized by a balance of stiffness (modulus) and low temperature impact, good chemical resistance and broad use temperatures. Because of features such as these, TPOs are used in many applications, including automotive facia and wire and cable operations.
It is well known that narrow molecular weight distribution linear polymers disadvantageously have low shear sensitivity or low I10/12 values, which limit the extrudability of such polymers. Additionally, such polymers possess low melt elasticity, causing problems in melt fabrication such as film forming processes or blow moiding processes (for instance, difficulty in sustaining a bubble in the blown film process, or sag in the blow molding process). Finally, such resins also experienced surface melt fracture properties at relatively low extrusion rates thereby processing unacceptably and causing surface irregularities in the finished product.
While the development of new lower modulus polymers such as FlexomerTM polyolefins by Union Carbide or ExactT"" polymers by Exxon has aided the TPO marketplace, there continues to be a need for other more advanced, cost-effective polymers for compounding into polypropylene which improve or maintain low temperature impact performance, elongation to break, modulus, tensile strength and weld line strength. These and other needs are met by the present invention.
According to one aspect of this invention, a melt processible thermoplastic composition is described which is characterized as comprising:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier having a first density dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a);
and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a moiecular weight distribution iess than 3.5 and a second density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component(b), wherein the elastic modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the elastic modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition characterized as comprising: (a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a); and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition comprising: (a) isotactic polypropylene homopolymer; (b) from 25 to 35 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier which is an interpolymer of ethylene and at least one a-olefin having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3 and at least one of a melt index (12) of less than 5 g/10 min., or a Mooney Viscosity measured according to ASTM D-1646 at 100 C of at least 20, which is dispersed as discrete particles in the isotactic 2a polypropylene homopolymer (a); and (c) from 10 to 20 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of impact modifier (b) and which is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3, wherein the tensile modulus of the isotactic polypropylene homopolymer (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
According to another aspect of this invention, a process for making a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition is described which is characterized by mixing at an elevated temperature: (a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, 2b (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier having a first density; and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at ieast one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer, the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a second density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modffier component(b), wherein the elastic modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the elastic modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
D
The present invention also includes articles comprising at least one of the melt processible compositions of this invention, and the shaping of these articles, preferably in a melt processing operation.
The following definitions are to be used in reading the present application. "Polymer" means a large molecule made from a number of repeating units termed monomers. "Homopolymer" means a polymer made from one kind of monomer. "Interpolymer" means a polymer made from two or more kinds of monomers, and includes "copolymers" which are made io from two kinds of monomers, "terpolymers" which are made from three kinds of monomers, and higher order polymers.
The thermoplastic polymer used in the practice of this invention is any polymer which may be remelted after it has previously been melt processed and extruded into a shaped article. It may be substantially crystalline, for example, polypropylene or high density polyethylene, or substantially noncrystalline, such as the elastomeric polymers described above. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably substantially crystalline.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition comprising: (a) isotactic polypropylene homopolymer; (b) from 25 to 35 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier which is an interpolymer of ethylene and at least one a-olefin having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3 and at least one of a melt index (12) of less than 5 g/10 min., or a Mooney Viscosity measured according to ASTM D-1646 at 100 C of at least 20, which is dispersed as discrete particles in the isotactic 2a polypropylene homopolymer (a); and (c) from 10 to 20 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of impact modifier (b) and which is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3, wherein the tensile modulus of the isotactic polypropylene homopolymer (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
According to another aspect of this invention, a process for making a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition is described which is characterized by mixing at an elevated temperature: (a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, 2b (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier having a first density; and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at ieast one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer, the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a second density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modffier component(b), wherein the elastic modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the elastic modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
D
The present invention also includes articles comprising at least one of the melt processible compositions of this invention, and the shaping of these articles, preferably in a melt processing operation.
The following definitions are to be used in reading the present application. "Polymer" means a large molecule made from a number of repeating units termed monomers. "Homopolymer" means a polymer made from one kind of monomer. "Interpolymer" means a polymer made from two or more kinds of monomers, and includes "copolymers" which are made io from two kinds of monomers, "terpolymers" which are made from three kinds of monomers, and higher order polymers.
The thermoplastic polymer used in the practice of this invention is any polymer which may be remelted after it has previously been melt processed and extruded into a shaped article. It may be substantially crystalline, for example, polypropylene or high density polyethylene, or substantially noncrystalline, such as the elastomeric polymers described above. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably substantially crystalline.
The expression "substantially crystalline" means that the polymer has at least 25 percent crystallinity. More preferably, the thermoplastic polymer has at least 50 percent crystallinity and even more preferably the thermoplastic polymer has at least 75 percent crystallinity.
s The thermoplastic polymers which are beneficially impact modified can be thermoplastic polyurethanes (such as, PellethaneTM polyurethane etastoplastic polymers or IsoplastT"" polyurethane engineering thermoplastic resins, made by The Dow Chemical Company), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), styrenics, polyolefins (including, for instance, ethylene io carbon monoxide copolymers (ECO) or linear alternating ECO
copolymers such as those disciosed in U.S. Patents 5,554777 and 5,565,547, and ethylene/propylene carbon monoxide polymers (EPCO)), various engineering thermoplastics (such as, polycarbonate, thermoplastic poiyester, polyamides (such as nylon), polyacetals, or 15 pofysulfones). Generally the polyolefin polymers which are most ' frequently used are polyethylene (for instance, high density polyethylene, such as that produced by the slurry polymerization process, heterogeneously branched linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) such as copolymers of ethylene with at least one C3-C20 a-olefin, and 2o recycled polyethylene (that is, post consumer recycled high density polyethylene recovered from waste bottles)) or polypropylene. Generally at least one poiypropyiene is more frequently useful in the compositions disclosed herein.
The polypropylene is generally in the, isotactic form of 25 homopolymer polypropylene, although other forms of polypropylene can also be used (for instance, syndiotactic or atactic). Polypropylene impact copolymers (that is, those wherein a secondary copolymerization step reacting ethylene with the propylene is employed) and random copolymers (also reactor modified and usually containing 1.5 to 7 percent ethylene copolymerized with the propylene), however, can also be used in the TPO formulations disclosed herein. A complete discussion of various polypropylene polymers is contained in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia/89, mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Number 11, pp.
86-92. The molecular weight of the polypropylene for use in the present invention is conveniently indicated using a melt flow measurement according to ASTM D-1238, Condition 230 C12.16 kg (formerly known as "Condition (L)" and also known as 12). Melt flow rate is inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the polymer. Thus, the higher the io molecular weight, the lower the melt flow rate, although the relationship is not linear. The melt flow rate for the polypropylene useful herein is generally from 0.1 grams/10 minutes (g/10 min) to 100 g/10 min. For impact modification of automotive facia, the melt flow rate for the polypropylene is generally from 0.1 g/10 min to 35 g/10 min, preferably from 0.5 g/10 min to 25 g/10 min, and especially from 1 g/10 min to 20 g/10 min. For thin walled containers (such as cups and lids made, for example, using an injection molding process), the melt flow rate for the polypropylene is generally from 20 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min.
High molecular weight thermoplastic poiymers may be used to produce stronger compositions. The number average (Mn) molecular weight is from 7,000 to 1,000,000 or more, preferably from 10,000 to 500,000.
The tensile modulus of the thermopiastic component is at least 200, preferably at least 1000 times greater than the tensile moduius of the elastomeric impact modifier. Tensile modulus herein is measured according to ASTM-D-638.
"Elastomeric impact modifier" means a polymer that can be stretched with the application of stress to at least twice its length and after release of the stress, returns to its approximate original dimensions and shape. The elastic recovery of an elastomeric impact modifier is generally at least 40.percent, preferably at least 60 percent, and more preferably at least 80 percent when measured according to ASTM D-412. This component is also referred to hereafter as the "impact modifier" or "elastomeric polymer".
Suitable elastomeric polymers for use in this invention include ethylene/a-oiefin interpolymers; isoprene rubbers such as polyisoprene (including natural rubber) and isobutylene/isoprene rubber (butyl rubber);
polychioroprene; butadiene rubbers such as polybutadiene, io styrene/butadiene rubber, and acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber; and block copolymer rubbers such as styrene/isoprene/styrene triblock, styrene/butadiene/styrene triblock, and hydrogenated styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers, for instance, styrene/ethylene/-butene/styrene block copolymers. The term "a-olefin"
means a hydrocarbon molecule or a substituted hydrocarbon molecule (that is, a hydrocarbon moiecule comprising one or more atoms other than hydrogen and carbon, for instance, halogen, oxygen, or nitrogen), the hydrocarbon molecule comprising (i) oniy one ethylenic unstaturation, this unsaturation located between the first and second carbon atoms, and (ii) at least 3 carbon atoms, preferably of 3 to 20 carbon atoms, in some cases preferably of 4 to 10 carbon atoms and in other cases preferably of 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of preferred a-olefins from which the elastomers used in this invention are prepared include propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1 -decene, 1 -dodecene, and mixtures of two or more of these monomers.
Preferred among the elastomeric polymers useful in the practice of this invention are the ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers, particularly those having a density less than 0.870 g/cm3 such as those having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3. Aiso preferred are elastomeric polymers having a melt index (12) less than 5 g/10 min, more preferably less than 3 g/10 min. Preferred ethylene interpolymers include ethylene/a-olefin copolymers; ethylene/a-olefin/diene terpolymers; and interpolymers of ethylene and one or more other monomers which are copolymerizable with ethylene, such as ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids (both mono-and difunctional) and their corresponding esters and anhydrides, for instance, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl ester (for instance, vinyl acetate) and maleic anhydride, and vinyl group-containing aromatic monomers such as styrene. Preferred a-olefins are derived from 1 -octene, io 1-hexene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-butene and propyiene.
Included among these polymers are (i) heterogeneous linear low density ethylene interpolymers (heterogeneous LLDPE) made using Ziegler-Natta catalysts in a slurry, gas phase, solution or high pressure process, such as described in U.S. Patent 4,076,698; (ii) homogeneous linear is ethylene polymers such as (a) those described in U.S. Patent 3,645,992;
(b) those made using the so-called single site catalysts in a batch reactor having relatively high olefin concentrations as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,026,798 and 5,055,438; and (iii) homogeneous substantially linear olefin polymers having long chain branching as described, for 2o example, in U.S. Patents 5,272,236; 5,278,272; and 5,665,800. Such polymers are commercially available. Representative of commercially available homogeneous linear ethylene polymers are TAFMER' made by.
Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. and EXACTT' made by Exxon Chemical Co. The substantially linear ethylene polymers are more fully 25 discussed later.
Ethylene/a-olefin/diene terpolymers may be used as the elastomeric impact modifier. Suitable a-olefins include the a-olefins described above as suitable .for making ethylene/a-olefin copolymers. The dienes suitable as monomers for preparation of such terpolymers are either conjugated or nonconjugated. They are typically nonconjugated dienes having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms. Representative examples of suitable nonconjugated dienes that may be used to prepare the terpolymer include:
a) Straight chain acyclic dienes such as 1,4-hexadiene, 1,5-heptadiene, piperyiene (although piperylene is conjugated), and 1,6-octadiene;
b) branched chain acyclic dienes such as 5-methyl-1,4-hexadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, and 3,7-dimethyl-1,7-octadiene;
c) single ring alicyclic aienes such as 4-vinylcyclohexene, 1-allyl-io 4-isopropylidene cyclohexane, 3-allylcyctopentene, 4-allylcyclohexene, and 1-isopropenyi-4-butenylcyclohexane;
d) multi-ring alicyclic fused and bridged ring dienes such as dicyclopentadiene; alkenyl, alkylidene, cycloalkenyl and cycloalkylidene norbornenes such as 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-6-methyl-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-6,6-dimethyl-2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-(3-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, and 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene.
The preferred dienes are selected from the group consisting of 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-2-2o norbornene, 7-methy{-1, 6-octadiene, piperylene; and 4-vinylcyclohexene.
The preferred terpolymers for the practice of the invention are terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a nonconjugated diene (EPDM).
Exemplary terpolymers are NORDELT"" and NORDELT"" 1 P polymers, which are available from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C.
The total diene monomer content in the terpolymer may suitably range from about 0.1 to 15 weight percent, preferably 0.5 to 12 weight percent, and most preferably 1.0 to 6.0 weight percent.
Both. the ethylene copolymers and the ethylene terpolymers comprise from 20 to 90 weight percent, preferably from 30 to 85 weight percent, ethylene, with the other comonomers comprising the balance. The ethylene copolymers and terpolymers preferably have a weight average moiecular weight (Mw) of at least 10,000, and more preferably at least 15,000, and may have a Mw of up to 1,000,000 or higher, preferably up to 500,000.
s The elastomeric polymer preferably has a Mooney viscosity of at least 20. Mooney viscosity is defined herein as measured at 100 C
according to ASTM D-1 646.
The elastomeric polymer is preferably substantially amorphous. The expression "substantially amorphous" means that the polymer has a io degree of crystallinity less than 25 percent. The elastomeric polymer more preferably has a crystallinity of less than 15 percent.
The elastomeric polymer may be the product of a single polymerization reaction or may be a polymer blend resulting from physical blending of polymers obtained from different polymerization reactions 15 and/or resulting from using a mixed polymerization catalyst.
"Functionalized elastomeric polymer" means an elastomeric polymer or elastomeric polymer blend that comprises at least one reactive substituent that wiil react with the reactive substituents of the crosslinking agent to at least partially vulcanize the elastomer. Preferred reactive 2o elastomer substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, carboxylic acid salt, carbonyl halide, hydroxy, epoxy, and isocyanate.
Preferred ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers are ethyiene/1-dodecene, ethylene/ 1 -decene, ethylene/1-octene, ethylene/1-hexene, ethylene/4-25 methyl-1-pentene, ethylene/1-pentene, ethylene/1-butene and ethylene/propylene copolymers produced via a constrained geometry single site catalyst. A process for making such copoiymers is described in U.S.
Patents 5,272,236, 5,278,272, and 5,665,800. Such ethylene interpolymers are preferably substantially linear olefin polymers having long chain branching. Substantially linear olefin polymers can be made by gas phase, solution phase, high pressure or slurry polymerization. These polymers are preferably made by solution polymerization. Substantially linear ethylene polymers (SLEP's) are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Co. under the trademark AFFINITY and from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. under the trademark ENGAGE.
"Substantially linear polymer" means that the polymer backbone contains long chain branching and is substituted with an average of up to three long chain branches/1000 carbons. Preferred substantially linear io polymers are substituted with 0.01 to 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons, more preferably from 0.01 to 1 long chain branches/1000 carbons, and especially from 0.3 to 1 long chain branches/1000 carbons. These substantially linear polymers are characterized by:
a) a melt flow ratio, 110/12, _ 5.63, b) a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation:
Mw/Mn < (110/I2) - 4.63, and -c) a critical shear stress at onset of gross melt fracture of greater than about 4 x 106 dyne/cm2.
"Long chain branching" means a pendant carbon chain having a chain length of at least 6 carbons, above which the length cannot be distinguished using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The long chain branch can be as long as about the length of the polymer backbone to which it is attached.
The presence of long chain branching can be determined in ethylene homopolymers by using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and is quantified using the method of Randall (Rev.
Macromol. Chem. Phys., C29 (2&3), p. 285-297). However as a practical matter, current 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy cannot determine the length of a long chain branch in excess of six carbon atoms.
For ethylene a-olefin copolymers, the long chain branch is longer than the short chain branch that results from the incorporation of the a-olefin(s) into the polymer backbone. For example, a substantially linear ethylene/1-s octene copolymer has a short chain branch length of six (6) carbons, but a long chain branch length of at least seven (7) carbons.
Typically, the SLEP's are copolymers of ethylene and an a-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms (for instance, propylene, 1-butene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, and styrene), preferably of 3 to 10 carbon i o atoms, and more preferably these polymers are a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene. The density of these substantially linear ethylene polymers is preferably in the range from 0.85 to 0.9, more preferably from 0.85 to 0.88 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) determined by ASTM D-792. The melt flow ratio, measured as 110/12 as defined in ASTM D-1238, Conditions 15 190C/10 kg and 190C12.16 kg (formerly known as "Conditions (N) and (E)", respectively and also known as 110 and 12, respectively), is greater than or equal to 5.63, and is preferably in the range from 6.5 to 15, more preferably in the range from 7 to 10. The molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), is preferably in the 2o range from 1.5 to 2.5. For substantially linear ethylene polymers, the ratio indicates the degree of long-chain branching, that is, the larger the 110/12 ratio, the more long-chain branching in the polymer.
A unique characteristic of the homogeneously branched, substantially linear ethylene polymers is the highly unexpected flow property 25 where the I10/12 value of the polymer is essentially independent of the polydispersity index (that is, Mw/Mn) of the polymer. This is contrasted with conventional linear homogeneously.branched and linear heterogeneously branched p.olyethylene resins having rheological properties such that to increase the 110/12 value the polydispersity index must also be increased.
Substantially linear olefin polymers have a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same 12, Mw/Mn, and density. By "about the same" is meant that each value is within 10 percent of the comparative value.
The preferred melt index, measured as 12 (ASTM D-1238, condition 190/2.16 (formerly condition E)), is from 0.5 g/10 min to 200 g/10 min, more preferably 1 to 20 g/10 min. Typically, the preferred SLEP's used in the practice of this invention are homogeneously branched and do not have any jo measurable high density fraction, as measured by Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation described in U.S. Patent 5,089,321. Stated in another manner, these polymers do not contain any polymer fraction that has a degree of branching less than or equal to 2 methyl groups/1000 carbons.
Preferred SLEP's also have a single differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) melting peak between -30C and 150C using a second heat at a scanning rate of 10 C/minute.
The third component of the thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition according to this invention is a homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5, preferably in the range of 1.8 to 2.5. The molecular weight distribution is the weight average molecular weight of the polymer divided by the number average molecular weight of the polymer (Mw/Mn) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
The density of this component is at least 0.04, preferably at least 0.05 and more preferably at least 0.06 g/cm3 higher than the density of the elastomeric impact modifier component determined according to ASTM D-792.. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the density of this component is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3=
The homogeneous linear ethylene polymer may be selected from among (a) those described in U.S. Patent 3,645,992 and (b) those made using single site catalysts in a batch reactor having relatively high olefin concentrations as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,026,798 and 5,055,438. Such polymers are commercially available. Representative examples are TAFMERT"~ made by Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., and EXACTT"' EXCEEDT" and polymers, made by Exxon Chemical Co.
The homogeneous substantially linear ethylene polymer (SLEPs) may be selected from among those described above as elastomeric impact modifiers with the caveat that they must be selected to comply with the molecular weight distribution and density ranges required for this component.
Many different adjuvants or additives are known to modify polymer costs and/or properties. These may optionally be used in the present invention. Nonlimiting examples include fillers such as Ti02 or carbon black; extender oils, including aliphatic or napthenic or polyester oils;
processing aids such as stearic acid; phenolic, thioester and phosphite antioxidants such as lrganox 1010T"" (commercially available from Ciba-Geigy) or Weston 619TM (commercially available from General Electric); acid 2o neutralizers such as MgO, calcium stearate, dihydrotaicite, tin mercaptans, and tetrasodium prophosphate; and pigments. If the composition contains a crosslinking agent for vulcanization, adjuvants may be added before or after the dynamic vulcanization. Depending on the nature of the adjuvant and its interaction with the selected crosslinking chemistry, preferably the adjuvant may be added after dynamic vulcanization has occurred.
Although fillers and compounding ingredients are not essential components of the thermoplastic composition of this invention, preferably, especially.from a cost standpoint, various amounts of conventional fillers and/or compounding ingredients normally used with elastomers are admixed with the compositions of this invention. Examples of such ingredients include extending oils, such as, aromatic oils, paraffinic oils or naphthenic oils; inorganic fillers, such as various carbon blacks, clays, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate; pigments, such as titanium dioxide;
antioxidants; antidegradants; processing aids such as lubricants and waxes;
and plasticizers such as dialkylphthalates, trialkylmellitates and dialkyladipates. An example of a preferred filler is talc, such as VANTALCT" supplied by R.T. Vanderbilt and made by Luzinac. Preferably, the processing oils and/or plasticizers and inorganic fillers are added to the io thermoplastic composition to improve its processing characteristics and the particular amounts used depend, at ieast in part, upon the quantities of other ingredients in the composition and the desired properties of the composition.
The thermoplastic compositions according to this invention comprise is at least 25, preferably up to 35 weight percent of the elastomeric impact modifier coponent and at least 10, preferably up to 20 weight percent of the ethylene polymer component. The weight ratio of the impact modifier component to ethylene polymer component is preferably at least 2 tol and preferably up to 4 to 1. Generally, amounts from 5 to 50 parts by weight 2o filler based on 100 parts by weight total polymers can be used, and 10 to 100 parts by weight compounding ingredients such as processing oils and plasticizers based on 100 parts by weight total weight of polymers can be used. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic composition contains from 10 to 20 weight percent filler and optionally from 20 to 40 weight 25 percent compounding ingredients.
The compositions according to this invention may also contain minor amounts (that is, less than 50 weight percent, preferably less than 10 weight percent) of one or more polymers other than the above-described thermoplastic polymer resin matrix, the elastomeric impact modifier, and the bE'A/fa'U/OEti KIJSiV1..'K :26-11--98 : 1ti: 1', 414 22:3 5000-=I'12/ ++:il 70 :440301(S:It 4 homogeneods linear or substantiaily linear ethylene polymer (the "polymer components"). Each of polymer components may ir,dependently comprise mixtures.
The balance of the thermoplastic composition of this invent-on is the thermoplastic resin cornponent. The thermoplastic resin component preferably comprises at least 30, more preferably at least 40, weight percent of the composition.
The formulations are compounded by any convenient method, including dry blending the individual components and subsequently melt mixing, either directly in the extruder used to make the finished article (such as an autornotive part) or by pre-melt mixing In a separate extruder (for instance, a Banbury mixer).
These TPOs can be processed using conventional plastic processing equipment.
There are many types of molding operations which can be used to form useful fabricated articles or parts from the TPQ formulations disclosed herein, including various injection molding processes (such as that described in Modern Plast?cs Encyclenedia/89, Mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Nurnber '11, pp.
264-268, "Introduction to Injection Moiding" and on pp. 270-271, "Injection Molding Themioplastics"), thermoforming, blow molding processes (such as that described in M dern Plastics Encyclopedia/89, Mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Number 11, pp. 217-718, "Extrusion-Blow Molding") and profile extrusion.
Some of the fabricated atticles include automotive bumpers, facia, wheel covers and grills, as well as other household and personal articles, including, for example, refrigerator and freezer components, and freezer containers.
Freezer containers made with the thermoplastic compositions discosed herein have a unique combination of desired attributes, including good impact at low temperatures (to prevent cracking the container if dropped) and good clarity with which to see the food.
A ~~ILE N E. ,,-.---;~...~
Good clarity is achieved by selecting as the elastomeric impact modifier and as the ethylene polymer third component linear or substantially iinear ethylene/a-ofefin polymers which have a refractive index within 0.005 refractive index units from the refractive index of the thermoplastic to be modified, especially within 0.002 refractive index units, typically measured at 589 nm. Generally, polypropylene has a refractive index from about 1.470 to about 1.515, for instance, clarified polypropylene homopolymer has a refractive index of about 1.5065 and clarified polypropylene random copolymer has a refractive index of about to 1.5044 at 589 nm.
The thermoplastic compositions of this invention have important advantages in being able to achieve certain properties, particularly certain properties in combination.
For example, there has been difficulty in achieving a high percent elongation to break of thermoplastic compositions while at the same time achieving sufficient impact. strength, especially low temperature impact strength. When the density of the impact modifier is increased to improve impact strength, the inventors observed that the percent elongation to break suffered and vice versa.
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages. A preferred embodiment has an elongation to break of at least 50 percent and a notched fzod impact strength at -30 C of at least 20 foot-pounds/inch2 (0.43 kg-m/cmZ). A more preferred embodiment has an elongation to break of at least 70 percent for the same notched Izod impact strength or higher.
Another preferred embodiment has a notched Izod impact strength at -30 C
of at least 26 foot-pounds/inch2 (0.56 kilogram-meter/centimeter2) for the same or higher percent elongation to break. In a preferred embodiment, these values are measured based on a thermoplastic composition containing 15 weight percent VANTALC 6H filler.
The percent elongation to break is defined herein to be the value measured according to ASTM D-638 at a deformation rate of 20 inches/minute (50 cm/min) and at ambient temperature using an injection molded sample of the thermoplastic composition. The tensile test is carried out in an INSTRON machine. The test is under displacement control. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
The notched Izod impact strength at -30 C is defined herein to be the value measured according to ASTM D-256 at -30 C using a single end gated bar of injection molded sample of the thermoplastic composition. The io notched Izod impact test on single end gated bars (0.5 x 5.0 x 0.125 inch (1.3 x 13 x 0.3 cm)) uses a milled notch and conforms with ASTM D-256.
The injected bars are notched in the center of the bar by a notcher with notch depth 0.400 t 0.002 inches (1.02 0.005 cm). The lzod impact testing uses a standard unit equipped with cold temperature chamber and a 2 ft-lb (0.28 kg-m), free falling hammer. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
Compositions of the present invention preferably have tensile modulus values within at least 10 percent, preferably within 5 percent, of the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic resin component. Preferably, the compositions of the invention have tensile modulus values of at least about 1200 Mpa. The tensile modulus is measured according to ASTM D-638.
Another advantage of this invention is the ability to achieve a high weld strength, especially in combination with the above properties. In a preferred embodiment, the weld line strength is at least 1700 (11.8), more preferably at least 1800 (12.4) pounds per square inch (MPa). The weld line strength values are measured according to ASTM-638 using a sample of the thermoplastic composition injection molded into the shape of a double end gated bar instead of a single end gated bar. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
The injection molding procedure and conditions for testing these and other properties of the thermoplastic compositions are as follows. The thermoplastic compositions are prepared for injection molding using a Farrell Banbury BR type mixer having a 1575 cubic centimeter capacity. A
total of 1100 grams is used for each formulation. The entire formulation amount is added to a warm Banbury mixer with the rotor speed at 200 rpm until the material begins to flux (approximately 1 minute), at which time the rotor speed is subsequently slowed to 175 (or whatever rotor speed is required to maintain a melt temperature below 180 C) and mixing continues io for 3 minutes past flux. The mixed formulation then is discharged from the mixer and passes through a cold roll mill to make a sheet. The sheet is ground into flake and the flake is subsequently injection molded into test specimens using an "ASTM family mold". A 70 ton (308 x 103 kg) Arburg injection moiding unit is used with the following basic settings: a 190/210/210/210 C temperature profile, a 74 F (23 C) mold temperature, a 300 psi (2.07 MPa) injection pressure for 1.8 seconds, a 250 psi (1.72 Mpa) hoid pressure for 15 seconds, and a 30 second cooling time. The injection molding conditions are listed in Table 1 below. The impact, strength, tensile modulus, and weld line strength test samples then are injection molded. All the tests are performed after waiting at least 24 hours after injection to allow the samples to reach equilibrium.
Table I
Injection molding conditions for 70 ton machine SCREW Inject. Hold Press Back Press Barrel Mold Temp.
RPM Press (bar(Pa)) '(bar(Pa)) Temp ( C) ( C) (bar(Pa)) 180 20 (2) 23 (2.3) 8 (8) 245 77 Dosage Injection Freed Zone 2 Zone 3 Die Temp.
(sec.) Temp. ( C) Temp. ( C) Temp. ( C) ( C) 10.4 2 190 210 210 210 The thermoplastic compositions of this invention have a morphology which may be described as a multi-phase composition having at least three phases in which discrete particles of the homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethyiene polymer component are dispersed at least in the elastomeric impact modifier component, which in turn is dispersed io within the thermoplastic polymer matrix as discrete particies. In a preferred embodiment, a major amount (that is, more than 50 weight percent, preferably at least 90 weight percent) of the ethylene polymer component is dispersed as discrete particles within the elastomeric impact modifier phase. The number average particle size of the elastomeric impact modifier particles, inclusive of the ethylene polymer particles within, is preferably less than or equal to 2 microns, more preferably less than or equal to 1 micron. The polydispersity index of the elastomeric impact modifier particle size is preferably less than 3 and more preferably less than 1. The total volume occupied by the ethylene polymer particles within the 2o eiastomeric impact modifier particles is preferably less than 90 percent of the total volume of the elastomeric impact modifier particles inclusive of the ethylene polymer particles within.
The following examples are presented as illustrative of the present invention. The present invention should not be considered in any way limited by these examples. Unless otherwise specified, all parts, percentages, and ratios are by weight.
EXAMPLES
Thermoplastic compositions are prepared for testing using the above-described procedure and conditions for injection molding test specimens using an "ASTM family mold". Each thermoplastic composition formuiation contains HIMONT PRO-FAXTM PD-701 (an isotactic polypropylene homopoiymer having a melt flow rate (12) of 35 g/10 min., a io density of 0.9 g/cm3 and a tensile strength at yield of 4,500 psi (31 Mpa) available from Himont USA, Inc.), NORDELT" 2522 (an EPDM having a Mooney viscosity according to ASTM D-1 646 at 100 C of 46 when combined with 50 weight percent FEF carbon black and 10 weight percent SUNPART"" 150 OIL (available from Sun Oil Co.) which is available from Du Pont Company) and talc (VANTALCT"" (6-H)). To each of these formulations was added of a third phase specified in Table 2 below.
The formulations of some comparative examples and controls are also listed in Table 2. The Izod impact test results of the examples are listed in Table 3, tensile test results are shown in Table 4, and weld line strengths are shown in Table 5. Each result shown below is the average of values obtained by testing five samples.
Table 2 The formulation of examples Sample Matrix rubber pnase Filler third ohase Example 1 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow Affinity TF~ plastomer density=0.913 glcm3, I2=0.5 g/10 min, M;.,/M~=2 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Example 2 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow INSITE TM technoiogy homopoiymer density=0.952 g/cm', iZ 0.5 g/10 min, M,,,IW =2 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Exampie 3* HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AifinityTM piastomer density=0.913 g/cm3, 12 =0.5 g/10min, M,,,/M, =2 Weight 50 21.4 15 8.6 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AttaneTM ultra low tive density poiyethylene Example 1 density=0.913 g/cm3, 12=0.5 g/10 min, MjMR =4.5 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow Slurry high density tive poiyethylene 30052, Example 2 density=0.952 g/cm3, 12=0.35 g/10 min, MlM, > 4 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AttaneTM ultra low tive density polyethylene Example 3 density=0.913 g/cm3, 12=0.5 g/10 min Weight 55 21.4 15 8.6 percent Control 1 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H
Weight 60 25 15 0 percent Control 2 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H
Weight 55 30 15 0 percent * Example not according to the invention Table 3 Izod Impact Strength at -30 C
Example 1 Example 2 Compara- Compara- Control 1 tive tive Example 1 Example 2 Average Izod irr~act 22.48 20.44 20.00 16.70 11.14 strength (ft-Ib/in ) at -30 C (kg-m/cmz) (0.49) (0.44) (0.43) (0.36) (0.24) Standard deviation ((ft-lb/in 2) 0.41 0.22 0.9 1.04 3.37 (kg-m/cm2) (0.009) (0.005) (0.02) (0.023) (0.07) Table 4 Tensile Properties at Room Temperature percent percent Elongation at Elongation at Yield Break Example 1 7.03 84.7 0.6 + 16 Example 2 6.73 51.3 0.17 3.1 Comparative 5.91 55.9 Example 1 0.5 8.6 Comparative 5.85 47.95 Example 2 0.2 14.11 Control 1 6.0 82.8 0.1 29.8 Table 5 Weld Line Strength Exampie 3 Comparative Example Control 2 Weld line strength 1845 1645 1580 (psi(MPa)) (12.7) (11.3) (10.9) Standard deviation 76.6 (0.5) 176.8 (1.2) 184.5 (1.3) (psi(MPa))
s The thermoplastic polymers which are beneficially impact modified can be thermoplastic polyurethanes (such as, PellethaneTM polyurethane etastoplastic polymers or IsoplastT"" polyurethane engineering thermoplastic resins, made by The Dow Chemical Company), polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs), styrenics, polyolefins (including, for instance, ethylene io carbon monoxide copolymers (ECO) or linear alternating ECO
copolymers such as those disciosed in U.S. Patents 5,554777 and 5,565,547, and ethylene/propylene carbon monoxide polymers (EPCO)), various engineering thermoplastics (such as, polycarbonate, thermoplastic poiyester, polyamides (such as nylon), polyacetals, or 15 pofysulfones). Generally the polyolefin polymers which are most ' frequently used are polyethylene (for instance, high density polyethylene, such as that produced by the slurry polymerization process, heterogeneously branched linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) such as copolymers of ethylene with at least one C3-C20 a-olefin, and 2o recycled polyethylene (that is, post consumer recycled high density polyethylene recovered from waste bottles)) or polypropylene. Generally at least one poiypropyiene is more frequently useful in the compositions disclosed herein.
The polypropylene is generally in the, isotactic form of 25 homopolymer polypropylene, although other forms of polypropylene can also be used (for instance, syndiotactic or atactic). Polypropylene impact copolymers (that is, those wherein a secondary copolymerization step reacting ethylene with the propylene is employed) and random copolymers (also reactor modified and usually containing 1.5 to 7 percent ethylene copolymerized with the propylene), however, can also be used in the TPO formulations disclosed herein. A complete discussion of various polypropylene polymers is contained in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia/89, mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Number 11, pp.
86-92. The molecular weight of the polypropylene for use in the present invention is conveniently indicated using a melt flow measurement according to ASTM D-1238, Condition 230 C12.16 kg (formerly known as "Condition (L)" and also known as 12). Melt flow rate is inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the polymer. Thus, the higher the io molecular weight, the lower the melt flow rate, although the relationship is not linear. The melt flow rate for the polypropylene useful herein is generally from 0.1 grams/10 minutes (g/10 min) to 100 g/10 min. For impact modification of automotive facia, the melt flow rate for the polypropylene is generally from 0.1 g/10 min to 35 g/10 min, preferably from 0.5 g/10 min to 25 g/10 min, and especially from 1 g/10 min to 20 g/10 min. For thin walled containers (such as cups and lids made, for example, using an injection molding process), the melt flow rate for the polypropylene is generally from 20 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min.
High molecular weight thermoplastic poiymers may be used to produce stronger compositions. The number average (Mn) molecular weight is from 7,000 to 1,000,000 or more, preferably from 10,000 to 500,000.
The tensile modulus of the thermopiastic component is at least 200, preferably at least 1000 times greater than the tensile moduius of the elastomeric impact modifier. Tensile modulus herein is measured according to ASTM-D-638.
"Elastomeric impact modifier" means a polymer that can be stretched with the application of stress to at least twice its length and after release of the stress, returns to its approximate original dimensions and shape. The elastic recovery of an elastomeric impact modifier is generally at least 40.percent, preferably at least 60 percent, and more preferably at least 80 percent when measured according to ASTM D-412. This component is also referred to hereafter as the "impact modifier" or "elastomeric polymer".
Suitable elastomeric polymers for use in this invention include ethylene/a-oiefin interpolymers; isoprene rubbers such as polyisoprene (including natural rubber) and isobutylene/isoprene rubber (butyl rubber);
polychioroprene; butadiene rubbers such as polybutadiene, io styrene/butadiene rubber, and acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber; and block copolymer rubbers such as styrene/isoprene/styrene triblock, styrene/butadiene/styrene triblock, and hydrogenated styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers, for instance, styrene/ethylene/-butene/styrene block copolymers. The term "a-olefin"
means a hydrocarbon molecule or a substituted hydrocarbon molecule (that is, a hydrocarbon moiecule comprising one or more atoms other than hydrogen and carbon, for instance, halogen, oxygen, or nitrogen), the hydrocarbon molecule comprising (i) oniy one ethylenic unstaturation, this unsaturation located between the first and second carbon atoms, and (ii) at least 3 carbon atoms, preferably of 3 to 20 carbon atoms, in some cases preferably of 4 to 10 carbon atoms and in other cases preferably of 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of preferred a-olefins from which the elastomers used in this invention are prepared include propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1 -decene, 1 -dodecene, and mixtures of two or more of these monomers.
Preferred among the elastomeric polymers useful in the practice of this invention are the ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers, particularly those having a density less than 0.870 g/cm3 such as those having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3. Aiso preferred are elastomeric polymers having a melt index (12) less than 5 g/10 min, more preferably less than 3 g/10 min. Preferred ethylene interpolymers include ethylene/a-olefin copolymers; ethylene/a-olefin/diene terpolymers; and interpolymers of ethylene and one or more other monomers which are copolymerizable with ethylene, such as ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids (both mono-and difunctional) and their corresponding esters and anhydrides, for instance, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl ester (for instance, vinyl acetate) and maleic anhydride, and vinyl group-containing aromatic monomers such as styrene. Preferred a-olefins are derived from 1 -octene, io 1-hexene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-butene and propyiene.
Included among these polymers are (i) heterogeneous linear low density ethylene interpolymers (heterogeneous LLDPE) made using Ziegler-Natta catalysts in a slurry, gas phase, solution or high pressure process, such as described in U.S. Patent 4,076,698; (ii) homogeneous linear is ethylene polymers such as (a) those described in U.S. Patent 3,645,992;
(b) those made using the so-called single site catalysts in a batch reactor having relatively high olefin concentrations as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,026,798 and 5,055,438; and (iii) homogeneous substantially linear olefin polymers having long chain branching as described, for 2o example, in U.S. Patents 5,272,236; 5,278,272; and 5,665,800. Such polymers are commercially available. Representative of commercially available homogeneous linear ethylene polymers are TAFMER' made by.
Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. and EXACTT' made by Exxon Chemical Co. The substantially linear ethylene polymers are more fully 25 discussed later.
Ethylene/a-olefin/diene terpolymers may be used as the elastomeric impact modifier. Suitable a-olefins include the a-olefins described above as suitable .for making ethylene/a-olefin copolymers. The dienes suitable as monomers for preparation of such terpolymers are either conjugated or nonconjugated. They are typically nonconjugated dienes having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms. Representative examples of suitable nonconjugated dienes that may be used to prepare the terpolymer include:
a) Straight chain acyclic dienes such as 1,4-hexadiene, 1,5-heptadiene, piperyiene (although piperylene is conjugated), and 1,6-octadiene;
b) branched chain acyclic dienes such as 5-methyl-1,4-hexadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, and 3,7-dimethyl-1,7-octadiene;
c) single ring alicyclic aienes such as 4-vinylcyclohexene, 1-allyl-io 4-isopropylidene cyclohexane, 3-allylcyctopentene, 4-allylcyclohexene, and 1-isopropenyi-4-butenylcyclohexane;
d) multi-ring alicyclic fused and bridged ring dienes such as dicyclopentadiene; alkenyl, alkylidene, cycloalkenyl and cycloalkylidene norbornenes such as 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-6-methyl-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-6,6-dimethyl-2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-(3-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, and 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene.
The preferred dienes are selected from the group consisting of 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-methylene-2-2o norbornene, 7-methy{-1, 6-octadiene, piperylene; and 4-vinylcyclohexene.
The preferred terpolymers for the practice of the invention are terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a nonconjugated diene (EPDM).
Exemplary terpolymers are NORDELT"" and NORDELT"" 1 P polymers, which are available from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C.
The total diene monomer content in the terpolymer may suitably range from about 0.1 to 15 weight percent, preferably 0.5 to 12 weight percent, and most preferably 1.0 to 6.0 weight percent.
Both. the ethylene copolymers and the ethylene terpolymers comprise from 20 to 90 weight percent, preferably from 30 to 85 weight percent, ethylene, with the other comonomers comprising the balance. The ethylene copolymers and terpolymers preferably have a weight average moiecular weight (Mw) of at least 10,000, and more preferably at least 15,000, and may have a Mw of up to 1,000,000 or higher, preferably up to 500,000.
s The elastomeric polymer preferably has a Mooney viscosity of at least 20. Mooney viscosity is defined herein as measured at 100 C
according to ASTM D-1 646.
The elastomeric polymer is preferably substantially amorphous. The expression "substantially amorphous" means that the polymer has a io degree of crystallinity less than 25 percent. The elastomeric polymer more preferably has a crystallinity of less than 15 percent.
The elastomeric polymer may be the product of a single polymerization reaction or may be a polymer blend resulting from physical blending of polymers obtained from different polymerization reactions 15 and/or resulting from using a mixed polymerization catalyst.
"Functionalized elastomeric polymer" means an elastomeric polymer or elastomeric polymer blend that comprises at least one reactive substituent that wiil react with the reactive substituents of the crosslinking agent to at least partially vulcanize the elastomer. Preferred reactive 2o elastomer substituents are selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, carboxylic acid salt, carbonyl halide, hydroxy, epoxy, and isocyanate.
Preferred ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers are ethyiene/1-dodecene, ethylene/ 1 -decene, ethylene/1-octene, ethylene/1-hexene, ethylene/4-25 methyl-1-pentene, ethylene/1-pentene, ethylene/1-butene and ethylene/propylene copolymers produced via a constrained geometry single site catalyst. A process for making such copoiymers is described in U.S.
Patents 5,272,236, 5,278,272, and 5,665,800. Such ethylene interpolymers are preferably substantially linear olefin polymers having long chain branching. Substantially linear olefin polymers can be made by gas phase, solution phase, high pressure or slurry polymerization. These polymers are preferably made by solution polymerization. Substantially linear ethylene polymers (SLEP's) are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Co. under the trademark AFFINITY and from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. under the trademark ENGAGE.
"Substantially linear polymer" means that the polymer backbone contains long chain branching and is substituted with an average of up to three long chain branches/1000 carbons. Preferred substantially linear io polymers are substituted with 0.01 to 3 long chain branches/1000 carbons, more preferably from 0.01 to 1 long chain branches/1000 carbons, and especially from 0.3 to 1 long chain branches/1000 carbons. These substantially linear polymers are characterized by:
a) a melt flow ratio, 110/12, _ 5.63, b) a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation:
Mw/Mn < (110/I2) - 4.63, and -c) a critical shear stress at onset of gross melt fracture of greater than about 4 x 106 dyne/cm2.
"Long chain branching" means a pendant carbon chain having a chain length of at least 6 carbons, above which the length cannot be distinguished using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The long chain branch can be as long as about the length of the polymer backbone to which it is attached.
The presence of long chain branching can be determined in ethylene homopolymers by using 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and is quantified using the method of Randall (Rev.
Macromol. Chem. Phys., C29 (2&3), p. 285-297). However as a practical matter, current 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy cannot determine the length of a long chain branch in excess of six carbon atoms.
For ethylene a-olefin copolymers, the long chain branch is longer than the short chain branch that results from the incorporation of the a-olefin(s) into the polymer backbone. For example, a substantially linear ethylene/1-s octene copolymer has a short chain branch length of six (6) carbons, but a long chain branch length of at least seven (7) carbons.
Typically, the SLEP's are copolymers of ethylene and an a-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms (for instance, propylene, 1-butene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, and styrene), preferably of 3 to 10 carbon i o atoms, and more preferably these polymers are a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene. The density of these substantially linear ethylene polymers is preferably in the range from 0.85 to 0.9, more preferably from 0.85 to 0.88 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) determined by ASTM D-792. The melt flow ratio, measured as 110/12 as defined in ASTM D-1238, Conditions 15 190C/10 kg and 190C12.16 kg (formerly known as "Conditions (N) and (E)", respectively and also known as 110 and 12, respectively), is greater than or equal to 5.63, and is preferably in the range from 6.5 to 15, more preferably in the range from 7 to 10. The molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), is preferably in the 2o range from 1.5 to 2.5. For substantially linear ethylene polymers, the ratio indicates the degree of long-chain branching, that is, the larger the 110/12 ratio, the more long-chain branching in the polymer.
A unique characteristic of the homogeneously branched, substantially linear ethylene polymers is the highly unexpected flow property 25 where the I10/12 value of the polymer is essentially independent of the polydispersity index (that is, Mw/Mn) of the polymer. This is contrasted with conventional linear homogeneously.branched and linear heterogeneously branched p.olyethylene resins having rheological properties such that to increase the 110/12 value the polydispersity index must also be increased.
Substantially linear olefin polymers have a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear olefin polymer having about the same 12, Mw/Mn, and density. By "about the same" is meant that each value is within 10 percent of the comparative value.
The preferred melt index, measured as 12 (ASTM D-1238, condition 190/2.16 (formerly condition E)), is from 0.5 g/10 min to 200 g/10 min, more preferably 1 to 20 g/10 min. Typically, the preferred SLEP's used in the practice of this invention are homogeneously branched and do not have any jo measurable high density fraction, as measured by Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation described in U.S. Patent 5,089,321. Stated in another manner, these polymers do not contain any polymer fraction that has a degree of branching less than or equal to 2 methyl groups/1000 carbons.
Preferred SLEP's also have a single differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) melting peak between -30C and 150C using a second heat at a scanning rate of 10 C/minute.
The third component of the thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition according to this invention is a homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5, preferably in the range of 1.8 to 2.5. The molecular weight distribution is the weight average molecular weight of the polymer divided by the number average molecular weight of the polymer (Mw/Mn) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
The density of this component is at least 0.04, preferably at least 0.05 and more preferably at least 0.06 g/cm3 higher than the density of the elastomeric impact modifier component determined according to ASTM D-792.. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the density of this component is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3=
The homogeneous linear ethylene polymer may be selected from among (a) those described in U.S. Patent 3,645,992 and (b) those made using single site catalysts in a batch reactor having relatively high olefin concentrations as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,026,798 and 5,055,438. Such polymers are commercially available. Representative examples are TAFMERT"~ made by Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., and EXACTT"' EXCEEDT" and polymers, made by Exxon Chemical Co.
The homogeneous substantially linear ethylene polymer (SLEPs) may be selected from among those described above as elastomeric impact modifiers with the caveat that they must be selected to comply with the molecular weight distribution and density ranges required for this component.
Many different adjuvants or additives are known to modify polymer costs and/or properties. These may optionally be used in the present invention. Nonlimiting examples include fillers such as Ti02 or carbon black; extender oils, including aliphatic or napthenic or polyester oils;
processing aids such as stearic acid; phenolic, thioester and phosphite antioxidants such as lrganox 1010T"" (commercially available from Ciba-Geigy) or Weston 619TM (commercially available from General Electric); acid 2o neutralizers such as MgO, calcium stearate, dihydrotaicite, tin mercaptans, and tetrasodium prophosphate; and pigments. If the composition contains a crosslinking agent for vulcanization, adjuvants may be added before or after the dynamic vulcanization. Depending on the nature of the adjuvant and its interaction with the selected crosslinking chemistry, preferably the adjuvant may be added after dynamic vulcanization has occurred.
Although fillers and compounding ingredients are not essential components of the thermoplastic composition of this invention, preferably, especially.from a cost standpoint, various amounts of conventional fillers and/or compounding ingredients normally used with elastomers are admixed with the compositions of this invention. Examples of such ingredients include extending oils, such as, aromatic oils, paraffinic oils or naphthenic oils; inorganic fillers, such as various carbon blacks, clays, silica, alumina, calcium carbonate; pigments, such as titanium dioxide;
antioxidants; antidegradants; processing aids such as lubricants and waxes;
and plasticizers such as dialkylphthalates, trialkylmellitates and dialkyladipates. An example of a preferred filler is talc, such as VANTALCT" supplied by R.T. Vanderbilt and made by Luzinac. Preferably, the processing oils and/or plasticizers and inorganic fillers are added to the io thermoplastic composition to improve its processing characteristics and the particular amounts used depend, at ieast in part, upon the quantities of other ingredients in the composition and the desired properties of the composition.
The thermoplastic compositions according to this invention comprise is at least 25, preferably up to 35 weight percent of the elastomeric impact modifier coponent and at least 10, preferably up to 20 weight percent of the ethylene polymer component. The weight ratio of the impact modifier component to ethylene polymer component is preferably at least 2 tol and preferably up to 4 to 1. Generally, amounts from 5 to 50 parts by weight 2o filler based on 100 parts by weight total polymers can be used, and 10 to 100 parts by weight compounding ingredients such as processing oils and plasticizers based on 100 parts by weight total weight of polymers can be used. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic composition contains from 10 to 20 weight percent filler and optionally from 20 to 40 weight 25 percent compounding ingredients.
The compositions according to this invention may also contain minor amounts (that is, less than 50 weight percent, preferably less than 10 weight percent) of one or more polymers other than the above-described thermoplastic polymer resin matrix, the elastomeric impact modifier, and the bE'A/fa'U/OEti KIJSiV1..'K :26-11--98 : 1ti: 1', 414 22:3 5000-=I'12/ ++:il 70 :440301(S:It 4 homogeneods linear or substantiaily linear ethylene polymer (the "polymer components"). Each of polymer components may ir,dependently comprise mixtures.
The balance of the thermoplastic composition of this invent-on is the thermoplastic resin cornponent. The thermoplastic resin component preferably comprises at least 30, more preferably at least 40, weight percent of the composition.
The formulations are compounded by any convenient method, including dry blending the individual components and subsequently melt mixing, either directly in the extruder used to make the finished article (such as an autornotive part) or by pre-melt mixing In a separate extruder (for instance, a Banbury mixer).
These TPOs can be processed using conventional plastic processing equipment.
There are many types of molding operations which can be used to form useful fabricated articles or parts from the TPQ formulations disclosed herein, including various injection molding processes (such as that described in Modern Plast?cs Encyclenedia/89, Mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Nurnber '11, pp.
264-268, "Introduction to Injection Moiding" and on pp. 270-271, "Injection Molding Themioplastics"), thermoforming, blow molding processes (such as that described in M dern Plastics Encyclopedia/89, Mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Number 11, pp. 217-718, "Extrusion-Blow Molding") and profile extrusion.
Some of the fabricated atticles include automotive bumpers, facia, wheel covers and grills, as well as other household and personal articles, including, for example, refrigerator and freezer components, and freezer containers.
Freezer containers made with the thermoplastic compositions discosed herein have a unique combination of desired attributes, including good impact at low temperatures (to prevent cracking the container if dropped) and good clarity with which to see the food.
A ~~ILE N E. ,,-.---;~...~
Good clarity is achieved by selecting as the elastomeric impact modifier and as the ethylene polymer third component linear or substantially iinear ethylene/a-ofefin polymers which have a refractive index within 0.005 refractive index units from the refractive index of the thermoplastic to be modified, especially within 0.002 refractive index units, typically measured at 589 nm. Generally, polypropylene has a refractive index from about 1.470 to about 1.515, for instance, clarified polypropylene homopolymer has a refractive index of about 1.5065 and clarified polypropylene random copolymer has a refractive index of about to 1.5044 at 589 nm.
The thermoplastic compositions of this invention have important advantages in being able to achieve certain properties, particularly certain properties in combination.
For example, there has been difficulty in achieving a high percent elongation to break of thermoplastic compositions while at the same time achieving sufficient impact. strength, especially low temperature impact strength. When the density of the impact modifier is increased to improve impact strength, the inventors observed that the percent elongation to break suffered and vice versa.
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages. A preferred embodiment has an elongation to break of at least 50 percent and a notched fzod impact strength at -30 C of at least 20 foot-pounds/inch2 (0.43 kg-m/cmZ). A more preferred embodiment has an elongation to break of at least 70 percent for the same notched Izod impact strength or higher.
Another preferred embodiment has a notched Izod impact strength at -30 C
of at least 26 foot-pounds/inch2 (0.56 kilogram-meter/centimeter2) for the same or higher percent elongation to break. In a preferred embodiment, these values are measured based on a thermoplastic composition containing 15 weight percent VANTALC 6H filler.
The percent elongation to break is defined herein to be the value measured according to ASTM D-638 at a deformation rate of 20 inches/minute (50 cm/min) and at ambient temperature using an injection molded sample of the thermoplastic composition. The tensile test is carried out in an INSTRON machine. The test is under displacement control. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
The notched Izod impact strength at -30 C is defined herein to be the value measured according to ASTM D-256 at -30 C using a single end gated bar of injection molded sample of the thermoplastic composition. The io notched Izod impact test on single end gated bars (0.5 x 5.0 x 0.125 inch (1.3 x 13 x 0.3 cm)) uses a milled notch and conforms with ASTM D-256.
The injected bars are notched in the center of the bar by a notcher with notch depth 0.400 t 0.002 inches (1.02 0.005 cm). The lzod impact testing uses a standard unit equipped with cold temperature chamber and a 2 ft-lb (0.28 kg-m), free falling hammer. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
Compositions of the present invention preferably have tensile modulus values within at least 10 percent, preferably within 5 percent, of the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic resin component. Preferably, the compositions of the invention have tensile modulus values of at least about 1200 Mpa. The tensile modulus is measured according to ASTM D-638.
Another advantage of this invention is the ability to achieve a high weld strength, especially in combination with the above properties. In a preferred embodiment, the weld line strength is at least 1700 (11.8), more preferably at least 1800 (12.4) pounds per square inch (MPa). The weld line strength values are measured according to ASTM-638 using a sample of the thermoplastic composition injection molded into the shape of a double end gated bar instead of a single end gated bar. The injection molding procedure and conditions are described below.
The injection molding procedure and conditions for testing these and other properties of the thermoplastic compositions are as follows. The thermoplastic compositions are prepared for injection molding using a Farrell Banbury BR type mixer having a 1575 cubic centimeter capacity. A
total of 1100 grams is used for each formulation. The entire formulation amount is added to a warm Banbury mixer with the rotor speed at 200 rpm until the material begins to flux (approximately 1 minute), at which time the rotor speed is subsequently slowed to 175 (or whatever rotor speed is required to maintain a melt temperature below 180 C) and mixing continues io for 3 minutes past flux. The mixed formulation then is discharged from the mixer and passes through a cold roll mill to make a sheet. The sheet is ground into flake and the flake is subsequently injection molded into test specimens using an "ASTM family mold". A 70 ton (308 x 103 kg) Arburg injection moiding unit is used with the following basic settings: a 190/210/210/210 C temperature profile, a 74 F (23 C) mold temperature, a 300 psi (2.07 MPa) injection pressure for 1.8 seconds, a 250 psi (1.72 Mpa) hoid pressure for 15 seconds, and a 30 second cooling time. The injection molding conditions are listed in Table 1 below. The impact, strength, tensile modulus, and weld line strength test samples then are injection molded. All the tests are performed after waiting at least 24 hours after injection to allow the samples to reach equilibrium.
Table I
Injection molding conditions for 70 ton machine SCREW Inject. Hold Press Back Press Barrel Mold Temp.
RPM Press (bar(Pa)) '(bar(Pa)) Temp ( C) ( C) (bar(Pa)) 180 20 (2) 23 (2.3) 8 (8) 245 77 Dosage Injection Freed Zone 2 Zone 3 Die Temp.
(sec.) Temp. ( C) Temp. ( C) Temp. ( C) ( C) 10.4 2 190 210 210 210 The thermoplastic compositions of this invention have a morphology which may be described as a multi-phase composition having at least three phases in which discrete particles of the homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethyiene polymer component are dispersed at least in the elastomeric impact modifier component, which in turn is dispersed io within the thermoplastic polymer matrix as discrete particies. In a preferred embodiment, a major amount (that is, more than 50 weight percent, preferably at least 90 weight percent) of the ethylene polymer component is dispersed as discrete particles within the elastomeric impact modifier phase. The number average particle size of the elastomeric impact modifier particles, inclusive of the ethylene polymer particles within, is preferably less than or equal to 2 microns, more preferably less than or equal to 1 micron. The polydispersity index of the elastomeric impact modifier particle size is preferably less than 3 and more preferably less than 1. The total volume occupied by the ethylene polymer particles within the 2o eiastomeric impact modifier particles is preferably less than 90 percent of the total volume of the elastomeric impact modifier particles inclusive of the ethylene polymer particles within.
The following examples are presented as illustrative of the present invention. The present invention should not be considered in any way limited by these examples. Unless otherwise specified, all parts, percentages, and ratios are by weight.
EXAMPLES
Thermoplastic compositions are prepared for testing using the above-described procedure and conditions for injection molding test specimens using an "ASTM family mold". Each thermoplastic composition formuiation contains HIMONT PRO-FAXTM PD-701 (an isotactic polypropylene homopoiymer having a melt flow rate (12) of 35 g/10 min., a io density of 0.9 g/cm3 and a tensile strength at yield of 4,500 psi (31 Mpa) available from Himont USA, Inc.), NORDELT" 2522 (an EPDM having a Mooney viscosity according to ASTM D-1 646 at 100 C of 46 when combined with 50 weight percent FEF carbon black and 10 weight percent SUNPART"" 150 OIL (available from Sun Oil Co.) which is available from Du Pont Company) and talc (VANTALCT"" (6-H)). To each of these formulations was added of a third phase specified in Table 2 below.
The formulations of some comparative examples and controls are also listed in Table 2. The Izod impact test results of the examples are listed in Table 3, tensile test results are shown in Table 4, and weld line strengths are shown in Table 5. Each result shown below is the average of values obtained by testing five samples.
Table 2 The formulation of examples Sample Matrix rubber pnase Filler third ohase Example 1 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow Affinity TF~ plastomer density=0.913 glcm3, I2=0.5 g/10 min, M;.,/M~=2 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Example 2 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow INSITE TM technoiogy homopoiymer density=0.952 g/cm', iZ 0.5 g/10 min, M,,,IW =2 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Exampie 3* HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AifinityTM piastomer density=0.913 g/cm3, 12 =0.5 g/10min, M,,,/M, =2 Weight 50 21.4 15 8.6 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AttaneTM ultra low tive density poiyethylene Example 1 density=0.913 g/cm3, 12=0.5 g/10 min, MjMR =4.5 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow Slurry high density tive poiyethylene 30052, Example 2 density=0.952 g/cm3, 12=0.35 g/10 min, MlM, > 4 Weight 50 25 15 10 percent Compara- HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H Dow AttaneTM ultra low tive density polyethylene Example 3 density=0.913 g/cm3, 12=0.5 g/10 min Weight 55 21.4 15 8.6 percent Control 1 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H
Weight 60 25 15 0 percent Control 2 HIMONT PD-701 NORDEL 2522 VANTALC 6H
Weight 55 30 15 0 percent * Example not according to the invention Table 3 Izod Impact Strength at -30 C
Example 1 Example 2 Compara- Compara- Control 1 tive tive Example 1 Example 2 Average Izod irr~act 22.48 20.44 20.00 16.70 11.14 strength (ft-Ib/in ) at -30 C (kg-m/cmz) (0.49) (0.44) (0.43) (0.36) (0.24) Standard deviation ((ft-lb/in 2) 0.41 0.22 0.9 1.04 3.37 (kg-m/cm2) (0.009) (0.005) (0.02) (0.023) (0.07) Table 4 Tensile Properties at Room Temperature percent percent Elongation at Elongation at Yield Break Example 1 7.03 84.7 0.6 + 16 Example 2 6.73 51.3 0.17 3.1 Comparative 5.91 55.9 Example 1 0.5 8.6 Comparative 5.85 47.95 Example 2 0.2 14.11 Control 1 6.0 82.8 0.1 29.8 Table 5 Weld Line Strength Exampie 3 Comparative Example Control 2 Weld line strength 1845 1645 1580 (psi(MPa)) (12.7) (11.3) (10.9) Standard deviation 76.6 (0.5) 176.8 (1.2) 184.5 (1.3) (psi(MPa))
Claims (14)
1. A thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition characterized as comprising:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a); and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier dispersed as discrete particles in the thermoplastic matrix (a); and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer dispersed as discrete particles in at least the impact modifier (b), the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein impact modifier (b) is an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin interpolymer having a density of less than 0.87 g/cm3.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein impact modifier (b) is an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin/diene terpolymer and the thermoplastic (a) is isotactic polypropylene.
4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, having at least one of: an elongation at break of at least 50 percent (tested in accordance with ASTM D-638 at a deformation rate of 20 inches/minute (50 cm/min) and at ambient temperature) and a notched Izod impact strength tested at -30°C in accordance with ASTM D-256 of at least 20 foot-pounds/inch2 (0 43 kilogram-meters/centimeter), or a tensile modulus within 10 percent of that of the thermoplastic matrix of component (a), as determined in accordance with ASTM D-638 at a strain rate of 20 inch/min and ambient temperature; or wherein a double end gated bar injection molded from said composition has a weld line strength, tested in accordance with ASTM D-638, of at least 1700 psi (11.7 MPa); or wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 1000 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, having a notched Izod impact strength tested at -30°C in accordance with ASTM D-256 of at least 26 foot-pounds/inch2 (0.57 kg-m/cm2) measured when the composition does not contain filler.
6. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, containing from 10 to 20 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one filler.
7. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ethylene polymer (c) is at least one substantially linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin polymer having:
(a) a melt flow ratio, ¦10 /¦2 >= 5 63, (b) a molecular weight distribution, M w/M n, defined by the equation M w/M n <= (I10/I2) - 4.63, and (c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin polymer having about the same melt index (12) and M w/M n.
(a) a melt flow ratio, ¦10 /¦2 >= 5 63, (b) a molecular weight distribution, M w/M n, defined by the equation M w/M n <= (I10/I2) - 4.63, and (c) a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin polymer having about the same melt index (12) and M w/M n.
8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of impact modifier component (b) to ethylene polymer component (c) is at least 2:1.
9. The composition of claim 1, wherein:
(a) the thermoplastic polymer resin matrix is an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer;
(b) the elastomeric impact modifier is present in an amount of from 25 to 35 percent by weight based on the total composition and the elastomeric impact modifier is an interpolymer of ethylene and at least one .alpha.-olefin having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3 and at least one of a melt index (I2) of less than 5 g/10 min., or a Mooney Viscosity measured according to ASTM D-1646 at 100°C
of at least 20, which is dispersed as discrete particles in the isotactic polypropylene homopolymer (a); and (c) the at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer is present in an amount of from 10 to 20 percent by weight based on the total composition and has a molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.5 and the density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of impact modifier (b) is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3.
(a) the thermoplastic polymer resin matrix is an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer;
(b) the elastomeric impact modifier is present in an amount of from 25 to 35 percent by weight based on the total composition and the elastomeric impact modifier is an interpolymer of ethylene and at least one .alpha.-olefin having a density in the range from 0.855 to 0.870 g/cm3 and at least one of a melt index (I2) of less than 5 g/10 min., or a Mooney Viscosity measured according to ASTM D-1646 at 100°C
of at least 20, which is dispersed as discrete particles in the isotactic polypropylene homopolymer (a); and (c) the at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer is present in an amount of from 10 to 20 percent by weight based on the total composition and has a molecular weight distribution from 1.8 to 2.5 and the density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of impact modifier (b) is in the range from 0.90 to 0.95 g/cm3.
10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition has tensile modulus of at least 1200 MPa, as determined in accordance with ASTM D-638 at a strain rate of 20 inch/min. (50 cm/min) and ambient temperature.
11. A process for making a thermoplastic olefinic polymer composition comprising mixing at an elevated temperature:
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier; and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer, the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
(a) a thermoplastic polymer resin matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chlorides, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, and polyolefins, (b) at least 25 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of an elastomeric impact modifier; and (c) at least 10 percent (by weight based on the total composition) of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer, the ethylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution less than 3.5 and a density of at least 0.04 g/cm3 higher than the density of the impact modifier component (b), wherein the tensile modulus of the thermoplastic component (a) is at least 200 times greater than the tensile modulus of the impact modifier component (b).
12. A process for fabricating an article comprising an impact-modified polyolefin comprising molding, thermoforming, or extending a composition of any one of claims 1 to 10.
13. A fabricated article comprising the composition of any one of claims 1 to 10.
14. The fabricated article of claim 13, selected from the group consisting of injection molded, blow molded, thermoformed, and profile extruded articles.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/741,648 US5861463A (en) | 1996-10-31 | 1996-10-31 | Impact-modified thermoplastic polyolefins and articles fabricated therefrom |
| US08/741,648 | 1996-10-31 | ||
| PCT/US1997/017848 WO1998018865A1 (en) | 1996-10-31 | 1997-10-01 | Impact-modified thermoplastic polyolefins and articles fabricated therefrom |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2268834A1 CA2268834A1 (en) | 1998-05-07 |
| CA2268834C true CA2268834C (en) | 2008-07-08 |
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ID=24981592
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|---|---|---|---|
| CA002268834A Expired - Fee Related CA2268834C (en) | 1996-10-31 | 1997-10-01 | Impact-modified thermoplastic polyolefins and articles fabricated therefrom |
Country Status (14)
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|---|---|
| US (2) | US5861463A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0935639B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001503096A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100507456B1 (en) |
| AR (1) | AR013620A1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE232226T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4666797A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9712604A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2268834C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69718926T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2187829T3 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW517072B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998018865A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA979769B (en) |
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| CN1088077C (en) | 1996-11-19 | 2002-07-24 | 可乐丽股份有限公司 | Resin composition and multilayered structure |
| US6552112B1 (en) * | 1997-07-23 | 2003-04-22 | Pirelli Cavi E Sistemi S.P.A. | Cable with self-extinguishing properties and flame-retardant composition |
| JP3846757B2 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 2006-11-15 | 古河電気工業株式会社 | cable |
| DE19801687A1 (en) * | 1998-01-19 | 1999-07-22 | Danubia Petrochem Polymere | Thermoplastic elastomers with good dyeability and high strength and elasticity as well as high impact polymer blends made from them |
| US6270910B1 (en) * | 1998-04-03 | 2001-08-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Anisotropic film |
| DE19831278A1 (en) * | 1998-07-13 | 2000-01-27 | Borealis Ag | Heterophase polyolefin alloys |
| SE518553C2 (en) † | 1999-06-09 | 2002-10-22 | Borealis As | Profile for windows and doors of propylene block copolymer with nucleating agents and fillers |
| US6248833B1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-06-19 | Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents Inc. | Fibers and fabrics prepared with propylene impact copolymers |
| US6372847B1 (en) | 2000-05-10 | 2002-04-16 | Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents, Inc. | Polyolefin compositions having improved low temperature toughness |
| US6429260B1 (en) | 2000-05-31 | 2002-08-06 | The Dow Chemical Company | Olefinic polymer compositions |
| AU2001253398A1 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2001-12-11 | The Dow Global Technologies Inc. | Olefinic polymer compositions |
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-
1997
- 1997-10-01 EP EP97945467A patent/EP0935639B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-10-01 AT AT97945467T patent/ATE232226T1/en active
- 1997-10-01 ES ES97945467T patent/ES2187829T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-10-01 WO PCT/US1997/017848 patent/WO1998018865A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-10-01 DE DE69718926T patent/DE69718926T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-10-01 AU AU46667/97A patent/AU4666797A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-10-01 CA CA002268834A patent/CA2268834C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-10-01 KR KR10-1999-7003662A patent/KR100507456B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-10-01 JP JP10520481A patent/JP2001503096A/en active Pending
- 1997-10-01 BR BR9712604-7A patent/BR9712604A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-10-30 TW TW086116191A patent/TW517072B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-10-30 AR ARP970105050A patent/AR013620A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-10-30 ZA ZA979769A patent/ZA979769B/en unknown
-
1998
- 1998-12-01 US US09/204,008 patent/US6140420A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
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|---|---|
| US5861463A (en) | 1999-01-19 |
| ZA979769B (en) | 1999-04-30 |
| DE69718926T2 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
| BR9712604A (en) | 1999-10-26 |
| TW517072B (en) | 2003-01-11 |
| JP2001503096A (en) | 2001-03-06 |
| US6140420A (en) | 2000-10-31 |
| ATE232226T1 (en) | 2003-02-15 |
| KR20000052833A (en) | 2000-08-25 |
| AU4666797A (en) | 1998-05-22 |
| CA2268834A1 (en) | 1998-05-07 |
| DE69718926D1 (en) | 2003-03-13 |
| AR013620A1 (en) | 2001-01-10 |
| EP0935639A1 (en) | 1999-08-18 |
| ES2187829T3 (en) | 2003-06-16 |
| WO1998018865A1 (en) | 1998-05-07 |
| EP0935639B1 (en) | 2003-02-05 |
| KR100507456B1 (en) | 2005-08-10 |
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