Abstract: Moisture-crosslinkable polymer compositions and moisture-crosslinked articles prepared therefrom are prepared from a composition predominantly comprising an ethylene-based polyolefin and a propylene-based polyolefin, in which both the ethylene-based and propylene-based polyolefins are present in amounts of less than 50% by weight. The composition also includes hydrolysable silane groups, which may be grafted onto the ethylene-based polyolefin, or a blend of the ethylene-based and propylene-based polyolefins, in the presence of a free radical initiator. The moisture-crosslinked articles further comprise a silanol condensation catalyst to permit the silane groups to form crosslinks in the presence of moisture. After crosslinking, the article may be heated, stretched and then cooled to render it heat shrinkable.

Abstract: A photo-crosslinkable polyolefin composition comprises a polyolefin, a source of functionality receptive to crosslinking by UV radiation, a cationic photoinitiator and optionally includes a free-radical photoinitiator, a crosslinking accelerator or sensitizer, and other additives such as compatibilizers, inorganic fillers, nanofillers, glass, polymeric and ceramic microspheres, glass fibres, flame retardants, antioxidants, stabilizers, processing aids, foaming agents and pigments. A method for manufacturing a UV-crosslinked polyolefin article comprises forming an article by extruding, moulding or otherwise forming the UV-crosslinkable polyolefin composition and subjecting the article to UV radiation on-line with the extrusion, moulding or other forming operation.

Abstract: A photo-crosslinkable polyolefin composition comprises a polyolefin, a source of functionality receptive to crosslinking by UV radiation, a cationic photoinitiator and optionally includes a free-radical photoinitiator, a crosslinking accelerator or sensitizer, and other additives such as compatibilizers, inorganic fillers, nanofillers, glass, polymeric and ceramic microspheres, glass fibres, flame retardants, antioxidants, stabilizers, processing aids, foaming agents and pigments. A method for manufacturing a UV-crosslinked polyolefin article comprises forming an article by extruding, moulding or otherwise forming the UV-crosslinkable polyolefin composition and subjecting the article to UV radiation on-line with the extrusion, moulding or other forming operation.

Abstract: A wrappable, styrenic thermal insulation product for application to flexible, armoured pipe is in the form of an elongate tape of generally rectangular cross-section, optionally being provided with interlocking and/or overlapping portions so as to provide a continuous insulating layer when one or more layers of the tape are wound around the pipe. The interlocking and/or overlapping portions may be of various configurations. The tape is comprised of polystyrene or a styrene-based thermoplastic having high compressive creep resistance, high compressive strength and low thermal conductivity and may be foamed or unfoamed. A flexible, armoured pipe incorporates one or more layers of the wrappable, styrenic thermal insulation product between an outer armour layer and an outer polymeric sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulated pipe comprising a pipe and a composite insulation system, said composite insulation system comprising: (a) a first insulation layer comprising a first insulation material having a thermal conductivity k-factor value of less than 0.023 W/m-K at 38° C.; and (b) at least one additional insulation layer comprising an insulation material having a thermal conductivity k-factor greater than that of the first insulation material and a maximum operating temperature limit less than that of the first insulation layer. The composite insulation system is bonded to an exterior surface of the pipe with the first insulation layer facing towards said exterior surface of the pipe. At least one of said first insulation layer or said at least one additional layer extends continuously about the exterior surface of the pipe. The present invention further provides an insulated pipe for use in an undersea pipeline and an insulated pipe for use in a subterranean pipeline.

Abstract: A polymeric composition for insulating fluid and/or gas transport conduits, such as off-shore oil and gas pipelines operating at temperatures of 130° C. or higher in water depths above 1,000 metres. The outer surface of the conduit is provided with at least one layer of solid or foam insulation comprising a high temperature resistant thermoplastic having low thermal conductivity, high thermal softening point, high compressive strength and high compressive creep resistance.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: Method of coating pipe having a raised weld bead. Curable resin polymer is applied to the pipe and allowed to bond to form a cured or partially cured polymer layer on the pipe. Powder form adhesive composition is applied on the polymer layer while hot, with fusion into a film bonding to the polymer. Powder form polyolefin is applied to the adhesive while hot with fusion into a film bonding to the adhesive to form a powder-based coating. Following forming of the powder-based coating, the pipe is cooled from the inside. An outer polyolefin covering is bonded to the powder-based coating and the pipe cooled to ambient temperature. This procedure can avoid voids, cavities or pinholes forming in the coating adjacent the weld bead.

Abstract: Coatings for protecting and insulating fluid and/or gas transport conduits, such as off-shore oil and gas pipelines operating at temperatures of up to 100° C. in water depths above 1,000 metres. The outer surface of the conduit is provided with at least one layer of thermal insulation comprising polystyrene or styrene-based thermoplastic, having low thermal conductivity, high thermal softening point, high compressive strength and high compressive creep resistance.

Abstract: An splice enclosure for supporting a splice between the ends of a pair of fiber optic drop cables includes at least one longitudinally-extending flexible support member extending across the splice, a cover member which covers the splice and which overlaps the jackets of the two cables, and at least one collar. Each collar has a central aperture through which the buffer tube of a cable can be passed, at least one aperture for receiving a strength member of one of the cables, and at least one aperture for receiving an end of a support member. The support members preferably have similar or identical dimensions, composition and flexibility as the strength members of the cables so as to substantially preserve the flexibility of the cable across the splice. Also disclosed are kits for forming enclosures for optical fiber splices and methods for enclosing optical fiber splices.

Abstract: An splice enclosure for supporting a splice between the ends of a pair of fiber optic drop cables includes at least one longitudinally-extending flexible support member extending across the splice, a cover member which covers the splice and which overlaps the jackets of the two cables, and at least one collar. Each collar has a central aperture through which the buffer tube of a cable can be passed, at least one aperture for receiving a strength member of one of the cables, and at least one aperture for receiving an end of a support member. The support members preferably have similar or identical dimensions, composition and flexibility as the strength members of the cables so as to substantially preserve the flexibility of the cable across the splice. Also disclosed are kits for forming enclosures for optical fiber splices and methods for enclosing optical fiber splices.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: The present provides a bondably coated metallic member comprising a metallic member having a low surface energy polymeric coating, said low surface energy polymeric coating having been surface activated on at least a portion thereof, and having on said surface-activated portion a bondable high surface energy polymeric coating. The present invention also provides a bondably-coated metallic pipe comprising metallic pipe having a low surface energy mainline polymeric coating thereon extending over the pipe except at a bare zone adjacent each end of the pipe that is free from said main-line coating; a portion of said mainline coating adjacent each bare zone having been surface activated and having on said surface activated portion a bondable high surface energy polymeric coating.

Abstract: A photo-crosslinkable polyolefin composition comprises a polyolefin, a source of functionality receptive to crosslinking by UV radiation, a cationic photoinitiator and optionally includes a free-radical photoinitiator, a crosslinking accelerator or sensitizer, and other additives such as compatibilizers, inorganic fillers, nanofillers, glass, polymeric and ceramic microspheres, glass fibres, flame retardants, antioxidants, stabilizers, processing aids, foaming agents and pigments. A method for manufacturing a UV-crosslinked polyolefin article comprises forming an article by extruding, moulding or otherwise forming the UV-crosslinkable polyolefin composition and subjecting the article to UV radiation on-line with the extrusion, moulding or other forming operation.

Abstract: A method of applying or repairing a coating on a substrate by inductive heating. A susceptor element is applied on the coating and the element and the substrate are inductively energized to cause the substrate and the coating to be heated. The susceptor element is removed from the heated coating before applying the coating or applying a patch to the coating.

Abstract: A method for heating a zone of an elongate tubular article. A heat resistant, heat transmitting and heat dispersive shroud material is applied to the zone and a hot gas source is applied to the outside of the shroud material to cause heat to be transmitted through the shroud material to the zone.

Abstract: A crosslinked, predominantly polypropylene-based article comprises a silane-modified ethylene-based polyolefin, at least 50 percent by weight of a non silane-modified polypropylene, and a silane condensation catalyst. The article is moisture crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties such that, when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the non silane-modified polypropylene, it is softened but does not become liquid. The article preferably comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve for a high-temperature transmission pipeline.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a crosslinked composition of a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer and an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The article is formed by a process comprising: i) creating a blend of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer and the ethylene-propylene elastomer by melt mixing; ii) melt processing the blend produced in i) to produce a melt processed material; iii) crosslinking the melt processed material produced in ii) by exposing it to radiation to produce a crosslinked material; iv) stretching the crosslinked material at a first temperature close to or above its softening or melting point and subsequently cooling it to a second temperature below its softening or melting point, to thereby freeze the crosslinked material in its stretched form. Subsequent heating of the article close to or above its softening point or crystalline melting point results in recovery of the pre-stretched dimensions of the article.

Abstract: A tracking resistant electrical insulating material or article suitable for medium to high voltage applications comprising a silane-modified polyolefin, and a heat-shrinkable article prepared therefrom. Said material or article is preferably prepared by a process comprising: (a) reacting polyolefin with a silane in the presence of a free-radical initiator to form a silane-grafted polyolefin, or copolymerising a polyolefin with silane; (b) preparing a mixture of one or more silane-modified polyolefins prepared in (a) with optionally one or more non silane-modified polyolefins, antitrack ingredients, and a silanol condensation catalyst; (c) forming the insulating material or article by melt extruding or moulding said mixture; and (d) crosslinking the insulating material or article by exposing it to moisture, preferably at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A moisture-crosslinkable polyolefin material, comprising a silane-grafted polyolefin blend, and coatings or insulations, including heat-shrinkable coatings and insulations, prepared therefrom. The coating material is formed by a process comprising: (a) reacting a pre-blended mixture of polyolefin and polypropylene, or higher polyolefin, resins and optional compatibilizing agent, with an appropriate silane and silane-grafting initiator to produce a silane-modified polyolefin blend composition; (b) forming the coating or insulating material by melt processing the composition produced in step (a) with a silanol condensation catalyst; and (c) crosslinking the formed coating or insulating material by exposing it to moisture, preferably at an elevated temperature.