Abstract: Irradiation of low-density polyethylene resins with an electron beam produces modified polyethylene resins that have significantly improved melt strength and retain useful melt-index and have few cross-linked gels, if the starting LDPE resin and the level of irradiation are properly selected.

Abstract: Provided are multilayer structures as well as articles formed therefrom. A multilayer structure according to embodiments disclosed herein comprises a substrate layer and a coating layer, wherein the substrate layer is coated with the coating layer. The coating layer comprises a blend of a high-pressure low density polyethylene and a masterbatch composition. When the coating layer is coated onto the substrate layer, the coating layer can have an improved neck-in reduction and maintenance or improvement in drawdown during processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer blends that can be used in a multilayer structure and to multilayer structures including one or more layers formed from such blends. In one aspect, a polymer blend includes a copolymer including ethylene and at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid having an acid content greater than 4 and up to 25 weight percent based on the weight of the copolymer and having a melt index (I.sub.2) of 1 to 60 g/10 minutes, wherein the total amount of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer includes 45 to 99 weight percent of the blend based on the total weight of the blend, and a polyolefin having a density of 0.870 g/cm.sup.3 or more and having a melt index (I.sub.2) of 20 g/10 minutes or less, wherein the polyolefin includes 1 to 55 weight percent of the blend based on the total weight of the blend.

Abstract: The polymer blend includes at least 90% by weight low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer and from 1% to 10% by weight acid copolymer based on the total weight of the polymer blend. In the polymer blend, the LDPE polymer has a melt index (I? 2#191) from 2 g/10 min to 8 g/10 min as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238, and a molecular weight distribution from 5 to 10.5. In the polymer blend, the acid copolymer is a polymerized reaction product of: at least 60% by weight ethylene, based on the total weight of the monomers present in the ethylene acid copolymer; from 1% to 20% by weight monocarboxylic acid monomer, based on the total weight of the monomers present in the ethylene acid copolymer; and from 0 to 20% by weight alkyl acrylate monomer, based on the total weight of the monomers present in the ethylene acid copolymer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tie resin formulation for use as a tie layer in a multilayer structure. The resin includes a first polyolefin grafted with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, an ethylenically unsaturated acid derivative or a combination thereof, and having a density of 0.857 to 0.885 g/cm3, and 0.001 to 0.20 weight percent (wt. %) of a catalyst comprising at least one Lewis acid, where the resin includes the catalyst and up to 99.999 wt. % of the first polyolefin, where the wt. % is based on a total weight of the resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer blends that can be used in a multilayer structure and to multilayer structures comprising one or more layers formed from such blends. In one aspect, a polymer blend comprises a copolymer comprising ethylene and at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid having an acid content greater than 4 and up to 25 weight percent based on the weight of the copolymer and having a melt index (I2) of 1 to 60 g/10 minutes, wherein the total amount of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer comprises 45 to 99 weight percent of the blend based on the total weight of the blend, and a polyolefin having a density of 0.870 g/cm3 or more and having a melt index (I2) of 20 g/10 minutes or less, wherein the polyolefin comprises 1 to 55 weight percent of the blend based on the total weight of the blend.

Abstract: Silane-grafted polyolefin composition comprising a brominated, flame retardant additive is prepared by a process comprising the step of contacting within a reaction-extrusion zone operated at grafting conditions: A. A polyolefin, B. A hydrolysable unsaturated silane, C. A free radical generator, and D. Halogenated polyaryl alkane, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane, such that at least a portion of the hydrolysable unsaturated silane is grafted to the polyolefin. The silane-grafted polyolefin is crosslinked after extrusion from the zone, typically as a wire and cable coating, upon exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Silane-grafted polyolefin composition comprising a brominated, flame retardant additive is prepared by a process comprising the step of contacting within a reaction—extrusion zone operated at grafting conditions: A. A polyolefin, B. A hydrolysable unsaturated silane, C. A free radical generator, and D. Halogenated polyaryl alkane, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane, such that at least a portion of the hydrolysable unsaturated silane is grafted to the polyolefin. The silane-grafted polyolefin is crosslinked after extrusion from the zone, typically as a wire and cable coating, upon exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Silane-grafted polyolefin composition comprising a brominated, flame retardant additive is prepared by a process comprising the step of contacting within a reaction-extrusion zone operated at grafting conditions: A. A polyolefin, B. A hydrolysable unsaturated silane, C. A free radical generator, and D. Halogenated polyaryl alkane, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane, such that at least a portion of the hydrolysable unsaturated silane is grafted to the polyolefin. The silane-grafted polyolefin is crosslinked after extrusion from the zone, typically as a wire and cable coating, upon exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one copolymer with hydrolysable groups, a water-generating metal salt hydrate, and a catalyst that comprises a metal atom and at least two ligands taken from the set alkyloxy and carboxylate are used to form articles that moisture-cure through in-situ generation of water via dehydration of the metal hydrate. The compositions are melt mixed to promote the dehydration and start the cure process during the mixing step. The curing compositions are formed and allowed to harden.

Abstract: Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one copolymer with hydrolysable groups, a water-generating metal salt hydrate, and a catalyst that comprises a metal atom and at least two ligands taken from the set alkyloxy and carboxylate are used to form articles that moisture-cure through in-situ generation of water via dehydration of the metal hydrate. The compositions are melt mixed to promote the dehydration and start the cure process during the mixing step. The curing compositions are formed and allowed to harden.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one copolymer with hydrolyzable groups, a water-generating metal salt hydrate, and a catalyst that comprises a metal atom and at least two ligands taken from the set alkyloxy and carboxylate are used to form articles that moisture-cure through in-situ generation of water via dehydration of the metal hydrate. The compositions are melt mixed to promote the dehydration and start the cure process during the mixing step. The curing compositions are formed and allowed to harden.

Abstract: Silane-grafted polyolefin composition comprising a brominated, flame retardant additive is prepared by a process comprising the step of contacting within a reaction—extrusion zone operated at grafting conditions: A. A polyolefin, B. A hydrolysable unsaturated silane, C. A free radical generator, and D. Halogenated polyaryl alkane, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane, such that at least a portion of the hydrolysable unsaturated silane is grafted to the polyolefin. The silane-grafted polyolefin is crosslinked after extrusion from the zone, typically as a wire and cable coating, upon exposure to moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is a moisture crosslinkable composition. It may be (i) a blend of a nonpolar polyolefin and a second highly polar or amorphous polyolefin or (ii) a copolymer of a nonpolar polyolefin and the second polar or amorphous polyolefin. The present invention is useful for the preparation of moisture-cured wires, cables, film, pipe, hot melt adhesives, and other extruded or injection molded articles. The present invention is also useful in the preparation of media for fast transport of selective species, including film membranes.

Abstract: The insulation shield layer of a power cable having a blend of ethylene copolymer, e.g., vinyl acetate, and a Styrenic polymer, e.g., polystyrene. The insulation shield layer is adjacent to a polyolefin insulation layer of the power cable.

Abstract: The present invention is a moisture crosslinkable composition. It may be (i) a blend of a nonpolar polyolefin and a second highly polar or amorphous polyolefin or (ii) a copolymer of a nonpolar polyolefin and the second polar or amorphous polyolefin. The present invention is useful for the preparation of moisture-cured wires, cables, film, pipe, hot melt adhesives, and other extruded or injection molded articles. The present invention is also useful in the preparation of media for fast transport of selective species, including film membranes.

Abstract: The insulation shield layer of a power cable comprises a blend of ethylene copolymer, e.g., vinyl acetate, and a styrenic polymer, e.g., polystyrene. The insulation shield layer is adjacent to a polyolefin insulation layer of the power cable. The insulation shield layer exhibits cross-linkability, strippability from the insulation layer, and good thermal stability.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one copolymer with hydrolysable groups, a water-generating metal salt hydrate, and a catalyst that comprises a metal atom and at least two ligands taken from the set alkyjoxy and carboxylate are used to form articles that moisture-cure through in-situ generation of water via dehydration of the metal hydrate. The compositions are melt mixed to promote the dehydration and start the cure process during the mixing step. The curing compositions are formed and allowed to harden.