Elastomeric compositions

• US 20070021560A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Li, Feng, Mathew, Thottinal, Tse, Mun
• Granted Patent: US 8,513,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 525/88
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2205/03 containing three or more polymers in a blend
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/00 Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/02 not modified by chemical after-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/04 Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/0815 Copolymers of ethene with aliphatic 1-olefins
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/10 Homopolymers or copolymers of propene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/12 Polypropene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/18 Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2314/06 Metallocene or single site catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/06 Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/24 Graft or block copolymers according to groups C08L51/00, C08L53/00 or C08L55/02; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/025 modified
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 91/00 Compositions of oils, fats or waxes; Compositions of derivatives thereof

Abstract

This invention relates a composition comprising: (i) at least one low molecular weight polyolefin; (ii) a block copolymer obtainable by selectively hydrogenating a block copolymer having terminal polymeric blocks of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a mid-block prepared originally with an olefin and subsequently hydrogenated; and (iii) polypropylene; (iv) with the proviso that when (i) is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole, either: (a) (iii) is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 2 g/10 min, (b) (iii) is a copolymer; or (c) (iii) is a polymer or copolymer made by a metallocene catalyst; or (d) the composition does not contain calcium carbonate.

Claims

1. A composition comprising:

(i) at least one low molecular weight polyolefin;

(ii) a block copolymer obtainable by selectively hydrogenating a block copolymer having terminal polymeric blocks of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a mid-block prepared originally with an olefin and subsequently hydrogenated; and

(iii) polypropylene;

(iv) with the proviso that when (i) is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole, either;

(a) (iii) is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 2 g/10 min,

(b) (iii) is a copolymer;

or

(c) (iii) is a polymer or copolymer made by a metallocene catalyst;

or

(d) the composition does not contain calcium carbonate.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein (ii) is further characterized by at least one of (a) end-blocks having Mn greater than about 10,000;

and (b) mid-blocks having Mn greater than about 75,000.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein (ii) is further characterized by a vinyl aromatic monomer content of greater than 15 wt %, based on the weight of the block copolymer.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein (ii) comprises at least one SEBS, said SEBS characterized by at least one of the following:

(a) end-blocks having Mn greater than about 10,000 and mid-blocks having Mn greater than about 75,000; and

(b) a styrenic content of greater than 15 wt %, based on the weight of the block copolymer.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is selected from oligomers of C3-C14 alpha olefins.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin has a number average molecular weight of from greater than about 100 g/mol and less than about 2,000 g/mol.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a liquid at 25°

C.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein (ii) is selected from selectively hydrogenated SIS, SBS, star-branched SIS, and star-branched SBS.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the polypropylene is selected from atactic polypropylene, isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein said polypropylene is selected from polypropylene produced using a Zeigler Natta catalyst, a polypropylene produced using a metallocene catalyst, or mixtures thereof.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein said at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a non-functional plasticizer (NFP) characterized as a liquid with no distinct melting point above 0°

C. and a kinematic viscosity at 25°

C. of 30,000 cSt or less, and further characterized by at least one parameter selected from the following;

(a) kinematic viscosity at 100°

C. (KV₁₀₀)<

400 cSt;

(b) Flash Point >

200°

C.;

(c) Pour Point <

−

25°

C.;

(d) Specific Gravity of 0.85 or less;

a distillation range having a difference between the upper temperature and the lower temperature of 40°

C. or less; and

(e) a final boiling point of from 115°

C. to 500°

C.

12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is characterized by at least two of said parameters.

13. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is characterized by at least three of said parameters.

14. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is characterized by at least four of said parameters.

15. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is characterized by all of said parameters.

16. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is produced using a metallocene catalyst.

17. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is produced using a reduced metal oxide catalyst.

18. The composition according to claim 11, wherein said NFP is produced using a zeolite catalyst.

19. The composition of claim 1, wherein said at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is selected from Group III hydrocarbon oil basestocks, GTL-derived basestocks, polyisobutenes, wax isomerate lubricant oil basestocks, ethylene/butene copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

20. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition does not contain calcium carbonate.

21. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition does not contain vulcanizing agents, phthalate plasticizers, and UV and gamma radiation stabilizers.

22. The composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more parameters selected from the following:

(a) decrease in 100% Modulus of less than 15%

(b) decrease in Tensile Strength of less than 55%

(c) decrease in Elongation at Break of less than 25%; and

(d) decrease in Toughness of less than 60%,

wherein the parameters are measured after aging at 125°

C. in air for 5 days, and the decrease is measured relative to the original sample prior to aging;

23. The composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more parameters selected from the following:

(a) decrease in 100% Modulus of less than 10%;

(b) decrease in Tensile Strength of less than 45%;

(c) decrease in Elongation at Break of less than 15%; and

(d) decrease in Toughness of less than 45%,

wherein the parameters are measured after aging at 125°

C. in air for 5 days, and the decrease is measured relative to the original sample prior to aging;

24. The composition of claim 22, characterized by at least two of said parameters.

25. The composition of claim 22, characterized by at least three of said parameters.

26. The composition of claim 22, characterized by all four of said parameters.

27. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin has a number average molecular weight of greater than about 1,000 g/mol.

28. An article comprising the composition of claim 1.

29. A thermoformed article comprising the composition according to claim 1.

30. An article comprising an insulation material and a material insulated by said insulation material, wherein said insulation material comprises the composition according to claim 1.

31. The article according to claim 28, wherein said material insulated by said insulation material is selected from the group consisting of wire, cable, fiber, and combinations thereof.

32. A thermoforming process comprising thermoforming an article from a composition comprising an elastomeric material, the improvement comprising providing a composition according to claim 1.

33. The thermoforming process according to claim 32, said thermoforming process selected from injection molding and extrusion.

34. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole and the polypropylene is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 2 g/10 min.

35. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole and the polypropylene is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 5 g/10 min.

36. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole and the polypropylene is a homopolyrner characterized by an MFR greater than 20 g/10 min.

37. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole and the polypropylene is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 20 g/10 min.

38. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one low molecular weight polyolefin is a PAO having a molecular weight of between about 400 and 1000 g/mole and the polypropylene is a homopolymer characterized by an MFR greater than 30 g/10 min.