Solid state process to modify the melt characteristics of polyethylene resins and products
First Claim
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1. A process for modifying the melt characteristics of polyethylene resins comprising contacting an ethylene copolymer resin powder with an effective amount of organic free radical initiator at a temperature above the initiation temperature of the organic free radical initiator and below the melting point of the ethylene copolymer resin to increase the melt elasticity of the modified resin at least 10 percent.
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Abstract
A process for improving the melt characteristics of polyethylene resins is provided. The process involves contacting a polyethylene resin powder with a low level of free radical initiator at a temperature below the melting point of the resin.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A process for modifying the melt characteristics of polyethylene resins comprising contacting an ethylene copolymer resin powder with an effective amount of organic free radical initiator at a temperature above the initiation temperature of the organic free radical initiator and below the melting point of the ethylene copolymer resin to increase the melt elasticity of the modified resin at least 10 percent.
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10. A process for modifying the melt characteristics of a linear low density polyethylene resin comprising contacting a linear low density powder of a copolymer of ethylene and an α
- -olefin selected from the group consisting of butene-1, hexene-1 and octene-1 having a density from 0.915 to 0.935 g/cm3 with 0.5 to 450 ppm free radical initiator selected from the group consisting of organic peroxides, organic hydroperoxides and azo compounds at a temperature above the initiation temperature of the free radical initiator and below the melting point of the linear low density copolymer resin to effect an increase in melt elasticity of at least 10 percent.
- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for modifying the melt characteristics of a polyethylene resin comprising contacting an ethylene copolymer resin powder under substantially non-oxidizing conditions with an effective amount of an organic free radical initiator at a temperature above the initiation temperature of the organic free radical initiator and below the melting point of the copolymer to increase the melt elasticity of the copolymer by at least 10 percent without substantially increasing the acid number, said copolymer being a copolymer of ethylene and an α
- -olefin selected from the group consisting of butene-1, hexane-1 and octene-1 and having a density from 0.89 to 0.965 g/cm3 and said powder having an average particle size from 5 to 200 microns.
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