Impact-resistant modified polypropylene composition, product and preparation method thereof

Abstract

A polymer composition comprises a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprising ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally, vinyl acetate. A method of making a polymer composition includes mixing a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer at a temperature of 20 DEG C to 300 DEG C to form the polymer composition. An article comprising the polymer composition.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Polypropylene (PP) compositions have gained widespread commercial acceptance and use in many applications due to their relatively low polymer cost and the desirable properties they exhibit. Applications for PP include packaging, household goods, automotive interior and exterior parts, and construction. However, PP has properties such as good processability, high melting temperature, and high chemical resistance. PP is generally brittle, especially below or near its glass transition temperature (T g ) has low mechanical properties and low impact resistance. To address these issues, manufacturers have added various additives and modifiers, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), to improve the properties of PP (especially impact resistance). Summary of the invention

[0002] This Summary is provided to introduce a series of concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description below. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a polymer composition comprising a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprising ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

[0004] On the other hand, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for preparing a polymer composition, the method comprising mixing a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer at a temperature of 20° C. to 300° C. to form a polymer composition, wherein the vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprises ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

[0005] In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an article comprising the polymer composition.

[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary extruder for producing a polymer composition according to one or more embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 is a graph of tan δ versus temperature for the polymer compositions of Examples 1-2 and Reference Example 1 according to one or more embodiments obtained by dynamic thermomechanical analysis.

[0009] Figure 3 is a graph of tan δ versus temperature for the polymer compositions of Examples 3-4 and Reference Example 2 according to one or more embodiments obtained by dynamic thermomechanical analysis.

[0010] Figure 4 is a graph of tan δ versus temperature for the polymer compositions of Examples 5-6 and Reference Example 2 according to one or more embodiments obtained by dynamic thermomechanical analysis.

[0011] Figure 5A This is a SEM image of Reference Example 2.

[0012] Figure 5B is a SEM image of the polymer composition of Example 3 according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 5C is a SEM image of a polymer composition of Example 4 according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments relate to a polymer composition comprising a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprising ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include a polypropylene-based polymer having a weight percentage range of from a lower limit selected from any one of 60 wt%, 65 wt%, and 70 wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 80 wt%, 85 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, and 99 wt%, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include a vinyl ester copolymer having a weight percentage range of from a lower limit selected from any one of 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt%, 4wt% and 5wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 25wt%, 30wt%, 35wt% and 40wt%, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0017] Polypropylene based polymers

[0018] The polymer composition of the present disclosure may include a polypropylene-based polymer, which may be a polypropylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer. In one or more embodiments, the propylene copolymer may include propylene and 40wt% or less comonomers, which are selected from any one of one or more of ethylene and C4 to C10 olefins, including linear monomers (e.g., alpha-olefins) and comonomers with various degrees of branching. In one or more embodiments, the propylene copolymer may include propylene and 40wt% or less, 30wt% or less, 20wt% or less, or 10wt% or less comonomers.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include a polypropylene-based polymer, which is a "heterogeneous polypropylene". Heterogeneous polypropylene is defined as a polypropylene comprising a continuous matrix (continuous phase or matrix polymer) and an elastic rubber phase (also referred to as an inner rubber phase or discontinuous phase), and is generated by incorporating the elastic rubber phase into the matrix polymer, which results in the polymer composition having improved bulk properties, including significant changes in impact resistance and modulus. In one or more embodiments, the matrix polymer of the heterogeneous polypropylene can be a polypropylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer. In one or more embodiments, the matrix polymer can be unimodal or bimodal. Materials (e.g., polymers) having a single molecular weight distribution and two different molecular weight distributions are referred to as unimodal and bimodal.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the multiphase polypropylene may include an elastic rubber phase prepared from a propylene copolymer comprising propylene and at least one comonomer selected from ethylene and one or more of C4 to C10 olefins, including linear monomers (e.g., α-olefins) and comonomers with various degrees of branching. The rubber according to the present disclosure may have different compositions and molecular weights (MW). In one or more embodiments, the rubber may have a molecular weight distribution (MWD, MWD) of equal to or greater than 10 for two fractions measured by GPC-3D (3 detectors), light scattering, viscosity, and infrared detectors. w / M n In a specific embodiment, the MWD of the rubber may be in a range from a lower limit selected from any one of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 to an upper limit selected from any one of 20, 23, and 26, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the comonomer of the elastomeric rubber phase is ethylene.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the continuous matrix is ​​present in the heterophasic polypropylene in a weight percent (wt%) of the total heterophasic polypropylene ranging from a lower limit selected from one of 60 wt%, 65 wt%, and 70 wt% to an upper limit selected from one of 72 wt%, 75 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, and 99 wt%, wherein any lower limit can be used with any upper limit.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the elastomeric rubber phase is present in the heterophasic polypropylene in a weight percent (wt%) range of from a lower limit selected from any one of 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%, 25 wt%, and 28 wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 30 wt%, 35 wt%, and 40 wt% of the total heterophasic polypropylene, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the elastic rubber phase may include a comonomer, and the weight percentage (wt%) of the comonomer in the total elastic rubber phase ranges from a lower limit selected from any one of 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 25wt%, 30wt% and 35wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit. In one or more embodiments, the elastic rubber phase may include a wt% comonomer equal to or less than 35wt%. In one or more embodiments, the elastic rubber phase may include a wt% comonomer equal to or less than 5wt%. In one or more embodiments, the elastic rubber phase may include a wt% ethylene comonomer equal to or less than 35wt%.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, heterophasic polypropylene can be prepared in a multi-stage polymerization process. In one or more embodiments, the matrix polymer can be prepared in the first and second reactors, and the discontinuous rubber phase can be prepared using two or more gas phase reactors. Heterophasic polypropylene can be prepared using any suitable catalyst (such as Ziegler-Natta catalyst, metallocene catalyst or other single-site catalyst). In one or more embodiments, the melt flow index (MFR) of the matrix polymer can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of hydrogen that is present in the first reactor and can be used to interact with the Ziegler-Natta catalyst according to known polymerization methods. After polymerization, any suitable peroxide reagent can be used to reduce viscosity and break the heterophasic polypropylene to obtain the target MFR.

[0026] After the heterophasic polypropylene is synthesized, the heterophasic polypropylene can be visbroken to increase its melt flow index by adding a visbreaking agent (e.g., peroxide reagent) to the copolymer during extrusion. In one or more embodiments, the visbreaking can be carried out in a pelletizing extruder, and in one or more embodiments, granulation can be performed before the visbreaking. For example, a solution of peroxide in mineral oil or alcohol can be mixed with the heterophasic polypropylene, or can be added to the heterophasic polypropylene at the throat of the extruder.

[0027] The extrusion temperature will depend at least in part on the visbreaking agent used. In one or more embodiments, the visbreaking temperature should be high enough to ensure that the visbreaking agent reacts during the visbreaking process. In one or more embodiments, the extruder temperature during visbreaking can be equal to or greater than 120°C.

[0028] Vinyl ester copolymer

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include a vinyl ester-containing copolymer including ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

[0030] Embodiments The polymer composition may include a vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprising ethylene and one or more branched vinyl esters in various proportions. In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may be prepared by reacting ethylene and one or more branched vinyl esters in the presence of additional comonomers and one or more free radical initiators to form a copolymer. In other embodiments, the polymer composition may include a vinyl ester-containing copolymer, which is a terpolymer. The terpolymer may be prepared by reacting ethylene with a first comonomer to form a polymer resin or prepolymer, and then reacting with a second comonomer to prepare a final polymer composition, wherein the first comonomer and the second comonomer may be added to the same reactor or different reactors. In one or more embodiments, the first comonomer may be one or more branched vinyl esters, and the second comonomer may be vinyl acetate.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include ethylene, which is present in an amount greater than the total weight of the vinyl ester-containing polymer and can be identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). 1 H NMR) and C13 NMR ( 13 C NMR) is in the range of a lower limit selected from one of 10 wt%, 20 wt% or 30 wt% to an upper limit selected from one of 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, 99.9 wt% or 99.99 wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include a branched vinyl ester monomer generated from an isomeric mixture of branched alkyl acids. The branched vinyl ester according to the present disclosure may have a general structure (I):

[0033]

[0034] Where R 1 , R 2 and R 3 Having a total carbon number in the range of C3 to C20. In one or more embodiments, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 In one or more embodiments, all of the alkyl chains may have different degrees of branching, or R 1 , R 2 and R 3 A subset of can, in one or more embodiments, be independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include a branched vinyl ester monomer having the general structure (II):

[0036]

[0037] Where R 4 and R 5 The total carbon number of the polymer composition is 6 or 7, and the polymer composition has a number average molecular weight (M) of 5 kDa to 10000 kDa obtained by GPC. n ). In one or more embodiments, R 4 and R 5 The total carbon number may be less than 6 or greater than 7, and the polymer composition may have an M of up to 10000 kDa. n That is, when M n When the R 4 and R 5 may have a total carbon number less than 6 or greater than 7, but if M n greater than 5 kDa, for example, in the range of 5 kDa to 10000 kDa, then R 4 and R 5 The total carbon number may include 6 or 7. In a specific embodiment, R 4 and R 5 With a total carbon number of 7, M n It may be in the range of 5 kDa to 10000 kDa. In addition, in one or more specific embodiments, the vinyl ester according to formula (II) may be used in combination with vinyl acetate.

[0038] Examples of branched vinyl ester monomers may include monomers having the following chemical structures, including derivatives thereof:

[0039]

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the branched vinyl ester monomer may include a mixture of monomers and comonomers containing vinyl esters of neononanoic acid, neodecanoic acid, and the like. In one or more embodiments, the branched vinyl ester may include Versatic TM Acid series tertiary carboxylic acids, including Versatic prepared by the Koch synthesis TM Acid EH, Versatic TM Acid 9 and Versatic TM Acid 10, available from Hexion TM VeoVa 9 commercially available from chemical companies TM 、VeoVa 10 TM 、VeoVa EH TM In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include branched vinyl ester monomers generated from monomers derived from petroleum and / or renewable sources.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include branched vinyl ester monomers (such as those of formula (I) and (II) above) based on the total weight of the vinyl ester-containing copolymer and represented by 1 H NMR and 13 The weight percentage range measured by C NMR is selected from a lower limit of any one of 0.01wt%, 0.1wt%, 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt% and 30wt% to an upper limit of any one of 50wt%, 60wt%, 70wt%, 80wt%, 89.99wt% and 90wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may optionally include vinyl acetate, which is based on the total weight of the vinyl ester-containing copolymer and is represented by 1 H NMR and 13 The weight percentage range measured by C NMR is from a lower limit selected from any one of 0 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 30 wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 50 wt%, 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt% and 89.99 wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may have a number average molecular weight (M) in kilodaltons (kDa) as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). n ), which ranges from a lower limit selected from any one of 1 kDa, 5 kDa, 10 kDa, 15 kDa and 20 kDa to an upper limit selected from any one of 40 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa, 300 kDa, 500 kDa, 1000 kDa, 5000 kDa and 10000 kDa, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may have a molecular weight distribution (MWD, defined as M w With M n ) having a lower limit of any one of 1, 2, 5 or 10 and an upper limit of any one of 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight (M) in kilodaltons (kDa) as measured by GPC. w ), which ranges from a lower limit selected from any one of 1 kDa, 5 kDa, 10 kDa, 15 kDa and 20 kDa to an upper limit selected from any one of 40 kDa, 50 kDa, 100 kDa, 200 kDa, 300 kDa, 500 kDa, 1000 kDa, 2000 kDa, 5000 kDa, 10000 kDa and 20000 kDa, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include one or more initiators for free radical polymerization, which are capable of generating free radicals that initiate chain polymerization of comonomers and prepolymers in the reactant mixture. In one or more embodiments, the free radical initiator may include a chemical substance that degrades spontaneously or under the stimulation of temperature, pH or other triggering factors to release free radicals.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the free radical initiator may include peroxides and bifunctional peroxides, such as: benzoyl peroxide; diisopropylbenzene peroxide; di-tert-butyl peroxide; tert-butyl isopropylbenzene peroxide; tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate; tert-butyl peroxypivalate; tert-butyl peroxyneodecanoate; tert-butyl peroxybenzoate; tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate; tert-butyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate peroxide; tert-butyl peroxybenzoate; tert-butyl peroxycarbonate-2-ethylhexyl ester; tert-butyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate peroxide; tert-butyl peroxybenzoate; tert-butyl 2-ethylhexyl carbonate ... peroxide; tert-butyl 2-ethylhexyl peroxide; tert-butyl 2-ethylhexyl peroxide; ter peroxide); 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxide)hexane; 1,1-di(tert-butylperoxide)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane; 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxide)hexyne-3; 3,3,5,7,7-pentamethyl-1,2,4-trioxepane; 4,4-di(tert-butylperoxide)butyl valerate; di(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)peroxide; di(4-methylbenzoyl)peroxide; di(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene peroxide, etc.

[0048] The free radical initiator can also include benzoyl peroxide, 2,5-di(isopropylphenylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane, 2,5-di(isopropylphenylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexyn-3,4-methyl-4-(tert-butylperoxy)-2-pentanol, 4-methyl-4-(tert-amylperoxy)-2-pentanol, 4-methyl-4-(isopropylphenylperoxy)-2-pentanol, 4-methyl-4-(tert-butylperoxy)-2-pentanone, 4-methyl-4-(tert-amylperoxy)-2-pentanone, 4-methyl-4-(isopropylphenylperoxy)-2-pentanone, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-amylperoxy)hexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexyne-3, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-amylperoxy)hexyne-3, 2,5-dimethyl-2-tert-butylperoxy-5-hydroperoxyhexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2-isopropylphenylperoxy-5-hydroperoxyhexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2-tert-amylperoxy-5-hydroperoxyhexane, m / p-α,α-di[(tert-butylperoxy)isopropyl]benzene, 1,3,5-tri(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, 1,3,5-tri(tert-amylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, 1, 3,5-Tri(isopropylphenylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, bis[1,3-dimethyl-3-(tert-butylperoxy)butyl]carbonate, bis[1,3-dimethyl-3-(tert-amylperoxy)butyl]carbonate, bis[1,3-dimethyl-3-(isopropylphenylperoxy)butyl]carbonate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, tert-amyl isopropylphenyl peroxide, tert-butyl isopropyl isopropylphenyl peroxide, 2,4,6-tri(butylperoxy)-s-triazine, 1,3,5-tri[1-(tert-butylperoxy)-1-methylethyl]benzene, 1,3,5-tri[(tert-butylperoxy)-isopropyl]benzene, 1,3-dimethyl-3-(tert-butylperoxy)butanol, 1,3-dimethyl-3-(tert-amylperoxy)butanol 1,3-dimethylbutyl methacrylate, 3-tert-butylperoxy-1,3-dimethylbutyl methacrylate, 3-tert-amylperoxy-1,3-dimethylbutyl methacrylate, tris(1,3-dimethyl-3-tert-butylperoxybutoxy)vinylsilane, 1,3-dimethyl-N-[1-{3-(1-methylvinyl)-phenyl)-1-methylethyl]carbamate,1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl N-[1-{3-(1-methylethenyl)-phenyl)1-methylethyl]carbamate), 1,3-dimethyl-3-(tert-amylperoxy)butyl N-[1-{3-(1-methylethenyl)-phenyl}-1-methylethyl]carbamate, 1,3-dimethyl-3-(isopropylphenylperoxy)butyl N-[1-{3-(1-methylethenyl)-phenyl}-1-methylethyl]carbamate, 1,1-di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,1-di(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane, 4,4-di(tert-amylperoxy)valerate, ethyl 3,3-di(tert-butylperoxy)butyrate, 2,2-di(tert-amylperoxy)propane, 3,6,6,9,9-pentamethyl-3- 3,6,6,9,9-pentamethyl-3-ethoxycabonylmethyl-1,2,4,5-tetraoxacyclononane, n-butyl-4,4-bis(t-butylperoxy)valerate, ethyl-3,3-di(t-amylperoxy)butyrate, benzoyl peroxide, OO-tert-butyl-O-hydrogen-monoperoxy-succinate, OO-tert-amyl-O-hydrogen-monoperoxy-succinate, 3,6,9-triethyl-3,6,9-trimethyl-1,4,7-triperoxynonane (or methylethyl peroxide cyclic trimer (methylethyl ketone peroxide) ketone peroxide cyclic trimer), methyl ethyl ketone peroxide cyclic dimer, 3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5-tetraoxacyclononane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(benzoylperoxy)hexane, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butylperoxy acetate, tert-butylperoxy-2-ethyl hexanoate, tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl peroxy acetate, tert-butyl peroxyisobutyrate, 3-hydroxy ...1-dimethyl tert-butyl ester, OO-t-amyl-O-hydrogen-monoperoxy succinate, OO-t-butyl-O-hydrogen-monoperoxy succinate, di-t-butyl phthalate diperoxyphthalate), tert-butyl peroxy (3,3,5-trimethylhexanoate), 1,4-bis (t-butylperoxycarbo) cyclohexane, t-butylperoxy-3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate, t-butylperoxy-(cis-3-carboxy) propionate, 3-methyl-3-tert-butylperoxybutyrate, OO-t-butyl-O-isopropylmonoperoxy carbonate, OO-t-butyl-O-(2-ethylhexyl)monoperoxy carbonate carbonate), 1,1,1-tris[2-(tert-butylperoxycarbonyloxy)ethoxymethyl]propane, 1,1,1-tris[2-(tert-amylperoxycarbonyloxy)ethoxymethyl]propane, 1,1,1-tris[2-(isopropylphenylperoxycarbonyloxy)ethoxymethyl]propane, OO-t-amyl-O-isopropylmonoperoxy carbonate, di(4-methylbenzoyl)peroxide, di(3-methylbenzoyl)peroxide, di(2-methylbenzoyl)peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, 2,4-dibromo-benzoyl peroxide, peroxysuccinic acid, dibenzoyl peroxide, di(2,4-dichloro-benzoyl)peroxide, and combinations thereof.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the free radical initiator may include: an azo compound, such as azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropyl) dihydrochloride, etc.; an azo peroxide initiator containing a mixture of peroxide and azobisnitrile compounds, such as 2,2'-azobis(2-methylvaleronitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2-ethylvaleronitrile), 2-[(1-cyano-1-methylpropyl)azo]-2-methyl-valeronitrile, 2-[(1-cyano-1-ethylpropyl)azo]-2-methyl-butyronitrile, 2-[(1-cyano-1-methylpropyl)azo]-2-ethyl, etc.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include one or more free radical initiators, which are present in a weight percentage (wt%) range of the total polymerization mixture from a lower limit selected from any one of 0.000001wt%, 0.0001wt%, 0.01wt%, 0.1wt%, 0.15wt%, 0.4wt%, 0.6wt%, 0.75wt% and 1wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 0.5wt%, 1.25wt%, 2wt%, 4wt% and 5wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit. In addition, it is conceivable that the concentration of the free radical initiator can be more or less depending on the application of the final material.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include one or more stabilizers that are capable of preventing polymerization of monomers and comonomers in the feed lines but do not hinder polymerization in the reactor.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, the stabilizer may include a nitroxyl derivative, such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyloxy, 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-amino-piperidinyloxy, and the like.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include an ethylene-based polymer polymerized in the presence of a chain transfer agent. Examples of chain transfer agents may include propylene, ethane, propane, methane, trimethylamine, dimethylamine, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. The chain transfer agent may be present in an amount (wt%) based on the weight of the total composition ranging from a lower limit selected from 0.0000001 wt%, 0.000001 wt%, 0.001 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.02 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 1.0 wt% to an upper limit selected from 2.0 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 4.0 wt%, 5.0 wt%, wherein any lower limit may be used together with any upper limit.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer may include a stabilizer, which is present in a weight percentage (wt%) range of the total polymer mixture from a lower limit selected from any one of 0.000001wt%, 0.0001wt%, 0.01wt%, 0.1wt%, 0.15wt%, 0.4wt%, 0.6wt%, 0.75wt% and 1wt% to an upper limit selected from any one of 0.5wt%, 1.25wt%, 2wt%, 4wt% and 5wt%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit. In addition, it is conceivable that the concentration of the stabilizer can be more or less depending on the application of the final material.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the vinyl ester-containing copolymer can be prepared by polymerizing ethylene and one or more branched vinyl ester monomers in a reactor. The method of reacting the comonomers in the presence of a free radical initiator can include any suitable method in the art, including solution phase polymerization, pressurized free radical polymerization, bulk polymerization, emulsion polymerization, and suspension polymerization.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the reactor can be a batch reactor or a continuous reactor at a pressure below 500 bar, which is referred to as a low pressure polymerization system. In one or more embodiments, the reaction can be carried out in a low pressure polymerization process, wherein ethylene and one or more vinyl ester monomers are polymerized in a liquid phase of an inert solvent and / or one or more liquid monomers.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the polymerization may include a free radical polymerization initiator in an amount of about 0.0001 mmol to about 0.01 mmol, calculated as the total amount of one or more free radical polymerization initiators per liter of polymerization zone volume. The amount of ethylene in the polymerization zone may depend primarily on the total pressure of the reactor in the range of about 20 bar to about 500 bar and the temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 300° C.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the pressure in the reactor can be in a range from a lower limit of any one of 20 bar, 30 bar, 40 bar, 50 bar, 75 bar, or 100 bar to an upper limit of any one of 100 bar, 150 bar, 200 bar, 250 bar, 300 bar, 350 bar, 400 bar, 450 bar, or 500 bar, and the temperature in the reactor can be in a range from a lower limit of any one of 20°C, 50°C, 75°C, or 100°C to an upper limit of any one of 150°C, 200°C, 250°C, 300°C, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0059] The liquid phase of the polymerization process according to the present disclosure may comprise ethylene, one or more vinyl ester monomers, a free radical polymerization initiator, and optionally one or more inert solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), chloroform, dichloromethane (DCM), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), hexane, cyclohexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetonitrile, toluene, xylene, ether, dioxane, dimethylformamide (DMF), benzene or acetone. The copolymers and terpolymers produced under low pressure conditions may exhibit a number average molecular weight of 1 kDa to 300 kDa, a weight average molecular weight of 1 kDa to 1000 kDa, and a MWD of 1 to 60.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the comonomer and one or more free radical polymerization initiators are polymerized in a continuous or batch process at a temperature above 50° C. and a pressure above 1000 bar (which is referred to as a high pressure polymerization system) to produce a vinyl ester-containing copolymer. For example, pressures of greater than 1000 bar, 1100 bar, 1200 bar, 1500 bar, 1600 bar, 1700 bar, 1800 bar, 1900 bar, 2000 bar, 2100 bar, 2200 bar, 2300 bar, 2400 bar, 2500 bar, 3000 bar, 5000 bar or 10000 bar can be used. The vinyl ester-containing copolymer (which can be a copolymer and a terpolymer) produced under high pressure conditions can have a number average molecular weight (M) of 1 kDa to 10000 kDa. n ), a weight average molecular weight (M) of 1 kDa to 20000 kDa w The molecular weight distribution (MWD) is calculated from the weight average molecular weight (M w ) and number average molecular weight (M n ) ratio. The MWD of the binary copolymers and ternary copolymers produced under high pressure conditions can be from 1 to 60. The GPC experiment can be carried out by an analytical method, such as gel permeation chromatography combined with triple detection, wherein the infrared detector IR5 and the four-bridge capillary viscometer are both from PolymerChar, and the octagonal light scattering detector is from Wyatt. A set of 4 chromatographic columns (mixed bed, 13μm, from Tosoh) can be used, and the temperature is 140°C. The conditions of the experiment can be: a concentration of 1 mg / mL, a flow rate of 1 mL / min, a dissolution temperature and time of 160°C and 90 minutes, respectively, and an injection volume of 200μL. The solvent used is TCB (trichlorobenzene) stabilized with 100ppm BHT.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the conversion rate during polymerization in the low-pressure polymerization system and the high-pressure polymerization system, which is defined as the weight or mass flow rate of polymer produced divided by the weight or mass flow rate of monomers and comonomers, can have a lower limit of any one of 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 7%, 10% and an upper limit of any one of 15%, 17%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 99% or 100%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0062] additive

[0063] Polymer compositions according to the present disclosure may include fillers and additives added to the polymer composition during blending to change various physical and chemical properties. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include one or more polymer additives, such as kickers, processing aids, lubricants, antistatic agents, clarifying agents, nucleators, beta-nucleators, slip agents, antioxidants, antacids, light stabilizers (e.g., HALS), IR absorbers, brighteners, organic and / or inorganic dyes, antiblocking agents, processing aids, flame retardants, plasticizers, biocides and adhesion promoters, pigments, fillers, reinforcing agents, adhesion promoters, biocides, brighteners, antiblocking agents, processing aids and plasticizers.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include one or more inorganic fillers, such as calcium carbonate, talc, glass fiber, marble dust, cement dust, clay, carbon black, feldspar, silica or glass, pyrogenic silica, silicates, calcium silicate, silicic acid powder, glass microspheres, mica, metal oxide particles and nanoparticles (e.g., magnesium oxide, antimony oxide, zinc oxide), inorganic salt particles and nanoparticles (e.g., barium sulfate), wollastonite, alumina, aluminum silicate, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS).

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include one or more additives and / or fillers, and the weight percentage (wt %) of the one or more additives and / or fillers in the total composition ranges from a lower limit selected from any one of 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.05 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 5.0 wt %, 10.0 wt %, 15.0 wt % and 20.0 wt % to an upper limit selected from any one of 25 wt %, 30 wt %, 40 wt %, 50 wt %, 60 wt % and 70 wt %, wherein any lower limit may be used together with any upper limit.

[0066] Physical properties of polymer compositions

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has an instrumented dart impact (IDI) breakdown energy at -20°C equal to or greater than about 10 ft-lb, such as equal to or greater than 10 ft-lb, 15 ft-lb, and 20 ft-lb, when tested according to ASTM D3763.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has an instrumented dart impact (IDI) breakdown energy percentage increase at -20°C of equal to or greater than about 10% when tested according to ASTM D3763. The percentage increase in IDI breakdown energy refers to the percentage difference between the IDI breakdown energy of the polymer composition and the IDI breakdown energy of the corresponding propylene-based polymer, based on the IDI breakdown energy of the propylene-based polymer. In one or more embodiments, the percentage increase in the IDI breakdown energy of the polymer composition at -20°C can be at least 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, and 20%.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition can have a melt flow index (MFR) according to ASTM D1238, Procedure B, Condition 230°C / 2.16kg, ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 0.1 g / 10min, 0.5 g / 10min, 1 g / 10min, 10 g / 10min, 15 g / 10min, 50 g / 10min and 100 g / 10min to an upper limit selected from any one of 30 g / 10min, 200 g / 10min, 300 g / 10min, 500 g / 10min and 1000 g / 10min, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may have a glass transition temperature (T) as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) or by DSC according to ASTM D3418. g ), which ranges from a lower limit selected from any one of -50°C, -45°C and -40°C to an upper limit selected from any one of 30°C, 35°C and 40°C, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition can have a density according to ASTM D792, which has a range selected from 0.85 g / cm 3 , 0.90g / cm 3 and 0.90g / cm 3 The lower limit of any one of the above is selected from 1.20 g / cm 3 , 1.25g / cm 3 and 1.30g / cm 3Any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a yield tensile stress (yield stress) equal to or greater than about 5 MPa according to ASTM D638. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a yield tensile stress ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 5 MPa, 6 MPa, and 7 MPa to an upper limit selected from any one of 40 MPa, 50 MPa, 100 MPa, and 200 MPa, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a tensile stress at break (fracture stress) equal to or greater than about 5 MPa according to ASTM D638. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a tensile stress at break ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 5 MPa, 6 MPa, and 7 MPa to an upper limit selected from any one of 40 MPa, 50 MPa, 100 MPa, and 200 MPa, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a tensile modulus (tangent modulus) according to ASTM D638 ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 0.1 GPa, 0.2 GPa, 0.3 GPa, 0.4 GPa, and 0.5 GPa to an upper limit selected from any one of 3 GPa, 3.5 GPa, 4.0 GPa, and 5.0 GPa, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a yield strain according to ASTM D638 equal to or greater than about 2%. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a yield strain ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% to an upper limit selected from any one of 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 100%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a strain at break according to ASTM D638 equal to or greater than about 50%. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a strain at break ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 50%, 60%, and 70% to an upper limit selected from any one of 500%, 600%, 700%, 1000%, and 2000%, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a flexural modulus secant at 1% according to ASTM D790 equal to or greater than about 100 MPa. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may have a flexural modulus secant at 1% ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 100 MPa, 150 MPa, and 200 MPa to an upper limit selected from any one of 850 MPa, 900 MPa, 950 MPa, 1000 MPa, 1500 MPa, and 2000 MPa, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a Rockwell hardness of at least 25. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a Rockwell hardness ranging from about 25 to 100, such as a lower limit selected from any one of 25 and 30 to an upper limit selected from any one of 70, 80, 90, and 100, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of at least 50°C when tested under a load of 66 psi according to ASTM D648. In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition has a heat deflection temperature of at least 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition may include a bio-based carbon content as determined by ASTM D6866-18 Method B ranging from a lower limit selected from any one of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20% to an upper limit selected from any one of 60%, 80%, 90%, and 100%, wherein any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0081] Method for preparing polymer composition

[0082] The polymer compositions according to the present invention can be prepared by a variety of possible polymer blending and formulation techniques.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition can be prepared by mixing a polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer in a melt blending process. In one or more other embodiments, the polypropylene-based polymer and the vinyl ester-containing copolymer are combined in a dry blending process to form a powder blend of the polypropylene-based polymer and the vinyl ester-containing copolymer, which can be particularly useful for additive manufacturing.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition can be mixed in a batch, semi-continuous or continuous process (such as continuous or discontinuous extrusion). In one or more embodiments, the extrusion can include a single screw, twin screw or multi-screw extruder.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, the polymer composition can be mixed within a temperature range of about 20°C to 300°C, for example, a lower limit of any one selected from 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C to an upper limit of 250°C, 260°C, 280°C, and 300°C, wherein any lower limit can be paired with any upper limit.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, all components can be mixed together in a single step. In other embodiments, when more than one polypropylene-based polymer and / or vinyl ester-containing copolymer is present in the polymer composition, there can be a pre-mixing step with the selected components before mixing with the remaining components in a subsequent mixing step.

[0087] application

[0088] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an article comprising a polymer composition. In one or more embodiments, the article can be an injection molded article, a thermoformed article, a film, a foam, a blow molded article, an additively manufactured article, a compressed article, a coextruded article, a laminated article, an injection blow molded article, a rotational molded article, an extruded article, a single layer article, a multilayer article, or a pultruded article, etc.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, articles comprising the polymer composition can be prepared by processes including but not limited to: extrusion molding, coextrusion molding, extrusion coating, injection molding, compression blow molding, compression molding, injection blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, thermoforming, cast film extrusion, blown film extrusion, blown film process, foaming, extrusion blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, rotational molding, pultrusion, calendering, additive manufacturing, and lamination.

[0090] Example

[0091] The following examples are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and should not be so interpreted.

[0092] Various exemplary polymer compositions were prepared based on two polypropylene multiphase copolymers ICP1 and ICP2 as propylene-based polymers, and two vinyl ester-containing copolymers DV001A and DV002B ("modifiers"). ICP1 and ICP2 are polypropylene-based polymers commonly used in the automotive compounding industry. The composition and properties of ICP1 and ICP2 are shown in Table 1. The xylene solubles in Table 1 represent the amount of rubber phase in the propylene-based polymer, and the melt flow index in Table 1 is obtained according to ASTM D1238, Procedure B, Condition 230°C / 2.16kg, as described above.

[0093] [Table 1]

[0094] ICP1 ICP2 Xylene soluble matter (wt%) 30 14 Melt flow index (g / 10min) 11 35

[0095] The composition and properties of DV001A and DV001B are shown in Table 2. DV001A contains 5 wt% VeoVa TM Branched vinyl ester comonomer, 19 wt% vinyl acetate (VA) and the balance ethylene. DV002B includes 9 wt% VeoVa TM Branched vinyl ester comonomer, 23 wt% vinyl acetate and the balance ethylene. Comonomer content was determined by NMR.

[0096] [Table 2]

[0097] Modifier monomer MFR <![CDATA[T g ]]> Melt temperature Flexural modulus g / 10min ℃ ℃ MPa DV001A 5% VeoVa 19% VA 6.9 -21.4 71 24 DV001B 9% VeoVa 23% VA 5 -21.6 74 25

[0098] MFR stands for melt flow index or melt flow rate, which is determined according to ASTM D1238 as described above. Flexural modulus is determined by testing injection molded bars using ASTM D790 at room temperature. Glass transition temperature (T) is determined according to ASTM D4065 using a dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) temperature sweep at a frequency of 1 Hz from -150°C to 90°C. g The melt temperature was determined by dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC). The sample was annealed at 200°C and then scanned from 200°C to 45°C and back to 200°C at a ramp rate of 10°C / min.

[0099] Example 1

[0100] By heating at 200°C Figure 1 The exemplary polymer composition was prepared by compounding 10 wt% DV001A, 10 wt% talc, 3000 ppm B225 antioxidant and the balance ICP1 in a ZSK-25 extruder as shown. Talc generally helps disperse the elastomer in a high melt flow matrix and antioxidants help prevent polymer degradation during compounding.

[0101] Example 2

[0102] Exemplary polymer composition Example 2 was prepared as described in Example 1, except that DV001B was used instead of DV001A.

[0103] Example 3

[0104] Exemplary polymer composition Example 3 was prepared as described in Example 1, except that ICP2 was used instead of ICP1.

[0105] Example 4

[0106] Exemplary polymer composition Example 4 was prepared as described in Example 1, except that ICP2 was used instead of ICP1, and DV001B was used instead of DV001A.

[0107] Example 5

[0108] Exemplary polymer composition Example 5 was prepared as described in Example 1, except that ICP2 was used instead of ICP1, and 20 wt% DV001A was used instead of 10 wt% DV001A.

[0109] Example 6

[0110] Exemplary polymer composition Example 6 was prepared as described in Example 1, except that ICP2 was used instead of ICP1, and 20 wt % of DV001B was used instead of 10 wt % of DV001A.

[0111] Reference Example 1

[0112] Unmodified ICP1 was used as Reference Example 1 to compare its characteristics with those of Examples 1 to 6.

[0113] Reference Example 2

[0114] Unmodified ICP2 was used as Reference Example 2 to compare its characteristics with those of Examples 1 to 6.

[0115] The melt flow index of Examples 1-6 (EX 1-6) and Reference Examples 1 and 2 (RE 1-2) was obtained according to ASTM D 1238 as described above. The results are summarized in Table 3:

[0116] [Table 3]

[0117]

[0118]

[0119] The physical and mechanical properties of Examples 1-6 and Reference Examples 1-2 were obtained by performing the tests described below.

[0120] Tensile stress at break and yield, strain at yield, strain at break, and tensile modulus (tangent modulus) were determined according to ASTM D638. Flexural modulus secant at 1% was determined according to ASTM D790. Instrumented dart impact breakdown energy was determined at -20°C according to ASTM D3763. Rockwell hardness was determined according to ASTM D785. HDT was determined at 66 psi according to ASTM D648.

[0121] Tables 4-1 and 4-2 are summaries of the physical / mechanical properties of Examples 1-6 and Reference Examples 1-2: [Table 4-1]

[0122]

[0123]

[0124] [Table 4-2]

[0125] sample# Flexural modulus HDT Breakdown Energy unit MPa ℃ ft-lbs condition 1% secant 66psi -20℃ EX 1 831 74.5 25.3 EX 2 830 73.7 26.9 EX 3 1165 89.6 14.4 EX 4 1154 87.2 21.7 EX 5 924 81.1 13.7 EX 6 915 81.3 19.1 RE 1 1207 102.3 28.3 RE 2 1682 123.4 4.6

[0126] Tables 4-1 and 4-2 show that the addition of DV001A and DV001B improves the breakdown energy of the ICP2-based polymer composition.

[0127] DMA temperature scanning tests were performed on Examples 1-6 and Reference Examples 1-2 at a frequency of 1 Hz and a temperature range of -150°C to 90°C. The DMA results of Examples 1-2 and Reference Example 1, Examples 3-4 and Reference Example 2, and Examples 5-6 and Reference Example 2 are shown in Table 1. Figures 2 to 4 middle.

[0128] The SEM images of Reference Example 2, Example 3 and Example 4 are shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C Middle. SEM image shows rubber domains of similar size, indicating good dispersion of the rubber.

[0129] Although only a few exemplary embodiments are described in detail above, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, functional definitions are intended to cover structures described in this specification as performing the enumerated functions, which not only cover structural equivalents, but also cover equivalent structures. Therefore, although nails and screws may not be structural equivalents because nails use cylindrical surfaces to fix wooden parts together, while screws use helical surfaces, nails and screws may be equivalent structures in the context of fastening wooden parts. It is the applicant's express intention not to invoke Section 112(f) of the United States Patent Act to impose any limitation on any claim in this specification, except for those where the claims explicitly use the wording "device for..." together with associated functions.

Claims

1. A polymer composition comprising: Polypropylene based polymers; A vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprising ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

2. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein The polypropylene-based polymer is a polypropylene homopolymer.

3. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein The polypropylene-based polymer is a propylene copolymer comprising propylene and one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene and C4 to C10 α-olefins.

4. The polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein The polypropylene based polymer is a heterophasic polypropylene.

5. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition has a percent increase in instrumented dart impact breakdown energy according to ASTM D3763 at -20°C equal to or greater than 10% compared to the breakdown energy of the polypropylene-based polymer at -20°C.

6. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more branched vinyl ester monomers have the general structure (I): Where R 1 , R 2 and R 3 Having a total carbon number of 3 to 20.

7. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The one or more branched vinyl ester monomers have the general structure (II): Where R 4 and R 5 It has a total carbon number of 7.

8. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The vinyl ester-containing copolymer is a copolymer composed of ethylene and the one or more branched vinyl ester monomers.

9. The polymer composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The vinyl ester-containing copolymer is a terpolymer composed of ethylene, the one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and vinyl acetate.

10. The polymer composition according to claims 1 to 7 and 9, wherein The vinyl ester-containing copolymer has a vinyl acetate content of 0 to 50 wt %, based on the total amount of the vinyl ester-containing copolymer in the polymer composition.

11. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vinyl ester-containing copolymer has a content of the one or more branched vinyl ester monomers of 0.01 wt% to 50 wt%, based on the total amount of the vinyl ester-containing copolymer in the polymer composition.

12. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polypropylene-based polymer is present in an amount of 60 wt % to 99 wt % based on the total amount of the polymer composition.

13. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vinyl ester-containing copolymer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the polymer composition.

14. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition has a melt flow index (MFR) of 0.1 g / 10 min to 1000 g / 10 min at 230° C. / 2.16 kg according to ASTM D1238.

15. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range of -50°C to 40°C.

16. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a tensile stress at yield according to ASTM D638 equal to or greater than 5 MPa.

17. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a tensile stress at break according to ASTM D638 equal to or greater than 5 MPa.

18. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a tensile modulus in the range of 0.1 GPa to 5 GPa according to ASTM D638.

19. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a flexural modulus secant at 1% according to ASTM D790 of equal to or greater than 100 MPa.

20. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a heat deflection temperature of at least 50°C.

21. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a strain at break of at least 50%.

22. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a yield strain of at least 2%.

23. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The polymer composition exhibits a Rockwell hardness of at least 25.

24. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vinyl ester-containing copolymer is polymerized under conditions including a reactor pressure greater than 40 bar and a reactor temperature greater than 50°C.

25. A polymer composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The vinyl ester-containing copolymer is polymerized under conditions including a reactor pressure greater than 1000 bar and a reactor temperature greater than 50°C.

26. The polymer composition according to any of the above claims, further comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, pigments, fillers, reinforcing agents, adhesion promoters, biocides, brighteners, nucleating agents, antistatic agents, antiblocking agents, processing aids, flame retardants, plasticizers and light stabilizers.

27. A method for preparing a polymer composition, the method comprising: A polypropylene-based polymer and a vinyl ester-containing copolymer are mixed at a temperature of 20° C. to 300° C. to form a polymer composition, wherein the vinyl ester-containing copolymer comprises ethylene, one or more branched vinyl ester monomers, and optionally vinyl acetate.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The mixing includes melt mixing.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The polymer composition is a powder mixture of the polypropylene-based polymer and the vinyl ester-containing copolymer.

30. An article comprising the polymer composition of any one of claims 1 to 26.

31. The article of claim 30, wherein the article is prepared by a process selected from the group consisting of extrusion, coextrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, cast film extrusion, blown film extrusion, foaming, extrusion blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, rotational molding, pultrusion, calendaring, additive manufacturing, and lamination.

Images