Compositions based on ethylene / alpha-olefin multi-block interpolymers having excellent

Abstract

A composition comprising a first composition, and wherein the first composition comprises the following components a and b: a) at least one ethylene / alpha-olefin multiblock interpolymer comprising a density of < = 0.880 g / cc and a soft segment melting temperature (SS-Tm) of < = 2.0 DEG C; b) at least one propylene-based polymer; and wherein component a is present in an amount of > = 88 wt%, based on the total weight of components a and b.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Artificial leather based on polyolefin elastomer (POE) is considered to be an environmentally friendly and sustainable leather product. Compared with existing PVC (polyvinyl chloride) leather, POE leather does not contain halogens and does not contain "phthalate" plasticizers. Compared with another traditional PU (polyurethane) leather, no harmful solvents (e.g., DMF) are required in the POE leather manufacturing process. Therefore, POE leather production is more environmentally friendly, and the water / air / soil pollution it brings is minimal. Although PUD (aqueous polyurethane dispersion) and solvent-free PU are becoming more and more popular, POE leather still has the advantage of being easy to recycle due to its thermoplastic properties. From a performance perspective, POE has excellent weather resistance and low-temperature flexibility, and minimal or no hydrolysis and yellowing problems. In addition, POE leather can more easily meet the lightweight trend in luggage / bags, shoes and automotive applications because POE density is much lower than PVC (about 40%) and PU (about 25%). Therefore, POE leather will be a promising product to replace PVC leather and PU leather in several applications.

[0002] Barry flex resistance (a characterization of durability and mechanical fatigue during cyclic flexural stress) is a key performance characteristic of leather products in most applications. It was found from a benchmark study that POE is generally not as good as PU and PVC in terms of barry flex resistance at room temperature. In particular, the typical barry flex resistance of INFUSE olefin block copolymers (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymers) is low. However, such polymers are enablers / components required for POE artificial leather because they provide high heat resistance and softness (hand feel), both of which are key characteristics for artificial leather. It should be noted that such polymers can provide high heat resistance and softness simultaneously because they provide decoupling of melting point and modulus. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the barry flex resistance of ethylene / alpha-olefin multi-block interpolymers, and it is desirable to have a composition comprising the same with improved barry flex resistance.

[0003] U.S. Publication No. 2012 / 0108134 discloses artificial leather comprising a multilayer structure including the following: A) a top skin layer comprising a propylene / α-olefin copolymer and at least one of (i) a styrene block copolymer, (ii) a homogeneously branched ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, (iii) an olefin block copolymer, and (iv) a random polypropylene copolymer; B) an intermediate foam layer comprising a propylene / α-olefin copolymer and at least one of (i) a styrene block copolymer, (ii) a homogeneously branched ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, (iii) an olefin block copolymer, and (iv) a random polypropylene copolymer; and C) a bottom fabric layer comprising a nonwoven polymer spunbond material (see, e.g., the abstract and claim 1). The olefin block copolymers are described, e.g., in paragraphs

[0070] and

[0071] .

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,921,491 discloses an impact modified composition comprising an ethylene-α-olefin (block) interpolymer characterized by an average block index ABI greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution MWD greater than about 1.3. Additionally, or alternatively, the block ethylene / α-olefin interpolymer is characterized by having at least one fraction obtained by temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF), and wherein the fraction has a block index greater than about 0.3 and up to about 1.0, and the ethylene / α-olefin interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution MWD greater than about 1.4 (see Abstract). The "Soft Segment Tm (°C) from Weighted DSC" for several polymers is listed in Table 16 (see column 72, lines 6-29). For compositions containing propylene-based polymers, see, for example, Table 27 (column 81), Table 32 (column 85), and Table 38 (column 86).

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 7,893,166 discloses a class of ethylene / α-olefin block interpolymers characterized by an average block index ABI greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution MWD greater than about 1.3. Preferably, the block index is from about 0.2 to about 1. Additionally, or alternatively, the block ethylene / α-olefin interpolymer is characterized by having at least one fraction obtained by temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF), wherein the fraction has a block index greater than about 0.3 and up to about 1.0, and the ethylene / α-olefin interpolymer has a molecular weight distribution MWD greater than about 1.3 (see Abstract). The "soft segment Tm (°C) from weighted DSC" for several polymers is listed in Table 16 (see column 60, lines 11-35). The patent discloses polymers for blending, including polypropylene (see, e.g., column 25, lines 11-33). See also U.S. Patent No. 7,608,668.

[0006] Other compositions containing olefin multi-block copolymers are disclosed in the following references: U.S. Patent 7,592,397 (see, e.g., compositions in Tables 12 and 13 (columns 73-76)) and International Publication WO 2014 / 036292 (see, e.g., compositions in Table 3, paragraph

[103] ).

[0007] However, as stated above, there remains a need for compositions based on ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers having improved Barley flex resistance. This need has been met by the following invention. Summary of the invention

[0008] A composition comprising a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises the following components a and b:

[0009] a) at least one ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer comprising a density of ≤ 0.880 g / cc and

[0010] Soft segment melting temperature (SS-Tm) ≤2.0°C;

[0011] b) at least one propylene-based polymer; and

[0012] Component a is present in an amount of ≥88% by weight, based on the total weight of components a and b. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 Plotted are the "Melting Enthalpy (J / g) versus Temperature (°C)" for the linear copolymers described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The composition has been found to have excellent barley flex resistance and good softness and is very suitable for artificial rubber. As discussed above, a composition is provided, which comprises a first composition, the first composition comprising the following components a and b:

[0015] a) at least one ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer comprising a density of ≤ 0.880 g / cc and

[0016] Soft segment melting temperature (SS-Tm) ≤2.0°C;

[0017] b) at least one propylene-based polymer; and

[0018] Component a is present in an amount of ≥88% by weight, based on the total weight of components a and b.

[0019] The above composition may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.Each component of the composition may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

[0020] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a density of ≥0.855 g / cc, or ≥0.858 g / cc, or ≥0.860 g / cc, or ≥0.862 g / cc, or ≥0.864 g / cc, or ≥0.866 g / cc, or ≥0.868 g / cc, or ≥0.869 g / cc. In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a density of ≤0.880 g / cc, or ≤0.878 g / cc, or ≤0.876 g / cc, or ≤0.874 g / cc, or ≤0.872 g / cc, or ≤0.871 g / cc, or ≤0.870 g / cc.

[0021] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a SS-Tm of ≤ 2.0°C, or ≤ 1.5°C, or ≤ 1.0°C, or ≤ 0.8°C, or ≤ 0.6°C, or ≤ 0.4°C, or ≤ 0.2°C, or ≤ 0.1°C, or ≤ 0.0°C, or ≤ -0.5°C, or ≤ -1.0°C, or ≤ -2.0°C, or ≤ -5.0°C, or ≤ -8.0°C. In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a SS-Tm of ≥ -40°C, or ≥ -35°C, or ≥ -30°C, or ≥ -28°C, or ≥ -25°C, or ≥ -22°C, or ≥ -20°C, or ≥ -18°C, or ≥ -17°C.

[0022] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) is an ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer.

[0023] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has ≥ 0.2 g / 10 min, or ≥ 0.3 g / 10 min, or ≥ 0.4 g / 10 min, or ≥ 0.5 g / 10 min. and / or Melt index (I2) of ≤10 g / 10 min, or ≤5.0 g / 10 min, or ≤2.0 g / 10 min, or ≤1.0 g / 10 min, or ≤0.8 g / 10 min.

[0024] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a molecular weight of ≥1.5, or ≥1.6, or ≥1.7, or ≥1.8, or ≥1.9, or ≥2.0. and / or Molecular weight distribution (MWD = Mw / Mn) of ≤4.0, or ≤3.5, or ≤3.0, or ≤2.8, or ≤2.6, or ≤2.4.

[0025] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has ≥1.0 g / 10 min, or ≥2.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.5 g / 10 min, or ≥4.0 g / 10 min, or ≥4.5 g / 10 min, or ≥5.0 g / 10 min, or ≥5.5 g / 10 min, or ≥6.0 g / 10 min. and / or Melt flow rate (MFR) of ≤30 g / 10 min, or ≤28 g / 10 min, or ≤25 g / 10 min, or ≤22 g / 10 min, or ≤20 g / 10 min, or ≤18 g / 10 min, or ≤15 g / 10 min, or ≤12 g / 10 min, or ≤10 g / 10 min, or ≤9.5 g / 10 min, or ≤9.0 g / 10 min, or ≤8.5 g / 10 min, or ≤8.0 g / 10 min, or ≤7.5 g / 10 min.

[0026] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has ≥ 0.860 g / cc, or ≥ 0.865 g / cc, or ≥ 0.870 g / cc, or ≥ 0.875 g / cc, or ≥ 0.880 g / cc, or ≥ 0.885 g / cc and / or Density of ≤ 0.930 g / cc, or ≤ 0.925 g / cc, or ≤ 0.920 g / cc, or ≤ 0.915 g / cc, or ≤ 0.910 g / cc, or ≤ 0.905 g / cc, or ≤ 0.900 g / cc.

[0027] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the propylene-based polymer (of component b) is selected from a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene / ethylene interpolymer, or a propylene / α-olefin interpolymer, and is further selected from a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene / ethylene copolymer, or a propylene / α-olefin copolymer, and is further selected from a polypropylene homopolymer or a propylene / ethylene copolymer.

[0028] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the weight ratio of component a to component b is ≥5.0, or ≥5.5, or ≥6.0, or ≥6.5, or ≥7.0 and / or ≤40, or ≤38, or ≤36, or ≤35, or ≤34, or ≤33.

[0029] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the ratio of the MFR of component b to the I2 of component a is ≥4.0, or ≥6.0, or ≥8.0, or ≥10, or ≥12. and / or ≤25, or ≤22, or ≤20, or ≤18, or ≤16, or ≤15.

[0030] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the first composition comprises ≥ 88 wt%, or ≥ 89 wt%, or ≥ 90 wt% of component a based on the total weight of components a and b. and / or ≤97 wt%, or ≤96 wt%, or ≤95 wt% of component a, based on the total weight of components a and b.

[0031] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the first composition comprises ≥ 3.0 wt. %, or ≥ 4.0 wt. %, or ≥ 5.0 wt. % of component b, based on the total weight of components a and b. and / or ≤ 12 wt%, or ≤ 11 wt%, or ≤ 10 wt% of component b, based on the total weight of components a and b.

[0032] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the first composition comprises components a and b in a sum of ≥60 wt%, ≥70 wt%, or ≥80 wt%, or ≥85 wt%, or ≥90 wt%, or ≥92 wt%, or ≥94 wt%, or ≥96 wt%, or ≥98 wt%, based on the weight of the first composition. In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the first composition comprises components a and b in a sum of ≤100 wt% or ≤99 wt%, based on the weight of the first composition.

[0033] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each described herein, the composition further comprises at least one additive. In another embodiment, at least one additive is selected from fillers (e.g., carbon black and talc), blowing agents (e.g., AC and OBSH), antioxidants, colorants, processing aids (e.g., zinc stearate), oils, or any combination thereof.

[0034] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the composition has a "Bally Flex Cycles to Failure" of ≥70k, or ≥75k, or ≥80k, or ≥85k, or ≥90k, or ≥95k, or ≥100k, or >100k.

[0035] In one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments each as described herein, the composition is ≥ 20, or ≥ 30, or ≥ 40, or ≥ 50 and / or Shore A hardness of ≤70, or ≤69, or ≤68, or ≤67, or ≤66, or ≤65.

[0036] The present invention also provides an article comprising at least one component formed from the composition of one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments described herein. In another embodiment, the article is artificial leather.

[0037] Also provided is a method of forming artificial leather comprising mixing a composition of one embodiment or a combination of two or more embodiments described herein.

[0038] Ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer

[0039] Ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers and copolymers Such interpolymers and copolymers include ethylene and α-olefins in polymerized form. α-olefins include, but are not limited to, C3-C20 α-olefins, further C3-C10 α-olefins, further C3-C8 α-olefins, such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene and 1-octene.

[0040] Ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers are characterized by multiple blocks or segments of two or more polymerized monomer units, with different chemical or physical properties. In some embodiments, the multi-block copolymer can be represented by the following formula: (AB) n, wherein n is at least 1, preferably an integer greater than 1, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more. In this article, "A" represents a hard block or segment, and "B" represents a soft block or segment. Preferably, the A segment and the B segment are connected (or covalently bonded) in a substantially straight chain manner opposite to a substantially branched or substantially star-shaped manner. In other embodiments, the A segment and the B segment are randomly distributed along the polymer chain. In other words, for example, the block copolymer generally does not have the following structure: AAA-AA-BBB-BB. In other embodiments, the block copolymer generally does not have a third type of block or segment, which includes one or more different comonomers. In yet other embodiments, block A and block B each have monomers or comonomers that are substantially randomly distributed within the block. In other words, neither block A nor block B comprises two or more sub-segments (or sub-blocks) of different compositions, such as an end segment, which has a composition that is substantially different from the rest of the block.

[0041] As used herein, the term "hard segment (HS)" refers to a block of polymerized monomer units, wherein ethylene is present in an amount of, for example, >90 mol%, or ≥92 mol%, or ≥95 mol%, or ≥98 mol%, or ≥99 mol%, based on the total moles of polymerized monomers in the block. In one embodiment, ethylene is present in an amount of ≤99.8 mol%, or ≤99.6 mol%, or ≤99.4 mol%, or ≤99.3 mol%, based on the total moles of polymerized monomers in the block.

[0042] As used herein, the term "soft segment (SS)" refers to a block of polymerized monomer units, wherein ethylene is present in an amount of, for example, ≤90 mol%, or ≤88 mol%, or ≤86 mol%, or ≤84 mol%, or ≤82 mol%, based on the total moles of polymerized monomers in the block. In one embodiment, ethylene is present in an amount of ≥60 mol%, or ≥65 mol%, or ≥70 mol%, or ≥75 mol%, or ≥80 mol%, based on the total moles of polymerized monomers in the block.

[0043] The soft segment can be present in the ethylene / octene multi-block copolymer at 1 wt %, or 5 wt %, or 10 wt %, or 15 wt %, or 20 wt %, or 25 wt %, or 30 wt %, or 35 wt %, or 40 wt %, or 45 wt % to 55 wt %, or 60 wt %, or 65 wt %, or 70 wt %, or 75 wt %, or 80 wt %, or 85 wt %, or 90 wt %, or 95 wt %, or 99 wt % of the total weight of the ethylene / octene multi-block copolymer. In contrast, the hard segment can be present in a similar range. The soft segment weight percentage and the hard segment weight percentage can be calculated based on the data obtained from DSC or NMR. Such methods and calculations are disclosed in, for example, USP 7,608,668, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the weight percentages of hard and soft segments can be determined as described in columns 57 to 63 of US Patent 7,608,668, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] Typically, ethylene accounts for 50 mole percent or a majority of the mole percent of the entire multi-block interpolymer; that is, ethylene accounts for at least 50 mole percent of the entire interpolymer. More preferably, ethylene accounts for at least 60 mole percent, or at least 70 mole percent, or at least 80 mole percent, or at least 90 mole percent, while the remaining portion of the entire polymer substantially comprises at least one other comonomer, which is preferably an α-olefin having three or more carbon atoms.

[0045] As discussed, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers comprise two or more chemically distinct regions or segments (referred to as "blocks"), preferably linked in a linear fashion. In one embodiment, the blocks differ in the amount or type of comonomer incorporated, density, amount of crystallinity, crystallite size attributable to the polymer of such composition, type or degree of stereoisomerism (isotactic or syndiotactic), regioregularity or regioirregularity, amount of branching (including long chain branching or hyperbranching), uniformity, or any other chemical or physical characteristic. Compared to the block interpolymers of the prior art, including those produced by continuous monomer addition, stereolabile catalysts, or anionic polymerization techniques, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers of the present invention are characterized by a unique distribution of polymer polydispersity (PDI or Mw / Mn or MWD), polydisperse block length distribution, and / or polydisperse block number distribution, in one embodiment, due to the effect of one or more shuttling agents in combination with a variety of catalysts used in their preparation.

[0046] Ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers and further copolymers can generally be produced via a chain shuttling process, such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,706, which is incorporated herein by reference. Some chain shuttling agents and related information are listed in Column 16, Line 39 to Column 19, Line 44. Some catalysts are described in Column 19, Line 45 to Column 46, Line 19 and some cocatalysts are described in Column 46, Line 20 to Column 51, Line 28. Some process features are described in Column 51, Line 29 to Column 54, Line 56. See also the following: U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668; U.S. Pat. No. 7,893,166; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,793 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,476,393. See also U.S. Pat. No. 9,243,173.

[0047] In one embodiment, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymer) is produced in a continuous process and has a polydispersity index (Mw / Mn) of 1.7 to 3.5, or 1.8 to 3, or 1.8 to 2.5, or 1.8 to 2.2. When prepared in a batch or semi-batch process, the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymer) typically has a Mw / Mn of 1.0 to 3.5, or 1.3 to 3, or 1.4 to 2.5, or 1.4 to 2.0.

[0048] In addition, ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymers (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymers) typically have a PDI (or Mw / Mn) that fits a Schultz-Flory distribution rather than a Poisson distribution. In one embodiment, ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymers (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymers) have both a polydisperse block distribution and a polydisperse distribution of block sizes. This results in the formation of a polymer product with improved and distinguishable physical properties. The theoretical benefits of a polydisperse block distribution have previously been modeled and discussed in Potemkin, Physical Review E (1998) 57 (6), pp. 6902-6912 and Dobrynin, J. Chem. Phys. (1997) 107 (21), pp. 9234-9238. In one embodiment, ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymers (e.g., ethylene / octene multi-block copolymers) have the most likely block length distribution.

[0049] Propylene-based polymers

[0050] Propylene-based interpolymers include polypropylene homopolymers, propylene / ethylene interpolymers and copolymers, and propylene / α-olefin interpolymers and copolymers.α-olefins include, but are not limited to, C4-C20α-olefins, further C4-C10α-olefins, further C4-C8α-olefins, such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene.

[0051] additive

[0052] The composition of the present invention may include one or more additives. Additives include, but are not limited to, fillers (e.g., carbon black and talc), foaming agents (e.g., AC and OBSH), antioxidants, colorants, and processing aids (e.g., zinc stearate). In one embodiment, the composition includes at least one antioxidant. Antioxidants prevent the composition from being degraded by reactions with oxygen caused by such substances as heat, light, or residual catalysts present in commercial materials. Suitable antioxidants may include those commercially available from BASF, such as IRGANOX 1010, IRGANOX B225, IRGANOX 1076, and IRGANOX 1726. These antioxidants acting as free radical scavengers may be used alone or in combination with other antioxidants such as phosphite antioxidants (e.g., IRGAFOS168, which may also be obtained from BASF). In one embodiment, the composition comprises 0.01 wt %, or 0.02 wt %, or 0.04 wt %, or 0.06 wt %, or 0.08 wt %, or 0.10 wt %, or 0.20 wt % to 0.30 wt %, or 0.40 wt %, or 0.50 wt %, or 0.60 wt %, or 0.80 wt % or 1.00 wt % of at least one antioxidant. The weight percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

[0053] definition

[0054] Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percentages are by weight and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure.

[0055] As used herein, the term "composition" includes mixtures of materials including the composition as well as reaction products and decomposition products formed from the composition materials. Any reaction products or decomposition products are typically present in trace or residual amounts.

[0056] The term "polymer" as used herein refers to a polymer compound prepared by polymerizing monomers of the same or different types. Thus, the generic term polymer includes the term homopolymer (used to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, it being understood that trace impurities may be incorporated into the polymer structure) and the term interpolymer as defined below. Trace impurities (such as catalyst residues) may be incorporated into and / or within the polymer. Typically, the polymer is stabilized with very low amounts ("ppm" amounts) of one or more stabilizers, such as one or more antioxidants.

[0057] The term "interpolymer" as used herein refers to polymers prepared by the polymerization of at least two different types of monomers. The term interpolymer thus includes the term copolymer (used to refer to polymers prepared from two different types of monomers) and polymers prepared from more than two different types of monomers.

[0058] As used herein, the term "olefin-based polymer" refers to polymers that contain, in polymerized form, 50 weight percent or majority weight percent of an olefin such as ethylene or propylene (based on the weight of the polymer), and optionally may contain one or more comonomers.

[0059] As used herein, the term "propylene-based polymer" refers to a polymer that, in polymerized form, comprises a majority weight percent propylene (based on the weight of the polymer) and, optionally, may contain one or more comonomers.

[0060] As used herein, the term "ethylene-based polymer" refers to a polymer that, in polymerized form, contains 50 weight percent or majority weight percent ethylene (based on the weight of the polymer), and optionally may contain one or more comonomers.

[0061] As used herein, the term "ethylene / α-olefin interpolymer" refers to an interpolymer that contains 50 weight percent or a majority weight percent of ethylene (based on the weight of the interpolymer) and an α-olefin in polymerized form. The α-olefin is randomly distributed in the interpolymer. As used herein, the term "ethylene / α-olefin copolymer" refers to a copolymer that includes 50 weight percent or a majority amount of ethylene monomer (based on the weight of the copolymer) and an α-olefin as the only two monomer types in polymerized form. The α-olefin is randomly distributed in the copolymer.

[0062] As used herein, the term "ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer" refers to a multi-block interpolymer that contains 45 weight percent, and further 50 weight percent or a majority weight percent of ethylene (based on the weight of the interpolymer) and α-olefin in polymerized form. As used herein, the term "ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer" refers to a multi-block copolymer that contains 45 weight percent, and further 50 weight percent or a majority weight percent of ethylene (based on the weight of the copolymer) and α-olefin as the only two monomer types in polymerized form. See also the previous discussion.

[0063] As used herein, the term "propylene / α-olefin interpolymer" refers to an interpolymer that contains, in polymerized form, a majority weight percentage of propylene (based on the weight of the interpolymer) and an α-olefin. The α-olefin is randomly distributed within the interpolymer. As used herein, the term "propylene / α-olefin copolymer" refers to a copolymer that contains, in polymerized form, a majority amount of propylene monomer (by weight of the copolymer) and an α-olefin as the only two monomer types. The α-olefin is randomly distributed within the copolymer.

[0064] As used herein, the term "propylene / ethylene interpolymer" refers to an interpolymer that includes a majority weight percentage of propylene (based on the weight of the interpolymer) and ethylene in polymerized form. Ethylene is randomly distributed in the interpolymer. As used herein, the term "propylene / ethylene copolymer" refers to a copolymer that contains a majority amount of propylene monomer (by weight of the copolymer) in polymerized form and ethylene as the only two monomer types. Ethylene is randomly distributed in the copolymer.

[0065] As used herein, the phrase "majority weight percent" with respect to a polymer (or interpolymer or copolymer) refers to the amount of monomer that is present in the largest amount in the polymer.

[0066] The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and derivatives thereof are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional components, steps, or procedures, whether or not the components, steps, or procedures are specifically disclosed. For the avoidance of any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additives, adjuvants, or compounds, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term "consisting essentially of excludes from the scope of any subsequently recited any other components, steps, or procedures, except those that are not essential to operability. The term "consisting of excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically recited or listed.

[0067] List of some composition characteristics

[0068] A] A composition comprising a first composition, and wherein the first composition comprises the following components a and b:

[0069] a) at least one ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer comprising a density of ≤ 0.880 g / cc and a soft segment melting temperature (SS-Tm) of ≤ 2.0°C, further ≤ 1.0°C, further ≤ 0°C, further < 0°C;

[0070] b) at least one propylene-based polymer; and

[0071] Component a is present in an amount of ≥88% by weight, based on the total weight of components a and b.

[0072] B] A composition according to A] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a density of ≥0.855 g / cc, or ≥0.858 g / cc, or ≥0.860 g / cc, or ≥0.862 g / cc, or ≥0.864 g / cc, or ≥0.866 g / cc, or ≥0.868 g / cc, or ≥0.869 g / cc.

[0073] C] A composition according to A] or B] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a density of ≤0.880 g / cc, or ≤0.878 g / cc, or ≤0.876 g / cc, or ≤0.874 g / cc, or ≤0.872 g / cc, or ≤0.871 g / cc, or ≤0.870 g / cc.

[0074] D] A composition according to any one of A]-C] (A] to C]) above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a SS-Tm of ≤2.0°C, or ≤1.5°C, or ≤1.0°C, or ≤0.8°C, or ≤0.6°C, or ≤0.4°C, or ≤0.2°C, or ≤0.1°C, or ≤0.0°C, or ≤-0.5°C, or ≤-1.0°C, or ≤-2.0°C, or ≤-5.0°C, or ≤-8.0°C.

[0075] E] A composition according to any one of A] to D] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a SS-Tm of ≥-40°C, or ≥-35°C, or ≥-30°C, or ≥-28°C, or ≥-25°C, or ≥-22°C, or ≥-20°C, or ≥-18°C, or ≥-17°C.

[0076] F] A composition according to any one of A] to E] above, wherein component a has a density of ≥0.855 g / cc, or ≥0.858 g / cc, or ≥0.860 g / cc, or ≥0.862 g / cc, or ≥0.864 g / cc, or ≥0.866 g / cc, or ≥0.868 g / cc, or ≥0.869 g / cc.

[0077] G] A composition according to any one of A] to F] above, wherein component a has a density of ≤0.878 g / cc, or ≤0.876 g / cc, or ≤0.874 g / cc, or ≤0.872 g / cc, or ≤0.871 g / cc, or ≤0.870 g / cc.

[0078] H] A composition according to any one of A] to G] above, wherein component a has a SS-Tm of ≤2.0°C, or ≤1.5°C, or ≤1.0°C, or ≤0.8°C, or ≤0.6°C, or ≤0.4°C, or ≤0.2°C, or ≤0.1°C, or ≤0.0°C, or ≤-0.5°C, or ≤-1.0°C, or ≤-2.0°C, or ≤-5.0°C, or ≤-8.0°C.

[0079] I] A composition according to any one of A] to H] above, wherein component a has a SS-Tm of ≥-40°C, or ≥-35°C, or ≥-30°C, or ≥-28°C, or ≥-25°C, or ≥-22°C, or ≥-20°C, or ≥-18°C, or ≥-17°C.

[0080] J] The composition according to any one of A] to I] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) is an ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer.

[0081] K] A composition according to any one of A] to J] above, wherein the α-olefin of the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (and further a copolymer) is a C3-C20 α-olefin, and further a C3-C10 α-olefin, and further a C3-C8 α-olefin.

[0082] L] A composition according to any one of A] to K] above, wherein the α-olefin of the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (and further a copolymer) is selected from propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, and further is propylene, 1-butene or 1-octene, and further is propylene or 1-octene, and further is 1-octene.

[0083] M] A composition according to any one of A] to L] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a molecular weight of ≥0.2 g / 10 min, or ≥0.3 g / 10 min, or ≥0.4 g / 10 min, or ≥0.5 g / 10 min. and / or Melt index (I2) of ≤10 g / 10 min, or ≤5.0 g / 10 min, or ≤2.0 g / 10 min, or ≤1.0 g / 10 min, or ≤0.8 g / 10 min.

[0084] N] A composition according to any one of A] to M] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a molecular weight of ≥1.5, or ≥1.6, or ≥1.7, or ≥1.8, or ≥1.9, or ≥2.0 and / or Molecular weight distribution (=MWD=Mw / Mn) of ≤4.0, or ≤3.5, or ≤3.0, or ≤2.8, or ≤2.6, or ≤2.4.

[0085] O] A composition according to any one of A] to N] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has ≥10,000 g / mol, or ≥15,000 g / mol, or ≥20,000 g / mol, or ≥25,000 g / mol, or ≥30,000 g / mol, or ≥32,000 g / mol, or ≥35,000 g / mol and / or A number average molecular weight (Mn) of ≤100,000 g / mol, or ≤90,000 g / mol, or ≤80,000 g / mol, or ≤75,000 g / mol, or ≤70,000 g / mol, or ≤65,000 g / mol, or ≤60,000 g / mol.

[0086] P] A composition according to any one of A] to O] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a temperature of ≥90°C, or ≥100°C, or ≥105°C, or ≥110°C, or ≥112°C, or ≥114°C, or ≥116°C, or ≥118°C. and / or Melting temperature (T ) ≤ 140°C, or ≤ 135°C, or ≤ 130°C, or ≤ 128°C, or ≤ 126°C, or ≤ 124°C, or ≤ 122°C m ).

[0087] Q] A composition according to any one of A] to P] above, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a temperature of ≥ -75.0°C, or ≥ -72.0°C, or ≥ -70.0°C, or ≥ -68.0°C, or ≥ -66.0°C, or ≥ -65.0°C (as measured by DSC) and / orGlass transition temperature (Tg) of ≤ -50.0°C, or ≤ -55.0°C, or ≤ -60.0°C (as determined by DSC).

[0088] R] A composition according to any one of A] to Q] above, wherein component a comprises only one ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer, and another ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer.

[0089] S] A composition according to any one of A] to R] above, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has a molecular weight of ≥1.0 g / 10 min, or ≥2.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.5 g / 10 min, or ≥4.0 g / 10 min, or ≥4.5 g / 10 min, or ≥5.0 g / 10 min, or ≥5.5 g / 10 min, or ≥6.0 g / 10 min. and / or Melt flow rate (MFR) of ≤30 g / 10 min, or ≤28 g / 10 min, or ≤25 g / 10 min, or ≤22 g / 10 min, or ≤20 g / 10 min, or ≤18 g / 10 min, or ≤15 g / 10 min, or ≤12 g / 10 min, or ≤10 g / 10 min, or ≤9.5 g / 10 min, or ≤9.0 g / 10 min, or ≤8.5 g / 10 min, or ≤8.0 g / 10 min, or ≤7.5 g / 10 min.

[0090] T] A composition according to any one of A] to S] above, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has ≥0.860 g / cc, or ≥0.865 g / cc, or ≥0.870 g / cc, or ≥0.875 g / cc, or ≥0.880 g / cc, or ≥0.885 g / cc and / or Density of ≤ 0.930 g / cc, or ≤ 0.925 g / cc, or ≤ 0.920 g / cc, or ≤ 0.915 g / cc, or ≤ 0.910 g / cc, or ≤ 0.905 g / cc, or ≤ 0.900 g / cc.

[0091] S] A composition according to any one of A] to T] above, wherein component b has ≥1.0 g / 10 min, or ≥2.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.0 g / 10 min, or ≥3.5 g / 10 min, or ≥4.0 g / 10 min, or ≥4.5 g / 10 min, or ≥5.0 g / 10 min, or ≥5.5 g / 10 min, or ≥6.0 g / 10 min and / or ≤30 g / 10 min, or ≤28 g / 1 The melt flow rate (MFR) of the present invention is ≤ 0 min, or ≤ 25 g / 10 min, or ≤ 22 g / 10 min, or ≤ 20 g / 10 min, or ≤ 18 g / 10 min, or ≤ 15 g / 10 min, or ≤ 12 g / 10 min, or ≤ 10 g / 10 min, or ≤ 9.5 g / 10 min, or ≤ 9.0 g / 10 min, or ≤ 8.5 g / 10 min, or ≤ 8.0 g / 10 min, or ≤ 7.5 g / 10 min.

[0092] V] A composition according to any one of A] to U] above, wherein component b has ≥0.860 g / cc, or ≥0.865 g / cc, or ≥0.870 g / cc, or ≥0.875 g / cc, or ≥0.880 g / cc, or ≥0.885 g / cc and / or Density of ≤ 0.930 g / cc, or ≤ 0.925 g / cc, or ≤ 0.920 g / cc, or ≤ 0.915 g / cc, or ≤ 0.910 g / cc, or ≤ 0.905 g / cc, or ≤ 0.900 g / cc.

[0093] W] A composition according to any one of A] to V] above, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) is selected from a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene / ethylene interpolymer or a propylene / α-olefin interpolymer, and is further selected from a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene / ethylene copolymer or a propylene / α-olefin copolymer, and is further selected from a polypropylene homopolymer or a propylene / ethylene copolymer.

[0094] X] A composition according to W] above, wherein the α-olefin of the propylene / α-olefin interpolymer (and further copolymer) is a C4-C20 α-olefin, and further a C4-C10 α-olefin, and further a C4-C8 α-olefin.

[0095] Y] A composition according to W] or X] above, wherein the α-olefin of the propylene / α-olefin interpolymer (and further copolymer) is selected from 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, and further 1-butene or 1-octene, and further 1-octene.

[0096] Z] A composition according to any one of A] to Y] above, wherein component b comprises only one propylene-based polymer, further one propylene-based polymer selected from polypropylene homopolymer, propylene / ethylene interpolymer or propylene / α-olefin interpolymer, and further selected from polypropylene homopolymer, propylene / ethylene copolymer or propylene / α-olefin copolymer, and further selected from polypropylene homopolymer or propylene / ethylene copolymer.

[0097] A2] A composition according to any one of A] to Z] above, wherein the weight ratio of component a to component b is ≥5.0, or ≥5.5, or ≥6.0, or ≥6.5, or ≥7.0 and / or ≤40, or ≤38, or ≤36, or ≤35, or ≤34, or ≤33.

[0098] B2] A composition according to any one of A] to A2] above, wherein the ratio of the MFR of component b to the I2 of component a is ≥4.0, or ≥6.0, or ≥8.0, or ≥10, or ≥12 and / or ≤25, or ≤22, or ≤20, or ≤18, or ≤16, or ≤15.

[0099] C2] A composition according to any one of A] to B2] above, wherein the ratio of the density of component b to the density of component a is ≥0.800, or ≥0.850, or ≥0.900, or ≥0.950, or ≥1.00 and / or ≤1.30, or ≤1.25, or ≤1.20, or ≤1.15, or ≤1.10, or ≤1.05.

[0100] D2] A composition according to any one of A] to C2] above, wherein the first composition comprises ≥88 wt%, or ≥89 wt%, or ≥90 wt% of component a based on the total weight of components a and b. and / or ≤ 97 wt%, or ≤ 96 wt%, or ≤ 95 wt% of component a.

[0101] E2] A composition according to any one of A] to D2] above, wherein the first composition comprises ≥3.0 wt%, or ≥4.0 wt%, or ≥5.0 wt% of component b based on the total weight of components a and b. and / or ≤ 12 wt%, or ≤ 11 wt%, or ≤ 10 wt% of component b.

[0102] F2] A composition according to any one of A] to E2] above, wherein the first composition comprises components a and b in a total amount of ≥60 wt%, or ≥70 wt%, or ≥80 wt%, or ≥85 wt%, or ≥90 wt%, or ≥92 wt%, or ≥94 wt%, or ≥96 wt%, or ≥98 wt%, based on the weight of the first composition.

[0103] G2] A composition according to any one of A] to F2] above, wherein the first composition comprises components a and b in an amount of ≤100 wt% or ≤99 wt% based on the weight of the first composition.

[0104] H2] A composition according to any one of A] to G2] above, wherein the first composition comprises components a and b as the only polymer components of the first composition.

[0105] I2] A composition according to any one of A] to H2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≥89 wt% or ≥90 wt% of component a based on the weight of the composition. and / or ≤ 97 wt%, or ≤ 96 wt%, or ≤ 95 wt% of component a, based on the weight of the composition.

[0106] J2] A composition according to any one of A] to I2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≥3.0 wt%, or ≥4.0 wt%, or ≥5.0 wt% of component b based on the weight of the composition. and / or ≤ 12 wt%, or ≤ 11 wt%, or ≤ 10 wt% of component b, based on the weight of the composition.

[0107] K2] A composition according to any one of A] to J2] above, wherein the composition comprises components a and b in a total amount of ≥50 wt%, or ≥60 wt%, ≥70 wt%, or ≥80 wt%, or ≥85 wt%, or ≥90 wt%, or ≥92 wt%, or ≥94 wt%, or ≥96 wt%, based on the weight of the composition and / or The sum of components a and b is ≤ 100 wt%, or ≤ 99 wt%, ≤ 98 wt%, or ≤ 97 wt%, based on the weight of the composition.

[0108] L2] A composition according to any one of A] to K2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≥50 wt%, or ≥60 wt%, ≥70 wt%, or ≥80 wt%, or ≥85 wt%, or ≥90 wt%, or ≥95 wt%, or ≥96 wt%, or ≥97 wt% of the first composition based on the weight of the composition. and / or100 wt%, or ≤ 99 wt%, ≤ 98 wt% of the first composition based on the weight of the composition.

[0109] M2] A composition according to any one of A] to L2] above, wherein the composition further comprises at least one additive.

[0110] N2] A composition according to M2] above, wherein the at least one additive is selected from fillers (e.g., carbon black and talc), foaming agents (e.g., AC and OBSH), antioxidants, colorants, processing aids (e.g., zinc stearate), oils, or any combination thereof.

[0111] O2] A composition according to M2] or N2] above, wherein the composition further comprises at least one filler.

[0112] P2] A composition according to O2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≥0.5 wt%, or 1.0 wt%, or ≥2.0 wt%, or ≥5.0 wt%, or ≥10 wt% of the at least one filler based on the weight of the composition. and / or ≤ 40 wt%, or ≤ 35 wt%, or ≤ 30 wt%, or ≤ 25 wt%, or ≤ 20 wt% of the at least one filler.

[0113] Q2] A composition according to M2] or N2] above, wherein the at least one additive is ≥0.01 wt%, or ≥0.02 wt%, or ≥0.05 wt%, or ≥0.10 wt%, or ≥0.20 wt%, or ≥0.50 wt% based on the weight of the composition. and / or The amount is ≤ 10 wt%, or ≤ 5.0 wt%, or ≤ 2.0 wt%, or ≤ 1.0 wt%.

[0114] R2] A composition according to any one of A] to Q2] above, wherein the composition further comprises a polymer, which is independently different from each of component a and component b in one or more characteristics (such as monomer type, monomer distribution, monomer amount, density, melt index (I2) or melt flow rate (MFR), Mn, MWD or any combination thereof), and further in one or more characteristics (such as monomer type, monomer distribution, monomer amount, density, melt index (I2) or melt flow rate (MFR) or any combination thereof).

[0115] S2] A composition according to any one of A]-R2] above, wherein the composition contains ≤5.0 wt%, or ≤2.0 wt%, or ≤1.0 wt%, or ≤0.5 wt%, or ≤0.2 wt%, or ≤0.1 wt%, or ≤0.05 wt% of an amide compound (e.g., fatty amide), based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not contain an amide compound.

[0116] T2] A composition according to any one of A] to S2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≤5.0 wt%, or ≤2.0 wt%, or ≤1.0 wt%, or ≤0.5 wt%, or ≤0.2 wt%, or ≤0.1 wt%, or ≤0.05 wt% of polyamide based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not comprise polyamide.

[0117] U2] A composition according to any one of A]-T2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≤5.0 wt%, or ≤2.0 wt%, or ≤1.0 wt%, or ≤0.5 wt%, or ≤0.2 wt%, or ≤0.1 wt%, or ≤0.05 wt% of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer.

[0118] V2] A composition according to any one of A] to U2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≤5.0 wt%, or ≤2.0 wt%, or ≤1.0 wt%, or ≤0.5 wt%, or ≤0.2 wt%, or ≤0.1 wt%, or ≤0.05 wt% of a metal hydroxide (e.g., magnesium hydroxide), based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not comprise a metal hydroxide.

[0119] W2] A composition according to any one of A] to V2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≤5.0 wt.%, or ≤2.0 wt.%, or ≤1.0 wt.%, or ≤0.5 wt.%, or ≤0.2 wt.%, or ≤0.1 wt.%, or ≤0.05 wt.% of wax based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not contain wax.

[0120] X2] A composition according to any one of A] to W2] above, wherein the composition comprises ≤5.0 wt%, or ≤2.0 wt%, or ≤1.0 wt%, or ≤0.5 wt%, or ≤0.2 wt%, or ≤0.1 wt%, or ≤0.05 wt% of a tackifier based on the weight of the composition; and further the composition does not comprise a tackifier.

[0121] Y2] A composition according to any one of A] to X2] above, wherein the composition has a "Bally Flex Failure Cycles" of ≥70k, or ≥75k, or ≥80k, or ≥85k, or ≥90k, or ≥95k, or ≥100k, or >100k. Bally Flex is determined as described herein.

[0122] Z2] A composition according to any one of A] to Y2] above, wherein the composition has ≥20, or ≥30, or ≥40, or ≥50 and / or Shore A hardness of ≤70, or ≤69, or ≤68, or ≤67, or ≤66, or ≤65. Shore A hardness is determined as described herein.

[0123] A3] An article comprising at least one component formed from the composition according to any one of A] to Z2] above.

[0124] B3] The article according to A3] above, wherein the article is artificial leather.

[0125] C3] A method for forming artificial leather, the method comprising mixing the composition according to any one of A] to Z2] above.

[0126] D3] The method according to C3] above, wherein the method further comprises heat treating the composition.

[0127] E3] The method according to D3] above, wherein the temperature is ≥80°C, or ≥90°C, or ≥100°C, or ≥110°C, or ≥120°C, or 130°C, or 140°C. and / or The composition is heat treated at a temperature of ≤200°C, or ≤190°C, or ≤180°C, or ≤170°C, or ≤165°C, or ≤160°C.

[0128] Test Method

[0129] The melt index or melt flow rate of a polymer

[0130] The melt index MI (or I2) of the ethylene-based polymer is measured according to ASTM D-1238 at 190°C / 2.16kg. The melt flow rate MFR of the propylene-based polymer is measured according to ASTM D-1238 at 230°C / 2.16kg.

[0131] density

[0132] The density of the polymer is measured according to ASTM D792, Method B. The results are expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g / cc = g / cm 3 ) is recorded as a unit.

[0133] Barre flex test

[0134] The Barry flex test is used to evaluate the crack resistance of thin (1.1 mm) panels prepared from the compositions of the present invention and comparative compositions. The Barry flex test determines the durability of synthetic leather and fabrics by repeatedly flexing the test specimens. Here, each panel is subjected to repeated flexing. The test is performed at room temperature (23° C.) according to ASTM D6182-00. The Barry flexometer complies with DIN 53351 and is operated at a rate of 100 cycles / minute. The end of the test is determined by the number of cycles at which cracking of the front surface of the panel is observed, and it is reported as the Barry flex result. The results are reported in cycles. For each composition, two samples are tested and the average value is reported. If no cracks / damage are observed for both samples after 100,000 cycles, the result is reported as “greater than 100,000” or “>100k”.

[0135] Shore A Hardness

[0136] Shore A hardness is measured according to ASTM D2240. The load is 0.5 kg and the duration is five seconds. For testing, two "3 mm thick" plates are stacked together. Five test specimens are tested for each composition and the average value is reported.

[0137] Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Determination of SS-Tm of Ethylene / α-Olefin Multiblock Interpolymers

[0138] Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can be used to measure the melting, crystallization and glass transition behavior of polymers over a wide temperature range. For example, a TA Instruments Discovery DSC equipped with a refrigerated cooling system (RCS) and an automatic sampler is used to perform this analysis. During the test, a nitrogen purge gas flow of 50 ml / min is used. Each sample is melt pressed (preheated for 2 minutes and pressed for 2 minutes under a pressure of 10 MPa) into a film at about 190 ° C. The molten sample is then air cooled to room temperature (about 25 ° C). A "3 mg-10 mg" 6 mm diameter sample is extracted from the cooled polymer, weighed, placed in a light aluminum pan (about 50 mg), and crimped closed. Analysis is then performed to determine its thermal properties.

[0139] The thermal behavior of the sample was determined by ramping the sample temperature up and down to produce a "heat flow versus temperature" curve. First, the sample was rapidly heated to 180°C and held isothermally for 5 minutes to remove its thermal history. Next, the sample was cooled to -90°C at a cooling rate of 10°C / min and held isothermally at -90°C for 5 minutes. The sample was then heated to 150°C at a heating rate of 10°C / min (this is the "second heating" ramp). The cooling curve and the second heating curve were recorded.

[0140] The soft segment melting temperature SS-Tm is determined by the DSC second heating curve. For example, ethylene / octene multi-block copolymers generally have two melting peaks, one melting peak associated with the soft segment and one melting point associated with the hard segment. SS-Tm is associated with the lower temperature peak of the soft segment. For some block copolymers, the peak associated with the melting of the soft segment is a small peak (or protrusion) on the baseline, making it difficult to assign the maximum peak. This difficulty can be overcome by converting a normal DSC curve into a weighted DSC curve using the following method.

[0141] In DSC, the heat flow depends on the amount of material that melts at a specific temperature and the temperature-dependent specific heat capacity. The temperature dependence of the specific heat capacity in the molten state of linear low-density polyethylene causes the heat of fusion to increase with decreasing comonomer content. That is, as the comonomer content increases, the crystallinity decreases and the heat of fusion value gradually decreases. See Wild, L. Chang, S. and Shankernarayanan, M J., Improved Method for Compositional Analysis of Polyolefins by DSC, Polym. Prep 1990; 31: 270-1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For a given point in a DSC curve (defined by heat flow in watts / gram (W / g) and temperature in degrees Celsius), the DSC curve can be converted into a weight-dependent distribution curve by taking the ratio of the "heat of fusion associated with temperature (ΔH(T))" to the "expected heat of fusion of the linear copolymer", as discussed below.

[0142] For DSC analysis of the composition, the second heating curve is baseline corrected, for example, by drawing a linear baseline between the heat flows at -50°C and 135°C. A temperature-dependent heat of melting curve (or "enthalpy (J / g) versus temperature (°C)") can then be generated from the sum of the integrated heat flows between two consecutive data points (from the "heat flow (W / g) versus time (min)" curve). The sum is generally represented by a cumulative enthalpy curve ("enthalpy (J / g) versus temperature (°C)" curve). Note that Joule (J) = Watt (W) * second, and that each temperature is determined by a corresponding time point and temperature ramp.

[0143] The expected relationship between the heat of fusion of linear ethylene / octene copolymers at a given temperature is shown by the "heat of fusion versus melting temperature" curve. By using random ethylene / octene copolymers, the expected heat of fusion ΔH for linear copolymers can be obtained. 线性共聚物 and the melting temperature Tm (in ° C) as follows (calibration equation): See also Figure 1 ("Melting Enthalpy (J / g) vs. Temperature (°C)" for linear copolymers).

[0144] For each integrated data point from the cumulative enthalpy curve ("Enthalpy (J / g) vs. Temperature (°C)" curve) at a given temperature (T), the ratio of the "enthalpy from the cumulative enthalpy curve to the expected heat of fusion for a linear copolymer at that temperature" yields a fractional weight that can be assigned to the corresponding data point. Thus, DSC weight fraction = [Cumulative enthalpy from calibration equation (at T) / melting enthalpy (at T)]. Using this ratio, a plot of DSC weight fraction vs. temperature (°C) can be generated, and the area under the curve (or A) can be calculated. 总和 ).

[0145] The DSC weight fraction can be divided by A 总和 (or DSC weight fraction / A 总和 ) to calculate the normalized DSC weight fraction at each T. Thus, a normalized DSC weight fraction versus temperature (°C) curve can be generated. The soft segment Tm (SS-Tm) is assigned to the temperature at the maximum position in the normalized DSC weight fraction versus temperature (°C) curve. This method is applicable to ethylene / octene copolymers, but may also be applicable to other polymers.

[0146] The glass transition temperature Tg is determined by the second DSC heating curve in which half of the sample has obtained the liquid heat capacity, such as Bernhard Wunderlich, The Basis of Thermal Analysis, in Thermal Characterization of Polymeric Materials, 92, 278-279 (Edith A. Turi ed., 2nd edition, 1997). Baselines are drawn from below and above the glass transition region and extrapolated through the Tg region. The temperature at the midpoint between these baselines is the Tg of the sample heat capacity. The melting point Tm of the polymer is determined as the temperature corresponding to the maximum heat flow in the DSC heating curve.

[0147] Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) - Ethylene-based Polymers

[0148] The chromatographic system consists of a PolymerChar GPC-IR (Valencia, Spain) high temperature GPC chromatograph equipped with an internal IR5 infrared detector (IR5). The autosampler oven compartment is set at 160 degrees Celsius and the column compartment is set at 150 degrees Celsius. The column is four AGILENT "Mixed A" 30cm 20 micron linear mixed bed columns. The chromatographic solvent is 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene containing 200ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The solvent source is nitrogen bubbled. The injection volume is 200 microliters and the flow rate is 1.0 ml / min.

[0149] The GPC column set was calibrated with 21 narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene standards ranging in molecular weight from 580 to 8,400,000 and arranged in six "cocktail" mixtures with at least ten times intervals between individual molecular weights. These standards were purchased from Agilent Technologies. For molecular weights equal to or greater than 1,000,000, "0.025 grams" of polystyrene standards were prepared in 50 milliliters of solvent, and for molecular weights less than 1,000,000, "0.05 grams" of polystyrene standards were prepared in 50 milliliters of solvent. The polystyrene standards were dissolved by gentle stirring at 80°C for 30 minutes. The polystyrene standard peak molecular weights were converted to polyethylene molecular weights using Equation 1 (as described in Williams and Ward, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Let., 6, 621 (1968)): M 聚乙烯 =A×(M 聚苯乙烯 ) B (EQ1), where M is the molecular weight, A has a value of 0.4315, and B equals 1.0.

[0150] A fifth order polynomial was used to fit the calibration points to the corresponding polyethylene equivalents.A small adjustment (approximately 0.375 to 0.445) was made to A to correct for column resolution and band broadening effects such that a linear homopolymer polyethylene standard was obtained at 120,000 Mw.

[0151] Total plate counts for the GPC column set were performed using decane (prepared as 0.04 g in 50 mL TCB and dissolved for 20 minutes with slow stirring). Plate counts (Equation 2) and symmetry (Equation 3) were measured with 200 microliter injections according to the following equations:

[0152] where RV is the retention volume in milliliters, peak width is in milliliters, peak maximum is the maximum height of the peak, and 1 / 2Height is the maximum value of the peak1 / 2 height; and

[0153] Where RV is the retention volume in milliliters, and peak width is in milliliters, peak maximum is the maximum peak position, tenth height is 1 / 10 the height of the peak maximum, and where post-peak refers to the tail of the peak at a later retention volume than the peak maximum, and where pre-peak refers to the front of the peak at an earlier retention volume than the peak maximum. The plate count of the chromatographic system should be greater than 18,000, and the symmetry should be between 0.98 and 1.22.

[0154] The samples were prepared semi-automatically using the PolymerChar "Instrument Control" software, where the target weight of the sample was set to "2 mg / ml", and the solvent (containing 200 ppm BHT) was added to a septum-covered vial previously sparged with nitrogen via the PolymerChar high temperature autosampler. The samples were dissolved at 160 degrees Celsius for two hours under "low speed" shaking.

[0155] Based on the GPC results, the internal IR5 detector (measurement channel) of the PolymerChar GPC-IR spectrometer was used according to Equations 4 to 6, PolymerChar GPCOne TM The software calculates Mn(GPC), Mw(GPC) and Mz(GPC) from the baseline-subtracted IR chromatogram at each equally spaced data collection point (i) and the polyethylene equivalent molecular weight obtained from the narrow standard calibration curve at point (i) according to Equation 1. Equations 4-6 are as follows:

[0156]

[0157] and

[0158]

[0159] To monitor the deviation over time, a flow rate marker (decane) was introduced into each sample via a micropump controlled by a PolymerChar GPC-IR system. This flow rate marker (FM) was used to linearly correct the pump flow rate (flow rate (nominal)) of each sample by comparing the RV of the corresponding decane peak in the sample (RV (FM sample)) with the RV of the alkane peak in the narrow standard calibration (RV (FM calibrated)). It was then assumed that any change in the decane marker peak time was related to a linear change in the flow rate (flow rate (effective)) throughout the run. In order to facilitate the highest accuracy of the RV measurement of the flow marker peak, a least squares fitting procedure was used to fit the peak of the flow marker concentration chromatogram to a quadratic equation. The first derivative of the quadratic equation was then used to solve for the true peak position. After calibrating the system based on the flow marker peak, the effective flow rate (relative to the narrow standard calibration) was calculated using equation 7: flow rate (effective) = flow rate (nominal) * (RV (FM calibration) / RV (FM sample)) (EQ7). Processing of mobile marker peaks by PolymerCharGPCOne TM Software Complete. Acceptable flow rate correction is such that the effective flow rate should be within + / - 0.7% of the nominal flow rate.

[0160] experiment

[0161] The polymers are shown in Table 1 and the compositions are shown in Table 2.

[0162] Table 1: Polymers used for blending

[0163]

[0164] NA—Not applicable.

[0165] Note that the SS-Tm values ​​are as follows: INFUSE 9000 = 9°C; INFUSE 9100 = 3°C; INFUSE 9500 = 4°C; INFUSE 9507 = 7°C; INFUSE 9530 = 6°C; INFUSE 9010 = 28°C.

[0166] Brabender Mixing and Compression Molding

[0167] For each composition shown in Table 2, the mentioned polymer (about 260 g pellets) was fed into the "350 ml chamber" of the Brabender mixer at a set temperature of 180°C and a rotor speed of 30 rpm. After about two minutes, the rotor speed was increased to 50 rpm. Mixing was continued at 50 rpm for another six minutes. The compound (gum) was collected and pressed into a flat cake shape for the following tests.

[0168] The composition (cake-shaped glue) from the Brabender mixer was compression molded into a plate in a "1.0 mm" thick mold. The compound (about 11 g) was preheated at 180°C for five minutes, then degassed (compression and release were repeated at 10 MPa for six times), followed by another two minutes at a pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of 180°C. After the mold temperature dropped to room temperature, the plate (size: 15 cm×7 cm×1.1 mm) was taken out of the mold. The obtained plate was further cut (punched) into the desired shape and size of "38 mm×63 mm×1.1 mm" for the Barry flex test. The results of the Barry flex test are shown in Table 2.

[0169] For the Shore A hardness test, for each composition, a "3.0 mm thick" plaque (molding conditions: 180° C., 10 MPa, 3 minutes) was compression molded from about 30 grams of the composition (pie-shaped glue) to provide a plaque with dimensions: 100 mm×100 mm×3.0 mm. The Shore A hardness results are shown in Table 2.

[0170] result

[0171] As seen in Table 2, the compositions of the present invention (IE1, IE2, IE3) were found to each provide high Barry flex resistance, as seen by the high Barry flex failure cycles, and good softness, as seen by the relatively low Shore A numbers. These properties are desirable for artificial leather.

[0172] The inventive compositions in Table 2 demonstrate that small amounts (5%, 10%) of propylene-based polymers (RCP, h-PP) can significantly increase the Barry flex resistance from 20k (see CS1) to 100k or higher (see IE1-IE3). The Barry flex failure cycles values ​​of the inventive compositions are much better than those of comparative compositions containing OBC grades with similar hardness (e.g., INFUSE 9107, 61A (CS9), Barry flex failure cycles 20k; INFUSE 9007, 64A (CS10), Barry flex failure cycles 61k). This comparison demonstrates the usefulness of the inventive compositions, each of which is modified with a small amount of a propylene-based polymer. In addition, since the melting point of propylene-based polymers is generally higher than that of ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymers, the addition of propylene-based polymers will not adversely affect the heat resistance of the composition.

[0173] As shown in composition CS2, the addition of 15 wt% of the propylene-based polymer did not enhance the barley flex resistance, indicating that

[0174] The amount of propylene based polymer added is an important feature for good Barry resistance.See also IE4' where 2 wt% of propylene based polymer did not improve Barry resistance.

[0175] In comparative compositions CS3-CS6, the same amount (10 wt%) of propylene-based polymer was added to each composition, and there was no improvement in Barry Flex resistance (comparing each CS3-CS6 to the corresponding CS7-CS10 composition). In fact, each Barry Flex number became worse (lower) compared to the corresponding neat resin.

[0176]

Claims

1. A composition comprising a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises the following components a and b: a) at least one ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer comprising a density of ≤ 0.880 g / cc and a soft segment melting temperature (SS-Tm) of ≤ 2.0°C; b) at least one propylene-based polymer; and Component a is present in an amount of ≥88% by weight, based on the total weight of components a and b.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a density from 0.855 g / cc to 0.880 g / cc.

3. The composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a SS-Tm of -40°C to 2.0°C.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) is an ethylene / α-olefin multi-block copolymer.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a melt index (I2) of 0.2 g / 10 min to 10 g / 10 min.

6. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ethylene / α-olefin multi-block interpolymer (of component a) has a molecular weight distribution (MWD = Mw / Mn) of 1.5 to 4.

0.

7. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has a melt flow rate (MFR) of 1.0 g / 10 min to 30 g / 10 min.

8. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) has a density from 0.860 g / cc to 0.930 g / cc.

9. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) is selected from a polypropylene homopolymer, a propylene / ethylene interpolymer or a propylene / α-olefin interpolymer.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the propylene-based polymer (of component b) is selected from polypropylene homopolymer or propylene / ethylene copolymer.

11. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the weight ratio of component a to component b is 5.0 to 40.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the ratio of the MFR of component b to the I2 of component a is from 6.0 to 25.

13. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first composition comprises ≤ 97 wt% of component a, based on the total weight of components a and b.

14. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first composition comprises 3.0 wt% to 12 wt% of component b, based on the total weight of components a and b.

15. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first composition comprises 60 to 100 wt% of components a and b in total, based on the weight of the first composition.

16. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the composition further comprises at least one additive.

17. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the composition has a "Bally Flex Cycles to Failure" of ≥ 70k.

18. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the composition has a Shore A hardness of 20 to 70.

19. An article comprising at least one component formed from the composition of any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A method of forming artificial leather, the method comprising mixing the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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