Pellet

Abstract

To provide an α-olefin polymer-containing pellet which is less likely to cause accumulation of lumps of external additives such as powders or liquids or to be mixed into a product, and which has excellent blocking resistance in a high-temperature environment and when the environment changes from the high-temperature environment to the low-temperature environment.SOLUTION: A pellet contains an oil-based liquid (A), a fatty acid metal salt (B), and an α-olefin polymer (C), wherein 0.008 to 0.10 mass% of the oil-based liquid (A) and 0.015 to 0.10 mass% of the fatty acid metal salt (B) are adhered to a surface of a pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C).SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to pellets. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various resins have been increasingly supplied to the market in the form of pellets, which are useful in terms of ease of removal from storage, ease of supply to molding equipment, ease of transportation, ease of measurement, etc.

[0003] However, adhesive resins can aggregate into blocks during pellet storage due to their adhesiveness, thereby eliminating the purpose of forming them into pellets. Even resins that are relatively non-adhesive at room temperature can cause pellets to aggregate together if they are kept under load or in a high-temperature environment, such as in the summer, and the value of the pelletized product can be lost. To solve these problems, methods have been proposed in which external additives, such as powders such as calcium stearate and talc, or liquids such as silicone oil, are attached to resin pellets to suppress blocking and improve the handleability of the pellets (e.g., Patent Documents 1 to 5).

[0004] However, when industrially producing pellets with powder attached, the external additives may form clumps (e.g., calcium stearate-silicone oil clumps) and accumulate on the inner walls of the pipes, which may require production to be stopped in order to clean the inner walls of the pipes. Furthermore, clumps of the external additives may be found in the packaging of the produced pellets. To solve these problems, a method has been proposed for producing pellets that are stable in terms of the amount of powder attached, by transporting the pellets using a pipe with a polished inner surface (for example, Patent Document 6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-200060 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-342259 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2002 / 085979 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2008 / 018404 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-040719 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-044183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the amount of external additives attached as described in Patent Documents 1 to 6, even if the blocking resistance is sufficient, the fluidity of the pellets is insufficient, and the efficiency during product classification tends to deteriorate. Furthermore, there is room for improvement in preventing accumulation of lumps of external additives during pellet production and their contamination into the product.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an α-olefin polymer-containing pellet that is less likely to cause accumulation of lumps of external additives such as powders or liquids or to be mixed into the product, and that has excellent blocking resistance in a high-temperature environment and when the temperature environment changes from high to low. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. [1] A pellet comprising an oil-based liquid (A), a fatty acid metal salt (B), and an α-olefin polymer (C), A pellet comprising a pellet body [I] containing an α-olefin polymer (C), on the surface of which the oil-based liquid (A) is adhered in an amount of 0.008 to 0.10 mass % relative to the total mass of the pellet, and the fatty acid metal salt (B) is adhered in an amount of 0.015 to 0.10 mass % relative to the total mass of the pellet.

[0009] [2] The pellet according to [1], wherein the oil-based liquid (A) comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether polyol, aliphatic hydrocarbon oil, natural oil, naphthenic oil, paraffin oil, aromatic oil, and silicone oil.

[0010] [3] The pellet according to [1] or [2], wherein the fatty acid metal salt (B) satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ba) and (Bb): (Ba) fatty acids have 16 to 20 carbon atoms; (Bb) The metal salt is a calcium salt.

[0011] [4] The pellet according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the α-olefin polymer (C) comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an ethylene polymer (C1), a propylene polymer (C2), a 1-butene polymer (C3), and a 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4).

[0012] [5] The pellet according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the α-olefin polymer (C) satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ca) to (Cc): (Ca) The degree of acid modification is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mass%; (Cb) The melt flow rate at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg according to ASTM D1238 is in the range of 0.05 to 100 g / 10 min; (Cc) Density of 850 to 900 kg / m according to ASTM D1505 3 is in the range.

[0013] [6] The pellets according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the blocking force (cold blocking force) of the pellet aggregate is 50 N or less after one day has elapsed since the pellets were subjected to a load of 12 kPa at 35°C and then after seven days have elapsed since the pellets were cooled to -10°C, and the blocking force (melt blocking force) of the pellet aggregate is 30 N or less after seven days have elapsed since the pellets were subjected to a load of 12 kPa at 40°C. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The pellets of the present invention have a sufficiently low amount of external additives, such as powders or liquids, attached thereto, which makes it difficult for clumps of external additives to accumulate during pellet production and thus makes it difficult for clumps of external additives to be mixed into the finished product. Even when the amount of external additives attached is sufficiently low, the pellets of the present invention have excellent blocking resistance. Furthermore, because the amount of external additives attached to the pellets of the present invention is sufficiently low, the pellets of the present invention have excellent flowability. Therefore, the pellets of the present invention have an excellent balance between blocking resistance and flowability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the length (L) of the pellet and the maximum length (D) of the pellet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the method of the blocking test.

[0016] <Pellets> The pellet according to the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "the pellet") contains an α-olefin polymer (C), and has 0.008 to 0.10 mass % of an oil-based liquid (A) and 0.015 to 0.10 mass % of a fatty acid metal salt (B) adhered to the surface of a pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C), relative to the mass of the entire pellet.

[0017] <Oil-based liquid (A)> The oil-based liquid (A) is one of the liquid external additives that is attached to the surface of the pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C) described below in the present pellets. The oil-based liquid (A) may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more kinds.

[0018] The oil-based liquid (A) preferably contains one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, aliphatic hydrocarbon oils, natural oils, naphthenic oils, paraffin oils, aromatic oils, and silicone oils, more preferably contains one or more selected from polyether polyols and silicone oils, and even more preferably contains silicone oil.

[0019] Specific examples of silicone oils include polysiloxanes having a repeating unit represented by the following formula:

[0020] [ka]

[0021] In the formula, R and R' each independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a group in which the hydrogen atoms of these groups have been substituted with halogen atoms or the like. R and R' may be the same group or different groups. Furthermore, some of R and R' may be substituted with hydroxyl groups or alkoxy groups.

[0022] Specific examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, and a tert-butyl group. Specific examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a tolyl group. Specific examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom. Specific examples of the alkoxy group include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, and an isopropoxy group.

[0023] The oil-based liquid (A) has a kinematic viscosity at 25°C according to JIS K 2283 of preferably 0.5 to 100,000 cSt, more preferably 100 to 5,000 cSt, and even more preferably 200 to 1,000 cSt.

[0024] The amount of oil-based liquid (A) attached to the surface of the pellet body [I] of the present pellet is 0.008 to 0.10 mass %, preferably 0.009 to 0.10 mass %, more preferably 0.01 to 0.10 mass %, based on the total mass of the present pellet.

[0025] <Fatty acid metal salts (B)> The fatty acid metal salt (B) is one of the powdery external additives that is adhered to the surface of the pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C) described below in the present pellets. The fatty acid metal salt (B) may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

[0026] The number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid in the fatty acid metal salt (B) is preferably 12 to 30, more preferably 16 to 20. The fatty acid in the fatty acid metal salt (B) may be either a saturated fatty acid or an unsaturated fatty acid.

[0027] Specific examples of fatty acids having 12 to 30 carbon atoms include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-eleostearic acid, β-eleostearic acid, and α-linolenic acid. Palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, α-eleostearic acid, β-eleostearic acid, and α-linolenic acid are preferred, with stearic acid being more preferred.

[0028] Examples of the metal salt of the fatty acid metal salt (B) include sodium salt, potassium salt, magnesium salt, calcium salt, zinc salt, aluminum salt, iron salt, and lithium salt, with calcium salt being preferred.

[0029] The fatty acid metal salt (B) preferably satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ba) and (Bb), and more preferably satisfies both requirements. (Ba) The fatty acid has 16 to 20 carbon atoms. (Bb) The metal salt is a calcium salt.

[0030] The average particle size (volume basis) of the fatty acid metal salt (B) is usually 50 μm or less, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 50 μm, more preferably 1 to 30 μm, and even more preferably 1 to 25 μm. The average particle size of the fatty acid metal salt (B) can be measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer. Specifically, the volume-based particle size distribution of the fatty acid metal salt (B) is obtained by the laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer, and the arithmetic mean diameter (volume mean diameter) is then used as the average particle size.

[0031] The amount of fatty acid metal salt (B) attached to the surface of the pellet body [I] of the present pellet is 0.015 to 0.10 mass%, preferably 0.017 to 0.10 mass%, more preferably 0.019 to 0.10 mass%, and even more preferably 0.02 to 0.10 mass%, relative to the total mass of the present pellet.

[0032] <α-olefin polymer (C)> The α-olefin polymer (C) is a polymer containing an α-olefin as the main component, which is a homopolymer of an α-olefin such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, or 4-methyl-1-pentene, a copolymer of any of the above α-olefins with other α-olefins, or a copolymer of any of the above α-olefins with a monomer other than an α-olefin. The α-olefin polymer (C) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0033] The α-olefin polymer (C) preferably includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an ethylene polymer (C1), a propylene polymer (C2), a 1-butene polymer (C3), and a 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4). The α-olefin polymer (C) may be an unmodified polymer or a polymer graft-modified with a polar compound. However, when the pellets are used as an engineering plastic modifier, it is preferable that the α-olefin polymer (C) contains a polymer graft-modified with a polar compound from the viewpoint of compatibility.

[0034] <Polar compounds> The polar compound is preferably at least one polar compound selected from hydroxyl-containing unsaturated compounds, amino-containing unsaturated compounds, epoxy-containing unsaturated compounds, aromatic vinyl compounds, unsaturated carboxylic acids and their derivatives, vinyl ester compounds, and vinyl chloride. When the pellets are used as an engineering plastic modifier, the polar compound can be appropriately selected depending on the resin contained in the target material (engineering plastic). When the pellets are used as an engineering plastic modifier containing polyamide as the main component, unsaturated carboxylic acids and their derivatives are more preferred from the viewpoint of reactivity with polyamide.

[0035] Examples of the hydroxyl group-containing unsaturated compound include hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, glycerin mono(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol mono(meth)acrylate, trimethylolpropane mono(meth)acrylate, tetramethylolethane mono(meth)acrylate, butanediol mono(meth)acrylate, (Meth)acrylic acid esters such as polyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate and 2-(6-hydroxyhexanoyloxy)ethyl acrylate; 10-undecen-1-ol, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-methanol norbornene, hydroxystyrene, hydroxyethyl vinyl ether, hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, N-methylolacrylamide, 2-(meth)acroyloxyethyl acid phosphate, glycerin monoallyl ether, allyl alcohol, allyloxyethanol, and 2-butene-1,4-diol.

[0036] Examples of the amino group-containing unsaturated compound include alkyl ester derivatives of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, such as aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, propylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, aminopropyl (meth)acrylate, phenylaminoethyl methacrylate, and cyclohexylaminoethyl methacrylate; vinylamine derivatives, such as N-vinyldiethylamine and N-acetylvinylamine; allylamine derivatives, such as allylamine, methacrylamine, N-methylacrylamine, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and N,N-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide; acrylamide derivatives, such as acrylamide and N-methylacrylamide; aminostyrenes, such as p-aminostyrene; 6-aminohexylsuccinimide, and 2-aminoethylsuccinimide.

[0037] Examples of the epoxy group-containing unsaturated compound include glycidyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, mono- and diglycidyl esters of maleic acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of fumaric acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of crotonic acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of tetrahydrophthalic acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of itaconic acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of butenetricarboxylic acid, mono- and diglycidyl esters of citraconic acid, endo-cis-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (nadic acid), TM ), mono- and diglycidyl esters of endo-cis-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-methyl-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (methyl nadic acid TM ), dicarboxylic acid mono- and alkyl glycidyl esters such as mono- and diglycidyl esters of allyl succinic acid (the alkyl group in the case of monoglycidyl esters has 1 to 12 carbon atoms), alkyl glycidyl esters of p-styrenecarboxylic acid, allyl glycidyl ether, 2-methylallyl glycidyl ether, styrene-p-glycidyl ether, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, 3,4-epoxy-3-methyl-1-butene, 3,4-epoxy-1-pentene, 3,4-epoxy-3-methyl-1-pentene, 5,6-epoxy-1-hexene, and vinylcyclohexene monoxide.

[0038] Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound include styrene, α-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, m-chlorostyrene, p-chloromethylstyrene, 4-vinylpyridine, 2-vinylpyridine, 5-ethyl-2-vinylpyridine, 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine, 2-isopropenylpyridine, 2-vinylquinoline, 3-vinylisoquinoline, N-vinylcarbazole, and N-vinylpyrrolidone.

[0039] Examples of the vinyl ester compound include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl n-butyrate, vinyl isobutyrate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl caproate, vinyl versatate, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl p-tert-butylbenzoate, vinyl salicylate, and vinyl cyclohexanecarboxylate.

[0040] Examples of the unsaturated carboxylic acid and its derivative include unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and derivatives of such unsaturated carboxylic acids.

[0041] Examples of the unsaturated carboxylic acid include acrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, and nadic acid. TM (endo-cis-bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid).

[0042] Examples of the derivatives of the unsaturated carboxylic acids include acid halide compounds, ester compounds, imide compounds, acid anhydrides, and ester compounds of the unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as malenyl chloride, maleimide, maleic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, and glycidyl maleate.

[0043] As the unsaturated carboxylic acid and its derivative, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid and its acid anhydride are preferable, and particularly, maleic acid, nadic acid TM and the anhydrides thereof are preferred. In the α-olefin polymer (C), the graft position of the polar compound to be grafted is not particularly limited, as long as the polar compound is bonded to any carbon atom of the unmodified polymer. The polar compound may be, for example, a monomer derived from a fossil fuel and / or a monomer derived from biomass, and these monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0044] The α-olefin polymer (C) preferably satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ca) to (Cc), more preferably satisfies two or more requirements, and even more preferably satisfies all requirements. (Ca) The degree of acid modification is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0% by mass. (Cb) The melt flow rate at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg according to ASTM D1238 is in the range of 0.05 to 100 g / 10 min. (Cc) Density of 850 to 900 kg / m according to ASTM D1505 3 is in the range.

[0045] (Requirements(Ca)) When the α-olefin polymer (C) contains a polymer modified with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof among the polar compounds, the degree of acid modification (amount of acid modification) of the α-olefin polymer (C) is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mass%, more preferably in the range of 0.2 to 2.5 mass%, and even more preferably in the range of 0.4 to 2.2 mass%. When the degree of acid modification of the α-olefin polymer (C) is in the above range, pellets having an excellent balance between impact resistance and fluidity can be obtained. The degree of acid modification can be calculated by measuring FT-IR under the conditions described in the examples below.

[0046] (Requirement (Cb)) The melt flow rate (MFR) of the α-olefin polymer (C) at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg according to ASTM D1238 is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 100 g / 10 min, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 50 g / 10 min, and even more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 30 g / 10 min. When the MFR of the α-olefin polymer (C) is in the above range, a polymer with excellent moldability can be obtained, and pellets with excellent impact resistance can be easily produced.

[0047] (Requirements (Cc)) The density of the α-olefin polymer (C) according to ASTM D1505 is 850 to 900 kg / m 3 It is preferable that the range is 855 to 890 kg / m 3 More preferably, it is in the range of 860 to 880 kg / m 3 It is more preferable that the density is in the range of When the α-olefin polymer (C) has a density in the above range, lightweight pellets having excellent impact resistance can be easily produced.

[0048] (Ethylene polymer (C1)) The ethylene polymer (C1) is an ethylene homopolymer, a copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include polymers whose main component is a structural unit derived from ethylene, which are usually called high-density polyethylene (HDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. The ethylene polymer (C1) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0049] Examples of the α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms that can be copolymerized with ethylene include linear α-olefins such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, and 1-eicosene; and branched α-olefins such as 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 4-ethyl-1-hexene, and 3-ethyl-1-hexene. Among these, α-olefins having 3 to 10 carbon atoms are preferred, α-olefins having 3 to 8 carbon atoms are more preferred, and propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 1-octene are even more preferred. The α-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0050] The monomers constituting the ethylene polymer (C1) (ethylene, an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms) may be, for example, a monomer derived from a fossil fuel and / or a monomer derived from biomass, and these monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0051] Specific preferred examples of the ethylene-α-olefin copolymer include ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-1-butene copolymer, ethylene-1-hexene copolymer, ethylene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, ethylene-1-octene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-1-butene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene-1-octene copolymer, of which ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-1-butene copolymer, ethylene-1-hexene copolymer, ethylene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene-1-octene copolymer are more preferred, and ethylene-1-butene copolymer is particularly preferred.

[0052] When the ethylene polymer (C1) is an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, the molar ratio of structural units derived from ethylene to structural units derived from an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms (ethylene / α-olefin) is preferably 99 / 1 to 60 / 40, more preferably 95 / 5 to 70 / 30, and even more preferably 90 / 10 to 65 / 25. The content (mol %) of the structural units derived from each of the monomers is, for example, 13 It is calculated by analyzing the C-NMR spectrum. When the content of the structural units derived from each of the above monomers in the ethylene polymer (C1) is within the above range, the resulting pellets have excellent impact resistance.

[0053] When the ethylene polymer (C1) is an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, its density in accordance with ASTM D1505 is preferably 850 to 900 kg / m 3 , more preferably 855 to 890 kg / m 3 , and more preferably 860 to 880 kg / m 3 is.

[0054] The melt flow rate (MFR) of the ethylene polymer (C1), measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg, is preferably in the range of 0.05 to 100 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.1 to 90 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.3 to 80 g / 10 min, and even more preferably 0.5 to 70 g / 10 min. When the MFR of the ethylene polymer (C1) is in the above range, the resulting pellets have an excellent balance between fluidity and impact resistance.

[0055] The ratio (Mw / Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the ethylene polymer (C1) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is preferably in the range of 1.2 to 3.5, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0, and even more preferably 1.8 to 2.5. By using the ethylene polymer (C1) having Mw / Mn within the above range, the stickiness of the resulting pellets is suppressed.

[0056] (Propylene polymer (C2)) Examples of the propylene polymer (C2) include a propylene homopolymer and a copolymer of propylene and an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene, which is generally called a propylene-α-olefin copolymer and has propylene-derived structural units as the main component. The propylene polymer (C2) may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0057] Examples of the α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene that are copolymerizable with propylene include linear α-olefins such as ethylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, and 1-eicosene; and branched α-olefins such as 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 4-ethyl-1-hexene, and 3-ethyl-1-hexene. Among these, α-olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms excluding propylene are preferred, α-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms excluding propylene are more preferred, and ethylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 1-octene are even more preferred. The α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding propylene may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0058] The monomers constituting the propylene polymer (C2) (propylene and α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene) may be, for example, monomers derived from fossil fuels and / or monomers derived from biomass, and these monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0059] Specific examples of suitable propylene-α-olefin copolymers include propylene-ethylene copolymers, propylene-1-butene copolymers, propylene-1-hexene copolymers, propylene-1-octene copolymers, and propylene-ethylene-1-butene copolymers. Among these, propylene-ethylene copolymers, propylene-1-butene copolymers, and propylene-ethylene-1-butene copolymers are preferred, and propylene-ethylene copolymers and propylene-ethylene-1-butene copolymers are particularly preferred.

[0060] When the propylene polymer (C2) is a propylene-α-olefin copolymer, the molar ratio of the structural units derived from propylene to the structural units derived from an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene (propylene / α-olefin) is preferably 99 / 1 to 60 / 40, more preferably 95 / 5 to 60 / 40, and even more preferably 90 / 10 to 60 / 40. The content (mol %) of the structural units derived from each of the monomers is, for example, 13 It is calculated by analyzing a C-NMR spectrum. When the content of the structural units derived from each monomer of the propylene polymer (C2) is within the above range, the obtained pellets have excellent impact resistance.

[0061] The density of the propylene polymer (C2) in accordance with ASTM D1505 is preferably 850 to 910 kg / m 3 , more preferably 855 to 900 kg / m 3 , and more preferably 860 to 890 kg / m 3 is.

[0062] The melt flow rate (MFR) of the propylene polymer (C2), measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg, is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 50.0 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.3 to 40.0 g / 10 min, still more preferably 0.5 to 30.0 g / 10 min, and particularly preferably 1.0 to 20.0 g / 10 min. When the MFR of the propylene polymer (C2) is in the above range, the resulting pellets have an excellent balance between fluidity and impact resistance.

[0063] The ratio (Mw / Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the propylene polymer (C2) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is preferably in the range of 1.2 to 3.5, more preferably 1.5 to 3.0, and even more preferably 1.8 to 2.5. By using the propylene polymer (C2) having Mw / Mn within the above range, the stickiness of the resulting pellets is suppressed.

[0064] (1-butene polymer (C3)) Examples of the 1-butene polymer (C3) include a 1-butene homopolymer and a copolymer of 1-butene and an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than 1-butene, which is generally called a 1-butene-α-olefin copolymer and contains as a main component a structural unit derived from 1-butene. The 1-butene polymer (C3) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0065] Examples of the α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than 1-butene that are copolymerizable with 1-butene include linear α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, and 1-eicosene; and branched α-olefins such as 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 4-ethyl-1-hexene, and 3-ethyl-1-hexene. Among these, α-olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms excluding 1-butene are preferred, α-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms excluding 1-butene are more preferred, and ethylene, propylene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, and 1-octene are even more preferred. The α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding 1-butene may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

[0066] The monomer constituting the 1-butene polymer (C3) (1-butene, an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding 1-butene) may be, for example, a fossil fuel-derived monomer and / or a biomass-derived monomer, and these monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0067] Specific preferred examples of the 1-butene-α-olefin copolymer include 1-butene-ethylene copolymer, 1-butene-propylene copolymer, 1-butene-1-hexene copolymer, 1-butene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, 1-butene-1-octene copolymer, 1-butene-ethylene-propylene copolymer, and 1-butene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, of which 1-butene-ethylene copolymer, 1-butene-propylene copolymer, 1-butene-1-hexene copolymer, 1-butene-4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, and 1-butene-1-octene copolymer are more preferred, and 1-butene-ethylene copolymer and 1-butene-propylene copolymer are particularly preferred.

[0068] When the 1-butene polymer (C3) is a 1-butene-α-olefin copolymer, the molar ratio of the structural units derived from 1-butene to the structural units derived from an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than 1-butene (1-butene / α-olefin) is preferably 99 / 1 to 60 / 40, more preferably 95 / 5 to 65 / 35, and even more preferably 90 / 10 to 70 / 30. The content (mol %) of the structural units derived from each of the monomers is, for example, 13 It is calculated by analyzing a C-NMR spectrum. When the content of the structural units derived from each monomer in the 1-butene polymer (C3) is within the above range, the obtained pellets have excellent impact resistance.

[0069] The melt flow rate (MFR) of the 1-butene polymer (C3), measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg, is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 100 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.03 to 90.0 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.5 to 70.0 g / 10 min, and even more preferably 1.0 to 50.0 g / 10 min. When the MFR of the 1-butene polymer (C3) is in the above range, the resulting pellets have an excellent balance between fluidity and impact resistance.

[0070] The ratio (Mw / Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the 1-butene polymer (C3) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is preferably 1.5 to 3.0, more preferably 1.6 to 2.8, and even more preferably 1.8 to 2.5. By using the 1-butene polymer (C3) having Mw / Mn within the above range, the stickiness of the resulting pellets is suppressed.

[0071] (4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4)) Examples of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) include a 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer and a copolymer of 4-methyl-1-pentene and an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than 4-methyl-1-pentene, and are generally polymers containing structural units derived from 4-methyl-1-pentene as the main component, which are called 4-methyl-1-pentene-α-olefin copolymers. The 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) may be used singly or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0072] Examples of the α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene, that copolymerize with 4-methyl-1-pentene include linear α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, and 1-eicosene; and branched α-olefins such as 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 4-ethyl-1-hexene, and 3-ethyl-1-hexene. Among these, α-olefins having 2 to 10 carbon atoms excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene are preferred, α-olefins having 2 to 8 carbon atoms excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene are more preferred, and ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene are even more preferred. The α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene may be used singly or in combination of two or more.

[0073] The monomers constituting the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) (4-methyl-1-pentene, an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene) may be, for example, monomers derived from fossil fuels and / or monomers derived from biomass, and these monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0074] Specific preferred examples of the 4-methyl-1-pentene-α-olefin copolymer include 4-methyl-1-pentene-ethylene copolymer, 4-methyl-1-pentene-propylene copolymer, 4-methyl-1-pentene-1-butene copolymer, 4-methyl-1-pentene-1-hexene copolymer, 4-methyl-1-pentene-1-octene copolymer, and 4-methyl-1-pentene-ethylene-propylene copolymer, with 4-methyl-1-pentene-ethylene copolymer and 4-methyl-1-pentene-propylene copolymer being more preferred.

[0075] When the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) is a 4-methyl-1-pentene-α-olefin copolymer, the molar ratio of structural units derived from 4-methyl-1-pentene to structural units derived from an α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene (4-methyl-1-pentene / α-olefin) is preferably 90 / 10 to 55 / 45, more preferably 85 / 15 to 60 / 40, and even more preferably 85 / 15 to 65 / 35. The content (mol %) of the structural units derived from each of the monomers is, for example, 13It is calculated by analyzing a C-NMR spectrum. When the content of the structural units derived from each monomer of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) is within the above range, the obtained pellets have excellent impact resistance.

[0076] The density of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) in accordance with ASTM D1505 is preferably 830 to 870 kg / m 3 , more preferably 830 to 865 kg / m 3 , and more preferably 830 to 855 kg / m 3 is.

[0077] The melt flow rate (MFR) of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4), measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg, is preferably in the range of 4.0 to 30 g / 10 min, more preferably 7.0 to 15.0 g / 10 min, and even more preferably 7.0 to 13.0 g / 10 min. When the MFR of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) is in the above range, the resulting pellets have an excellent balance between fluidity and impact resistance.

[0078] The ratio (Mw / Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is preferably in the range of 1.0 to 3.5, more preferably 1.2 to 3.0, and even more preferably 1.5 to 2.8. By using the 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4) having an Mw / Mn ratio within the above range, the stickiness of the resulting pellets is suppressed.

[0079] (Other α-olefin polymers) The pellets may contain other α-olefin polymers other than the above-mentioned (C1) to (C4) within the range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. The other α-olefin polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0080] <Pellet manufacturing method> The pellets are obtained by adhering the oil-based liquid (A) and the fatty acid metal salt (B) to the surface of a pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C). The method for producing the pellets preferably includes a step (i) of preparing a pellet body [I] containing the α-olefin polymer (C), and a step (ii) of adhering the oil-based liquid (A) and the fatty acid metal salt (B) to the pellet body [I].

[0081] <Process (i)> Step (i) is a step of preparing pellet bodies [I] containing an α-olefin polymer (C). The pellet bodies [I] are pellet-shaped particles containing an α-olefin polymer (C), and can be produced, for example, by a known extruder. The pellet body [I] preferably has a length (L) of 1.5 to 5.0 mm in the pellet-like particle, and a diameter (D) of 3.5 to 6.0 mm in the pellet-like particle.

[0082] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one specific example of a pellet-shaped particle (e.g., the pellet body [I] or this pellet), and each horizontally elongated ellipse represents one pellet-shaped particle. In FIG. 1, the length (L) of the pellet-shaped particle is indicated by "L." Furthermore, in FIG. 1, the cross section of the pellet-shaped particle is visualized, and the cross section with the largest diameter among the cross sections is represented by the curved and dotted lines shown in the pellet ellipse. In FIG. 1, the diameter (D) of the pellet-shaped particle is indicated by "D."

[0083] In the pellet body [I], the length (L) of the pellet-shaped particle is more preferably 1.8 to 4.7 mm, and even more preferably 2.0 to 4.5 mm, and the diameter (D) of the pellet-shaped particle is more preferably 3.7 to 5.7 mm, and even more preferably 4.0 to 5.5 mm. The pellet body [I] having the length (L) and diameter (D) within the above ranges has excellent handleability during molding.

[0084] The pellet body [I] may consist of only the α-olefin polymer (C), but may also contain additives other than the α-olefin polymer (C), if necessary. Examples of additives include, but are not limited to, weather resistance stabilizers, heat resistance stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbers, infrared absorbers, antistatic agents, antislip agents, antiblocking agents, antifogging agents, lubricants, pigments, dyes, plasticizers, antioxidants, hydrochloric acid absorbers, antioxidants, crystal nucleating agents, antifungal agents, antibacterial agents, flame retardants, organic fillers, and softeners. These additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0085] The method for producing the pellet body [I] is not particularly limited, and for example, a conventionally known production method can be used. A method can be used in which components including the α-olefin polymer (C) are melt-kneaded and then granulated using an extruder. The melt-kneading method is not particularly limited, and commonly used known mixers such as kneaders, roll mills, Banbury mixers, and single- or twin-screw extruders can be used. This method can produce high-quality pellets in which the α-olefin polymer (C) and any optional additives are uniformly dispersed and mixed.

[0086] <Process (ii)> Step (ii) is a step of adhering an oil-based liquid (A) and a fatty acid metal salt (B) to the pellet body [I] obtained in step (i). There are no particular limitations on the method for adhering each component to the pellet body [I] obtained in step (i), but the pellet body [I] can be produced by contacting the pellet body [I] with the oil-based liquid (A) and the fatty acid metal salt (B).

[0087] The contact between the pellet body [I] and the fatty acid metal salt (B) may be before, after, or simultaneously with the contact with the oil-based liquid (A). However, a preferred method is, for example, to mechanically mix the pellet body [I] and the oil-based liquid (A) by a known method to adhere the oil-based liquid (A) to the pellet body [I], then sprinkle and mix the fatty acid metal salt (B) over the pellet body [I] to which the oil-based liquid (A) has adhered, and then further adhere the fatty acid metal salt (B).

[0088] The mechanical mixing method can be carried out using, for example, a ribbon blender, a drum tumbler, a paddle blender, a Henschel mixer, a fluidized bed operation, etc. Alternatively, the pellet body [I], the oil-based liquid (A), and the fatty acid metal salt (B) may be continuously supplied to a contacting device, and the pellets obtained at each stage may be continuously withdrawn from the device to produce the pellets.

[0089] The contact of the pellet body [I] with the oil-based liquid (A) and / or fatty acid metal salt (B) can be carried out at any temperature so long as the oil-based liquid (A) does not evaporate, solidify, or become too viscous, and is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 to 150, preferably 10 to 60, and more preferably 15 to 35. The contact time is also not particularly limited, but is usually 0.01 second to 10 hours, and preferably 0.1 second to 1 hour.

[0090] In another embodiment of the present pellet manufacturing method, a method can be employed in which an extruder equipped with a so-called underwater cut type pelletizer is used to extrude the pellet body [I] in a molten state into water in which the oil-based liquid (A) and, if necessary, a known surfactant have been added to finely disperse the oil-based liquid (A), and the pellet body [I] is pelletized while cooling, thereby adhering the oil-based liquid (A) to the surface thereof, and then the surface of the pellet body [I] to which the oil-based liquid (A) has been adhered is sprinkled with a fatty acid metal salt (B), and further fatty acid metal salt (B) is adhered.

[0091] The pellets obtained by the above-described method preferably have the same specifications (length (L) and diameter (D)) as the pellet body [I] obtained in step (i).

[0092] The present pellets obtained by the above-mentioned method preferably have a blocking force (cold blocking force) of 50 N or less, more preferably 47 N or less, and even more preferably 45 N or less when the pellets are left for 1 day at 35°C under a pressure of 12 kPa and then left for 7 days at -10°C. If the cold blocking force of the present pellets is equal to or less than the upper limit, this is preferred because the pellets have excellent blocking resistance when the temperature environment changes from a high temperature environment such as summer to a low temperature environment such as winter.

[0093] Furthermore, the pellets obtained by the above-mentioned method preferably have a blocking force (melt-blocking force) of 30 N or less, more preferably 26 N or less, and even more preferably 25 N or less after 7 days of application of a load of 12 kPa at 40°C. The melt-blocking force of the pellets is preferably the upper limit value or less, since the pellets have excellent blocking resistance in high-temperature environments such as summer.

[0094] Since the present pellets obtained by the above-described method tend to have excellent blocking resistance under various temperature environments, it is preferable that the present pellets simultaneously have a cold blocking strength of not more than the upper limit value and a melt blocking strength of not more than the upper limit value. The cold blocking strength and melt blocking strength are specifically measured by the test method described in the examples below.

[0095] The amount of oil-based liquid (A) used is 0.009 to 0.110 parts by mass, preferably 0.010 to 0.110 parts by mass, more preferably 0.011 to 0.110 parts by mass, even more preferably 0.011 to 0.108 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 0.011 to 0.105 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the pellet body [I].

[0096] The amount of fatty acid metal salt (B) used is 0.01 to 0.10 parts by mass, preferably 0.02 to 0.10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.03 to 0.10 parts by mass, even more preferably 0.03 to 0.098 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.095 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the pellet body [I].

[0097] The pellets, in which the amount of oil-based liquid (A) and fatty acid metal salt (B) adhered thereto is within the above-mentioned range, have a small amount of external additives adhered to the pellets, have good pellet fluidity, and are less likely to accumulate as clumps of these external additives during production, and these clumps are less likely to be mixed into the product. Even when the amount of external additives is sufficiently small, the pellets have excellent blocking resistance in high-temperature environments and when the temperature changes from high to low, resulting in excellent transportability, storage stability, and handling properties for the product in a variety of seasons and regions.

[0098] As described above, various α-olefin polymers can be used for the pellets, and therefore there are no particular limitations on their applications, but they are suitable for use as modifiers for water-crosslinkable rubber, thermoplastic resin, engineering plastics (engineering plastics), etc. For example, when a graft-modified (particularly, acid-modified) α-olefin polymer (e.g., ethylene polymer (C1)) is used as the α-olefin polymer (C), its use as an engineering plastics modifier is particularly preferred from the viewpoints of its flexibility and compatibility with engineering plastics mainly composed of polar resins. [Example]

[0099] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0100] <mfr> The MFR of the α-olefin polymer was measured in accordance with ASTM D1238 under conditions of 230° C. and a load of 2.16 kg.

[0101] <density> Measurement was carried out at 25°C in accordance with ASTM D1505 for α-olefin polymers.

[0102] <Acid denaturation degree> The degree of acid modification (maleic anhydride modification amount (mass%)) of the acid-modified α-olefin polymer used in the examples and comparative examples was measured by FT-IR at a wave number of 1780 cm -1 The peak intensity was calculated from a separately prepared calibration curve.

[0103] <Quantitative determination of silicone oil adhesion amount> A predetermined amount of pellets obtained in the examples and comparative examples was washed with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), a solvent in which silicone oil dissolves, and the washing liquid was then recovered. The recovered washing liquid was then subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis, and the amount of silicone oil attached was determined from the X-ray intensity of Si and a previously prepared calibration curve for silicone oil.

[0104] <Quantitative determination of calcium stearate adhesion amount> A predetermined amount of pellets obtained in the examples and comparative examples was dry ashed (treated with hydrofluoric acid and dissolved in acid), then dissolved in dilute acid. The volume was adjusted to a constant volume with pure water to prepare a test solution, and the amount of adhesion was quantified using ICP-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES, measuring device: 720-ES, manufactured by Agilent Technologies).

[0105] <Blocking test> Cold blocking power 95 g of the pellets obtained in the Examples and Comparative Examples were placed in a No. 6 standard plastic bag measuring 210 mm in length and 100 mm in width. The opening of the plastic bag was folded so that the vertical length was 90 mm and secured with cellophane tape. Three sample bags containing pellets were prepared in this manner. A U-shaped support (U-shaped support plate) was placed in a test room previously set to an ambient temperature of 35°C. One sample bag was placed inside the U-shaped support plate with its vertical and horizontal surfaces touching the floor, and two sample bags were placed on top of it (see Figure 2). A 7 mm thick wooden board was placed on top of the topmost sample bag, and a 10 kg weight was placed on top of that. The force exerted by this weight corresponds to the force exerted on the bottommost package when 11 to 13 25 kg pellet packages (70 cm long, 48 cm wide, and 14 cm high when packed with pellets) are stacked vertically (heightwise) with the vertical and horizontal sides touching the floor. This condition is calculated to be subject to a load of 12 kPa. To prevent the weight from being unbalanced and tipping over if placed on top of the sample bag, a U-shaped support post is used to support the weight. The entire test set, including the sample bag, wooden board, weight, and U-shaped support plate, was then moved to another testing room previously maintained at an ambient temperature of 35°C. One day after the move, the ambient temperature was changed to -10°C and the test was allowed to continue for another 7 days. The wooden board and weight on top of the sample bag were then removed, and the sample bag was removed from the testing room. Three sides of the sample bag were cut open with a cutter, the plastic bag was peeled off, and a push-pull gauge (Nidec-Shimpo FGC-5B model with a φ12 push adapter attached) was pressed against the center of the sample to measure the maximum force (blocking force) required to break the pellet blocking. The blocking force was measured for each of the three bags, and the average value was calculated. The degree of collapse of the pellet aggregates was also evaluated visually according to the following criteria. A: The pellet aggregate collapses entirely. B: The pellet aggregate collapses only at the blocking force measurement point (measurement terminal). C: The pellet aggregate does not crumble.

[0106] Melt blocking force As in the measurement of the cold-blocking force, a complete set of test equipment, including a sample bag, wooden board, weight, and U-shaped support plate, was prepared, and instead of the test room with an ambient temperature of 35° C., the above set was moved as is to another test room that had been previously set to an ambient temperature of 40° C. Seven days after the move, the blocking force was measured and the degree of crumbling of the pellet aggregate was evaluated, as in the measurement of the cold-blocking force.

[0107] <Materials used> The oil-based liquid (A), fatty acid metal salt (B), and α-olefin polymer (C) used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows. (Oil-based liquid (A)) (A-1): Silicone oil (Fatty acid metal salt (B)) (B-1): Calcium stearate (average particle size 20 μm) (α-olefin polymer (C)) (C-1): Acid-modified ethylene polymer manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MFR (230°C, 2.16 kg): 1.2 g / 10 min, density: 866 kg / m 3 , acid modification degree (maleic anhydride modification amount) is 1.0 mass% (C-2): Acid-modified ethylene polymer manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MFR (230°C, 2.16 kg): 1.1 g / 10 min, density: 870 kg / m 3 , acid modification degree (maleic anhydride modification amount) is 2.0 mass%

[0108] [Example 1] Using a single-screw extruder, α-olefin polymer (C-1) is kneaded at 200 ° C. to prepare pellet body [I-1] 100 parts by mass and oil-based liquid (A-1) 0.01 parts by mass are mechanically mixed using a Henschel mixer to obtain pellets [II-1] with oil-based liquid (A-1) attached to the surface. Using the obtained pellets [II-1], the amount of silicone oil attached is determined according to the above-mentioned method. The results are shown in Table 1. Next, 100 parts by weight of the resulting pellets [II-1] and 0.05 parts by weight of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) (0.05 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the pellets [I-1]) were added to a plastic bag and mixed to obtain pellets [III-1]. The amount of calcium stearate attached to the resulting pellets [III-1] was quantified and a blocking test was performed according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, since it is considered that there is no change in the amount of oil-based liquid (A) (oil-based liquid (A-1): silicone oil) attached between pellet [II-1] and pellet [III-1], the amount of silicone oil attached measured on pellet [II-1] was taken as the amount attached on pellet [III-1] (the present pellet). The same applies to the following Examples 2 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

[0109] [Example 2] Pellets [III-2] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.07 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-2] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0110] [Example 3] Using a single-screw extruder, α-olefin polymer (C-1) is kneaded at 200 ° C. to prepare pellet body [I-1] 100 parts by mass and oil-based liquid (A-1) 0.10 parts by mass are mechanically mixed using a Henschel mixer to obtain pellets [II-2] with oil-based liquid (A-1) attached to the surface. Using the obtained pellets [II-2], the amount of silicone oil attached is determined according to the above-mentioned method. The results are shown in Table 1. Next, 100 parts by weight of the resulting pellets [II-2] and 0.02 parts by weight of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) (0.02 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the pellets [I-1]) were added to a plastic bag and mixed to obtain pellets [III-3]. The amount of calcium stearate attached to the resulting pellets [III-3] was quantified and a blocking test was performed according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0111] [Example 4] Pellets [III-4] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.03 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-4] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0112] [Example 5] Pellets [III-5] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.05 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-5] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0113] [Example 6] Pellets [III-6] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.10 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-6] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0114] [Example 7] Using a single-screw extruder, α-olefin polymer (C-2) was kneaded at 200 ° C. to prepare pellet body [I-2] 100 parts by mass and oil-based liquid (A-1) 0.01 parts by mass were mechanically mixed using a Henschel mixer to obtain pellets [II-3] with oil-based liquid (A-1) attached to the surface. Using the obtained pellets [II-3], the amount of silicone oil attached was determined according to the above-mentioned method. The results are shown in Table 1. Next, 100 parts by weight of the resulting pellets [II-3] and 0.05 parts by weight of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) (0.05 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the pellets [I-2]) were added to a plastic bag and mixed to obtain pellets [III-7]. The amount of calcium stearate attached to the resulting pellets [III-7] was quantified and a blocking test was performed according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0115] [Example 8] Pellets [III-8] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.07 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-8] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0116] [Example 9] Pellets [III-9] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.10 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [III-9] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0117] [Comparative Example 1] A blocking test was carried out according to the above-mentioned method using the pellets [II-1] obtained in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0118] Comparative Example 2 A blocking test was carried out according to the above-mentioned method using the pellets [II-2] obtained in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0119] Comparative Example 3 Pellets [IV-1] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.01 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [IV-1] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0120] Comparative Example 4 Pellets [IV-2] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.15 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [IV-2] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0121] Comparative Example 5 A blocking test was carried out according to the above-mentioned method using the pellets [II-3] obtained in Example 7. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0122] Comparative Example 6 Pellets [IV-3] were obtained in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B-1) used was changed to 0.15 parts by mass. The amount of calcium stearate attached was determined and a blocking test was carried out using the obtained pellets [IV-3] according to the methods described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0123] [Table 1]

[0124] As shown in Table 1, the pellets of Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 5, which did not contain fatty acid metal salt (B), exhibited poor melt-blocking and cold-blocking strengths, while the pellets of Comparative Example 3, which had too little fatty acid metal salt (B) attached, exhibited poor cold-blocking strength. Furthermore, when the amount of fatty acid metal salt (B) attached was too high (Comparative Examples 3 and 6), a large amount of fatty acid metal salt (B) was required to achieve the desired amount of attachment, resulting in a larger amount of fatty acid metal salt (B) remaining in the mixture without adhering to the pellets than in the Examples. From these results, it can be said that the Examples, which had less fatty acid metal salt (B) remaining unadhered to the pellets, are expected to suppress the accumulation of external additive lumps during pellet production and their inclusion in the product, compared to Comparative Examples 3 and 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1. Weight 2. U-shaped support plate 3. Wood board 4. Sample bags< / mfr>

Claims

1. A pellet comprising an oil-based liquid (A), a fatty acid metal salt (B), and an α-olefin polymer (C), A pellet comprising a pellet body [I] containing an α-olefin polymer (C), and having the oil-based liquid (A) and the fatty acid metal salt (B) adhered to the surface of the pellet body [I] in an amount of 0.008 to 0.10 mass % relative to the total mass of the pellet, and 0.015 to 0.10 mass % relative to the total mass of the pellet.

2. 2. The pellet according to claim 1, wherein the oil-based liquid (A) comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, aliphatic hydrocarbon oils, natural oils, naphthenic oils, paraffinic oils, aromatic oils, and silicone oils.

3. The pellet according to claim 1, wherein the fatty acid metal salt (B) satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ba) and (Bb): (Ba-a) the fatty acid has 16 to 20 carbon atoms; (Bb) The metal salt is a calcium salt.

4. The pellet according to claim 1, wherein the α-olefin polymer (C) comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an ethylene polymer (C1), a propylene polymer (C2), a 1-butene polymer (C3), and a 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer (C4).

5. The pellet according to claim 1, wherein the α-olefin polymer (C) satisfies at least one of the following requirements (Ca-a) to (C-c): (Ca-a) the degree of acid modification is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 mass%; (C-b) the melt flow rate at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg according to ASTM D1238 is in the range of 0.05 to 100 g / 10 min; (C-c) Density according to ASTM D1505 is 850 to 900 kg / m 3 is in the range.

6. The pellets according to claim 1, wherein the pellet aggregate has a blocking force (cold blocking force) of 50 N or less after one day has elapsed since the pellets were subjected to a load of 12 kPa at 35°C and then after seven days have elapsed since the pellets were cooled to -10°C, and the pellet aggregate has a blocking force (melt blocking force) of 30 N or less after seven days have elapsed since the pellets were subjected to a load of 12 kPa at 40°C.

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