HOLLOW BALLS AND SOAKING METHOD

Abstract

This description provides a pellet. In one embodiment, the pellet includes a body having a first end and an opposite second end. The body is composed of a polymeric material. The body has a length and a diameter (body diameter). A channel having a diameter (channel diameter) extends through the body from the first end to the second end. The pellet has a channel diameter-to-body diameter ratio of 0.05 to 0.45. This description also provides a process for soaking the pellet in a liquid additive and forming a pellet loaded with the additive within the pellet body.

Description

HOLLOW BALLS AND SOAKING METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common practice to soak polymer resin pellets in liquid additives to infuse, or otherwise combine, the additive into the polymer pellets before further processing. In the production of plastic coatings for power cables, for example, olefin-based polymer pellets are often soaked in liquid peroxide before being molten-blended or molten-extruded with other ingredients. Unfortunately, additive soaking of olefin-based polymer pellets suffers from several disadvantages. Many olefin-based polymer pellets require extended soaking times—10 hours or more—in order to incorporate a sufficient amount of additive into the pellet. These extended soaking times result in additional capital costs for the soaking equipment and decrease production yield rates. The use of porous pellets is known as a way to reduce soaking time for olefin-based polymer pellets. However, porous olefin-based polymer pellets are expensive to produce, which limits their practical use in industry. Porous olefin-based polymer pellets also present shortage problems. Ref. 325921 of homogeneity when mixed in the molten state or extruded. Consequently, the technique recognizes the need for polymer resin pellets that can reduce the soaking time of the additive without negatively affecting subsequent production stages. The technique also recognizes the need for pellets with a larger surface area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This description provides a pellet. In one embodiment, the pellet includes a body having a first end and an opposite second end. The body is composed of a polymeric material. The body has a length and a diameter (body diameter). A channel having a diameter (channel diameter) extends through the body from the first end to the second end. The pellet has a ratio of channel diameter to body diameter of 0.05 to 0.45. The present description provides a process. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a pellet having a body, the body having a first end and an opposite second end, the body being composed of a polymeric material, and the pellet having a channel extending through the body from the first end to the second end. The process includes soaking the pellet in an additive. The additive is in a liquid state. The additive is a material selected from the group consisting of a silane, an organic peroxide, an isocyanurate, and combinations thereof. The process includes forming a loaded pellet having the material in its body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1A is a perspective view of pellets having a channel extending through the pellet body, in accordance with one embodiment of the present description. Figure IB is a perspective view of a hollow pellet, in accordance with one modality of the present description. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the pellet as seen along line 2A-2A of Figure IB. Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the pellet as seen along line 2B-2B of Figure IB. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pellet in Figure IB. Figure 4A is a perspective view of a closed pellet, in accordance with one modality of the present description. Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the closed pellet as seen along the line 4B-4B of Figure 4A. Figure 5 is a graph of the percentage of additive capacity versus the duration of soaking time. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of U.S. patent practice, the contents of any patent, patent application, or publication referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or their equivalent U.S. version is so incorporated by reference), particularly with respect to the description of definitions (to the extent they are not inconsistent with any of the definitions specifically provided in this description) and general knowledge of the art. The numerical intervals described herein include all values ​​from, and including, the lower and upper values. For intervals containing explicit values ​​(e.g., 1 or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7), any subinterval between any two explicit values ​​is included (e.g., 1 to 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6; etc.). The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and their derivatives are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step, or process, whether specifically described or not. For the avoidance of doubt, all compositions claimed using the term "comprising" may include any additive, adjuvant, or additional compound (whether polymerized or otherwise) unless otherwise stated. Conversely, the term "consisting essentially of" excludes the scope of any subsequent mention of any other component, step, or process, except those not essential to operability. The term "consisting of" excludes any component, step, or process not specifically defined or listed. The term "or," unless otherwise stated, refers to the members listed individually as well as in any combination.The use of the singular includes the use of the plural and vice versa. Unless otherwise stated, implied from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percentages are based on weight, and all testing methods are current as of the date of submission of this description. Blend, polymer blend, and similar terms refer to a combination of two or more polymers. Such a blend may or may not be miscible. Such a combination may or may not be phase-separated. Such a combination may or may not contain one or more domain configurations, as determined from electron transmission spectroscopy, light scattering, X-ray scattering, and any other method known in the art. An ethylene-based polymer is a polymer containing more than 50 percent by weight of polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and may optionally contain at least one comonomer. Ethylene-based polymers include ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers (i.e., ethylene-derived units and one or more comonomers). The terms ethylene-based polymer and polyethylene may be used interchangeably. Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymers (polyethylene) include low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear polyethylene.Non-limiting examples of linear polyethylene include linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), ultra-low-density polyethylene (ULDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), multi-component ethylene-based copolymer (EPE), ethylene / α-olefin multiple block copolymers (also known as olefin block copolymers (OBCs)), single-site catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), linear or substantially linear plastomers / elastomers, medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).In general, polyethylene can be produced in gas-phase fluidized bed reactors, liquid-phase suspension process reactors, or liquid-phase solution process reactors, using a heterogeneous catalytic system, such as the Ziegler-Natta catalyst, or a homogeneous catalytic system comprising Group 4 transition metals and ligand structures, such as metallocene, non-metallocene, metal-centered, heteroaryl, heterovalent aryloxy ether, phosphinimine, and others. Combinations of heterogeneous and / or homogeneous catalysts can also be used in either single-reactor or dual-reactor configurations. In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer does not contain an aromatic comonomer polymerized therein. Ethylene plastomers / elastomers are substantially linear, or linear, ethylene / α-olefin copolymers containing a homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising ethylene-derived units and units derived from at least one Cs-Cn α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Ce-Cs α-olefin comonomer. Ethylene plastomers / elastomers have a density of 0.870 g / cc, or 0.880 g / cc, or 0.890 g / cc to 0.900 g / cc, or 0.902 g / cc, or 0.904 g / cc, or 0.909 g / cc, or 0.910 g / cc, or 0.917 g / cc. Non-limiting examples of ethylene plastomers / elastomers include AFFINITY™ plastomers and elastomers (available from The Dow Chemical Company), EXACT™ plastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical), Tafmer™ (available from Mitsui), Nexlene™ (available from SK Chemicals Co.) and Lucene™ (available from LG Chem Ltd.). High-density polyethylene (or HDPE) is an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene / α-olefin copolymer that has at least one C4-C10 α-olefin comonomer, or one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, and a density greater than 0.94 g / cc, or 0.945 g / cc, or 0.95 g / cc, or 0.955 g / cc to 0.96 g / cc, or 0.97 g / cc, or 0.98 g / cc. HDPE can be a monomodal copolymer or a multimodal copolymer. A monomodal ethylene copolymer is a C4-C10 ethylene / α-olefin copolymer that has a distinct peak on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) that shows the molecular weight distribution. A multimodal ethylene copolymer is a C4-C10 ethylene / α-olefin copolymer that has at least two distinct peaks on a GPC (geometric concentration graph) showing the molecular weight distribution. Multimodal includes copolymers with two peaks (bimodal) as well as copolymers with more than two peaks.Non-limiting examples of HDPE include DOW™ High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) resins, ELITE™ Enhanced Polyethylene resins, and CONTINUUM™ Bimodal Polyethylene resins, each available from The Dow Chemical Company; LUPOLEN™, available from LyondellBasell; as well as HDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, and ExxonMobil. An interpolymer (or copolymer) is a polymer prepared by the polymerization of at least two different monomers. This generic term includes copolymers, usually used to refer to polymers prepared from two different monomers, and polymers prepared from more than two different monomers, for example, terpolymers, tetrapolymers, etc. Low-density polyethylene (or LDPE) consists of an ethylene homopolymer, or an ethylene / α-olefin copolymer comprising at least one Cs-Cn α-olefin, preferably C3C4, having a density of 0.915 g / cc to 0.940 g / cc and containing long-chain branching with a wide molecular weight distribution (MWD). LDPE is typically produced by high-pressure free-radical polymerization (tubular reactor or autoclave with a free-radical initiator). Non-limiting examples of LDPE include MarFlex™ (Chevron Phillips), LUPOLEN™ (LyondellBasell), and LDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, ExxonMobil, and others. Linear low-density polyethylene (or LLDPE) is a linear ethylene / α-olefin copolymer containing a heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising ethylene-derived units and units derived from at least one C3-C10 α-olefin comonomer, at least one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Ce-Cs aolefin comonomer. LLDPE is characterized by little, if any, long-chain branching, in contrast to conventional LDPE. LLDPE has a density of 0.910 g / cc, 0.915 g / cc, 0.920 g / cc, 0.925 g / cc, 0.930 g / cc, 0.935 g / cc, or 0.940 g / cc. Non-limiting examples of LLDPE include TUFLIN™ linear low-density polyethylene resins and DOWLEX™ polyethylene resins, each available from The Dow Chemical Company; and MARLEX™ polyethylene (available from Chevron Phillips). The multicomponent ethylene-based copolymer (or EPE) comprises units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Cg-Cg α-olefin comonomer, as described in patent references USP 6,111,023; USP 5,677,383; and USP 6,984,695. EPE resins have a density of 0.905 g / cc, or 0.908 g / cc, or 0.912 g / cc, or 0.920 g / cc to 0.926 g / cc, or 0.929 g / cc, or 0.940 g / cc or 0.962 g / cc. Non-limiting examples of EPE resins include ELITE™ Enhanced Polyethylene and ELITE AT™ Advanced Technology Resins, each available from The Dow Chemical Company; SURPASS™ Polyethylene (PE) resins, available from Nova Chemicals; and SMART™ available from SK Chemicals Co. An olefin-based polymer, or polyolefin, is a polymer containing more than 50 percent by weight of polymerized olefin monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and may optionally contain at least one comonomer. Non-limiting examples of olefin-based polymers include ethylene-based polymers and propylene-based polymers. An "olefin" and similar terms refer to hydrocarbons consisting of hydrogen and carbon, whose molecules contain a pair of carbon atoms linked by a double bond. A polymer is a compound prepared by the polymerization of monomers, whether of the same or different types, which in their polymerized form provide the multiple and / or repeating units, or mer units, that constitute a polymer. The generic term polymer thus encompasses the term homopolymer, usually used to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term copolymer, usually used to refer to polymers prepared from at least two types of monomers. It also encompasses all forms of copolymer, for example, random, block, etc. The terms ethylene / α-olefin polymer and propylene / α-olefin polymer are indicative of a copolymer, as described above, prepared from the polymerization of ethylene or propylene, respectively, and one or more additional polymerizable α-olefin monomers.It is noted that, although a polymer is often referred to as being made from one or more specified monomers, based on a specified monomer or type of monomer, containing a specified monomer content, or similar, it is understood in this context that the term monomer refers to the polymerized remnant of the specified monomer and not to the unpolymerized species. Generally, polymers are referred to herein as being based on units that are the polymerized form of a corresponding monomer. Single-site catalyzed linear low-density polyethylenes (or m-LLDPE) are linear ethylene / α-olefin copolymers containing a homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising ethylene-derived units and units derived from at least one C3-C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Ce-Cs α-olefin comonomer. m-LLDPE has a density of 0.913 g / cc, or 0.918 g / cc, or 0.920 g / cc to 0.925 g / cc, or 0.940 g / cc. Non-limiting examples of m-LLDPE include EXCEED™ metallocene PE (available from ExxonMobil Chemical), LUFLEXEN™ m-LLDPE (available from LyondellBasell) and ELTEX™ PE m-LLDPE (available from Ineos Olefins & Polymers). Ultra-low density polyethylene (or ULDPE) and very low density polyethylene (or VLDPE), each of which is a linear ethylene / α-olefin copolymer containing a heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising ethylene-derived units and units derived from at least one C313 α-olefin comonomer C10, or at least one C4-C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Co-Cb α-olefin comonomer. ULDPE and VLDPE each have a density of 0.885 g / cc, or 0.90 g / cc to 0.915 g / cc. Non-limiting examples of ULDPE and VLDPE include ATTANETK ULDPE resins and FLEXOMER™ VLDPE resins, each available from The Dow Chemical Company. Melt blending is a process in which at least two components are combined or otherwise mixed together, and at least one of the components is in a molten state. Melt blending can be carried out by one or more of several known processes, such as batch blending, extrusion blending, extrusion molding, and the like. Melt blended compositions are compositions formed through the molten blending process. Thermoplastic polymer and similar terms refer to a linear or branched polymer that can be softened and made fluid repeatedly when heated and returns to a solid state when cooled to room temperature. A thermoplastic polymer typically has an elastic modulus greater than 68.95 MPa (10,000 psi) as measured in accordance with ASTM D638-72. Furthermore, a thermoplastic polymer can be molded or extruded into an article of any predetermined shape when heated to its softened state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This description provides a pellet. In one embodiment, the pellet includes a body composed of a polymeric material. The body has a first end and a second end located on opposite sides of the body. The body has a length and a diameter. The body has a channel with a channel diameter. The channel extends through the body from the first end to the second end. The pellet has a ratio of the channel diameter to the body diameter of 0.05 to 0.45. Little ball With reference to the figures, and initially to Figure 1A, a plurality of pellets of the present description are shown. Figure 1B shows an individual pellet 10, pellet 10 including a body 20. Body 20 includes a first end 15 and a second end 25. Pellet 10 includes a channel 30. Channel 30 extends through body 20 from first end 15 to second end 25. The pellet 10 with body 20 and channel 30 extending through it is hereafter referred to interchangeably as a "hollow pellet". In one embodiment, body 20 has a cylindrical shape. Body 20 includes first end 15 and second end 25, the ends being circular or generally circular. First end 15 and second end 25 are located on opposite sides of body 20. An axis of symmetry A is located at the center of the circles formed by ends 15 and 25. Ball 10 includes a channel 30 that is parallel to the axis of symmetry A. Channel 30 is cylindrical, or generally cylindrical, and is located at the center of body 20. Channel 30 spans the entire length of body 20. Channels 30 extend from first end 15 to second end 25. Body 20 has a circular, or generally circular, cross-sectional shape. Body 20 also has a cylindrical, or generally cylindrical, shape. It is understood that the circular cross-sectional shape of Body 20 may be altered (i.e., compressed, pressed, or packed) due to the forces imparted on pellet 10 during industrial-scale production and / or handling of the pellet while it is still in a molten state. Consequently, the cross-sectional shape of Body 20 may be more elliptical than circular, thus defining its generally circular cross-sectional shape. Body 20 and channel 30 each have a respective diameter—body diameter 40 and channel diameter 45. The term diameter, as used herein, is the greatest length between two points on the surface of the body / channel that extends through the center, along the axis of symmetry A, of the body / channel. In other words, when pellet 10 has an elliptical shape (as opposed to a circular shape), the diameter is the major axis of the ellipse. In one modality, the shape of body 20 resembles a hockey puck. Figure 2A shows a body diameter 40 and a channel diameter 45 for pellet 10. In one embodiment, the body diameter 40 is 0.7 millimeters (mm), or 0.8 mm, or 0.9 mm, or 1.0 mm, or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm, or 4.0 mm, or 4.2 mm, or 4.6 mm, or 5.0 mm. In an additional embodiment, the body diameter 40 is 0.7 to 5.0 mm, or 0.8 to 4.2 mm, or 1.0 to 4.0 mm. In one embodiment, the diameter of the 45-degree groove is 0.10 mm, or 0.13 mm, or 0.5 mm, or 0.18 mm to 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm, or 0.6 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.8 mm. In an additional embodiment, the diameter of the 45-degree groove is 0.10 to 1.8 mm, or 0.15 to 1.6 mm, or 0.18 to 1 mm, or 0.18 to 0.8 mm, or 0.18 to 0.6 mm. Pellet 10 has a channel diameter-to-body diameter (CBD) ratio. The term channel diameter-to-body diameter (or CBD) ratio, as used herein, refers to the result obtained by dividing the channel diameter by the body diameter (i.e., the CBD is the quotient of channel diameter and body diameter). For example, when the channel diameter is 2.0 mm and the body diameter is 7.0 mm, the CBD ratio is 0.29. In one modality, the CBD ratio is 0.03, or 0.05, or 0.07, or 0.11 to 0.13, or 0.15, or 0.2, or 0.25, or 0.3, or 0.35, or 0.4, or 0.45, or 0.5. In an additional modality, the CBD ratio is 0.03 to 0.5, or 0.05 to 0.45, or 0.05 to 0.25, or 0.05 to 0.15, or 0.11 to 0.15. Figure 2B shows a length 35 for body 20. In one embodiment, the length 35 is 0.4 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.2 mm, or 1.4 mm, or 1.5 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm, or 2 mm, or 2.2 mm, or 2.5 mm, or 3 mm, or 3.3 mm, or 3.5 mm, or 4 mm. In an additional embodiment, the length 35 is 0.4 to 4 mm, or 0.8 to 3.5 mm, or 1 to 3.5 mm, or 1.4 to 2.5 mm, or 1.5 to 1.9 mm. In one embodiment: (i) the length 35 is 0.4 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.2 mm, or 1.4 mm, or 1.5 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm, or 2 mm, or 2.2 mm, or 2.5 mm, or 3 mm, or 3.3 mm, or 3.5 mm, or 4 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is 0.7 millimeters (mm), or 0.8 mm, or 0.9 mm, or 1.0 mm, or from 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm, or 4.0 mm, or 4.2 mm, or 4.6 mm, or 5.0 mm; and (iii) the diameter of channel 45 is 0.10 mm, or 0.13 mm, or 0.15 mm, or from 0.18 mm to 0.3 mm, or 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm, or 0.6 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.8 mm. In a further embodiment: (i) the length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, or from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, or from 1 to 3.5 mm, or from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, or from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the diameter of body 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, or from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, or from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; and (iii) the diameter of the 45 channel is from 0.10 to 1.8 mm, or from 0.15 to 1.6 mm, or from 0.18 to 1 mm, or from 0.18 to 0.8 mm, or from 0.18 to 0.6 mm. Returning to Figure IB, a first face 55 of the pellet 10 is shown. The first face 55 is located at the first end 15. A first hole 50 is located in the center of the first face 55. The first hole 50 is circular, or generally circular, and opens into the channel 30. The first hole 50 has an area that is a function of the diameter of the channel 45. It is understood that the area of ​​the first hole 50 is empty space and the first hole 50 has no surface. The first face 55 and the first hole 50 form concentric circles that are bisected by the axis of symmetry A. The first face 55 has a surface that does not include the first hole 50. In other words, the first face 55 has the shape of a flat ring. A second hole 60 is located at the center of a second face 65. The second hole 60 is circular, or generally circular, and opens into channel 30. The area of ​​the second hole 60 is a function of the diameter of channel 45. The area of ​​the second hole 60 is understood to be empty space, and the second hole 60 has no surface. The second face 65 and the second hole 60 form concentric circles bisected by the axis of symmetry A. The second face 65 has a surface that does not include the second hole 60. In other words, the second face 65 is shaped like a flat ring. The first face 55 has a first surface area that is the product of the expression (0.25 x π x [(the diameter of the body 40)2- (the diameter of the channel 45)2] ). The second face 65 has a second surface area that is the product of the expression (0.25 x π x [ (the diameter of the body 40)2- (the diameter of the channel 45)2] ). The surface area of ​​the first face 55 is equal to, or substantially equal to, the surface area of ​​the second face 65. Body 20 has a body surface that includes a face surface. The face surface includes the first face 55 and the second face 65. The face surface has a face surface area that is the sum of the surface area of ​​the first face 55 and the surface area of ​​the second face 65. The face surface area is the product of the expression 2 x (0.25 x π x [(the body diameter 40)2- (the channel diameter 45)2] ). Figure 3 shows a cover 70. The cover 70 is the outer surface of the body 20 that is parallel to the axis of symmetry A. The cover 70 has a cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical shape in general. The cover 70 includes a cover surface and a cover surface area, the latter of which is the product of the expression (n x the body diameter 40 x the length 35). The body 20 has a body surface that includes the cover surface and the face surface. The body surface has a body surface area that is the sum of the cover surface area and the face surface area. In one modality, the body surface area is 25 square millimeters (mm²), or 30 mm², or 32 mm², or 34 mm², or 35 mm², or 40 mm², or 45 mm², or 50 mm². In an additional modality, the body surface area is 25 to 50 mm2, or 30 to 45 mm2, or 35 to 40 mm2. Channel 30 has a channel surface area of ​​75, which includes the channel surface area. The channel surface area is the product of the expression (n x channel diameter 45 x length 35). In one embodiment, the channel surface area is 0.5 mm², or 1 mm², or 2 mm², or 3 mm² to 6 mm², to 7 mm², or 8 mm², or 9 mm², or 10 mm² or 11 mm². In a further embodiment, the channel surface area is 0.5 to 11 mm², or 1 to 9 mm², or 1 to 8 mm², or 2 to 8 mm². Pellet 10 has a surface area that is the sum of the body surface area and the channel surface area. In one modality, the surface area of ​​the pellet is 4 mm², or 15 mm², or 25 mm², or 30 mm², or 35 mm², or 40 mm², or 45 mm², or 50 mm², or 60 mm², or 70 mm², or 80 mm². In an additional modality, the surface area of ​​the pellet is 15 to 80 mm², or 30 to 60 mm², or 35 to 50 mm². In one embodiment, (i) the length 35 is 0.4 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.2 mm, or 1.4 mm, or 1.5 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm, or 2 mm, or 2.2 mm, or 2.5 mm, or 3 mm, or 3.3 mm, or 3.5 mm, or 4 mm; (ii) the diameter of the body 40 is 0.7 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 0.9 mm, or 1.0 mm, or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm, or 4.0 mm, or 4.2 mm, or 4.6 mm or 5.0 mm; (iii) the surface area of ​​the pellet is 4 mm2, or 15 mm2, or 25 mm2, or 30 mm2, or 35 mm2a 4 0 mm2, or 4 5 mm2, or 50 mm2, or 60 mm2, or 7 0 mm2, or 8 0 mm2 and (iv) the CBD ratio is 0.03, or 0.05, or 0.07, or 0.11 to 0.13, or 0.15, or 0.2, or 0.25, or 0.3, or 0.35, or 0.4, or 0.45, or 0.5. In an additional embodiment, (i) the length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, or from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, or from 1 to 3.5 mm, or from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, or from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, or from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, or from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; (iii) the pellet surface area is from 15 to 80 mm2, or from 30 to 60 mm2, or from 35 to 50 mm2; and (iv) the CBD ratio is from 0.03 to 0.5, or from 0.05 to 0.45, or from 0.05 to 0.25, or from 0.05 to 0.15, or from 0.11 to 0.15. The term standard pellet, as used herein, refers to a pellet without a channel (i.e., a solid pellet) that is otherwise identical to pellet 10 of the pre-established description; that is, the standard pellet has the same body diameter 40 and the same body length 35 as pellet 10, and the standard pellet is made of the same polymeric material as the body 20 of pellet 10. In one embodiment, the surface area of ​​pellet 10 is greater than the surface area of ​​a standard pellet due to the presence of the channel 20 in pellet 10. The ratio between the surface area of ​​the pellet and the surface area of ​​the standard pellet is called the PSP ratio. In one mode, the PSP ratio is 1.02, or 1.03, or 1.05, or 1.07 to 1.09, or 1.1, or 1.11, or 1.12, or 1.15, or 1.2 or 1.4. In an additional mode, the PSP ratio is 1.02 to 1.4, or 1.05 to 1.15, or 1.05 to 1.11. Pellet 10 has a carcass surface area to body surface area (CSBS) ratio. The term carcass surface area to body surface area (or CSBS) ratio, as used herein, refers to the result obtained by dividing the carcass surface area by the body surface area (i.e., the CSBS is the quotient of carcass surface area to body surface area). For example, when the carcass surface area is 2.0 mm² and the body surface area is 7.0 mm², the CSBS ratio is 0.29. In one modality, the CSBS ratio is 0.02, or 0.03, or 0.06, or 0.10, or 0.13 to 0.15, or 0.18, or 0.21, or 0.23, or 0.25, or 0.3. In an additional modality, the CSBS ratio is 0.02 to 0.3, or 0.03 to 0.25, or 0.03 to 0.23, or 0.03 to 0.21, or 0.03 to 0.18. In one embodiment, (i) the length 35 is 0.4 mm, or 0.8 mm, o 1 mm, o 1.2 mm, o 1.4 mm, o 1.5 mm, o 1.6 mm,o 1.7 mm a 1.9 mm, o 2 mm, o 2.2 mm, o 2.5 mm, o 3 mm, o 3.3mm, o 3.5 mm, o 4 mm; (ii) el diámetro del cuerpo 40 es de 0.7mm, o 0.8mm, or 0.9mm, or 1.0mm, or 1.5mm to 3.7mm, or 4.0mm, or 4.2mm, or 4.6mm or 5.0mm; (iii) the surface area of ​​the pellet is 4 mm2, or 15 mm2, or 25 mm2, or 30 mm2, or 35 mm2a 4 0 mm2, or 4 5 mm2, or 50 mm2, or 60 mm2, or 7 0 mm2, or 8 0 mm2 and (iv) the CSBS ratio is 0.02, or 0.03, or 0.06, or 0.10, or 0.13 to 0.15, or 0.18, or 0.21, or 0.23, or 0.25, or 0.3. In an additional embodiment, (i) the length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, or from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, or from 1 to 3.5 mm, or from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, or from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, or from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, or from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; (iii) the surface area of ​​the pellet is 15 to 80 mm2, or 30 to 60 mm2, or 35 to 50 mm2 and (iv) the CSBS ratio is 0.02 to 0.3, or 0.03 to 0.25, or 0.03 to 0.23, or 0.03 to 0.21, or 0.03 to 0.18. Figure IB shows that the first end 15 and the second end 25 are open ends. Figures 4A-4B show a closed pellet 80. The closed pellet 80 includes a first closed end 82 and a second closed end 84 and a channel 30. The remaining features of the closed pellet 80 are identical to the features of pellet 10, as described herein. Body 20 is made of a polymeric material. In one embodiment, the polymeric material is selected from the following materials: polyolefin, crosslinkable polyolefin, polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyether, polythioether, wax, hot melt adhesive, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aromatic vinyl polymer, aliphatic vinyl polymer, aromatic alkenyl polymer, and any combination thereof. In a further embodiment, the polymeric material is selected from an ethylene-based polymer, an olefin-based polymer (i.e., a polyolefin), an organic polymer, a propylene-based polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a thermosetting polymer, a melt-blend polymer, blends of the same polymers, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the body is composed of an ethylene-based polymer. Non-limiting examples of suitable ethylene-based polymers also include ethylene / α-olefin interpolymers and ethylene / α-olefin copolymers. In one embodiment, α-olefins include, but are not limited to, C3-C20 α-olefins. In a further embodiment, α-olefins include propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene. In one embodiment, the polymeric material for body 20 is an aromatic polyester, a phenol-formaldehyde resin, a polyamide, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyimide, a polystyrene, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a thermoplastic polyurethane, and combinations thereof. The polymeric material may comprise two or more of the forms described herein. In one embodiment, body 20 includes an additive. The additive is absorbed into body 20. In another embodiment, the additive is absorbed onto the body surface. In a further embodiment, the additive is absorbed into body 20 and adsorbed onto the body surface. The term absorption and derivatives thereof (i.e., absorbed), as used herein, refers to the assimilation of molecular species of the additive throughout the volume (i.e., within) of body 20. The term adsorption and derivatives thereof (i.e., adsorbed), as used herein, refers to the accumulation of molecular species of the additive on the body surface rather than within the volume of body 20. In one embodiment, channel 30 includes an additive. The additive in the channel is in a liquid state. The liquid additive is located in channel 30 and is in direct contact with the surface of channel 75. The liquid additive is absorbed onto the surface of channel 75. In one embodiment, the liquid additive is absorbed into body 20 through the surface of channel 75. In one embodiment, the additive is a liquid and includes a silane, a peroxide, an isocyanurate, a catalyst, an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, a processing aid, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the additive is a liquid and is a mixture of a silane and a peroxide, a mixture of a silane and a catalyst, a mixture of a peroxide and an antioxidant, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the peroxide is an organic peroxide. In another embodiment, the additive is dicumyl peroxide, tert-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate, trialyl isocyanurate, methacryloylpropyltrimethoxysilane, and combinations thereof. The additive may comprise two or more of the forms described herein. In one modality, ball 10 is produced as described in the co-pending application (Attorney File No. 82430-WO-PCT), filed on , the full contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Process This description provides a process. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a pellet comprising a body made of a polymeric material. The body includes a first end and a second opposite end. The body includes a channel extending through the body from the first end to the second end. The process includes soaking the pellet in an additive in a liquid state. The additive is a material selected from a silane, an organic peroxide, an isocyanurate, and combinations thereof. The process includes forming an elongated pellet having the material in its body. The process includes providing the pellet 10 shown in Figure IB. The pellet 10 includes a body 20. The body 20 includes a first end 15 and a second end 25. The pellet 10 includes a channel 30. The channel 30 extends through the body 20 from the first end 15 to the second end 25. The process includes soaking the pellet 10 in an additive that is in a liquid state. In one embodiment, the soaking includes contacting the pellet 10 and the liquid additive, with optional agitation. In a further embodiment, the soaking includes floating the pellet 10 after the liquid additive. In another embodiment, the soaking includes completely immersing the pellet 10 within the liquid additive. The additive includes a material selected from a silane, a peroxide, an isocyanurate, a catalyst, an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, a processing aid, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the additive is a mixture of a silane and a peroxide, a mixture of a silane and a catalyst, a mixture of a peroxide and an antioxidant, and combinations thereof. In a further embodiment, the peroxide is an organic peroxide. In another embodiment, the additive is dicumyl peroxide, tert-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate, trialyl isocyanurate, methacryloylpropyltrimethoxysilane, and combinations thereof. In one method, the soaking stage is carried out at room temperature (15°C-25°C), with or without agitation. In another method, the soaking stage is carried out at an elevated temperature (greater than or equal to 26°C), with or without agitation. The additive may comprise two or more of the forms described herein. The process includes forming a loaded pellet. The term "loaded pellet," as used herein, refers to a pellet (a hollow pellet) that has a quantity of additive absorbed within its body. It is understood that the loaded pellet may also include a quantity of the additive located in channel 30. The loaded pellet includes an additive capacity. The term "additive capacity," as used herein, is the maximum amount of additive that the hollow pellet can absorb and adsorb. The additive capacity is determined by soaking the pellet in excess additive (in a liquid state) for 24 hours. For example, when the mass of loaded pellets is 25 g after 24 hours of soaking in excess liquid additive and the initial pellet mass is 20 g, the additive capacity is 5 g. In one embodiment, the process includes obtaining, through soaking, at least 95% of the pellet's additive capacity within a time of 6 hours (h) or less at room temperature. In a further embodiment, the process includes obtaining, through soaking, 95% of the pellet's additive capacity within a time of 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, or less than 6 h at room temperature. The soaking process includes absorbing a portion of the liquid additive into body 20 through channel 30. In one embodiment, the liquid additive passes through channel 30 and then enters body 20. In a further embodiment, the additive passes through channel 30 and is then absorbed into body 20. In another embodiment, the additive passes through channel 30 and is then absorbed into, and simultaneously adsorbed onto, body 20. The following examples illustrate this description more fully. Unless otherwise stated, all parts and percentages are by weight. EXAMPLES The raw materials used to formulate the Examples of the invention (IE) are provided in Table 1 below. Table 1 Trade Name Chemical Class and Description Supplier XUS 38660.00 Ethylene / octene copolymer Density: 0.874 g / cm3 MI: 4.8 g / 10 min @ 190 °C / 2.16 kg The Dow Chemical Company 1. Hollow pellets Inventive examples 1-8 (IE-1 to IE-8) are hollow pellets obtained using an optical microscope. Optical microscope images are analyzed to provide the dimensions shown in Table 2. Table 2 Sample ID Channel Diameter (mm) Body Diameter (mm) Pellet Length (mm) Body SA (mm2) Channel SA (mm2) Pellet SA (mm2) CBD Ratio CSBS Ratio IE-1 0.18 3.33 1.8 36.2 1.02 37.2 0.054 0.03 IE-2 0.37 3.22 1.8 34.3 2.09 36.4 0.11 0.06 IE-3 0.82 3.34 1.8 35.3 4.63 40.0 0.25 0.13 IE-4 0.39 3.51 1.8 38.9 2.20 41.2 0.11 0.06 IE-5 0.63 3.35 1.8 35.9 3.56 39.5 0.19 0.10 IE-6 0.55 3.57 1.8 39.7 3.11 42.8 0.15 0.08 IE-7 0.99 3.56 1.8 38.5 5.60 44.0 0.28 0.15 IE-8 1.52 3.79 1.8 40.4 8.59 48.9 0.40 0.21 CBD is the ratio between the diameter of the channel and the diameter of the body CSBS is the ratio between the channel surface area and the body surface area. SA is the surface area. 2. Soaking test Hollow pellets composed of XUS 38660, having the structure shown in Figures 1B, 2A, and 2B, and the dimensions of Inventive Example 1 (IE-1) in Table 2, are soaked in a liquid additive composed of dicumyl peroxide, vinyltrimethoxysilane, a curing co-agent, and a UV agent. Solid pellets composed of XUS 38660, having the same body diameter and pellet length (and without a channel) as IE-1, are soaked in the same liquid additive. The pellets are soaked in the liquid additive at room temperature and agitated on a roller at a rotational speed of 70 rpm. The pellets have an additive capacity of 1.92 g of the liquid additive. IE-1 hollow pellets absorb 95% of their additive capacity (1.82 g) in 5.5 hours. Solid pellets reach 95% of their additive capacity in 17.5 hours. Figure 5 shows the percentage of additive capacity plotted against the soaking time duration for the inventive IE-1 (hollow pellet) versus the comparative solid pellet. It is specifically intended that the present description is not limited to the forms and illustrations contained herein, but includes modified forms of those forms that include portions of the forms and combinations of elements of different forms that are within the scope of the following claims. It is hereby stated that, with regard to this date, the best method known to the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

Having described the invention as above, the following claims are claimed as property:

1. A pellet characterized in that it comprises: a body having a first end and an opposite second end, the body being composed of a polymeric material, the body having a length and a diameter (body diameter); a channel having a diameter (channel diameter), the channel extending through the body from the first end to the second end; and the pellet having a ratio between the channel diameter and the body diameter of 0.05 to 0.

45.

2. The pellet according to claim 1, characterized in that the body has a length of 1.0 millimeters (mm) to 3.5 mm.

3. The pellet according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the body diameter is from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

4. The pellet according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the channel diameter is from 0.15 mm to 1.6 mm.

5. The pellet according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that each end has a respective hole and a respective face; the body has a surface comprising a cover and a face surface; the body surface has a body surface area comprising a cover surface area and a face surface area; the channel has a channel surface comprising a channel surface area; the pellet has a ratio of channel surface area to body surface area of ​​0.03 to 0.

23.

6. The pellet according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one of the ends is closed.

7. The pellet according to claim 6, characterized in that each end is closed.

8. The pellet according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that it comprises an additive in the body.

9. The pellet according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that it comprises the additive in the channel and the additive in the liquid state.

10. The pellet according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the body is composed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, crosslinkable polyolefin, polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyether, polythioether, wax, hot melt adhesive, thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, aromatic vinyl polymer, aliphatic vinyl polymer, aromatic alkenyl polymer and combinations thereof.

11. A process characterized in that it comprises: providing a pellet having a body, the body having a first end and an opposite second end, the body being composed of a polymeric material, the pellet having a channel extending through the body from the first end to the second end; soaking the pellet in an additive, the additive being in a liquid state, the additive having a material selected from the group consisting of a silane, an organic peroxide, an isocyanurate and combinations thereof; and forming a loaded pellet having the material in the body.

12. The process of 11, characterized in that the loaded pellet has additive capacity, the process comprises obtaining, by soaking, at least 95% of the additive capacity, in a duration of 6 hours or less at room temperature.

13. The process according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the soaking comprises a portion of the additive that enters the body through the channel.

14. The process according to any of claims 11-13, characterized in that it comprises providing a pellet wherein the body has a length and a diameter (body diameter), the channel has a channel diameter, and the pellet has a ratio of channel diameter to body diameter of 0.05 to 0.

45.

15. The process according to any of claims 11-14, characterized in that it comprises providing a pellet, wherein each end has a respective hole and a respective face, the body has a surface comprising a cover and a face surface, the body surface has a body surface area comprising a cover surface area and a face surface area, the channel has a channel surface comprising a channel surface area, and the pellet has a channel surface area to body surface area ratio of 0.03 to 0.23.