Polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions

Abstract

Compositions that include a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, 1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS), and a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid are disclosed.

Description

POLYPROPYLENE-ETHYLENE COPOLYMER COMPOSITIONSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to European Application No. EP24170543, filed April 16, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.A. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to compositions that comprise polypropyleneethylene copolymer (polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions). More specially, the present disclosure relates to polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions with one or more clarifying agents and at least one other nucleating agent.B. Description of Related Art

[0003] Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is employed for a large variety of different products, including packaging, textiles, stationery, plastic parts, reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, and automotive components. However, polypropylene has some inherent limitations such as low nucleation density and slow crystallization rate, which can cause the formation of large crystalline spherulites. These large crystalline spherulites can result in products with a low transparency, which is normally reflected in elevated percentage haze values.

[0004] Various attempts to enhance transparency of polyolefin products have been described. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0009909 to Lopez et. al.. International Publication Nos. 2020 / 056034 to Lopez et. al. and 2017 / 108771 to Lampela et. al. and Chinese Application Publication No. CN 112538215 to Xiaolong etal. each describe polymer compositions that include additives that can improve transparency. However, selection of additives and / or the amounts of such additives for polymeric compositions can be difficult. The additives and / or the amount of such additives can have antagonistic interactions with each other and / or with the polymer(s) present in the compositions. These interactions can negatively affect the overalltransparency of the resulting polymeric compositions and / or resulting articles of manufacture made from such compositions.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A discovery has been made that provide a solution to at least one or more of the problems associated with transparency and yellowness of polymer compositions. In one aspect, , a solution can be based on particular amounts and / or types of clarifying and nucleating agents that can be used in polymer compositions that include a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. In particular, and by way of example, the compositions of the present invention can include, based on the total weight of the composition, a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, 1000 ppm to 3000 ppm of a sorbitol based clarifying agent, and 100 ppm to 500 ppm of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. Notably, these ranges of clarifying and nucleating agents can result in polymer compositions that can have better haze and / or yellowness index values (e.g., 1% to 20% haze and -12.0 to -3.0 yellowness index values), when compared with conventional polypropylene and / or polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions. As illustrated in a non-limiting manner in the Examples, it was unexpectedly found that variation outside of the total amount (e.g., 1000 ppm to 3000 ppm) of the clarifying agent(s) and the total amount (e.g., 100 ppm and 500 ppm) of the nucleating agent(s) can result in higher haze values and / or yellowness values. Stated another way, a discovery has been made that identifies ranges of particular clarifying agent(s) and nucleating agent(s) that can be used in polymeric compositions comprising propylene-ethylene random copolymer(s) that can result in desired haze and / or yellowness index values. Data suggests that when these particular clarifying and nucleating agent(s) are not used in the stated ranges, haze and / or yellowness index values can be negatively affected. A benefit of the polymeric compositions of the present invention can include polymeric compositions that have good transparency, which can result in a wide range of applications that desire transparent polymeric end products (e.g., rigid packaging, housewares, clear containers and boxes, packaging items, flexible packaging etc.).

[0006] Some aspects of the disclosure describe compositions that include polymers, nucleating agents, and clarifying agents. A composition can include a polypropylene-ethylene randomcopolymer; a total amount, based on the total weight of the composition, of 1000 to 3000 ppm of l,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS), and a total amount, based on the weight of the composition, of 100 to 550 ppm of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

[0007] Some aspects of the disclosure include a composition that includes a polypropylene- ethylene random copolymer, 1000 to 3000 ppm of l,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS) as a clarifying agent, 100 to 550 ppm of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and a second clarifying agent that includes l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS), or tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide, or both. The total amount of clarifying agents, based on the total amount of composition is 1000 to 3000 ppm, and the total amount of nucleating agent is 100 to 500 ppm. For example, 2000 ppm of DMDBS and 1000 ppm of MDBS, or 2000 ppm DMBS and 200 ppm of trisamide can be used.

[0008] Some aspects of the disclosure include a composition, based on the total weight of the composition that includes: 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of 1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 3 to 3.5 wt. %; 1000 to 3000 ppm, preferably 1600 to 2200 ppm, of DMDBS; and 100 to 550 ppm, preferably 100 to 300 ppm, of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

[0009] Some aspects of the disclosure include a composition, based on the total amount of the composition, that includes: 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of 1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 3 to 3.5 wt. %; 1000 to 1500 ppm, preferably 1000 to 1200 ppm, of DMDBS; 100 to 550 ppm, preferably 100 to 300 ppm, of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid ; and 500 to 1500 ppm, preferably 800 to 1200 ppm of l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS).

[0010] Some aspects of the disclosure include a composition that includes: 99.4 to 99.9 wt. % of a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of 1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 3 to 3.5 wt. %; 1000 to 2000 ppm of DMDBS; 100 to 550 ppm, preferably 100 to 300 ppm, of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; and 30 to 300 ppm of a tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide.

[0011] In some aspects, the compositions of the present invention can include, based on the total weight of the composition, 1000 to 3000 ppm of a stability additive package that comprises calcium stearate, l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, tris (2,4-di-t- butylphenyl) phosphite, and 1,2,3-propanetriol 1 -octadecanoate.

[0012] In some aspects, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer can have a melt flow rate (MFR) in the range of 1-600 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, preferably in the range of 10- 80 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, articles that include the compositions of the present invention are described. An article that includes the compositions of the present invention can be included in or be an article of manufacture. For example, the article can be included in a building component, a component of an appliance, an automotive component, a health care product, a component or product used in a rigid packaging application or a flexible packaging application, a component or product produced by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression molding, injection compression molding, or other polymer molding process.

[0014] Haze values and yellowness index can be determined by standardized methods, for example, ASTM D1003 and E313, respectively. Haze can be determined using plaques have a thickness of 1.0 mm and at room temperature (e.g., 21 °C to 25 °C). Yellowness index can be determined at room temperature (21 °C to 25 °C) on pellets having a typical dimensions of 4.0 mm diameter and 4.0 mm length.

[0015] The following includes definitions of various terms and phrases used throughout this specification.

[0016] The terms “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting aspect the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably, within 5%, more preferably, within 1%, and most preferably, within 0.5% of the relevant value(s).

[0017] For the purposes of this disclosure, “X, Y, and / or Z” can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, XZ, YZ).

[0018] The terms “wt. %”, “vol. %” or “mol. %” refer to a weight, volume, or molar percentage of a component, respectively, based on the total weight, the total volume, or the total moles of material that includes the component. In a non-limiting example, 10 moles of component in 100 moles of the material is 10 mol. % of component.

[0019] The term “substantially” and its variations are defined to include ranges within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5% of the relevant value(s).

[0020] The terms “inhibiting” or “reducing” or “preventing” or “avoiding” or any variation of these terms, when used in the claims and / or the specification, include any measurable decrease or complete inhibition to achieve a desired result.

[0021] The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and / or claims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result.

[0022] The use of the words “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” or “having” in the claims or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

[0023] The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0024] The process of the present disclosure can “comprise,” “consist essentially of,” or “consist of’ particular ingredients, components, compositions, etc., disclosed throughout the specification. With respect to the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of,” in one nonlimiting aspect, a basic and novel characteristic of the compositions of the present invention having a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, 1000 ppm to 3000 ppm of a sorbitol based clarifyingagent that include DMDBS, and 100 ppm to 500 ppm of a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid are their improved haze and yellowness index values.

[0025] The term “primarily,” as that term is used in the specification and / or claims, means greater than any of 50 wt. %, 50 mol. %, and 50 vol. %. For example, “primarily” may include 50.1 wt. % to 100 wt. % and all values and ranges there between, 50.1 mol.% to 100 mol.% and all values and ranges there between, or 50.1 vol. % to 100 vol. % and all values and ranges there between.

[0026] A disclosure of a numerical range in the specification and / or claims, is a disclosure of any range or value within the disclosed range. For example, a disclosure of a range of 1 to 10 includes ranges of 1 to 5, 5 to 10, 3 to 8, 5 to 6, 5.5 to 6.4 and so on; and includes values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1.1 2.2, 3.3, 4.9, 5.8, 6.7, and so on.

[0027] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following figures, detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from any of the other embodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the specific embodiments described herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a graphical illustration comparing yellowness index and haze values of certain compositions with some of the currently disclosed polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions that includes DMDBS and a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration comparing yellowness index and haze values of certain compositions with some of the currently disclosed polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions that includes DMDBS, MDBS, and a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a graphical illustration comparing yellowness index and haze values of certain compositions with some of the currently disclosed polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions that comprise DMDBS, a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of yellowness index and haze values of certain example compositions for comparison with polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions disclosed herein.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration of yellowness index and haze values of certain example compositions, where polypropylene copolymer with 6% ethylene-octene elastomer as base resin is compared with polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer disclosed herein as base resin.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The transparency of polypropylene can also be improved, by incorporating ethylene as a copolymer to produce what is known as polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. To further improve transparency, a special class of nucleating agents, referred to as clarifying agents or clarifiers, are used to fine-tune the crystallization characteristics of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. Clarified polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer grades can be used in applications requiring transparent products, such as rigid packaging, housewares, clear containers and boxes, and packaging items. Although polypropylene-ethylene random copolymers can beclarified with commercially available clarifying agents using compounding (e.g., melt blending), the resultant clarified composition, currently, sometimes lacks the desired level of clarity.

[0035] Clarified polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions of the present invention have improved haze values, when compared with conventional polypropylene and polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions. The polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions can include one or more clarifying agents and at least one other nucleating agent. The clarified polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions can be produced by compounding (e.g., melt blending or extrusion). The components of polypropylene- ethylene copolymer compositions and / or the method of making such compositions (e.g., processing conditions) can establish the properties of the compositions, including their optical properties. For example, the characteristics of semi-crystalline polymers, in general, and polypropylene-ethylene copolymer in particular, can be modified by incorporating an optimal loading of nucleating agents using melt blending, which changes the crystalline morphology of the polymer. By modifying its crystalline structure, nucleating agents can affect a polymer’s optical, mechanical, and thermomechanical properties. When nucleating agents are included in a polymer composition, polymer polymorphs can be controlled and the transformation of one crystal type into another can be hindered.

[0036] A sub-group of nucleating agents — clarifying agents or clarifiers — can be used to improve the optical properties of a polymer. The fundamental mechanisms by which these clarifying agents impart transparency to a polymer are not well understood. Thus, the identification of molecular features that would lead to more efficient clarification of a broader range of polymers is mostly lacking.

[0037] The optical performance of a clarified polymer is normally quantified by its percentage transmittance, percentage haze, and / or yellowness index (YI) values. Haze is defined as the part of the total amount of transmitted light that is scattered at angles higher than 2.5°. A high haze value signifies a loss of contrast of an object viewed through the material. Yellowness index is a number calculated from spectrophotometric data that describes the change of a sample’s color from clear or white to yellow, if YI is a positive number, or to blue, if YI is a negative number.

[0038] With respect to polypropylene-ethylene copolymer, typically, a haze value is significant (such that it is noticeable optically) when the concentration of clarifying agent is less than a particular value. An “optimum” concentration of clarifying agent is required to obtain a minimum haze value, as it depends on the phase behavior of polypropylene-ethylene copolymer / additive system. A challenge faced in this field is that clarifying agents or combination of clarifying agents that enhance clarity (haze) do not necessarily enhance color (yellowness index). In assessing improvements in formulations, a 10% decrease in haze value is considered a significant improvement and a 15% decrease in yellowness index is considered a significant improvement.

[0039] In implementations of the disclosure, certain disadvantages, such as the need to use high loading clarifying agents, which in turn results in a higher overall cost, can be avoided by providing certain clarifying agent packages for polypropylene-ethylene copolymers. As disclosed herein, in certain implementations, high clarity polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions can include one or more clarifying agents and one or more other nucleating agent. In some aspects, there is a synergistic effect between the one or more clarifying agents and the one or more other nucleating agents. Notably, it was found that various compositions having amounts of clarifying and nucleating agents outside the total amount of clarifying agents and nucleating agents resulted in haze and / or yellowness index outside the acceptable ranges.

[0040] Typically, the addition of a clarifying agent (which also acts as a nucleating agent) increases the rate of crystallization of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer with formation of larger number of smaller crystalline spherulites, as compared to when, for example, talc is used to nucleate polypropylene-ethylene copolymer. The formation of smaller spherulites when a clarifying agent is a component of a polypropylene-ethylene copolymer composition, improves the optical clarity and mechanical performance of the polypropylene-ethylene copolymer composition, as compared to un-nucleated polypropylene-ethylene copolymer. The presence of a clarifying agent results in a higher crystallization temperature (Tc) of the polypropylene-ethylene copolymer composition and thus significantly reduces cycle time during production.

[0041] According to implementations of the present disclosure, there are general classes of materials that can be used as clarifying agents, which include (1) derivatives of carboxylic acidand their salts: sodium and lithium benzoate, bicyclo [2.2.1] heptane dicarboxylic acid derivatives; (2) organophosphorus derivatives and their salts: sodium 2,2'-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert- butylphenyl)phosphate; (3) polymers: polyvinyl cyclohexane (PVCH), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); (4) nonitol and sorbitol based acetals, and (5) tri substituted 1,3,5- benzene-trisamide compounds. These clarifying agents can be used to modify the crystallization characteristics of polypropylene-ethylene copolymer. Clarifying agents are available from commercial sources such as ADK, Milliken, BASF, and NJC under the trade names such as Stab, Millad®, Millad® NX® 8000 ECO, Irgaclear® XT 386, Irgaclear® D, Irgaclear® DM, Geniset® DXR and Geniset® MD. Table 1 shows names and structures of commercially available clarifying agents.Table 1

[0042] In one aspect of the present invention, l,3;2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS, CAS # 135861-56-2) can be used as a clarifying agent. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the clarifying effect of DMDBS in polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions can be based on its solubility in the polypropylene-ethylene copolymer melt. Pure DMDBS has a melting point of approximately 230 °C. In general, at a concentration of 0.2 wt. % DMDBS in a polypropylene-ethylene copolymer composition, the DMDBS crystallizes at a temperature of approximately 140 °C. This can lead to a phase separation of DMDBS in the polypropylene- ethylene copolymer matrix. The phase separated DMDBS, driven with self-assembling (also known as gelling) leads to the formation of fibrillar network, having a specific size and shape. The clarifying agent with specific size and shape can acts as nuclei and promote nucleation and growth of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions. The self-assembling of the clarifying agent can be governed by the formation of hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups and / or so called 7t-7t stacking between the benzene moi eties present in the DMDBS.

[0043] In implementations of this disclosure, polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions include a mixture of one or more clarifying agents and / or nucleating agents of similar or completely different chemical nature for lowering of haze values, without compromising the crystallization kinetics. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the enhanced haze performance is based on a higher nucleation density and formation of smaller size spherulites. The secondary interactions between the clarifying agents can potentially alter the crystallization kinetics as well as the size of crystalline spherulites. Such synergetic interactions, as evident from lowered haze values, are presented in the Examples section below. Variations out of the synergistic amounts, results in products with unacceptable haze and / or yellowness index.

[0044] The clarifying agents are designed to facilitate their self-assembling when they phase separate in the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer melt during cooling by means of inter-secondary and intra-secondary interactions. These secondary interactions can be hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions or any other type. When two clarifying agents that possess similar chemical structures are used together, they can interact via secondary interaction and self-assemble when they phase-separate together from the polypropylene copolymer melt upon cooling.

[0045] Implementations of the disclosure include a composition that includes polypropyleneethylene random copolymer, DMDBS or a clarifying agent that includes DMDBS and a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate, a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and a color package. The color package can include any type of one or more pigments and / or dyes (e.g., Ultramarine Blue (UMB) 29) and other similar pigments commonly used in the art. Other compositions of the present invention can include polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, DMDBS or a clarifying agent that includes DMDBS and one or more clarifying agents, and a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate, a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % or any value or range included therein, including ranges of 99.3 to 99.4 wt. %, 99.4 to 99.5 wt. %, 99.5 to 99.6 wt. %, 99.6 to 99.7 wt. %, 99.7 to 99.8 wt. %, and 99.4 to 99.7 wt.% of the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 1000 - 3000 ppm, preferably 1000 - 1500, 1000 - 2000, 1600 - 2200 ppm and 1200 - 2500 ppm or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, 1450 ppm, 1550 ppm, 1650 ppm, 1750 ppm, 1850 ppm, 1950 ppm, 2050 ppm, 2150 ppm, 2250 ppm, 2350 ppm, 2450 ppm, 2550 ppm, 2650 ppm, 2750 ppm, 2850 ppm, and 2950 ppm and ranges of 1100 - 2900 ppm, 1200 - 2800 ppm, 1300 - 2700 ppm, 1400 - 2600 ppm, 1500 - 2500 ppm, 1600 - 2400 ppm, 1700 - 2300 ppm, 1800 - 2200 ppm, 1900 - 2100 ppm, 1000 - 1100 ppm, 1100 - 1200 ppm, 1200 - 1300 ppm, 1300 - 1400 ppm, 1400 - 1500 ppm, 1500 - 1600 ppm, 1600 - 1700 ppm, 1700 - 1800 ppm, 1800 - 1900 ppm, 1900 - 2000 ppm, 2000 - 2100 ppm, 2100 - 2200 ppm, 2200 - 2300 ppm, , 2300 - 2400 ppm, 2400 - 2500 ppm, 2500 - 2600 ppm, 2600 - 2700 ppm, 2700 - 2800 ppm, 2800 - 2900 ppm, and 2900 - 3000 ppm of the DMDBS. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 100 - 550 ppm, preferably 100 - 300 ppm, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 150 ppm, 250 ppm, 350 ppm, 450 ppm, 500 ppm and ranges of 100 - 500, 100 - 450 ppm, 150 - 400 ppm, 200 - 350ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 50 - 100 ppm, 100 - 150 ppm, 150 - 200 ppm, 200 - 250 ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 300 - 350 ppm, 350 - 400 ppm, 400 - 450 ppm, and 450 - 500 ppm, 500 - 550 of the nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. In aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 1000 to 3000 ppm or any value or range included therein, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, 1450 ppm, 1550 ppm, 1650 ppm, 1750 ppm, 1850 ppm, 1950 ppm, 2050 ppm, 2150 ppm, 2250 ppm, 2350 ppm, 2450 ppm, 2550 ppm, 2650 ppm, 2750 ppm, 2850 ppm, and 2950 ppm and ranges of 1100 to 2900 ppm, 1200 to 2800 ppm, 1300 to 2700 ppm, 1400 to 2600 ppm, 1500 to 2500 ppm, 1600 to 2400 ppm, 1700 to 2300 ppm, 1800 to 2200 ppm, 1900 to 2100 ppm, 1000 to 1100 ppm, 1100 to 1200 ppm, 1200 to 1300 ppm, 1300 to 1400 ppm, 1400 to 1500 ppm, 1500 to 1600 ppm, 1600 to 1700 ppm, 1700 to 1800 ppm, 1800 to 1900 ppm, 1900 to 2000 ppm, 2000 to 2100 ppm, 2100 to 2200 ppm, 2200 to 2300 ppm, 2300 to 2400 ppm, 2400 to 2500 ppm, 2500 to 2600 ppm, 2600 to 2700 ppm, 2700 to 2800 ppm, 2800 to 2900 ppm, 2900 to 3000 ppm of a stability additive package. A non-limiting example of a stability additive package can include calcium stearate, l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and 1,2, 3 -propanetri ol 1 -octadecanoate. In aspects of these implementations, the polypropyleneethylene random copolymer composition can have a haze in a range of 1 to 20% or any value or range included therein, including values 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%. 4.5%. 5.5%, 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9.5%, 10.5%, 11.5%, 12.5%, 13.5%, 14.5%, 15.5%, 16.5%, 17.5%, 18.5%, 19.5% and ranges of 1 to 2%, 2 to 3%, 3 to 4%, 4 to 5%, 5 to 6%, 6 to 7%, 7 to 8%, 8 to 9%, 9 to 10%, 10 to 11%, 11 to 12%, 12 to 13%, 13 to 14%, 14 to 15%, 15 to 16%, 16 to 17%, 17 to 18%, 18 to 19%, 19 to 20%, 2 to 19%, 3 to 18%, 4 to 17%, 5 to 16%, 6 to 15%, 7 to 14%, 8 to 13%, and 9 to 12%, determined by ASTM DI 003. In aspects of these implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12 to -3.0, preferably between -9 to -5, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values of -12.5, -11.5, -10.5, to -9.5, -8.5, -7.5, -6.5, -5.5, -4.5 to -3.5, and ranges of -12 to -11, -11 to -10, -10 to -9, -9 to -8, -8 to -7, -11 to -2, -10 to -3, -9 to -4, -8 to -5, and -7 to -6, determined by ASTM E313.

[0046] Implementations of the disclosure include a composition that includes polypropyleneethylene random copolymer, DMDBS or a clarifying agent that includes DMDBS, a nucleatingagent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, an optional color package; and 1,3 :2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS) or a clarifying agent that includes l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS). In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % or any value or range included therein, including ranges of 99.3 to 99.4 wt. %, 99.4 to 99.5 wt. %, 99.5 to 99.6 wt. %, 99.6 to 99.7 wt. %, 99.7 to 99.8 wt. %, and 99.4 to 99.7 wt.% of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition comprises 1000 - 1500 ppm, preferably 1000 - 1200 ppm or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, and 1450 ppm, and ranges of 1000 - 1100 ppm, 1100 - 1200 ppm, 1000 - 1400 ppm, and 1100 - 1300 ppm, of DMDBS. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition comprises 50 - 500 ppm, preferably 100 - 300 ppm, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 75 ppm, 175 ppm, 275 ppm, 375 ppm, and 475 ppm and ranges of 100 - 450 ppm, 150 - 400 ppm, 200 - 350 ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 50 - 100 ppm, 100 - 150 ppm, 150 - 200 ppm, 200 - 250 ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 300 - 350 ppm, 350 - 400 ppm, 400 - 450 ppm, and 450 - 500 ppm of the nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition comprises 500 - 1500 ppm, preferably 800 - 1200 ppm or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 550 ppm, 650 ppm, 750 ppm, 850 ppm, 950 ppm, 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, and 1450 ppm, and ranges of 500 - 600 ppm, 600 - 700 ppm, 700 - 800 ppm, 800 - 900 ppm, 900 - 1000 ppm, 1000 - 1100 ppm, 1100 - 1200 ppm, 500 - 1400 ppm, 600 - 1300 ppm, 700 - 1200 ppm, and 800 - 1100 ppm of MDBS. In aspects of these implementations, the composition comprises 1000 to 3000 ppm or any value or range included therein, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, 1450 ppm, 1550 ppm, 1650 ppm, 1750 ppm, 1850 ppm, 1950 ppm, 2050 ppm, 2150 ppm, 2250 ppm, 2350 ppm, 2450 ppm, 2550 ppm, 2650 ppm, 2750 ppm, 2850 ppm, and 2950 ppm and ranges of 1100 to 2900 ppm, 1200 to 2800 ppm, 1300 to 2700 ppm, 1400 to 2600 ppm, 1500 to 2500 ppm, 1600 to 2400 ppm, 1700 to 2300 ppm, 1800 to 2200 ppm, 1900 to 2100 ppm, 1000 to 1100 ppm, 1100 to 1200 ppm, 1200 to 1300 ppm, 1300 to 1400 ppm, 1400 to 1500 ppm, 1500 to 1600 ppm, 1600 to 1700 ppm, 1700 to 1800 ppm, 1800 to 1900 ppm, 1900 to 2000 ppm, 2000 to 2100 ppm, 2100 to 2200 ppm, 2200 to 2300 ppm, 2300 to 2400 ppm, 2400 to 2500 ppm, 2500 to 2600ppm, 2600 to 2700 ppm, 2700 to 2800 ppm, 2800 to 2900 ppm, 2900 to 3000 ppm of a stability additive package that includes an acidic catalyst residue neutralizer (e.g., calcium stearate), a thermal stabilizer (e.g., l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, an antioxidant stabilizer (e.g., tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), and an emulsifier agent (e.g., 1,2,3- propanetriol 1 -octadecanoate). In aspects of these implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 20% or any value or range included therein, including values 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%. 4.5%. 5.5%, 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9.5%, 10.5%, 11.5%, 12.5%, 13.5%, 14.5%, 15.5%, 16.5%, 17.5%, 18.5%, 19.5% and ranges of 1 to 2%, 2 to 3%, 3 to 4%, 4 to 5%, 5 to 6%, 6 to 7%, 7 to 8%, 8 to 9%, 9 to 10%, 10 to 11%, 11 to 12%, 12 to 13%, 13 to 14%, 14 to 15%, 15 to 16%, 16 to 17%, 17 to 18%, 18 to 19%, 19 to 20%, 2 to 19%, 3 to 18%, 4 to 17%, 5 to 16%, 6 to 15%, 7 to 14%, 8 to 13%, and 9 to 12%, determined by ASTM D1003. In aspects of these implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12 to -3.0, preferably between -9 to -5, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including ranges of -12 to -11, -11 to -10, -10 to -9, -9 to -8, -8 to -7, -11 to -2, -10 to -3, -9 to -4, -8 to -5, and -7 to -6, determined by ASTM E313.

[0047] Implementations of the disclosure include a composition that includes polypropyleneethylene random copolymer, DMDBS or a clarifying agent that includes DMDBS, a nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, an optional color package; and tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide or a clarifying agent that includes tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide. In certain aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 99.4 to 99.9 wt. % or any value or range included therein, including ranges of 99.4 - 99.5 wt. %, 99.5 - 99.6 wt. %, 99.6 - 99.7 wt. %, 99.7 - 99.8 wt. %, 99.8 - 99.9 wt. %, and 99.5 - 99.8 wt. % of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. In certain aspects, the composition comprises 1000 - 2000 ppm, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, 1450 ppm, 1550 ppm, 1650 ppm, 1750 ppm and ranges of ppm, 1000 - 1100 ppm, 1100 - 1200 ppm, 1200 - 1300 ppm, 1300 - 1400 ppm, 1400 - 1500 ppm, 1500 - 1600 ppm, 1600 - 1700 ppm, 1700 - 1800 ppm, 1800 - 1900 ppm, 1900 - 2000 ppm, 1100 - 1900 ppm, 1200 - 1800 ppm, 1300 - 1700 ppm, 1400 - 1600 ppm, and 1000 - 1300 ppm of DMDBS. In certain aspects, the composition comprises 100 - 550 ppm,preferably 100 - 300 ppm, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values 150 ppm, 250 ppm, 350 ppm, 450 ppm, 500 ppm and ranges of 100 - 500 ppm, 100 - 450 ppm, 150 - 400 ppm, 200 - 350 ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 50 - 100 ppm, 100 - 150 ppm, 150 - 200 ppm, 200 - 250 ppm, 250 - 300 ppm, 300 - 350 ppm, 350 - 400 ppm, 400 - 450 ppm, and 450 - 500 ppm of the nucleating agent that includes zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. In certain aspects, the composition comprises 30 - 300 ppm, preferably 100 - 200 ppm, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including ranges of 100 - 300 ppm, 150 - 300 ppm, 200 - 250 ppm, 30 - 100 ppm, 100 - 150 ppm, 150 - 200 ppm, 200 - 250 ppm, and 250 - 300 ppm of a trisamide (e.g., tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide). In aspects of these implementations, the composition includes 1000 to 3000 ppm or any value or range included therein, including values 1050 ppm, 1150 ppm, 1250 ppm, 1350 ppm, 1450 ppm, 1550 ppm, 1650 ppm, 1750 ppm, 1850 ppm, 1950 ppm, 2050 ppm, 2150 ppm, 2250 ppm, 2350 ppm, 2450 ppm, 2550 ppm, 2650 ppm, 2750 ppm, 2850 ppm, and 2950 ppm and ranges of 1100 to 2900 ppm, 1200 to 2800 ppm, 1300 to 2700 ppm, 1400 to 2600 ppm, 1500 to 2500 ppm, 1600 to 2400 ppm, 1700 to 2300 ppm, 1800 to 2200 ppm, 1900 to 2100 ppm, 1000 to 1100 ppm, 1100 to 1200 ppm, 1200 to 1300 ppm, 1300 to 1400 ppm, 1400 to 1500 ppm, 1500 to 1600 ppm, 1600 to 1700 ppm, 1700 to 1800 ppm, 1800 to 1900 ppm, 1900 to 2000 ppm, 2000 to 2100 ppm, 2100 to 2200 ppm, 2200 to 2300 ppm, 2300 to 2400 ppm, 2400 to 2500 ppm, 2500 to 2600 ppm, 2600 to 2700 ppm, 2700 to 2800 ppm, 2800 to 2900 ppm, and 2900 to 3000 ppm of a stability additive package that includes an acidic catalyst residue neutralizer (e.g., calcium stearate), a thermal stabilizer (e.g., l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, an antioxidant stabilizer (e.g., tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), and an emulsifier agent (e.g., 1,2,3-propanetriol 1- octadecanoate). In aspects of these implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer composition has a percentage haze in a range of 1 to 20 or any value or range included therein, including ranges of 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 11, 11 to 12, 12 to 13, 13 to 14, 14 to 15, 15 to 16, 16 to 17, 17 to 18, 19 to 20, 2 to 18, 3 to 16, 4 to 15, 5 to 14, 6 to 13, 7 to 12, and 8 to 11, determined by ASTM D1003. In aspects of these implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12 to -3.0, preferably between -9 to -5, or any value or range included in any of the foregoing, including values -12.5, -11.5, -10.5, to -9.5, -8.5, -7.5, -6.5, -5.5, -4.5 to -3.5, andranges of -12 to -11, -11 to -10, -10 to -9, -9 to -8, -8 to -7, -11 to -2, -10 to -3, -9 to -4, -8 to -5, and -7 to -6, determined by ASTM E313.

[0048] In aspects of the disclosure, the polypropylene-ethylene copolymer used in the abovedescribed compositions is polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer that includes 3 to 3.5 wt. % ethylene. In some implementations, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer is produced utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalyst. In some implementations, the polypropylene in the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer is isotactic polypropylene. In some aspects, the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer resin has a molecular weight distribution value in a range of 4 - 6, or any value or range therein, including values 4.5 and 5.5, and ranges of 4 - 5 and 5 - 6. The polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer discussed herein can have Melt Flow Rate (MFR) in the range of 1-600 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg. In a preferred aspect, the MFR is in the range of 10-80 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg.

[0049] The above compositions, according to aspects of the disclosure, can also have a crystallization temperature in a range of 110 °C to 130 °C. In some implementations, the above disclosed compositions can exhibit a tensile modulus in a range of 1450 to 1600 MPa, or any value of range therein, including ranges of 1450 to 1500 MPa, 1500 to 1550 MPa, and 1550 to 1600 MPa, measured conforming to ASTM D638. In some implementations, the above disclosed compositions exhibit a flexural modulus between 1000 to 1200 MPa, including ranges of 1000 to 1050 MPa, 1050 to 1100 MPa, and 1100 to 1150 MPa, 1150 to 1200 MPa measured conforming to ASTM D790 A. In some implementations, the above compositions exhibit a notched izod impact strength between 30 to 90 J / m, or any value or range included therein, including ranges of 30 to 35 J / m, 35 to 40 J / m, 40 to 45 J / m, 45 to 50 J / m, 50 to 55 J / m, 55 to 60 J / m, 60 to 65 J / m, 65 to 70 J / m, 70 to 75 J / m, 75 to 80 J / m, 80 to 85 J / m, 85 to 90 J / m, 35 to 85 J / m, 40 to 80 J / m, 45 to 75 J / m, 50 to 70 J / m, and 55 to 65 J / m, measured conforming to ASTM D256.

[0050] Implementations of the compositions described herein can be included in one or more articles or be an article of manufacture. In some aspects, compositions of the present invention can be included in a building component, a component of an appliance, an automotive component, a health care product, a component or product used in a rigid packaging application or a flexiblepackaging application, a component or product produced by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression molding, injection compression molding, or other polymer molding processes. The polypropylene-ethylene copolymer compositions as described herein can be adapted to be used to make various articles or components of the articles. In some aspects, the article can be a cable sheathing, a structural component for pumps and vehicles, a door handle / knob, a mining ore screen, a mining conveyor belt, an aeronautical component, a chocolate mold, furniture, well lock, a water cooker component, a washer component, a dishwasher component, a dishwasher safe article, cards, credit cards, a component of a consumer electronic device such as a gaming console, a gaming controller, a portable gaming device, a cellular telephone, a television, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable media player, a digital camera, a portable music player, an appliance, a power tool, a robot, a toy, a greeting card, a home entertainment system, a loudspeaker, an electronic housing for an adapter, a cell phone, a smart phone, a GPS device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an e-reader, a copier, a solar apparatus, or an automotive, scooter, or motorcycle exterior or interior component, and can be, for example, a panel, a quarter panel, a rocker panel, a trim, a fender, a battery cover, a door, a deck-lid, a trunk lid, a hood, a bonnet, a roof, a bumper, a fascia, a grille, a mirror housing, a pillar applique, a cladding, a body side molding, a wheel cover, a hubcap, a door handle, a spoiler, a window frame, a headlamp bezel, a headlamp, a tail lamp, a tail lamp housing, a tail lamp bezel, a license plate enclosure, a roof rack, a running board, automotive part, automotive part under the hood, construction appliance, electronic device, electrical device, electronic displays, fluid handling device, household goods, industrial appliance, lawn and garden equipment, lighting device, oil and gas industry device, or an outdoor appliance.

[0051] As part of the disclosure of the present disclosure, specific examples are included below. The examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize parameters that can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results.EXAMPLESGeneral ProcessBase Resin Material

[0052] A model polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, which did not contain any clarifying agent or nucleating agent, served as a base matrix for inferring the changes when clarifying agent and nucleating agent packages were incorporated into polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer via melt blending. SABIC® PP QR6731K, a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer with a co-monomer (C2) content of around 3 to 3.5 wt. %, was used as the base resin. This grade has a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of 25 g / 10 min as measured at 230 °C and 2.16 Kg load. A stabilization additive packages for polymer compositions that included calcium stearate (600 ppm) a thermal stabilizer (Anox™ IC 14, 500 ppm) an antioxidant stabilizer (Alkanox™ 240, 500 ppm), and emulsifying agent (GMS-90, 500 ppm) was used in all examples. This stabilized PP is referred to in the Examples as PP.Compounding of All Formulations

[0053] Compounding of formulations, of comparative and working examples, was conducted on a kg-scale twin-screw co-rotating extruder (Krauss Maffei TPE), which was fitted with a default polyolefin screws design. The extruder’s barrel was segmented into 13 temperature-controlled zones, starting after the feeding zone and ending with the die zone. Temperature zones were set starting at 200 °C throughout the barrel zones.

[0054] Formulations were prepared and dry mixed using an electric mixer for 3 minutes then transferred to the feeder. The throughput was fixed at around 20 kg / h and a screw speed of 250 rpm to generate a stable torque value. Torque values were consistent at around 33 to 35%. The strand, which came out of the die, was quenched in a water bath before pelletizing.Haze and Yellow Index Texting

[0055] Samples prepared as described above using different formulations were tested for haze and yellowness index. The results are presented in the graphs of FIGs. 1 to 5.

[0056] Haze. The injection molding of plaques for haze testing was carried out in Krauss Maffei 50MT Injection machine (EX 50-380) to produce specimens with dimensions and processing conditions conforming to ASTM D1003 standard. Plaques had thickness of 1.0 mm and the temperature was 23 °C. Prior to testing, the injection molded plaques were conditioned at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50% ± 5% for few days relative humidity to ensure consistency. A BYK Haze-Gardi Haze meter was used to measure the haze of plastic plaques at room temperature following ASTM D1003.

[0057] Yellowness Index (YI). Yellowness Index was tested on extruded pellets of Examples 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1-6 at room temperature conforming to ASTM E313. Prior to testing, pellets are conditioned at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 5% relative humidity for few days to ensure consistency. A Hunter Lab Color Flex EZ Spectrophotometer was used for YI testing following ASTM E313.Inventive compositions having PP, DMDBS (2000 ppm) and various amounts of nucleating agent) versus reference formulations.Five formulations were prepared using the general procedure with the following ingredients: (1) PP without clarifying agent and nucleating agent; (2) Nonitol — which was a benchmark formulation that includes PP and 2000 ppm of a nonitol based clarifier; (3) MDBS — which was a reference formulation that include the PP and 2000 ppm of DMDBS; (4) Example 1 — which included PP, 2000 ppm of clarifying agent (DMBDS) and 100 ppm of nucleating agent (zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid); and (5) Example 2 — which included PP, 2000 ppm of DMBDS, and 200 ppm of nucleating agent (zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. FIG. 1 is a graphical illustration of haze and yellowness for the five formulations.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, the use of the nucleating agent (calcium salt of 1,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) with the clarifying agent DMDBS had only a limited effect on haze performance. However, FIG. 1 shows the improvement of yellowness index of the polypropyleneethylene random copolymer compositions that included the nucleating agent and clarifying agent of the present invention (2000 ppm DMDBS and 100 ppm nucleating agent (zinc sterate and acalcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) versus compositions without both the nucleating agents and the clarifying agents of the present invention. It should be noted that Examples 1 and 2 have a much lower cost as compared to the benchmark (nonitol).

[0059] Combination of PP, Clarifying Agents (2000 ppm) and nucleating agent (200 ppm) versus reference formulations.

[0060] Six formulations were prepared using the general procedure above using the prepared PP and tested for haze and yellowness index. The formulations were: (1) PP without clarifying agent and nucleating agent; (2) Nonitol, which is a benchmark formulation that included PP and 2000 ppm of a nonitol based clarified agent; (3) MDBS which is a reference formulation of PP and 2000 ppm MDBS (a sorbitol based clarifier); (4) DMDBS, which is a reference formulation that includes PP and 2000 ppm of DMDBS; (5) MDBS and DMDBS, which is a reference formulation that included PP and 1000 ppm of MDBS, and 1000 ppm of DMDBS; (6) Example 3, which included PP, 1000 ppm of MDBDS, 1000 ppm of DMDBS, and 200 ppm of nucleating agent (zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid). FIG. 2 shows haze and yellowness index values of the six formulations. As shown in FIG. 2, Example 3 provides a better haze and a similar yellow index value, as compared to the benchmark (nonitol). It should be noted that Example 3 has a much lower cost than nonitol.Combination of PP, Clarifying Agents (2000 ppm) nucleating agent (200 ppm), and trisamide versus reference formulations.

[0061] Six formulations were prepared and tested for haze and yellowness index. The formulations were: (1) PP, which is the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer prepared in the general procedure without any nucleating agent and clarifier; (2) Nonitol, which was a benchmark formulation that included the PP and 2000 ppm of a nonitol based clarifier); (3) DMDBS, which was a reference formulation that included the PP and 2000 ppm of DMBDS; (4) Trisamide, which was a reference formulation that included the PP and 200 ppm of a trisamide (an amide based clarifier); (5) Example 4, which was a good performing solution, but not cost-effective, that included PP, 200 ppm of trisamide, and 200 ppm of a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; (6) Example 5, which included PP, 200 ppm trisamide, 2000 ppm DMDBS, and 2000 ppmof nucleating agent (zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid). FIG. 3 is a graphical illustration of haze and yellowness index values of the six formulations. FIG. 3 showed that Example 5 has a slightly better performance in terms of haze and similar yellow index values compared to the benchmark.Comparative samples 1-3 versus reference samples.

[0062] Despite the excellent haze performance of a nonitol based clarifier and DMDBS when they were used separately, their mixture lead to an adverse effect that increased the haze value to a level similar to that of the PP (General procedure) without nucleating agent and clarifying agent. Similarly, mixing a nonitol based clarifier and a nucleating agent of zinc sterate and calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid or a nonitol based clarifier and a nucleating agent of zinc sterate, calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and lithium stearate resulted in haze values that were undesirable. Table 2 lists the amounts of ingredient used for each of these experiments. These results show that the effect of mixing any two or three clarifying agents and / or nucleating agents was unpredictable. When the optimally chosen mixture of clarifying agents and / or nucleating agents disclosed herein was included in polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions, desired levels of haze and yellow index were concurrently achieved.Table 2

[0063] FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of haze and yellowness index values of the three comparative examples along with reference formulations. While the solutions of nonitol and DMDBS when used separately had acceptable haze and yellowness index values, their mixturelead to an adverse effect that increased the haze value to a level similar to that of PP without nucleating agent and clarifying agent (e.g., haze of 44.45 and yellowness index of -4.4). Similarly, mixing nonitol with zinc sterate and calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid or nonitol with zinc sterate, calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid and lithium stearate resulted in haze values that are undesirable (haze of 23.35 and 22.02 and yellowness index of -4.4 and -7.55 respectively). These results showed that the effect of mixing any two or three clarifying agents and / or nucleating agents was unpredictable. When the optimally chosen mixture of clarifying agents and / or nucleating agents disclosed herein was included in polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer compositions, desired levels of haze and yellow index were achieved.Comparison of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer, wherein the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer comprises 3.0 to 3.5 wt. % ethylene as base resin, with polypropylene copolymer with 6 wt. % ethylene-octene elastomer as base resin.

[0064] Four formulations were prepared using the General Procedure and then texted for haze and yellowness index. The four formulations were: (1) PP (General Procedure) without clarifying agent and nucleating agent; (2) Nonitol, which is a benchmark formulation that included PP (General Procedure), 2000 ppm of a nonitol based clarifier, (3) Example 2, that included PP (General Procedure), 2000 ppm of DMDBS, and 200 ppm of nucleating agent of zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid; (4) Comparative Example 4 (CE 4) which included a different base resin. CE 4 included PP (General Procedure), 6 wt. % ethylene octane elastomer, 2000 ppm of DMDBS, and 200 ppm of a nucleating agent (zinc stearate and calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid). This result demonstrated that the base resin of polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer was crucial to the final optical properties of the article, and the effect of altering the base resin could create unpredictable optical properties. FIG. 5 is a graphical illustration of haze and yellowness index values of the four formulations. FIG. 5 showed that Example 2 has a better performance in terms of haze and similar yellow index values compared to the benchmark and that incorporation of an elastomer can change the optical properties.Criticality of Clarifying and Nucleating Agents

[0065] Comparative Samples 5-12 were formulated using amounts of clarifying and nucleating agents in amounts outside of the optimal ranges to demonstrate the criticality of the amounts of the clarifying agent that includes DMDBS and nucleating agent that includes zinc sterate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. These formulations were texted for haze and yellowness index. Table 3 lists the formulations for Example formulations 1-6 and the comparative formulations 5-12. Table 4 lists the haze and yellowness index values of Example formulations 1-6 and the comparative formulations 5-12. PP in all formulations was prepared according to the General Description and included the stabilizing package. In formulations CE5, CE8, and CE11-CE12, all the haze values were above 22% and the yellowness index was above - 3, which are unacceptable values for both tests. In samples CE7 and CE10, the haze values were acceptable, but the yellowness index was unacceptable (-2.46 and -1.43 versus -12 to -3 for acceptable values). Formulations CE6 and CE9 had acceptable yellowness index, but unacceptable haze values. From the comparative formulation data, it was found that for polymer compositions having polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer (e.g., at least 90 wt. % or at least 95 wt. % or at least 98 wt. % of propylene-ethylene random copolymer), the amount of sorbitol-based clarifying had to be in the range of 1000 to 3000 pm and the amount of nucleating agent that included zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid had to be in the range of 100 to 550 ppm to obtain acceptable haze values and yellowness index values. Variations above and below these both the values for clarifying and nucleating agents resulted in unacceptable haze and yellowness index values.Table 3Table 4

[0066] In the context of the present disclosure, at least the following 15 aspects are described.Aspect 1 is a composition comprising a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer. The composition further comprises 1000 to 3000 ppm of 1,3 :2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS). The composition still further comprises 100 to 550 ppm of a nucleating agent comprising zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, and a color package. Aspect 2 is the composition of aspect 1, further comprising one or more clarifying agents comprising l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS) and tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene- trisamide. Aspect 3 is the composition of any of aspects 1 and 2, further comprising 1000 - 3000 ppm of a stability additive package that comprises: calcium stearate, l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4- hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and 1,2,3-propanetriol 1- octadecanoate. Aspect 4 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the composition hasa haze in a range of 1 to 20%. Aspect 5 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12.0 to -3.0. Aspect 6 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the composition comprises 1000 - 1500 ppm of the DMDBS, and 500 to 1500 ppm of MDBS. Aspect 7 is the composition of aspect 6, wherein the composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 20%. Aspect 8 is the composition of any of aspects 6 and 7, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12 to -3.0. Aspect 9 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the composition comprises 1000 to 2000 ppm of the DMDBS, and 30 to 300 ppm of tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide. Aspect 10 is the composition of aspect 9, wherein the composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 25%. Aspect 11 is the composition of any of aspects 9 and 10, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12.0 to -3.0. Aspect 12 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer comprises 1 to 10 wt. % ethylene. Aspect 13 is the composition of any of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer comprises 3.0 to 3.5 wt. % ethylene. Aspect 14 is the composition of any of aspect 1 to 13, wherein the composition comprises 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % of the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer having Melt Flow Rate (MFR) in the range of 1-600 g / lOmins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, preferably in the range of 10-80 g / lOmins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg. Aspect 15 is an article comprising a composition of any of aspects 1 to 14, wherein the article is comprised in one or more of the following: a building component, a component of an appliance, an automotive component, a health care product, a component or product used in a rigid packaging application or a flexible packaging application, a component or product produced by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression molding, injection compression molding, or other polymer molding processes.

[0067] Although embodiments of the present application and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the above disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising: a polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer;1000 to 3000 ppm of l,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol (DMDBS), based on the total weight of the composition; and100 to 550 ppm of a nucleating agent, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the nucleating agent comprises zinc stearate and a calcium salt of 1,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the DMDBS is a clarifying agent, and the composition further comprises a second clarifying agent comprising l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS) or tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide, or both, wherein a total amount of clarifying agents, is 1000 ppm to 3000 ppm, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. The composition of any of claims 1 and 2, further comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, 1000 to 3000 ppm of a stability additive package that comprises: calcium stearate, l,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and 1,2,3-propanetriol 1 -octadecanoate.

4. The composition of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 20% at room temperature and a plaque thickness of 1 millimeter (mm).

5. The composition of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12.0 to -3.0 at room temperature.

6. The composition of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition comprises:1000 to 1500 ppm of the DMDBS; and500 to 1500 ppm of a second clarifying agent comprising l,3:2,4-di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS).

7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 20% at room temperature and a plaque thickness of 1 mm.

8. The composition of any of claims 6 and 7, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12 to -3.0 at room temperature.

9. The composition of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition comprises, based on the total weight of the composition:1000 to 2000 ppm of the DMDBS; and30 to 300 ppm of tri substituted 1,3,5-benzene-trisamide.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition has a haze in a range of 1 to 20%, at room temperature and a plaque thickness of 1 mm.

11. The composition of any of claims 9 and 10, wherein the composition has a yellowness index in a range of -12.0 to -3.0 at room temperature.

12. The composition of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer comprises 1 to 10 wt. % ethylene.

13. The composition of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer comprises 3.0 to 3.5 wt. % ethylene.

14. The composition of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the composition comprises 99.3 to 99.8 wt. % of the polypropylene-ethylene random copolymer having Melt Flow Rate (MFR) in the range of 1-600 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, preferably in the range of 10-80 g / 10 mins at 230 °C and 2.16 kg.

15. An article comprising the composition of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the article is comprised in one or more of the following: a building component, a component of an appliance, an automotive component, a health care product, a component or product used in a rigid packaging application or a flexible packaging application, a component or productproduced by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, compression molding, injection compression molding, or other polymer molding process.

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