Ultraviolet cross-linked ethylene-based polymer

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to an ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprising an ethylene-based polymer formed by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules. Each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprises two or more vinyl groups. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking. Further embodiments are directed to a process for making the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer.

Description

[0001] 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0002] 1

[0003] ULTRAVIOLET CROSS-LINKED ETHYLENE-BASED POLYMER

[0004] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0005] [1] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 725,668 filed November 27, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein.

[0006] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0007] [2] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to ethylene-based polymers and specifically relate to ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymers.

[0008] BACKGROUND

[0009] [3] High-pressure reactors have been used in industry for making low density polyethylene (LDPE) products for many years. The level of branching in LDPE at given melt index correlates to melt elongation, with higher branching correlating to a higher melt elongation. The level of branching in LDPE is affected by the reactor design and the polymerization conditions used to make the LDPE. But the process conditions required to achieve LDPE with a high level of branching, and thus high melt elongation may result in a final product with a lower crystallinity and with a higher content of a low molecular weight extractable fraction. Branching agents have been used to increase the level of branching in an LDPE under conditions that maintain desirable polymer properties. However, due to processing limitations, only a limited amount of branching agent may be added, thereby limiting the melt elongation increase that may be achieved.

[0010] [4] Thus, there is a need for a modified LDPE having relatively higher branching levels corresponding to a relatively higher melt elongation as compared to a LDPE formed utilizing a branching agent.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] [5] The embodiments of the present disclosure meet this need by utilizing ultraviolet (UV) crosslinking. This resulted in a UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer having a greater melt elongation (e.g., at least 15% greater) relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking. 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0013] 2

[0014] [6] In one embodiment, an ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprises an ethylene-based polymer formed by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane based molecules. Each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprises two or more vinyl groups. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking.

[0015] [7] In another embodiment, a process for making an ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprises producing an ethylene-based polymer by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules and crosslinking the ethylene-based polymer via UV exposure for a duration of at least 3 minutes to form the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer. Each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprises two or more vinyl groups. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking.

[0016] [8] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description, which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows and the claims.

[0017] [9] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019]

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present application will now be described. The disclosure may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in this disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0020]

[0011] DEFINITIONS 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0021] 3

[0022]

[0012] Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure.

[0023]

[0013] Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0024]

[0014] The terms "comprising", "including", "having”, and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether the same is specifically disclosed. To avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, "consisting essentially of’ excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term "consisting of’ excludes any component, step or procedure, not specifically delineated or listed.

[0025]

[0015] Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percentages are based on weight.

[0026]

[0016] The term "ethylene monomer," as used herein, refers to a chemical unit having two carbon atoms with a double bond there between, and each carbon bonded to two hydrogen atoms, wherein the chemical unit polymerizes with other such chemical units to form an ethylene-based polymer composition.

[0027]

[0017] The term “LDPE” may also be referred to as “high-pressure ethylene polymer” or “highly branched polyethylene” and is defined to mean that the polymer is partly or entirely homopolymerized or copolymerized in autoclave or tubular reactors at high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa) with the use of free-radical initiators, such as peroxides (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,599,392, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). LDPE resins typically have a density in the range of 0.916 g / cm3to 0.930 g / cm3.

[0028]

[0018] The term "cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprising two or more vinyl groups," (or interchangeably referred to as "cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules") as used herein, refers to a 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0029] 4 chemical component that is a cyclic siloxane where cycle composed of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms, having two or more vinyl groups that are attached directly to silicon atoms.

[0030]

[0019] The term "mixture of cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules," as used herein, refers to two or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules, wherein at least two of the molecules differ in structure, property, and / or composition.

[0031]

[0020] EMBODIMENTS

[0032]

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymers comprising an ethylene-based polymer formed by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa) free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules.

[0033]

[0022] Ethylene-based Polymer

[0034]

[0023] The ethylene-based polymer is the polymerization reaction product of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules. Each cyclicvinylsiloxane molecule comprise two or more vinyl groups.

[0035]

[0024] In embodiments, each of the cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules (i.e., one or more of the cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules) may comprise Structure I:

[0036]

[0025] In Structure I, n may be from 2 to 4; Ri, R2, R3, and R4 may each independently H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a vinyl group; and at least 2 of Ri, R2, R3, or R4 may be a vinyl group.

[0037]

[0026] In embodiments, referring to Structure I, n may be 3, Ri and R3 may be a vinyl group, and R2 and R4 may be a methyl group such that the cyclicvinylsiloxane comprises Structure II: 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0038] 5

[0039]

[0027] Structure II may be referred to as 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8- tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (ViD4).

[0040]

[0028] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may comprise, in polymerized form, from 95 wt% to 99.95 wt%, from 95 wt% to 99.90 wt%, from 96 wt% to 99.95 wt%, from 96 wt% to 99.90 wt%, from 97 wt% to 99.95 wt%, from 97 wt% to 99.90 wt%, from 98 wt% to 99.95 wt%, from 98 wt% to 99.90 wt%, or any subset thereof, of ethylene, and a reciprocal amount of the cyclicvinylsiloxane, or from 0.05 wt% to 5 wt%, from 0.05 wt% to 4 wt%, from 0.05 wt% to 3 wt%, from 0.05 wt% to 2 wt%, from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%, from 0.1 wt% to 4 wt%, from 0.1 wt% to 3 wt%, from 0.1 wt% to 2 wt%, from 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%, from 0.5 wt% to 4 wt%, from 0.5 wt% to 3 wt%, from 0.5 wt% to 2 wt%, from 1 wt% to 5 wt%, from 1 wt% to 4 wt%, from 1 wt% to 3 wt%, from 1 wt% to 2 wt%, or any subset thereof. Weight percent is based on total weight of the ethylene-based polymer.

[0041]

[0029] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may have a density from 0.910 g / cc to 0.940 g / cc, from 0.910 g / cc to 0.935 g / cc, from 0.910 g / cc to 0.930 g / cc, from 0.910 g / cc to 0.925 g / cc, from 0.914 g / cc to 0.940 g / cc, from 0.914 g / cc to 0.935 g / cc, from 0.914 g / cc to 0.930 g / cc, from 0.914 g / cc to 0.925 g / cc, or any subset thereof.

[0042]

[0030] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may have a melt index (h), prior to UV crosslinking, from 0.05 g / 10 min to 200 g / 10 min, from 0.10 g / 10 min to 150 g / 10 min, from 0.10 g / 10 min to 50 g / 10 min, from 0.1 g / 10 min to 10 g / 10 min, from 0.15 g / 10 min to 150 g / 10 min, from 0.15 g / 10 min to 10 g / 10 min, from 0.25 g / 10 min to 150 g / 10 min, from 0.25 g / 10 min to 10 g / 10, or any subset thereof.

[0043]

[0031] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may have an alkenes content from

[0044] 0.05 / 1000 carbons to 3.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.05 / 1000 carbons to 2.0 / 1000 carbons, from

[0045] 0.05 / 1000 carbons to 1.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.15 / 1000 carbons to 3.0 / 1000 carbons, from

[0046] 0.15 / 1000 carbons to 2.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.15 / 1000 carbons to 1.0 / 1000 carbons, from 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0047] 6

[0048] 0.3 / 1000 carbons to 3.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.3 / 1000 carbons to 2.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.3 / 1000 carbons to 1.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.4 / 1000 carbons to 3.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.4 / 1000 carbons to 2.0 / 1000 carbons, from 0.4 / 1000 carbons to 1.0 / 1000 carbons, or any subset thereof.

[0049]

[0032] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may be a low density polyethylene comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene monomer and the cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules.

[0050]

[0033] The ethylene-based polymer is produced via in-reactor high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and cyclicvinylsiloxane. An exemplary process of making the ethylene-based polymer is described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2020 / 112873, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0051]

[0034] In an embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer composition includes a blend component. The blend component is a polymer that does not include the mixture of cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules.

[0052]

[0035] In an embodiment, the blend component is an ethylene-based polymer that does not include the mixture of the cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules. Nonlimiting examples of suitable ethylene-based polymers include only ethylene based polymers like, for example, LDPE or HDPE, ethylene / alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene / C3-C8 alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene / C4-C8 alpha-olefin copolymers, and copolymers of ethylene and one or more of the following comonomers: (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylic ester, carbon monoxide, maleic anhydride, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, mono esters of maleic acid, diesters of maleic acid, vinyl trialkoxysilane, vinyl trialkyl silane, and any combination thereof.

[0053]

[0036] UV Cross-linked Ethylene-based Polymer

[0054]

[0037] As described herein, the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to the ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking.

[0055]

[0038] In embodiments, the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer may be at least 15% greater, at least 25% greater, at least 50% greater, at least 75% greater, at least 100% greater, at least 125% greater, or even at least 150% greater than the ethylenebased polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

[0056]

[0039] In embodiments, the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer may be at least 5 mN greater, at least 10 mN greater, at least 25 mN greater, at least 50 mN 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0057] 7 greater, at least 75 mN greater, or even at least 100 mN greater than the ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

[0058]

[0040] In embodiments, the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer may have a melt elongation greater than or equal to 20 mN, greater than or equal to 40 mN, greater than or equal to 60 mN, greater than or equal to 80 mN, greater than or equal to 100 mN, greater than or equal to 120 mN, or even greater than or equal to 140 mN.

[0059]

[0041] While not wishing to be bound by theory, relatively greater melt elongation is indicative of enhanced mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and heat resistance. For example, higher melt elongation may indicate better molecular alignment and packing during the molding process, leading to improved mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and rigidity. Moreover, rigid articles may need to maintain their shape and dimensions under various conditions. Increased melt elongation may help in achieving a better dimensional stability, reducing warping and deformation. Furthermore, rigid applications may rely on materials that can withstand higher temperatures without losing structural integrity. Increased melt elongation may contribute to better heat resistance, making the material more suitable for demanding environments.

[0060]

[0042] One skilled in the art should appreciate that melt index (h) correlates to melt elongation, lower melt index (h) corresponding to greater the melt elongation. However, while not wishing to be bound by theory, after a given UV crosslinking, the melt index (h) of the thermally cross-linked, ethylene-based polymer may begin to increase.

[0061]

[0043] The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer may be used, but not limited to, to form various articles, including monolayer and multilayer films; molded articles, such as blow molded, injection molded, or rotomolded articles; coatings; fibers; and woven or nonwoven fabrics, cables, pipes, green house films, silo bag films, collation shrink films, food packaging films, or foams.

[0062]

[0044] Process for Making an UV Cross-linked Ethylene-based Polymer

[0063]

[0045] In embodiments, a process for making a UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprises producing an ethylene-based polymer and crosslinking the ethylene-based polymer via UV exposure to form the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer.

[0064]

[0046] The ethylene-based polymer may be produced by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules, as described herein. 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0065] 8

[0066]

[0047] In embodiments, the crosslinking may comprise exposing the ethylene-based polymer to UV light. UV light helps to promote crosslinking of available double bonds, thereby achieving the desired increase in melt elongation. In embodiments, the ethylenebased polymer may be formed into an article (e.g., polymer pellets) prior to UV exposure. In embodiments, the UV-enabled crosslinking may occur in ambient air or under inert atmosphere.

[0067]

[0048] In embodiments, the ethylene-based polymer may be exposed to UV for a duration of at least 5 minutes. The duration of the UV exposure may be dependent on the strength of the UV. Additionally, the duration and strength of the UV exposure may help to achieve desired properties. For example, as the duration of UV exposure increases, the melt index (I2) may decrease and the melt elongation may increase.

[0068]

[0049] In embodiments, the duration of the UV exposure may be greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 24 hours, greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 12 hours, greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 6 hours, greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 3 hours, greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 1 hour, greater than or equal to 10 minutes and less than or equal to 24 hours, greater than or equal to 10 minutes and less than or equal to 12 hours, greater than or equal to 10 minutes and less than or equal to 6 hours, greater than or equal to 10 minutes and less than or equal to 3 hours, greater than or equal to 10 minutes and less than or equal to 1 hour, greater than or equal to 3 minutes and less than or equal to 24 hours, greater than or equal to 30 minutes and less than or equal to 12 hours, greater than or equal to 30 minutes and less than or equal to 6 hours, greater than or equal to 30 minutes and less than or equal to 3 hours, greater than or equal to 30 minutes and less than or equal to 1 hour, greater than or equal to 1 hour and less than or equal to 24 hours, greater than or equal to 1 hour and less than or equal to 12 hours, greater than or equal to 1 hour and less than or equal to 6 hours, or even greater than or equal to 1 hour and less than or equal to 3 hours, or any and all sub-ranges formed from any of these endpoints.

[0069]

[0050] In embodiments, the strength of the UV light may be greater than or equal to 3 electron volts and less than or equal to 12 electron volts, greater than or equal to 3 electron volts and less than or equal to 9 electron volts, greater than or equal to 3 electron volts and less than or equal to 6 electron volts, greater than or equal to 6 electron volts and less than or equal to 12 electron volts, greater than or equal to 6 electron volts and less than or equal to 9 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0070] 9 electron volts, or even greater than or equal to 9 electron volts and less than or equal to 12 electron volts, or any and all sub-ranges formed from any of these endpoints.

[0071]

[0051] In embodiments, the crosslinking does not include any additional reagents or catalysts, such as silane or peroxide crosslinker.

[0072]

[0052] TEST METHODS

[0073]

[0053] Melt Elongation

[0074]

[0054] “Melt elongation,” as used herein, refers to the measure of the maximum tension applied to a polymer in a melted state, before the polymer breaks. Melt elongation is measured using a GOTTFERT D-Melt instrument (GOTTFERT Werkstoff-Prufmaschinen GmbH, SiemensstraBe 2, 74722 Buchen, Germany). A molten polymer strand is extruded from a standard plastometer barrel at a constant temperature (190 °C) through a standard ASTM D1238 MFR die orifice (height (8.000 ± 0.025 mm) and diameter (2.0955 ± 0.005 mm)) using a weighted piston. The extrudate is pulled through 2 free spinning rollers onto a drum driven by a stepper motor which is ramped over a velocity range during the analysis. The force of the polymer strand pulling up on the force sensor platform mounted tension roller is recorded by the integrated control computer. From a curve fitting function of the acquired force data, the final reported melt elongation value is determined based on a constant velocity ratio of the polymer strand speed versus the die exit speed. Measurement results are reported as melt elongation in milli-Newton (mN). After the melt elongation measurement, the melt index measurement at ASTM conditions as described below is performed with the same charge.

[0075]

[0055] Melt Index

[0076]

[0056] The terms "melt index," or “h,” as used herein, refer to the measure of how easily a thermoplastic polymer flows when in a melted state. Melt index (H) is measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238, Condition 190 °C / 2.16 kg, and is reported in grams eluted per 10 minutes (g / 10 min).

[0077]

[0057] EXAMPLES

[0078]

[0058] By way of example, and not limitation, some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail by the following examples.

[0079]

[0059] Materials

[0080]

[0060] 2,4,6,8-tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (ViD4) was supplied from

[0081] MilliporeSigma. 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0082] 10

[0083]

[0061] Polymerization: Autoclave Reactor

[0084]

[0062] Inventive Examples IE1

[0085]

[0063] For Inventive Example IE1, ViD4 was loaded into a 316 stainless steel supply vessel and diluted with Isopar™ E to produce a final concentration of 1.7 wt%. This vessel was purged with nitrogen for three hours before use and kept under 70 psig nitrogen pad during operation.

[0086]

[0064] Peroxide initiator tert-butyl peroxyacetate (TPA, 20% by weight solution in ISOPAR™ H) and peroxide initiator di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP, 20% by weight solution in ISOPAR™ H) were combined with ISOPAR E in a second 316 stainless steel supply vessel to produce 1500 mass ppm TPA and 415 mass ppm DTBP (a ratio of 4:1 mole TPA / mole DTBP). The vessel was padded and de-padded five times with 70 psig nitrogen before use and kept under nitrogen pad during operation.

[0087]

[0065] Ethylene was injected at 5500 gm / hr and at a pressure of 193 MPa into an agitated (1600 rpm) 300 mL high pressure CSTR reactor with an external heating jacket set to control the internal reactor temperature at 220 °C. Propylene (CTA) was added to the ethylene stream at a pressure of 6.2 MPa and controlled at a rate to produce a final product with a MI of about 4 g / 10 min before the mixture was compressed to 193 MPa and injected into the reactor. The solution of the appropriate additive solution was pumped at a pressure of 193 MPa directly into the reactor via a high pressure pump. The peroxide initiator solution was added directly to the reactor, through the sidewall, at a pressure of 193 MPa at a rate to control the ethylene conversion near 12%.

[0088]

[0066] Comparative Sample CSA

[0089]

[0067] For Comparative Sample CSA, all process conditions were the same as for Inventive Example IE1, except for Comparative Sample CSA, ViD4 was not added.

[0090]

[0068] UV Crosslinking

[0091]

[0069] Inventive Example IE1 and Comparative Sample CSA were exposed to UV for 30 min.

[0092]

[0070] UV exposure tests were performed in a UV chamber with a 107 mm UV-C spiral lamp, controlled by the Xenon RC-847 cabinet in Timer mode with settings according to manufacturer instructions: lamp select setting to I, Trig switch OFF, first digit to G, add exposure time and start lamp by pushing the timer switch up to Start position. The pellets were introduced to a petri-dish of 11 cm diameter. A petri-dish cover was used to prevent air 86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO

[0093] 11 exposure due to the high purge flow in the chamber to vent off ozone and cool the lamp. The petri dish was placed 5 cm below the light source on a 20 cm x 20 cm square Lab-Lift Lifting Platform.

[0094]

[0071] Referring now to Table 1, the melt elongation (in mN) after exposure to UV for the time indicated are shown. The melt elongation increase (in percentage and change) as compared to non-exposure (i.e., time = 0 minutes) is shown. Table 1 also shows the melt index (I?) (in g / 10 min) after exposure to UV. The melt index (I2) change as compared to non-exposure (i.e., time = 0 minutes) is shown.

[0095]

[0072] Table 1

[0096] 1Measurement capabilities of machine limited to 150 mN.

[0097]

[0073] As shown in Table 1, after exposure to UV, Inventive Example IE1, UV-cross-linked ethylene-based polymers including ViD4, had greater melt elongations as compared to the samples that were not exposed to UV.

[0098]

[0074] As also shown in Table 1, after exposure to UV, Inventive Example IE, UV-cross- linked ethylene-based polymers including ViD4, had a greater melt elongation increase as compared to Comparative Sample CSA, a UV-cross-linked ethylene-based polymer lacking ViD4.

[0099]

[0075] While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO12CLAIMS1. An ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprising: ethylene-based polymer formed by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules, each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprising two or more vinyl groups, wherein the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected UV crosslinking.

2. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprise Structure I:Structure Iwhere n is from 2 to 4; Ri, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a vinyl group; and at least 2 of Ri, R2, R3, or R4 is a vinyl group.

3. The UV cross-linked ethylene based polymer of claim 2, wherein n is 3, Ri and R3 are a vinyl group, and R2 and R4 are a methyl group such that the cyclicvinylsiloxane comprisesStructure II:Structure II86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO134. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the ethylene-based polymer has an alkenes content from 0.05 / 1000 carbons to 3.0 / 1000 carbons, or from 0.07 / 1000 carbons to 2.0 / 1000 carbons, or from 0.1 / 1000 carbons to 1.2 / 1000 carbons.

5. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the ethylene-based polymer composition is a low density polyethylene comprising, in polymerized form, ethylene monomer and the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules.

6. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer is at least 15% greater than the ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

7. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer is at least 5 mN greater than the ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

8. The UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer is greater than or equal to 20 mN.

9. An article comprising the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A process for making an ultraviolet (UV) cross-linked ethylene-based polymer comprising: producing an ethylene-based polymer by high pressure (greater than or equal to 100 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa), free-radical polymerization of ethylene and one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules, each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprising two or more vinyl groups; and crosslinking the ethylene-based polymer via UV exposure for a duration of at least 3 minutes to form the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer, wherein the UV cross-linked86399-WO-PCT / DOW 86399 WO14 ethylene-based polymer has a greater melt elongation relative to an ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the crosslinking does not include silane or peroxide crosslinker.

12. The process of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein each of the one or more cyclicvinylsiloxane molecules comprise Structure I:where n is from 2 to 4; Ri, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a vinyl group; and at least 2 of Ri, R2, R3, or R4 is a vinyl group.

13. The process of claim any one of claims 10-12, wherein the melt elongation of the UV cross-linked ethylene-based polymer is at least 15% greater than the ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

14. The process of any one of claims 10-13, wherein the melt elongation of the UV crosslinked ethylene-based polymer is at least 5 mN greater than the ethylene-based polymer not subjected to UV crosslinking.

15. The process of any one of claims 10-14, wherein the melt elongation of the UV crosslinked ethylene-based polymer is greater than or equal to 20 mN.

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