Patent ID: 6756116
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for forming free-flowing pellets of ethylene-based, copolymers comprising repeating polymerized units of(i) at least 50% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of ethylene, (ii) 5 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of an ethylenically unsaturated acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid; and (iii) 0 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of an alkyl (meth)acrylate, wherein the copolymer has 0-100% of the acid groups neutralized with one or more metal cations, the process comprising the steps of(i) contacting the pellets with an aqueous solution consisting essentially of a sufficient amount of one or more water-soluble metal salts of aliphatic acid having 4 to 10 carbon atoms to increase the stick temperature to a temperature at least 5Â° C. higher than the stick temperature of the pellets before being contacted; and, (ii) drying the pellets.