COMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBON-SUBSTITUTED DIPHENYL AMINES AND HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS; AND THE USE THEREOF AS WATER-TREE RETARDANTS FOR POLYMERS

Abstract: A composition which serves to improve the watertreeing stance of polymeric compositions comprising a hydrocar­ bon-substituted diphenyl amine and a high molecular weight polythylene glycol. Polymeric compositions containing the water-tree retardant additives are useful as extrudates about ical conductors.

Description: COMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBON-SUBSTITUTED DIPHENYL AMINES AND HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS; AND THE USE THEREOF AS WATER-TREE RETARDANTS FOR POLYMERS This invention relates to water-tree retardants comprising hyime carbon-substituted diphanyl amines and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the use thereof as additives to polymeric omesitions, as for example, compositions based on ethylene polymers. The resultant compositians are useful as extrudates about electrical conductors providing insulation thereen which is resistant to water-treeing. The serviece life of insulated power cables is known to be shortened by a prebreakdown phenomenon termed water-treeing. Consequently, insulation based on polymeric compositions, as for example, compositions of ethylene polymers, has been modified by the addition thereto of various additives for the purpose of providing insulation characterized by resistance to water-treeing. Water-trees occur when insulation is subjected to an electrical field, over a prolonged period of of time, while in an environment in which water is present. Water-trees are so named because of a resemblance to branched trees. In actuality, water-trees are fine passages or voids which are visibly white when filled with water but became invisible when dry. For purposes of observation, specimens with water-trees must be boiled in water or dyed. Water-trees start to grow at points of voltage stress in the insulation. Points of stress might be at sites in the insulation at which there are voids, contamination, or irregularities, far instance at the interface between the insulation and a semi-conductive layer. In the case of voids or contamination, trees tend to form at apposite sides of the point of stress (the nucleus) and, in tine, grow to resesble a bow-tie. Trees initiated at an interface grow in one direction in the form of a bush and are referred to as vented trees. The two types of water-trees, bow-tie and vented, appear to start and to grow by different mechanisms, as indicated by their differing response to many of the water-tree retardants that have been examined. Up until the present time, no single water-tree retardant system has been developed which, when added to a polymeric composition, results in a composition which has a commercially acceptable balance of properties including resistance, over prolonged periods of tine, to the formation of bottie trees and vented water-trees. The accompanying drawing is a schematic sectional view showing the apparatus used to cause water-trees of the bow-tie type to grow in a test specimen. The present invention provides a water-tree retardant composition comprising a hydrocarbon-substituted diphenyl amine and a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol which, when added tD polymeric materials such as an ethylene polymer, provides compositions which have a commericially acoept able balance of properties including resistance to the formation of bow-tie water-trees and vented water-trees. The compositions of this invention retain resistance to water-trees over prolonged periods of time, at normal qp- erating or service temperatures of the insulated electrical conductors, about which they are extruded, without undergoing an undesirable degradation of physical or electrical properties. Th addition the compositions of this invention can be cured to water-tree resistant, crosslinked products, without a signficant increase in the normal concentrations of the crosslinking agent, the the organic peroxide,by the addition of an appropriate crosslinking booster. As stated, the water-tree retardants of this invention comprise a composition of a hydrocarbon-sdbstituted diphenyl amine and a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol. Afirag diphenyl amines, substituted by one or more hydrocarbon radicals on the aranatic rings, which are suitable for purposes of this invention are those having the formula: FORMULA I EMI3.1 wherein each R, which can be the same or different, is hydrogen or a hydro- carbon radical such as alkyl or aralkyl radicals substituted in the para and/ or ortho positions relative to the amino group, provided that at least one R is a hydrocarbon radical. As a rule, each R has 5 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 9 carbon atoms. Illustrative of such radicals are those derived fran OC-olefIn such as n-hexene, nrheptene, n-octene, n-nonene and the like as well as rad icals derived from styrene, &alpha;-methyl styrene and the like. Particularly desirable for purposes of this invention are liquid diphenyl amines, as described, such as a diphenyl amine alkylated with styrene or octylene. A liquid diphenyl amine alkylated with styrene and sold by Goodyear Tire and Rdbber Company under the tradenme of Wingstay 29 is an example of such a compound. This compound is obtained by reacting diphenyl amine with styrene under alkylation conditions using a Friedel-Crafts catalyst, according to the follcwing idealized equation: EMI4.1 It actuality, it is believed that this compound is a mixture of mono and disstituted species. Compositions containing a liquid, hydrocarbon-substituted diphenyl amine, in conjunction with a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, in addition to being characterized by the properties previously described, are relatively free of "blooming", a term used to describe surface exudation. Other suitable diphenyl amines are described subsequently herein. Polyethylene glycols, suitable for purposes of this invention are those having a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 20,000. Particularly desirable polyethylene glycols have a carbon number, that is, number of carbon atoms of at least 30, preferably at least 80. Cbmmercially available polyethylene glycols, suitable for purposes of this invention, are marketed by Union Carbide Corporation under the tradeeark "Carbowax" and under the designation 20M. These materials are described in Union Carbide Corporation Brochure No. F-4772 I, 1/78 entitled, "Carbowax, Polyethylene Glycol". Amount of polyethylene glycol, relative to the diphenyl amine is suf ficient to provide a composition which, when added to a polymeric material, result in a polymeric pcsition which has improved resistance to water-treeing. Preferably the amount of polyethylene glycol, relative to the bon-substituted diphenyl amine is about 0.2 to about 1 part by weight per 1 part by weight of the diphenyl amine Among suitable polymeric material to which the aforenoted tree retardant compostion can be added in order to provide water-tree resistant sitijns are ethylene polymers such as normally solid homopolymers of ethylene, copolymers of ethylene and X-olefins and copolymers of ethylene &alpha;-olefins and diene monomers. Exemplary of suitable copolymerizable monomers are &alpha;-olefins such as propylene, butene-l, hexene-l, and the like; diene monomers such as butadiene, isoprene and the like; wherein the polymers contain at least about 70 percent by weight ethylene. Preferred copolymers are ethylene-prozylene copolymers, ethylenebutene copolymers and the like. These copolymers can be produced under low pressure of about 150 to about 300 psi, using a chraniun oxide catalyst modified with titanium as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,011,382 granted March 8, 1977. If desired, other polymers such as polyprcFylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber and the like can be added to the ethylene polymer oompositions of this invention. The e compositions of this invention can contain antioxidants such as sterically hindered phenols and amines, polymerized 2,2,4-tetramethyl- hydroquinoline, 4,4'-thio-bis-(6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol), thiodietylenebis-(3,5-ditert-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate, distearyltiodipropionate and the like. Also, the catpositicns of the present invention can contain crosslinking agents when the compositions are to be used as vulcanized or crosslinked products rather than as thermoplastic compositions. Vulcanizing or crosslinking agents are well known in the art and include organic peroxides as described in U.S. Patent 3,296,189, granted January 3, 1967. These compounds can be used singly, or in combination with one another, or in wrbination with a crouslinking booster. Particularly desirable curable ccmpusitions for purposes of this invention comprise an ethylene polymer, a liquid hydrocarbon-substituted di Fhenyl amine, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, an organic peroxide and a silane crosslinking booster having the average formula: FORMULA II EMI6.1 wherein R1 and R2, which can be the same or different, are hydrocarbon radical generally having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, prefe@ably 12 to 14 carbon atoms, and n is an integer having a value of 4 to 20, preferably 4 to 16;or a silane cross linking booster having the average formula: : FORMULA III EMI6.2 wherein R1 and R2 are as previously defined and x and y, which can be the same or different, are integers having a value of 4 to 8. Illustrative of suitable radicals for R1 and R2 are alkyl radicals such as octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, stearyl and the like. preparation of silanes falling within the scope of Formula II and Forrnula III can be conveniently prepared by reacting methylvinyldichloro- silane or a mixture of :rethylvinyldidilorosilane and dimethyldichloro- silane with water and a fatty alcohol or mixtures of fatty alcohols follcw- ed by equilibration and neutralization of the acidic residues. The molar ratios of water and alcohol can be varied with respect to each mole of di functional chlorosilane such that the following stoichiometric equation holds, wherein for purposes of convenience the reactants are shown to be methylvinyldichlorosilane, water and dodecyl alcohol. EMI7.1 In preparing silanes falling within the scope of Formula III, the amount of methylvinyldichlorosilane (x) plus the amount of dimethylchloro- silane (y) will be equal to n, according to the following stoichiometric reaction scheme: EMI7.2 The specifics of the reaction are shown by the procedures detailed belt. Silane 1 - characterized by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance as having the average formula: EMI7.3 Silane 1 was prepared as follows: Into a two liter, 3-necked flask equipped with an addition funnel, mechanical stirrer, thermometer and distillation head with receiver protected by a nitrogen by-pass, was added 846.0 g (6.0 rroles) of methylvinyldichloro- ilane. Fran the addition funnel there was added 294.7 g (1.5 moles) of dodecanol to the flask at a moderate rate with stirring. The temperature of the flask decreased to < 109C due to evolution of HCl. After the do- decanol had been added, 89.7 g (5.0 moles, or 95% of the stoichiometric amount) of water were slowly charged fran the addition funnel while maintaining the flask temperature at 10 # 5 C with an external ice bath. After the water was added, the flask was held at 15 + 5 C for an additional 3 hours with stirring (the HCl equilibration step). The addition funnel was replaced by a N2-sparge tube and the contents of the flask were slowly heatet to 90 C, continuously removing HCl from the flask. After 30 minutes, a sample fran the flask was analyzed and found to contain 0.11 meq ClVg sample. The e runing amount of water (4.5 g, 0.25 mole) was added as a saturated Na2C03 solution. Heating was resumed for an additional 30 minutes at 80 C, contin- uing the N2-sparge throughout. The remaining acid chloride was neutralized with damp NaHCO3. The resulting product was filtered, yielding 759.0 g (theory 792.5 g) 96% of theory of a clear, colorless fluid of 16.5 cstk viscosity (at 25 C), having a chloride content of 0.01 meg/g (0.04%). The source of dodecanol used in preparing the silanes noted herein was a Procter b Gable product Co-1214 Fatty Alcohol a a brand name for a mixture containing dodecanol and a small amount of C14 alcohol. Silane 2 - characterized by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance as having the average fo=tu1a: EMI9.1 was prepared as follows Into a 1 liter, 3-necked flask equipped with an addition funnel, condenser, mechanical stirrer, thermometer, and protected with a nitrogen by-pass was added 282.0 g (2.0 moles) of methylvinyldichlorosilane. From the addition funnel there was added 98.25 g (0.5 mole) of dodecanol, slowly with stirring,while maintaining the temperature between 10-15 C. After the dodecan had been added, 28.4 g (1.58 moles, 90% of required stoichiometry of 1. 75 mole ) of water were added with stirring maintaining a temperature between 10-15 C on the reaction vessel by irians of an ioe bath. The contents of the flask were stirred for 3 hours at a temperature between 10-15 C. The addition funnel was replaced by a tube inserted into the liquid reaction mixture and nitrogen was passed through the mixture while heating to a temperature of 90 C with stirring to remove hydrogen chloride fran the flask. After 0.5 hour at a temperature of 90 C, the remaining quantity of a water (3.1 g) was added as saturated Na2C03. All residual hydrogen chloride was then neutralized as described for the preparation of Silane 1. After filtration, 250 g of aclear, colorless fluid of 18.4 cstk (25XC) viscosity were obtained. Silane 3 - characterized by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance as having the average formula: EMI9.2 Silane 3 was prepared following the procedure described with respect to Silane 1, by reacting 282.0 g (2 moles) rrethylvinyldichlorosilane , 46.6 g (0.25 moles) dodecanol and 33.75 g (1.875 moles) H20 to produce 178.5 g of a clear colorless fluid. Silane 4 - characterized by gel pejeeaticn chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance as having the average formula: EMI10.1 Silane 4 was prepared by following the procedure described with respect to Silane 1, by reacting 141.09 (1.0 mole) methylinyldichloro- silane, 129.1 g (1.0 mole) dimethyldichlorosilane, 93.29 (0.5 mole) dodecanol and 31.5 g(l.75 moles) water to produce 193.5 g of a clear colorless fluid. In formulating the compositions of this invention, the amount of hydrocarbon substituted diphenyl amino, high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, organic peroxide and silane crosslinking booster, based on the total weight of the composition are as follows: The diphenyl amine is present, along with the high rtolecuiar weight polyethylene glycol, in an amount sufficient to improve the water-tree resistance of the composition, generally in an amount of about 0.2 to about 2 percent by weight, preferably about 0.5 to about l parcent by weight. The high molecular weight polyethylene glycols along with the dipheny amine, is present in an amount sufficient to improve the water-tree resistance of the composition, generally in an amount of about 0.2 to about 1 percent by weight, preferably about 0.2 to about 0.5 percent by weight. The organic peroxide is present in an amount sufficient to cure the composition to a cross linked product, generally in an amount of about 1 to about 3 percent by weight, preferably in an amount of amount 1.5 to about 2 percent by weight. The crosslinking booster is present in an amount of about 0.5 to abo 2 percent by weight, preferably about 0.5 to about 1.5 percent by weight. It is to be noted that mixtures of ingredients, as disclosed herein, can be used if so desired. The following is a description of materials used to conduct the Examples and Controls of Table I and Table II, which follow. DESCRIPTION OF THE POLYMERS Polymer A - Copolymer of ethylene and n-butene having a melt index of 0.7 and a density of 0.92. Polymer B - Polyethylene having a melt index of 2 and a density of 0.92. Polymer C - Polyethylene having a melt index of 0.2 and a density of 0.92. DESCRIPTION OF THE DIPHENYL AMINES (DPA) I. Diphenyl amine alkylated with styrene Gçingstay 29-Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) - liquid II. Diphenyl amine alkylated with diisobutylene (Naugalube 438L- Uniroyal, Inc.) - liquid III. Diphenyl amine alkylated with octylene (Stalite-R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc.) - liquid IV. Diphenyl amine alkylated with &alpha;-methyl styrene (Naugard 445 Uniroyal, Inc.) - solid V. Diphenyl amine alkylated with octylene (Stalite-S-R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc.) - solid DESCRIPTION OF ANTIOXIDANIS (AO) AO-1 4,4'-thio-bis-(6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol) AO-2 Distearylthiodipropionate AO-3 Thiodiethylene-bis-(3-5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL Polyethylene glycol - molecular with about 4000 - sold under the trademark "Carbowax" by Union Carbide Corporation Polyethylene glycol - molecular weight about 20,000 - sold under the designation 30M by Union Carbide Corporation Procedures used in formulating and testing compositions of Table I are described below. Ethylene polymer, alkylated diphenyl amine and high molecular weight polyethylene glycol were charged into a Brabender mixer compounded to a melt tomperature of about 150 C. The resultant composition was granulated and compression molded into test plaques at a temperature of 160 C. Vented Water-Trees - measured as Water Tree Growth Pate (WIGR) deteneined as described in detail in U.S. Patent 4,263,158 granted April 21, 1981, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. WIGR was determined under the following conditions - 1 KHz, 5 KV. 72 hours. By definition, the WIGR of a composition to which no water-tree resistant additive has been added0 is 1.0 (Control 6 in Table I; Control A in Table II). Bow-Tie Water-Trees - determined by viewing under a microscope, magnification 40X, specimens prepared as described for the WIGR test and noting the number and size of the' bow-tie teees. Each test specimen was rated qualitatively on a scale of 0 (no bow-tie water-trees) to 4 (numerous bow-tie water-trees). Blocming - determined by molding specimens 1/100 of an inch thick, allowing the specimens to stand at room temperature for one month, visually examining the surface of the specimens for exudation and making a qualitative evaluation. From a commercial standpoint, the primary aims with respect to compositions to be used as insulation about electrical conductors, which in turn are to be exposed to a water environment, are: WIGR - equal to or less than 0.2 Bow-Tie Water Tree Rating - less than 4 Bloaning - low level of surface exudation The Examples of Table I and Table II illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. Amounts noted in the Tables are in parts by weight. TABLE I Example 1 Control 1 Example 2 Contro 2 Example 3 Polymer A 98.75 99.25 98.75 99.5 99.0 Polymer C ---- ---- ---- ---- --- DPA I 0.75 0.75 - - - DPA II ---- ---- ---- ---- --- DPA III ---- ---- 0.75 0.5 --- DPA IV ---- -- -- ---- 0.5 DPA V ---- ---- -- Polyethylene Glycol Molecular Weight 4000 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Polyethylene Glycol Compound 20M 0.5 ---- 0.5 --- 0.5 AO-1 ---- ---- ---- ---- --- AO-3 ---- ---- ---- ---- --- WIGR 0.16 0.73 0.09 0.4 0.15 Blooming Low- Heavy Low Low Low Odium Dow-Tie Water-Tree Rating 2 4 2 4 1 TABLE I (continued) Control 3 Control 4 Control 5 Control 6 Control 7 Polymer A 99.5 98.9 99.5 -- 99.9 Polymer C ---- ---- ---- 99.9 DPA I - - -- - - - DPA II ---- ---- ---- ---- --- DPA III ---- ---- ---- ---- --- DPA IV 0.5 ---- ---- ---- ---- DPA V ---- ---- 0.5 ---- --- Polyethylene Glycol Molecular Weight 4000 ---- 1.0 ---- ---- --- Polyethylene Glycol Compound 20M ---- ---- ---- ---- --- AO-1 ---- -- - 0.1 AO-3 ---- 0.1 ---- ---- 0.1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WTGR 0.26 0.29 0.44 1.0 1.0 Blooming Heavy Low Low Low Low Bow-Tie Water-Tree Rating 4 0 4 ---- 4 The crosslinked compositons of Table II were prepared by charging the ingredients into a Brabender mixer and compounding the resultant mixture to a melt temperature of about 120 C. Each composition was granulated and compression molded into test specimens at a temperature of 125 C. Test specimens were cured while in the mold at a temperature of 180 C. Before testing for WIGR. each cured test specimen was annealed for 15 minutes in an oven which was at a temperature of il50C after which peroxide residues were removed by heating the test specimens for seven days in a vactin oven which was at a temperature of 85 C. Tests reported in Table II were conduced as follcwsO WTGR - determined at 5 ,l KHz. 72 hours Degree of cure for each ccmposition was determined by the Monsanto Rheometer test, described in detail in U.S Patent 4,018,852 granted April 19, 1977, and reported in lbs.-inch. Resistivity to physical degradation - determined using cured spe prepared as described above, by testing for retention of elongation according to procedures described in ASTMD-638. Blooming - determined by allowing uncured molded specimens to stand for one month at temperatures ranging from 7OC to 60 C, visually examining the surface of the specimees for exudation and making a qualitative evaulation Bow-Tie Water-Trees - determined, for each composition, by molding two sheets, each 0.02 inch thick, placing a srall amount of powdered NaCl at the interface of the two sheets and molding the two sheets together at a temperature of 125 C to form test specimens, Test specimens were cured in a mold at a temperature of 180 C. Peroxide residees were removed by heating th test specimens for seven days in a vacuum oven which was at a temperature of 85 C. Referring now to the accompanying drawing, test specimen (2) was placed and held at the center opening of glass vessel (4) dividing glass vessel (4) into two compartments. Test specimen (2) was in contact with 0.1 normal aqueous solution of sodium chloride (6) contained in glass vessel (4). Aqueous solution (6) was connected to a voltage source (not shown) through a high voltage wire lead (8) and grounded through ground wire (10). An Ac voltage - 5 KV, 1 KHz was applied to the lead wire for 2 days. After the two day period, the specimen was dyed with aqueous rrethylene blue solution which made the water-trees visible. Each test specimen was examined visually under a microscope, magnification of 40X, and rated qualitatively on a scale of 0 (no bow-tie water-trees) to 4 (numerous bow-tie water-trees). The primary commercial aims with respect to WIGR, Bow-Tie Water Trees and Blooming have been described previously. The primary cceeercial aim with respect to degree of cure is 48 + 4 lbs.-inch; percent retention of elongation, 7 days at 150 C, greater than 75 percent. TABLE II Composition Control A Control B Control C Polymer C 99.9 --- - Polymer B ---- 97.94 96.94 Silane 1 Polyethylene Glycol - 4000 MW ---- ---- 1.0 Polyethylene Glycol Compound 20M ---- --- DPA-1 ---- --- DPA 2 DPA 3 Dicumyl peroxide --- 1.7 1.7 AO-1 0.1 --- AO2 - -- 0.18 0.18 AO-3 --- 0.18 0.18 Properties Cure Level, Ibs.-Inch -- 46 40 WIGR 1.0 1.0 + .25 0.24 Bow Tie Water-Trees-Rating ---- 4 0 Percent Retention of Elongation 7 Days at 150 C --- 90 10 Blooming ---- Low Low Composition Control D Control E Example 4 Example 5 Polymer C ---- ---- ---- --- Polymer B 96.95 96.05 96.45 95.55 Silane 1 0.6 1.50 0.6 1.50 Polyethylene Glycol - 4000 MW ---- ---- ---- --- Polyethylene Gycol Compound 20M ---- ---- 0.50 0.50 DPA-1 0.75 ---- 0.75 --- DPA 2 ---- 0.75 ---- --- DPA 3 ---- ---- ---- 0.75 Dicumyl peroxide 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 AO-1 ---- ---- ---- --- AO-2 ---- ---- ---- --- AO-3 ---- ---- ---- --- Properties Cure Level, Lbs.Inch 44 49 48 53 WIGR 0.34 0.37 0.10 0.02 Bow Tie Water-Trees-Rating 4 4 1 3 Percent Retention of Elongation 7 Days at 150 C 100 8 90 60 Blocoming Mad Low Low Heavy Silane boosters, noted herein, are the subject of an application filed by Herbert E. Petty. Serial No. filed and assigned to a common assignee Union Carbide Corporation. Melt index, as noted herein, is in decigrams per minute determined by ASTM test D-1238. Density, as noted heein, is in grams per cubic centimeter determined by ASTM test D-1505.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A water-tree retardant additive, which serves to improve resistance to water-treeing in polymeric compositions, comprising a hydrocarbon-substituted diphenyl amine and a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol. 2. A water-tree retardant additive as defined in claim 1 comprising a liquid, hydrocarbon-subsituted diphenyl amine and a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 20,000 in an amount of about 0.2 to about 1 part by weight per each part by weight diphenyl amine. 3. A water-tree retardant additive as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the said amine is diphenyl amine alkylated with styrene, octylene or 4-methyl styrene. 4. A water-tree retardant additive as defined in any of claims 1 - 3 wherein the said glycol has a molecular weight of about 4,000 or about 20,000. 5. A composition, suitable for improving the water-treeing resistance and for crosslinking a polymeric composition A comprising a water-tree retardant additive according to any of claims 1 - 4 and an organic peroxide. 6. A composition as defined in claim 5, additionally comprising a crosslinking booster. 7 A composition as defined in claim 6 wherein the cross linking booster has the formula EMI22.1 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon radicals and n is an integer having a value of 4 to 16. 8. A composition as defined in claim 7 wherein the cross linking booster is a methylvinyl siloxane, end blocked with C12 hydrocarbon and n has a value of 8 or 16. 9. A composition as defined in claim 6 wherein the silane crosslinking booster has the formula: EMI22.2 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon radicals and x and y are integers having a value of 4 to 8. 10. A composition as defined in claim 9 wherein the silane is end blocked with C12 hydrocarbon and x and y each have a value of 4. 11. A polymeric composition, having improved resistance to water-treeing, containing a water-tree retardant additive according to any of claims 1 - 4 in an amount sufficient to improve the water-treeing resistance of said composition. 12. A crosslinkable polymeric composition having improved resistance to water-treeing, containing a composition according to any of claims 5 - 10 in an amount sufficient to improve the water-treeing resistance of said composition. 13. A composition as defined in claims 11 or 12, comprising a hydrocarbon-substituted diphenyl amine in an amount of 0.2 to about 2 percent by weight and a polyethylene glycol, having a molecular weight of about 1,000 to about 20,000 in an amount of about 0.2 to about 1 percent by weight. 14. A composition as defined in any of claims 11 - 13, comprising an ethylene polymer such as polyethylene or an ethylene copolymer, preferably an ethylene-butene copolymer. 15. The crosslinked product of the composition of any of claims 12 - 14.

Inventors: TURBETT, ROBERT JOHN
Applicants: UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
Application year: 1983
Main classification: C08K5
IPC codes: C08K5, H01B3, C08L23, C08L21, C08L77, C08L7, C08L71, C08L101, H01B7