PROCESS FOR CROSS-LINKING OR DEGRADING POLYMERS AND SHAPED ARTICLES OBTAINED BY THIS PROCESS

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for cross-linking polymers, e.g. polyethylene, or degrading polymers, e.g. polypropylene, using peroxides having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule, e.g. 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene. Incorporation of the peroxides into the polymer may be carried out at relatively high temperatures without the risk of premature decomposition of the peroxide, thus allowing easy processability of the polymer mass prior to cross-linking or degradation. The polymeric endproducts obtained are odourless and do not display blooming.

Description: The invention relates to a process for cross-linking or degrading polymers, use being made of an organic peroxide which has at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule. The invention also relates to shaped articles obtained by this process. A process of the above type is disclosed in United States Patent Specifi­ cation No. 3 980 629. According to it the use as cross-linking agent of unsaturated peroxyketals leads to cross-linked polymers that are practic­ ally odourless and do not exhibit blooming. Polymers having those properties are desirable in that, as is generally known, the more or less volatile decomposition products formed from dicumyl peroxide, which is often used in practice for cross-linking and degradation purposes, will lead to polymers which have an unpleasant smell and display blooming, which is objectionable to their applicability, for instance as packaging material for foodstuffs. To the peroxyketals described in said United States Patent Specification, however, there is the disadvantage that the temperature at which they are incorporated into a polymer is subject to restrictions in view of the risk of premature decomposition. They are therefore not suitable at all to be used as a degradant for polymers such as polypropylene; and when they are used as a cross-linking agent, this drawback manifests itself particularly in the cross-linking of those polymers, such as elastomers, into which the peroxide, and other additives, if desired, are to be mixed in at elevated temperature, prior to the polymer mass being shaped; to prevent premature cross-linking (scorching) the temperature at which these well-known per­ oxides are allowed to be processed is relatively low, which is detrimental to the viscosity and, hence, the processability of the polymer mass to be cross-linked. As cross-linking agent these peroxyketals are therefore no satisfactory alternative to dicumyl peroxide. The invention envisages the elimination of these drawbacks. It provides peroxides that are not subject to the temperature limitations of said peroxyketals, but do retain the favourable properties of these peroxyketals with respect to smell and blooming of the polymeric endproducts (see above) and as cross-linking and degrading agent form a good alternative to dicumyl peroxide. The process according to the invention is characterized in that the per­ oxide corresponds to the general structural formula where m = 0,1 or 2; n = 1,2 or 3; m+n = ≦ 3; R₁ = H or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; R₂ = an alkyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms; R₃-R₆= alkyl groups containing 1-10 carbon atoms; R₇ = an alkyl group containing 1-10 carbon atoms which is sub­ stituted or not with a C₁-₁₀ alkoxy group, a C₁-₁₀ acetoxy group or a hydroxyl group, or represents a group A of the general formula where p = 1 or 2 and R₈ and R₉ have the meaning indicated above for R₂ and R₁, respectively; with the proviso that in the case of disubstitution the aromatic ring sub­ stituents are not ortho to each other and in the case of trisubstitution are not in three adjacent positions, and that when m=0, R₇ represents a group A. It should be noted that several of the peroxides to be used according to the present invention are known from SU 757 529, SU 887 578, JP 60/11349, JP 60/13828 and JP 60/19762. It is described that those peroxides may be applied as monomers in the preparation of peroxide groups-containing poly­ mers. The present use is neither disclosed in these publications nor can it be derived therefrom. It should further be noted that for the use as cross-linking agent for rubber an unsaturated peroxide is known from WP 8 002 285, viz. 1-meth­ acrylate-1-t-butyl peroxyethane. Upon repetition of a process on the basis of the data known from this disclosure, however, it was not found possible to prepare this peroxide. Cross-linking of polymers As mentioned above, the present peroxides may with advantage be used in high-melting polymers, such as elastomers, without the risk of premature cross-linking during the processing phase, i.e. the phase of mixing in of the peroxide and moulding of the polymer mass immediately preceding the cross-linking phase. As examples of these polymers may be mentioned: polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and propylene (EPM) and copolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene monomer (EPDM). But the advantages to the present peroxides are not limited to use in high-melting polymers. The present peroxides also may with advantage be used in low-melting polymers. As a result, the polymer mass obtained may advantageously be exposed to relatively high temperatures, so that a low viscosity and, hence, satis­ factory processability are obtained. Examples of polymers to be cross-linked in accordance with the present process, in addition to the polymers mentioned before, include chlorosul­ phonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, polybutene-1, polyiso­ butene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, butadiene styrene copolymers, natural rubber, polyacrylate rubber, butadiene acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, silicone rubber, polyurethanes and polysulphides. It is preferred that the present process should be applied for cross-­ linking polyethylene, EPM and EPDM. To the polymer to be cross-linked is generally added 0,1-10% by weight, and preferably 1-3% by weight of the present peroxide. Moreover, to the polymer to be cross-linked there may be added various agents commonly employed in cross-linking processes, such as antioxidants, pigments, UV stabilizers, fillers, plasticizers, etc. in amounts commonly used for these purposes. The temperature at which the present peroxides may be mixed into polymeric material without there occurring any premature cross-linking is generally in the range of 25° to 130°C; the temperature at which subsequent cross-­ linking is carried out is generally in the range of 150° to 220°C, preferably 160°-190°C. For carrying out the process according to the invention use may be made of the techniques commonly applied in cross-linking reactions in appropriate equipment. In this connection mention is made of the known fact that cross-linked polyethylene is a very suitable material to be applied as insulating material in the wire and cable industry. Degradation of polymers As is known for cases where easy processing is required, as in melt spinning at high shear rates, propylene-based polymers prepared by the Ziegler-Natta process should be degraded, because of a too high molecular weight and hence a too high viscosity. By heating the polymer to a tempera­ ture in the range of 180° to 350°C in the presence of a radical initiating compound a reduction of the molecular weight and a narrowed molecular weight distribution are obtained. Polymers thus degraded satisfy the requirements of ease of processing to be met in the production of fibres, films and other shaped articles. The present peroxides have been found very suitable degradants. As polymers that lend themselves to be degraded may be mentioned the well-known (co)­ polymers of propylene: polypropylene and copolymers of propylene and ethylene, 1-butene or 1-hexene. In actual practice it is mostly the degradation of polypropylene that is applied. Degradation may be carried out in the usual manner. In the presence of one of the present peroxides, the (co)polymer is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the (co)polymer and above the decomposition tempera­ ture of the peroxide. This temperature will generally be in the range of 180° to 350°C, preferably 200° to 250°C. The heating time is as a rule be­ tween 0,1 and 30 minutes, preferably between 0,5 and 5 minutes. The present peroxide will generally be added to the (co)polymer to be degraded in an amount of 0,001 to 2% by weight, preferably 0,01 to 0,5% by weight, calculated on the amount of (co)polymer. In addition antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers, usually employed for polymer degradation, may be added in the usual amount to the (co)polymer to be degraded. As examples of suitable antioxidants may be mentioned esters of β-(3,5-di-tert.butyl-4-­ hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid, more particularly the esters thereof with pentaerythrite or octadecanol, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3',5'-di-tert.­ butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)benzene, 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-di-tert.butylphenol, tris-(2'-methyl-4'-hydroxy-5'-tert.butylphenyl)butane, tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-­ tert.butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyloxymethyl]methane, 2,6-di-tert.butyl-­ p-cresol and 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzyl thioglycolic stearyl ester. As suitable UV rays absorbing agents may be mentioned 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-­ tert.amylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert.butylphenyl)-5-­ chlorobenzotriazole and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octyl-oxy-benzophenone. The degradation may be carried out in equipment usually employed for this purpose, such as extrusion apparatus. The present peroxides The peroxides to be used according to the invention correspond to the above-described general Formula I. For practical considerations with regard to the magnitude of the molecular weight and synthetic accessibility it is preferred that when m=1 or 2 and/or p=1 or 2 use should be made of per­ oxides where the substituted vinyl group or groups represent isopropenyl (R₁ = H, R₂ = CH₃ and/or R₈ = CH₃,R₉ = H) and the aromatic radical or radicals represent the cumyl structure (R₃ = R₄ = CH₃ and/or R₅ = R₆ = CH₃). The preparation may be carried out in the usual manner by reacting a t-­ alcohol with hydrogen peroxide in an acid medium to form the corresponding t-alkylhydroperoxide and converting the resulting compound with a t-­ alcohol, also in an acid medium, into the peroxide; at least one of the two t-alcohols used should be unsaturated. Examples of saturated t-alcohols to be used in the preparation of the present peroxides include t-butyl alcohol, t-amyl alcohol, 2-hydroxy-2-­ methylpentane, cumyl alcohol (=α-hydroxyisopropylbenzene), 1,3-bis(α-­ hydroxyisopropyl)benzene, 1,4-bis(α-hydroxyisopropyl)benzene and 1,3,5-tris­ (α-hydroxyisopropyl)benzene. Examples of unsaturated t-alcohols to be used in the preparation of the present peroxides include 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene, 1-­ (α-hydroxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene, 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3,5-bis­ (isopropenyl)benzene, 1,3-bis(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-5-isopropenylbenzene and 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-2,4-bis(isopropenyl)benzene. Preparation of these unsaturated t-alcohols may be carried out by partial dehydration of the corresponding diols or triols in the manner described in US 3 622 636 for the preparation of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene and 1-(α-­ hydroxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene from, respectively, 1,3-bis(α-­ hydroxyisopropyl)benzene and 1,4-bis(α-hydroxyisopropyl)benzene. Examples of suitable peroxides where in the general Formula I m=0 are: 1-(cumyl peroxy isopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene and 1-(cumyl peroxy isopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene. Examples of suitable peroxides where in the general Formula m≠0 are: 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene, 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene, 1,3-di(t-amyl peroxy isopropyl)-5-isopropenylbenzene, 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3,5-bis(isopropenyl)benzene, 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-2,4-bis(isopropenyl)benzene and 1,3-di(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-5-isopropenylbenzene. Particularly suitable for use in the process according to the invention are those peroxides where m has the value of 1 and, when R₇ represents the group A, p also has the value of 1. More particularly preferred are those peroxides where R₁ = H, R₂ = R₃ = R₄ = R₅ = R₆ = a methyl group and, when R₇ represents a group A, R₈ = a methyl group and R₉ = H. The present peroxides also may be used in combination with each other. As regards the structure of the present peroxides it should still be noted that steric requirements lead to the aromatic substituents not being ortho to each other in the case of disubstitution and to their not being in three adjacent positions in the case of trisubstitution . The invention will be further described in the following examples. Example 1 Preparation of 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene (Com­ pound 1) To a mixture of equimolar amounts of t-butyl hydroperoxide (32 g) and 1-­ (α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene (57 g) stirred at 30°C there were added 1,32 ml of an aqueous solution of 20% by weight of perchloric acid. Over a period of 30 minutes MgSO₄.2H₂O was added portionwise up to an amount of in all 26,3 g, after which the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 35°C. Then sufficient water was added to dissolve all of the magnesium sulphate. The organic phase was separated, washed with aqueous NaOH and finally with water. Obtained were 80 g of a colourless liquid (yield 90%) having an active oxygen content of 6,02% (calc. 6,44%). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 2 Preparation of 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene (Com­ pound 2) The same procedure was carried out as described in Example 1, except that use was made of equimolar amounts of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenyl­ benzene and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Obtained was a colourless liquid (yield 90%) having an active oxygen content of 5,58% (calc. 6,44%). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 3 Preparation of Compound 3 The same procedure was carried out as described in Example 1, except that use was made of equimolar amounts of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3-isopropenyl­ benzene and 1-(α-hydroperoxyisopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene. Obtained was a colourless liquid (yield 70%) having an active oxygen content of 3,81% (calc. 4,56%). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 4 Preparation of Compound 4 The same procedure was employed as described in Example 1, except that use was made of equimolar amounts of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenyl­ benzene and 1-(α-hydroperoxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene. Obtained was a viscous liquid from which the product was isolated as white crystals by crystallization with diethyl ether. The product was obtained in a yield of 60% and had a melting point of 82°-85°C and an active oxygen content of 4,20% (calc. 4,56%). The structure was characterized by NMR and IR analyses. Example 5 Preparation of 1-(cumyl peroxy isopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene (Com­ pound 5) The same procedure was used as described in Example 4, except that use was made of equimolar amounts of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-4-isopropenylbenzene and cumyl hydroperoxide. Obtained were white crystals (yield 70%) having a melting point of 40°C and an active oxygen content of 4,34% (calc. 5,15). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 6 Preparation of 1,3-di(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-5-isopropenylbenzene (Com­ pound 6) To a mixture of 1,3-bis(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-5-isopropenylbenzene (14 g), t-butyl hydroperoxide (15 g) and hexane 50 ml) stirred at 35°C there were added 0,55 ml of an aqueous solution of 20% by weight of perchloric acid and subsequently MgSO₄.2H₂O (10,6 g), the latter in a portionwise manner, after which the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours at 40°C. Then suf­ ficient water was added to dissolve all of the magnesium sulphate. The organic phase was separated, washed with aqueous NaOH and finally with water. After removal of the hexane from the organic phase under reduced pressure, 22 g of a yellow oil were obtained (yield 95%) having an active oxygen content of 8,29% (calc. 8.47%). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 7 Preparation of 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3,5-bis(isopropenyl)benzene (Compound 7) The same procedure was employed as described in Example 1, except that use was made of equimolar amounts of 1-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-3,5-bis(iso­ propenyl)benzene and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Obtained was a yellow liquid (yield 95%) having an active oxygen content of 5,12% (calc. 5,56%). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR analyses. Example 8 Of the peroxides described in the preceding examples the permissible processing temperature was determined as follows. Over a period of 5 minutes 0,01 equivalent of the peroxide was mixed with 100 g of ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPM) on a roll mill at a friction of 1:1,2 and at a temperature of 50°-70°C. Of the resulting mixture the cross- linking behaviour was subsequently determined with the aid of a Göttfert Elastograph in the manner described in Kautschuk und Gummi 29(5/6) 341-352 (1976). In this determination the mixture to be cross-linked is embedded in a heated chamber the lower half of which is oscillatory. During cross- linking the increase is registered in the torque on the lower chamber half as a result of the increase in viscosity of the cross-linking mixture as a function of time. The increase in torque is expressed in the parameters t₁₀ and t₉₀ which represent the time necessary under the given conditions to bring about respectively 10% and 90% of the increase in torque (Δtorque). The determinations were carried out at 170°C, using being made of a slit width of 0,2 mm, an oscillation angle of about 0,5° and an oscillation frequency of 0,83 Hz. The results are given in Table 1. For comparison also the values are mentioned of analogous experiments carried out using 0,01 mole of dicumyl peroxide (Compound A) and 0,01 mole of 1-phenyl-3,3-di(t- butylperoxy)-1-propene (Compound B: an unsaturated peroxide according to US 3 980 629). From the t₁₀ and t₉₀ values found it appears that the processing range of the present peroxides is similar to that of dicumyl peroxide (A) and in several cases even exceeds it, whereas the processing range of the peroxide (B) disclosed in US 3 980 629 is narrower. Example 9 The peroxides described in Examples 1 and 6 were tested as cross-linking agent for polyethylene. To that end 0,01 equivalent of each peroxide was mixed on a roll mill for 3 minutes at 120°-130°C with 100 g of low-density polyethylene (Lupolen ® 1810 H, ex BASF). The cross-linking behaviour was determined with the aid of the Göttfert Elastograph described in Example 8. The t₁₀, t₉₀ and Δtorque values ob­ tained are listed in Table 2. The Table also gives the compression moulding temperature and the compression moulding time applied in the cross-linking processes. The cross-linked products obtained were tested for odour and blooming and the following properties were measured. - The tensile strength, the 100, 200 and 300% moduli and the elongation at break were determined in accordance with ISO-standard R37 type 1. - The hardness was determined in accordance with ASTM D2240. - The gel fraction was measured in conformity with the standards B5 5468-1977 and ANSI/ASTM D2765-68(1972). In this test the percentage polymer is determined which does not dissolve in boiling xylene under the test conditions. This parameter is a measure of the degree of cross-­ linking and hence of the efficiency of the peroxide. The results are given in Table 2. It also mentions the results of a com­ parative experiment carried out with 0,01 mole of dicumyl peroxide (Com­ pound A). The results obtained show that the peroxides according to the invention are a good alternative to dicumyl peroxide. Furthermore the remarkably high value of Δtorque obtained with Compound 6 should be noted. This high value is surprising in view of the fact that Compounds 1, 6 and A were used in equivalent amounts (i.e. 0,01 mole of Compounds 1 and A and 0,005 mole of Compound 6). To further demonstrate that the peroxides according to the invention have desirable properties as regards their decomposition products the following experiments were carried out. Samples of the cross-linked products obtained in Example 9 were exhaustively extracted with dichloromethane at reflux temperature. Gaschromatographic analysis of the resulting solutions showed that no aromatic compounds were present in the solutions from the products prepared with Compounds 1 and 6 whereas in the solution from the product prepared with dicumyl peroxide (Compound A) acetophenone and cumyl alcohol could be clearly identified. In another set of experiments the cross-linking reactions described in Example 9 were repeated, except that in stead of the Göttfert Elastograph use was made of a closed reaction vessel coupled to a gas chromatograph (head space gas chromatography). At regular time intervals gas samples from the reaction vessel were analyzed for aromatic decomposition products. In the case of Compounds 1 and 6 no aromatic decomposition products could be detected whereas in the case of dicumyl peroxide (Compound A) acetophenone and cumyl alcohol could be clearly identified. Example 10 The peroxide described in Example 1 was tested as degradant for polypropylene. The following procedure was used. Unstabilized polypropylene (Moplen ® FLS 20, ex. Himont; melt flow index (230°C, 2,16 kg): 1,8 g/10 min) was mixed with the peroxide in a tumble mixer. The resulting product was processed through a single screw extruder at elevated temperature. After cooling to room temperature, the extrudate was granulated and of the resulting granules the melt flow index was determined. The amounts of peroxide used, the extrusion temperatures applied and the melt flow indices obtained are listed in Table 3. From the indices obtained it appears that the peroxide according to the invention is a suitable poly­ propylene degradant. In addition to this it was observed that the extrudate obtained was odourless whereas in a comparative experiment carried out with dicumyl peroxide as degradant an unpleasantly smelling extrudate resulted.

Claims: 1. A process for cross-linking or degrading polymers, use being made of an organic peroxide which has at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule, characterized in that the peroxide corresponds to the general structural formula. where m = 0,1 or 2; n = 1,2 or 3; m+n = ≦ 3; R₁ = H or an alkyl group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; R₂ = an alkyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms; R₃-R₆= alkyl groups containing 1-10 carbon atoms; R₇ = an alkyl group containing 1-10 carbon atoms which is sub­ stituted or not with a C₁-₁₀ alkoxy group, a C₁-C₁₀ acetoxy group or a hydroxyl group, or represents a group A of the general formula where p = 1 or 2 and R₈ and R₉ have the meaning indicated above for R₂ and R₁, respectively; with the proviso that in the case of disubstitution the aromatic ring sub­ stituents are not ortho to each other and in the case of trisubstitution are not in three adjacent positions, and that when m=0, R₇ represents a group A. 2. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the peroxide corresponds to the general structural formula I, where m=1 and, when R₇ is a group A, p=1. 3. A process according to claim 2, characterized in that the peroxide corresponds to the general structural formula I, where R₁ = H, R₂ = R₃ = R₄ = R₅ = R₆ = a methyl group and, when R₇ is a group A, R₈ = a methyl group and R₉=H. 4. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a (co)polymer of ethylene is cross-linked or a polymer of propylene is degraded. 5. Shaped articles entirely or substantially consisting of (co)polymers obtained by any one of the processes according to claims 1-4.

Inventors: BEIJLEVELD, WILHELMUS MARIA, VERLAAN, JOHANNES PETRUS JOZEF
Applicants: AKZO N.V.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C08K5
IPC codes: C08L23, C08F8, C08L101, C08L7, C08L21, C07C409, C08L27, C08L33, C08L1, C08L51, C08K5