VOLTAGE STABILIZED POLYOLEFIN COMPOSITIONS AND SILICONE-GLYCOL DERIVATIVES SUITABLE THEREFOR

Abstract: Esters and urethanes of certain polydialkylsiloxane­ polyoxyalkylene block and graft copolymers of the formulae given in claim l which impart high voltage stabili­ zation to dielectric olefin polymers, the stabilized olefin polymer insulating materials resulting there­ from and electric wire or cable insulated therewith.

Description: This invention relates to novel compounds having the property of imparting high voltage stabilizing qualities to high dielectric polymers. More particularly, it relates to esters and urethanes of certain polydialkylsiloxanepolyoxyalkylene block and graft copolymers which stabilize olefin polymers, in particular polyethylene, crosslinked polyethylene and similar poly­ olefin dielectric materials used as insulators for wire to combat electrical failure at elevated voltages in a wet environment. Additionally, the invention relates to wire insulat­ ing compositions and composite wires and cables including these compounds in the insulation and also to the method of stabilizing wire and cable insulations against dielectric breakdown under voltage stress in wet surroundings utilizing these silane polymers. Polymeric compositions are extensively used as insulation materials for high voltage wire and cable. Olefin homo- and copolymers are the insulation materials of choice for high voltages (5000 and more volts) based on desirable electrical and physical properties such as dielectric strength; toughness, such as resistance to cutting and abrasion; ageing characteristics; resilience; and minimal cracking on mechanical stress. Polyethylene, polypropylene and blends thereof polymerized in different densities as well as copolymers thereof with each other and other comonomers are usually used. It has been noted that such polyolefin-based materials when used as insulation materials in high voltage distribution wires and cable are prone to deterioration under voltage stress in wet environment resulting in electrical failure. The latter deterioration may result from a degradation phenomenon identified as ″water trees″. Under high voltage wet-stress, microscopic channels, i.e. dendritic voids, appear in the insulation. These have a tree-like appearance - hence, the name. Such failure is most disadvantageous. This problem is now aggravated in that many high voltage cables are buried for greater reliability (decrease of damage from high winds, ice storms, etc.) and for aesthetic reasons. Over extended periods of time, short circuits have occurred in such buried cables resulting in loss of service. These cables have to be removed by excavation and replaced, a time consuming and costly operation. Many classes of chemical compound additives have been disclosed in the prior art as effective voltage stabilizers, i.e. suppressants for electrical failure, water-treeing and/or electrical-treeing (microscopic dentrites caused by corona arcing). These prior art disclosures include voltage stabilizers based on silicon derivatives, furfuryloxy phosphites and high-molecular weight polyethylene oxide. In the prior art, US-A-4,3O5,849 teaches the use of polyethylene glycols having molecular weights of from about l,000 to 20,000 as voltage stabilizers. US-A-4,l44,2O2 and 4,263,l58 teach the use of organosilane compounds containing azomethine groups as voltage stabilizers. US-A-4,376,l8O, discloses the use of 3-(N-phenylaminopropyl-tridodecyloxysilane) as a voltage stabilizer. US-A-4,44O,67l discloses the use of blend of hydrocarbon-substituted diphenyl amine and a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol for this purpose. US-A-4,5l4,535 discloses the use of tri­ tetrahydrofurfuryloxy phosphite as a voltage stabilizer. US-A-4,374,224 discloses the use of an organic carboxylic ester having at least one aromatic ring and at least three carboxylic ester groups as a voltage stabilizer. US-A-3,553,348 describes the use of filler minerals such as magnesium silicate, pretreated with alkyl and vinyl alkoxysilanes, as voltage stabilizers. This invention is based on the discovery that a group of polydialkysiloxanepolyoxyalkylene block and graft copolymers, and preferably polydimethylsiloxanepolyoxy­ ethylene block and graft copolymers, have the quality of effectively stabilizing insulated wires against high voltage stresses in an aqueous environment. More particularly, this invention relates to an ester or urethane derivative of a silicone glycol corresponding to (I) a block copolymer of the formula wherein a is 2-l00; b is l-l00; x is 2-8; d is 2-4; E is -HN-O- or --O-; G is -O-NH- or -O--; R¹ is C₁-C₆alkyl R is C₄-C₃₀alkyl, phenyl, e is l-6; X is independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl or C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl; D is C₁-C₆alkylene, phenylene, C₇-C₉aralkylene or diphenylene-methane; and R″ is C₄-C₃₀alkyl, phenyl, (Ia) a block copolymer of the formula wherein a, b, d, x, R¹ and D are defined as above; (II) a silicon graft polymer of the formula where m is 2-l00, n is l-l00, p is 2-4, y is 2-4, z is 2-8 and G, R and R¹ are as set forth above. Preferred and most preferred values and substituents include a = 6-24 (l3-l7), b = 8-30 (l0-l4), x and z = 3, d = 2, m = 3-l2 (4-8), n = 6-30 (ll-l5), p = 3 and y = 2 with the various alkyl groups R preferably having a maximum of l8 carbon atoms and including, for example, n-butyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-octyl, decyl, dodecyl and octadecyl. X is preferably C₄-C₈alkyl, in particular branched C₄-C₈alkyl, such as tert-butyl, tert-pentyl and tert-octyl, or cyclohexyl. D is preferably C₁-C₆alkylene such as, for example, methylene, ethylene and hexylene. R¹ is preferably C₁-C₄alkyl, most preferably methyl. For purposes of ease of description, the novel polymers of this invention will be referred to as esters whether they are urethanes, the reaction products of the hydroxy-terminated polymers with isocyanates; or true esters. In formula I, the substituents are preferably: R¹ C₁-C₄ alkyl, most preferably methyl; E -HN-O- or --O-; G -O-NH- or -O--; R C₄-C₁₈alkyl, with e being preferably 2 and X branched C₄-C₈alkyl, preferably t-butyl, or R is -D-NH--OR″ with R″ being C₄-C₁₈alkyl and D being C₁-C₆alkylene. In formula Ia, D and R¹ have the same preferred meanings as given for formula I. In formula II R¹, G and R have the same preferred meanings as given for formula I. Preferred ester or urethane derivatives of silicone-­ glycol polymers according to this invention are those of formula I, in particular those wherein a is 6-24 and b is 8-30, most preferably those wherein a is l3-l7, b is l0-l4, x is 3, d is 2, R′ is CH₃ and X is branched C₄-C₈alkyl. Further examples of preferred compounds of the formul I are those (a) of the formula L is -(CH₂CH₂-O b , a is ∼15 and b is ∼l2; (b) of the formula where A and L are as defined above; (c) of the formula wherein A and L are as defined above; (d) of the formula wherein A and L are as defined above; (e) of the formula wherein A and L are as defined above, and (f) of the formula wherein A and L are as defined above. Further ester or urethane derivatives of this invention to be mentioned are those of formula Ia, in particular those wherein a is 6-24 and b is 8-30, preferably those wherein a is l3-l7, b is l0-l4, x is 3, d is 2 and R′ is CH₃. Further examples of preferred compounds of the formula Ia are those of the formula wherein A and L are as defined above. To be singled out are also the ester or urethane com­ pounds of this invention which correspond to the formula II, in particular those wherein m is 3-l2 and n is 6-30, preferably those wherein m is 4-8, n is ll-l5, p is 3, z is 3, y is 2, R¹ is CH₃, and X is branched C₄-C₈alkyl. Examples of preferred compounds of the formula II are those of the formulae wherein m is ∼6 and n is ∼l3, wherein m is∼6 and n is ∼l3 and wherein m is ∼6 and n is ∼13. The novel compounds of this invention can be prepared by methods known per se, for example by reacting silane polymers compounds including hydroxy terminated BAB-­ type block copolymers of the formula wherein a, b, d, x and R¹ are as previously defined (as represented for example by the copolymer having a = ∼l5, b = ∼l2, d = 2, x = 3 and R¹ = CH₃ marketed as Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667); or a graft copolymer having the structure: wherein m, n, p, y, z and R¹ are as previously defined (as represented, for example, by the copolymer having m = ∼6, n = ∼l3, p = ∼3, y = 2, z = 3 and R¹ = CH₃ marketed as Dow Corning Surfactant l93); with an iso­ cyanate or acid having the formulae R-NCO or RCOOH wherein R is as previously defined. Esters of carboxylic acids may be prepared using reaction conditions well known in the art. Thus, the carboxylic acid and the hydroxy terminated polydialkyl­ siloxanepolyoxyalkylene block or graft copolymer can be heated in a suitable solvent such as toluene at ll0-l50°C. The water produced by esterification is separated during the course of the reaction. An acid catalyst such as toluene sulfonic acid may be used to decrease the reaction time. Correspondingly, the urethanes may be prepared by reacting a hydroxy terminated polydialkylsiloxanepolyoxy­ alkylene block or graft copolymer with an appropriate isocyanate. The reactants may be reacted with or without the use of a solvent. The reaction temperature may range from 50-l50°C. Typical examples of isocyanates include butyl, hexyl, octyl, octadecyl, phenyl, tolyl and naphthyl isocyanate. The resulting urethanes and esters are the compounds of this invention. In addition to the isocyanates and acids mentioned above, diisocyanates and dicarboxylic acids (OCN-D-NCO and HOOC-D-COOH) may also be condensed with the silane copolymer reactants to form active voltage stabi­ lizer compounds, for example those of formula Ia. Typical examples of diisocyanates include l,6-diisocyanatohexane, tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and diphenyl-methane diiso­ cyanate. Typical examples of dicarboxylic acids include oxalic, succinic, maleic, adipic, isophthalic and tere­ phthalic acids, and the like. The molar ratio of silicon glycol to diisocyanate or diacid will determined whether the product corresponds to formula I or to formula Ia. The active compounds of formulae I, Ia and II may be formulated into wire-insulating compositions by in­ corporating those active compounds into olefin polymers and copolymers normally used for wire insulation. There­ fore, the present invention relates also to electrical insulation compositions comprising an olefin polymer and at least one derivative of formula I, Ia or/and II. These compositions containing the compounds of this invention are formulated into the dielectric compositions in effective amounts, preferably in the range of O.l % to 5 %, by weight, and preferably O.3 to 3.O %. The invention further relates to a method of stabilizing an insulating olefin polymer against electri­ cal failure which comprises incorporating therein at least one silicon-glycol compound of formula I, Ia or/and II. As previously noted, the insulation materials are olefin polymers. Such olefin polymers include low and high density polyethylene; polypropylene; ethylene-­ propylene copolymers; polybutene; polyisobutylene; poly­ methylbutene; polymethylpentene; copolymers of ethylene and diene monomers such as butadiene, isoprene and the like; terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and diene mono­ mers; copolymers of ethylene and other α-olefins such as butylene and octylene; copolymers of ethylene and vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate; and blends of polyethylene with polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-propylene copolymer or polyhydroxy­ ethylacrylate. These olefin polymers can also be cross­ linked. Crosslinking agents are well known to those skilled in the art and can include for example, organic peroxides. Preferred are thermoplastic olefin (especially α-olefin) homopolymers or copolymers with other olefins or other comonomers as recited above, as well as blends of such polymers. High and low density polyethylene and crosslinked low density polyethylene are preferred for use in this invention. The compositions of this invention can additionally contain antioxidants such as sterically hindered phenols, aromatic amines, polymerized 2,2,4-tetramethylhydro­ quinoline, 4,4′-thio-bis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), thio-diethylene-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydro­ cinnamate, distearylthiodipropionate, and the like. In addition, materials commonly added to olefin polymer compositions to be used in electrical applications can also be used herein. The resulting insulation is applied to conductors to form insulated wires and cables. The resulting wires and cables on testing have excellent resistance to deterioration under high voltage stress conditions. The present invention includes, therefore, also electric wires and cables insulated with the aforementioned electric insulation polyolefin compositions. Thus, the insulation compositions of this invention increase the stability of insulated wires under high voltage and wet environments, thereby decreasing the tendency for insulation to fail under extended use at high voltages. More specifically, the novel compounds discussed above have voltage stabilizing properties of varying degree. They are, however, sufficiently active to at least double the failure time over controls of crosslinked polyethylene insulation that do not contain voltage stabilizers. The following examples illustrate the preparation of various compounds within the ambit of the invention. They also include the preparation of insulating compositions with these compounds and the coating of compositions therewith. Example l A reaction vessel is charged with 84 g (70 meq) of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667, a dihydroxy terminated polydimethylsiloxane polyethyleneoxide copolymer (described in more detail above), 2l g (7l.6 meq) of n-octadecyl isocyanate and l05 g of toluene and then heated at 95°C for 5 hours. An infrared analysis shows that the reaction between the isocyanate and terminal hydroxy groups of the silicon derivative is complete. The solvent is removed by distillation under reduced pressure to yield l02 g of an oily product which solidifies on standing to a waxy solid with the following structure: L = -(CH₂CH₂-O b a =∼l5, b =∼l2 Examples 2 and 3 These products are prepared using the procedure described in Example l except that n-octadecyl isocyanate is replaced with a chemically equivalent amount of hexyl isocyanate in Example 2 and phenyl isocyanate in Example 3. Examples 2 and 3 are both liquids of the following structures: RHNO-L-A-L-C-NHR Example 2 - R = n-C₆H₁₃ Example 3 - R = phenyl A and L as defined in Example l. Example 4 A solution of 44.32g (l50 meq) of n-octadecyl isocyanate and l50 ml toluene are added to a solution of l20g (l50 meq) of Dow Corning Surfactant l93 (described hereinabove) in l50 ml toluene. The mixture is heated for l2 hours at 94°C to complete the reaction between the hydroxyl and isocyanate groups. The solvent is removed by distillation under reduced pressure yielding the product, an off-white waxy solid at room temperature. The structure of the compound is shown below: Example 5 A reaction vessel is charged with 240g (200 meq) of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667 and then, with stirring, 8.2lg (l00 meq) of l,6-diisocyanatohexane. The mixture is heated to 95°C and maintained at that temperature for l0 hours. At the end of this heating period, the reaction of the isocyanate and hydroxyl groups is complete as evidenced by infrared examination of the reaction mixture. The product is a yellow liquid. The following structure is a representation of the most probable composition: wherein A and L are defined as in Example l. Example 6 A solution of 240g (200 meq) of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667 and l00 ml toluene is admixed with a solution of 32.44g (400 meq) of l,6-diisocyanatohexane and 200 ml toluene. The mixture is heated at 95-l00°C for l0 hours. The reaction mass becomes rubber-like in consistency. l000 ml of toluene are added to thin out the mixture so that it becomes stirrable. The diluted mixture is admixed with a solution of 56.8g (2l0 meq) of n-octadecanol. The solution is heated for 4 hours at 30-33°C. After removal of the toluene under reduced pressure, 30lg of a white rubber-like solid are obtained. Probable structure: wherein A and L are defined in Example l. Example 7 A solution of l4.23g (0.05 mol) stearic acid, 60.0g Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667 (0.05 eq), 800 mg p-toluene sulfonic monohydrate acid and 300 ml toluene is heated under nitrogen. After 7 hours, 7 ml water are collected in a Dean-Stark trap. 350 mg of additional p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate is added and the mixture heated for 5 hours. An additional 0.l ml H₂O is collected. The reaction mixture is cooled and extracted with l0% sodium chloride solution to remove p-toluene sulfonic acid. The toluene phase is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After separating the sodium sulfate by filtration, the toluene is distilled under reduced pressure to yield as a residue the stearic acid ester of Q4-3667, a white waxy product. The IR spectrum conforms with the assigned structure C₁₈H₃₇COO-L-A-L-OOCC₁₈H₃₇ (A and L as defined in Example l) Example 8 This product is prepared by the same general procedure used in Example 7 except that the following reactants are used: Dow Corning Surfactant l93-64g (0.88 eq) and stearic acid-22.8g (0.08 eq). 360 ml toluene are used as a reaction solvent and 870 mg p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate as a catalyst. The stearic acid ester of Dow Corning Surfactant l93 product is a white waxy solid. The infrared spectrum conforms with the desired structure Example 9 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxydihydrocinnamic acid ester of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667 6.55g (0.5l6 mol) of oxalyl chloride are added over a l5 minute period to a mixture of l3.92g (0.05 mol) of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di- tert -butyl-dihydrocinnamic acid in l25 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred and maintained at 0.5°C. A slow stream of nitrogen is passed through the mixture during the addition. After the addition is complete, the mixture is allowed to come to room temperature and stirred overnight (l8 hours). A solution of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667 60.0g (0.05 eq) and 3.95g (0.05 mol) pyridine in 60 ml methylene chloride is added to the solution of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di- tert -butyl-­ dihydrocinnaminoylchloride over a period of 30 minutes. After the addition, the reaction mixture is allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 60 hours. 200 ml of ethyl ether are added to the reaction mixture and the precipitated pyridine hydrochloride is removed by filtration. The filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 7l.6g of a viscous liquid residue. NMR analysis conforms with the desired ester product of the formula VI above. Example l0 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxydihydrocinnamic acid ester of Dow Corning Surfactant l93 The preparation of the 3,5-di- tert -butyl-4-hydroxy­ dihydrocinnamic acid ester of Dow Corning Surfactant l93 is conducted by the procedure of Example 9 except that 40g (0.05 eq) of Dow Corning Surfactant l93 is substituted for 60.0g (0.05 eq.) of Dow Corning Fluid Q4-3667. The product of this reaction is a colorless viscous oil (5l.9g). The NMR analysis conforms with the assigned structure of the formula V above. Example ll Method for preparing insulation compositions Low density polyethylene (l000 g ) is fluxed in a water-jacketed Banbury mill, the temperature of the polyethylene not being allowed to exceed l05°C. To the fluxed polyethylene is added 2 g of thiodiethylene bis-(3,5-di-tertiary-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate, 3 g of dioctadecylthiodipropionate, 20 g of dicumyl peroxide and lO g (l.O % by weight) of a voltage stabilizer specified in Table l below. After the formulation is thoroughly mixed, it is removed from the Banbury mill and, while still hot and plastic, is rolled into sheets on a two-roll mill. The sheets are cooled and then chopped into granules. Preparation of insulated wire for testing insulation compounds The granules are extruded over a #l4 gauge (64×64 mil) square copper wire using a round die. The outer diameter of the insulation is l24 mil. The polymer is crosslinked by heating in a steam vulcanizing tube at 250 pounds of steam pressure for two minutes. At the end of the two minute heating period, the wire is cooled in water under a pressure of 250 pounds. Test Procedure The coated wires to be tested are freed of volatiles such as acetophenone by being baked for 3 weeks at 80°C. For each formulation, ten × 30 cm lengths of the insulation coated and baked wire are placed in a 50°C water bath. A potential difference of 7500 V 60 H z is applied between the copper conductor and the water bath. At failure, the insulation is perforated permitting water to contact the conductor causing a short circuit. The time required for the failure of the fifth sample is recorded as the failure time for the series of the ten insulated conductors. The results are listed in Table I. From the above, it can been seen that the polymeric compositions of this invention provide excellent protection against electrical failure. Summarizing, it is seen that this invention provides silicon-containing polymeric compositions for use as effective voltage stabilizers in insulaters for wire and cable. Variations may be made in proportions, procedures and materials without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims: 1. An ester or urethane derivative of a silicone-­ glycol corresponding to (I) a block copolymer of the formula wherein a is 2-l00; b is l-l00; x is 2-8; d is 2-4; E is -HN-O- or --O-, G is -O-NH- or -O--; R¹ is C₁-C₆alkyl, R is C₄-C₃₀alkyl, phenyl, or -D-NH--OR″; e is l-6; X is independently C₁-C₁₈alkyl or C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl; D is C₁-C₆alkylene, phenylene, C₇-C₉aralkylene or diphenylene-methane; and R″ is C₄-C₃₀alkyl, phenyl, (Ia) a block copolymer of the formula wherein a, b, d, x, R¹ and D are defined as above; (II) a silicon graft polymer of the formula where m is 2-l00, n is l-l00, p is 2-4, y is 2-4, z is 2-8 and G, R and R¹ are as set forth above. 2. The block copolymer of formula I according to claim l. 3. The copolymer of claim 2, wherein a is 6-24 and b is 8-30. 4. The copolymer of claim 3, wherein a is l3-l7, b is l0-l4, x is 3, d is 2, R′ is CH₃ and X is branched C₄-C₈alkyl. 5. The block copolymer of formula Ia according to claim l. 6. The copolymer of claim 5, wherein a is 6-24 and b is 8-30. 7. The copolymer of claim 6, wherein a is l3-l7, b is l0-l4, x is 3, d is 2 and R′ is CH₃. 8. The silicon graft polymer of formula II according to claim l. 9. The graft polymer of claim 8, wherein m is 3-l2 and n is 6-30. l0. The graft polymer of claim 9, wherein m is 4-8, n is ll-l5, p is 3, z is 3, y is 2, R¹ is CH₃, and X is branched C₄-C₈alkyl. 11. An electrical insulation composition comprising an olefin polymer and at least one silicone-glycol deri­ vative according to claim l. 12. The composition of claim ll, wherein said silicone-glycol derivative is present in a concentration ranging from about 0.l%-5%, by weight. 13. Electric wire or cable insulated with the electric insulation composition of claim ll. 14. A method of stabilizing an insulating olefin polymer against electrical failure which comprises in­ corporating therein at least one silicone-glycol compound as defined in claim l.

Inventors: DEXTER, MARTIN, STEINBERG, DAVID H.
Applicants: CIBA-GEIGY AG
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C08G77
IPC codes: C08L23, H01B3, C08G18, C08G77, C08L87