Process for the dynamic cross-linking and stabilization of a heterophasic polypropylene composition

Abstract: A composition suitable for cross-linking olefin polymers that does not contain organic sulfides as antioxidants, and comprises at least one organic peroxide, and at least one hindered amine light stabilizer selected from a number of classes.

Description: The present invention concerns a composition suited to cause a dynamic cross-linking of olefin polymers, and a process of dynamic cross-linking of the polymers based on the use of the above mentioned composition. It is known in the art that a number of polymers, such as the elastomers, are suitable to be dynamically cross-linked with organic peroxides, and also known is the introduction of antioxidants comprising phenols and/or phosphites, before or during the polymer cross-linking phase, in order to stabilize the cross-linked polymers. However, it is known in the art that the mixtures where either said organic peroxides or antioxidants are present, are considerably unstable, and that using said mixtures to cross-link polymers involves a high use of peroxides and antioxidants. In fact, the concentration of peroxides is diminished by the reaction of the antioxidant with the peroxide itself, thus reducing the effectiveness of the cross-linking system. In order to avoid said problems due to the simultaneous presence of organic peroxides and antioxidants during the cross-linking phase, particular mixtures have been introduced that can be used in the cross-linking of polyolefins. Said mixtures are described in published European patent application EP-A-426145 (Atochem North America Inc). According to said patent application the selection of a particular antioxidant comprising organic sulfide allows one to maintain the cross-linking effectiveness of the cross-linking composition despite the presence of an antioxidant. The above mentioned European patent application describes stabilizing and cross-linking compositions comprising, in addition to selected organic sulfides, as essential antioxidants, also other types of stabilizers that achieve a synergetic activity with the organic sulfides, such as phenols, secondary amines, and HALS (Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers). In the examples found in said application only the phenolic antioxidants and phosphites derivatives are used as synergetic stabilizers with the organic sulfides. Neither the description nor the examples mention a particular effect of the HALS in the cross-linking process. The Applicant has now found that in addition to the specific antioxidants described in the above mentioned European patent application, the stabilizers belonging to the class of the sterically hindered amines (HALS) also do not restrict the efficacy of the organic peroxides in the olefin polymers cross-linking process. Said HALS have the advantage of being well known in the field of olefin polymer stabilization, and therefore are easily available. The Applicant has also found that said stabilizers not only do not hinder the cross-linking action of the peroxides, but also increase the cross-linking effectiveness of the composition used. As a consequence, thanks to the HALS one can obtain higher degrees of cross-linking at equal quantity of organic peroxide used. The high degree of cross-linking is shown by a decrease in oil absorption, since the quantity of oil absorbed is an indirect measure of the degree of cross-linking of the polymer, and by the high values of insolubility in xylene. By increasing the degree of cross-linking some of the mechanical properties of the polymers are enhanced. For example, highly cross-linked elastomers are more elastic, as shown by the lower compression set values with respect to those with lower cross-linking. Therefore, a decrease in compression set also confirms the cross-linking trend deduced from the oil absorption evaluations. The use of the composition of the present invention does not adversely affect the stabilization of the cross-linked polymer. In fact, the physical-mechanical properties of the cross-linked polymers are higher than the standards required even after aging. In addition, the use of HALS as stabilizers in the cross-linking compositions instead of mercaptoazoles/phenylamines or thioethers commonly used in cross-linking systems, improves considerably the organolectic characteristics of the cross-linked polymer, reducing the disagreeable odor exuded by the latter, and eliminating the coloration conferred by the above mentioned antioxidants. An other advantage offered by the cross-linking system of the present invention consists of a saving in the use of the organic peroxides and antioxidants employed for the cross-linking, and the stabilization of the polymer. Therefore, object of the present invention is a process for the dynamic cross-linking and stabilization of a heterophasic polypropylene composition which composition does not contain organic sulfides as antioxidants, and comprises at least one organic peroxide and at least one himdered amine light stabilizer (HALS) consisting of an oligomeric compound or a monomeric compound. Preferably the oligomeric compounds are selected from general formulae (I) to (V): where n is an integer from 1 to 100; the R 1 radicals, equal or different, are C 1 -C 4 alkyl or tetramethylpiperidine radicals, or the alkyl radicals form, with the piperidine carbons to which they are bonded, a C 5 -C 9 cycloalkyl radical; the R 2 radicals, equal or different, are hydrogen, or C 1 -C 18 alkyl, C 7 -C 18 aralkyl radicals, or the alkyl radicals form, with the piperidine carbons to which they are bonded, a C 5 -C 10 cycloalkyl radical; the R 3 radicals, equal or different, are hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl, or a C 7 -C 18 arylalkyl radicals; the R 4 radical is hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 8 alkyl, or a benzyl radical; Z is hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl, C 1 -C 12 alkylene, C 7 -C 18 aralkyl, C 2 -C 4 acyl, C 2 -C 18 alkanol, C 3 -C 18 alkoxyalkyl, oxyl, cyanomethyl, xylene radical, or a radical having a valence ranging from 1 to 4, and containing from 1 to 4 oxylic groups and optionally ether, ester, or etheroxylic groups, where the valences of said radical are bonded to the nitrogen of the piperidine groups, or a bivalent saturated radical containing at least one ester or amidic group; and X is a bivalent organic radical, preferably a C 1 -C 12 alkylene, or a bivalent radical containing at least one ester or amide group. Preferably Z is a C 1 -C 12 alkyl or C 7 -C 11 aralkyl radical, or a bivalent saturated radical containing at least an ester group, the valences of said radical being bonded to the nitrogen of the piperidine groups. The methods for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) are described in U.S. patent No. 4104248. where L is a bivalent organic radical, preferably a C 1 -C 12 alkylene, a -N(R)- (where R is hydrogen or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl radical), or -O- radical; T is a bivalent organic radical of the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic type, containing N or O, S, P atoms in the chain or in the heterocyclic ring; Z is a C 1 -C 12 alkylene or a bivalent saturated radical containing at least one ester or amide group; m is a number from 0 to 1; and n, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are as defined above for formula (I). where n, T, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are as defined above for formula (I); and m and Z are as defined above for formula (II). The methods for the preparation of the compounds of formulae (II) and (III) are described in U.S. patent No. 4233410. where the R 1 and R 2 radicals are as defined above for formula (I), preferably are methyl radicals; R' and R'' independently from one another are hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 1 -C 8 alkoxy radical, preferably are metyl and propyl radicals; and n is an integer from 2 to 15. The preferred compound known as Uvasil 299, marketed by Enichem Synthesis has the following formula where n is an iteger from 3 to 9. Preferred examples of monomeric compounds suitable for the compositions of the present invention are represented by compounds having general formula (V). where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , X and Z are as defined above for formula (I). The methods for the preparation of the compounds of formula (V) are described in U.S. patent No. 4233410. The preferred compounds among those of general formula (I) have the following formulae (VI) and (VII): where n is an integer from 2 to 20; R is an -NHR 5 radical [where R 5 is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl radical, preferably -C(CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 -C(CH 3 ) 3 ] or -N[(CH 2 )-(CH 2 )] 2 O; and where T is a -CH 2 -CH 2 -; and n is an integer from 2 to 20. The preferred compounds comprised in general formula (II) have the following formulae (VIII) and (IX): where n is an integer from 2 to 20; and where n is an integer from 2 to 20. The preferred compounds comprised in general formula (III) have the following formula: where n is an integer from 2 to 20. The preferred compounds comprised in general formula (V) have the following formulae (XI) and (XII): where Z is hydrogen, or a methyl radical; and Examples of commercial compounds that are commonly used for the stabilization of polymers that are comprised in the above mentioned general formulas are: poly(N-β-hydroxymethyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-piperidyl succinate) (Tinuvin 622), bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate (Tinuvin 765), bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate (Tinuvin 770), poly{[6-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-imino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-imino]hexamethylene-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)imino} (Chimassorb 944), marketed by Ciba Geigy; polymethyl propyl-3-oxy[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)-piperidinyl]siloxane (Uvasil 299), marketed by Enichem Synthesis; and poly[hexamethylenedi(4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidine] (Spinuvex A-36), marketed by Ciba Geigy. The organic peroxides that can be used in the cross-linking composition of the present invention are those commonly used in the cross-linking process. In particular, it is preferable to use peroxides having long half-lifetimes, from 3 to 20 minutes, for example, at the temperature used in the cross-linking process. Specific examples of said organic peroxides are: di-tert-butyl peroxide isopropyl benzene, dicumyl peroxide, monocumyl(tert-butyl)peroxide, di(tert-butyl) peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)-hexane. In the cross-linking composition of the present invention the organic peroxide/HALS weight ratio generally is from 1:1 to 6:1, preferably from 1.2:1 to 4:1. The HALS amount used in the cross-linking preferably is from 0.01 to 3%, more preferably 0.05-1%, by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition that is subjected to cross-linking. The quantity of organic peroxide used in the cross-linking is preferably from 0.1 to 8%, more preferably 0.5-5%, by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition that is subjected to cross-linking. Moreover, the cross-linking composition of the present invention contains preferably one or more cross-linking coagent(s). Said coagents are selected from those commonly used for this purpose. Examples of preferred coagents are: difurfuraldazine, 1,2-polybutadiene, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, and derivatives of the methacrylate and acrylate compounds, such as ethylene glycol dimethyl cyanurate. The quantity of cross-linking coagents used in the cross-linking depends on the degree of cross-linking that one wants to impart to the final cross-linked composition. Generally speaking, it preferably varies from 0.01 to 8%, more preferably from 0.05 to 3%, by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition that is subjected to cross-linking. The organic peroxide/cross-linking coagent weight ratio generally is from 1:0.05 to 1:0.6, preferably from 1:0.1 to 1:0.5. In addition to the HALS, the cross-linking composition of the present invention can contain other stabilizers, such as sterically hindered phenols, phosphites, secondary amines, and quinoline. The sterically hindered phenols and phosphites are the preferred coadjuvant stabilizers. The weight ratio between the HALS and the other stabilizers is approximately from 0.1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 3. The cross-linking composition of the present invention is used to cross-link and stabilize, heterophasic polypropylene compositions comprising (by weight): A) from 10 to 60 parts of a homopolymer of propylene, or a random copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, containing more than 80% of propylene, and being insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature for more than 80%; B) from 0 to 25 parts, preferably from 1 to 25 parts, of an essentially linear semicrystalline copolymer of ethylene containing propylene and/or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature; and C) from 15 to 87 parts of a copolymer of ethylene with propylene or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, or mixtures thereof, and optionally minor quantities of diene, said copolymer, containing from 10 to 80% of ethylene, being soluble in xylene at ambient temperature. The C 4 -C 8 α-olefins present in the above mentioned copolymers are linear or branched alkenes, and are preferably selected from the following compounds: 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene. The 1-butene is the α-olefin particularly preferred. Fraction (A) is present in the heterophasic polypropylene composition preferably in quantities ranging from 10 to 50 parts by weight, and preferably comprises a homopolymer of propylene with an insolubility in xylene at ambient temperature greater than 90% by weight, more preferably from 95 to 98%, or a copolymer containing more than 85% by weight of propylene, more preferably from 90 to 99%. Fraction (B) is present in the heterophasic polypropylene composition preferably in quantities ranging from 7 to 15 parts by weight, and has a crystallinity preferably ranging about from 20 to 60%, determined by DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry). The copolymer comprised in said fraction is preferably selected from the following types of copolymers: ethylene-propylene, containing greater than 55% by weight of ethylene; ethylene-propylene-C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, containing from 1 to 10% by weight of said α-olefin, and 55-98% by weight, preferably 80-95%, of ethylene and said α-olefin; ethylene-C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, containing 55-98% by weight, preferably 80-95%, of said α-olefin. Fraction (C) is present in the heterophasic polypropylene composition preferably in quantities ranging from 30 to 75 parts by weight, and preferably comprises a copolymer selected from: an ethylene-propylene copolymer containing from 15% to 70% by weight, preferably from 20 to 60%, of ethylene; an ethylene-propylene-C 4 -C 8 α-olefin copolymer, containing from 1 to 10% by weight of said α-olefin, preferably from 1 to 5%, where the total quantity of ethylene and α-olefin is from 20 to less than 40% by weight; an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer containing from 20 to less than 40% by weight, preferably from 20 to 38%, more preferably from 25 to 38%, of said α-olefin. The dienes optionally present in the copolymers of said fraction are present in quantities preferably equal to or less than 10% by weight, and are selected preferably from: 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-hexadiene, 1,5-hexadiene, and 1-ethylidene-5-norbornene. The heterophasic compositions are prepared either by mechanically blending components (A), (B), and (C) in the molten state, or using a sequential polymerization process carried out in two or more stages, and using highly specific Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Examples of the above mentioned heterophasic polypropylene compositions, as well as the catalysts and the polymerization processes commonly used for their preparation are described in published European patent applications No. 400,333 and 472,946. The cross-linking composition of the present invention is prepared, for example, blending its components until a good dispersion of the latter is obtained. The operating conditions used for the preparation of the cross-linking composition are not critical, however, the mixing conditions must be such as not to cause the degradation of the organic peroxide that may optionally be present. It is preferable to operate at ambient temperature. The dynamic cross-linking process is carried out according to known techniques. In particular, for example, the above mentioned elastomeric or thermoplastic polymers, or their mixtures, are subjected to mastication and/or mixing in the presence of the cross-linking composition of the present invention, at a temperature that is sufficiently high to melt the polymer mass (generally from 160 to 260°C), after which the mastication or mixing is continued for a time sufficient to cause the cross-linking of the polymer. As an alternative, for example, initially one adds to the polymer to be cross-linked either the organic peroxide or the HALS, optionally mixed with other compounds, and only afterwards does one add the missing compound, i.e., the HALS or organic peroxide respectively, optionally mixed with other compounds. According to the above mentioned variation, therefore, the organic peroxide and the light stabilizer are added separately at consecutive times. The mastication, and/or mixing and cross-linking process can be carried out in an internal mixer, or in a Buss single-screw extruder, or a twin-screw extruder with mixing components. One can also operate in a number of machines placed in succession, where in the first ones one carries out the intimate mixing and homogenization of the composition, and the cross-linking takes place in the others, always operating in a mixing and masticating mode. In the case of thermoplastic elastomers, the mixing and masticating operation before cross-linking is aimed at obtaining an intimate and homogeneous mixture of the elastomeric copolymer in the melted polymer, with the elastomer being in the form of particles with dimensions of about 1 micron, and preferably from 0.5 to 1 micron. The length of the mastication, which generally speaking is carried out at temperatures from 160 to 240°C, depends on the type of the cross-linking agent. The cross-linking are preferably from 1 to 10 minutes. During the process for the preparation of the cross-linking composition of the present invention one can add also different types of additives, that according to the known art are generally added to the cross-linking systems used up to know. Examples of said substances are hydrocarbon extension oils (such as Celtis 911 oil), zinc and magnesium oxides, stearic acid or its salts (such as zinc, calcium, or magnesium, for example). other components that can be added to the cross-linking composition of the present invention during the cross-linking process are, for example, reinforcing fillers (such as silica, talc, and carbon black) , pigments and dyes, thermal and optical stabilizers, antistatic and plasticizing agents. The following examples are given in order to illustrate but not limit the present invention. The data reported in the examples relative to the following properties of the compositions obtained have been determined according to the methods indicated below. Property Method - melt index (M.I.) ASTM D-1238, condition L - solubility (see note below) - oil absorption ASTM D-471 - compression set ASTM D-395, method B - tensile strength ASTM D-412 - elongation at break ASTM D-412 - tension set at 100% ASTM D-412 - tear strength type C ASTM D-624 - Shore A hardness ASTM D-2240 Note Determination of percentage solubility in xylene: one prepares a solution of the sample in xylene at a 1% concentration by weight, maintaining the sample in xylene at 135°C, and stirring the solution for one hour. Continuing the stirring, the solution is allowed to cool to 95°C, after which it is poured into a 25°C bath and kept there for 20 minutes without stirring, and 10 more minutes under agitation. The solution is then filtered, and acetone is added to a portion of the filtrate in order to secure the precipitation of the dissolved polymer. The polymer obtained in this manner is recovered, washed, dried, and weighed in order to determine the percentage of solubles in xylene. Example 1 and comparative example 1c 35 parts by weight of homopolypropylene, 65 parts of EPR copolymer, and 1 part by weight of a light stabilizer are introduced into an internal Brabender Plasticorder PLD mixer type 651. The mixing is carried out at 180°C at a speed of 50 rpm. After 2 minutes from the beginning of the mixing the peroxide is added while continuing to stir. The total mixing time is 10 minutes. Table 1 shows the types of light stabilizers used, and the values of the melt index and oil absorption of the polymer mixture treated with the peroxide and the stabilizer. Comparing the data one can see that at equal type and quantity of peroxide, as well as quantity of the stabilizer used, the polymer obtained in example 1 reaches higher cross-linking values. Examples 2 and 3 and comparative examples 2c, 3c, and 4c A specific quantity of polymer and the proper quantity of the cross-linking composition not containing the peroxide are introduced in an internal Brabender Plasticorder PLD mixer type 651. The mixture is carried out at 180°C at a speed of 50 rpm. After 2 minutes from the beginning of the mixing the peroxide (Peroximon F40 MG) is added while continuing the stirring. The total mixing time is 10 minutes. The cross-linked composition is melted in a press with plates heated to a temperature of 200°C for 10 minutes at atmospheric pressure, initially, and then for an additional 5 minutes at a pressure of about 200 atm. The resulting specimens are then cooled to 23°C in a second press at a pressure of 200 atm. The final dimensions of the specimens are 120x120x1 mm. A number of test pieces are cut from these specimens, and said test pieces are then used to determine the properties indicated in Tables 2 and 3. Example 4 and comparative example 5c In a Buss 70, 17D, extruder with a screw turning at 279 rpm and having a temperature from 170° to 230°C, are introduced, using metering devices, a mixture of a predetermined quantity of homopolymer, an EPR copolymer in pellet form, and Lithene PH, previously blended in a Bambury mixer, and a mixture of Valtec HL002D in flake form, ZnO, Irganox B225, VP-3, and Peroximon F40, previously blended in a Dry Mixer. In addition, the Celtis 911 oil is introduced in the above mentioned extruder by a displacement pump. Subsequently, once the mixing and decomposition of the peroxide have started, a mixture of the preselected stabilizers carried on Valtec HL002D is added by a metering device. The cross-linked composition is melted in a press with plates heated to a temperature of 200°C, initially, for 10 minutes, at atmospheric pressure, and then for an additional 5 minutes at a pressure of about 200 atm. The resulting specimens are then cooled to 23°C in a second press at a pressure of 200 atm. The final dimensions of the specimens are 120x120x1 mm. A number of test pieces are cut from these specimens, and said test pieces are then used to determine the properties indicated in Table 5. Tables from 2 to 5 show, in parts by weight (p/w) or percentage by weight (% w), the quantities of polymers and cross-linking compositions used to prepare the cross-linked polymers, and the properties of the resulting cross-linked polymers. The trademarks and acronyms shown in the Tables correspond to the following products: Dutral EP CS 18/89 (by Enichem Elastomeri): EPR copolymer with 55 wt% of ethylene and 45 wt% of propylene; Valtec HL002D: propylene homopolymer with an isotactic index of 96, and M.I. of 0.4 g/10 min; Lithene PH (by Revertex LTD): 1,2-polybutadiene; Peroximon F 40 MG: dibutyl peroxyisopropyl benzene (40%) + EPR (60%); VP-3: difurfuraldazine; Celtis: paraffin oil; Irganox 1010: pentaerythritil-tetrakis[3(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]; Chimassorb 944: poly{[6-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-imino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-imino]hexamethylene-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)imino}; Tunivin 770: bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate; DSTDP: distearylthiodipropionate; Irgafos 168: tri(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite; Irganox B 225: 50 wt% of Irganox 1010 + 50 wt% Irgafos 168. Example and comparative example 1 1c Dutral EP CS 18/89 (p/w) 65 65 Valtec HL002D (p/w) 35 35 Peroximon F40MG (p/w) 1.25 1.25 Chimassorb 944 (p/w) 1 - Irganox 1010 (p/w) - 1 Melt Index (g/10 min.) 5 14.2 Oil absorption (% w) 220 247 Example and comparative example 2 2c 3c Dutral EP CS 18/89 (p/w) 65 65 65 Valtec HL002D (p/w) 35 35 35 Peroximon F40MG (p/w) 1.25 1.25 1.25 VP-3 (p/w) 0.18 0.18 0.18 Chimassorb 944 (p/w) 1.0 - - Irganox 1010 (p/w) - - 1.0 Properties Insoluble in xylene (% w) 89 87 80 Oil absorption (% w) 154 172 191 Example and comparative example 3 4c Dutral EP CS 18/89 (p/w) 69.0 69.0 Valtec HL002D (p/w) 29.5 29.5 Lithene PH (p/w) 1.5 1,5 Peroximon F40 MG (p/w) 1.25 1.25 VP-3 (p/w) 0.18 0.18 Chimassorb 944 (p/w) 1.0 - Properties Oil absorption (% w) 179 198 Insoluble in xylene (% w) 80 75 Example and comparative example 4 5c Dutral EP CS 18/89 (p/w) 41.9 41.9 Valtec HL002D (p/w) 17.9 17.9 Lithene PH (% w) 0.9 0.9 Valtec HL100D flake (% w) 2.12 2.12 ZnO (% w) 2.12 2.12 Irganox B225 (% w) 0.21 0.21 VP-3 (% w) 0.17 0.17 Peroximon F40MG (p/w) 1.25 1.25 Celtis oil 911 (% w) 28.75 28.75 Valtec HL002D (% w) 4.25 4.25 Irganox B225 (% w) 0.1 - Irganox 1010 (p/w) - 0.21 DSTDP (% w) - 0.21 Tinuvin 770 (% w) 0.16 - Chimassorb 944 (% w) 0.16 - Example and comparative example 4 5c Compression set (%) 36 45 Melt Index (230°C; 5 kg) 1.3 2.2 Oil absorption (% w) 121 130 Shore A hardness 5" 74 70 Tear type C 26 30 Tensile strength (MPa) 6.3 5.5 Elongation at break (%) 350 330 Tension set 100% (%) 12 14 Elongation at break (residual %) 94 74 Tensile strength (residual %) 90 78 Elongation at break (residual %) 103 77 Tensile strength (residual %) 83 71 Elongation at break (residual %) 88 53 Tensile strength (residual %) 52 44

Claims: A process for the dynamic cross-linking and stabilization of a heterophasic polypropylene composition comprising the admixture and/or mastication of the polymer in the presence of a composition suitable for cross-linking olefin polymers not containing organic sulfides, and comprising at least one organic peroxide, and at least one hindered amine light stabilizer compound (HALS) selected from the following general formulae: where n is an integer from 2 to 20; R is an -NHR 5 radical [where R 5 is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl radical, preferably -C(CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 - C(CH 3 ) 3 ] or -N[(CH 2 )-(CH 2 )] 2 O; and where T is -CH 2 -CH 2 -; and n is an integer from 2 to 20; where n is an integer from 1 to 100; the R 1 radicals, equal or different, are C 1 -C 4 alkyl or tetramethylpiperidine radicals, or the alkyl radicals form, with the piperidine carbons to which they are bonded, a C 5 -C 9 cycloalkyl radical; the R 2 radicals, equal or different, are hydrogen, or C 1 -C 18 alkyl, C 7 -C 18 aralkyl radicals, or the alkyl radicals form, with the piperidine carbons to which they are bonded, a C 5 -C 10 cycloalkyl radical; the R 3 radicals, equal or different, are hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl, or a C 7 -C 18 arylalkyl radical; the R 4 radical is hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl, or a benzyl radical; L is a bivalent organic radical, preferably a C 1 -C 12 alkylene, a -O-radical, or -N(R)-, where R is hydrogen or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl radical; T is a bivalent organic radical of the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic type, containing N or O, S, P atoms in the chain or in the heterocyclic ring; Z is a C 1 -C 12 alkylene or a bivalent saturated radical containing at least one ester or amide group; m is a number from 0 to 1: where n is and integer from 2 to 20; where the R 1 and R 2 radicals are as defined as above for formula (II); R' and R" independently from one another are hydrogen, C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 1 -C 8 alkoxy radical; and n is an integer from 2 to 15; and where R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are defined as above for formula (II); X is a bivalent organic radical, preferably a C 1 -C 12 alkylene, or a bivalent radical containing at least one ester or amide group and Z is hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 18 alkyl, C 1 -C 12 alkylene, C 7 -C 18 aralkyl, C 2 -C 4 acyl, C 2 -C 18 alkanol, C 3 -C 18 alkoxyalkyl, oxyl, cyanomethyl, xylene radical, or a radical having a valence ranging from 1 to 4, and containing from 1 to 4 oxylic groups and optionally ether, ester, or etheroxylic groups, where the valences of said radical are bonded to the nitrogen of the piperidine groups; the said heterophasic polypropylene composition comprising (by weight): A) from 10 to 60 parts of a homopolymer of propylene, or a random copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, containing more than 80% of propylene, and being insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature for more than 80%; B) from 0 to 25 parts, preferably from 1 to 25 parts, of an essentially linear semicrystalline copolymer of ethylene containing propylene and/or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature; and C) from 15 to 87 parts of a copolymer of ethylene with propylene or a C 4 -C 8 α-olefin, or mixtures thereof, and optionally minor quantities of diene, said copolymer, containing from 10 to 80% of ethylene, being soluble in xylene at ambient temperature. The process of claim 1, where the organic peroxide/light stabilizer ratio ranges from 1:1 to 6:1. The process of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light stabilizer is selected from: poly (N-β-hydroxymethyl-2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-piperidyl succinate), bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, poly{[6-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-imino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-imino]hexamethylene-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)imino}; polymethyl propyl-3-oxy[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)-piperidinyl]siloxane; and poly[hexamethylenedi(4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidine]. The process of any of the above claims, wherein the composition comprises stabilizers. selected from sterically hindered phenols and phosphites. The process of any of the above claims, wherein the organic peroxide and light stabilizer are added separately and consecutively. The process of any of the above claims comprising the use of a cross-linking coagent. The process of claim 6, wherein the organic peroxide/cross-linking coagent ratio ranges from 1:0.05 to 1:0.6. The process of any of the above claims carried out on blends of polypropylene with ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR) or ethylene-propylene-diene rubbers (EPDM).

Inventors: BRAGA VITTORIO, ZUCCHELLI UGO, BRAGA, VITTORIO, ZUCCHELLI, UGO
Applicants: BASELL POLIOLEFINE SPA, BASELL POLIOLEFINE ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C08K5
IPC codes: C08K5