TREATED CARBONACEOUS COMPOSITIONS AND IMPROVED POLYMER COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: Treated carbonaceous compositions comprising a carbonaceous material, preferably a carbon black, and an ester polymer treating agent. Also disclosed are polymer compositions incorporating the treated carbonaceous compositions and articles of manufacture formed from the polymer compositions.

Description: Treated Carbonaceous Compositions and Improved Polymer Compositions Field of the Invention The present invention relates to treated carbonaceous compositions composing a carbonaceous matenal, preferably a carbon black, treated with an ester polymer. The present invention also relates to polymenc compositions compnsmg the treated carbonaceous matenal and at least one polymer. Background of the Art Carbonaceous matenals include, but are not limited to, carbon black, graphite and carbon fibers. Carbon blacks produced by a furnace process generally have bulk densities ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 gram/cubic centimeter (g/cc) and are generally known as fluffy carbon blacks. Fluffy carbon blacks are generally easy to disperse in liquids, and in some polymenc systems However, fluffy carbon blacks are generally cohesive and, hence difficult to handle for purposes such as conveying and weighing Fluffy carbon blacks are agglomerated by vanous types of mechanical processes, either in the dry state, or with the aid of a liquid to produce pellets with improved handling charactenstics. Common liquid pelletizing agents are oil and water. The process of agglomerating fluffy carbon blacks to form carbon black pellets is generally referred to as pelletizing. Unfortunately, generally utilized densification or agglomeration (pelletizing) processes have detπmental effects on the dispersion charactenstics of the carbon black. Therefore it is recognized in the art that in pelletizing carbon blacks there is a fine balance between acceptable handling charactenstics and ease of dispersion A process for pelletizing carbon black is disclosed in U S Patent No. 2,065,371 which descnbes a typical wet pelletization process whereby the fluffy carbon black and a liquid, typically water, are combined and agitated until spheπcal beads are formed. These beads are then dned to reduce the water content preferably to below 1% to form carbon black pellets. Pnor art patents also disclose the use of binder additives in a wet pelletization process to further improve the pellet handling charactenstics The construction of insulated electncal conductors, i.e , wire and cables designed for medium and high voltage applications, is known in the art Typical constructions include a core conductor which compnses one or more strands of a conducting metal or alloy such as copper or aluminum; a layer of a semiconductive shielding compound; a layer of insulation such as crosslinked polyethylene or ethylene-propylene rubber and a layer of a semiconductive insulation shield compound overlaying the insulation The conductor shield, the insulation shield and the overlaying semiconductive shield layer may be formed by either a two pass or by a single pass tnple extrusion process. A two pass operation refers to a process whereby the conductor shield and the insulation layer are extruded in tandem and then crosslinked pnor to extrusion of the semiconductor insulation layer. A single pass tnple extrusion process refers to a process in which the conductor shield, the insulation layer and the semiconductive shield are all extruded in a common extrusion head and crosslinked simultaneously. The single pass tnple extrusion process minimizes production steps and hence is a preferred method of manufacture. However, the single pass tnple extrusion process generally makes the semiconductive shield layer more fully bonded to the insulation layer, than in a two pass operation. Generally, in order to splice insulated electncal wires, or make terminal connections, the semiconductive shield layer should be stπpped from the insulation layer. Stnpping the semiconductive shield layer from the insulation shield layer is often very difficult. In a situation where the semiconductive shield layer contains carbon black, a carbon containing residue on the surface of the insulation shield often results . The carbon residue may disadvantageously promote treeing in the insulation layer which will ultimately lead to electncal breakdown of the cable. It is therefore advantageous and desirable for a semiconductive shield layer to have a low stnp force (be easily separable) when being removed from the insulation layer and for the semiconductive shield layer to leave minimal amounts of carbon residue on the surface of the insulation shield. Stπppable conductive shield compositions are those which can be separated from a crosslinked insulation layer without leaving appreciable amounts of residue on the insulation layer. Usually, the force required to separate a stπppable conductive shield composition is significantly lower than the separation force required for bonded shield compositions. There is a significant cost difference between stπppable and bonded semiconductive shield compositions based on existing technological approaches. It would be advantageous, to produce more cost effective stπppable formulations than those developed from the technical approaches utilized to date. Summary of the Invention The present invention compnses treated carbonaceous compositions that in their dry form have improved handling characteristics and that impart enhanced performance charactenstics to polymer compositions. Carbonaceous materials include, but are not limited to, carbon black, graphite and carbon fibers The treated carbonaceous compositions compπse: a carbonaceous mateπal, prelerably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: l) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acrylic acid or a C, - C g alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C 1 - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid Preferably the ester polymer treating agent further compnses ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer. More preferably the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer selected from one of the following groups a) ethylene and vinyl acetate; b) ethylene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; c) styrene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; and d) ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acryhc acid Suitable carbonaceous mateπals for use in the treated carbonaceous composition of the present invention include, but are not limited, to: carbon black, graphite and carbon fiber. The carbon black may be any carbon black such as a furnace carbon black, a thermal carbon black, an acetylene black, and a carbon black produced by a gasification process. While any carbon black may be uUlized in the carbonaceous compositions of the present invention, especially preferred are carbon blacks having an iodine number (I 2 No.) of 10 to 1800 mg/g and a fluffy dibutyl phthalate absoφtion value (DBP) of 40 to 350 cc/100g The present invention also includes new polymer compositions compnsmg a polymer component and 0.5 to 74%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition compnsmg a carbonaceous matenal, preferably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups I) vmyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n) acrylic acid or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid , or in) methacrylic acid, or a Ci - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid The polymer compositions may include other conventional additives such as cunng agents, processing additives, hydrocarbon oils, accelerators, coagents, antioxidants and the like. Suitable carbonaceous matenals for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited, to. carbon black, graphite and carbon fiber, with carbon black being preferred. Preferred treating agents for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include the treating agents descnbed above with reference to the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention. While any polymer may be utilized in the polymer composition of the present invention, preferred polymers for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to- a) propylene homopolymers, ethylene homopolymers, and ethylene copolymers and graft polymers where the co-monomers are selected from butene, hexene, propene, octene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, C, - C 8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C, - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, maleic anhydnde, half ester of maleic anhydπde, and carbon monoxide; b) elastomers selected from natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, random styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polychloroprene, acrylonitπle butadiene, ethylene propylene co and terpolymers, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM); and c) homopolymers and copolymers of styrene, including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitnle (SAN). The polymer compositions of the present invention may be produced in any manner known to the art for combining polymers and particulate components A polymer composition of the present invention which may be advantageously utilized as a semiconductive composition for use in wire and cable applications compnses: 25-55%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, ol a treated carbonaceous composition of the present invention, preferably wherein the carbonaceous mateπal is a carbon black; 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a stabilizer 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of an antioxidant 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a crosslinking agent; with the remainder being a polymer, or a blend, or mixture, of polymers, selected from the following group: an ethylene homopolymer; a propylene homopolymer, ethylene polymeπzed with one or more alpha olefins, such as propylene, butene, hexene or octene; ethylene polymeπzed with propylene and a diene monomer, preierably norbornene; and ethylene polymenzed with one or more monomers selected from vinyl acetate, preferably compnsmg 16-45%, by weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate, of vinyl acetate monomer; acrylic acid, methacrylic acid; C, - C 8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C, - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid; maleic anhydnde; or a monoester denved from f umaπc or maleic acid, vinyl chlonde or vinylidene chlonde. The polymer composition of the present invention may additionally include an additive polymer such as acrylonitnle butadiene elastomer preferably containing 25-55%, by weight acrylonitnle. Suitable crosslinking agents for use in the polymer composition of the present invention include: organic peroxides, such as dicumyl peroxide; sulfur and sulfur donor systems. When the crosslinking agent utilized is an organic peroxide, the polymer composition of the present invention may further compnse: 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a vinyl silane. A polymer composition of the present invention which may be advantageously utilized as a masterbatch formulation compnses: 20-80%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition of the present invention, preferably wherein the carbonaceous mateπal is a carbon black; and 80-20%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of at least one polymer selected from an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, where the comonomer is preferably selected from hexene, propene, butene, octene, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, propylene homopolymers or copolymers; or styrene homopolymers or copolymers including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitnle butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitnle (SAN). Preferably, the ethylene homopolymer or copolymer is polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene or a polyethylene wax. The polymer composition may additionally include antioxidants, peroxide decomposers, hindered amine light stabilizers, substituted benzophenone UV adsorbers and/or processing aids The present invention further includes articles of manufacture produced from the polymer compositions of the present invention. A preferred article of manufacture is an extruded article, such as a profile, tube, tape or film Also preferred as an article of manufacture of the present invention is a medium, or high, voltage cable compnsmg: a metal conductor core; a semiconductive shield; an insulation layer; and an outer semiconductive layer, wherein a polymer composition of the present invention is utilized in the semiconductive shield and/or the outer semiconductive layer A polymer composition of the present invention advantageous for use as a masterbatch formulation, may be utilized to produce an article of manufacture compnsmg: 1 to 10%, preferably 2-5%, by weight, based on the weight of the article, of a polymer composiϋon of the present invention; and 99 to 90%, preferably 98-95%, by weight, based on the weight of the article, of a polymer. The articles of manufacture of the present invention may be produced using conventional techniques utilized by those of ordinary skill in the art. An advantage of the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention is that in dry form the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention have improved handling properties. An advantage of the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention wherein the carbonaceous material is a carbon black is that in dry form the treated carbon blacks have improved handling properties in compaπson with conventional fluffy or pelleted carbon blacks. An advantage of the polymer compositions of the present invention is that the polymer compositions exhibit enhanced rheological, processing or mechanical properties. Further advantages of the treated carbonaceous compositions, and the polymer compositions, of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed descπption. Detailed Descπption of the Invention The present invention includes treated carbonaceous compositions which in dry form have improved handling charactenstics and impart enhanced performance charactenstics to polymer compositions. The treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention compnse: a carbonaceous matenal, preferably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, preferably 0.5 to 20%, more preferably 1 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal of at least one ester polymer treating agent, comprising at least one monomer selected (rom at least one of the following groups: 1) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acryhc acid or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or iii) methacrylic acid, or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid Examples of an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing Irom 1 to 20 carbon atoms include, but are not limited to- vinyl acetate, vinyl propnonate and vmyl butyrate. Preferably the polymer treating agent further comprises ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer. More preferably the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer selected from one of the following groups: a) ethylene and vinyl acetate; b) ethylene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid, c) styrene and a C [ - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; and d) ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C j - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. Suitable carbonaceous materials for use in the treated carbonaceous composition of the present invention include, but are not limited, to 1 carbon black, graphite and carbon fiber. The carbon black may be any carbon black such as a furnace carbon black, a thermal carbon black, an acetylene black, and a carbon black produced by a gasification process. While any carbon black may be utilized in the carbonaceous compositions of the present invention, especially preferred are carbon blacks having an iodine number (I 2 No.) of 10 to 1800 mg/g and a fluffy dibutyl phthalate absoφtion value (DBP) of 40 to 350 cc/100g. The treated carbonaceous compositions may be produced in any manner known in the art, such as by physically blending the components, melt mixing the components or combining the components while pelletizing the carbonaceous matenal. When a carbon black is utilized as the carbonaceous mateπal in the carbonaceous compositions of the present invention, the treated carbonaceous compositions are preferably produced by a pelletizing process by- contacting a fluffy carbon black in a pin pelletizer with an aqueous dispersion containing an ester polymer treating agent selected from the foregoing groups of compounds; and heating the wet pellets under controlled temperature and time parameters such that the water is removed from the pellets but the ester polymer treating agent does not undergo substantial decomposition, and the final polymer treating agent level on the dry carbon black is from 0.05% to 50%, by weight based on the treated carbon black. The present invention also includes new polymer compositions composing' a polymer component and 0.5 to 74%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composiuon compnsmg a carbonaceous matenal, preferably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, preferably 0.5 to 20%, more preferably 1 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: l) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n) acrylic acid or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid The polymer compositions may include other conventional additives such as cunng agents, processing additives, hydrocarbon oils, accelerators, coagents, antioxidants and the like Suitable carbonaceous mateπals for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited, to. carbon black, graphite and carbon fiber, with carbon black being preferred. Preferred treating agents for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include the treating agents descnbed above with reference to the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention Preferably the ester polymer treating agent further compnses ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer More preferably the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer selected from one of the following groups: a) ethylene and vinyl acetate; b) ethylene and a C j - C 8 alkyl ester of acryhc acid; c) styrene and aC, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid , and d) ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid While any polymer may be utilized in the polymer composition of the present invention, preferred polymers for use in the polymer compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to a) propylene homopolymers, ethylene homopolymers, and ethylene copolymers and graft polymers where the co-monomers are selected from butene, hexene, propene, octene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, C ] - C 8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C, - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, maleic anhydπde, half ester of maleic anhydπde, and carbon monoxide, b) elastomers selected from natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, random styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polychloroprene, acrylonitnle butadiene, ethylene propylene co and terpolymers, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and c) homopolymers and copolymers of styrene, including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitnle butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitnle (SAN). The polymer compositions of the present invention may be produced in any manner known to the art for combining polymers and particulate components. A polymer composition of the present invention which may be advantageously utilized as a semiconductive composition for use in wire and cable applications compnses: 25-55%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition compnsmg a carbonaceous mateπal, preferably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, preferably 0.5 to 20%, more preferably 1 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups l) vmyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n) acrylic acid or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid; 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a stabilizer 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of an antioxidant 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a crosslinking agent; with the remainder being a polymer, or a blend, or mixture, of polymers, selected from the following group an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, ethylene polymenzed with one or more alpha olefins, such as propylene, butene, hexene or octene; ethylene polymerized with propylene and a diene monomer, preferably norbornene; and ethylene polymenzed with one or more monomers selected from vinyl acetate, preferably composing 16-45%, by weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate, of vinyl acetate monomer; acrylic acid; methacrylic acid; C, - C 8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid; C, - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid; maleic anhydnde; or a monoester derived from fumaπc or maleic acid, vinyl chlonde or vinylidene chlonde. Examples of an ester of vmyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing f rom 1 to 20 carbon atoms include, but are not limited to: vinyl acetate, vinyl propπonate and vinyl butyrate. Preferably the ester polymer treating agent utilized in carbonaceous composition further compnses ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vmyl aromatic monomer. More preferably the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer selected from one of the following groups: a) ethylene and vinyl acetate; b) ethylene and a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; c) styrene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; and d) ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. The polymer composition of the present invention may additionally include an additive polymer such as acrylonitnle butadiene elastomer preferably containing 25-55%, by weight acrylonitrile, based on the weight of the acrylonitnle butadiene elastomer. Suitable crosslinking agents for use in the polymer composition of the present invention include: organic peroxides, such as dicumyl peroxide, sulfur and sulfur donor systems. When the crosslinking agent utilized is an organic peroxide, the polymer composition of the present invention may further comprise: 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, a vinyl silane. A polymer composition of the present invention which may be advantageously utilized as a masterbatch formulation compnses: 20-80%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition compnsmg a carbonaceous mateπal, preferably a carbon black, and 0.05% to 50%, preferably 0.5 to 20%, more preferably 1 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, composing at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: l) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acrylic acid or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, and 80-20%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of at least one polymer selected from an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, where the comonomer is preferably selected from hexene, propene, butene, octene, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate; propylene homopolymers or copolymers; or styrene homopolymers or copolymers including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitnle butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitnle (SAN). Preferably, the ethylene homopolymer or copolymer is polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene or a polyethylene wax. The polymer composition may additionally include antioxidants, peroxide decomposers, hindered amine light stabilizers, substituted benzophenone UV adsorbers and/or processing aids. Preferred ester polymer treating agents for use in the polymer composition of the present invention which may be advantageously utilized as a masterbatch formulation include the ester polymer treating agents referenced above with respect to the polymer compositions of the present invention and the treated carbonaceous mateπals of the present invention. Preferably the polymer treating agent further compnses ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer. More preferably the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer selected from one of the following groups a) ethylene and vinyl acetate; b) ethylene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid, c) styrene and a Ci - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; and d) ethylene, vmyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. The present invention further includes articles of manufacture produced from the polymer compositions of the present invention A preferred article of manufacture is an extruded article, such as a profile, tube, tape or film Also preferred as an article of manufacture of the present invention is a medium, or high, voltage cable composing: a metal conductor core; a semiconductive shield; an insulation layer; and an outer semiconductive layer, wherein a polymer composition of the present invention is utilized in the semiconductive shield and/or the outer semiconductive layer. A polymer composition of the present invention advantageous for use as a masterbatch formulation, may be utilized to produce an article of manufacture compnsmg: 1 to 10%, preferably 2-5%, by weight, based on the weight of the article, of a polymer composition of the present invention; and 99 to 90%, preferably 98-95%, by weight, based on the weight of the article, of a polymer. The articles of manufacture of the present invention may be produced using conventional techniques utilized by those of ordinary skill m the art The effectiveness and advantages of various aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples wherein the following testing procedures were utilized. The following testing procedures were utilized in the determination and evaluation of the analytical properties of the carbon blacks utilized in the following examples. The DBP (dibutyl phthalate adsoφtion value) of the carbon blacks utilized in the examples, expressed as cubic centimeters DBP per 100 grams carbon black (cc/lOOg), was determined according to the procedure set forth in ASTM D2414. The iodine number (I 2 No.) of the carbon blacks utilized in the examples, expressed as milligrams per gram (mg/g), was determined according to ASTM test procedure D 1510. The peel force was determined by producing a plaque of the semiconductive composition utilizing a heated hydraulic press (temperature 130° C) to produce 1.2 millimeters (mm) thick plaque. A 2mm thick polyethylene plaque containing 1 % dicumyl peroxide was produced in a similar manner. The two plaques were laminated together under a pressure of 100 psi and exposed to a cuπng cycle of 180° C for 15 minutes. The resulting laminate was allowed to cool to ambient temperature under pressure The stπp force required to delaminate the composition layer from the polyethylene layer, at a peeling angle of 180° and a separation speed of 3.94 inches/minute was recorded as peel force. The error of the test is typically +/-0.1 lb/0.5 in. The carbon blacks pellets descnbed in the following examples were evaluated utilizing the following testing procedures. The pellets were assessed for mass pellet strength according to ASTM test procedure D1937. The dispersion of the treated carbon black compositions was determined by extruding the compositions to form a tape and measuπng the number and size of surface imperfections in the tape compositions using an optical microscope at lOOx magnification and a reflected 1 I ght source. The effectiveness and advantages of the present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples Example 1 Twenty seven polymer compositions, A-Z and AA, were produced utilizing three carbon blacks, CB1, CB2 and CB3 having the properties set forth in Table 1 below Iodine Number Fluffy DBP Carbon Black mg/g cc/lOOg CB 1 68 140 CB2 43 142 CB3 20 131 Carbon black pellets were produced by combining the fluffy carbon black with a polymer emulsion, if utilized, and water, to form wet pellets, in a continuous pin pelletizer. The resultant wet pellets were dπed at a temperature which was sufficient to remove the water without causing decomposition of the polymer. In these experiments, drying temperatures in the range of 120° to 180° C were found to be acceptable The following polymer emulsions were utilized as polymer treating agents: Reference Descπption VINNAPAS EV2 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion solids content' 50% viscosity: 1 1000 +/- 4000 m Pa. s particle size: 0.5 - 1.0 microns tensile strength: 0.3 N/mm2 elongation at break: 3000% glass transition temperature. -3° C VINNAPAS EP17 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion solids content: 60% viscosity: 3800 +/- 100 mPa.s particle size: 0.9 microns tensile strength: 6 N/mm2 elongation at break: 700% glass transition temperature- + 3° C VINNAPAS LL 462 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion approximately 44% ethylene solids content: 40% particle size: 0.3 microns tensile strength: 0.6 N/mm2 elongation at break: 1000% glass transition temperature- - 27° C VINNAPAS LL 870 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion approximately 43% ethylene solids content- 60% particle size, approx. 1 micron glass transition temperature: -26° C VINNAPAS EAF 60 ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylate emulsion solids content- 60% viscosity: 12000 +/- 4000 mPa.s particle size: 0.1 - 0.8 microns tensile strength: 0.4 N/mm2 elongation at break. 2500% VINAMUL 32869 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion approximately 3-5% ethylene solids content: 50% viscosity: 300 mPa.s particle size: 0.1 - 0.3 microns glass transition temperature: + 10° C AIRFLEX 410 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion solids content: 55% viscosity 490 mPa.s glass transition temperature: + 4° C VINNAPAS is a registered trademark of Wacker GmbH. VINAMUL is a registered trademark of Vinamul Ltd. AIRFLEX is a registered trademark of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. The polymer compositions were produced by combining dry carbon black, with and without polymenc treating agent, using a Banbury mixer, with ELVAX EVA resms (manufactured and sold by DuPont Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware) to produce compositions containing 40% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of carbon black, 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of AGERITE MA antioxidant (manufactured and sold by R.T. Vanderbilt Company Inc.), 1.0% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of VUL-CUP R peroxide cuπng agent (manufactured and sold by Hercules Inc., Wilmington, Delaware); the remainder being EVA resin and binder. The mixing temperature was maintained below 150° C to minimize premature cure of the compound. The peel force of each composition was then determined utilizing the procedure descnbed above. The results are provided in Table 2 below TABLE 2 Table 2 demonstrates the beneficial effect on reducing the stπp force using treated carbon black compositions. This effect is noticeable for different polymenc binder compositions, different binder loading and different vinyl acetate containing EVA resins. Example 2 This example illustrates the improved strength performance of the treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention, utilizing carbon black as the carbonaceous mateπal, as compared to untreated carbon black pellets. Eleven carbon black pellet compositions, BB-LL were produced utilizing CB 1 from Example 1 above. Carbon black pellets compositions CC-LL were treated carbon black compositions of the present invention. Carbon black composition BB was a control carbon black pellet composition produced without a treating agent Twenty samples of each carbon black pellet composition were produced for further evaluation. Carbon black pellets were produced by combining the fluffy carbon black with an ester polymer emulsion, if utilized, and water, to form wet pellets, in a continuous pin pelletizer. The resultant wet pellets were dned at a temperature which was sufficient to remove the water without causing decomposition of the polymer. In these expenments, drying temperatures in the range of 120° to 180° C were found to be acceptable The ester polymer emulsions utilized were VINNAPAS LL 462 ethylene, vmyl acetate copolymer emulsion; VINNAPAS LL870 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion; and VINNAPAS EAF 60 ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylate emulsion; having the properties descnbed in Example 1. Each of the carbon black pellets were then tested for mass pellet strength utilizing the procedure descnbed above. The results are provided in Table 3. Table 3 - Carbon Black Pellet Strength Carbon Black VINNAPAS %, by weight of Mean Pellet Standard Pellet Polymer polymer Strength Deviation Composition Emulsion Grade emulsion (grams) BB none 0 12.2 3.5 CC LL462 2 19.6 4.7 DD LL462 5 27.6 5.3 EE LL462 8 9 33. 1 4.2 FF LL462 13.3 39.0 7.8 GG LL870 2.6 24.6 4.2 HH LL870 4 46.0 10.6 II EAF 60 2 16.8 3.7 JJ EAF 60 4 19.5 3 0 KK EAF 60 6.7 25.9 3.9 LL EAF 60 10 31.5 6.3 The results illustrate that carbon black pellet compositions of the present invention, produced utilizing an ester polymer treating agent, have enhanced pellet strength in compaπson to a control carbon black pellet produced without treating agent. One of ordinary skill in the art would expect that the enhancement in strength would result in the carbon black pellet compositions of the present invention having less pellet attntion dunng conveying and transportation, resulting in fewer dust handling problems in subsequent process operations Example 3 This example illustrates the improved dispersion charactenstics exhibited by ester polymer treated carbonaceous compositions of the present invention in polymer compositions. Five polymer compositions, MM-QQ were produced utilizing carbon black CB 1 descnbed in Example 1. Carbon black pellets were produced by combining the fluffy carbon black with, or without, a polymer emulsion and water, to form wet pellets, in a continuous pin pelletizer. The resultant wet pellets were dned at a temperature which was sufficient to remove the water without causing decomposition of the polymer. In these expenments, drying temperatures in the range of 120° to 180° C were found to be acceptable. The ester polymer emulsions utilized were VINNAPAS LL462 ethylene, vinyl acetate copolymer emulsion and VINNAPAS EAF 60 ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylate emulsion having the properties described in Example 1. The polymer compositions were produced by combining dry carbon black, with and without polymenc treating agent, using a Banbury mixer, with ELVAX EVA resins to produce compositions containing 40% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, carbon black, 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of AGERITE MA antioxidant, 1.0% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of VUL-CUP R peroxide cuπng agent, the remainder being EVA resin and binder The mixing temperature was maintained below 150° C to minimize premature cure of the compound. The polymer compositions were extruded, utilizing a single screw extruder fitted with a slit die, to produce tapes. The surface of the tape was examined and the area of undispersed carbon black measured utilizing the test procedure descnbed above The results are provided in Table 4 below Table 4 - Dispersion Charactenstics Composition VINNAPAS %, by weight of %, undispersed Polymer Emulsion polymer emulsion carbon black Grade MM none 0 0.009694 NN LL462 2 0.007033 OO EAF 60 2 0.004101 PP EAF 60 6.7 0.004219 QQ EAF 60 10 0 007274 These results illustrate that extruded polymer compositions NN, OO, PP and QQ produced utilizing a treated carbon black composition prepared with an ester polymer treating agent have a reduced percentage of undispersed carbon black in companson to polymer composition MM, a similar extruded polymer composition produced with an untreated carbon black One of ordinary skill in the art would expect that the improvement in dispersion quality will allow a fabπcator to produce an improved extruded article. It should be clearly understood that the forms of the present invention herein descnbed are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention

Claims: Claims 1. A treated carbonaceous composition composing: a carbonaceous mateπal and 0.05% to 50%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal of at least one ester polymer treating agent, composing at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: I) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acrylic acid or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid 2. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the carbonaceous mateoal is a carbon black. 3. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent further composes: ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer 4. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer composing ethylene and vinyl acetate. 5. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer composing ethylene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester oi acrylic acid 6. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer composing styrene and a C 1 - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. 7. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer composing ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. 8. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 1 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of 0.5 to 20%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateoal. 9. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 8 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of Ito 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateoal. 10. The treated carbonaceous composition of claim 2 wherein the carbon black has an iodine number (I 2 No.) of 10 to 1800 mg/g and a fluffy dibutyl phthalate absoφtion value (DBP) of 40 to 350. 11. A polymer composition compnsmg: a polymer component and 0.5 to 74%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition compnsmg a carbonaceous matenal, and 0.05% to 50%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: i) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acrylic acid or a C j - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid. 12. The polymer composition of claim 11 wherein the carbonaceous mateπal is a carbon black 13. The polymer composition of claim 11 wherein the polymer is selected from at least one of the following: a) propylene homopolymers, ethylene homopolymers, and ethylene copolymers and graft polymers where the co-monomers are selected from butene, hexene, propene, octene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, C, - C 8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C j - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, maleic anhydnde, half ester of maleic anhydπde, and carbon monoxide; b) elastomers selected from natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, random styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polychloroprene, acrylonitnle butadiene, ethylene propylene co and terpolymers, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) ; and c) homopolymers and copolymers of styrene, including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitnle butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitnle (SAN) 14. A polymer composition comprising: 25-55%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition compnsmg a carbonaceous mateπal and 0.05% to 50%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, compnsmg at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: l) vinyl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n) acrylic acid or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C , - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid; 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a stabilizer 0 to 2%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of an antioxidant 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a crosslinking agent; with the remainder being a polymer selected from the following group: an ethylene homopolymer; a propylene homopolymer; ethylene polymenzed with one or more alpha olefins, such as propylene, butene, hexene or octene; ethylene polymerized with propylene and a diene monomer, preferably norbornene; and ethylene polymenzed with one or more monomers selected f rom vinyl acetate, preferably compnsmg 16-45%, by weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate, of vinyl acetate monomer; acryhc acid; methacrylic acid; C, - C 8 alkyl esters of acryhc acid; C j - C 8 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid; maleic anhydπde; or a monoester denved from fumaπc or maleic acid, vinyl chlonde or vinylidene chlonde or mixtures thereof 15. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the carbonaceous matenal is a carbon black. 16. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the ester polymer treating agent further compnses: ethylene, an alpha olefin or a vinyl aromatic monomer. 17. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg ethylene and v yl acetate. 18. The polymer composition of claim 14 w herein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg ethylene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid 19. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg styrene and a C { - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid 20. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg ethylene, vinyl acetate and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. 21. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of 0.5 to 20%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal. 22. The polymer composition of claim 21 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of Ito 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal. 23 The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of an organic peroxide; sulfur and a sulfur donor system. 24. The polymer composition of claim 23 wherein the crosslinking agent is an organic peroxide. 25. The polymer composition of claim 24 wherein the organic peroxide is dicumyl peroxide. 26. The polymer composition of claim 24 further compnsmg 0 to 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a vinyl silane 27. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the polymer is ethylene vinyl acetate. 28. The polymer composition of claim 27 wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate contains 16-45%, by weight of vinyl acetate monomer, based on the weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate. 29. The polymer composition of claim 1 1 wherein the polymer is ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). 30. The polymer composition of claim 14 further composing an acrylonitole butadiene elastomer containing 25-55%, by weight acrylonitole, based on the weight of the acrylonitole butadiene elastomer. 31. The polymer composition of claim 14 wherein the polymer composition is semiconductive. 32. A polymer composition composing: 20-80%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of a treated carbonaceous composition composing a carbonaceous mateoal and 0.05% to 50%, by weight based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous composition of at least one ester polymer treating agent, composing at least one monomer selected from at least one of the following groups: l) v yl alcohol, or an ester of vinyl alcohol and a carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; n) acrylic acid or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid; or in) methacrylic acid, or a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid; and 80-20%, by weight, based on the weight of the polymer composition, of at least one polymer selected from an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, where the comonomer is preferably selected from hexene, propene, butene, octene, vinyl acetate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, propylene homopolymers or copolymers, or styrene homopolymers or copolymers including styrene - butadiene - styrene linear and radial polymer, acrylonitnle butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitole (SAN). 33. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the carbonaceous mateoal is a carbon black. 34. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent further composes: ethylene, an alpha olefin or a v yl aromatic monomer 35. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer composing ethylene and vinyl acetate 36. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg ethylene and a C j - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid. 37. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg styrene and a C, - C 8 alkyl ester of acrylic acid 38 The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is a polymer compnsmg ethylene, vmyl acetate and a C , - C g alkyl ester of acrylic acid. 39. The polymer composition of claim 32 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of 0.5 to 20%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous mateπal. 40. The polymer composition of claim 39 wherein the ester polymer treating agent is present in an amount of Ito 10%, by weight, based on the weight of the treated carbonaceous matenal. 41 An article of manufacture formed from the polymer composition of claim 1 1 42. The article of manufacture of claim 41 wherein the article is an extruded article selected from the group consisting of: a profile, a tube, a tape and a film 43. An article of manufacture formed from the polymer composition of claim 14 44. The article of manufacture of claim 43 wherein the article is an extruded article selected from the group consisting of: a profile, a tube, a tape and a film. 45. The article of manufacture of claim 43 wherein the polymer composition of claim 14 is a semiconductive composition and the article of manufacture is an electπc cable compnsmg: a metal conductor core; a semiconductive shield; an insulation layer; and an outer semiconductive layer, wherein the polymer composition of claim 14 is utilized in at least one of: the semiconductive shield or the outer semiconductive layer. 46. The article of manufacture of claim 45 wherein the polymer composition of claim 14 is directly bonded to the insulation layer and the insulation layer compnses an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer. 47. An article of manufacture formed from the polymer composition of claim 32. 48. The article of manufacture of claim 47 wherein the article is an extruded article selected from the group consisting of: a profile, a tube, a tape and a film. 49. The article of manufacture of claim 47 wherein the article compnses: 1-10%, by weight of the article, the polymer composition of claim 32 and 99-90%, by weight of the article of a polymer.

Inventors: MENASHI JAMEEL, REED THOMAS F, WHITEHOUSE ROBERT S, MENASHI, JAMEEL, REED, THOMAS, F., WHITEHOUSE, ROBERT, S.
Applicants: CABOT CORP, CABOT CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C08K9
IPC codes: C08K9, C08L101