Patent ID: 10961377

Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for the production of an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) composition in a reaction vessel comprising the following steps in this order: (a) supplying a quantity of a first composition comprising an ethylene copolymer or a propylene copolymer and a first peroxide to the reaction vessel; (b) supplying a quantity of a second composition comprising EPDM and a second peroxide to the reaction vessel; or (a) supplying a quantity of a second composition comprising EPDM and a second peroxide to the reaction vessel; (b) supplying a quantity of a first composition comprising an ethylene copolymer or a propylene copolymer and a first peroxide to the reaction vessel; and (c) exposing the contents of the reaction vessel under stirring to a temperature of 100-200° C.; wherein the ethylene copolymer is a copolymer comprising polymeric units derived from ethylene and polymeric units derived from a mono-olefinic compound comprising 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and wherein the propylene copolymer is a copolymer comprising polymeric units derived from propylene and polymeric units derived from a mono-olefinic compound comprising 2 carbon atoms or 4-10 carbon atoms. Such process allows for the production of an oil-extended EPDM composition having a certain high Mooney viscosity whilst still using an EPDM as obtained from the polymerisation process having a relatively moderate Mooney viscosity.