Patent Description:
Patents and patent application publications in or about the field include <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

Polyethylene polymers used in coating layers (e.g., insulation layers) of medium voltage (MV), high voltage (HV), or extra-high voltage (EHV) power cables often have been crosslinked triggered by decomposition of a peroxide additive. Initiating the crosslinking step requires running an uncrosslinked coated conductor through a continuous vulcanization tube. After the resulting crosslinked coated conductor exits the tube it must be degassed to remove volatile crosslinking byproducts. The presence of crosslinks in the crosslinked polyethylene polymers ("XLPE") makes the coating layers difficult to recycle.

We provide a polyolefin formulation comprising constituents (A) to (E) in the following amounts: from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent (wt%) of (A) a polypropylene homopolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (B) a poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (C) an ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (D) a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon; and from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (E) an antioxidant; wherein the wt% of (B) divided by the wt% (A) is a mass ratio of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A), (B), and (C) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A) to (E) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the method of claim <NUM>.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the heat-aged polyolefin product of claim <NUM>.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the manufactured article of claim <NUM>.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the coated conductor of claim <NUM>. The polyolefin formulation has improved (increased) flexibility and improved (increased) resistance to the flexibility-decreasing effects of heat-aging (collectively, "initial inventive benefits"). The improved (increased) flexibility is indicated by a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> megapascals (MPa) and, optionally, a lower flexural modulus relative to that of a comparative formulation. The improved (increased) resistance to heat-aging effects is indicated by the resulting inventive heat-aged polyolefin product having an elongation-at-break of <NUM> percent (%) or higher, and, optionally, a higher retention of elongation-at-break after heat aging than that of a comparative heat-aged product. The improved (increased) resistance to heat-aging effects may also be indicated by the resulting heat-aged polyolefin product having higher tensile strength after the heat aging relative to that of the comparative heat-aged product.

The polyolefin formulation and heat-aged polyolefin product made therefrom by heat aging are useful in industries that benefit from flexibility and resistance to heat aging, such as, for example, as a coating layer (e.g., insulation layer) of a medium voltage (MV), high voltage (HV), or extra-high voltage (EHV) power cable. Beneficially, the polyolefin formulation does not have to be crosslinked in order to be used as a coating layer (e.g., insulation layer) in such power cables, and therefore the inventive materials and coating layer are beneficially recyclable. The polyolefin formulation and heat-aged polyolefin product may have additional benefits and may be used in other industry applications such as aerospace, automotive, and medical applications.

Additional inventive aspects follow; some are numbered below for ease of reference.

Aspect <NUM>. A polyolefin formulation comprising constituents (A) to (E) in the following amounts: from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent (wt%) of (A) a polypropylene homopolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (B) a poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (C) an ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (D) a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon; and from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (E) an antioxidant; wherein the wt% of (B) divided by the wt% (A) is a mass ratio of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A), (B), and (C) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A) to (E) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation.

Aspect <NUM>. The polyolefin formulation of aspect <NUM> wherein the polyolefin formulation has features (i) and (ii) and, optionally, feature (iii): (i) a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> megapascals (MPa, e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa) measured according to ASTM D790-15e2; and (ii) an elongation-at-break of greater than or equal to <NUM> percent (%, alternatively greater than <NUM>%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%) measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>; and, optionally, (iii) a tensile strength of greater than <NUM> MPa (i.e., > <NUM> pounds per square inch (psi)) (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa) measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>.

Aspect <NUM>. The polyolefin formulation of aspect <NUM> or <NUM> wherein subjecting the unaged polyolefin formulation to heat aging for <NUM> days at <NUM> degrees Celsius (° C. ) yields a heat-aged polyolefin product that has feature (i) and, optionally, feature (ii): (i) (i) an elongation-at-break of greater than <NUM> percent (%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively greater than <NUM>%, alternatively greater than <NUM>%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%) measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>; and, optionally, (ii) a tensile strength of greater than <NUM> MPa (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa) measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>.

Aspect <NUM>. The polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein the polyolefin formulation has from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the (A) polypropylene homopolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the (B) poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> of the (C) ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the (D) saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon; and from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the (E) antioxidant; wherein the wt% of (B) divided by the wt% (A) is a mass ratio of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A), (B), and (C) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A) to (E) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation.

Aspect <NUM>. The polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> having any one of features (i) to (v): (i) the (A) polypropylene homopolymer has a density from <NUM> to <NUM> gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm<NUM>) (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>) measured according to ASTM D792-<NUM>, method B, and a melt flow rate (MFR<NUM>)from <NUM> to <NUM> grams per <NUM> minutes (g/<NUM>. ) (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. ) measured according to ASTM D-<NUM> at <NUM>, <NUM>; (ii) wherein the (B) poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer is a poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-butene) copolymer that has a density from <NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM> (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>) measured according to ASTM D792-<NUM>, method B, and a melt index (I<NUM>) from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. (e.g., a melt index from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. measured according to ASTM D-<NUM> at <NUM>° C. , <NUM> (e.g., and optionally an ethylenic content of at least <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of (B)); (iii) wherein the (C) ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer has a melt flow rate (MFR2) from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. measured according to ASTM D-<NUM> at <NUM>° C. , <NUM>; (iv) wherein the (D) saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon is a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, alternatively a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, alternatively an unsubstituted dibenzyltoluene; (v) wherein the antioxidant is a sulfur atom-containing compound. In some embodiments the polyolefin formulation has a combination of any one of features (vi) to (xvii): (vi) both (i) and (ii); (vii) both (i) and (iii); (viii) both (i) and (iv); (ix) both (i) and (v); (x) both (ii) and (iii); (xi) both (ii) and (iv); (xii) both (ii) and (v); (xiii) both (iii) and (iv); (xiv) both (iii) and (v); (xv) both (iv) and (v); (xvi) any four of (i) to (v); (xvii) each of (i) to (v).

Aspect <NUM>. A method of making the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM>, comprising melt-mixing constituents (A), (B), and (C) at a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees Celsius (° C. ) for a mixing-effective period of time to give a premixture of constituents (A), (B), and (C) and free of constituents (D) and (E); and soaking or imbibing constituents (D) and (E) into the premixture at a temperature from <NUM>° to <NUM>° C. for an absorbing-effective period of time of at least <NUM> hours to give the polyolefin formulation comprising constituents (A) to (E). The mixing-effective period of time may be from <NUM> to <NUM> hours, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> hour, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> hour. The atmosphere used in the melt-mixing and/or soaking or imbibing steps may be an inert atmosphere (e.g., a gas consisting of nitrogen gas, argon gas, helium gas, or a combination of any two or more thereof). The melt-mixing step may be performed according to the Melt Mixing Preparation Method described later. The soaking or imbibing step may be performed according to the Soaking or Imbibing Preparation Method described later.

Aspect <NUM>. A heat-aged polyolefin product made by subjecting the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> to heat aging conditions comprising a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM> degrees Celsius (° C. ) and a heat aging-effective time period of <NUM> days or longer and an air atmosphere. The heating time period may be continuous or intermittent. The subjecting step may be performed according to the Heat Aging Method described later. Embodiments of the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> may be made by the method of aspect <NUM>. The method of aspect <NUM> makes the polyolefin formulation as an "unaged" polyolefin formulation, which means a polyolefin formulation that has not been subjected to the heat aging of conditions described in aspect <NUM>. Differences between the method of aspect <NUM> and the heat aging conditions of aspect <NUM> are the method of aspect <NUM> is completed in a substantially shorter time period than the heat aging-effective time period and the method of aspect <NUM> may be performed under an inert atmosphere, whereas the heat aging may be performed under air atmosphere.

Aspect <NUM>. A manufactured article comprising or made from the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> or the heat-aged polyolefin product of aspect <NUM>.

Aspect <NUM>. A coated conductor comprising a conductive core and an insulation layer comprising the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> or the heat-aged polyolefin product of aspect <NUM> at least partially covering the conductive core.

Aspect <NUM>. A method of conducting electricity, the method comprising applying a voltage across the conductive core of the coated conductor of aspect <NUM> so as to generate a flow of electricity through the conductive core.

Aspect <NUM>. A method of recycling the polyolefin formulation of any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> or contained in the manufactured article of aspect <NUM> or in the insulation layer of the coated conductor of aspect <NUM>, the method comprising crushing the polyolefin formulation to give a crushed product, and pelletizing the crushed product to give pellets of recycled polyolefin formulation.

The polyolefin formulation has improved (increased) flexibility and improved (increased) resistance to the flexibility-decreasing effects of heat-aging (collectively, "initial inventive benefits"). The improved (increased) flexibility is indicated by a flexural modulus before heat aging of from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, measured according to ASTM D790-15e2. The improved (increased) resistance to heat-aging effects may be indicated by the resulting heat-aged polyolefin formulation having an elongation-at-break of at least <NUM>%, alternatively at least <NUM>%, alternatively at least <NUM>%, alternatively at least <NUM>%, measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>. , embodiments of the heat-aged polyolefin formulation may have an elongation-at-break of from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Later inventive examples of the polyolefin formulation and comparative examples of comparative formulations will show that the initial inventive benefits are an unpredictable result of the choices of compositions for the constituents (A) to (E) and their absolute and relative amounts.

Embodiments of the polyolefin formulation may have additional benefits. For example, embodiments of the polyolefin formulation may have a tensile strength before and/or after heat aging that is greater than <NUM> MPa (i.e., greater than <NUM> pounds per square inch (psi)), alternatively greater than <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>. The improved (increased) resistance to heat-aging effects may also be indicated by the resulting heat-aged polyolefin product having tensile strength of greater than <NUM> MPa (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa) after the heat aging relative to that of the comparative heat-aged product.

We also provide six additional inventive embodiments that are the same as aspects <NUM> to <NUM> and four additional inventive embodiments that are the same as aspects <NUM> to <NUM> depending from any one of aspects <NUM> to <NUM> except wherein the polyolefin formulation of the ten additional inventive embodiments has a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, measured according to ASTM D790-15e2. We also provide one additional inventive embodiment that is the same as aspect <NUM> and four additional inventive embodiments that are the same as aspects <NUM> to <NUM> depending from aspect <NUM> except wherein subjecting the polyolefin formulation having a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> MPa to heat aging for <NUM> days at <NUM>° C. yields a heat-aged polyolefin product that has a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> MPa, measured according to ASTM D790-15e2.

The polyolefin formulation. The polyolefin formulation comprises the constituents (A) to (E) and has not been subjected to heat aging conditions. The total amount of all constituents in the polyolefin formulation is <NUM> wt%. The properties of the polyolefin formulation may be compared to the same properties measured on a heat-aged polyolefin product made by heat-aging the polyolefin formulation under heat aging conditions as described earlier in aspect <NUM> or later in the Heat Aging Method.

For purposes of characterizing the properties of the polyolefin formulation as an "unaged" polyolefin formulation, the polyolefin formulation is made as a substantially uniform mixture comprising constituents (A) to (E) in the claimed amounts, such as by melt mixing or melt compounding as described herein, and once the polyolefin formulation has been made it is compression-molded into a plaque specimen for testing. The specimen is stored in air having <NUM>% relative humidity at a temperature of <NUM>° C. until its properties can be measured.

The polyolefin formulation has improved dispersion of constituents (A) to (E) relative to dispersion of a comparative formulation that has constituent (E) and only three of constituents (A) to (D). The improved dispersion may be determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of a slice of a pellet of the formulation. As shown by SEM images of IE1, CE1, and CE2 before and after heat aging (none shown), the inventive polyolefin formulation will show smaller domains for the discontinuous phase dispersed more uniformly in a continuous phase, as compared to the comparative formulation.

The polyolefin formulation may be as described by any one of the numbered aspects or claims. Alternatively, the polyolefin formulation may be as described by any one of the numbered aspects or claims except wherein one of the features of the numbered aspect or claim is amended based on any one of inventive examples IE1 to IE4 described later. For example, an endpoint of a featured range in one of the numbered aspects or claims may be amended to a value given in any one of IE1 to IE4. Alternatively, a composition of a featured constituent in any one of the numbered aspects or claims may be amended to a composition given in any one of IE1 to IE4. Thus, the inventive examples may serve as explicit basis for an amendment to the claims.

The (A) polypropylene homopolymer. Constituent (A) is an organic macromolecule that has a propylene monomeric content of <NUM> wt% based on the weight of the polypropylene homopolymer. The (A) polypropylene homopolymer is different in composition and function than the constituents (B) to (E). Some embodiments of constituent (A) may have a melt flow rate (MFR) from <NUM> to <NUM> grams per <NUM> minutes (g/<NUM>. ) measured according to ASTM D-<NUM>, <NUM>° C. , <NUM> kilograms (kg).

Examples of (A) are the polypropylene homopolymers from Braskem, including the INSPIRE family of polypropylene homopolymers.

The polyolefin formulation has from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (e.g., <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt%) of constituent (A). If the amount of constituent (A) in the polyolefin formulation exceeds <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient flexibility, that is the polyolefin formulation may have a flexural modulus that is too high, i.e., greater than <NUM> MPa. If the amount of constituent (A) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient tensile strength before and/or after heat aging, that is the polyolefin formulation may have a tensile strength that is less than <NUM> MPa. If the amount of (A) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may deform (lose its shape, e.g., warp or sag) at high temperature (e.g., <NUM>° C. or higher).

The (B) poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer. Constituent (B) is an organic macromolecule that has an ethylene monomeric content of from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and a <NUM>-alkene comonomeric content of from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the weight of the poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer. The (B) poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer is different in composition and function than the constituents (A) and (C) to (E). Some embodiments of constituent (B) may have a melt index (I<NUM>) from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. measured according to ASTM D-<NUM> (<NUM>° C.

Examples of (B) are commercially available and include ENGAGE™ family of polyolefin elastomers available from The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, USA. ENGAGE™ polymers are ethylene/<NUM>-butene or ethylene/<NUM>-octene copolymers that typically have the following properties: molecular weight distribution narrow to moderate; I<NUM> from
< <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. , <NUM>, ASTM D1238); density from <NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM> (ASTM D792, Method B); glass transition temperature (Tg) from -<NUM>° to -<NUM>° C. ; melting transition range from <NUM>° to <NUM>° C. (also referred to as DSC Melting Peak (rate <NUM>° C. /minute)); Shore A Hardness from <NUM> to <NUM> (ASTM D2240); and flexural modulus from <NUM> to <NUM> megapascals (MPa, ASTM D790). Examples of suitable ENGAGE™ ethylene/<NUM>-octene copolymers are ENGAGE™ <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Examples of suitable ENGAGE™ ethylene/<NUM>-butene copolymers are ENGAGE™<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. DSC means differential scanning calorimetry.

The polyolefin formulation has from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (e.g., <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt%) of constituent (B). If the amount of constituent (B) in the polyolefin formulation exceeds <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may be too flexible, that is the polyolefin formulation may have a flexural modulus that is too low, i.e., less than <NUM> MPa. If the amount of constituent (B) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient tensile strength before and/or after heat aging, that is the polyolefin formulation may have a tensile strength that is less than <NUM> MPa. If the amount of (B) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may have a flexural modulus that is too high (i.e., the polyolefin formulation may be too rigid) and/or the polyolefin formulation after heat aging may have elongation-at-break that is too low (i.e., the polyolefin formulation may be too brittle).

The (C) ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer. Constituent (C) is an organic macromolecule that has a first monovalent segment having an ethylene monomeric content of from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on weight of the first segment; and a second monovalent segment that has a propylene comonomeric content of from <NUM> to <NUM> wt, based on the weight of the second segment, wherein the first monovalent segment is covalently bonded to the second monovalent segment, thereby forming a diblock copolymer. The (C) ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer is different in composition and function than the constituents (A), (B), (D), and (E). Some embodiments of constituent (C) may have a melt flow rate (MFR) from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. , alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. , alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. , alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>. (e.g., <NUM>/<NUM>. ) measured according to ASTM D-<NUM>, <NUM>° C.

Examples of (C) ethylene/propylene diblock copolymers are the block composites described in <CIT>. Ethylene/propylene diblock copolymers of the INTUNE™ family of olefin block copolymers from The Dow Chemical Company are also examples of such (C).

The polyolefin formulation has from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (e.g., <NUM> wt%) of constituent (C). If the amount of constituent (C) in the polyolefin formulation exceeds <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient elongation-at-break before and/or after heat aging, that is the polyolefin formulation may have an elongation-at-break that is too low, i.e., less than <NUM>% before heat aging and/or less than <NUM>% after heat aging. If the amount of constituent (C) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient flexibility, that is the polyolefin formulation may have a flexural modulus that is too high, i.e., greater than <NUM> MPa.

The (D) saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon. The saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon is an organic compound that consists of from <NUM> to <NUM> saturated carbon atoms and from <NUM> to <NUM> aryl groups independently selected from phenyl, naphthyl, and biphenyl groups and that is free of carbon-carbon double bonds and carbon-carbon triple bonds. The (D) saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon is different in composition and function than the constituents (A) to (C) and (E). Constituent (D) may be a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, or a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon. Constituent (D) may be a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>) hydrocarbon, alternatively a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>)hydrocarbon, alternatively an unsubstituted dibenzyltoluene. Constituent (D) may consist of one or more compounds of formula (I): CH<NUM>-x(R<NUM>)(R<NUM>)(R<NUM>)x (I), wherein subscript x is an integer of <NUM> or <NUM>; CH<NUM>-x is a multivalent radical of benzene wherein the valency is equal to the sum x+<NUM>; R<NUM> is a (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)alkyl group; and R<NUM> and R<NUM> independently are a (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)aralkyl group. Constituent (D) may be a benzyltoluene, a dibenzyltoluene, a tribenzyltoluene, or a combination of any two or more thereof. Constituent (D) may be a dibenzyl toluene; alternatively a dibenzyltoluene selected from <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene, <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene, and <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene; alternatively a dibenzyltoluene selected from <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene and <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene. Constituent (D) may be <NUM>,<NUM>-dibenzyl-<NUM>-methylbenzene.

The polyolefin formulation has from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (e.g., <NUM> wt%) of constituent (D). If the amount of constituent (D) in the polyolefin formulation exceeds <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may sweat out constituent (D), that is the constituent (D) may be in excess of what can remain dispersed in the polyolefin formulation and the excess of (D) may migrate to the surfaces of the polyolefin formulation. If the amount of constituent (D) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient flexibility as indicated by flexural modulus and/or resistance to heat aging as indicated by the elongation-at-break after heat aging.

The (E) antioxidant. Constituent (E) is an organic molecule that inhibits oxidation, or a collection of such molecules. The (E) antioxidant is different in composition and function than the constituents (A) to (D). The (E) antioxidant functions to provide antioxidizing properties to the polyolefin formulation and heat-aged product of heat-aging same. Examples of suitable (E) are bis(<NUM>-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-phenylethyl)phenyl)amine (e.g., NAUGARD <NUM>); <NUM>,<NUM>'-methylene-bis(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-t-butylphenol) (e.g., VANOX MBPC); <NUM>,<NUM>'-thiobis(<NUM>-t-butyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NPL>; <NUM>,<NUM>'-thiobis(<NUM>-t-butyl-<NUM>-methylphenol) (also known as <NUM>,<NUM>'-thiobis(<NUM>-tert-butyl-m-cresol), <NPL>, commercially LOWINOX TBM-<NUM>); <NUM>,<NUM>'-thiobis(<NUM>-t-butyl-<NUM>-methylphenol (<NPL>, commercially LOWINOX TBP-<NUM>); tris[(<NUM>-tert-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylphenyl)methyl]-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trione (e.g., CYANOX <NUM>); pentaerythritol tetrakis(<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylethyl)-<NUM>-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (e.g., IRGANOX <NUM>, <NPL>); <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylethyl)-<NUM>-hydroxybenzenepropanoic acid <NUM>,<NUM>'- thiodiethanediyl ester (e.g., IRGANOX <NUM>, <NPL>); distearyl thiodipropionate ("DSTDP"); dilauryl thiodipropionate (e.g., IRGANOX PS <NUM>); stearyl <NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-di-t-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (e.g., IRGANOX <NUM>); <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(dodecylthiomethyl)-<NUM>-methylphenol (IRGANOX <NUM>); <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol (e.g. IRGANOX <NUM>); and <NUM>',<NUM>-bis[[<NUM>-[<NUM>,<NUM>-di-tert-butyl-<NUM>-hydroxyphenyl]propionyl]] propionohydrazide (IRGANOX <NUM>). The (E) may be a sulfur atom-containing compound or a combination of any two or more thereof (i.e., an organic molecule containing a covalent C-S bond, e.g., any one or more of the aforenamed compounds that have "thio" in the name). The (E) may be <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol (i.e., <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(octylthiomethyl)-<NUM>-methylphenol or <NUM>,<NUM>-di(octylthiomethyl)-<NUM>-methylphenol). The combination of sulfur atom-containing compounds may be <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol and distearyl thiodipropionate.

The (E) antioxidant may be from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% (e.g., <NUM> wt%) of the polyolefin formulation. If the amount of constituent (E) in the polyolefin formulation exceeds <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient flexibility as measured by flexural modulus. If the amount of constituent (E) in the polyolefin formulation is less than <NUM> wt%, the polyolefin formulation may not have sufficient resistance to heat aging.

Some embodiments of the polyolefin formulation may further comprise one or more optional additives. The optional additive may be constituent (F): a hindered-amine stabilizer for stabilizing the polyolefin formulation against effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. Constituent (F) hindered-amine stabilizer is different in composition than constituents (A) to (E). Constituent (F) may be a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS). Examples are a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS), a benzophenone, or a benzotriazole. The (F) UV stabilizer may be a molecule that contains a basic nitrogen atom that is bonded to at least one sterically bulky organo group and functions as an inhibitor of degradation or decomposition, or a collection of such molecules. The HALS is a compound that has a sterically hindered amino functional group and inhibits oxidative degradation. Examples of suitable (F) are butanedioic acid dimethyl ester, polymer with <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetramethyl-<NUM>-piperidine-ethanol (<NPL>, commercially LOWILITE <NUM>); and N,N'-bisformyl-N,N'-bis(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetramethyl-<NUM>-piperidinyl)-hexamethylenediamine (<NPL>, commercially Uvinul <NUM>). The formulation and product may be free of (F). When present, the (F) UV stabilizer may be from <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, alternatively <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation.

The polyolefin formulation may be free of certain additives. For example, the polyolefin formulation may be free of a peroxide and/or a filler and/or an alkenyl-functional coagent. Examples of such peroxide are those used in crosslinking of polyolefins, such as those described in <CIT>, such as dicumyl peroxide. Examples of such a filler are carbon black, quartz, silica, talc, and titanium dioxide. Examples of such alkenyl-functional coagent are triallyl cyanurate (TAC); triallyl isocyanurate (TAlC); triallyl trimellitate ("TATM"); N,N,N',N',N",N"-hexaallyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triamine ("HATATA"; also known as N<NUM>,N<NUM>,N<NUM>,N<NUM>,N<NUM>,N<NUM>-hexaallyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazine-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triamine); triallyl orthoformate; pentaerythritol triallyl ether; triallyl citrate; and triallyl aconitate.

Embodiments of the polyolefin formulation are not peroxide-crosslinkable and/or are not crosslinked. The polyolefin formulation of such embodiments is thermoplastic and is free of a peroxide and free of an alkenyl-functional coagent. The thermoplastic polyolefin formulation is useful as a coating layer (e.g., insulation layer) in power cables, and are recyclable.

Other embodiments of the polyolefin formulation further comprise an organic peroxide (e.g., dicumyl peroxide) and, therefore, are peroxide-crosslinkable. Such embodiments may further comprise the alkenyl-functional coagent. In some embodiments such peroxide-crosslinkable polyolefin formulation is heated to make an inventive crosslinked polyolefin product.

Any compound, composition, formulation, mixture, or product herein may be free of any one of the chemical elements selected from the group consisting of: H, Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, TI, Pb, Bi, lanthanoids, and actinoids; with the proviso that any required chemical elements (e.g., C and H required by a polyolefin; or Hf required by M = Hf) are not excluded.

Alternatively precedes a distinct embodiment. ASTM means the standards organization, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA. Any comparative example is used for illustration purposes only and shall not be prior art. Free of or lacks means a complete absence of; alternatively not detectable. ISO is International Organization for Standardization, Chemin de Blandonnet <NUM>, CP <NUM> - <NUM> Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland. IUPAC is International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC Secretariat, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA). May confers a permitted choice, not an imperative. Operative means functionally capable or effective. Optional(ly) means is absent (or excluded), alternatively is present (or included). PAS is Publicly Available Specification, Deutsches Institut für Normunng e. (DIN, German Institute for Standardization) Properties may be measured using standard test methods and conditions. Ranges include endpoints, subranges, and whole and/or fractional values subsumed therein, except a range of integers does not include fractional values. Room temperature: <NUM>° C. ± <NUM>° C.

Terms used herein have their IUPAC meanings unless defined otherwise. For example, see Compendium of Chemical Terminology. Gold Book, version <NUM>. <NUM>, February <NUM>, <NUM>.

For present purposes, the flexural modulus, elongation-at-break, and tensile strength of a test material may be measured on compression-molded plaque specimens before and after the specimens have been subjected to heat aging according to the Heat Aging Method. The result may be reported as an average of five measurements made on five compression-molded plaque specimens of the same test material.

Melt Mixing Preparation Method for preparing examples of the inventive polyolefin formulation and examples of comparative formulations: melt-mix constituents (A), (B), and (C) under a nitrogen gas atmosphere in a counter-rotating, intermeshing, conical twin-screw extruder ("conical TSE") having twin screws each having diameters of <NUM> millimeters (mm) and lengths of <NUM> and screw speeds of <NUM> rotations per minute (rpm). The conical TSE has three consecutive segments and the melt mixing uses a temperature profile of <NUM>° C. in the first segment, <NUM>° C. in the second segment, and <NUM>° C. in the third segment and gives in the third segment a premixture of constituents (A), (B), and (C) and free of constituents (D) and (E). Extrude a strand of the premixture from the third segment through a single hole die into an underwater Berlyn pelletizer to yield the premixture of constituents (A) to (C) as uniform pellets.

Soaking or Imbibing Preparation Method: Pre-heat the pellets of the premixture of constituents (A) to (C), the pellets having been made by the Melt Mixing Preparation Method, in a <NUM>° C. oven under a nitrogen gas atmosphere for at least <NUM> hours in a glass container. Remove glass container and contents from the oven, then add to the pre-heated pellets in the container constituents (D) and (E). Shake the resulting mixture of constituents (A) to (E) briefly, then tumble the pellets with (D) and (E) at <NUM> rpm for <NUM> minutes until the pellets have absorbed all of (D) and (E), i.e., until (D) and (E) have soaked or imbibed into the pellets. Place the resulting soaked pellets into the <NUM>° C. oven under a nitrogen gas atmosphere for at least <NUM> hours to give the polyolefin formulation comprising constituents (A) to (E) in form of pellets. Comparative formulations may be made in an analogous manner except one or two of the constituents may be omitted from the comparative formulation or one of the constituents may be used in a non-inventive amount.

Compression-Molded Plaque Specimen Preparation Method: make each compression-molded plaque specimen of a test material by compression molding pellets of the test material in a press under a pressure of <NUM> MPa (<NUM> psi) and at a temperature of <NUM>° C. for <NUM> minutes, followed by a pressure of <NUM> MPa (<NUM> psi) at a temperature of <NUM>° C. for <NUM> minutes, followed by a pressure of <NUM> MPa at a temperature of <NUM>° C. for <NUM> minutes, then cooling the compression-molded plaque specimen to <NUM>° C. under a pressure of <NUM> MPa, then opening the press to give the compression-molded plaque specimen. The pellets of the test material are made according to the Soaking or Imbibing Preparation Method.

Density Test Method: measured according to ASTM D792-<NUM>, Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement, Method B (for testing solid plastics in liquids other than water, e.g., in liquid <NUM>-propanol). Report results in units of grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm<NUM>).

Elongation-at-Break Test Method: measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics, using a displacement rate of <NUM> centimeters per minute (cm/min. ) on five compression-molded plaque specimens made according to the Compression-Molded Plaque Specimen Preparation Method from a same test material, and then averaging the five results. Report result in percent (%) elongation-at-break.

Flexural Modulus Test Method: measured at <NUM>° C. according to ASTM D790-15e2, Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials. , measured at <NUM> inch/minute (<NUM>/minute) on compression-molded plaque specimens of <NUM> millimeters (<NUM> mils) thickness with a crosshead position, and expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or the equivalent megapascals (MPa).

Heat Aging Method: keep a test material or compression-molded plaque specimen in a Type II ASTM D5423-<NUM> Testing Mechanical Convection Oven set at <NUM>° C. for <NUM> days under an air atmosphere to give a heat-aged test material or heat-aged plaque specimen, respectively.

Melt Index (I<NUM>) Test Method: used for polyethylene polymers, measured according to ASTM D1238-<NUM>, Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Platometer, using conditions of <NUM>° C. /<NUM> kilograms (kg), formerly known as "Condition E". Report results in units of grams eluted per <NUM> minutes (g/<NUM>. ) or the equivalent in decigrams per <NUM> minute (dg/<NUM>. <NUM> dg = <NUM>. Melt index is inversely proportional to the weight average molecular weight of the polyethylene, although the inverse proportionality is not linear. Thus, the higher the molecular weight, the lower the melt index.

Melt Flow Rate (MFR) Test Method: used for polypropylene polymers, measured according to ASTM D-<NUM> using conditions of <NUM>° C. or <NUM>° C.

Tensile Strength Test Method: (stress at break) measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM> using a displacement rate of <NUM>/min. on five compression-molded plaque specimens made according to the Compression-Molded Plaque Specimen Preparation Method from a same test material, and then averaging the five results. Report result in megapascals (MPa).

Constituent Example (A)-<NUM>: a polypropylene homopolymer having a density of from <NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM> and a melt flow rate (MFR) of <NUM>/<NUM>. measured at <NUM>° C. Available from Braskem as product FF030F2.

Constituent Example (B)-<NUM>: a poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-butene) copolymer having a density of <NUM>/cm<NUM> and a melt index (I<NUM>) of less than <NUM>/<NUM>. (e.g., <NUM>/<NUM>. Available from The Dow Chemical Company as product ENGAGE™ HM <NUM>.

Constituent Example (C)-<NUM>: an ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer having a melt flow rate (MFR) of <NUM>/<NUM>. measured at <NUM>° C. Available from The Dow Chemical Company as product INTUNE™ D5535.

Constituent Example (D)-<NUM>: a dibenzyltoluene available from Sasol Germany GmbH as Marlotherm SH.

Constituent Example (E)-<NUM>: <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol available as Irgastab Cable KV10 from BASF.

Inventive Examples <NUM> to <NUM> (IE1 to IE4): made as unaged polyolefin formulations according to the Soaking or Imbibing Preparation Method and having the compositions shown in Table <NUM> and mechanical properties shown in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>. Heat-age the polyolefin formulations of IE1 to IE4 according to the Heat Aging Method to give heat-aged polyolefin products of IE1 to IE4, respectively, having the mechanical properties shown in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>.

Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> (CE1 to CE4): made as unaged comparative formulations according to the Soaking or Imbibing Preparation Method and having the compositions shown in Table <NUM> and mechanical properties shown in Tables <NUM> and <NUM>. Heat-age the comparative formulations of CE1 to CE4 according to the Heat Aging Method to give heat-aged comparative products of CE1 to CE4, respectively, having the mechanical properties shown in Tables <NUM>-<NUM>.

As seen from Table <NUM>, unaged inventive polyolefin formulations IE1 to IE4 contain constituents (A) to (E) in the claimed amounts. Unaged comparative formulations CE1 to CE4 either are missing one of constituents (A) to (E) (CE1 and CE3), missing two of constituents (A) to (E) (CE2), or contain each of constituents (A) to (E), but not in the claimed amounts (CE4).

The properties reported in Table <NUM> are measured on the unaged polyolefin formulations or unaged comparative formulations except where "Heat aged" indicates the properties are measured on the heat-aged polyolefin products or heat-aged comparative products made therefrom. In Table <NUM>, the * indicates estimated values.

As shown in Table <NUM>, the unaged polyolefin formulations beneficially have a flexural modulus of less than <NUM> megapascals (MPa) measured according to ASTM D790-15e2. The inventive heat-aged polyolefin products made therefrom by heat aging beneficially have an elongation-at-break of greater than <NUM>% measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>.

As shown in Table <NUM>, both the inventive unaged polyolefin formulations of IE1 to IE4 and the inventive heat-aged polyolefin products of IE1 to IE4 made therefrom beneficially have tensile strengths of greater than <NUM> MPa measured according to ASTM D638-<NUM>.

IE3 is a repeat of a prior making and testing experiments by a different person. The prior experiments produced a sample having flexural modulus of <NUM> MPa, elongation-at-break of <NUM>%, heat aged elongation-at-break of <NUM>%, tensile strength of <NUM> MPa, and heat aged tensile strength of <NUM> MPa.

Claim 1:
A polyolefin formulation comprising constituents (A) to (E) in the following amounts: from <NUM> to <NUM> weight percent (wt%) of (A) a polypropylene homopolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (B) a poly(ethylene-co-<NUM>-alkene) copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (C) an ethylene/propylene diblock copolymer; from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (D) a saturated-and-aromatic (C<NUM>-C<NUM>)hydrocarbon; and from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of (E) an antioxidant; wherein the wt% of (B) divided by the wt% (A) is a mass ratio of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A), (B), and (C) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation; and wherein the amounts of constituents (A) to (E) total from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the polyolefin formulation.