Patent ID: 8889775

Claim:
A process for forming a moisture-cured article, the process comprising: blending a copolymer of ethylene and a vinyltrialkoxysilane in which the alkoxy group is RO and R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a hydrated salt of the general formula M x Q y (H 2 O) z , wherein M is a cation of a metal selected from groups 1 through 13 of the periodic table, Q is an organic anion, x and y are integers taken to balance the overall charge of the salt, and z is the hydration number of the salt on a molar basis at 25° C., the hydrated salt having an onset temperature of dehydration of greater than 100° C. and less than 200° C.; and a catalyst that comprises a metal ion and at least two ligands taken from the set alkoxide and carboxylate to form a composition, wherein the blending is done at a temperature above the melting point of the resin; generating water in-situ in the composition during the blending step to form a molten curing composition; forming the molten curing composition into an article; and, allowing the molten curing composition to harden.