Patent ID: 6855771

Claim:
A process for converting polyolefin homopolymers into block polymers or copolymers having substantially different properties from the original polyolefin homopolymer such process comprising the steps of introducing said polyolefin homopolymer into an extruder; mixing a free radical generator with said polyolefin homopolymer to form a mixture at room temperature for free radical formation; bringing the mass of said mixture up to a temperature of between about 175° C. to 220° C.; inducing chain degradation of said polyolefin homopolymer in said mixture by said free radical formation caused by said free radical generator to form degraded polymer with a melt index greater than 50; second mixing alkenically unsaturated monomers or polymer segments with said degraded polymer to form a second mixture; adjusting the temperature of said second mixture to between about 100° C. to 250° C.; and forming said block polymer or copolymer from said second mixture.