The process of curing a silane-functionalized ethylenic polymer using a tin-based catalyst, e.g., dibutyltin dilaurate, is accelerated by the addition of a titanium (IV) oxide.

A process to form a crosslinked composition, said process comprising thermally treating a composition that comprises the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound. A composition comprising the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound.

A process to form a crosslinked composition, said process comprising thermally treating a composition that comprises the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound. A composition comprising the following components: a) an olefin/silane interpolymer, b) a cure catalyst, and c) a multi-vinyl compound.

Disclosed is a process includes providing (A) an ethylene/MOCOS copolymer composed of (i) units derived from ethylene, (ii) from 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % units derived from a comonomer, and (iii) optionally units derived from a termonomer. The comonomer is a monocyclic organosiloxane (MOCOS) of formula (I) [R.sup.1, R.sup.2SiO.sub.2/2].sub.n wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, each R.sup.1 is independently a (C.sub.2_C.sub.4) alkenyl or a H.sub.2C═C (R.sup.1a)—C(═O)—O—(CH.sub.2).sub.m_ wherein R.sup.1a is H or methyl; m is an integer from 1 to 4; and each R.sup.2 is independently H, (C.sub.1_C.sub.4) alkyl, phenyl, or R.sup.1. The process includes mixing (B) a free radical initiator with (A) the ethylene/MOCOS copolymer to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and forming a crosslinkable ethylene/MOCOS copolymer composition having a gel content greater than 70%.

Disclosed is a process includes providing (A) an ethylene/MOCOS copolymer composed of (i) units derived from ethylene, (ii) from 0.01 wt % to 0.5 wt % units derived from a comonomer, and (iii) optionally units derived from a termonomer. The comonomer is a monocyclic organosiloxane (MOCOS) of formula (I) [R.sup.1, R.sup.2SiO.sub.2/2].sub.n wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, each R.sup.1 is independently a (C.sub.2_C.sub.4) alkenyl or a H.sub.2C═C (R.sup.1a)—C(═O)—O—(CH.sub.2).sub.m_ wherein R.sup.1a is H or methyl; m is an integer from 1 to 4; and each R.sup.2 is independently H, (C.sub.1_C.sub.4) alkyl, phenyl, or R.sup.1. The process includes mixing (B) a free radical initiator with (A) the ethylene/MOCOS copolymer to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and forming a crosslinkable ethylene/MOCOS copolymer composition having a gel content greater than 70%.

The present invention is directed to a foamable polyolefin composition which is crosslinkable by silane groups, to a crosslinked foam obtained from such a foamable polyolefin composition, and to a process for producing a crosslinked foam based on the foamable polyolefin composition. The foamable polyolefin composition comprises a polyethylene bearing hydrolysable silane groups and comonomer units comprising a polar group selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl esters, and mixtures thereof, a silanol condensation catalyst, a physical blowing agent, and a cell nucleating agent.

The present invention is directed to a foamable polyolefin composition which is crosslinkable by silane groups, to a crosslinked foam obtained from such a foamable polyolefin composition, and to a process for producing a crosslinked foam based on the foamable polyolefin composition. The foamable polyolefin composition comprises a polyethylene bearing hydrolysable silane groups and comonomer units comprising a polar group selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl esters, and mixtures thereof, a silanol condensation catalyst, a physical blowing agent, and a cell nucleating agent.

A copolymer of ethylene and hydrolysable silane includes from 0.1 wt % to 5.0 wt % hydrolysable silane groups and has a Mz(abs)/Mw(abs) of less than or equal to 9.5; a ratio of Mz(abs)/Mw(abs) to polydispersity of less than or equal to 1.5; a polydispersity of 6.6 or greater; a Density×Polydispersity of 6.0 or greater; or an Amorphous Content at Room Temperature×Polydispersity of 360 or greater. Methods for forming a moisture-crosslinkable polymer composition include forming a copolymer of ethylene and hydrolysable silane at a polymerization temperature of greater than or equal to 180° C. to less than or equal to 400° C. at a pressure from 5,000 psi to 50,000 psi; and adding a silanol condensation catalyst to the copolymer of ethylene and hydrolysable silane.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of a tin-based moisture-cure catalyst, a titanium(IV) compound that is titanium dioxide or a titanium alkoxide, and zinc oxide. A catalyst masterbatch comprising the catalyst system and a carrier resin. A moisture-curable prepolymer formulation comprising the catalyst masterbatch and a (hydrolyzable silyl group)-functional polyolefin prepolymer. Methods of making and using same. Cured polymer products made therefrom. Articles containing or made from same.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of a tin-based moisture-cure catalyst, a titanium(IV) compound that is titanium dioxide or a titanium alkoxide, and zinc oxide. A catalyst masterbatch comprising the catalyst system and a carrier resin. A moisture-curable prepolymer formulation comprising the catalyst masterbatch and a (hydrolyzable silyl group)-functional polyolefin prepolymer. Methods of making and using same. Cured polymer products made therefrom. Articles containing or made from same.