The invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a polyethylene and a crosslinking agent, characterized in that the polymer composition contains a total amount of vinyl groups which is B vinyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms, and B.sub.1≤B, wherein B.sub.1 is 0.88, when measured prior to crosslinking according to method ASTM D6248-98; and in that the crosslinking agent is present in an amount which is Z wt %, based on the total amount (100 wt %) of the polymer composition, and Z≤Z.sub.2, wherein Z.sub.2 is 0.30, an article being e.g. a cable, e.g. a power cable, and processes for producing a polymer composition and an article; useful in different end applications, such as wire and cable (W&C) applications.

An (electron beam)-curable (EBC) formulation comprising an EBC polyolefin compound having a crystallinity of from 0 to less than 50 weight percent (wt %) and/or having a density of 0.930 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm.sup.3) or less; and an alkenyl-functional monocyclic organosiloxane (“silicon-based coagent”). Also included are a cured polyolefin product prepared by electron-beam irradiating the EBC formulation; methods of making and using the EBC formulation or cured polyolefin product; and articles containing or made from the EBC formulation or cured polyolefin product.

An (electron beam)-curable (EBC) formulation comprising an EBC polyolefin compound having a crystallinity of from 0 to less than 50 weight percent (wt %) and/or having a density of 0.930 gram per cubic centimeter (g/cm.sup.3) or less; and an alkenyl-functional monocyclic organosiloxane (“silicon-based coagent”). Also included are a cured polyolefin product prepared by electron-beam irradiating the EBC formulation; methods of making and using the EBC formulation or cured polyolefin product; and articles containing or made from the EBC formulation or cured polyolefin product.

Methods for forming polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises mixing a polyolefin, unmodified graphite, and a peroxide crosslinker via solid-state shear pulverization under conditions to form a polyolefin nanocomposite precursor composition comprising the polyolefin; exfoliated, unmodified graphite dispersed throughout the polyolefin; and unreacted peroxide crosslinker dispersed throughout the polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene, a copolymer of polyethylene, or combinations thereof. Methods of forming crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites, the polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions, and crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites are also provided.

Methods for forming polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises mixing a polyolefin, unmodified graphite, and a peroxide crosslinker via solid-state shear pulverization under conditions to form a polyolefin nanocomposite precursor composition comprising the polyolefin; exfoliated, unmodified graphite dispersed throughout the polyolefin; and unreacted peroxide crosslinker dispersed throughout the polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene, a copolymer of polyethylene, or combinations thereof. Methods of forming crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites, the polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions, and crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites are also provided.

Methods for forming polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises mixing a polyolefin, unmodified graphite, and a peroxide crosslinker via solid-state shear pulverization under conditions to form a polyolefin nanocomposite precursor composition comprising the polyolefin; exfoliated, unmodified graphite dispersed throughout the polyolefin; and unreacted peroxide crosslinker dispersed throughout the polyolefin, wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene, a copolymer of polyethylene, or combinations thereof. Methods of forming crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites, the polyolefin nanocomposite precursor compositions, and crosslinked polyolefin nanocomposites are also provided.

A recyclable crosslinked polymeric foam includes a reaction product of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a radical initiator, based on 100 parts by weight of a polymeric material. The crosslinking agent is represented by the following formula:

##STR00001##

wherein R is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, an arylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

A recyclable crosslinked polymeric foam includes a reaction product of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a radical initiator, based on 100 parts by weight of a polymeric material. The crosslinking agent is represented by the following formula:

##STR00001##

wherein R is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, an arylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

A tube or a hose including a fluoroelastomer and a polytetrafluoroethylene, the tube or the hose being an extruded article. The polytetrafluoroethylene is dispersed in a state of single particles in the extruded article, or the polytetrafluoroethylene has a specific surface area of less than 8 m.sup.2/g. Also disclosed is an extruded laminate including a fluoroelastomer layer formed form the tube or hose and a polymer layer.

A preparation process for a solid acrylic resin suitable for a UV curing system is a bulk polymerization method and comprises the steps: adding 100 parts by mass of at least one monofunctional monomer(s) having one polymerizable double bond per molecule, 1-10 parts by mass of one difunctional monomer having two polymerizable double bonds per molecule, 0.1-5.0 parts by mass of an initiator and 1-10 parts by mass of a chain transfer agent to a bulk polymerization reactor capable of water bath heating; homogenizing them by stirring; and then heating the bulk polymerization reactor with a constant temperature water bath at 40-90° C. until the polymerization reaction is completed.