Montell North America Inc.

Thomas F McLaughlin

Anthony J DeNicola, Jr

John W Mayfield

James R Beren

A normally solid, high molecular weight, gel-free, irradiated ethylene polymer is characterized by high melt strength due to strain hardening elongational viscosity, which is believed to be caused by free-end long chain branching of the molecular chains forming the polymer. The polymer is prepared by (1) irradiating a normally solid, high molecular weight ethylene polymer without strain hardening elongational viscosity while in the solid state in an environment in which the active oxygen concentration is less than 15% by volume, maintaining the irradiated material in this environment while in the solid state for a specific period of time, and then deactivating free radicals present in the material.

High melt strength, ethylene polymer, process for making it, and use

Disclosed is a normally solid, high molecular weight, gel-free, irradiated ethylene polymer having a density of from 0.89 to 0.97 g/cc characterized by high melt strength due to strain hardening which is believed to be caused by free-end long chain branches of the molecular chains forming the polymer. Also disclosed is a process for making the polymer by high energy radiation of a normally solid, high molecular weight, ethylene polymer in a reduced active oxygen environment, maintaining the irradiated material in such environment for a specific period of time, and then deactivating free radicals in the material.

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New Castle County, DE, United States of America

Thomas F McLaughlin