Akzo N.v.

Akzona Incorporated

Wilhelmus M Beijleveld

Johannes P Verlaan

Jan D Van Drumpt

Willem C Endstra

The present invention relates to a process for modifying or crosslinking polymers by the use of novel co-agents in the reaction of polymers with organic peroxides. The novel co-agents comprise oligomers of dialkenyl substituted aromatic compounds, preferably oligodiisopropenylbenzene.

Use of oligomers of alkenyl groups-substituted aromatics as co-agents

Organic peroxides having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, e.g. 2-t-amylperoxy-4,6-diallyloxy-1,3,5-triazine, and the use of such organic peroxides as cross-linking agents for polymers are disclosed. The organic peroxides of the current invention allow polymer cross-linking at elevated temperatures. The disclosed organic peroxides are especially useful in processes for cross-linking polymers and co-polymers of ethylene.

Triazine peroxides

This disclosure relates to a process for cross-linking polymers, e.g. polyethylene, or degrading polymers, e.g. polypropylene, using peroxides having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the molecule, e.g. 1-(t-butyl peroxy isopropyl)-3-isopropenylbenzene. Incorporation of the peroxides into the polymer may be carried out at relatively high temperatures without the risk of premature decomposition of the peroxide, thus allowing easy processability of the polymer mass prior to cross-linking or degradation. The polymeric end products obtained are odorless and do not display blooming.

Process for cross-linking or degrading polymers and shaped articles

There is disclosed an improved process for cross-linking polymers by contacting said polymers with a cross-linking agent at an elevated temperature. The improvement comprises using as the cross-linking agent a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups having 1-22 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups having 2-22 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, phenyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, aralkyl groups having 7-20 carbon atoms, alkyloxy groups having 1-22 carbon atoms, alkenyloxy groups having 2-22 carbon atoms, and cyclohexyloxy groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, all of which groups may be substituted or unsubstituted; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1-22 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups having 2-22 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, phenyl groups having 6-20 carbon atoms, aralkyl groups having 7-20 carbon atoms, and ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 is independently selected from the same group as R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 as defined above, all of which groups may be substituted or unsubstituted; provided that when R.sub.3 is hydrogen, R.sub.1 represents an alkyloxy, alkenyloxy or cyclohexyloxy group as defined above.

Process for cross-linking polymers

This disclosure relates to an improved process for initiating radical reactions employing a class of hydroximic acid derivatives as initiators. Radical reactions initiated by such hydroximic acid derivatives include copolymerization of unsaturated polyester resins and cross-linking of polyethylene. The initiators of the present disclosure have a higher degradation temperature than found with typical peroxides.

Growing community of inventors

Olst, Netherlands

Wilhelmus M Beijleveld