Polyolefin materials having enhanced surface durability and methods of making the same by exposure to radiation

Abstract

The invention relates to thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced surface durability and products thereof which include a thermoplastic polyolefin base component at least one radiation-crosslinkable component present in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the thermoplastic polyolefin component when radiation-cured and at least one photoinitiator present in an amount sufficient to initiate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component upon exposure of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation. The invention further relates to methods of providing a cured thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability by preparing a mixture having a thermoplastic polyolefin base component, at least one radiation-crosslinkable component in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the polyolefin when radiation cured, and at least one photoinitiator each in an amount sufficient to facilitate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component when a surface of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition is exposed to radiation, and then exposing the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation in an amount sufficient to crosslink the radiation-crosslinkable component thereby providing a thermoplastic polyolefin composition having enhanced surface durability.