TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to polyethylene compositions and applications of the polyethylene compositions to make shaped articles, such as, for example, geomembranes, pipes or tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, pipe fittings, and environmental pond liners.

BACKGROUND

Geomembranes, pipes, tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, or environmental pond liners manufactured from polyolefins, for example, polyethylene resins, are relatively light in weight, easy to handle, and are non-corrosive. Existing polyolefin materials can provide a relatively high rigidity and a relatively high flexibility so that when formed into geomembranes, pipes, tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, or environmental pond liners, they can adapt to use in or on the ground. However, existing geomembranes, pipes, tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, or environmental pond liners can be subjected to a high degree of wear during installation and from contact with slurry or other abrasive particulate materials during use. In some applications, existing geomembranes, pipes, tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, or environmental pond liners may not be adequate to handle regular contact with slurry or abrasive particulate material. For example, geomembranes or environmental pond liners may be used to prevent passage of contaminants into the ground or ground water; however, such products can often come in contact with concrete or other abrasive surfaces during use. To provide another example of where existing technologies may not be adequate to handle contact with slurry or abrasive particulate materials, HDPE pipes, pipe liners, pipe coatings, or pipe fittings may not be capable of transporting gritty water-based slurries, such as mining slurries, petroleum-based slurries, and/or solvent-based slurries. Accordingly, these various applications may require the use of products having high abrasion resistance.

Accordingly, alternative polyethylene compositions having good abrasive properties, as well as good processability, are desired.

SUMMARY

Disclosed in embodiments herein are ethylene-based compositions comprising a blend of: an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having an intrinsic viscosity from 5 to 50 deciliters/gram, a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer having a density of from 0.850 to 0.910 g/cc, and optionally, a fluoropolymer. Also disclosed herein are shaped articles, such as geomembranes, comprising at least one component formed from the ethylene-based compositions described herein.

Additional features and advantages of the embodiments will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing and the following description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of ethylene-based compositions comprising a blend of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer, and optionally, a fluoropolymer. As used herein, ethylene-based compositions refers to compositions that have at least 60%, at least 70%, or at least 80%, based on the total weight amount of polymers present in the composition, of a polyethylene resin present in the composition. “Polyethylene” includes ethylene homopolymers as well as a copolymers of ethylene and one or more comonomers, where ethylene is the majority component of the copolymer. The compositions described herein are suitable for use in geomembranes, pipes or tubing, pipe coatings, pipe liners, pipe fittings, and environmental pond liners applications. It is noted, however, that this is merely an illustrative implementation of the embodiments disclosed herein. The embodiments are applicable to other technologies that are susceptible to similar problems as those discussed above. For example, the compositions described herein may be used in drip irrigation tape and tubing, films, sheets, tapes, fibers, caps and closures, and molded articles by molding processes, including blow molding, compression molding, and injection molding (for example, the injection molding of pipe fittings), all of which are within the purview of the present embodiments.

The compositions described herein may comprise from 30 to 70 wt. % of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. All individual values and subranges of 30 to 70 wt. % are included and disclosed herein. For example, the composition may comprise from a lower limit of 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 wt. % to an upper limit of 70, 65, 60, 55, or 50 wt. % of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In some embodiments, the composition comprises from 35 to 70 wt. %, 35 to 65 wt. %, or 40 to 65 wt. % of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In addition to the amount of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, the compositions may further comprise from 30 to 70 wt. % of the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer. All individual values and subranges of 30-70 wt. % are included and disclosed herein. For example, the composition may comprise from a lower limit of 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 wt. % to an upper limit of 70, 65, 60, 55, or 50 wt. % of the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer. In some embodiments, the composition comprises from 30 to 65 wt. %, 30 to 60 wt. %, or 35 to 60 wt. % of the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer.

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes described herein may be a polyethylene homopolymer or ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, each having an ultra-high molecular weight. This may be indicated by melt index (I₂), high load melt index (I₂₁), a viscosity measurement (e.g., intrinsic or melt viscosity), and/or GPC. Suitable copolymers may include alpha-olefins having 3 to 10 carbon atoms or, in some embodiments, 3 to 5 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer may comprise up to about 5 mol. % of the alpha-olefin comonomer, up to about 2 mol. %. of the alpha-olefin comonomer, or up to about 1 mol. % of the alpha-olefin comonomer. Suitable ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes may include, but is not limited to, the GUR® 4050 polymer available from Ticona Engineering Polymers, and the UTEC® 6540 or 6541 polymers available from Braskem.

In embodiments herein, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an intrinsic viscosity of from 5 to 50 deciliters/gram. All individual values and subranges of from 5 to 50 deciliters/gram are disclosed and included herein. For example, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have an intrinsic viscosity ranging from a lower limit of 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 deciliters/gram to an upper limit of 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, or 25 deciliters/gram. In some embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an intrinsic viscosity of from 5 to 50 deciliters/gram, 5 to 40 deciliters/gram, 7 to 40 deciliters/gram, or 10 to 30 deciliters/gram. The intrinsic viscosity may be determined in accordance with ASTM D 4020.

In embodiments herein, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an average particle size, D50, from 100-220 micrometers. All values and subranges are included herein. For example, in some embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an average particle size, D50, from 180-220 micrometers. In other embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an average particle size, D50, from 120-140 micrometers. The average particle size, D50, may be determined in accordance with ASTM D1921.

In embodiments herein, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a melt temperature from 125 to 140° C. All values and subranges are included herein. For example, in some embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a melt temperature from 125 to 140° C. In other embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a melt temperature from 128 to 138° C. In further embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has a melt temperature of 130 to 135° C. The melt temperature may be determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with ASTM D3418.

In embodiments herein, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000,000 g/mole. In some embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 2,000,000 or greater than or equal to 3,000,000 g/mole. In other embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 1,000,000 g/mole and less than or equal to 10,000,000 g/mole, greater than or equal to 2,000,000 g/mole and less than or equal to 10,000,000 g/mole, greater than or equal to 3,000,000 g/mole and less than or equal to 9,000,000 g/mole, or greater than or equal to 3,000,000 g/mole and less than or equal to 8,000,000 g/mole. The weight average molecular weight may be determined by GPC or light scattering.

In embodiments herein, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have a density from 0.915 to 0.950 g/cc. All values and subranges are included herein. For example, in some embodiments, the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene may have a density from 0.920 to 0.945 g/cc, from 0.920 to 0.940 g/cc, from 0.920 to 0.935 g/cc, from 0.920 to 0.930 g/cc, or from 0.921 to 0.928 g/cc. The density may be determined in accordance with ASTM D792.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin Elastomer

The thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE) is a polyolefin that (1) has the properties of an elastomer, i.e., the ability to be stretched beyond its original length and retract to substantially its original length when released, and (2) can be processed like a thermoplastic, i.e., to soften when exposed to heat and return to substantially its original condition when cooled to room temperature. In embodiments herein, the TPE has a density of from 0.850 to 0.910 g/cc. All individual values and subranges are included and disclosed herein. For example, the TPE may have a density ranging from a lower limit of 0.850, 0.852, 0.855, 0.860, 0.862, 0.865, 0.870, 0.875, or 0.880 g/cc to an upper limit of 0.910, 0.908, 0.905, 0.902, 0.900, 0.898, 0.895, 0.890, 0.885, or 0.880 g/cc. In some embodiments, the TPE has a density of from 0.852 to 0.910 g/cc, 0.855 to 0.900 g/cc, or 0.855 to 0.895 g/cc.

In exemplary embodiments of the composition of the present disclosure, the TPE component includes ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers and/or ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymers. Suitable ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers may include the ENGAGE™ and AFFINITY™ elastomers and plastomers, available from The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) and suitable ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymers (OBCs) may include the INFUSE™ resins, available from The Dow Chemical Company, (Midland, Mich.).

Ethylene/Alpha-Olefin Interpolymer

The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers are copolymers of ethylene with at least one C₃-C₂₀α-olefin. Examples of suitable comonomers include C₃-C₂₀α-olefins such as propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, and the like. In some embodiments, the comonomer is 1-Butene or 1-octene. The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have at greater than 50% based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers of ethylene.

The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer may be a homogeneously branched linear or homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer. Processes for preparing homogeneous polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,075; U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,031; and PCT International Application WO 93/03093; each of which is incorporated, herein, by reference in its entirety. Further details regarding the production of homogeneous ethylene α-olefin copolymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,075; U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,031; PCT International Publication Number WO 93/03093; PCT International Publication Number WO 90/03414; all four of which are herein incorporated, herein, in their entireties, by reference.

The terms “homogeneous” and “homogeneously-branched” are used in reference to an ethylene/α-olefin polymer (or interpolymer), in which the comonomer(s) is randomly distributed within a given polymer molecule, and substantially all of the polymer molecules have the same ethylene-to-comonomer(s) ratio. The homogeneously branched ethylene interpolymers include linear ethylene interpolymers, and substantially linear ethylene interpolymers.

Included amongst the homogeneously branched linear ethylene interpolymers are ethylene interpolymers, which lack long chain branching, but do have short chain branches, derived from the comonomer polymerized into the interpolymer, and which are homogeneously distributed, both within the same polymer chain, and between different polymer chains. That is, homogeneously branched linear ethylene interpolymers lack long chain branching, just as is the case for the linear low density polyethylene polymers or linear high density polyethylene polymers, made using uniform branching distribution polymerization processes, as described, for example, by Elston in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,992.

Substantially linear ethylene interpolymers used in the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,236 and 5,278,272; the entire contents of each are herein. As discussed above, the substantially linear ethylene interpolymers are those in which the comonomer is randomly distributed within a given interpolymer molecule, and in which substantially all of the interpolymer molecules have the same ethylene/comonomer ratio within that interpolymer. Substantially linear ethylene interpolymers are prepared using a constrained geometry catalyst. Examples of constrained geometry catalysts, and such preparations, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,272,236 and 5,278,272.

In addition, the substantially linear ethylene interpolymers are homogeneously branched ethylene polymers having long chain branching. The long chain branches have about the same comonomer distribution as the polymer backbone, and can have about the same length as the length of the polymer backbone. As discussed above, “substantially linear,” typically, is in reference to a polymer that is substituted, on average, with 0.01 long chain branches per 1000 total carbons (including both backbone and branch carbons) to 3 long chain branches per 1000 total carbons. Commercial examples of substantially linear polymers include ENGAGE™ polymers (The Dow Chemical Company), and AFFINITY™ polymers (The Dow Chemical Company).

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn or weight average molecular weight/number average molecular weight) from 1 to 5, from 1.5 to 4, or from 2 to 3. All individual values and subranges from 1 to 5 are included herein and disclosed herein. The weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight may be determined using gel permeation chromatography techniques.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a density greater than, or equal to 0.850 g/cc, greater than, or equal to, 0.855 g/cc, or greater than, or equal to 0.860 g/cc in accordance with ASTM D792 or ISO 1183-187.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a density less than, or equal to. 0.910 g/cc, less than, or equal to, 0.900 g/cc, or less than, or equal to, 0.880 g/cc in accordance with ASTM D792 or ISO 1183-187.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a density from 0.850 to 0.910 g/cc, from 0.850 to 0.880 g/cc, or from 0.860 to 0.880 g/cc in accordance with ASTM D792 or ISO 1183-187. All individual values and subranges from 0.850 to 0.910 g/cc are included herein and disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have in accordance with ASTM D1238 or ISO 1133, a melt index, 12 (190° C./2.16 kg) greater than, or equal to, 0.05 g/10 min, greater than, or equal to, 0.1 g/10 min, or greater than, or equal to 0.2 g/10 min.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer have, in accordance with ASTM D1238 or ISO 1133, a melt index, 12 (190° C./2.16 kg), less than or equal to 50 g/10 min, less than or equal to 25 g/10 min, less than or equal to 10 g/10 min, less than or equal to 5 g/10 min, and/or less than or equal to 2 g/10 min.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have in accordance with ASTM D1238 or ISO 1133, a melt index, 12 (190° C./2.16 kg) from 0.05 to 50 g/10 min, from 0.1 to 25 g/10 min, and/or from 0.2 to 10 g/10 min. All individual values and subranges from 0.05 to 50 g/10 min are included herein and disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a number average molecular weight, (Mn) from 40,000 g/mole to 200,000 g/mole, from 50,000 g/mole to 150,000 g/mole, or from 60,000 g/mole to 100,000 g/mole. All individual values and subranges from 40,000 g/mole to 200,000 g/mole are included herein and disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a weight average molecular weight, (Mw) from 80,000 g/mole to 400,000 g/mole, from 100,000 g/mole to 300,000 g/mole, or from 120,000 g/mole to 200,000 g/mole. All individual values and subranges from 80,000 g/mole to 400,000 g/mole are included herein and disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers have a Tg less than −30° C., less than −40° C., or less than −50° C.

The ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers of the present disclosure may be produced by any process or means known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, the TPE component may comprise more than one ethylene/α-olefin block interpolymer or ethylene/α-olefin multi block interpolymer as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer component includes an ethylene/α-olefin multi block interpolymer, as described below.

Ethylene/Alpha-Olefin Multi Block Interpolymer

In certain embodiments, the at least one thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer is an ethylene/alphα-olefin multi-block interpolymer. The term “olefin block copolymer” or “OBC” means (and is interchangeable with) an “ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer” and includes ethylene and one or more copolymerizable α-olefin comonomer in polymerized form, characterized by multiple blocks or segments of two or more polymerized monomer units differing in chemical or physical properties. The term “ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer” includes block copolymer with two blocks (di-block) and more than two blocks (multi-block). The terms “interpolymer” and “copolymer” are used interchangeably herein. When referring to amounts of “ethylene” or “comonomer” in the interpolymer, it is understood that this means polymerized units thereof. In some embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is an ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer. In some embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer can be represented by the following formula:

(AB)_n,

where n is at least 1, preferably an integer greater than 1, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or higher, “A” represents a hard block or segment and “B” represents a soft block or segment. Preferably, As and Bs are linked, or covalently bonded, in a substantially linear fashion, or in a linear manner, as opposed to a substantially branched or substantially star-shaped fashion. In other embodiments, A blocks and B blocks are randomly distributed along the polymer chain In other words, the block copolymers usually do not have a structure as follows:

- AAA-AA-BBB-BB.

Ethylene comprises the majority mole fraction of the whole block copolymer, i.e., ethylene comprises at least 50 mole percent of the whole polymer. More preferably ethylene comprises at least 60 mole percent, at least 70 mole percent, or at least 80 mole percent, with the substantial remainder of the whole polymer comprising at least one other comonomer that is preferably an α-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms, or 4 or more carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer may comprise 50 mol % to 90 mol % ethylene, or 60 mol % to 85 mol % ethylene, or 65 mol % to 80 mol % ethylene. For many ethylene/octene multi-block copolymers, the composition comprises an ethylene content greater than 80 mole percent of the whole polymer and an octene content of from 10 to 15, or from 15 to 20 mole percent of the whole polymer.

The ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer includes various amounts of “hard” segments and “soft” segments. “Hard” segments are blocks of polymerized units in which ethylene is present in an amount greater than 90 weight percent, or 95 weight percent, or greater than 95 weight percent, or greater than 98 weight percent based on the weight of the polymer, up to 100 weight percent. In other words, the comonomer content (content of monomers other than ethylene) in the hard segments is less than 10 weight percent, or 5 weight percent, or less than 5 weight percent, or less than 2 weight percent based on the weight of the polymer, and can be as low as zero. In some embodiments, the hard segments include all, or substantially all, units derived from ethylene. “Soft” segments are blocks of polymerized units in which the comonomer content (content of monomers other than ethylene) is greater than 5 weight percent, or greater than 8 weight percent, greater than 10 weight percent, or greater than 15 weight percent based on the weight of the polymer. In some embodiments, the comonomer content in the soft segments can be greater than 20 weight percent, greater than 25 weight percent, greater than 30 weight percent, greater than 35 weight percent, greater than 40 weight percent, greater than 45 weight percent, greater than 50 weight percent, or greater than 60 weight percent and can be up to 100 weight percent.

The soft segments can be present in an ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer from 1 weight percent to 99 weight percent of the total weight of the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer, or from 5 weight percent to 95 weight percent, from 10 weight percent to 90 weight percent, from 15 weight percent to 85 weight percent, from 20 weight percent to 80 weight percent, from 25 weight percent to 75 weight percent, from 30 weight percent to 70 weight percent, from 35 weight percent to 65 weight percent, from 40 weight percent to 60 weight percent, or from 45 weight percent to 55 weight percent of the total weight of the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer. Conversely, the hard segments can be present in similar ranges. The soft segment weight percentage and the hard segment weight percentage can be calculated based on data obtained from DSC or NMR. Such methods and calculations are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668, entitled “Ethylene/α-Olefin Block Interpolymers,” filed on Mar. 15, 2006, in the name of Colin L. P. Shan, Lonnie Hazlitt, et al. and assigned to Dow Global Technologies Inc., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In particular, hard segment and soft segment weight percentages and comonomer content may be determined as described in Column 57 to Column 63 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668.

The ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer is a polymer comprising two or more chemically distinct regions or segments (referred to as “blocks”) preferably joined (or covalently bonded) in a linear manner, that is, a polymer comprising chemically differentiated units which are joined end-to-end with respect to polymerized ethylenic functionality, rather than in pendent or grafted fashion. In an embodiment, the blocks differ in the amount or type of incorporated comonomer, density, amount of crystallinity, crystallite size attributable to a polymer of such composition, type or degree of tacticity (isotactic or syndiotactic), regio-regularity or regio-irregularity, amount of branching (including long chain branching or hyper-branching), homogeneity or any other chemical or physical property. Compared to block interpolymers of the prior art, including interpolymers produced by sequential monomer addition, fluxional catalysts, or anionic polymerization techniques, the present ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer is characterized by unique distributions of both polymer polydispersity (PDI or Mw/Mn or MWD), polydisperse block length distribution, and/or polydisperse block number distribution, due, in an embodiment, to the effect of the shuttling agent(s) in combination with multiple catalysts used in their preparation.

In an embodiment, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer is produced in a continuous process and possesses a polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) from 1.7 to 3.5, or from 1.8 to 3, or from 1.8 to 2.5, or from 1.8 to 2.2. When produced in a batch or semi-batch process, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer possesses Mw/Mn from 1.0 to 3.5, or from 1.3 to 3, or from 1.4 to 2.5, or from 1.4 to 2.

In a further embodiment, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer is defined as having:

(A) Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, at least one melting point, Tm, in degrees Celsius, and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, where in the numerical values of Tm and d correspond to the relationship:

- Tm>−2002.9+4538.5(d)−2422.2(d)², and/or

(B) Mw/Mn from about 1.7 to about 3.5, and is characterized by a heat of fusion, ΔH in J/g, and a delta quantity, ΔT, in degrees Celsius defined as the temperature difference between the tallest DSC peak and the tallest Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (“CRYSTAF”) peak, wherein the numerical values of ΔT and ΔH have the following relationships:

- ΔT>−0.1299 (H)+62.81 for ΔH greater than zero and up to 130 J/g
- ΔT≥48° C. for ΔH greater than 130 J/g
  
  wherein the CRYSTAF peak is determined using at least 5 percent of the cumulative polymer, and if less than 5 percent of the polymer has an identifiable CRYSTAF peak, then the CRYSTAF temperature is 30° C.; and/or
  
  (C) elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle measured with a compression-molded film of the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer, and has a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the numerical values of Re and d satisfy the following relationship when ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer is substantially free of crosslinked phase:
- Re>1481−1629(d); and/or
  
  (D) has a molecular weight fraction which elutes between 40° C. and 130° C. when fractionated using TREF, characterized in that the fraction has a molar comonomer content of at least 5 percent higher than that of a comparable random ethylene interpolymer fraction eluting between the same temperatures, wherein said comparable random ethylene interpolymer has the same comonomer(s) and has a melt index, density and molar comonomer content (based on the whole polymer) within 10 percent of that of the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer; and/or
  
  (E) has a storage modulus at 25° C., G′ (25° C.), and a storage modulus at 100° C., G′ (100° C.), wherein the ratio of G′(25° C.) to G′(100° C.) is in the range of about 1:1 to about 9:1.

The ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymer may also have:

(F) molecular fraction which elutes between 40° C. and 130° C. when fractionated using TREF, characterized in that the fraction has a block index of at least 0.5 and up to about 1 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, greater than about 1.3; and/or

(G) average block index greater than zero and up to about 1.0 and a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn greater than about 1.3.

It is understood that the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer may have one, some, all, or any combination of properties (A)-(G). Block Index can be determined as described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668 herein incorporated by reference for that purpose. Analytical methods for determining properties (A) through (G) are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668, Col. 31, line 26 through Col. 35, line 44, which is herein incorporated by reference for that purpose.

The olefin block copolymers can be produced via a chain shuttling process such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,706, which is herein incorporated by reference. In particular, suitable chain shuttling agents and related information are listed in Col. 16, line 39 through Col. 19, line 44. Suitable catalysts are described in Col. 19, line 45 through Col. 46, line 19 and suitable co-catalysts in Col. 46, line 20 through Col. 51 line 28. The process is described throughout the document, but particularly in Col. Col 51, line 29 through Col. 54, line 56. The process is also described, for example, in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,668; U.S. Pat. No. 7,893,166; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,947,793. Further exemplary catalytic processes include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,785,554, which is herein incorporated by reference.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer has a density greater than 0.850 g/cc, further greater than 0.860 g/cc, and further greater than 0.865 g/cc. The density may be, for example, from 0.850 g/cc to 0.910 g/cc, from 0.860 g/cc to 0.905 g/cc, and from 0.860 to 0.900 g/cc. Density is measured by the procedure of ASTM D-792 or ISO 1183.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer, and further copolymer, has a melting point of greater than 90° C., further greater than 100° C. The melting point is measured by Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) method described in U.S. Publication 2006/0199930 (WO 2005/090427), incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the ethylene/α-olefin multi-block interpolymer, and further copolymer, has a melt index (I2) greater than, or equal to, 0.1 g/10 min, and further greater than, or equal to, 0.5 g/10 min, and less than, or equal to, 50 g/10 min, further less than, or equal to, 20 g/10 min, and further less than, or equal to, 10 g/10 min, as determined using ASTM D-1238 or ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg load).

Composition

In embodiments herein, the composition has a high load melt index (I21) from 0.1 to 40 g/10 min. All individual values and subranges from 0.1 to 40 g/10 min are included and disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the composition has a high load melt index (I21) from 0.1 to 20 g/10 min. In other embodiments, the composition has a high load melt index (I21) from 0.3 to 18 g/10 min. In further embodiments, the composition has a high load melt index (I21) from 0.5 to 15 g/10 min.

In addition to the high load melt index, the composition may further have a density in the range of 0.890-0.930 g/cc (or 0.890-0.926 g/cc), a weight average molecular weight, Mw, of from 250,000 to 2,000,000 g/mole (or 400,000 to 1,600,000 g/mole), a molecular weight distribution (ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight, Mw/Mn) of 7 to 40 (or 5 to 20), and/or a Eta^0.1of 75,000 to 3,500,000 Pa-sec (or 100,000-3,000,000 Pa-sec).

In embodiments herein, the compositions may exhibit a % mass loss as measured according to the sand slurry pot test of less than 3.5% (or, in some embodiments, less than 2.5%).

The compositions described herein may contain one or more optional additives. Additives include, but are not limited to, processing aids, acid neutralizers, UV stabilizers, hydro peroxide decomposers, alkyl radical scavengers, hindered amine stabilizers, multifunctional stabilizers, phosphites, antioxidants, process stabilizers, metal de-activators, additives to improve oxidative or chlorine resistance, pigments or colorants, nucleating agents, fatty acid stearates, fluoroelastomers, fillers, and combinations thereof.

In embodiments herein, the compositions may contain one or more processing aids. In some embodiments, the processing aid may comprise one or more fluoropolymers. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the inclusion of one or more fluoropolymers in the compositions described herein improves processability of the composition, by lowering the apparent melt viscosity of the composition to reduce build up at an extrusion die. Additionally, the inclusion of one or more fluoropolymers in the compositions described herein does not adversely affect the mechanical properties of the compositions. Suitable fluoropolymers may include, but are not limited to, vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene, 2-hydropentafluoropropylene, and combinations thereof. Other examples of suitable fluoropolymers may include, but are not limited to, copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and one or more comonomers selected from hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene, and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene. Further examples of suitable fluoropolymers may include, but are not limited to, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and one or more comonomers selected from hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. In some examples, the fluoropolymers may further be blended with olefins, such as, for example, propylene, or a polyether, such as for example, polyethylene oxide. In some embodiments, the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene/tetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene/propylene, tetrafluoroethylene/propylene/vinylidene fluoride, or vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene/polyethylene oxide. In other embodiments, the fluoropolymer is selected from the group consisting of vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene/tetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene/propylene/vinylidene fluoride, or vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene/polyethylene oxide. In further embodiments, the fluoropolymer is vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene/tetrafluoroethylene.

The fluoropolymer described herein may also be characterized by one or more properties. In some embodiments, the fluoropolymers employed in the compositions described herein may have a melting point of 100 to 135° C., as measured by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to ASTM D4591-07. In some embodiments, the fluoropolymers employed in the compositions described herein may have a density of 1.80 to 2.20 g/cc. The density may be determined according to ASTM D792. In some embodiments, the fluoropolymers employed in the compositions described herein may have a melt flow index (265° C.; 5 kg) of 2.0 to 20.0 g/10 min. The melt flow index (MFI) may be determined according to ASTM D1238 at 265° C., 5.0 kg. The one or more fluoropolymers may be employed in the compositions such that the total fluoropolymer level is from 50 to 5000 ppm, from 100 to 3000, from 150 to 2000, or from 250 to 1000 ppm. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that incorporation of one or more fluoropolymers into the compositions described herein can contribute to more homogenized blends during compounding and also to better abrasion resistant properties by reducing the coefficient of friction at the surface of the compositions described herein.

The compositions described herein may be manufactured by any suitable mixing means known in the art, including melt or dry/physical blending of the individual components. It should be understood that other suitable methods for blending the components together may be utilized. In some embodiments herein, the components may be blended under high shear conditions. For example, the components may be blended at a shear rate of greater than or equal to 5/sec, greater than or equal to 10/sec, greater than or equal to 20/sec, or greater than or equal to 50/sec. In other embodiments, the components may be blended at a shear rate of greater than or equal to 5/sec to less than or equal to 1000/sec. All individual values and subranges of greater than or equal to 5/sec and less than or equal to 1000/sec are included and disclosed herein. It should be understood that various shear rate combinations (e.g., a shear rate of 5/sec for a period of time, then change to a shear rate of 50/sec for a period of time) may also be used.

The compositions described herein can be used to manufacture a shaped article, or one or more components of a shaped article. Such articles may be single-layer or multi-layer articles, which may be obtained by suitable known conversion techniques, applying heat, pressure, or a combination thereof, to obtain the desired article. Examples of suitable conversion techniques may include, for example, blow-molding, co-extrusion blow-molding, injection molding, injection stretch blow molding, compression molding, extrusion, pultrusion, calendering and thermoforming. Shaped articles may include, for example, pipes, pipe liners, pipe coatings (for example, steel pipe coatings), blow molded articles, injection molded articles, compression molded articles, drip tapes and tubings, films, sheets, fibers, profiles and moldings.

In some embodiments, the compositions described herein may be particularly well-suited for use in manufacturing durable pipes. Pipes can include monolayer pipes, as well as multilayer pipes, including multilayer composite pipes. Pipes formed from the compositions described herein may also contain a suitable combination of additives and/or fillers designed for pipe applications. In other embodiments, the compositions described herein may be well-suited for use in manufacturing a pipe liner.

The embodiments described herein may be further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise stated, the following test methods are used.

Density

Density for ethylene-based polymers is determined according to ASTM D792.

Melt Index

Melt index, or I₂, for ethylene-based polymers is determined according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C., 2.16 kg. High load melt index, or I₂₁, for ethylene-based polymers is determined according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C., 21.6 kg.

Gel Permeation Chromatography

The chromatographic system consisted of a PolymerChar GPC-IR (Valencia, Spain) high temperature GPC chromatograph equipped with a 4-capillary differential viscometer detector and a IR5 multi-fixed wavelength infra-red detector. A Precision Detectors (Agilent) 2-angle laser light scattering detector Model 2040 was added to the system. The 15-degree angle of the light scattering detector was used for calculation purposes. Data collection was performed using “GPC One” software from PolymerChar. The system was equipped with an on-line solvent degas device from Agilent.

Both the carousel compartment and the column compartment were operated at 150° C. The columns used were 4 Agilent “Mixed A” 30 cm 20-micron columns. The chromatographic solvent used was 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene and contained 200 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The solvent source was nitrogen sparged. The injection volume used was 200 microliters and the flow rate was 1.0 milliliters/minute.

For conventional molecular weight measurements, the GPC column set was calibrated with at least 20 narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene standards (Agilent) with molecular weights ranging from 580 to 8,400,000 and were arranged in 6 “cocktail” mixtures with at least a decade of separation between individual molecular weight components. The polystyrene standards were prepared at 0.025 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights equal to or greater than 1,000,000, and 0.05 grams in 50 milliliters of solvent for molecular weights less than 1,000,000. The polystyrene standards were dissolved at 80 degrees Celsius with gentle agitation for 30 minutes. The polystyrene standard peak molecular weights were converted to polyethylene molecular weights using the following equation (as described in Williams and Ward, J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Let., 6, 621 (1968)).:

M_polyethylene=A×(M_polystyrene)^B

where M is the molecular weight, A has a value of approximately 0.41 for conventional GPC and triple detector backbone MW calculations (referencing an A value that yields an Mw of 52,000 for SRM NBS1475) and B is equal to 1.0. A third-order polynomial was used to fit the respective polyethylene-equivalent calibration points. Data calculations were performed using “GPC One” software from PolymerChar.

Dynamic Mechanical Spectroscopy (DMS)

Resins are compression-molded into “25×3 mm” circular plaques at 190° C., for six and a half minutes, under 20,000 lbs, in air. The sample is then taken out of the press, and placed on a counter to cool.

A constant temperature frequency sweep is performed using a TA Instruments “Advanced Rheometric Expansion System (ARES),” equipped with 25 mm (diameter) parallel plates, under a nitrogen purge. The sample is placed on the plate, and allowed to melt for five minutes at 190° C. The plates are then closed to a gap of “2 mm,” the sample trimmed (extra sample that extends beyond the circumference of the “25 mm diameter” plate is removed), and then the test is started. The method has an additional five minute delay built in, to allow for temperature equilibrium. The experiments are performed at 190° C. over a frequency range of 0.1 to 100 rad/s. The strain amplitude is constant at 10%. The viscosity at 0.1 rad/s (Eta^0.1) may be calculated from this data and is reported in Pa-sec.

Abrasion Resistance Test (Sand Slurry Test)

A Sand Slurry Test Rig, similar to that described in ISO-15527, was used for abrasion resistance test. The test rig was 11 inches deep by 9 inches in internal diameter. The test rig contained 10.2 kilograms of 16 grit aluminum oxide (Alox 16) and 6.2 kilograms of water, which filled the bottom 8 inches of the vessel. A 6 in L×6 in W×10 mm thick compression molded plaque is cut into test coupons with dimension of 3.875 ifprefernch L×1.25 inch W×10 mm thick. A test coupon was attached to the bottom of a 10 inch long drive shaft that rotated the test coupon 2 inches above the bottom of the test rig at about 1,500 rpm. A minimum of 3 samples each were tested for 90 mins at room temperature at 1,500 rpm. The test produced significant, but reproducible mass loss on the test coupons. For each test, fresh grit and water were used. The weight of each test coupon was measured before and after the abrasion test. The following calculations were made: Weight Loss for Each Test Coupon, g=[Before Abrasion Weight, g]−[After Abrasion Weight, g]; Average Weight Loss=[ΣWeight Loss for Each Test Coupon, g]/[Number of Measurements]; % Weight Loss for Each Test Coupon=[Weight Loss for Each Test Coupon (g)/Before Abrasion Weight (g)]×100%; Average % Weight Loss=[Σ% Weight Loss]/[Number Of Measurements]. The endpoints of the Range of Loss were selected from the lowest and highest Weight Loss values.

EXAMPLES

The following compositions are used in the Examples described below.

Inventive Example 1

An ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a weight average molecular weight of 8,000,000 g/mole, a density of 0.925 g/cc, an intrinsic viscosity of 28 dL/g, and an average particle size, D50, of 150 μm (UTEC™ 6541, available from Braskem, Brazil), and a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (INFUSE™ 9010, density=0.877 g/cc, melt index I₂=0.5 g/10 min, Mw/Mn of 2.6, available from The Dow Chemical Company, USA) were blended at a 65:35 weight ratio to form a composition. The composition was then compounded with 600 ppm of a fluoropolymer process aid that has a melt flow index (265° C., 5 Kg) of 10 g/10 minutes (Dynamar FX5911, available from 3M, Inc., USA), using a LabTech 26 mm twin screw compounder, at the following processing parameters to produce uniform pellets:

- Barrel Temperatures: 275° C. flat temperature profile
- Die Temperatures: 280° C. flat temperature profile
- Screw RPM: 130; Torque: 80%; Melt Temperature: 280° C.