Unbridged Monocyclopentadienyl Metal Complex Catalyst and a Process for Polyolefin Production

The invention relates to a catalyst composition for olefin polymerization and a process for polymerizing polyolefins, especially copolymers of ethylene-alpha olefins, ethylene-alpha olefin-dienes, and polypropylene using a metallocene catalyst. More particularly, the invention concerns the polymerization of polyolefins having less than 50% crystallinity using a metallocene catalyst containing a transition metal and an aluminoxane.

There has been a growing interest in the use of metallocenes for polyolefin production. Many metallocenes for polyolefin production are difficult and time-consuming to prepare, require large amounts of alumoxane, and exhibit poor reactivity toward higher olefins, especially for making ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers and ethylene-alpha olefin-diene terpolymers. Moreover, the ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers and ethylene-alpha olefin-diene terpolymers prepared using these metallocenes often have undesirably low molecular weights (i.e., Mw less that 50,000).

The so-called "constrained geometry" catalysts such as those disclosed in EP 0 420 436 and EP 0 416 815 can provide a high comonomer response and a high molecular weight copolymer, but are difficult to prepare and purify, and, therefore, are expensive. Another drawback of the bridged amido-cyclopentadienyl titanium catalyst system is that in order to form an active oxide-supported catalyst, it is necessary to use fairly high levels of alumoxane (see, e.g., WO96/16092) or to employ mixtures of aluminum alkyl and an activator based on derivatives of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (see, e.g., WO95/07942), itself an expensive reagent, thus raising the cost of running the catalyst. In the constrained geometry catalyst art, such as in EP 0 416 815 A2 (page 2, lines 5-9 and 43-51), it is pointed out that the angle formed by the cyclopentadienyl centroid, transition metal, and amide nitrogen is critical to catalyst performance. Indeed, comparison of the published result using a bridged amido-cyclopentadienyl titanium systems with similar unbridged systems has generally shown the unbridged analogs to be relatively inactive. One such system, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,016 shows very low activity, while having some of the desirable copolymerization behavior.

In contrast to the constrained geometry catalysts, the catalyst of the invention is unconstrained or unbridged and relatively easily and inexpensively prepared using commercially available starting materials. Further, the level of aluminoxane utilized can be lowered. That is, in the present invention, the precursor can be dried onto a support or with a spray drying material with Al:Ti ratios below 100:1 to form highly active catalysts with similar polymerization behavior to their unsupported analogs of the invention and polymerization behavior similar to constrained catalysts.

In Idemitsu Kosan JPO 8/231622, it is reported that the active catalyst may be formed starting from (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)Ti(OMe).sub.3 and that the polymer formed has a relatively wide or broad compositional distribution. The present invention does not utilize this precursor.

Typically, polyolefins such as EPRs and EPDMs are produced commercially using vanadium catalysts. In contrast to polyolefins produced using vanadium catalysts, those produced by the catalysts of the present invention have high molecular weight and narrower composition distribution (i.e., lower crystallinity at an equivalent alpha olefin content.

There is an on-going need to provide a catalyst employing a metallocene which is easy to prepare, does not require large amounts of aluminoxane and which readily copolymerizes to produce ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers, ethylene-alpha olefin-diene terpolymers, and polypropylene, as well as producing polyethylene.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a catalyst comprising:

(A) a transition metal compound having the formula: (C.sub.5 R.sup.1.sub.5)MX.sub.3, wherein each R.sup.1 substituent is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, an aryl, and a heteroatom-substituted aryl or alkyl, with the proviso that no more than three R.sup.1 substituents are hydrogen; and wherein two or more R.sup.1 substituents may be linked together forming a ring; M is a transition metal of Group IVB of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and X is a halide atom (F, Br, Cl, or I);

(B) a compound having the formula: R.sup.2 OH, wherein R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl;

(C) a bulky phenol compound having the formula: (C.sub.6 R.sup.3.sub.5)OH, wherein each R.sup.3 group is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, an aryl, a heteroatom substituted alkyl or aryl, wherein two or more R.sup.3 groups may be linked together forming a ring, and in which at least one R.sup.3 is represented by a C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 linear or branched alkyl located at either or both the 2 and 6 position (i.e., the ortho positions relative to the OH group being in position 1) of the bulky phenol compound; and

(D) an aluminoxane.

There is also provided a polymerization process employing the catalyst composition and a polymer produced using the catalyst. A cable composition is also provided.

Catalyst. The catalyst contains a transition metal precursor (Component A), an alcohol (Component B), a substituted bulky phenol (Component C), an aluminoxane (Component D). The catalyst of the invention can be unsupported (that is, in liquid form), supported, spray dried, or used as a prepolymer. Support and/or spray drying material is described as optional Component E.

Component A is a transition metal compound having the formula: (C.sub.5 R.sup.1.sub.5)MX.sub.3, wherein each R.sup.1 substituent is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, an aryl, and a heteroatom-substituted aryl or alkyl, with the proviso that no more than three R.sup.1 substituents are hydrogen; and wherein two or more R.sup.1 substituents may be linked together forming a ring; M is a transition metal of Group IVB of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and X is a halide atom (F, Br, Cl, or I). Transition metals can include, for example, titanium, zirconium, and hafnium. Preferably, the transition metal, M, is titanium. Illustrative titanium compounds can include: pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride; pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium tribromide; pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium triiodide; 1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl-titanium trichloride; tetramethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride; fluorenyltitanium trichloride; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyltitanium trichloride; 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-fluorenyltitanium trichloride; 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorenyl-titanium trichloride; 1,2,3-trimethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride; 1,2,4-trimethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride; 1-n-butyl-3-methyl-cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride; methylindenyltitanium trichloride; 2-methylindenyltitanium trichloride; and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2-methylindenyltitanium trichloride. Illustrative zirconium and hafnium compounds useful in the catalyst precursor of the invention by replacing titanium in the above-enumerated compounds with zirconium and hafnium. In the precursor, a heteroatom is an atom other than carbon (e.g, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and so forth) in the ring of the heterocyclic moiety.

Component B is an alcohol having the formula: R.sup.2 OH, wherein R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl. Illustrative R.sup.2 OH compounds in which R.sup.2 is alkyl can include, for example, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol (including n- and t-butanol), pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol. Preferably, R.sup.2 is a methyl group.

Component C is a bulky phenol compound having the formula: (C.sub.6 R.sup.3.sub.5)OH, wherein each R.sup.3 group is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halide, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, an aryl, a heteroatom substituted alkyl or aryl, wherein two or more R.sup.3 groups may be linked together forming a ring, and in which at least one R.sup.3 is represented by a C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 linear or branched alkyl located at either or both the 2 and 6 position (i.e., the ortho positions relative to the OH group being in position 1) of the bulky phenol compound;. In the formula, preferably none of the R.sup.3 groups is a methoxy group. Preferably, suitable R.sup.3 groups can include, for example, t-butyl, isopropyl, n-hexyl and mixtures thereof.

Component D is a cocatalyst capable of activating the catalyst precursor is employed as Component D. Preferably, the activating cocatalyst is a linear or cyclic oligomeric poly(hydrocarbylaluminum oxide) which contain repeating units of the general formula --(Al(R*)O)--, where R* is hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, or an aryl radical such as a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group. More preferably, the activating cocatalyst is an aluminoxane such as methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO).

Aluminoxanes are well known in the art and comprise oligomeric linear alkyl aluminoxanes represented by the formula: ##STR1## and oligomeric cyclic alkyl aluminoxanes of the formula: ##STR2## wherein s is 1-40, preferably 10-20; p is 3-40, preferably 3-20; and R*** is an alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably methyl.

Aluminoxanes may be prepared in a variety of ways. Generally, a mixture of linear and cyclic aluminoxanes is obtained in the preparation of aluminoxanes from, for example, trimethylaluminum and water. For example, an aluminum alkyl may be treated with water in the form of a moist solvent. Alternatively, an aluminum alkyl, such as trimethylaluminum, may be contacted with a hydrated salt, such as hydrated ferrous sulfate. The latter method comprises treating a dilute solution of trimethylaluminum in, for example, toluene with a suspension of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate. It is also possible to form methylaluminoxanes by the reaction of a tetraalkyldialuminoxane containing C.sub.2 or higher alkyl groups with an amount of trimethylaluminum that is less than a stoichiometric excess. The synthesis of methylaluminoxanes may also be achieved by the reaction of a trialkyl aluminum compound or a tetraalkyldialuminoxane containing C.sub.2 or higher alkyl groups with water to form a polyalkyl aluminoxane, which is then reacted with trimethylaluminum. Further, modified methylaluminoxanes, which contain both methyl groups and higher alkyl groups, i.e., isobutyl groups, may be synthesized by the reaction of a polyalkyl aluminoxane containing C.sub.2 or higher alkyl groups with trimethylaluminum and then with water as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,584.

The mole ratio of aluminum atoms contained in the poly(hydrocarbylaluminum oxide) to total metal atoms contained in the catalyst precursor is generally in the range of from about 2:1 to about 100,000:1, preferably in the range of from about 10:1 to about 10,000:1, and most preferably in the range of from about 50:1 to about 2,000:1.

Preferably, Component D is an alumoxane of the formula (AlR.sup.5 O).sub.m (AlR.sup.6 O).sub.n in which R.sup.5 is a methyl group, R.sup.6 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, m ranges from 3 to 50; and n ranges from 1 to 20. Most preferably, R.sup.6 is a methyl group.

Component E. Optionally, one or more of the above-described catalyst components may be impregnated in or deposited on a support, or alternatively spray dried with a support material. These support or spray drying materials are typically solid materials which are inert with respect to the other catalyst components and/or reactants employed in the polymerization process. Suitable support or spray drying materials can include silica, carbon black, polyethylene, polycarbonate, porous crosslinked polystyrene, porous crosslinked polypropylene, alumina, thoria, titania, zirconia, magnesium halide (e.g., magnesium dichloride), and mixtures thereof. Preferred among these support materials are silica, alumina, carbon black, and mixtures thereof. These are composed of porous particulate supports that usually have been calcined at a temperature sufficient to remove substantially all physically bound water.

The molar ratio of Component B to Component A ranges from about 2:1 to 200:1; preferably about 2:1 to 50:1; and, most preferably, is about 2:1 to 20:1. The molar ratio of Component C to Component A ranges from about 5:1 to 1000:1; preferably about 10:1 to 300:1; and, most preferably is about 30:1 to 200:1. The molar ratio of Component D to Component A ranges from about 10:1 to 10,000:1, preferably about 30:1 to 2,000:1, and most preferably, is about 50:1 to 1000:1, with the provisos that (1) the ratio of Component B to Component D does not exceed 0.7:1, and is preferably between 0.001:1 to 0.050:1; and (2) the ratio of Component C to Component D does not exceed 1:1, and is preferably below 0.7:1. When Component E is employed as a support or spray drying material, it is employed in an amount ranging from about 7 to 200 g/mmol, preferably 12 to 100 g/mmol, and most preferably 20 to 70 g/mmol (grams of Component E per millimole Component A).

Process for Making the Catalyst. The individual catalyst components (Components A, B, C, D and optionally E) can be combined in any order prior to polymerization. Alternatively, the individual catalyst components can be fed to the polymerization reactor such that the catalyst is formed in-situ.

Preferably, the active catalyst is prepared as follows. In Step 1, Components A and B are mixed in an inert hydrocarbon solvent suitable for dissolving Components A through D under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen) for at least 15 minutes or longer (e.g., up to 3 days). The components are combined such that Component A is mixed with at least three molar equivalents of Component B. Typical inert solvents can include, for example, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, etc. Preferred among these solvents is toluene.

In Step 2, Component C is mixed with Component D in one of the above-described inert hydrocarbon solvents, preferably the same solvent employed in Step 1, under an inert atomosphere (e.g., nitrogen and/or argon) for at least 15 minutes or longer (e.g., for up to 3 days). The ratio of aluminum (in the aluminoxane, Component D) to phenol of the bulky phenol compound (Component C) ranges from 1.4:1 to 1000:1; preferably 3:1 to 100:1; most preferably 3:1 to 10:1.

Optionally, the support or spray drying material (Component E) can be added to any of the above-described solutions, mixtures, and/or slurries. When Component E is employed the mixing should take place for about 30 minutes or more and the ratio of aluminum to support material is in the range of about 0.5 to 10 mmol./g., preferably, 2 to 5 mmol./g.

In Step 3, the mixture of Components A and B is combined with the mixture of Components C and D (and optional E) in such proportion that the molar ratio of aluminum to transition metal is about 5 to 5000, preferably 30 to 1000, and the molar ratio of Component B to aluminum is less than 0.5. The mixture is stirred for at least about 5 minutes. The mixture can be used as a liquid for direct injection into the polymerization reactor, or, if Component E is present, may be dried in vacuo to a free-flowing powder or spray-dried in an inert atmosphere. If Component E is not present, the catalyst is then fed to the reactor in liquid form. If Component E is present and the catalyst is in solid form, it may be introduced into the reactor by a variety of methods known to those skilled in the art such as by inert gas conveyance or by injection of a mineral oil slurry of the catalyst.

Polymerization Process and Conditions. The above-described catalyst composition can be used for the polymerization of monomers (e.g., olefins, diolefins, and/or vinyl aromatic compounds) in a suspension, solution, slurry, or gas phase process using known equipment and reaction conditions, and it is not limited to any specific type of reaction. However, the preferred polymerization process is a gas phase process employing a fluidized bed. Gas phase processes employable in the present invention can include so-called "conventional" gas phase processes, "condensed-mode," and, most recent, "liquid-mode" processes.

In many processes, it is desirable to include a scavenger in the reactor to remove adventitious poisons such as water or oxygen before they can lower catalyst activity. In such cases, it is recommended that trialkylaluminum species not be used, but rather that methylalumoxane be employed for such purposes.

Conventional fluidized processes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,922,322; 4,035,560; 4,994,534, and 5,317,036.

Condensed mode polymerizations, including induced condensed mode, are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,543,399; 4,588,790; 4,994,534; 5,317,036; 5,352,749; and 5,462,999. For polymerizations producing alpha olefin homopolymers and copolymers condensing mode operation is preferred.

Liquid mode or liquid monomer polymerization mode is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,471; U.S. Ser. No. 510,375 filed on Aug. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,571; and WO 96/04322 (PCT/US95/09826) and WO 96/04323 (PCT/US95/09827). For polymerizations such as ethylene-propylene copolymer (e.g., EPMs), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (e.g., EPDMs), and diolefin (e.g., butadiene) polymerizations, it is preferable to use liquid mode and to employ an inert particulate material, a so-called fluidization aid. Inert particulate materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,534 and include carbon black, silica, clay, talc, and mixtures thereof. Of these, carbon black, silica, and mixtures of them are preferred. When employed as fluidization aids, these inert particulate materials are used in amounts ranging from about 0.3 to about 80% by weight, preferably about 5 to 50% based on the weight of the polymer produced. The use of inert particulate materials as fluidization aids in polymer polymerization produces a polymer having a core-shell configuration such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,588. The catalyst of the invention in combination with one or more of these fluidization aids produces a resin particle comprising an outer shell having a mixture of a polymer and an inert particulate material, wherein the inert particulate material is present in the outer shell in an amount higher than 75% by weight based on the weight of the outer shell; and an inner core having a mixture of inert particulate material and polymer, wherein the polymer is present in the inner core in an amount higher than 90% by weight based on the weight of the inner core. In the case of sticky polymers, these resin particles are produced by a fluidized bed polymerization process at or above the softening point of the sticky polymer.

The polymerizations can be carried out in a single reactor or multiple reactors, typically two or more in series, can also be employed. The essential parts of the reactor are the vessel, the bed, the gas distribution plate, inlet and outlet piping, at least one compressor, at least one cycle gas cooler, and a product discharge system. In the vessel, above the bed, there is a velocity reduction zone, and in the bed a reaction zone.

Generally, all of the above modes of polymerizing are carried out in a gas phase fluidized bed containing a "seed bed" of polymer which is the same or different from the polymer being produced. Preferably, the bed is made up of the same granular resin that is to be produced in the reactor.

The bed is fluidized using a fluidizing gas comprising the monomer or monomers being polymerized, initial feed, make-up feed, cycle (recycle) gas, inert carrier gas (e.g., nitrogen, argon, or inert hydrocarbon such as ethane, propane, isopentane) and, if desired, modifiers (e.g., hydrogen). Thus, during the course of a polymerization, the bed comprises formed polymer particles, growing polymer particles, catalyst particles, and optional flow aids (fluidization aids) fluidized by polymerizing and modifying gaseous components introduced at a flow rate or velocity sufficient to cause the particles to separate and act as a fluid.

In general, the polymerization conditions in the gas phase reactor are such that the temperature can range from sub-atomospheric to super-atmospheric, but is typically from about 0 to 120.degree. C., preferably about 40 to 100.degree. C., and most preferably about 40 to 80.degree. C. Partial pressure will vary depending upon the particular monomer or monomers employed and the temperature of the polymerization, and it can range from about 1 to 300 psi (6.89 to 2,0067 kiloPascals), preferably 1 to 100 psi (6.89 to 689 kiloPascals). Condensation temperatures of the monomers such as butadiene, isoprene, styrene are well known. In general, it is preferred to operate at a partial pressure slightly above to slightly below (that is, for example, .+-.10.degree. C. for low boiling monomers) the dew point of the monomer.

Polymers Produced. Olefin polymers that may be produced according to the invention include, but are not limited to, ethylene homopolymers, homopolymers of linear or branched higher alpha-olefins containing 3 to about 20 carbon atoms, and interpolymers of ethylene and such higher alpha-olefins, with densities ranging from about 0.84 to about 0.96. Homopolymers and copolymers of propylene can also be produced by the inventive catalyst and process. Suitable higher alpha-olefins include, for example, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, and 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene. Preferably, the olefin polymers according to the invention can also be based on or contain conjugated or non-conjugated dienes, such as linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon dienes having from about 4 to about 20, preferably 4 to 12, carbon atoms. Preferred dienes include 1,4-pentadiene, 1,5-hexadiene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, 1,7-octadiene, 7-methyl-1,6-octadiene, vinyl cyclohexene, dicyclopentadiene, butadiene, isobutylene, isoprene, ethylidene norbornene and the like. Aromatic compounds having vinyl unsaturation such as styrene and substituted styrenes, and polar vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile, maleic acid esters, vinyl acetate, acrylate esters, methacrylate esters, vinyl trialkyl silanes and the like may be polymerized according to the invention as well. Specific olefin polymers that may be made according to the invention include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/propylene rubbers (EPR's), ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers (EPDM's), polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and the like.

The present invention provides a cost-effective catalyst and method for making compositionally homogeneous, high-molecular weight ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers with very high levels of alpha olefin. One advantage is that the catalyst has a very high comonomer response, so the ratio of alpha olefin to ethylene present in the reaction medium can be very low, which increases the partial pressure of ethylene possible in the reactor. This improves catalyst activity. It also lessens the level of residual comonomer which must be purged or otherwise recovered from the polymer after it exits the reactor. The catalyst is also suitable for incorporation of non-conjugated dienes to form completely amorphous rubbery or elastomeric compositions. The catalyst's very high comonomer response also makes it a good candidate for the incorporation of long-chain branching into the polymer architecture through the insertion of vinyl-ended polymer chains formed via .beta.-hydride elimination. The ethylene copolymers produced by the present invention have polydespersity values (PDI) ranging from 2 to 4.6, preferably 2.6 to 4.2.

Polymers produced using the catalyst and/or process of the invention have utility in wire and cable applications, as well as in other articles such as molded and extruded articles such as hose, belting, roofing materials, tire components (tread, sidewall inner-liner, carcass, belt). Polyolefins produced using the catalyst and/or process of the invention can be cross-linked, vulcanized or cured using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

In particular, there is provided by the invention a cable comprising one or more electrical conductors, each, or a core of electrical conductors, surrounded by an insulating composition comprising a polymer produced in a gas phase polymerization process using the catalyst of the invention. Preferably, the polymer is polyethylene; a copolymer of ethylene, one or more alpha-olfins having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and, optionally, a diene(s).

Conventional additives, which can be introduced into the cable and/or polymer formulation, are exemplified by antioxidants, coupling agents, ultraviolet absorbers or stabilizers, antistatic agents, pigments, dyes, nucleating agents, reinforcing fillers or polymer additives, slip agents, plasticizers, processing aids, lubricants, viscosity control agents, tackifiers, anti-blocking agents, surfactants, extenders oils, metal deactivators, voltage stabilizers, flame retardant fillers and additives, crosslinking agents, boosters, and catalysts, and smoke suppressants. Fillers and additives can be added in amounts ranging from less than about 0.1 to more than about 200 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the base resin, for example, polyethylene.

Examples of antioxidants are: hindered phenols such as tetrakis›methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)!methane, bis›(beta-(3,5 di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-methylcarboxyethyl)!sulphide, 4,4'-thiobis( 2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-thio-bis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), and thiodiethylene bis(3,5 ditert-butyl-4-hydroxy)hydrocinnamate; phosphites and phosphonites such as tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite and di-tert-butylphenyl-phosphonite; thio compounds such as dilaurylthiodipropionate, dimyristylthiodipropionate, and distearylthiodipropionate; various siloxanes; and various amines such as polymerized 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihyroquinoline. Antioxidants can be used in amounts of about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyethylene.

The resin can be crosslinked by adding a crosslinking agent to the composition or by making the resin hydrolyzable, which is accomplished by adding hydrolyzable groups such as --Si(OR).sub.3 wherein R is a hydrocarbyl radical to the resin structure through copolymerization or grafting.

Suitable crosslinking agents are organic peroxides such as dicumyl peroxide; 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane; t-butyl cumyl peroxide; and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane-3. Dicumyl peroxide is preferred.

Hydrolyzable groups can be added, for example, by copolymerizing ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated compound having one or more --Si(OR).sub.3 groups such as vinyltrimethoxy-silane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane or grafting these silane compounds to the resin in the presence of the aforementioned organic peroxides. The hydrolyzable resins are then crosslinked by moisture in the presence of a silanol condensation catalyst such as dibutyltin dilaurate, dioctyltin maleate, dibutyltin diacetate, stannous acetate, lead naphthenate, and zinc caprylate. Dibutyltin dilaurate is preferred.

Examples of hydrolyzable copolymers and hydrolyzable grafted copolymers are ethylene/vinyltrimethoxy silane copolymer, ethylene/gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane copolymer, vinyltrimethoxy silane grafted ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymer, vinyltrimethoxy silane grafted linear low density ethylene/1-butene copolymer, and vinyltrimethoxy silane grafted low density polyethylene.

The cable and/or polymer formulation can contain a polyethylene glycol (PEG) as taught in EP 0 735 545.

The cable of the invention can be prepared in various types of extruders, e.g., single or twin screw types. Compounding can be effected in the extruder or prior to extrusion in a conventional mixer such as Brabender.TM. mixer or Banbury.TM. mixer. A description of a conventional extruder can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,600. A typical extruder has a hopper at its upstream end and a die at its downstream end. The hopper feeds into a barrel, which contains a screw. At the downstream end, between the end of the screw and the die, is a screen pack and a breaker plate. The screw portion of the extruder is considered to be divided up into three sections, the feed section, the compression section, and the metering section, and two zones, the back heat zone and the front heat zone, the sections and zones running from upstream to downstream. In the alternative, there can be multiple heating zones (more than two) along the axis running from upstream to downstream. If it has more than one barrel, the barrels are connected in series. The length to diameter ratio of each barrel is in the range of about 15:1 to about 30:1. In wire coating, where the material is crosslinked after extrusion, the die of the crosshead feeds directly into a heating zone, and this zone can be maintained at a temperature in the range of about 130.degree. C. to about 260.degree. C., and preferably in the range of about 170.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

Whereas the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims, the following specific examples illustrate certain aspects of the present invention. The examples are set forth for illustration only and are not to be construed as limitations on the invention, except as set forth in the claims. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

BHA: 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methoxyphenol

BHT: 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol

C.sub.3.sup.= :C.sub.2.sup.=, fill: ratio of propylene to ethylene in the pressurization stage of the polymerization

C.sub.3.sup.= :C.sub.2.sup.=, feed: ratio of propylene to ethylene in the period between pressurization and termination

DSC: differential scanning calorimetry

DTBP: 2,6-di-t-butylphenol

ENB: 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene

FI: flow index, ASTM standard I.sub.21, in dg/min

ICP: inductively coupled plasma method for elemental analysis

Irganox Irganox 1076, a product of Ciba-Geigy

Kemamine Kemamine AS-990, a product of Witco Corp.

MAO: methylalumoxane (Ethyl/Albemarle, solution in toluene, 1.8 or 3.6 moles Al/L)

PDI: polydispersity index, or M.sub.w /M.sub.n

PRT: peak recrystallization temperature, or the exothermic peak of the cooling trace in a DSC experiment, in degrees Celsius

SEC: size-exclusion chromatography method for molecular weight estimation

TBC: 2-t-butyl-4-methylphenol

TiBA triisobutylaluminum, 0.87 mol/L in hexanes

TTBP: 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenol

Materials

Cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride was obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. and was used without further purification. Pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride and indenyltitanium trichloride were obtained from Strem Chemicals Inc., and also used without further purification. Methylalumoxane was purchased from the Ethyl Corporation or the Albemarle Corporation and had a nominal concentration of 1.8 mol(Al)/L. (1,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl)titanium trichloride was prepared according to a literature procedure ›Jutzi, P.; Kuhn, M. J. Organomet. Chem., vol. 173 (1979), p. 221!.

Procedure for Estimation of Propylene Content by Infrared Spectroscopy:

Thin polymer samples for spectroscopy were prepared either by casting a hexane solution of the polymer onto a disk of potassium bromide and then allowing the sample to dry or by placing a small amount of polymer between two sheets of poly(ethylene terephthalate) film and subjecting the polymer to pressure and melting temperatures. A Nicolet.RTM. Model 510 IR spectrometer was used to acquire the IR spectrum, with 32 scans for each sample and background spectrum and 4 cm.sup.-1 resolution. Peak heights, suitably corrected for baseline absorbance, were measured at the following frequencies: 722, 1155, 1380, 1685, and 4250 cm.sup.-1. If the absorbance at 1380 cm.sup.-1 was less than 2.5, then the propylene content was calculated as follows: ##EQU1## Otherwise, the propylene content was estimated by the following relationship: ##EQU2## If ENB was present in the polymer, the weight fraction thereof was estimated by the following: ##EQU3##

A small glass vial was charged with magnetic stirbar and a toluene (HPLC grade, previously held over dried molecular sieves and sparged with nitrogen) solution of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 (0.0036 mmol/L) and methanol (0.014 mmol/L). A solution of DTBP in toluene (0.104 mmol/L) was prepared. A 120 mL glass bottle equipped with stirbar was then charged with 50 mL hexanes (previously dried by 13.times. molecular sieves and sparged with nitrogen) under nitrogen, followed by 1 mmol of MAO as toluene solution, then DTBP solution, such that DTBP/MAO=0.1. After stirring for approximately 5 min, 0.28 mL of the (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 /methanol solution (0.001 mmol Ti) was injected into the hexane solution. The mixture was transferred by nitrogen overpressure into a 1.3 L stainless-steel reactor (Fluitron.RTM.) which had been dried by flowing nitrogen through it while it was held at 100.degree. C. for at least 1 hour (h.). The reactor had a removable two-baffle insert and a variable speed propeller-shaped impeller, which was run at 800 rpm. Following the introduction of the hexane solution of the catalyst mixture, an additional 600 mL hexanes were transferred into the reactor. The reactor was sealed and heated to 60.degree. C., where it was held throughout the remainder of the run by a combination of cold water and steam flowed through the reactor jacket. When the reactor had reached approximately 40.degree. C., the reactor was vented of most of the nitrogen, resealed, and pressurized with 101 psig (0.70 MPa) of a mixture of propylene and ethylene, with the propylene flow made to equal that of ethylene, both measured in L/min. When the reactor had reached within ca. 0.03 MPa of the final pressure, the ratio of propylene to ethylene flows was adjusted to 1:3. The polymerization continued until 30 min after the introduction of monomer gases, at which point the reactor was vented and the temperature rapidly cooled to room temperature. The polymer was recovered by transfer of the polymer solution to a large glass beaker, to which were added ca. 500 mL of a 1:1 mixture by volume of methanol and 2-propanol. The recovered polymer weighed 11.6 g, for a catalyst activity of 23.2 kg(EPR)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer contained 43 weight % propylene by IR spectroscopy and had FI=0.36. SEC found the M.sub.w =420,100, with PDI=2.8. DSC on the polymer revealed a crystallinity of 0.83% on first heat and a PRT of -21.3.degree. C.

Polymerizations were conducted at 60.degree. C. in 650 mL hexanes. Other conditions and results are set forth in Table I.

Polymerizations were conducted at 60.degree. C. in 650 mL hexanes. Other conditions and results are combined in Table I.

In a glovebox under nitrogen, a small glass vial was charged with magnetic stirbar and 0.0145 g of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3. The vial was sealed and brought out of the glovebox, where 5 mL toluene (Aldrich anhydrous toluene, packaged under nitrogen) was added via syringe, to form a (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 /toluene solution with concentration of 0.01 mol/L. In another small glass vial sealed under nitrogen, 0.05 mL of methanol was added followed by 10 mL of same toluene to form a MeOH/Toluene solution with the concentration of 0.123 mol/L. In another small glass vial sealed under nitrogen, 2.06 g of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol (DTBP) was added followed by 20 mL of toluene to form a DTBP solution with concentration of 0.5 mol/L.

A small glass vial with stirbar was sealed under nitrogen. To this small vial, 0.5 mL of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 /toluene solution was charged with syringe (0.005 mmol Ti) followed by 0.16 mL of MeOH/toluene solution for a molar ratio of methanol to titanium of 4. This solution mixture was stirred at room temperature for 60 minutes.

A 100 mL glass bottle was charged with a stirbar and purged with nitrogen and then sealed with septum under nitrogen. To this bottle, 50 mL hexane was added followed by 0.71 mL MAO solution (3.5 mol/L in toluene). 1.0 mL DTBP solution in toluene (0.5 mol/L) was also added to this bottle followed by 2 mL of ENB. After this, 0.66 mL of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 /MeOH mixture solution was added to this bottle. In this bottle the final active catalyst was form with the ratios of DTBP/Ti=100, MeOH/Ti=4, MAO/Ti=500. ENB was added as the termonomer for EPDM polymerization.

The 1 L stainless-steel reactor (Fluitron) was baked by flowing nitrogen through it for at least one hour and then cooled to 40.degree. C. and then charged with 500 mL hexane. The mixture made above was transferred by nitrogen overpressure into this reactor. The reactor was sealed and the reactor temperature was brought to 60.degree. C. The reactor was charged with ethylene (C.sub.2.sup.=) and propylene (C.sub.3.sup.=) (C.sub.3.sup.= /C.sub.2.sup.= fill ratio of 1:1) until the reactor pressure reached 90 psig (0.62 MPa). The ratio of C.sub.3.sup.= to C.sub.2.sup.= was then adjusted to 1:3. The polymerization continued up to 1 h after the introduction of monomer gases. An aliquot of ENB (0.5 mL) was injected to the reactor under pressure at polymerization times of 10 min and 30 min. Therefore, altogether 3 mL of ENB was charged to the polymerization.

After the completion of polymerization, 2 mL of ethanol killing solution (0.5 g BHT, 1.0 g Kemamine, 0.5 g Irganox in 125 mL of ethanol) was injected to the reactor. The C.sub.2.sup.= and C.sub.3.sup.= flows were shut down and the reactor was vented and cooled to room temperature. The polymer was taken out from the reactor and was blended with methanol and then dried in vacuum oven at 40.degree. C. overnight. The recovered polymer weighed 44.8 g, for catalyst activity of 8.96 kg(EPDM)/mmol Ti/h. The polymer has a flow index (FI) of 0.71.

Similar experiment was carried out as Example 17 except that no methanol solution was added to (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3. The same amounts of DTBP and MAO were mixed with (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3. After polymerization, only 0.8 g polymer was recovered, for catalyst activity of 0.16 kg(EPDM)/mmol Ti/h which is 56 times lower than that in Example 17.

Preparation of Supported Catalyst. In the glovebox under nitrogen, a 200 mL Schlenk.RTM. flask was charged with stirbar, 3.01 g porous silica (Davison.RTM. 955, previously calcined at 600.degree. C.), and 10 mL MAO in toluene (18 mmol), as well as an additional 5 mL toluene to aid in agitation. The flask was sealed attached to the vacuum line under nitrogen. In a 100 mL two-necked round-bottom flask were placed a stirbar, 4 mL toluene, and 0.619 g 2,6-di-t-butylphenol (DTBP, 3.0 mmol). The DTBP solution was transferred into the flask containing the MAO via cannula and the slurry was stirred for 15 min at room temperature. In the glovebox were mixed 0.059 g (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 (0.2 mmol), 10 mL toluene, and 0.032 mL nitrogen-sparged methanol using a stirbar in a third vial. This mixture was transferred into the flask containing the MAO and the resulting red slurry was stirred for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature. The toluene was removed in vacuo with mild heat (ca. 40.degree. C.) applied to the flask until a free-flowing powder was obtained. The solid (4.3 g) was transferred to a glass vial in the glovebox and stored dry. ICP analysis of the catalyst gave titanium content of 0.039 mmol/g, and a molar ratio of Al to Ti of 65.

Polymerization. A 120 mL glass vial was charged with 0.100 g supported catalyst under nitrogen, then additionally charged with 50 mL hexanes (previously dried by 13.times. molecular sieves and sparged with nitrogen) under nitrogen, followed by 0.25 mL of MAO (1.8 mol/L in toluene). The mixture was transferred by nitrogen overpressure into the same reactor described in Example 1, which had been dried by flowing nitrogen through it while it was held at 100.degree. C. for at least 1 h. Following the introduction of the hexane solution of the catalyst mixture, an additional 600 mL dried hexanes were transferred into the reactor. The reactor was sealed and heated to 60.degree. C., where it was held throughout the remainder of the run by a combination of cold water and steam flowed through the reactor jacket. When the reactor had reached approximately 40.degree. C., the reactor was vented of most of the nitrogen, resealed, and pressurized with 101 psig (0.70 MPa) of a mixture of propylene and ethylene, with the propylene flow made to equal that of ethylene, both measured in L/min. When the reactor had reached within ca. 0.03 MPa of the final pressure, the ratio of propylene to ethylene flows was adjusted to 1:3. The polymerization continued until 60 minutes after the introduction of monomer gases, at which time 1 mL methanol was injected into the reactor and the reactor was vented and the internal temperature rapidly cooled to room temperature. The polymer was recovered by transfer of the polymer solution to a large glass beaker, to which were then added ca. 500 mL of a 1:1 mixture by volume of methanol and 2-propanol. The recovered polymer weighed 18.4 g, for a catalyst activity of 4.7 kg(EPR)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer contained 49.1 weight % propylene by IR spectroscopy and had FI=5.9. SEC found the M.sub.w =267,400, with PDI=3.6. DSC on the polymer revealed a crystallinity of 0.33% on first heat and a PRT of -30.0.degree. C.

The procedures and conditions used in Example 18 were repeated using the same catalyst, with the exception that 3 mL ENB were added to the 120 mL flask prior to transfer into the reactor. The recovered polymer weighed 7.8 g, for a catalyst activity of 2.0 kg(EPR)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer contained 45.1 weight % propylene and 1.8 weight % ENB by IR spectroscopy and had FI=1.8. SEC found the M.sub.w =244,800, with PDI=2.7. DSC on the polymer revealed a crystallinity of 0.36% on first heat and a PRT of -29.4.degree. C.

Preparation of Supported Catalyst. In the glovebox under nitrogen, a 200 mL Schlenk.RTM. flask was charged with stirbar, 3.02 g porous silica (Davison.RTM. 955, previously calcined at 600.degree. C.), and 10 mL MAO in toluene (18 mmol), as well as an additional 5 mL toluene to aid in agitation. The flask was sealed attached to the vacuum line under nitrogen. In a 100 mL two-necked round-bottom flask were placed a stirbar, 4 mL toluene, and 0.787 g 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenol (TTBP, 3.0 mmol). The TTBP solution was transferred into the flask containing the MAO via cannula, along with an additional 5 mL toluene required to complete the transfer, and the slurry was stirred for 15 min at room temperature. In the glovebox were mixed 0.058 g (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 (0.2 mmol), 5 mL toluene, and 0.032 mL nitrogen-sparged methanol using a stirbar in a third vial. This mixture was transferred into the flask containing the MAO, along with an additional 5 mL toluene required to complete the transfer, and the resulting red slurry was stirred for an additional 30 minutes at room temperature. The toluene was removed in vacuo with mild heat (ca. 40.degree. C.) applied to the flask until a free-flowing powder was obtained. The solid (4.39 g) was transferred to a glass vial in the glovebox and stored dry. ICP analysis of the catalyst gave titanium content of 0.032 mmol/g, and a molar ratio of Al to Ti of 81.

Polymerization. The same procedures and conditions described in the polymerization section of Example 18 were followed, except that 0.100 g of the catalyst described in Example 20 was used in place of that of Example 18. The recovered polymer weighed 13.6 g, for a catalyst activity of 4.3 kg(EPR)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer contained 47.0 weight % propylene by IR spectroscopy and had FI=2.6. SEC found the M.sub.w =254,800, with PDI=3.4. DSC on the polymer revealed a crystallinity of 0.60% on first heat and a PRT of -28.9.degree. C.

The procedures and conditions used in Example 20 were repeated using the same catalyst, with the exception that 3 mL ENB were added to the 120 mL flask prior to transfer into the reactor. The recovered polymer weighed 3.5 g, for a catalyst activity of 1.1 kg(EPR)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer contained 44.2 weight % propylene and 1.5 weight % ENB by IR spectroscopy. SEC found the M.sub.w =251,400, with PDI=3.0. DSC on the polymer revealed a crystallinity of 0.87% on first heat and a PRT of -16.degree. C.

Polymerization in the Fluidized Gas-Phase Reactor

A fluidized-bed gas-phase polymerization reactor, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,790, of 14" (35.6 cm) diameter is charged with 100 lb (45.4 kg) polyethylene (0.918 g/cm.sup.3) and 10 lb (4.5 kg) carbon black and dried under flowing nitrogen while held at at least 80.degree. C. for at least 8 hours. The temperature of the reactor is dropped to 60.degree. C. The reactor is pressurized to 300 psig (2.11 MPa) with a mixture of gases such that the partial pressures of the gases are in the following ratios: ethylene:propylene:nitrogen=1:0.7:1. ENB (50 mL) is charged into the reactor. The reactor gases are continuously cycled through the reactor at a linear velocity in the reaction zone of 53 cm/sec. A solution of methylalumoxane (100 mL of a 1.8 moles(Al)/L in toluene) is injected into the bed. One half-hour later, a solution of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 and methanol in toluene (0.007 moles(Ti)/L, molar ratio of methanol:Ti=4:1), which has been stirred for at least 15 minutes, is contacted with a stream of a mixture of methylalumoxane and DTBP in toluene (such that the final concentration is 1.2 moles(Al)/L and the DTBP:Al molar ratio is 1:5) in a volumetric ratio of titanium solution to alumoxane/tritox-H solution of 1:3. The mixture of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3, methanol, alumoxane, DTBP and toluene is pumped through a coil of sufficient length to provide at least 10 minutes of residence time before the activated catalyst solution is then taken up by a nitrogen stream and passed into the reactor through a metal tube (3.2 mm outer diameter) which penetrates the reactor wall at a point 1 ft (30.5 cm) above the distributor plate. Catalyst is injected into the reactor at the rate of 1.0 mmol titanium per hour. At the first sign of reaction, a flow of ENB is established such that the weight of ENB introduced per unit time is 7% of the sum of the weights of ethylene and propylene consumed per unit time. At the first sign of reaction, carbon black is fed to the reactor such that the weight of carbon introduced per unit time is 30% of the sum of the weights of ethylene and propylene consumed per unit time. The amount of polymer and carbon black in the reactor is maintained at a total of approximately 50 kg. Unagglomerated product is discharged semi-continuously from the reactor at a rate equal to the sum of the rate of polymer production and the rate of carbon black addition (in weight units) into a chamber normally isolated on both ends by valves, where the product is vented of excess monomers and nitrogen, and is then purged with nitrogen and discharged to an accumulation drum, where it is purged with nitrogen saturated with moisture. The reactor is then run in this manner for 24 hours with an average EPDM polymer production rate of 20 lb/hour (9.1 kg/hour) with no significant fouling, as evidenced by reactor inspection during cleaning.

Ethylene-1-hexene Copolymerization

A small glass vial was charged with magnetic stirbar and a toluene solution of (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 (0.0031 mmol/L) and methanol (0.0125 mmol/L), which was stirred at room temperature for ca. 4 hours. A glass bottle equipped with stirbar was then charged with 50 mL hexanes under nitrogen, followed by 1.25 mmol of MAO as toluene solution, followed by 1.6 mL of a solution of 0.626 g DTBP dissolved in 20 mL toluene (0.25 mmol tritox-H). The mixture then was transferred by nitrogen overpressure into the 1.3 L reactor which had been dried by flowing nitrogen through it while it was held at 100.degree. C. for at least 1 hour (h). Following the introduction of the hexane solution of the MAO/DTBP mixture, a mixture of 50 mL 1-hexene and 600 mL hexanes were transferred into the reactor. The reactor was then sealed and heated to 75.degree. C. and pressurized with 153 psig (1.06 MPa) of ethylene. Following this, 0.08 mL (C.sub.5 Me.sub.5)TiCl.sub.3 /methanol solution (0.0025 mmol Ti) were injected directly into the reactor via syringe. The temperature then proceeded to reach 111.degree. C. and stayed above 100.degree. C. for the remainder of the run, at which point (5 min total polymerization time) reaction was terminated by injection of 1 mL methanol and venting of the gases. The reactor temperature was rapidly cooled to room temperature. The polymer was recovered by transfer of the polymer solution to a large glass crystallization dish, where it was air-dried overnight followed by drying in a vacuum oven for at least 16 h. The recovered polymer weighed 41.6 g, for a catalyst activity of 200 kg(PE)/(mmol(Ti).multidot.h). The polymer density was 0.8752 g/cm.sup.3, while the FI=9.1.