Platable engineered polyolefin alloys

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/566,119, filed May 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,652, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by express reference thereto.

[0003] The present invention relates to polyolefin alloys that are specially formulated to be readily plated with various metals. These compositions can be easily processed into molded articles by molding methods, such as injection, and then plated with metal to provide a decorative or functional finish. More particularly, these compositions are blends of polyolefin homopolymers or copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, and a polymeric compatibilizer including at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer, which blends have excellent platability as well as superior physical properties including enhanced rigidity, toughness, and dimensional stability.

[0004] A substantial market exists for metal plated thermoplastics, particularly for applications in the automotive industry. The current overwhelming choice of plastic materials for such applications include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”) engineered resins, either alone or in polymer alloys with polycarbonates. These materials are useful due to the degree of unsaturation and polarity of the plastic which render it suitable for metal plating.

[0005] There are disadvantages in the use of ABS resins. The platable grades are relatively expensive, while the final properties of the metal plated plastic are not all that are desired. In an effort to improve upon the properties of the plastic, impact modified polypropylene blends have been utilized as alternatives. These blends include thermoplastic polyolefins and are widely used in interior and exterior automotive applications, such as bumpers, body panels, fascia, and the like. Many of these are decorated by full or partial painting for enhanced visual or functional effects.

[0006] Polypropylene is difficult to plate with metal, however, due to its lack of polarity or unsaturation. While it can be plated using special electroplating conditions, it generally is not because of cost and availability considerations. As polypropylene has certain performance advantages compared to ABS, the modification of this material to improve platability has been studied.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,433 discloses polyolefin alloys that are suitable for electroplating, wherein the adhesion of metal to the compositions is enhanced by incorporating into the composition a metal resinate. Crystalline polyolefins are modified with metal resins to improve the adhesion of metal thereto.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,260 discloses a metallizable polyolefin superimposed on a metal layer, wherein the polyolefin contains a finely divided talc having a platey (minacious) or massive (granular) particle shape. The talc filled polyolefin composition may be metallized by electroplating or other metallizing processes to form metallized shaped articles.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,927 discloses electroplating of polypropylene polymers containing a non-porous natural silica filler by conditioning a preformed article of the propylene polymer with a high acid content chromate conditioning agent followed by preplating the conditioning agent with an electrolessly platable metal, and then electroplating the preplated article with a final finish to obtain a metal-plated propylene polymer product.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,702 discloses a polypropylene composition that can be formed into a predetermined shape and can be plated with a coating of one or more metals. The polypropylene compositions comprise polypropylene polymer having a polyhydric aromatic compound and a resinous material.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,042 discloses polyolefin based compositions that are blends of particular proportions and types of polypropylene, low polarity rubber, highly conductive carbon black, polyethylene and optional mineral additives that provide electroplating to give adherent, plated surfaces.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,491 discloses polyolefin resin compositions including block copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene. In particular, improved plating by the high-chrome etching-catalyst method can be accomplished by blending a compound containing a cyano group with a mixture of polyolefin resin and inorganic filler. Unsaturated carboxylic acids or rubbers are also blended therein.

[0013] Despite these patents, there still exists a need for olefinic materials containing polypropylene that are readily electroplatable utilizing conventional processes to obtain parts or components that are visually appealing as well as functional. The present invention satisfies this need.

[0014] The invention relates to platable polyolefin blends comprising a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin, a polymeric compatibilizer that contains styrene and is present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the blend, and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene. The ABS resin component is present in an amount sufficient to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating.

[0015] The invention also relates to platable polyolefin blends including a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin, a polymeric compatibilizer that includes at least one styrene monoolefin (e.g., a hydrogenated styrenic copolymer) and at least one styrene diolefin (e.g., a non-hydrogenated styrenic copolymer), wherein the styrenic copolymers are each present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the polyolefin blend, and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene. The ABS resin component is present in an amount sufficient to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating. Preferably, the two or more styrenic compounds are present in a combined amount which is sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the platable polyolefin blend.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer includes at least one hydrogenated styrenic copolymer and the at least one styrene diolefin copolymer includes at least one non-hydrogenated styrenic copolymer. Advantageously, the styrene monoolefin copolymer includes one or more random or block copolymers of styrene and a hydrogenated olefinic component; random copolymers of ethylene and styrene; or combinations thereof. The styrene monoolefin copolymers preferably include styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-ethylene/butylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, styrene/ethylene-propylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene-ethylene-propylene, or combinations thereof, and is present in an amount of about 3 to 40 weight percent of the polyolefin blend. Also, the styrene diolefin copolymer advantageously includes block or random copolymers of styrene and an unsaturated olefinic component. Preferably, this copolymer comprises styrene-butadiene (SB), styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butylene-butadiene-styrene (SBBS), styrene-isoprene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, or combinations thereof, and is present in an amount of about 5 to 40 weight percent of the polyolefin blend. In a more preferred embodiment, the polymeric compatibilizer includes about 5 to 25 weight percent of a styrene monoolefin copolymer and about 7 to 25 weight percent of a styrene diolefin copolymer.

[0017] The platable polyolefin blend optionally but preferably includes a toughening agent of a substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin. In particular, the substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer includes but is not limited to ethylene, an alpha olefin, and a diene or mixtures thereof.

[0018] Advantageously, the compatibilizer can be a block or random copolymer including at least two different block copolymers of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene, styrene/ethylene-propylene, styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene/butadiene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene-ethylene/propylene, styrene/isoprene, styrene-isoprene-styrene or mixtures thereof, so long as at least one of the polymers is hydrogenated. Additionally, the compatibilizer can comprise copolymers of ethylene and styrene, or random copolymers of styrene, ethylene, butylene, propylene, or mixtures thereof.

[0019] In these blends, the propylene-containing polymer is typically present in an amount of about 20 to 80 weight percent, the polymeric compatibilizer is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 45 weight percent, and the ABS resin component is present in an amount of about 2 to 80 weight percent of the alloy. When present, the substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin is used in an amount of about 0.01 to 30 weight percent.

[0020] Inorganic fillers are optionally included in amounts up to about 30 weight percent. When an inorganic filler is included, it is typically present in an amount of about 0.01 to 30 percent by weight. Preferably, however, the invention includes an inorganic filler present in an amount of about 5 to 25 percent by weight of the polyolefin blend. In another embodiment, the polyolefin blend is substantially free of inorganic filler, or preferably even completely free of inorganic filler, which facilitates downstream processing of the blend. “Substantially free,” as used herein, refers to less than about 5 weight percent, preferably less than about 1 weight percent, and more preferably less than about 0.1 weight percent filler in the blend.

[0021] The invention also relates to a molded article of manufacture including the polyolefin blends described above, as well as molded articles in the form of automotive components.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment the platable polyolefin blend is a molded article of manufacture comprising a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin, a polymeric compatibilizer including at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer wherein each styrenic copolymer is present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the blend, and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene, the ABS resin component being present to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating. In a preferred embodiment the platable polyolefin blend can comprise a substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin. In a particular embodiment, the substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer includes ethylene and an alpha olefin or a diene. In another particular embodiment the molded article of manufacture is in the form of an automotive component.

[0023] Another embodiment of the invention encompasses a process for preparing a plated polyolefin article which comprises blending a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin, a polymeric compatibilizer that contains styrene and is present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the blend, and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene, the ABS resin component being present to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating, wherein the article has a desired form, shape, and an exterior surface, and then first depositing an initial conductive metal onto at least a portion of the surface of the article, and secondly plating polyolefin article with a second metal.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, this process for preparing a plated polyolefin article includes blending a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin, a polymeric compatibilizer comprising at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer, wherein styrenic copolymer is present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the polyolefin blend, and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene, the ABS resin component being present to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating, wherein the article has a desired form, shape, and an exterior surface, and then first depositing an initial conductive metal onto at least a portion of the surface of the article, and secondly plating the polyolefin article with a second metal.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the polyolefin article is prepared by molding the blend. In another preferred embodiment, the second metal is deposited by electroplating or by vacuum deposition. In a particular embodiment, the initial conductive metal is copper, a nickel/phosphorus alloy, or a mixture thereof. In a particular embodiment, the second metal is selected from the group comprising nickel, copper, and chromium, or a mixture thereof.

[0026] In another embodiment, the invention encompasses a molded polyolefin article produced by the process of preparing a plated polyolefin article which comprises blending a propylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene with ethylene or an alpha olefin; a polymeric compatibilizer that includes at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer, wherein each styrene copolymer is present in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the blend; and an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene, the ABS resin component being present to render the polyolefin blend suitable for electroplating, wherein the article has a desired form, shape, and an exterior surface, and then depositing a metal onto at least a portion of the exterior surface of the article to provide the plated polyolefin article. In a particular embodiment, the plated polyolefin article is in the form of an automotive component.

[0027] It has now been advantageously found that the platability of semi-crystalline homopolymers or copolymers of propylene with ethylene or other alpha olefins can be improved by the addition of certain ABS resin components. The term “ABS resin components” refers to resins of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene commonly used in the plastics industry.

[0028] As used herein, the word “blend” or “blends” includes the mechanical polyblends, mechanochemical polyblends, chemical polyblends, solution cast polyblends and latex polyblends as described in the Kirk-Othmer Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Volume 24, 3^rded. pp. 920-922; Wiley & Sons, New York. The word “blend” also includes physical mixtures of at least two polymeric materials. The polyolefin alloy of the invention include such blends as discussed herein.

[0029] The primary component of the blend is a propylene containing polymer. It is typically present in the largest proportion. This polymer is preferably a homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or another alpha olefin. This component is most often characterizable as semi-crystalline in compositions according to the present invention. As used herein, “semi-crystalline” means that the crystallinity is at least about 30% and preferably is at least about 50% and more preferably to about 80%.

[0030] Suitable types of homopolymers of propylene include highly isotactic homopolymers of polypropylene. An acceptable copolymer of propylene is an ethylene-propylene copolymer. The ethylene-propylene copolymers include but are not limited to sequentially polymerized blends of polypropylene with ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers. Ethylene-alpha olefin copolymers are comprised of alpha olefins having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferred alpha olefins are C₃to C₁₀alpha olefins, more preferably butene or octene and most preferably octene. It is preferred that the propylene polymer component make up at least 20 to 80 weight percent of the overall composition, more preferably 22 to 75 weight percent and even more preferably 25 to 70 weight percent. Moreover, this component has a typical melt flow rate (as determined by ASTM D-1238 at a temperature of 230° C.) of about 0.1 to 200 g/10 min, preferably about 0.5 to 100 g/10 min, and more preferably about 1 to 60 g/10 min.

[0031] Another component in the polyolefin composition of the present invention is a polymeric compatibilizer that contains styrene. This component acts as an interfacial modifier to facilitate adhesion of the components. The compatibilizer is preferably at least one styrenic compound or thermoplastic elastomer that includes styrene or styrene blocks, such as a block copolymer. The term “styrenic copolymer” is used to designate a compound that includes styrene or a styrene derivative therein. The structure of the styrene block copolymers useful in the present invention can be of the linear or radial type, and of the diblock or triblock type.

[0032] It is advantageous for the compatibilizer to include at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer, wherein each copolymer is present in an amount which, in combination, is sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the components of the polyolefin blend. In this embodiment, the styrene monoolefin copolymer of the polymeric compatibilizer is preferably present in an amount of about 3 to 40 weight percent, more preferably about 5 to 25 weight percent, and even more preferably from about 8 to 12 weight percent of the platable polyolefin blend. Also, the styrene diolefin copolymer is preferably present in an amount of about 5 to 40 weight percent, more preferably about 7 to 25 weight percent, and even more preferably 10 to 20 weight percent of the polyolefin blend. In addition to significantly improving adhesion between the polymeric phases, the compatibilizer contributes to compatibility with other components, such as the optional filler. This leads to improved toughness of the overall composition while also improving its rigidity. In a more preferred embodiment, inclusion of at least one hydrogenated styrenic component and at least one non-hydrogenated styrenic component can facilitate compatibility between components of the blend.

[0033] In these preferred embodiments where styrene monoolefin copolymers and styrene diolefin copolymers are present to facilitate compatibility between components of the polyolefin blend, exemplary copolymers are as follows. The styrene monoolefin copolymers preferably include: (a) block or random copolymers of styrene and an hydrogenated olefinic component including ethylene, butylene, or propylene, and combinations thereof, and (b) random copolymers of ethylene and styrene; and combinations thereof. Exemplary copolymers include: styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS), styrene-ethylene/butylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, styrene/ethylene-propylene, styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene-ethylene-propylene, and combinations thereof. The styrene diolefin copolymers preferably include block or random copolymers of styrene and an olefinic component that contains at least some unsaturation (non-hydrogenation). Exemplary copolymers containing styrene and at least one unsaturated component include: styrene-butadiene (SB), styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butylene-butadiene-styrene (SBBS), styrene-isoprene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, and combinations thereof.

[0034] The styrenic portion of the copolymer is preferably a polymer of styrene and its analogs and homologs, including alpha methylstyrene, and ring-substituted styrenes, particularly ring-methylated styrenes. The preferred styrenics are styrene and alpha methylstyrene, with styrene being especially preferred. Additionally, the compatibilizer can comprise a random styrenic copolymer of ethylene and styrene. It is particularly preferred that the random styrenic copolymer of ethylene and styrene have a blocky comonomer distribution. By blocky comonomer distribution it is meant that there are more repeating monomer units than would be expected in a random distribution. Such a distribution would be provided by a random distribution of blocks of a plurality of monomer units. This type of polymer can be manufactured by single-site catalysis, i.e., metallocene or single-site non-metallocene catalysis.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric compatibilizer as a whole, e.g., at least one styrenic monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrenic diolefin copolymer, is present in an amount from about 15 to 45 weight percent, preferably from about 17 to 40 weight percent, and more preferably from about 19 to 35 weight percent of the platable polyolefin composition. In another preferred embodiment, the polymeric compatibilizer is present in an amount from about 20 to 30 weight percent of the platable composition.

[0036] The key component of the platable polyolefin composition is the ABS derivative, which is preferably an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin. This ABS resin is a polymer made by blending acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer with a butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or by interpolymerizing polybutadiene with styrene and acrylonitrile. This component substantially improves the platability of the final blend. It is preferred that this component make up at least about 2 to 80 weight percent of the polyolefin composition, preferably 4 to 60 weight percent of the polyolefin composition, and more preferably 5 to 30 weight percent of the polyolefin composition.

[0037] An optional but preferred component that is present in the polyolefin composition of the present invention is a toughening agent of a substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin. This component is present as a toughening component for the blend. A preferred copolymer is a semi-crystalline rubbery copolymer of two or more alpha mono-olefins, such as copolymers of ethylene and propylene. Also suitable are terpolymers of semi-crystalline rubbery copolymers of two or more alpha mono-olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, and a lesser quantity of a nonconjugated diene.

[0038] Suitable alpha olefins that can be used in the toughening component are illustrated by the formula CH₂═CHR, wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl radical of one to sixteen carbon atoms. Examples of suitable alpha olefins include, but are not limited to ethylene; propylene; 1-butene; 1-pentene; 1-hexene; 2-methyl-1-propene; 3-methyl-1-pentene; 4-methyl-1-pentene; 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene; 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene; 5-methyl-1-hexene; 1-4-ethyl-1-hexene; and mixtures thereof.

[0039] Suitable nonconjugated dienes that can be used in the toughening component include, but are not limited to, straight chain dienes such as butadiene, 1,4-hexadiene; cyclic dienes such as cyclooctadiene; and bridged cyclic dienes such as ethylidene norbornene.

[0040] This toughening agent is present in an amount sufficient to impart toughening properties to the composition and contribute to the impact resistance of the blends. Sufficient amounts of the toughening component are from about 0.01 to 30 weight percent, preferably from about 5 to 25 weight percent, and more preferably from about 10 to 20 weight percent of the polyolefin composition. Moreover, when a terpolymer is used, the amount of diene in the terpolymer in not critical and values as low as 0.5 weight percent of the toughening component are useful. Typically, the diene content of the terpolymer will be from about 3 to 25 weight percent, and preferably from 7 to 20 weight percent of the toughening component.

[0041] The polyolefin composition of the present invention may also optionally but preferably include a mineral filler. Higher levels of mineral filler can increase stiffness and reduce shrinkage, especially in combination with the other components in the polyolefin composition of the present invention. The mineral filler can be a treated or untreated inorganic material. Preferred fillers include, but are not limited to, talc, calcium carbonate, wollastonite, alumina trihydrate, barium sulfate, calcium sulfate, carbon blacks, metal fibers, boron fibers, ceramic fibers, polymeric fibers, kaolin, glass, ceramic, carbon or polymeric microspheres; silica, mica, glass or carbon fiber, or clay or any combination thereof. Talc is the most preferred mineral filler. It is also preferred that the mineral filler be present in an amount from about 0.01 to 30 weight percent, more preferably about 5 to 20 weight percent and even more preferably about 8 to 15 weight percent of the polyolefin composition. In one preferred embodiment, at least about 10 weight percent of mineral filler can be included.

[0042] In addition to the above-described components, if necessary, additional components such as a colorant, a stabilizer, a plasticizer, and a lubricant can be added. Additional components can further include: reinforcing agents and processing aids.

[0043] The polyolefin alloy of the present invention can be easily processed into molded articles by a molding method, such as, but not limited to, injection molding or extrusion molding, and can afford products that have well balanced properties including, but not limited to, platability, stiffness, and impact resistance. The ability of these parts to be plated with metal further enhances the appearance and usefulness of these articles.

[0044] The present invention represents a significant advance in the art since an improved blend comprising polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin and styrenic block copolymers that facilitate platability of various metals are described. Metals that can be plated include, but are not limited to, copper, nickel, and chromium. Moreover, the use of ABS in a polypropylene matrix, particularly with a 2-part styrenic blend that is at least partially hydrogenated, enhances the interfacial interaction resulting in improved platability, as compared with currently used platable alloys. Although ABS is the most commonly used plastic for metal plating, the cost of plating grades of ABS is rather high, and the properties of plated ABS are not all that is desired. The use of polypropylene in addition to ABS, as a polymeric base to be metal plated, has certain advantages. Polypropylene is more chemically inert, has a lower water absorption, lower density, and is a low cost material.

[0045] The blends of the invention may be plated with metal using any of a wide variety of existing techniques. While polypropylene alone is difficult to plate using conventional electroplating processes, the addition of ABS in a polypropylene matrix allows for the platability of these materials due to the nature of the ABS resin. Any styrenic copolymers can be added to improve this blend. For example, by adding styrenic block copolymers, the interfacial interactions of different phases in polymer blends, which significantly influences the morphology, dispersion, and distribution of the polymer phase, is significantly enhanced. Preferably, the polymeric component includes at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer.

[0046] As a result, the polyolefin alloy prepared by this invention exhibit excellent plating performance and have well-balanced physical properties of stiffness, toughness, and dimensional stability.

[0047] As noted, the alloys of the present invention may be formed into the desired shape or configuration by any of a number of means well known to those skilled in the art, such as various types of conventional molding procedures, extrusion procedures, or the like, including forming into cast or oriented film, direct extrusion or other types of fiber forming, and the like.

[0048] After forming, the metal plating can likewise be accomplished by any number of procedures well known to those skilled in the art. For example, there are a wide variety of specific procedures for vacuum deposition of a thin surface coating of metal over a plastic, and an even wider variety of specific procedures for chemical deposition of such a coating. Also, following the vacuum or chemical deposition steps, the desired thickness of a metal coating and/or the coating of additional metals can be obtained by a number of well known electroplating, or other techniques.

[0049] A number of commercial plastic plating techniques have been developed, and many of these are well known in the art. These include, for example, the so-called Ethone System and/or the MacDermid System. Typically, however, wide variations in plating bath additives and the concentrations of such additives, as well as other significant differences exist within any single given system. For example, most of these commercial plating systems were originally designed for plating ABS compositions, and the number of modifications, such as changes in the concentrations in the components of the acid etching baths, must be made where these systems are employed in the plating of propylene.

[0050] Any platable metal can be used to plate the polyolefin alloy of the current invention, which metals include, but are not limited to, copper, semi-bright nickel, copper or nickel strike, nickel, bright nickel, and chromium. The majority of compositions are plated with a copper/nickel/chromium electroplate. These finishes are seldom a single metal finish, usually they are two or more successive layers. In addition, one or more metal layers comprising one or more platable metals may be electro-deposited upon a plastic. Preferably, the polymeric component including at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer is included to help decrease the amount of metal required to suitably plate the polymeric blend of the invention. Typically, layers may have a thickness from about 0.1 to 80 micrometers, preferably from about 0.15 to 70 micrometers, and even more preferably from about 0.2 to 60 micrometers. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the choice of metal used and the thickness of the layer would depend on the desired application.

[0051] As compared with conventional platable compositions, the compositions of the present invention consistently exhibited superior adhesion under all types of forming, processing, and/or plating procedures. Moreover, as novel compositions are disclosed herein, these improvements in adhesion appear to be improvements in both the kind and degree of adhesion.

[0052] Given the good balance of toughness and rigidity in the materials of the present invention, as well as other excellent properties noted previously, the polyolefin alloys of the invention are suitable for many specialized applications. For example, the polyolefin alloys can be shaped into components used in many interior and exterior automobile parts. As used herein, “shaping” could include molding and/or extruding, with the injection molding of a blend of the recited components being preferred. The resultant molded articles are highly useful for applications such as automobile door panels and bumpers.

[0053] Preferably, the polyolefin blends of the invention are both ductile at temperatures of about 0° C. and have suitable platability. In one preferred embodiment, the polyolefin blends have ductility at temperatures as low as about −30° C. and suitable platability.

[0054] The invention is further defined by reference to the following examples, describing the preparation of the polyolefin alloys of the present invention as well as their utility. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, may be practiced without departing from the purpose and interest of this invention. Thus, the following examples are offered by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, to describe in greater detail the preparation, treatment, and testing of the novel polyolefin alloys.

[0055] The polyolefin based composition of the present invention can be prepared in one step. Approximately 20 to 80% of a polypropylene-containing polymer formed from a semi-crystalline homopolymer of propylene or copolymer or propylene with ethylene with an alpha olefin was combined with about 2 to 80% of an ABS resin component of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin or a blend of styrene-acrylonitrile resin with a diene, about 15 to 45% of a polymeric compatibilizer that contains styrene in an amount sufficient to facilitate adhesion between the polymer components of the blend, optionally about 0.01-30% of a substantially amorphous copolymer or terpolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin, and optionally a mineral filler along with the appropriate stabilizers were then blended in a continuous twin-screw extruder or other batch type mixing equipment to afford the polyolefin composition.

[0056] The polyolefin composition is then surface treated, wherein such treatment includes cleaning, etching, neutralizing, catalyzing or accelerating the surface. Cleaning is a carefully programmed series of selective dip-treatment steps. Each step requires controlled treatment with the cleaning chemicals matched with the individual polyolefin composition. Etching creates a microporous surface on the composition. An etch system typically consists of chromic acid or a chromic acid/sulfuric acid etchant. The etchant chemically dissolves portions of the surface by oxidation, leaving a chemically modified and micro-roughened surface. Neutralizing is a method of reducing any chromic acid left in the pores of the composition surface from hexavalent Cr⁺⁶to trivalent Cr⁺³, since Cr⁺⁶is detrimental to later steps. A catalyst promoter may be used in conjugation with the neutralizer. These promoters create a polar charge on the composition. A catalyst bath is normally a palladium chloride/stannous chloride solution that is absorbed into the micro-pores created in the etch step. The palladium will act as active catalyst sites for chemical reduction of the electroless copper or electroless nickel. An accelerator bath removes loosely adherent palladium and excess tin and provides a surface on which the copper or nickel can plate quickly and easily.

[0057] Electroless plating forms the initial conductive metal layer upon which the metal is electroplated. This metal layer normally is pure copper or nickel/phosphorus alloy, depending on the corrosion requirements of the plated part. Both electroless copper and electroless nickel baths contain combinations of metal salts, chelaters, stabilizers, and reducers. The metal from metal salts chemically reduces onto the active palladium sites from the catalyzing step. After palladium sites are covered the reaction become autocatalytic and the deposit continues to build on itself at a controlled rate. These metals are usually allowed to deposit to about 0.5 to 1.0 μm. Parts are then ready for electroplating. This is also referred to as chemical deposition.

[0058] The electroplating process electrolytically builds the initial electroless metal layer to a thick, durable finish. The thick metal layer here allows standard electroplating processes to be used. The majority of compositions are plated with a copper/nickel/chrome electroplate. These finishes are seldom a single metal finish, usually they are two or more successive layers. For example, an exterior automotive part requires a layer of bright acid copper, a layer of semi-bright nickel, a layer of bright nickel, a layer of particle nickel, and a layer of chrome.

[0059] The electroplated film of metal is produced by placing the plastic having a thin film of chemically deposited metal thereon in a solution containing ions of the metal that is desired to electroplate, e.g., copper, nickel, or chrome. An electrical current is then passed through the solution, and the thin film of metal results in the deposition of the new metal and forms a film having the desired thickness.

[0060] Platable Polyolefin Alloys

[0061] Various polyolefin blends were prepared and were tested for the suitability of chrome application, including the visual appearance thereof, according to the Chrome Plated Plastic Parts Appearance—GM specification GMN6995. This scale rates platability on a scale of 0-2, where:

[0062] 0 is not platable

[0063] 1 is platable, but has flaws as described in GMN6995

[0064] 2 is high quality plating

[0065] Examples 1-4 were prepared according to the invention, and included a polypropylene, ABS, and a polymeric compatibilizer blend of two different styrenic copolymers, as well as elastomer and filler. Controls 1-3 are comparative examples that did not include ABS or a second compatibilizer.

[0066] These same blends were also subjected to a brittle/ductile transition temperature test according to ASTM D-3763. This measures the lowest tested impact temperature at which the material provides ductile/brittle failure, where lower temperatures are typically more desired for automotive applications.

[0067] The components and results of each Example are set forth in Table I below:

[0068] Ex. 1-4 had varying amounts of ABS and varying amounts of compatibilizer. Control 1 indicated that the presence of hydrogenated material, such as SEBS, was beneficial; platability was not tested since the brittle/ductile transition temperature was unsuitable. Control 2 showed that the presence of ABS was beneficial to the ductility and platability of the blend. Control 3 showed that, even with the presence of ABS, the lack of hydrogenated material resulted in an unsuitable brittle/ductile transition temperature. As a result, platability of this sample was not tested. Examples 1-4 all demonstrated better ductility, i.e., lower transition temperatures, compared to Controls 1-3. In the one instance where the Controls had a suitable transition temperature that was comparable to Examples 1-2, the platability of Examples 1-2 was superior to that of Control 2.

[0069] The term “about,” as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both numbers in a range of numerals. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range.

[0070] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the foregoing description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein but is capable of numerous modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be understood that the materials used and the chemical details may be slightly different or modified from the descriptions herein without departing from the methods and compositions disclosed and taught by the present invention.