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Process for controlled degradation of propylene polymers

Assignee: Dart Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1973-05-21
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Granted: 1976-02-24
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Expires: 1993-05-21
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Abstract

Abstract A process is provided for the degradation of propylene polymers comprising contacting a propylene polymer exhibiting a first melt flow rate with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and an organic or inorganic peroxide; melting and working and resulting mixture in a high shear zone thereby degrading said propylene polymer; and recovering an essentially odor free propylene polymer exhibiting a second melt flow rate higher than said first melt flow rate.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eugene G. Castagna
  • 👤 Albert Schrage
  • 👤 Michael Repiscak

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 14:19
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/04; C08K5/14; C08F; C08F8/00; C08F8/50; C08F2810/00; C08F2810/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 115 words
A process for the controlled oxidative degradation and minimized thermal degradation of propylene polymers, comprising: contacting a propylene polymer exhibiting a first melt flow rate, with gaseous oxygen and with an organic or inorganic peroxide; melting and working said mixture of polymer, oxygen and peroxide in a high shear zone at a temperature and for a time sufficiently low to minimize thermal degradation while subjecting said propylene polymer to substantial oxidative degradation, said polymer being selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and copolymers of propylene and α-olefins of 2 to 6 carbon atoms; and recovering an essentially odor free propylene polymer exhibiting a second melt flow rate higher than said first melt flow rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 115 words
A process for the controlled oxidative degradation and minimized thermal degradation of propylene polymers, comprising: contacting a propylene polymer exhibiting a first melt flow rate, with gaseous oxygen and with an organic or inorganic peroxide; melting and working said mixture of polymer, oxygen and peroxide in a high shear zone at a temperature and for a time sufficiently low to minimize thermal degradation while subjecting said propylene polymer to substantial oxidative degradation, said polymer being selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and copolymers of propylene and α-olefins of 2 to 6 carbon atoms; and recovering an essentially odor free propylene polymer exhibiting a second melt flow rate higher than said first melt flow rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
Process as defined in claim 1 wherein less than about 1% by weight of oxygen from either oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is employed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
Process as defined in claim 1 wherein from about 0.01 to about 0.1 percent by weight of an organic or inorganic peroxide is employed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
Process as defined in claim 3 wherein from about 0.015 to 0.05 percent by weight of an organic or inorganic peroxide is employed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
Process as defined in claim 3, wherein from about 0.5 to 0.95 percent by weight of oxygen is employed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
Process as defined in claim 1 wherein the resulting mixture is melted and worked at a melt temperature varying from about 300°F. to about 650°F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
Process as defined in claim 6 wherein the melt temperature ranges from about 300°F. to about 530°F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
Process as defined in claim 1 wherein the propylene polymer and the peroxide are pre-blended before introduction into said high shear zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
Process as defined in claim 8 wherein the propylene polymer and peroxide are pre-blended in the presence of an inert gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
Process as defined in claim 9 wherein the propylene polymer/peroxide blend is charged to the high shear zone and contacted therein with oxygen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
Process as defined in claim 10 wherein the oxygen is derived from air introduced to said high shear zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 43 words
Process as defined in claim 1 wherein the second melt flow rate of the propylene polymer upon egress from the high shear zone is at least about twice the first melt flow rate of the propylene polymer charged to the high shear zone.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2828296A Cited
US3144436A Cited
US3563972A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-02-23 1979-08-25 1980-02-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-02-23 1983-08-25 1984-02-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-02-23 1987-08-25 1988-02-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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