Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of making a cross-linked extruded product comprising: metering into a first screw extrusion machine a polymer capable of being cross-linked by the use of hydrolysable unsaturated silane together with compounding ingredients comprising a hydrolysable unsaturated silane, a free-radical generator and a silanol condensation catalyst; blending said compounding ingredients with said polymer in the barrel of said first extruder to form a homogeneous mixture at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial grafting of silane groups to the polymer; feeding said mixture directly without exposure to the atmosphere to a second screw extrusion machine and raising its temperature sufficiently in said second extrusion machine to effect grafting of silane groups to the polymer, the amount of free-radical generator being sufficiently low to limit direct free-radical cross-linking to a level compatible with extrusion of the material; after said grafting extruding said mixture from said second extruder through an extrusion die to form an elongate shaped product; and cross-linking said polymer in said shaped product by the action of moisture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of making a cross-linked extruded product comprising: metering into a first screw extrusion machine a polymer capable of being cross-linked by the use of hydrolysable unsaturated silane together with compounding ingredients comprising a hydrolysable unsaturated silane, a free-radical generator and a silanol condensation catalyst; blending said compounding ingredients with said polymer in the barrel of said first extruder to form a homogeneous mixture at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial grafting of silane groups to the polymer; feeding said mixture directly without exposure to the atmosphere to a second screw extrusion machine and raising its temperature sufficiently in said second extrusion machine to effect grafting of silane groups to the polymer, the amount of free-radical generator being sufficiently low to limit direct free-radical cross-linking to a level compatible with extrusion of the material; after said grafting extruding said mixture from said second extruder through an extrusion die to form an elongate shaped product; and cross-linking said polymer in said shaped product by the action of moisture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the screws of the first and second extrusion machines are independently controlled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the cross-linking is effected at a temperature below the softening point of said shaped product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said polymer and at least one said compounding ingredient are metered into and premixed in a hopper at the inlet of the first extruder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one said compounding ingredient is metered as a component of a mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said free-radical generator is a peroxide which is metered as a masterbatch with the polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said free-radical generator is a peroxide which is metered as a coating on particles of polymer or filler.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a filler is metered as a predispersed mixture with at least part of said polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said condensation catalyst is metered as a solution in a liquid silane.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which at least one said compounding ingredient is a liquid and is injected to the base of a hopper at the inlet of said first extruder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the polymer is polyethylene and the compounding ingredients comprise vinyl trimethoxy silane, a peroxide, and dibutyltin dilaurate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 in which the peroxide is dicumyl peroxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 in which the peroxide is 1,3 bis (tert-butyl peroxy iso propyl) benzene.