Crosslinkable polymeric compositions with amine-functionalized interpolymers, methods for making the same, and articles made therefrom
Crosslinkable polymeric compositions comprising an ethylene-based polymer, an organic peroxide, and an amine-functionalized interpolymer. Such crosslinkable polymeric compositions and their crosslinked forms can be employed as polymeric layers in wire and cable applications, such as insulation in power cables.
1. A crosslinkable polymeric composition, comprising:
(a) an ethylene-based polymer, wherein the ethylene-based polymer is a low-density polyethylene;
(b) an organic peroxide; and
(c) an amine-functionalized interpolymer having incorporated therein at least one type of amine-containing monomer in a range from 0.5 to 10 weight percent of the amine-functionalized interpolymer, wherein said amine-functionalized interpolymer is an ethylene/aminoacrylate copolymer made by copolymerizing ethylene and an aminoacrylate monomer selected from the group consisting of 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof;
wherein the crosslinkable polymeric composition is prepared by compounding at a temperature ranging from 100° to 200° C.; and
wherein said ethylene-based polymer is present in an amount ranging from 50 to 99 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight; wherein said organic peroxide is present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight; wherein said amine-functionalized interpolymer is present in an amount ranging from 0.2 to 2 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight.
2. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein said amine-functionalized interpolymer is present in an amount sufficient to result in a molar amine content in the range of from 0.1 to 200 micromoles of amine per gram of said crosslinkable polymeric composition.
3. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one acidic component.
4. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of claim 3 , further comprising an antioxidant, wherein said antioxidant is the source of said acidic component.
5. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of claim 1 , wherein said crosslinkable polymeric composition has an initial cure potential (CP 0 ) when crosslinked immediately upon preparation of said crosslinkable polymeric composition and measured as maximum torque (in-lbs) by moving die rheometer at 182° C., wherein said crosslinkable polymeric composition has a heat-aged cure potential CP 14 when crosslinked after aging said crosslinkable polymeric composition at 70° C. for 14 days and measured as maximum torque (in-lbs) by moving die rheometer at 182° C., wherein said crosslinkable polymeric composition has a ratio of CP 14 to CP 0 of at least 0.6.
6. A crosslinked article prepared from the crosslinkable polymeric composition according to claim 1 .
7. A coated conductor, comprising:
a conductive core; and
a polymeric layer at least partially surrounding said conductive core, wherein at least a portion of said polymeric layer comprises said crosslinked article of claim 6 .