Propylene copolymer composition with excellent optical and mechanical properties

1. A polypropylene composition (P), comprising

a) 80.0 to 99.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a copolymer (C) of propylene and 1-hexene, comprising

i) a first random propylene copolymer (A) of propylene and 1-hexene, the first random propylene copolymer (A) having a 1-hexene content in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.3 to 1.9 g/10 min, and

ii) a second random propylene copolymer (B) of propylene and 1-hexene having a higher 1-hexene content than the first random propylene copolymer (A), the second random propylene copolymer (B) having a 1-hexene content in the range of 6.5 to 10.0 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.1 to 1.2 g/10 min,

wherein the copolymer (C) has a 1-hexene content in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 wt.-%, has a xylene soluble content (XCS) in the range of 10.0 to 26.0 wt.-%, wherein a 1-hexene content of the xylene soluble fraction C6 (XCS) is in the range of 3.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, and a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.4 to 1.4 g/10 min, and copolymer (C) is free of any elastomeric polymer component and is not a heterophasic polypropylene, and

b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a plastomer (PL) which is an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 to C 10 α-olefin having a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm 3 ;

the polypropylene composition (P) has a melting temperature (Tm) measured according to ISO 11357-3 of at least 120° C., and a difference between the melting temperature (Tm) and a heat sealing initiation temperature (SIT) fulfilling the equation Tm−SIT>20° C., and

the polypropylene composition (P) exhibits a dart-drop strength (DDI) of 300 to 1700 g, determined according to ASTM D1709, method A, when measured on a 50 μm blown film, and a haze value before steam sterilization of 1.9 to 6.5%, as determined according to ASTM D-1003-00, on a 50 μm blown film.

2. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer (C) has an amount of 2,1 erythro regio-defects of at least 0.4 mol. %.

3. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio between the first random propylene copolymer (A) and the second random propylene copolymer (B) within the copolymer (C) is in the range of 30:70 to 70:30.

4. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer (C) fulfils in-equation (1)

MFR( C )/MFR( A )≤1.0  (1),

wherein MFR(A) is the melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in [g/10 min] of the first random propylene copolymer (A) and MFR(C) is the melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in [g/10 min] of the copolymer (C).

5. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer (C) fulfils in-equation (2)

4.5

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C

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6

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A

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A

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C

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)

wherein

C6(A) is the 1-hexene content of the first random propylene copolymer (A) based on the total weight of the first random propylene copolymer (A) [in wt. %];

C6(C) is the 1-hexene content of the copolymer (C) based on the total weight of the copolymer (C) [in wt. %]; and

[A]/[C] is the weight ratio between the first random propylene copolymer (A) and the copolymer (C) [in g/g].

6. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the plastomer (PL) has a density in the range of 0.865 to 0.920 g/cm 3 .

7. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein the plastomer (PL) is a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene.

8. The polypropylene composition (P) according to claim 1 , wherein

i) the first random propylene copolymer (A) has a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 1.0 to 1.6 g/10 min, and/or

ii) the second random propylene copolymer (B) has a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230°° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.8 to 1.1 g/10 min.

9. An article comprising at least 90.0 wt. % of a polypropylene composition (P), the polypropylene composition (P) comprising

a) 80.0 to 99.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a copolymer (C) of propylene and 1-hexene, comprising

i) a first random propylene copolymer (A) of propylene and 1-hexene, the first random propylene copolymer (A) having a 1-hexene content in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.3 to 1.9 g/10 min, and

ii) a second random propylene copolymer (B) of propylene and 1-hexene having a higher 1-hexene content than the first random propylene copolymer (A), the second random propylene copolymer (B) having the 1-hexene content in the range of 6.5 to 10.0 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 g/10 min,

wherein the copolymer (C) has the 1-hexene content in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 wt.-%, has a xylene soluble content (XCS) in the range of 10.0 to 26.0 wt. %, wherein the 1-hexene content of the xylene soluble fraction C6 (XCS) is in the range of 3.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, and has a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.4 to 1.4 g/10 min, and copolymer (C) is free of any elastomeric polymer component and is no heterophasic polypropylene, and

b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a plastomer (PL) which is an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 to C 10 α-olefin having a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm 3 ,

the polypropylene composition (P) having a melting temperature (Tm) measured according to ISO 11357-3 of at least 120° C., and a difference between the melting temperature (Tm) and a heat sealing initiation temperature (SIT) fulfilling the equation Tm−SIT>20° C., and

the polypropylene composition (P) exhibiting a dart-drop strength (DDI) of 300 to 1700 g, as determined according to ASTM D1709, method A, when measured on a 50 μm blown film, and a haze value before steam sterilization of 1.9 to 6.5%, as determined according to ASTM D-1003-00, on a 50 μm blown film.

10. The article according to claim 9 , wherein the article is a film.

11. The article according to claim 10 , wherein the film has

a haze after steam sterilization determined according to ASTM D 1003-00 measured on a 50 μm blown film below 12.0%.

12. A sealing layer in a multi-layer film, the sealing layer comprising a film comprising at least 90.0 wt. % of a polypropylene composition (P),

the polypropylene composition (P) comprising

a) 80.0 to 99.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a copolymer (C) of propylene and 1-hexene, comprising

i) a first random propylene copolymer (A) of propylene and 1-hexene, the first random propylene copolymer (A) having the 1-hexene content in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.3 to 1.9 g/10 min, and

ii) a second random propylene copolymer (B) of propylene and 1-hexene having a higher 1-hexene content than the first random propylene copolymer (A), the second random propylene copolymer (B) having the 1-hexene content in the range of 6.5 to 10.0 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 g/10 min,

wherein the copolymer (C) has the 1-hexene content in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 wt.-%, has a xylene soluble content (XCS) in the range of 10.0 to 26.0 wt. %, wherein the 1-hexene content of the xylene soluble fraction C6 (XCS) is in the range of 3.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, and has a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.4 to 1.4 g/10 min, and copolymer (C) is free of any elastomeric polymer component and is no heterophasic polypropylene, and

b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a plastomer (PL) which is an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 to C 10 α-olefin having a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm 3 ,

the polypropylene composition (P) having a melting temperature (Tm) measured according to ISO 11357-3 of at least 120° C., and a difference between the melting temperature (Tm) and a heat sealing initiation temperature (SIT) fulfilling the equation Tm−SIT>20° C., and

the polypropylene composition (P) exhibiting a dart-drop strength (DDI) of 300 to 1700 g, as determined according to ASTM D1709, method A, when measured on a 50 μm blown film, and a haze value before steam sterilization of 1.9 to 6.5%, as determined according to ASTM D-1003-00, on a 50 μm blown film.

13. A process for the preparation of a polypropylene composition (P), the polypropylene composition (P) comprising

a) 80.0 to 99.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a copolymer (C) of propylene and 1-hexene, comprising

i) a first random propylene copolymer (A) of propylene and 1-hexene, the first random propylene copolymer (A) having a 1-hexene content in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.3 to 1.9 g/10 min, and

ii) a second random propylene copolymer (B) of propylene and 1-hexene having a higher 1-hexene content than the first random propylene copolymer (A), the second random propylene copolymer (B) having the 1-hexene content in the range of 6.5 to 10.0 wt.-% and having a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 g/10 min,

wherein the copolymer (C) has a 1-hexene content in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 wt.-%, has a xylene soluble content (XCS) in the range of 10.0 to 26.0 wt. %, wherein the 1-hexene content of the xylene soluble fraction C6 (XCS) is in the range of 3.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, and has a melt flow rate MFR 2 (230° C., 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133 in the range of 0.4 to 1.4 g/10 min, and copolymer (C) is free of any elastomeric polymer component and is no heterophasic polypropylene, and

b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on the overall weight of the polypropylene composition (P), of a plastomer (PL) which is an elastomeric copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 4 to C 10 α-olefin having a density in the range of 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm 3 ,

the polypropylene composition (P) having a melting temperature (Tm) measured according to ISO 11357-3 of at least 120° C., and a difference between the melting temperature (Tm) and a heat sealing initiation temperature (SIT) fulfilling the equation Tm−SIT>20° C., and

the polypropylene composition (P) exhibiting a dart-drop strength (DDI) of 300 to 1700 g, as determined according to ASTM D1709, method A, when measured on a 50 μm blown film, and a haze value before steam sterilization of 1.9 to 6.5%, as determined according to ASTM D-1003-00, on a 50 μm blown film,

wherein the process is a sequential polymerization process comprising at least two reactors connected in series, wherein said process comprises:

(A) polymerizing in a first reactor (R-1) being a slurry reactor (SR), propylene and 1-hexene, obtaining a first random propylene copolymer (A),

(B) transferring said first random propylene copolymer (A) and unreacted comonomers of the first reactor (R-1) in a second reactor (R-2) which is a gas phase reactor (GPR-1),

(C) feeding to said second reactor (R-2) propylene and 1-hexene,

(D) polymerizing in said second reactor (R-2) and in the presence of said first random propylene copolymer (A) propylene and 1-hexene obtaining a second random propylene copolymer (B), said first random propylene copolymer (A) and said second random propylene copolymer (B) form the copolymer (C), and

(E) blending the copolymer (C) with the plastomer (PL) and obtaining the polypropylene composition (P),

wherein further in the first reactor (R-1) and second reactor (R-2), the polymerization takes place in the presence of a solid catalyst system (SCS), said solid catalyst system (SCS) comprising a transition metal compound of formula (I)

R n (Cp) 2 MX 2   (I)

wherein:

each Cp independently is an unsubstituted or substituted and/or fused cyclopentadienyl ligand, substituted or unsubstituted indenyl or substituted or unsubstituted fluorenyl ligand, wherein the optional one or more substituent(s) is/are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, C 2 -C 20 -alkenyl, C 2 -C 20 -alkynyl, C 3 -C 12 -cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 20 -aryl, C 7 -C 20 -arylalkyl, C 3 -C 12 -cycloalkyl which contains 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatom(s) in the ring moiety, C 6 -C 20 -heteroaryl, C 1 -C 20 -haloalkyl, —SiR″ 3 , —OSiR″ 3 , —SR″, —PR″ 2 , —OR″, and —NR″ 2 ,

wherein each R″ is independently a hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, C 2 -C 20 -alkenyl, C 2 -C 20 -alkynyl, C 3 -C 12 -cycloalkyl, and C 6 -C 20 -aryl or in case of —NR″ 2 , the two substituents R″ optionally form a five- or six-membered ring, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached;

R is a bridge of 1-2 C-atoms and 0-2 heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom(s) can be Si, Ge and/or O atom(s), wherein each of the bridge atoms optionally bears independently substituents selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, tri(C 1 -C 20 -alkyl) silyl, tri(C 1 -C 20 -alkyl) siloxy, and C 6 -C 20 -aryl substituents, or R is a bridge of one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, oxygen atom(s), and any combination thereof,

M is Zr or Hf;

each X is independently a sigma-ligand selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, C 1 -C 20 -alkyl, C 1 -C 20 -alkoxy, C 2 -C 20 -alkenyl, C 2 -C 20 -alkynyl, C 3 -C 12 -cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 20 -aryl, C 6 -C 20 -aryloxy, C 7 -C 20 -arylalkyl, C 7 -C 20 -arylalkenyl, —SR″, —PR″ 3 , —SiR″ 3 , —OSiR″ 3 , —NR″ 2 , and —CH 2 —Y, wherein Y is C 6 -C 20 -aryl, C 6 -C 20 -heteroaryl, C 1 -C 20 -alkoxy, C 6 -C 20 -aryloxy, NR″ 2 , —SR″, —PR″ 3 , —SiR″ 3 , or —OSiR″ 3 ;

each of the above mentioned ring moieties alone or as a part of another moiety as the substituent for Cp, X, R″ or R optionally is further substituted with C 1 -C 20 -alkyl which may contain Si and/or O atoms; and

n is 1 or 2.

14. The process according to claim 13 , wherein the transition metal compound of formula (I) is an organo-zirconium compound of formula (II) or (II′):

wherein:

M is Zr;

each X is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1 -C 6 alkoxy group, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, a phenyl group, or a benzyl group;

L is a divalent bridge selected from the group consisting of —R′ 2 C—, —R′ 2 C—CR′ 2 , —R′ 2 Si—, —R′ 2 Si—SiR′ 2 —, and —R′ 2 Ge—, wherein each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, C 1 -C 20 alkyl, C 3 -C 10 cycloalkyl, tri(C 1 -C 20 -alkyl) silyl, C 6 -C 20 -aryl or C 7 -C 20 arylalkyl;

each R 2 or R 2 ′ is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group;

R 5 ′ is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group or a Z′R 3 ′ group;

R 6 is hydrogen or a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group;

R 6 ′ is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group or a C 6 -C 10 aryl group;

R 7 is hydrogen, a C 1 -C 6 alkyl group or a ZR 3 group;

R 7 ′ is hydrogen or a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group;

Z and Z′ are independently O or S;

R 3 ′ is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group, or a C 6 -C 10 aryl group optionally substituted by one or more halogen groups;

R 3 is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl group;

each n is independently 0 to 4;

and each R 1 is independently a C 1 -C 20 hydrocarbyl group.