Polyolefin compositions optionally having variable toughness and/or hardness
The present invention provides novel polyolefin compositions having variable hardness and/or toughness properties. The polyolefin compositions include: a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and one or more hardness and/or toughness modulators. The polyolefin is preferably poly(dicyclopentadiene), or poly-DCPD. Also provided are articles of manufacture, such as molded parts, produced from the polyolefin compositions. The disclosed compositions are useful in marine, recreational and sports products.
1. A composition consisting essentially of:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and
one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators, the one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators comprising a silicone.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is poly-DCPD.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the silicone is polysiloxane.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the polysiloxane is a poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a poly(diphenylsiloxane).
5. The composition of claim 2 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 0.1% and about 20% by weight of the olefin monomer.
6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the olefin monomer.
7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 1% and about 5% by weight of the olefin monomer.
8. A golf club head consisting essentially of:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and
one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators comprising a silicone.
9. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein the polyolefin is poly-DCPD.
10. A process for preparing a composition having hardness or toughness properties consisting essentially of contacting a cyclic olefin with a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst and one or more hardness and/or toughness modulators, the one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators comprising a silicone.
11. The process of claim 10 wherein the silicone is a polysiloxane.
12. The process of claim 11 wherein the polysiloxane is a poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a poly(diphenylsiloxane).
13. The process of claim 10 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 0.1% and about 20% by weight of the cyclic olefin.
14. The process of claim 13 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 0.5% and about 10% by weight of the cyclic olefin.
15. The process of claim 14 wherein the one or more toughness modulators is present in an amount between about 1% and about 5% by weight of the cyclic olefin.
16. A composition comprising:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and one or more toughness modulators; wherein the olefin monomer is a dicyclopentadiene and the one or more toughness modulators is poly(dimethylsiloxane) or poly(diphenylsiloxane).
17. The process of claim 10 wherein the cyclic olefin is dicyclopentadiene.
18. The composition of claim 1 wherein the olefin monomer is dicyclopentadiene.
19. A composition comprising:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and
one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators, wherein the one or more toughness modulators comprises a silicone.
20. The composition of claim 19 , wherein the silicone is a polysiloxane.
21. The composition of claim 20 , wherein the polysiloxane is a poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a poly(diphenylsiloxane).
22. An article of manufacture comprising:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and
one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators comprising a silicone,
wherein the polyolefin is poly-DCPD, and wherein the article is a molded part selected from the group consisting of a golf club head and a golf club shaft.
23. A process for preparing a composition having hardness or toughness properties comprising contacting a cyclic olefin with a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst and one or more hardness and/or toughness modulators, wherein the one or more toughness modulators comprises a silicone.
24. The process of claim 23 , wherein the silicone is a polysiloxane.
25. The process of claim 24 , wherein the polysiloxane is a poly(dimethylsiloxane) or a poly(diphenylsiloxane).
26. A golf club shaft consisting essentially of:
a polyolefin prepared by the metathesis of an olefin monomer using a ruthenium or osmium carbene catalyst; and
one or more toughness and/or hardness modulators.