POLYMERIC COMPOSITIONS AND FOAMS, METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME, AND ARTICLES PREPARED FROM THE SAME

摘要

The invention provides a composition comprising an ethylene/a-olefin/non-conjugated diene interpolymer, which has the following properties: an Mz(abs)/Mz(Conv) value greater than 1.35; an Mz(BB)/Mw(abs) value greater than 1.6; and a non-conjugated diene content less than 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the interpolymer. The invention also provides a process for forming a crosslinked composition, said process comprising: (a) forming a polymeric admixture comprising at least the following: (A) an ethylene/a-olefin/non-conjugated diene copolymer rubber (B) which has the following properties: an Mz(abs)/Mz(Conv) value less than 1.3; an Mz(BB)/Mw(abs) value greater than 1.6, but less than 2.5; and an Mw(abs) value less than 350,000 g/mole; and (B) a coupling amount of (i) at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) or (ii) at least one peroxide; and (b) heating the resulting admixture to a temperature at least the decomposition temperature of the crosslinking agent. The invention also provides a process for forming a shaped article, said process comprising: (a) forming a polymeric admixture comprise of at least one ethylene/a-olefin/non-conjugated diene interpolymer, at least one sulfur-based curative or organic peroxide-based crosslinking agent, and, optionally, a process oil, carbon blacks, additional inorganic fillers, organic fillers, cure accelerators, and/or foaming agents; (b) shaping the resulting admixture; (c) heating the resulting admixture to a temperature at least the decomposition temperature of the sulfur-based cure agent or the peroxide crosslinking agent.