Surface treatment of ethylene-based polymer pellets to improve blocking resistance

摘要

The method of this invention for raising the stick temperature of pellets of ethylene-based copolymers with an acid content at least 5 weight percent has the steps of contacting the pellets with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble metal salt of an aliphatic acid having fewer than 12 carbon atoms, and drying the pellets. The resulting ethylene-based copolymers have a stick temperature of above 25° C. and preferably at least 5° C. above that of the untreated pellets.