Thermoformable Thermoplastic Olefin composition and Articles

Thermoplastic Olefins (TPO) is the class of materials made from a semi-crystalline olefin, an elastomer, and additives.  They can be made in reactors or via mechanical or reactive melt mixing and varies in type of olefin, elastomer, and additives. They find applications in appliances, automotive exterior and interiors, and in various construction and consumer applications.  Thermoformable TPOs is a special sub group of TPO with low MFR, has high melt strength, and high melt elasticity.  Such TPOs are suitable for profile extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming and foaming.  There is a growing market for such TPOs as replacement for ABS, PVC, HDPE, and HIPS.

The following invention relates to melt mixed and reactively modified thermoformable TPOs with good rigidity, impact strength and formability.

One potential use is in honeycomb wall panels for truck or sea containers.

Thermoplastic olefin compositions and articles
US 7235609 B2

ABSTRACT

A thermoplastic olefin (TPO) composition comprises (1) a major amount by weight of (a) a substantially linear homopolymer or copolymer of a C₂–C₁₀ α-olefin in major proportion to (b) a long chain branched a linear homopolymer or copolymer of a C₂–C₁₀ α-olefin, (2) a minor amount by weight of a cross linkable elastomer, and (3) at least one thermally decomposing free radical generating agent present in an amount sufficient to promote an increase in melt strength of the composition over that of the melt strength of the linear homopolymer or copolymer of a C₂–C₁₀ α-olefin alone and insufficient to substantially degrade the α-olefinic polymers. The TPO composition is prepared by melt blending the components at a temperature sufficient to melt said homopolymers or copolymers of a C₂–C₁₀ α-olefin and thermally decompose said agent. Articles are thermoformed from the thermoplastic olefin.