AU2258899A

AU2258899A - Process for increasing the melt strength of polypropylene

Info

Publication number: AU2258899A
Application number: AU22588/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graeme Moad; Michael Shane O'shea; Gary Peeters
Original assignee: CRC FOR POLYMERS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Polymers Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-19
Filing date: 1999-01-19
Publication date: 1999-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-19
Also published as: AU732342B2

Description

WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -1 PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE MELT STRENGTH OF POLYPROPYLENE 5 The present invention relates to polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for increasing the melt strength and/or the extensional melt viscosity of said polymers by melt phase processing. The melt strength and extensional viscosity of linear or straight chain polymers, such as 10 polypropylene, decreases rapidly with temperature. By contrast, polymers such as low density polyethylene which are highly branched retain relatively high melt strengths and extensional viscosities. It is generally understood that the difference in melt strengths and extensional viscosities is attributable to the presence of long chain branching in polymers such as low density polyethylene. Long chain branching allows a greater degree of chain 15 entanglement. A number of methods for increasing the melt strength/extensional viscosity of polypropylene and related polymers through the introduction of branching or a limited degree of crosslinking in a process involving reactive extrusion have been proposed and are summarised in a recent 20 paper by Wang et al. (Wang, X., Tzoganakis, C., and Rempel, G.L., J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 1996, 61, 1395). One such process involves the reactive extrusion of polypropylene with a polyfunctional monomer/initiator combination. For example, the use of pentaerythritol triacrylate in combination with 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane (DHBP). 25 White (US 5578682) has disclosed the use of various polyunsaturated crosslinking agents (for example, bismeleimide derivatives) in combination with free radical initiators to achieve an increase in the melt strength various polymers. It is well known that the melt phase processing of polypropylene leads to mechanochemical 30 degradation. The processing of polypropylene in the presence of free radical initiators SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -2 provides an increased rate of degradation. This controlled degradation of polypropylene is used commercially for the production of controlled rheology resins having reduced polydispersity and reduced die swell (Lambla, M. in Comprehensive Polymer Science, Pergamon, New York 1992, vol Suppl. 1, p 619; Hogt, A.H., Meijer, J., Jelinic, J. in 5 Reactive Modifiers for Polymers, Al-Malaika, S. Ed., Chapman & Hall, London, 1996, p 84.). The degradation of polypropylene as described therein results in a lowering of melt strength. The batch modification of polypropylene to produce crosslinked (insoluble) polypropylene by 10 treatment with peroxides is described by Borsig et al. (Borsig, E., Fiedlerova, A., Lazar, M. J., Macromol. Sci, Chem., 1981, A16, 513). Initiators which produce benzoyloxy radicals or phenyl radicals are described as being more efficient in inducing crosslinking or grafting than those which produce t-butoxy or alkyl radicals. The process requires the use of high levels of peroxide. The use of polyfunctional monomers as coagents to retard degradation and 15 enhance crosslinking is described by Chodak, I.; Fabianova, K.; Borsig, E.; Lazar, M. Agnew. Makromol. Chem., 1978, 69, 107. DeNicola (EP 384331A2) has disclosed a means to produce a branched propylene polymer material showing a nett increase in the weight average molecular weight by solid state 20 modification of predominantly isotactic semi-crystalline linear polypropylene. The process described in EP384331A2 involves blending peroxides with short half lives (eg peroxy dicarbonates) with linear propylene polymer in a mixing vessel at temperatures from 23 C to 120'C in an inert atmosphere and continuing to mix for a period of time until the peroxide decomposes and polymer fragmentation and branching occurs without significant gelation of 25 the polymer. DeNicola states that at temperatures greater than 120oC no branching or melt strength enhancement is achieved. U.S. 5,464,907 teaches that certain unsaturated maleate or itaconate derived peroxides may be used to induce grafting in polypropylene and a-olefin copolymers. They report that use SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -3 of other peroxides generally results in chain degradation. Polypropylene is also known to undergo substantial degradation during melt phase grafting of monofunctional monomers, for example maleic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate. It 5 has also been reported that the degradation that accompanies grafting of these monomers to polypropylene may be reduced by the addition of relatively high concentrations of certain comonomers including styrene (see, for example Sun, Y.-J., Hu, G.-H., and Lambla, M., Angew. Makromol. Chem, 1995, 229, 1; Chen, L-F., Wong, B. and Baker, W.E. Polym. Eng. Sci. 1996, 36, 1594.) Sun et al. report that there is degradation (as indicated by an 10 overall decrease in molecular weight) when styrene alone is grafted onto polypropylene even when a relatively high concentration is used (4 moles/100g PP). Either 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-(t butylperoxy)hex-3-yne or 2,5-dimethyl-2,5(t-butylperoxy-hexane(DHBP) was used as the initiator in these experiments. 15 We have found that melt mixing polypropylene homopolymer or ethylene-polypropylene copolymer in the presence of a suitable initiator provides one or more of the following: increased melt strength; increased extensional viscosity; increased molecular weight; and broadened molecular weight distribution. 20 According to the present invention there is provided a process for modifying a polypropylene (co)polymer wherein said process comprises melt mixing the polypropylene (co)polymer in the presence of an initiator wherein said initiator is selected from the group defined by formula 1. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -4 Y X O Z -3 O -0-R U v Formula 1 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C 1 to C 18 acyl, 5 optionally substituted C 1 to C 18 alkyl, aroyl defined by formula 2, 'Y X' O 'U V' Formula 2 10 and compounds of formula 3, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -5 'Y X' O 'Z O O- T 'U V' Formula 3 wherein U, V, X, Y, Z, U', V', X', Y' and Z' are independently selected from the group 5 consisting hydrogen; halogen; C1-C18 alkyl; C1-C18 alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, acyloxy, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, trialkyl silyl, hydroxy, or a moiety of formula 4, O 0-O-R 10 Formula 4 and wherein T is alkylene. Advantageously the thus formed modified polypropylene may be obtained without the associated production of significant and detrimental amounts of gels. 15 Polymers suitable for use in the present invention include a wide variety of polypropylene homopolymers, copolymers and blends containing one or more polypropylene homopolymers and/or copolymers. 20 Suitable polypropylene homopolymers include isotactic polypropylene, atactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polypropylene. Commercial isotactic polypropylene having a proportion of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -6 meso/dyads of greater than 90% is preferably used in the process of the present invention. Isotactic polypropylene is a semi-crystalline polymer having a number of properties which have made it one of the most widely used commercial polymers. These properties include heat resistance, stress cracking resistance, chemical resistance, toughness, and low 5 manufacturing costs. However, the melt strength of isotactic polypropylene as measured directly by extensional viscosity or use of a commercial melt strength tester or indirectly by more qualitative measures such as drop time or die swell ratio is relatively low. This relatively low melt strength limits the use of polypropylene in applications such as foam extrusion, thermoforming and film blowing. In order to use polypropylene in such 10 applications it is necessary to employ sophisticated processing equipment. The present invention now permits this already widely used commercial polymer to be used in an even wider range of applications. Polypropylene copolymers include copolymers of propylene and other monomers with such 15 other monomers being present preferably in amounts of up to 10%wt/wt. A preferred comonomer is ethylene. The present invention is also applicable to other polymers comprising a-olefin monomers. It is preferable that any such a-olefins are present in the polymer to be modified in amounts 20 in excess of 90%wt/wt. c-olefins include propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene and 1-hexene. The initiators for use in the present invention may be selected from the group defined by formula 1. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -7 Y x O Z "3 O -0-R U v Formula 1 5 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C 1 to C 1 8 acyl, optionally substituted C 1 to C 18 alkyl, aroyl defined by formula 2, 'Y X' 0 'Z 'U V' Formula 2 10 and compounds of formula 3, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -8 'Y X' O 'Z " O-O-T 'U V' Formula 3 wherein U, V, X, Y, Z, U', V', X', Y' and Z' are independently selected from the group 5 consisting hydrogen; halogen; C1-C18 alkyl; C1-C18 alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, acyloxy, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, trialkyl silyl, hydroxy, or a moiety of formula 4, O O-O-R 10 Formula 4 and wherein T is alkylene. The alkyl, including acyl and alkoxy, groups included in the initiators of formula 1 may 15 include hetero atoms within the carbon chain (eg polyalkylene oxide) and may be branched or unbranched and may be substituted with one or more groups such as with alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or halogen substituents. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the aroyloxy radical of formula 5 20 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -9 Y X O loo U V Formula 5 ,where U, V, X, Y and Z are as hereinabove defined, provide the surprising increase in melt 5 strength. Other compounds which generate these aroyloxy radicals may also be used in the present invention. A preferred class of initiators of formula 1 are diaroyl peroxides of formula 6. Y X 'X Y' lo O 0 Z U V 'V U' 10 Formula 6 where X, Y, Z, U, V, X', Y', Z', U', V' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 - C 1 8 alkyl where at least one of X, Y, Z, U, V and X', Y', Z', U', V' are not hydrogen. 15 Diaryl peroxides of formula 6 include Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 10 peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 5 Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 10 Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tertbutoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all 15 isomers), Bis(2,6-dimethyl-4- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) peroxide and isomers, 2,2'(dioxydicarbonyl) bis - Benzoic acid dibutyl ester where the term "all isomers" refers to any variation in the position of the ring substituent as well as the structure of the substituent itself i.e. for propyl; n-propyl and isopropyl. 20 Examples of aromatic peresters of formula 1 include the following: tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert butyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 25 tert-amyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert amyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl perbenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (ethoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2 30 ethylhexyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -11 The initiators for use in the present invention also include compounds of formula 1 where at least one of U, V, X, Y, Z, U', V', X' Y' and Z' is a moiety of formula 4 where R is as defined above. Preferably there is no more than one moiety of formula 4 per aromatic ring. Such initiators are di or higher functional peroxides and may include polymeric peroxides 5 such as Bis (tertbutylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate, Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4 methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di peroxide, dibenzoyl terephthaloyl diperoxide, Poly[ dioxycarbonyldioxy(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediyl)] peroxide. 10 It is described that the initiators are selected such that it has an appropriate decomposition temperature (half life), solubility, and reactivity and such that the groups R, T, X, Y, Z, U, V, X, Y', Z', U', V' give no adverse reaction under the conditions of the process. Preferred 15 peroxides will have a 0.1 hour half life in the range 100 - 170oC. The amount of initiator used in the process of the present invention should be an effective amount to achieve the desired increase in melt strength. Melt strength is considered in the art to be an indication of long-chain branching in polyolefins. It is preferable in the process 20 of the present invention that long-chain branching predominates over crosslinking in the reaction between the initiator and the polypropylene (co)polymer. Crosslinking of the polypropylene (co)polymer may result in the formation of gels which disrupt the appearance of the polypropylene (co)polymer. In the process of the present invention it is desirable to control the degree and distribution of crosslinking and keep the level of crosslinking as 25 uniform and as low as necessary to produce the desired effects. The amount of crosslinking which occurs in the polypropylene (co)polymer is dependant upon the amount of initiator melt mixed with the polypropylene (co)polymer. The amount of crosslinking is also dependent upon the degree of mixing as any regions high in initiator concentration will result in excessive localised crosslinking and the formation of gels. It is desirable that good 30 distributive and dispersive mixing be employed to promote even distribution of the initiator SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 12 in the polypropylene (co)polymer so as to minimise the variation in initiator concentration throughout the polypropylene (co)polymer and reduce the likelihood of the formation of gels. Preferably the initiator will be present in the range of from 0.004 to 0.25 moles of initiator 5 per kg of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer (polypropylene (co)polymer). The more preferred range being from 0.006 to 0.10 moles of initiator per kg. of the polypropylene (co)polymer and even more preferred range being from 0.01 to 0.05 moles of initiator per kg of the polypropylene (co)polymer. 10 The initiator is preferably introduced into the polymer melt directly, either neat (as a powder or a liquid), dispersed or dissolved in a suitable medium (for example, dissolved in 2 butanone) or adsorbed on polymer pellets or powder which are added as a masterbatch. It is desirable that the initiator is rapidly mixed with the polymer melt at a rate in keeping with the half life of the initiator at the processing temperature of the polypropylene (co)polymer. 15 The initiator may be added either alone, or along with the polypropylene (co)polymer, or with any other polymer, additive or filler, so that the polymer melts and mixes with the initiator as it is decomposing. When the initiator is fed to the main feed throat of the extruder it is preferred to have a barrel temperature which is relatively low in the region adjacent to the 20 main feed throat and increases towards the die to prevent premature decomposition of the peroxide. Preferably the initiators for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,o' 25 Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 30 Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 13 Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 5 Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tertbutoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all 10 isomers), Bis(2,4-dimethyl-6- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) peroxide and isomers tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate, 15 diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4-methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di peroxide and dibenzoyl terephthaloyl diperoxide. More preferably the initiators are selected from the group consisting of dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o' Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) 20 peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p' Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide. The initiators may optionally be used in combination with one or more monomers. 25 Preferably the one or more monomers are selected from the group consisting of monene monomer. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that by the term "monoene monomer" it is meant a monomer having a single reactive double bond. The preferred monoene monomer(s) or mixtures thereof include vinyl monomers of structure 30 CH 2 = CHX where X is chosen so as to confer the desired reactivity and solubility. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 14 More preferred monomers include styrene. The amount of monomer will preferably be up to 5 times the total moles of initiator added to the polypropylene (co)polymer. The most preferred range being 1 to 4 times the total moles of initiator added to the polypropylene (co)polymer. 5 The monomer may be added with the polypropylene (co)polymer or it can be added prior to the initiator, with the initiator or subsequent to the initiator. However it is preferred to have the monomer mixed and dispersed into the polymer melt before the initiator has substantially decomposed. The monomer is preferably introduced into the polymer melt directly, either 10 neat (as a powder or a liquid), dispersed or dissolved in a suitable medium (for example, dissolved in 2-butanone) or adsorbed on polymer pellets or powder which are added as a masterbatch. Preferred initiators for use in combination with monomers include Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o' 15 Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p' Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 20 Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 25 Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di-tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 30 Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(2,4-dimethyl-6- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -15 peroxide and isomers, 2,2'(dioxydicarbonyl) bis - Benzoic acid dibutyl ester, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate 5 (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl perbenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl 10 (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (ethoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2 ethylhexyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), Bis (tertbutylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate, Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4 methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di peroxide, dibenzoyl terephthaloyl 15 diperoxide and Poly[ dioxycarbonyldioxy(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,4-butanediyl)] peroxide. Advantageously initiators may be selected to avoid undesirable by-products. In certain applications, it may be desirable to avoid the use of initiators which generate benzene. For example di toluoyl peroxides (bis methyl benzoyl peroxides) may be used in preference to 20 dibenzoyl peroxide. The processability and other properties of the product may be improved by a chain scission step following the initial polymer modification step. This may be carried out by: a) adding one or more additional initiators with or subsequent to the first initiator addition; 25 b) the use of high shear mixing; c) the use of high temperatures; d) the use combination is of one or more of (a) - (c) above. This additional step in the production of a polymer enables tailoring the properties of the 30 product to meet the requirements of the desired application. For example, by this two stage SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -16 process it is possible to produce materials with similar melt viscosity to the base polymer but a substantially increased melt strength. Use of the single stage process generally provides both an increase in melt strength and an increase in melt viscosity (see examples) 5 One or more additional initiators may be added to the polypropylene (co)polymer during the modification process either with or subsequent to the initiator and monomer addition. The additional initiator is typically added to give chain scission of the polypropylene (co)polymer so as to decrease the melt viscosity and improve the processability of the modified polypropylene (co)polymer. The additional initiator should be introduced to the polymer melt 10 after the first initiator or have a sufficiently long half-life relative to the first initiator such that its decomposition can be staged to occur after the initial polymer modification process. In some instances a polypropylene (co)polymer modified in accordance with the present invention may have a MFI <1 g/10 min. With use of the additional initiator an MFI > 1 g/10 min may be achieved. The additional initiator may be selected from the group consisting of 15 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy)hexane (DHBP), dicumyl peroxide (DCP), t-butyl peroxy 2-ethylhexonate(TBEH), and dilauryl peroxide (DLP) or any other peroxide which may result in the overall chain scission of the polypropylene (co)polymer during melt processing. For example in the absence of the monoene monomers, t-butyl peroxybenzoate or other non preferred initiators for use in the presence of the monomer may be preferably added as the 20 additional initiator. While the improvement in processability through chain scission normally results in some decrease in the melt strength/extensional viscosity of the modified polypropylene (co)polymer, the melt strength/extensional viscosity may still be acceptable, and improved over the unmodified polypropylene (co)polymer. 25 It is possible to combine the process of the present invention with other processes of polymer modification or with, for example, the addition of fillers, additives or stabilisers, or blending with other polymers. [which do not substantially interfere with the improved properties afforded by the process of the present invention]. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -17 In the process of the present invention the polypropylene (co)polymer is melt mixed in the presence of initiator and monomer. Melt mixing may be carried out by any convenient means capable of mixing the polypropylene (co)polymer at temperatures above the melting point of the polypropylene (co)polymer. 5 Suitable apparatus for melt mixing the polypropylene (co)polymer include continuous and batch mixers. Suitable mixing equipment includes extruders such as single screw and twin screw extruders, static mixers, cavity transfer mixers and combinations of two or more thereof. It is preferred that the melt mixing is conducted in either a co- or counter- rotating 10 twin screw extruder. The barrel set temperatures are preferably in the range 80-280 oC. Typical melt temperatures are in the range 170-290 oC. 15 In order to optimise the melt strength/extensional viscosity, the preferred melt temperatures are in the range 160 oC to 220 oC. This range provides optimal properties whilst minimising the amount of chain scission which occurs during processing. However, in some cases it may be desirable to use higher temperatures such as in the venting/discharge sections of single screw or twin screw extruders or to induce some chain scission in order to decrease the 20 molecular weight of the modified polypropylene (co)polymer and improve the processability of the modified polypropylene (co)polymer. Typically, the die temperatures are in the range 180-290 oC. 25 Preferably the extrusion conditions are adjusted so that the polypropylene (co)polymer, initiator/monomer mixture are conveyed as quickly as possible into the melting/mixing zone to maximise the melt phase reaction (eg for twin screw extruders - high throughput rates, higher screw speeds under starve fed conditions). It is more preferred that the additives are added to and mixed with molten polypropylene (co)polymer to further enhance the melt phase SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -18 reaction. Preferably residence times in the range of from 10 seconds to 5 minutes are selected depending upon the temperature profile, throughput rate and initiator levels. More preferred residence times are in the range of from 15 seconds to 120 seconds. 5 Vacuum venting can be applied to remove volatile by-products, solvents and/or excess monomer. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the effectiveness of the present invention is determined by three factors: 10 (a) The rate and specificity of the reaction of the aroyloxy or the derived phenyl radicals or substituted phenyl radicals with polypropylene, and the monomer if present. It is believed that the aroyloxy, phenyl or substituted aroyloxy or phenyl radicals show less specificity for abstraction of tertiary vs. secondary or primary hydrogens than do, for example, alkoxy or 15 alkyl radicals. (b) The initiator half-life. Use of an initiator with a short initiator half-life will generate a locally high concentration of radicals thus increasing the likelihood of radical combination events. 20 (c) The solubility characteristics of the initiator in the polymer melt. Without wishing to be bound by theory, peroxides that generate aroyloxy or aryl radicals (for example benzoyloxy, p-toluouloxy) are preferred over those that generate alkoxy radicals (for 25 example, t-butoxy radical, cumyloxy radical). It is believed and supported in the literature that the latter class of peroxides promote chain scission under the melt mixing conditions. While not wishing to be bound by the mechanism, it is believed that this effect is due to the specificity shown by the alkoxy radicals as opposed to the aroyloxy or aryl radicals generated by the peroxides of structure 1. Furthermore we believe that peroxides which generate both SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -19 alkoxy and aroyloxy or aryl radicals (for example, t-butyl perbenzoate) show intermediate behaviour. It is believed that they promote less chain scission than peroxides which generate only alkoxy radicals (for example, dialkyl peroxides) when used alone and can be used to advantage in systems where a monomer coagent is employed. Preferred peresters are thus 5 those which generate alkoxy radicals which are not active in hydrogen abstraction (for example t-amyl perbenzoate). Similarly, it is believed, without wishing to be bound by theory, that the effectiveness of the monomer is determined by: 10 (a) The solubility of the monomer in the polymer melt. For example, styrene is known to be soluble in molten polypropylene. (b) The reactivity of the monomer towards polypropylene derived radicals. 15 (c) The propensity for the radical formed by addition of monomer to give combination or addition (which leads to branch or crosslink formation) vs. disproportionation or hydrogen abstraction. It is known that the benzylic radicals give predominantly combination and have low (with relation to other radicals) tendency to abstract hydrogen. 20 Other initiators and monomers that meet the above criteria may also be used to advantage in the present invention. Surprisingly, the process of the present invention results in a polypropylene (co)polymer with 25 substantially increased melt strength. We have found that it is possible with the present invention to obtain a polypropylene (co)polymer which has a melt strength at least 25% greater than the melt strength of the base polymer. We have also found that it is possible to obtain an increase in melt strength of greater than 100% for a number of the polypropylene (co)polymers produced in accordance with the process of the present invention. Increases in SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 20 melt strength were assessed using a Gottfert-Rheotens melt strength tester operated with a roller acceleration of 1.2 cm/sec' measuring the melt strength of a 2 mm strand of molten polypropylene (co)polymer (melt temperature of 210oC) which is fed to the Gottfert tester at -4 g/min. 5 In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a modified polypropylene (co)polymer produced according to the process described herein, wherein said modified polypropylene (co)polymer preferably has a melt strength at least 25 %, and more preferably at least 100%, greater than the unmodified polypropylene (co)polymer. 10 The polypropylene (co)polymers produced according to the process of the present invention also may provide a significant increase in long-chain branching. Long-chain branching may be assessed by the Dow Rheology Index. Advantageously, the modified polypropylene (co)polymers may demonstrate a Dow Rheology Index (DRI) of greater than 1, preferably 15 at least 2 and most preferably greater than 50. The process of the present invention may also be used to increase the melt elasticity of a polypropylene (co)polymer. 20 Advantageously, the process of the present invention also provides a means to alter the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and/or degree and length of branching of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, and analogous a-olefin copolymers with or without altering the melt strength of said polymers by melt processing. 25 The process of the present invention may provide a means to generally increase the molecular weight and broaden the molecular weight distribution and/or introduce branching of the polypropylene (co)polymer. This will not always equate to significant increases in the melt strength or extensional viscosity of the polymer that is being modified eg modification of a lower molecular weight polymer to broaden the molecular weight and/or induce shorter SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -21 branches. Such a product may not necessarily demonstrate a high melt strength, but may demonstrate other desirable properties, for example improved filler uptake, mechanical properties, surface properties, thermal and morphological properties. 5 The modified polypropylene (co)polymer produced by the process of the present invention may be used either neat or blended with another polymer or other additives to provide the desired balance of properties in the polymer blend. The modified polypropylene (co)polymers and blends may be used in a wide variety of 10 applications including thermoforming, blow moulding, tube or pipe extrusion, blown films, foams and extrusion coating. The present invention may also be used in the recycling of waste polypropylene or materials containing waste polypropylene. 15 The increased melt strength of the modified polypropylene (co)polymers renders these (co)polymers more suitable for use in thermoforming applications. The modified polypropylene (co)polymers may be used to thermoform containers such as margarine tubs. The benefits of this invention include that the polypropylene (co)polymers and blends 20 containing same provide a wider temperature processing window than conventional isotactic polypropylene. The modified polypropylene (co)polymers may also be used in large part thermoforming such as in the production of refrigerator liners and the like where conventional isotactic polypropylene is unsuitable. 25 The modified polypropylene (co)polymers produced in accordance with the present invention are suitable for blow moulding and we have found that they can be more readily blow moulded into containers. Furthermore, the increased melt strength makes it possible to produce large blow moulded parts through the use of the high melt strength modified polypropylene (co)polymer. Thus components currently made by rotational moulding may SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 22 now be produced by blow moulding using the modified polypropylene (co)polymer of the present invention. Profile extrusion for example tube or pipe extrusion, using the modified polypropylene 5 (co)polymer has been found to produce a more consistent product than conventional isotactic polypropylene. Blown films made of polypropylene are generally blown downwards using relatively expensive equipment. The modified polypropylene (co)polymers of the present invention 10 have sufficient melt strength for them to be able them to be blown upwardly using conventional polyethylene type film blowing equipment which is less expensive and generally more convenient to operate. Advantageously the modified polypropylene (co)polymers of the present invention may be used in the production of blown films. 15 The modified polypropylene (co)polymers of the present invention may also be foamed with a wider processing window than for conventional polypropylene. Either a physical or chemical blowing agent may be used. It is preferred to use carbon dioxide as a physical blowing agent to produce foams having a fine closed cell structure. Foamed pellets may be subsequently moulded to form components for use in a variety of applications such as 20 automotive door trims, rooflinings, dash boards, bumpers and the like. Applications such as in foamed packaging are also possible, including thermoformed containers, insulating cups and the like. Waste polypropylene or waste streams containing a significant proportion of polypropylene 25 are presently difficult to recycle as conventionally a high degree of chain scission results from the recycling process. The process of the present invention may be used to upgrade recycled streams containing polypropylene by increasing the overall mechanical properties of the recycled polypropylene by the addition of initiator and monomer in accordance with the present invention. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 23 The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. Described hereunder are the measurement techniques used in the examples and a full description of the process conditions employed. Comparative Examples are labelled CE n. 5 Melt Strength Measurement Melt strengths were measured on a "Rheotens" Melt Strength Tester, Type 010.1, supplied by Gottfert Werkstoff-Prufmaschinen Gmbh of Buchen, Germany. This test involves drawing 10 an extruded strand of polymer vertically into the nip between two counter-rotating nip rollers. The strand was extruded using a Brabender Plasticord single screw extruder of screw diameter 19mm and length to diameter ratio (L/D) of 25. The extrudate exited via a right angle capillary die (2mm diameter). The temperature profile used was uniform along the length of the barrel of the extruder and the die and was set at 190oC. The nip rollers are mounted on 15 a balance arm which allows the force in the drawing strand to be measured. The velocity of the nip rolls is increased at a uniform acceleration rate. As the test proceeds, the force increases until eventually the strand breaks. The force at breakage is termed the "melt strength". 20 While there is no internationally-established standard set of test requirements for melt strength testing, comparative melt strength values obtained under the given set of test conditions provide a quantitative determination of the increase in melt strength used in the patent. The test conditions used were: die temperature 190oC, extruder output rate -4 g/min, acceleration rate 1.2 cm/sec 2 , draw distance 210 mm, matt finish steel rollers. 25 Dow Rheology Index The Dow Rheology Index (DRI) is believed in the art to be a measure of the long chain branching in a polymer. It is expressed as the deviation of a viscosity parameter obtained SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 24 from shear rheology measurements on a "branched" polymer compared with that for a linear polymer. The branched polymers have lower values of the viscosity parameter than the linear polymers (for a given relaxation parameter). The parameters are obtained by fitting the Cross model to the shear viscosity flow curves. The DRI method has been described by Lai, 5 Plumley, Butler, Knight and Kao in a paper in SPE ANTEC '94 Conference Proceedings (ppl814-1818) - "Dow Rheology Index (DRI) for Insite Technology Polyolefins (ITP): Unique Structure-Processing Relationships". Dynamic Rheology Tests 10 The dynamic rheology tests were performed on a Rheometrics Dynamic Stress Rheometer SR200. Test conditions were: parallel plates, temperature 190oC, frequency range 0.01 to 100 rad/sec, and 3-4% strain, in a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent degradation. G' is the storage modulus representing the elasticity of the polymer melt, G" is the loss modulus which 15 represents the viscous component of the deformation. The polydispersity index is 10 to power 5 divided by the crossover modulus, which is the value of G' = G" when the G' and G" curves crossover - it is believed to be a measure of MWD. The higher G', the greater elasticity in the polymer and the higher the MW. 20 MFI Melt flow indexes (MFI) were measured a 230oC with a 2.16 kg load according to ASTM 1238. 25 Drop Times The drop times were determined by measuring the time taken for the polypropylene strand (cut at the die face) to drop from the die of the extruder to the floor. The die of the JSW twin screw extruder was 1140 mm above the floor. The drop time test combines the effects of SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 25 melt viscosity, extensional viscosity, chain entanglement (as shown by die swell), and elasticity (as shown by the tendency resist neck formation). Higher melt viscosity polypropylene polymers had drop times which incorporated some additional effect due to prolonged cooling of the slower moving (falling) molten strand. 5 GPC GPC molecular weights were determined using a Waters 150C high temperature GPC unit. 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used as the solvent, eluting through two Styragel HT6E linear 10 columns. The oven temperature was set at 140oC and the pump flow rate was 1.0ml/min. Calibration was performed using narrow polydispersity polystyrene standards. All molecular weights quoted as polystyrene equivalents. Mn= number average molecular weight 15 Mw= weight average molecular weight Mz= viscosity average molecular weight Mp = peak molecular weight Twin Screw Extruder 20 The twin screw extruder used in the examples was a JSW TEX-30 with a 30 mm screw diameter and an overall L/D of 42 [comprising ten temperature controlled barrel sections (L/D 3.5, temperatures between 120 and 2 3 0 oC as specified in Table 1), three unheated sampling/monitoring blocks (L/D 1.167) and a cooled feed block (L/D 3.5)) equipped with 25 two JSW TTF20 gravimetric feeders, one K-Tron KQx gravimetric additives feeder and a volumetric liquid addition pump (Fuji Techno Industries model HYM-03-08)]. The extruder was operated in either co-rotating (intermeshing self wiping) or counter rotating (intermeshing non-self wiping) modes with a throughput rate of between 5 and 20 kg/hr and screw speeds of between 100 and 400 rpm as specified in Table 1. The melt temperature and SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 26 pressures were monitored at three points along the barrel and in the die. Table 1 Operating conditions Conditions Screw Speed Feed Rate Temperature Profile (rpm) (kg/hr) (oC) 5 A 265 20 150oC, 175oC (by 10) B 265 20 180oC, 200oC (by 3), 220'C (by 7) C 150 5 120 C, 130 C (by 4), 180oC (by 6) D 265 20 140oC, 150 0 C (by 10) E 265 20 180oC, 200-C (by 4), 230 0 C, 240oC, 250-C, 260'C, 270oC, 280oC. 10 F 400 20 180'C, 220'C (by 10) G 265 20 80oC, 120oC, 140oC, 160oC, 170oC, 180 0 C, 200oC (by 5) H 150 5 80°C, 120oC, 140 0 C, 160oC, 170oC, 180oC, 190oC (by 3), 200oC (by 2) I 265 20 80oC, 120oC, 140oC, 160oC, 170oC, 180°C, 190-C (by 3), 200-C (by 2) J 250 20 150oC, 170oC (by 3), 180oC, 200oC, 220 C (by 5) 15 * The temperatures in the table refer to sections of the barrel of the extruder that are capable of independent temperature control. The first ten temperatures are barrel section temperatures and the last temperature indicates the temperature of the die. 20 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 27 Table 2 - Die configuration Condition Die Description 1 Large 3 hole strand die - 6 mm holes 2 Small 3 hole strand die - 4 mm holes 5 3 Large 2 hole strand die - 6 mm holes 4 Single hole Brabender die- 10mm hole Table 3 - Means of modifier addition Condition Die Description 10 a Modifier added at block 4 in 2-butanone carrier solvent 13 Modifier added at block 4 in xylene carrier solvent y Modifier coated onto PP powder - pre tumble blended 6 Modifier coated onto PP powder masterbatch 15 The overall extruder configuration and modifier conditions may be recited, for example, as condition: A16. Solvent Addition of Modifiers 20 The initiator, and monomer if present, was introduced as a solution in 2-butanone or xylene. The concentration of the initiator varied from 5.6% wt/wt to 8.5 % wt/wt. The benzoyl peroxide and the di-toluol peroxides were both powders wetted with 25 % (wt/wt) water. The monomer was present in an amount between 4 to 10% wt/wt solvent. 25 Increased levels of initiator were generally added by increasing the amount of solution added to the polymer melt. The additional peroxides (if any) were added with the initiator in the carrier solvent. Solventless Addition of Modifiers 30 t-Butyl peroxybenzoate is a liquid. The solventless modification of the polymer was achieved by absorbing the initiator onto powdered polymer or blending it with powdered polymer at SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 28 concentrations ranging from 5% wt/wt to 10% wt/wt to form a masterbatch. The masterbatch was added to the extruder in varying feed rates to alter the amount of additives. The amount of polymer feed was adjusted accordingly to give constant overall feed rate. 5 The stabilisers were also added as a masterbatch. The amount of stabiliser was generally kept constant at 0.33%wt/wt Irganox 1010 and 0.17%wt/wt Irgaphos 168 in the total composition. The main polymer feed was added as either powder or pellets. 10 Single Screw Extruders Killion The Killion single screw extruder used in the examples was a segmented single screw extruder 15 of L/D=40 (11 barrel sections, 10 heated) and screw diameter of 31.75 mm. Polypropylene powder, stabilisers (0.33%wt/wt Irganox 1010, 0.17%wt/wt Irgaphos 168 in total) and initiator were added to the feed throat of the single screw extruder via a twin screw K-Tron volumetric feeder. 20 Alternatively, the polypropylene powder and stabilisers were added via the K-Tron feeder and polypropylene powder, stabilisers and the modifiers were added as a master batch via a single screw APV Accurate volumetric feeder. The masterbatch contained 7.5%wt/wt benzoyl peroxide (prepared using a dispersion of benzoyl peroxide containing 25 %wt/wt water). 25 The output of the extruder was - 1.5 kg/hr using a screw speed of 30rpm. The set barrel temperature was either (I) a flat 220oC with each barrel section and the die set at a temperature of 220 0 C or (ii) 230oC/190oC with the first six melting sections of the barrel set at 230'C and the next four metering sections of the barrel and the die set at 190oC. The melt SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 29 temperature varied from 220 to 260 0 C. Brabender 5 The Brabender single screw extruder used was a single screw extruder of L/D =25 (4 Barrel sections), compression ratio 2.5:1 and screw diameter of 19 mm. The die was a 4 mm rod die. The screw speed of the extruder was 20 rpm. The set barrel temperature was 140oC, 170'C, 10 180 0 C, 180oC. Residences time: Start 3 min 40 sec; Middle 4 min 35 sec; and End 7 min 30 sec. Polypropylene powder either as cryoground pellets or ex-reactor powder was mixed with the modifiers and added to the feed throat, either flood feed or by a Brabender single screw 15 volumetric feeder. The following commercial polypropylene (co)polymers were used in the examples. The properties of the (co)polymers are shown in Table 4 below. 20 Table 4: Comparative data for a grade of high melt strength PP and conventional PP grades. Example Polymer Polymer MFI Melt Strength Description 2.16kg cN @ 230oC Control 1 Montell High melt strength 3 18 PF814 polypropylene homopolymer Control 2 Montell Extrusion grade 3 3 JE6100 polypropylene homopolymer SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -30 Control 3 ICI Injection moulding 14 1.8 Australia grade of GYM 45 polypropylene homopolymer Control 4 ICI Extrusion grade of 4 2.8 Australia polypropylene GWM 22 homopolymer Control 5 ICI Thermoforming 0.8 6 Australia grade of PXCA 6152 polypropylene homopolymer Control 6 ICI Injection moulding 14 1.4 Australia grade of LYM 120 propylene/ethylene copolymer 5 Control 7 Montell Ex-reactor grade of 4.1 -3 6501 injection moulding polypropylene homopolymer Control 8 Montell Extrusion grade of - 3.5 KM6100 polypropylene homopolymer Control 9 Montell Extrusion grade of - 3.5 KMT6100 polypropylene homopolymer Control 10 Montell Ex-reactor grade of -3.5 KM6100 polypropylene powder homo polymer unstabalized SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -31 * Melt strength and MFI were measured for a particular batch and we have found actual values vary up to 20% of these values. Examples 1 to 5 5 GYM45 was modified in accordance with Table 5 below. GYM45 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene homopolymer. Table 5: 10 Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt Strength (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg (cN) (amps) (oC) (secs.) @ 2300C Control - - 0 - - - 14 1.8 3 CE 1 Bla 0 0 13 231 8 12.2 1.5 1 Bla 0.36 0 13 229 9.7 14.4 1.9 15 2 Blat 0.7 0 13 229 13.5 14.4 2.3 3 Blat 0.95 0 13 230 17.1 12.5 3 4 D3a 1.0 0 19 197 23 9.7 4 5 D4a 0.34 0.45 21 179 22.9 9.1 6.9 20 Examples 6 to 18 GWM22 was modified in accordance with Table 6. GWM22 is an intermediate molecular weight/medium MFI extrusion grade of polypropylene homopolymer. 25 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -32 Table 6: Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength (amps) (C) (secs.) @ 230oC (cN). Control 4 4.5 2.8 5 CE 2 Bla 0 0 16 239 11.3 5 6 Blca 0.36 0 16 234 15.2 6.3 3 7 Bla 0.75 0 17 238 21.8 5.9 4.7 8 Bla 1 0 16 239 25.4 5 6.9 9 Bla 1.3 0 20 236 25.3 5.6 7.1 10 10 Bla 0.12 0.16 16 237 8.0 4.15 11 Bla 0.23 0.31 17 237 11.2 2.8 5 12 Bla 0.46 0.61 21 238 14 1.11 13 Bla 0.69 0.92 21 241 14.2 0.69 18.6 14 Bla 1.22 1.63 21 248 - - 18.6 15 15 Ela 0.33 0.44 17 281 20 3.6 8.2 16 C2a 0.81 4.2 18 203 60 0.69 18.8 17 Ela 0.31 0.40 20 275 23 3.1 7.0 18 Ela 0.30 0.53 17 277 24 3.4 9.1 20 The increase in complex viscosity of examples 14, 16, 17 and 18 is shown in Figure 1.G' has been plotted against frequency in Figure 2. The modified polypropylene's of examples 14, 16, 17 and 18 were tested for additional 25 physical properties and it was found that the modified polypropylene's had: 14 16 17 18 Control 4 i) Elasticity 1200 680 40 45 10 G'@ 0.01 rad/s (pa) rad/s (Pa) ii) 1/Relaxation -0.0013 0.085 15 18 23 Crossover Time Frequency(rad/sec) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -33 iii) Polydispersity 222 39 4.4 4.7 3.7 M,/Mn Index iv) Dow 192 86 2.0 5.6 0 LongChain Rheology Branching Index 5 Examples 19 to 26 PXCA6152 was modified in accordance with Table 7 below. PXCA6152 is a high molecular weight/low MFI thermoforming grade of polypropylene homopolymer. 10 Table 7: Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength (amps) (oC) (secs.) @ 230'C (cN) Control 5 0.8 6 CE 3 Fla 0 0 17 251 14.6 1.1 19 Bla 0.34 0 22 244 25.9 1.3 7.4 15 20 Bla 0.68 0 23 250 22.8 1.1 11.1 21 Blat 0.8 0 24 246 30.5 0.8 14 22 Blat 1.04 0 24 247 25.3 0.65 17.7 23 Fla 0.31 0.41 21 256 24.4 0.42 17.5 24 Flat 0.47 0.63 21 264 25 0.31 20 25 Fla 0.55 0.73 23 269 - 0.40 26 Fla 0.71 0.95 22 259 25 0.35 21.3 The modified polypropylene of example 22 was tested for additional physical properties and 25 it was found that the modified polypropylene had: i) Elasticity 200 G' @0.01 rad/s (Pa) ii) 1/Relaxation Time 7.1 Crossover frequency (rad/sec) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -34 iii) Polydispersity Index 3.9 Mw/M n iv) Dow Rheology Index 10 Long Chain Branching The DRI of the base polypropylene material, PXCA 6152 (an unbranched polypropylene) was 5 expected to be 0. The DRI of the modified polypropylene demonstrates a significant degree of long chain branching. Examples 27 to 33 10 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 8 below. LYM120 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of PP copolymer. Table 8: Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength (amps) (oC) (secs.) @ 230oC (cN) 15 Control 6 12.2 1.4 27 D2a 0.68 0 13 182 19.3 13.1 2.3 28 A4a 1.08 0 19.5 200 31 9 4.2 29 A2a 0.33 0.44 18 202 28 5.8 7.4 30 D2a 0.32 0.42 23 185 46.5 3.8 9.0 20 31 A4a 0.42 0.55 19.5 204 31.1 6.5 11.2 32 A4a 0.62 0.83 20 201 36.8 - 11.9 33 A4P 0.34 0.45 16 199 25.1 - 4.3 25 Examples 34 to 42 Ex-reactor GYM45 powder was modified according to Table 9 below. GYM45 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene homopolymer. The polypropylene was stabilized with Irganox 1010 (0.33 wt%) and Irgaphos (0.17 wt%). The 30 modifiers and stabilizers were added to the twin-screw extruder at the feed throat. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -35 Table 9: Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength .. .............. (amps) (oC) (secs.) @ 230oC (cN) Control - - - - - - 14 1.8 3 5 CE 4 H38 0 0 7 209 21.5 11.3 1.7 34 138 0.38 0 14 209 12.1 13.6 1.9 36 138 0.75 0 15 210 15.0 11.8 2.6 37 138 1.5 0 15 214 20.6 10.3 5.7 38 H38 0.75 0 6 209 35.5 17.6 2.1 10 39 H38 1.13 0 8 208 39.5 13.3 2.9 40 H36 1.5 0 8 208 43.3 9.8 4.4 41 136 0.15 0.2 18 215 16.6 9.6 2.0 42 138 0.23 0.3 16 214 20.5 6.5 5.5 15 Examples 43 to 49 GYM45 was modified in accordance with Table 10 below. GYM45 is a low molecular 20 weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene homopolymer. Table 10: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg (amps) (oC) (secs) @ 230 0 C CE 5 A3a - 0 0 18 192 11.8 12.8 25 43 A3a BPO 0.12 0.16 16 197 14 14.4 44 A3a BPO 0.21 0.28 17 200 18.8 9.8 45 A3a BPO 0.41 0.55 20 206 27.6 5.6 46 A3a BPO 0.62 0.83 22 208 32.2 3.6 CE-6 A3a DHBP 0.33 0.09 14.5 191 4.6 55. 30 CE-7 A3a DHBP 0.60 0.17 16 190 4 117 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -36 CE-8 A3a DHBP 0.90 0.28 14.5 190 3.9 132 CE-9 A3a TBEH 0.33 0.34 16 191 9.9 18.3 CE-10 A3a TBEH 0.60 0.62 17 192 10 19.5 CE-11 A3a TBEH 0.90 0.93 17 193 10.6 17.2 5 47 A3a TBPB 0.30 0.30 15 194 7.8 58.3 48 A3a TBPB 0.68 0.70 17 198 14 47.3 49 A3a TBPB 0.89 0.91 19 199 15.6 38.5 CE-12 A3a DCP 0.08 0.09 14.5 192 4.3 48.5 CE-13 A3a DCP 0.17 0.17 15 191 3.9 64.7 10 CE-14 A3a DCP 0.25 0.25 15 191 3.7 90.3 CE-15 A3a DLP 0.33 0.33 15 190 11.2 16.5 CE-16 A3a DLP 0.63 0.64 15 190 11.1 15.1 CE-17 A3a DLP 0.92 0.93 15 190 11.1 18.0 15 Examples 50 to 54 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 11 below. LYM120 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. 20 Table 11: Example Conditions BPO Motor Current Die Drop MFI Melt Strength (wt%) (amps) Temp Time 2.16kg (cN) (oC) (secs.) @ 230 0 C Control 6 12.2 1.4 CE 18 H38 0 7 209 18.4 11.3 1.2 25 52 H38 0.75 8 210 50.5 6.9 2.6 53 H38 1.13 8 210 47.0 6.6 3.3 54 136 1.5 14 217 18.5 3.8 6.1 30 Examples 55 to 61 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -37 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 12 below. LYM120 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. Table 12: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength (amps) (oC) (sees) @ 230'C (cN) 5 CE-19 A3a BPO 0.00 0.00 16 195 9.9 12.8 1.1 55 A3a BPO 0.12 0.16 15 197 13.9 10.9 56 A3a BPO 0.21 0.28 17.5 201 17.7 7.50 57 A3a BPO 0.41 0.55 20 208 25.8 4.4 11.5 10 58 A3a BPO 0.62 0.83 21 209 26.5 2.9 CE-20 A3a DHB 0.08 0.09 13.5 191 4.9 52 P CE-21 A3a DHB 0.16 0.17 14 190 5.3 79 P CE-22 A3a DHB 0.28 0.30 14.5 190 5.6 114 P CE-23 A3a TBEH 0.31 0.32 14 192 8.6 17.8 15 CE-24 A3a TBEH 0.62 0.64 14 192 9 17.4 CE-25 A3a TBEH 0.98 1.01 14 192 9.6 15.4 59 A3c TBPB 0.30 0.31 14 196 4.6 33.8 60 A3a TBPB 0.61 0.62 17 200 14.6 32.9 61 A3a TBPB 0.93 0.95 17 202 15.6 23.1 20 CE-26 A3a DCP 0.08 0.09 13 192 5 38.6 CE-27 A3a DCP 0.17 0.17 13.5 190 5.5 57.6 CE-28 A3a DCP 0.27 0.28 14 190 6.2 65.9 CE-29 A3c DLP 0.31 0.31 15 191 9.9 15.7 CE-30 A3a DLP 0.64 0.65 13.5 190 9.8 14.8 25 CE-31 A3a DLP 1.00 1.01 13 190 14.8 Examples 62 to 73 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 13 below. LYM120 is a low molecular 30 weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -38 Table 13: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength (amps) (o C) (secs) @ (cN) 2300C CE-32 A36 - 0 14.5 200 10 12.4 1.1 5 62 A38 BPO 0.11 0 14 199 10 11.5 1.1 63 A36 BPO 0.23 0 16.5 201 15.1 9.0 1.2 64 A38 BPO 0.45 0 16.5 203 20.6 6.6 1.7 65 A38 BPO 0.68 0 17.5 206 20.6 5.4 4.1 66 A38 BPO 1.13 0 18 206 18.6 5.7 3.9 10 CE-33 A38 DLP 0.31 0 13.5 198 9.3 13.6 CE-34 A38 DLP 0.59 0 14 199 8.8 14.4 CE-35 A36 DLP 0.89 0 13 196 8.9 15.0 CE-36 A38 TBPB 0.07 0 12 189 5.1 28.7 CE-37 A38 TBPB 0.15 0 12 190 5.3 31.0 15 CE-38 A36 TBPB 0.29 0 10.5 185 6.3 92.0 0.5 CE-39 A38 TBPB 0.59 0 11 186 11.2 102.0 67 A38 BPO 0.11 0.15 17.5 205 19.1 5.7 2.4 68 A38 BPO 0.23 0.30 19.5 210 25 4.3 6.3 69 A36 BPO 0.45 0.6 21.5 209 27.8 2.1 10.4 20 70 A38 BPO 0.90 1.2 23.5 210 26.8 1.3 12.2 CE-40 A38 DLP 0.30 0.3 14.5 199 9.4 14.1 CE-41 A38 DLP 0.59 0.6 13 197 9.3 17.2 CE-42 A38 DLP 0.89 0.9 13 197 9.8 16.1 71 A36 TBPB 0.29 0.3 13.5 196 11.4 20.4 3.7 25 72 A38 TBPB 0.59 0.6 16.5 200 20.2 12.9 73 A36 TBPB 1.18 1.2 17 202 18.8 13.9 4.5 Examples 74 to 77 30 GYM45 was modified in accordance with Table 13 below. GYM45 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene homopolymer. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -39 Table 13 Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Motor Die Drop MFI (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg (amps) (oC) (secs) @ 230 0 C CE 43 A3a - 0 18 192 11.8 12.8 5 74 A3a BPO 0.23 16.5 196 10.35 17.0 75 A3a BPO 0.45 17 199 11.8 17.3 76 A3a BPO 0.73 17 200 15.9 15.4 77 A3a BPO 0.96 18 202 17.3 14.9 CE-44 A3a DHBP 0.08 15 191 3.6 96 10 CE-45 A3a DHBP 0.17 14.5 190 3.1 169 CE-46 A3a DHBP 0.29 13 188 2.3 > 100 CE-47 A3a DHBP 0.30 13 188 2.2 >200 CE-48 A3a DHBP 0.50 13.5 186 1.9 >200 CE-49 A3a DHBP 0.57 12 186 1.9 > 100 15 CE-50 A3a TBEH 0.30 17 197 8.8 12.0 CE-51 A3a TBEH 0.64 14 188 7.2 24.4 CE-52 A3a TBEH 0.98 14 189 6.8 25.6 CE-53 A3a TBPB 0.31 13 186 2.6 95 CE-54 A3a TBPB 0.64 13 184 2.1 238 20 CE-55 A3a TBPB 1.03 12 184 1.9 >250 CE-56 A3a DCP 0.08 16 192 3.8 47.1 CE-57 A3a DCP 0.17 14 189 2.9 121.3 CE-58 A3a DLP 0.32 16 191 10.9 14.5 CE-59 A3a DLP 0.64 16 190 10.6 17.9 25 CE-60 A3a DLP 0.95 16 189 10.4 16.6 Examples 78 to 82 30 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 14 below. LYM120 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 40 Table 14: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Motor Die Drop MFI (wt%) Current Temp. Time 2.16kg (amps) (oC) (secs) @ 230'C Control 24 A3a BPO 0 16 195 9.9 12.8 5 78 A3a BPO 0.25 15 196 10.3 13.4 79 A3a BPO 0.47 14 198 13.2 13.1 80 A3a BPO 0.64 16 198 13.9 12.9 81 A3a BPO 0.70 17 201 13.6 11.9 82 A3c BPO 0.94 18 198 13.5 10.6 10 CE-61 A3a DHBP 0.09 14 190 3.6 80 CE-62 A3a DHBP 0.16 13 188 3.1 160 CE -63 A3a DHBP 0.26 13 187 2.8 250 CE-64 A3a TBEH 0.29 15 193 7 CE-65 A3a TBEH 0.60 13 192 6.7 19.4 15 CE-66 A3a TBEH 1.02 12 191 6 22.6 CE-67 A3a TBPB 0.30 13 186 3.6 85 CE-68 A3a TBPB 0.61 12 184 3.8 173 CE-69 A3a TBPB 0.92 12 184 3.4 > 250 CE-70 A3a DCP 0.08 16 192 4.5 14.6 20 CE-71 A3a DCP 0.17 13 190 3 107 CE-72 A3a DCP 0.25 13 188 3 131 CE-73 A3c DLP 0.32 14.5 191 9.5 14.3 CE-74 A3a DLP 0.68 15 191 9.4 15.8 CE-75 A3a DLP 0.98 14.5 193 8.7 21.0 25 Examples 83 to 92 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 15 below. LYM120 is a low molecular 30 weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -41 Table 15: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Styrene Mole Motor Die Drop MFI Melt (wt%) (wt%) Ratio Current Temp. Time 2.16kg Strength Sty/Init (amps) ( C) (secs) @ (cN) 230 0 C CE-76 A3c 0 0 0 - 16 195 9.9 12.8 1.1 83 A3a BPO 0.43 0.19 1.04 16 207 18.5 6.9 5 84 A3a BPO 0.41 0.37 2.07 19 207 22.5 4.9 85 A3a BPO 0.41 0.55 3.11 20 208 25.8 4.4 11.6 86 A3a BPO 0.43 0.76 4.14 21 210 25.4 3.9 87 A3a BPO 0.45 0.99 5.18 20 205 28.3 4.4 88 A3t TBPB 0.56 0.19 0.78 13 192 8.9 71 10 89 A3a TBPB 0.55 0.37 1.57 14 196 11.0 38 90 A3a TBPB 0.61 0.62 1.91 17 200 14.6 33 91 A3a TBPB 0.54 0.73 3.14 16 201 16.0 19.2 92 A3a TBPB 0.58 0.97 3.92 19 204 16.2 15.7 CE-77 A3a DHB 0.27 0.1 0.84 13 190 4.4 187 P 15 CE-78 A3a DHB 0.25 0.18 1.69 14 191 5.3 125 P CE-79 A3a DHB 0.28 0.30 3.04 14.5 190 5.6 114 P CE-80 A3a DHB 0.27 0.40 3.38 15 193 6.2 116 P CE-81 A3a DHB 0.28 0.50 4.22 14 192 6.1 118 P 20 Examples 93 to 97 GYM45 was modified in accordance with Table 16 below. GYM45 is a low molecular weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene homopolymer. 25 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -42 Table 16: Example Conditions Initiator Initiator Styrene Mole Motor Die Drop MFI (wt%) (wt%) Ratio Current Temp Time 2.16kg Sty/Init (amps) (oC) (secs) @ 230'C CE-82 A3a - 0.00 0.00 0.00 18 192 11.8 12.75 5 93 A3a BPO 0.36 0.16 1.04 18 202 18.1 11.17 94 A3a BPO 0.41 0.37 2.07 18 209 23.5 6.38 95 A3a BPO 0.41 0.55 3.11 20 206 27.6 5.62 96 A3c BPO 0.43 0.76 4.14 22 209 25.7 4.05 97 A3c BPO 0.40 0.89 5.18 21 207 31.2 4.27 10 Example 98 to 105 LYM120 was modified in accordance with Table 17 below. LYM120 is a low molecular 15 weight/higher MFI injection moulding grade of polypropylene copolymer. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 - 43 - PCT/AU99/00036 Z ~~00 CO ')C r c-4 W) C7 4 I4 -4 .

e1n - 00 It -1- -~ r u CD L 0 0 CD CD CD 0D 0D a. OD t-- I 00 00 00 -4 -4 - -4 -4 -4 -4 1-4 (7\ CI 0r 0 0 or tr n ' C) 00 V 0 r --- 00 00 r -4 - - ~ -4 4r-4 CI 0 4 t i = 4:h C) C:) 0 D 00

-P

r-44 0 0D Nl It ' x l 00C\C) C C) C5 C C) 01\ cC66 --46 SUBSITUT SHET (Rle 2) (R/AU WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 44 Example 108 and 109 Montell 6501 was modified in accordance with Table 19 below on the Killion screw extruder described above. 5 Sample Barrel Extruder BPO Styrene Motor Die Drop MFI Temp Output wt% wt% Current Temp Time (g/10 (oC) (kg/hr) (amps) <oC) (secs) min) Control - - - - - - - 4.1 7 CE 84 220 1.4 0 0 6 256 17 4.1 flat 10 108 220 1.4 2.1 0.25 6 260 35 2.2 flat 109 220 1.4 4.2 0.5 7.5 263 33 0.40 flat Examples 40, 41, 7, 12, 28. 29, 31 and 14 15 GPC molecular weights were determined using a Waters 150C high temperature GPC unit. 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used as the solvent, eluting through two Ultrastyragel linear columns. The oven temperature was set at 140'C and the pump[ flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. 20 Calibration was performed using narrow polydispersity polystyrene standards. All molecular weights quoted as linear polystyrene equivalents. Mn=number average molecular weight Mw=weight average molecular weight 25 Mz=viscosity average molecular weight SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 45 Mp =peak molecular weight Error are quoted as two times the standard deviation between duplicate injections. 5 Table 20: Exam Cond. BPO Sty MFI Melt Mn Mw Mz Mp ple (wt%) (wt%) (g/10 str (g/mo (g/mo (g/mo (g/mo No. min) (cN) 1) x 1) x 1) x 1) x 10 -3 10 - 3 10 -3 10 - 3 Intermediate Molecular Weight PP Homopolymer (GWM 22) 10 Contr - - - 4.5 2.8 55 295 1200 105 ol 4 8 Bla 1.0 5.0 6.9 80 425 1415 200 10 Bla 0.12 0.16 4.15 - 90 405 1200 235 15 11 Bla 0.23 0.31 2.80 5.0 75 415 1400 195 12 Bla 0.46 0.61 1.11 - 70 555 2200 205 13 Bla 0.69 0.92 0.69 18.6 85 575 2200 180 110 C2a 1.50 3.8 - 75 430 1560 160 111 C2a 2.23 3.2 - 75 430 1700 150 20 112 Cla 0.37 0.49 2.22 - 85 565 2035 215 113 Cla 0.60 0.80 1.00 19.4 85 690 2575 170 114 Cla 0.32 1.65 4.50 - 80 505 1835 170 115 Cla 0.47 2.45 1.58 - 90 605 2160 205 116 Cla 0.81 4.19 0.69 18.8 85 675 2610 185 25 Low Molecular Weight PP Copolymer (PXCA 6152) Contr - - - 12.4 1.4 45 230 720 130 ol SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 46 5 22 Bla 1.04 0.65 17.7 110 485 1615 195 27 A2a 0.33 0.44 - 7.4 65 325 1045 140 61 A2a 0.41 0.55 4.4 11.5 60 325 1315 125 5 62 A2ax 0.62 0.83 2.9 - 70 460 2435 135 - D2a 0.28 0.38 - - 80 555 2875 160 28 D2a 0.32 0.44 - 9.0 120 640 4130 140 78 A3a 0.25 13.4 - 70 315 1330 135 79 A3a 0.47 13.1 - 65 320 1380 130 10 80 A3a 0.64 12.9 - 65 360 1975 130 27 D3a 0.68 13.1 2.3 70 445 1865 140 *Errors in the molecular weight are generally less than 30% of the quoted value, as is usual in high temperature GPC under the conditions employed. 15 Examples 110 to 114 GWM22 and KM6100 were modified in accordance with Table 20 below. Table 20: Effect of feed throat addition of BPO on the modification of prestabilised PP 20 homopolymer [ KM6100 or GWM22] a Example Conditions Powder BPO Motor Drop Die MFI Melt wt% (wt%) Current Time (sec) Temp (g/l 0 min.) Str. a (amps) 0 C (cN) Prestabilised PP homopolymer GWM 22 Control -4 2.8 25 4 110 J38 8.8 0.92 25 18 244 3.9 11.0 111 J38 13.3 1.40 30 19 248 2.6 8.5 Prestabilised PP Homopolymer KM6100 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 47 Control -3.5 2.5 8 CE-85 J38 0 0 27 11 240 3.7 2.5 112 J38 2.0 0.41 26 15 235 4.9 3.9 5 113 J38 3.9 0.81 27 19 241 3.3 6.7 114 J38 6.2 1.28 28 19 241 2.7 9.5 a: BPO added to pellet feed in PP powder derived from cryoground prestabilised PP pellets 10 Examples 115 to 117 KMT6100 was modified in accordance with Table 22 below. KMT6100 is a prestabilised PP 15 copolymer. Table 22: Effect of feed throat addition of BPO on the modification of prestabilised PP copolymer [ KMT6100 ] Example Conditions Powder BPO Motor Drop Die MFI Melt Str. wt% (wt%) Current Time Temp (g/10 min.) (oN) a (amps) (sec) oC 20 Control -3.5 2.0 9 CE-86 J36 0 0 24 8 231 4.4 2.0 115 J38 1.9 0.40 25 10 233 5.4 1.9 25 116 J38 3.0 0.81 24 13 235 4.4 3.1 117 J38 5.9 1.22 29 15 237 3.0 4.5 a: BPO added to pellet feed in PP powder derived from cryoground prestabilised PP pellets 30 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 48 Examples 118 to 121 KM6100u was modified with para-toluoyl peroxide (PTP) and BPO in accordance with Table 23 below. The KM6100u was stabilized with Irganox 1010 (0.33wt%) and Irgaphos 168 5 (0.17 wt%) which were added to the main feed throat of the extruder. Table 23: Example Conditions Peroxide Peroxide Motor Drop Die MFI Melt (wt%) Current Time Temp (g/10 min.) Str. (amps) (sec) 0 C (cN) Control -3.5 -2.5 10 10 CE-87 J36 - 0 22 9 240 5.2 2.7 118 J38 BPO 1.0 22 17 252 5.2 7.2 119 J38 PTP 1.0 21 16 240 5.2 6.8 120 J36 PTP 1.5 22 18 239 3.9 14.2 15 121 J36 PTP 2.0 24 243 3.4 14.0 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -49 C:)l 000 00 00 Cl C C C C F-1 00 00: e4 o 0 ~ i 0 00 0 000 00 4 I 1 -o 00 00 SUSIUESET(Rl 6 R/U WO 99/36466 -50o- PCT/AU99/00036 000 ~~0 C14l \0 "It 00 C:0 0 0 0 00 0 (Z-) Cl Cl~lq a) \0 r-- 0 C14 cq C14 0 C:) 0l SUBTIUT 0BE Rl 6 R/U WO 99/36466 - 1-PCT/AU99/00036 00 00 00 C> 00 0 +S Cl Cl C C Cl00 o 00 C) C-0 : CCl 0I 00 Cl C> 0 00 I- 00 0 00 d - 0 0) V- U 0 ~ 00 - clq SUSi~r SHE (Rl-6 R/U WO 99/36466 - 52 - PCT/AU99/00036 ooeo W)~ 00 00 C) r.~ +5. 0 0 ) r-- 'd 0 0 0 cu C.) C) C) ac) 0l 0 \.C 0 kf0 000 kra) 0USITT SHE Rl S6 R/U WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 53 ri~ ~ 00~ I I .fl (*1 cN~C1CN~ ~ ~ C C Q o ~ o 0 O~-~ ~ c1~1~ o66 C 0 -d C - C Q ~ C." - -~ CA I-A t1) Cl C-) ~i-Q~o~ SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 54 Examples 134 to 137 Cryoground KM6100 in the form of a powder was modified on a Brabender single screw extruder in accordance with the general description of the Brabender SSE above and Table 5 28 below. The initiator was added at the feed throat of the SSE along with the stabilizers (0.33 wt% Irganox 1010 and 0.17 wt% Irgaphos 168). Table 28: 10 Example Peroxide Peroxide MFI Type (wt%) (g/10 min.) Control 8 - 0 3.5 134 BPO 1 2.9 135 PTP 0.5 3.8 136 PTP 1 3.3 15 137 PTP 2 2.0 * PTP- Paratoluol Peroxide (bis paramethyl benzoyl peroxide) 20 Example 138 PXCA6152 was modified in accordance with Table 29 below. Table 29: Modification ofPXCA6152 Pellets Example Conditions BPO Styrene Motor Drop Die MFI Melt wt% wt% Current Time Temp (g/IlO0 min.) Str. (amps) (see) 0 C (cN) 25 Control 0.8 6.0 5 CE-94 B3a 0 - 22 14 255 0.9 5.1 138 B3a 0.51 0.68 24 19 279 0.6 21.0 30 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) - 55 WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 CI- C)k ri* In M M 6 N-\0 -\, )c 00c 00 0 0------------------------------------ - - - - - 0 00 0000p00000 0 pp . . _* *. .. . . . .~ . . 0 00 00 00 00 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 U C)UU UU U U U U U U uu 0 0 ou o 00 C4-41 kf) o C) c" C) trn C) kn C WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 56 Examples of Carbon Dioxide Foaming of Modified PP The equipment used for foaming the polypropylene (from earlier examples) was a tandem extrusion line made up of an Leitritz twin screw extruder (34 mm screw diameter, co 5 rotating, with 11 barrel sections) connected via a melt pipe to a single screw extruder (43 mm screw diameter). CO 2 was introduced into barrel six of the twin screw extruder. The gassed polymer was then cooled slowly in the single screw extruder. Example MFI (g/10 Melt Foaming Av Foam Av Cell Size min) Strength Temp (oC) Density (m) (cN) (g/cc) 10 Control 1 3 18 166 to 159 0.058 550 25 0.4 - 169 to 159 0.044 300 31 6.5 11.2 167 to 161 0.051 280 Non high melt strength grades of polypropylene have foam temperature processing windows 15 of less than IoC. Foamed examples 13 and 17 both has a fine closed cell structure. Examples of thermoforming 20 The modified polypropylene produced in Example 69 was extruded on a Welex single screw extruder through a sheet die to produce a sheet 78cm wide and -1.25 mm thick. The sheet was fed to a Gabler F702 continuous thermoformer to produce margarine tubs. Tubs produced from the modified PP sample had a crush strength of 25 kg after 1 hour. No 25 appreciable sag was noticed of the PP sheet during the process. Blow Moulding SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 57 The modified polypropylene of Example 5 was blow moulded on Bekum blow moulder fitted with a general purpose polyolefin screw using a 750 ml screw top bottle mould, (radially non symmetrical bottle with waist). The mould temperature was OoC. 5 The blow mouldability of the modified injection moulding grade of PP was compared against that of a commercial low melt flow index PP homopolymer (ICI GWM110 of MFI = 1.5). It was found that the modified PP homopolymer (MFI = 9.1 and Melt Strength = 6.9 cN) 10 could be easily blow moulded into 750 ml bottles. Conventional PP of similar MFI could not be successfully blow moulded. The modified PP gave similar performance to an extrusion grade PP of low MFI. The results are very promising where a higher MFI PP could be used to blow bottles. This 15 possibly opens up the opportunity to produce large blow moulded parts through use of a high melt strength modified PP which has been tailored to have an MFI acceptable to blow moulding (ie 1-2 MFI) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to 20 variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within its spirit and scope. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 25 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU)

Claims

1. A process for modifying a polypropylene (co)polymer wherein said process comprises melt mixing the polypropylene (co)polymer in the presence of an initiator wherein said 5 initiator is selected from the group defined by formula 1. Y X O Z " 0-0-R U v Formula 1 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C 1 to C 1 8 acyl, 10 optionally substituted C 1 to C 18 alkyl, aroyl defined by formula 2, 'Y X' O 'U V' Formula 2 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -59 and compounds of formula 3, 'Y X' 'Z o-O-T 'U V' Formula 3 5 wherein U, V, X, Y, Z, U', V', X', Y' and Z' are independently selected from the group consisting hydrogen; halogen; C1-C18 alkyl; C1-C18 alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, acyloxy, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, trialkyl silyl, hydroxy, or a moiety of formula 4, O 10 0-0-R Formula 4 and wherein T is alkylene.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is selected from compounds of 15 formula 6. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 60 Y X 'X Y' o O U V 'V U' Formula 6 5 where X, Y, Z, U, V, X', Y', Z', U', V' are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C 1 - C 1 8 alkyl where at least one of X, Y, Z, U, V and X', Y', Z', U', V' are not hydrogen.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the initiator is selected from the group 10 consisting of Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p' Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 15 Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 20 Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 -61 tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tertbutoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(2,6-dimethyl-4- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) peroxide and isomers, 2,2'(dioxydicarbonyl) bis - Benzoic acid dibutyl ester where the term "all isomers" refers to any variation in the position 5 of the ring substituent as well as the structure of the substituent itself i.e. for propyl; n-propyl and isopropyl.

4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl 10 (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2 15 ethylhexyl perbenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2-ethylhexyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (ethoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2 ethylhexyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers). 20

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of Bis (tertbutylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate, Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4 methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di 25 peroxide, dibenzoyl terephthaloyl diperoxide, Poly[ dioxycarbonyldioxy(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,4 butanediyl)] peroxide.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator has a 0.1 hour half life in the range 100 - 170'C. 30 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 62

7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is present in the range of from 0.004 to 0.25 moles of initiator per kg of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is present in the range of from 5 0.006 to 0.10 moles of initiator per kg of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is present in the range of from 0.01 to 0.05 moles of initiator per kg of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer.

10 10. A process according to claim 1 wherein there is no added monomer and the initiator is selected from the group consisting of Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all 15 isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 20 Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di 25 tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tertbutoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(2,4-dimethyl-6- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) peroxide and isomers tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl 30 (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 63 (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate, diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4-methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di peroxide and dibenzoyl terephthaloyl diperoxide. 5

11. A process according to claim 10 wherein the initiator is more preferably the initiators are selected from the group consisting of dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide. 10

12. A process according to claim 1 wherein the initiator is used in combination with a monomer.

13. A process according to claim 12 wherein the monomer is a monoene monomer. 15

14. A process according to claim 12 wherein the monomer is styrene.

15. A process according to claim 12 wherein the initiator is selected from the group consisting of Dibenzoyl peroxide, o,o'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, p,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, M,M'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,m'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, o,p' 20 Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, m,p'-Bis(methylbenzoyl) peroxide, Bis(ethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(methoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 25 Bis(ethoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(propoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(butoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(pentoxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(hexyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(octyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(nonyloxybenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(chlorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(fluorobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), 30 Bis(bromobenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(dimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 64 Bis(trimethylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(di tert-butylbenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(tert-butoxybenzoyl)peroxide (all isomers), Bis(ditrimethylsilylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(heptafluoropropylbenzoyl) peroxide (all isomers), Bis(2,4-dimethyl-6- trimethylsilyl benzoyl) peroxide and isomers, 2,2'(dioxydicarbonyl) 5 bis - Benzoic acid dibutyl ester, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-butyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl perbenzoate, tert-amyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all 10 isomers), tert-amyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), tert-amyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl perbenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl (methyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2 ethylhexyl (ethyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), , 2 ethylhexyl (nonyl)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (methoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (ethoxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (octyloxy)perbenzoate (all 15 isomers), 2-ethylhexyl (nonyloxy)perbenzoate (all isomers), Bis (tertbutylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephlithalate, Bis (tertamylmonoperoxy phthaloyl) diperoxy terephthalate diacetyl phthaloyl diperoxide, dibenzoyl phthaloyl diperoxide, bis(4 methylbenzoyl) phthaloyl diperoxide, diacetyl terephthaloyl di peroxide, dibenzoyl terephthaloyl diperoxide and Poly[ dioxycarbonyldioxy(1,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,4-butanediyl)] peroxide. 20

16. A modified polypropylene produced according to any one of the processes of claims 1, 10 and 12.

17. A process wherein the modified polypropylene of claim 16 is melt mixed with an 25 unmodified polypropylene to produce a modified polypropylene.

18. A process for modifying a a-olefin polymer wherein said process comprises melt mixing the u-olefin polymer in the presence of an initiator wherein said initiator is selected from the group defined by formula 1. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 65 Y X O Z '3 0-0-R U v Formula 1 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C 1 to C 1 8 acyl, 5 optionally substituted C 1 to C 18 alkyl, aroyl defined by formula 2, 'Y X' O 1z I1 'U V' Formula 2 10 and compounds of formula 3, SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU) WO 99/36466 PCT/AU99/00036 - 66 'Y X' 'Z L O-O-T 'U V' Formula 3 wherein U, V, X, Y, Z, U', V', X', Y' and Z' are independently selected from the group 5 consisting hydrogen; halogen; C1-C18 alkyl; C1-C18 alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, acyloxy, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, trialkyl silyl, hydroxy, or a moiety of formula 4, 0 |0-0-R Formula 4 10 and wherein T is alkylene. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) (RO/AU)