BR112021001632B1 - NUCLEATING AGENT FOR POLYOLEFINE RESIN, NUCLEATING AGENT COMPOSITION FOR A POLYOLEFINE RESIN, POLYOLEFINE RESIN MASTERBATCH, POLYOLEFINE RESIN COMPOSITION, MOLDED ARTICLE, FILM, METHOD OF PRODUCING A POROUS FILM, PACKAGING, USE OF A COMPOUND FOR NUCLEATING AGENT FOR A POLYOLEFINE RESIN, USE OF A COMPOUND FOR COMPOSITION OF A NUCLEATING AGENT FOR A POLYOLEFIN RESIN, USE OF A COMPOUND FOR A POLYOLEFINE RESIN MASTERBATCH AND USE OF A COMPOUND FOR A POLYOLEFINE RESIN COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

NUCLEATING AGENT FOR POLYOLEFINE RESIN, NUCLEATING AGENT COMPOSITION FOR POLYOLEFINE RESIN CONTAINING THE SAME, MASTER BATCH FOR POLYOLEFINE RESIN, POLYOLEFINE RESIN COMPOSITION, MOLDED ARTICLE THEREOF, FILM, METHOD FOR PRODUCING POROUS FILM AND PACKAGING . The present document provides a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin having an excellent Beta crystal forming effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin containing the nucleating agent; a master batch of polyolefin resin; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded composition article; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and packaging. The nucleating agent contains a compound represented by Formula (1) below, wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or the like; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; ax = 2b is satisfied; and Z presents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below where * represents a position, in which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group with 1 to 4 atoms (...).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin, which contains the nucleating agent; a master batch of polyolefin resin; and a polyolefin resin composition (hereinafter also simply referred to as "nucleating agent", "nucleating agent composition", "master batch" and "resin composition", respectively), as well as a molded article of the composition; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to: a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin, which has an excellent β-crystal forming effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin, which contains the nucleating agent; a master batch of polyolefin resin; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded composition article; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and packaging.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

[0002] As one of the plastic materials that presents the widest field of application among the various thermoplastic resins that are commonly used, polyolefin resins are used in a wide range of applications because of their physical properties, moldability, cost and the like. . Particularly, polyolefin resins are capable of imparting to your molded articles excellent heat resistance, transparency, impact resistance, rigidity, gas barrier properties and the like; therefore, they are expected to be used in various fields.

[0003] Polyolefin resins are crystalline resins known to form β crystals (trigonal crystals) in addition to the more thermodynamically stable α crystals (monoclinic crystals) when crystallized in the presence of a specific nucleating agent. β crystals of polyolefin resins are characterized by having, for example, a lower melting point, lower specific gravity, higher impact resistance, higher extensibility and higher heat resistance than α crystals. As a nucleating agent that allows such polyolefin resins to preferentially form β-crystals, Patent Document 1 discloses a nucleating agent containing N,N'-dicyclohexyl-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxamide.

RELATED TECHNICAL DOCUMENT PATENT DOCUMENT [Patent Document 1] JPH05-310665A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] However, the nucleating agent proposed in Patent Document 1 is not necessarily satisfactory in terms of its β-crystal forming effect, and a new nucleating agent with an excellent β-crystal forming effect is desired at present. .

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide: a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin, which has an excellent β-crystal formation effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin, which contains the nucleating agent; a master batch of polyolefin resin; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded composition article; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and packaging.

MEANS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

[0006] The present inventors studied intensively to solve the problems described above and consequently discovered that a specific compound containing an aspartic acid structure exhibits an excellent β-crystal formation effect in polyolefin resins, thus completing the present invention.

[0007] That is, a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention is characterized by containing a compound represented by the following formula (1):

[0008] wherein, M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to a hideoxyl group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; ax = 2b is satisfied; and Z represents a group represented by the following Formula (2) or (3):

[0009] where * represents a position in which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group with 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0010] In the nucleating agent of the present invention, M is preferably lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum.

[0011] A nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention is characterized in that it contains: the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, another antioxidant, a hindered amine compound, an ultraviolet absorber, a nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), a flame retardant, a flame retardant auxiliary, a lubricant, a filler, a hydrotalcite, a fatty acid metal salt, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent brightener, a pigment and a dye.

[0012] Furthermore, a polyolefin resin master batch of the present invention is characterized by containing: a polyolefin resin; and the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention.

[0013] Furthermore, a polyolefin resin composition of the present invention contains: a polyolefin resin; and the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention,

[0014] the composition being characterized by a content of the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin of 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin.

[0015] In the resin composition of the present invention, the polyolefin resin is preferably a polypropylene resin. Furthermore, in the resin composition of the present invention, the polyolefin resin preferably contains an ethylene-propylene copolymer. The resin composition of the present invention preferably further contains an elastomer. Furthermore, the resin composition of the present invention preferably further contains a filler.

[0016] A molded article of the present invention is characterized by containing the polyolefin resin composition of the present invention.

[0017] The molded article of the present invention is preferably an external automotive component, an internal automotive component, a casing, a container or a tube.

[0018] A film of the present invention is characterized by containing the polyolefin resin composition of the present invention.

[0019] The film of the present invention is preferably a porous film containing voids and is suitable as a light-reflecting film or a battery separator.

[0020] A method of producing a porous film according to the present invention includes: a step of molding a polyolefin resin composition to obtain a film; and a step of hot stretching the film obtained in the molding step,

[0021] the method being characterized by the fact that the polyolefin resin composition is the polyolefin resin composition of the present invention.

[0022] A packaging of the present invention is characterized by containing the film of the present invention.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] According to the present invention, a nucleating agent can be provided for a polyolefin resin, which has an excellent β-crystal formation effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin, which contains the nucleating agent; a master batch of polyolefin resin; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded composition article; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and packaging.

METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. Firstly, the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention will be described.

Nucleating Agent for Polyolefin Resin

[0025] The nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention contains a compound represented by the following Formula (1) and has an excellent β-crystal forming effect.

[0026] In Formula (1), M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom with a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to a hydroxy group with a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; ax = 2b is satisfied; and Z represents a group that presents the following Formula (2) or (3):

[0027] In Formulas (2) and (3), * represents a position in which each group is linked to Z of Formula Y represents a direct bond or a group with 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group with 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0028] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms represented by Y include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a butylene group and an isobutylene group. From the point of view of obtaining an excellent β-crystal formation effect, Y is preferably a direct bond or a methylene group.

[0029] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the halogen atom represented by R1 to R10 include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. In this regard, chlorine is particularly preferred.

[0030] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the alkyl group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms represented by R1 to R10 include linear or branched alkyl groups and cycloalkyl groups with 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Specific examples thereof are a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a cyclopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a cyclobutyl, an n-amyl group, a t-amyl group, a cyclopentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a cyclohexyl group, an n-heptyl group, a cycloheptyl group, an n-octyl group, an isooctyl group, a t-octyl, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-nonyl group, an isononyl group and an n-decyl group.

[0031] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms represented by R1 to R10 include the alkyl groups exemplified above in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are each replaced by a halogen atom, and examples of the halogen atom include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

[0032] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the alkoxy group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms represented by R1 to R10 include linear or branched alkoxy groups and cycloalkoxy groups with 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Specific examples of these include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an n-propoxy group, an n-butoxy group, an n-hexyloxy group, a 1-methylethoxy group, a 2-methylpropoxy group, a 1-methylbutoxy group, a 4-methylpentyloxy and a cyclohexyloxy group.

[0033] In Formulas (2) and (3), examples of the alkenyl group with 2 to 10 carbon atoms represented by R1 to R10 include vinyl, propenyl, butenyl, hexenyl, octenyl and decenyl. The double bond of this can be located internally or in the α or w position.

[0034] In Formulas (2) and (3), R1 to R10 are each preferably a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, particularly preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0035] In Formula (1), examples of M include metal atoms, such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium and aluminum. Divalent or trivalent metal atoms can be bonded to a hydroxy group. Examples of the divalent to trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxyl group include hydroxyaluminum and dihydroxyaluminum. From the point of view of obtaining a nucleating agent that has an excellent β-crystal forming effect, M in Formula (1) is preferably lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum, more preferably lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium or hydroxyaluminium, particularly sodium.

[0036] In Formula (1), b is preferably 1 and x is preferably 1 or 2.

[0037] In Formula (1), Z is preferably a group represented by Formula (3). In this case, the nucleating agent of the present invention exhibits a superior β-crystal forming effect.

[0038] Specific examples of the compound represented by Formula (1) include the following. However, the nucleating agent of the present invention is not limited to it.

[0039] The compound represented by Formula (1) can be produced, for example, by a method for allowing a metal salt of aspartic acid to react with a carboxylic acid chloride, such as benzoic acid chloride or cyclohexane acid chloride carboxylic, in the presence of a base.

Composition of nucleating agent for polyolefin resin

[0040] Next, embodiments of the nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin according to the present invention will be described. The nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains: the nucleating agent of the present invention; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, another antioxidant, a hindered amine compound, an ultraviolet absorber, a nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), a flame retardant, a flame retardant auxiliary, a lubricant, a filler, a hydrotalcite, a fatty acid metal salt, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent brightener, a pigment and a dye. The nucleating agent composition of the present invention exhibits excellent β-crystal formation effect.

[0041] Examples of the phenolic antioxidant include 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2-t-butyl-4,6-dimethylphenol, styrenated phenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis(4-ethyl- 6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis-(6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiodiethylene-bis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl) propionate], 2-methyl-4,6-bis(octylsulfanylmethyl) phenol, 2,2'-isobutylidene-bis(4,6-dimethylphenol), isooctyl-3-(3,5-di-t- butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl), N,N'-hexane-1,6-diylbis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionamide], 2,2'-oxamide-bis[ethyl -3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate], 2-ethylhexyl-3-(3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 2,2 '-ethylene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenol), esters of 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid and a C13-15 alkyl, 2,5-di-t- amylhydroquinone, hindered phenol polymers (e.g. trade name "AO.OH.98" manufactured by ADEKA Polymer Additives Europe SAS), 2,2'-methylene-bis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-p-cresol], 2-t-butyl-6-(3-t-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)-4-methylphenyl acrylate, 2-[1-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t- pentylphenyl) ethyl]- 4,6-di-t-pentylphenyl, 6-[3-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl) propoxy]-2,4,8,10-tetra- t- butylbenzo [d,f] [1,3,2]-dioxaphosphepine, hexamethylene bis[3-(3,5-di- t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate bis [monoethyl (3,5-di-t- calcium butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) phosphonate] a reaction product between 5,7-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzofuranone and o-xylene, 2,6-di-t -butyl-4-(4,6-bis(octylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2-ylamino) phenol, DL-a-tocophenol (vitamin E), 2,6-bis acid glycol ester ( α-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenol, bis[3,3-bis-(4'-hydroxy-3'-t-butyl-phenyl) butyric acid, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol, 2, 6-diphenyl-4-octadecyloxyphenol, (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) distearyl propionate, (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) distearyl phosphonate, tridecyl-thioacetate 3,5-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl, thiodiethylene bis[(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate], 4,4'-thiobis (6-t-butyl-m-cresol ), 2-octylthio-4,6-di(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-s-triazine, 2,2'-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol) , glycol ester bis[3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-t-butylphenyl) butyric acid], 4,4'-butylidene-bis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 4,4' -butylidene-bis(6-t-butyl-3-methyl phenol), 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenol), 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4 -hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, bis[2-t-butyl-4-methyl-6-(2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-methylbenzyl)phenyl terephthalate], 1,3,5 -tris(2,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-t-butylbenzyl) isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) isocyanurate, 1,3,5 -tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-tris[(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionyloxyethyl ] isocyanurate, tetrakis[methylene-3-(3',5'-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane, 2-t-butyl-4-methyl-6-(2-acryloyloxy-3-t- butyl-5-methylbenzyl) phenol, 3,9-bis[2-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylhydrocinnamoyloxy)-1,1-dimethylethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5.5] undecane, triethylene glycol-bis[β-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) propionate] and 3-(3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid derivatives, such as , stearyl-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid amide, palmityl-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid amide, amide of myristyl-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid and lauryl-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid amide. These phenolic antioxidants can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a phenolic antioxidant, the content of the phenolic antioxidant can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 5 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin. when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0042] Examples of the phosphorus-based antioxidant include triphenyl phosphite, diisooctyl phosphite, heptakis(dipropylene glycol)tri phosphite, triisodecyl phosphite, diphenylisooctyl phosphite, diisooctylphenyl phosphite, diphenyltridecyl phosphite, triisooctyl phosphite, trilauryl, diphenyl phosphite, tris(dipropylene glycol) phosphite, dioleyl phosphite, hydrogen phosphite, trilauryl trithiophosphite, bis(tridecyl) phosphite, tris(isodecyl) phosphite, tris(tridecyl) phosphite, diphenyldecyl phosphite , dinonylphenyl-bis(nonylphenyl) phosphite, poly(dipropylene glycol)phenyl phosphite, tetraphenyldipropyl glycol diphosphite, trisnonylphenyl phosphite, tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris(2,4 -di-t-butyl-5-methylphenyl), tris[2-t-butyl-4-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenylthio)-5-methylphenyl] phosphite, tri(decyl ), octyldiphenyl phosphite, di(decyl)monophenyl phosphite, mixtures of distearyl pentaerythritol and calcium stearate, alkyl(C10)bisphenol-A phosphite, tetraphenyl-tetra(tridecyl)pentaerythritol phosphite, bis(2,4) phosphite -di-t-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl, tetra(tridecyl)isopropylidene diphenol diphosphite, tetra(tridecyl)-4,4'-n-butylidene-bis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol) diphosphite , hexa(tridecyl)-1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)biphenylene diphosphonite, 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide, (1-methyl-1-propenyl-3-ylidene)tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-methyl-4,1-phenylene) phosphite hexatridecyl, 2,2'-methylene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl)-2-ethylhexyl phosphite, 2,2'-methylene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl)- phosphite octadecyl, 2,2'-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl)fluoro phosphite, 4,4'-butylidene-bis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenylditridecyl) phosphite, tris(2 -[(2,4,8,10-tetrakis-t-butyldibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxafosphepin-6-yl)oxy]ethyl)amine, 3,9-bis(4-nonylphenoxy) -2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphespiro[5.5]undecane, 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl-2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol phosphite, phosphite alcohol C12-5 poly-4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol, bis(diisodecyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(tridecyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(octadecyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(nonylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis diphosphite (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol, bis(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite , and bis(2,4-dicumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite. These phosphorus-based antioxidants can be used individually or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a phosphorus-based antioxidant, the content of the phosphorus-based antioxidant can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 5 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight. of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0043] Examples of the sulfur-based antioxidant include tetrakis [methylene-3-(laurylthio)propionate] methane, bis(methyl-4-[3-n-alkyl (C12/C14)thiopropionyloxy]-5-t-sulfide butylphenyl), ditridecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, dilauryl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, dimyrystil-3,3'-thiodipropionate, distearyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, lauryl/stearyl thiodipropionate, 4,4'-thiobis (6-t-butyl-m-cresol), 2,2'-thiobis (6-t-butyl-p-cresol) and distearyl disulfide. These sulfur-based antioxidants can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a sulfur-based antioxidant, the content of the sulfur-based antioxidant can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0044] Examples of other antioxidants described above include nitrone compounds, such as N-benzyl-α-phenyl nitrone, N-ethyl-α-methyl nitrone, N-octyl-α-heptyl nitrone, N-lauryl-α-undecyl nitrone, N-tetradecyl-α-tridecyl nitrone, N-hexadecyl-α-pentadecyl nitrone, N-octyl-α-heptadecyl nitrone, N-hexadecyl-α-heptadecyl nitrone, N-octadecyl-α-pentadecyl nitrone, N-heptadecyl -α - heptadecyl nitrone and N-octadecyl-α-heptadecyl nitrone; and benzofuran compounds such as, 3-arylbenzofuran-2(3H)-one, 3-(alkoxyphenyl)benzofuran-2-one, 3-(acyloxyphenyl)benzofuran-2(3H)-one, 5,7-di- t-butyl-3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-benzofuran-2(3H)-one, 5,7-di-t-butyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-benzofuran-2(3H)-one, 5,7-di-t-butyl-3-{4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl}-benzofuran-2(3H)-one, 6-(2-(4-(5,7-di-t) hexanoate -2-oxo -2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl) phenoxy) ethoxy) -6-oxohexyl-6 -((6-hydroxyhexanoyl) oxy) hexanoate and 5-di-t-butyl-3-(4 -((15-hydroxy-3,6,9,13-tetraoxapentadecyl) oxy) phenyl) benzofuran-2 (3H)-one. These other antioxidants can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains another antioxidant, the content of the other antioxidant can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 20 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin, when The nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0045] Examples of the hindered amine compound include 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl stearate, 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl stearate, 2,2 benzoate, 6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2, 3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, tetrakis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl ).di(tridecyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)'di(tridecyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate , bis(1,2,2,4,4-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-2-butyl-2-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) malonate, 1(2- hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol/diethyl succinate, 1,6-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamino) hexane/2,4-dichloro polycondensate -6-morpholino-s-triazine, 1,6-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamino)hexane/2,4-dichloro-6-t-octylamino-s-triazine polycondensate, 1 ,5,8,12-tetrakis[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]-1, 5,8,12-tetraazadodecane, 1,5,8,12-tetrakis[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)amino)- s-triazine-6-yl]-1,5,8,12-tetraazadodecane, 1,6,11-tris[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- 4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]aminoundecane, 1,6,11-tris[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl- 4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]aminoundecane, bis{4-(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidyl}decanedionate and bis{4-(2,2) carbonate ,6,6-tetramethyl-1-undecyloxy)piperidyl). These hindered amine compounds can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a hindered amine compound, the content of the hindered amine compound can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 20 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a resin of polyolefin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0046] Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include 2-hydroxybenzophenones, such as 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone and 5,5'-methylene-bis (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone); 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, such as 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-t-octylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5- di-t-butylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-methylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dicumylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2, 2'-methylene-bis(4-t-octyl-6-benzotriazolylphenol), 2-(2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-carboxyphenyl) benzotriazole polyethylene glycol esters, 2-[2-hydroxy-3- (2-acryloyloxyethyl)-5-methylphenyl]benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-5-t-butylphenyl]benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)- 5-t-octylphenyl] benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-5-t-butylphenyl]-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl] benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl] benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-t-amyl-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl] benzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-3-t-butyl-5-(3-methacryloyloxy propyl)phenyl]-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-methacryloyloxymethyl)phenyl]benzotriazole, 2-[2 -hydroxy-4-(3-methacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)phenyl] benzotriazole, and 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)phenyl] benzotriazole; benzoates, such as phenyl salicylate, resorcinol monobenzoate, 2,4-di-t-butylphenyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy ) octyl benzoate, (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy) dodecyl benzoate, (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy) tetradecyl benzoate, (3,5-di- hexadecyl t-butyl-4-hydroxy) benzoate, octabenzyl (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy) benzoate and behenyl (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy) benzoate; substituted oxanilides, such as 2-ethyl-2'-ethoxyoxanilide and 2-ethoxy-4'-dodecyloxanilide; cyanoacrylates, such as ethyl-α-cyano-β, β-diphenyl acrylate and methyl-2-cyano-3-methyl-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)acrylate; triazines, such as 2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)-5-hexyloxyphenol, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octoxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2, 4-dimethylphenyl)- 1,3,5-triazine, trioctyl-2,2',2"-((1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tris(3-hydroxybenzene-4-, 1-diyl) tripropionate), 2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)-5-[2-(2-ethylhexanoyloxy) ethoxy] phenol, 2,4,6-tris (2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy-3-methylphenyl)-1,3,5- triazine and 1,12-bis[2-[4-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2- il)-3-hydroxyphenoxy] ethyl] dodecane dioate; and a variety of metal salts and metal chelates, particularly nickel and chromium salts and chelates. These ultraviolet absorbers can be used individually, or two or more thereof can be. used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains an ultraviolet absorber, the content of the ultraviolet absorber can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 20 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight. of a polyolefin resin when the agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0047] Examples of the other nucleating agent described above, other than the compound represented by Formula (1) include metal carboxylates, such as sodium 2,2'-methylene-bis (4,6-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphate , 2,2'-methylene-bis (4,6-di-t-butylphenyl) lithium phosphate, hydroxybis [2,2'-methylene-bis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl) aluminum phosphate], sodium benzoate, aluminum 4-t-butylbenzoate salt, sodium adipate, sodium 2-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylate and calcium cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate; polyol derivatives such as dibenzylidene sorbitol, bis(methylbenzylidene) sorbitol, bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol, bis(p-ethylbenzylidene) sorbitol, bis(dimethylbenzylidene) sorbitol and 1,2,3-trideoxy-4,6 :5,7-bis-O-((4-propylphenyl)methylene)nonitol; and amide compounds such as N,N',N''-tris[2-methylcyclohexyl]-1,2,3-propane tricarboxamide, N,N',N''-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzene tricarboxamide, N,N'-dicyclohexylnaphthalene dicarboxamide and 1,3,5-tri(dimethylisopropylamino)benzene. These other nucleating agents can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains another nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), the content of the other nucleating agent may be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, in relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0048] Examples of flame retardants include aromatic phosphates, such as triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, trixylenyl phosphate, cresyldiphenyl phosphate, cresyl-2,6-dixylenyl phosphate, resorcinol-bis(diphenylphosphate), diphosphate of (1-methylethylidene)-4,1-phenylene tetraphenyl and 1,3-phenylene-tetrakis (2,6-dimethylphenyl) phosphate, as well as "ADK STAB FP-500", "ADK STAB FP-600" and " ADK STAB FP-800" (trade names, manufactured by ADEKA Corporation); phosphonates, such as divinyl phenylphosphonate, diallyl phenylphosphonate and (1-butenyl) phenylphosphonate; phosphinates, such as methyl diphenylphosphinate, methyl diphenylphosphinate and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthylene-10-oxide derivatives; phosphazene compounds such as bis(2-allylphenoxy)phosphazene and dicresyl phosphazene; Phosphorus-based flame retardants such as melamine phosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melam polyphosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, piperazine phosphate, piperazine pyrophosphate, piperazine polyphosphate, phosphorus-containing vinylbenzyl compounds and red phosphorus ; metal hydroxides such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; and bromine-based flame retardants, such as brominated bisphenol A type epoxy resins, brominated phenol novolac type epoxy resins, hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, ethylene-bis(pentabromophenyl), ethylene-bis-tetrabromophthalimide, 1,2-dibromo -4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane, tetrabromocyclooctane, hexabromocyclododecane, bis(tribromophenoxy)ethane, brominated polyphenylene ether, brominated polystyrene, 2,4,6-trisoxy(tris(tris)1,3,5-triazine, tribromophenyl maleimide, tribromophenyl acrylate, tribromophenyl methacrylate, tetrabromobisphenol type A dimethacrylate, pentabromobenzyl acrylate and brominated styrene. These flame retardants are preferably used in combination with a drip inhibitor, such as a fluorocarbon resin, and/or a flame retardant auxiliary. such as a polyhydric alcohol or hydrotalcite. These flame retardants can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a flame retardant, the content of the retardant. of flame can be adjusted so that it is from 1 to 100 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin, when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0049] The lubricant is added for the purpose of imparting lubricity to the surface of the resulting molded article and improving the damage prevention effect. Examples of the lubricant include unsaturated fatty acid amides, such as oleic acid amide and erucic acid amide; saturated fatty acid amides, such as behenic acid amide and stearic acid amide; butyl stearate; stearyl alcohols; stearic acid monoglyceride; sorbitan monopalmitate; sorbitan monostearate; mannitol; stearic acid; hardened castor oil; stearic acid amide; oleic acid amide; and ethylene bis stearic acid amide. These lubricants can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a lubricant, the content of the lubricant can be adjusted so that it is from 0.01 to 2 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin. when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0050] Examples of filler include talc, mica, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, barium sulfate, glass powder , glass fibers, clays, dolomite, silica, alumina, potassium titanate whiskers, wollastonite and fibrous magnesium oxysulfate and any of these fillers can be used by appropriately selecting the particle size (the fiber diameter, fiber length and ratio appearance in the case of a fibrous filler). Among these fillers, talc is particularly preferable, as it can impart especially excellent rigidity to the resulting molded article and can be easily obtained. Furthermore, the filler to be used can be subjected to surface treatment as necessary. The charges described above may be used individually, or two or more of them may be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a filler, the content of the filler can be adjusted so that it is from 0.01 to 80 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin. when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0051] The fatty acid metal salt is preferably a compound represented by Formula (4) below, from the point of view of obtaining heat resistance and dispersion effect of the nucleating agent in a resin.

[0052] In Formula (4), R11 represents a linear or branched fatty acid residue with 12 to 20 carbon atoms, the fatty acid residue can be replaced by a hydroxy group, M2 represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom that can be linked to a hydroxy group and m represents an integer from 1 to 3.

[0053] In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a fatty acid metal salt, the content of the fatty acid metal salt can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, in relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0054] In Formula (4), specific examples of M2 include sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, zinc, barium, magnesium and hydroxyaluminum, among which sodium, potassium and lithium are particularly preferred.

[0055] The hydrotalcite described above is a complex salt compound that is known as a natural or synthetic product and is composed of magnesium, aluminum, hydroxy groups, a carbonate group and arbitrary crystalline water and examples thereof include hydrotalcites in which some atoms of magnesium or aluminum is replaced by another metal, such as an alkali metal or zinc; and hydrotalcites in which the hydroxy group(s) and/or carbonate group are replaced by other anionic group(s), specifically hydrotalcites represented by Formula (5) below, in which a metal is replaced by an alkali metal: where, z1 and z2 each represent a number that satisfies the conditions represented by the following equations and p represents 0 or a positive number: 0 < z2/z1 < 10 and 2 < (z1 + z2) < 20.

[0056] Furthermore, as an Al-Li hydrotalcite, a compound represented by the following Formula (6) can also be used: where Aq- represents an anion having a valence of q; ep represents 0 or a positive number. Furthermore, the carbonate anions in these hydrotalcites can be partially replaced by other anions.

[0057] These hydrotalcites may be dehydrated crystalline water or may be those coated, for example, with a higher fatty acid such as stearic acid, a higher fatty acid metal salt such as alkali metal oleate, an organic metal sulfonate , such as alkali metal dodecylbenzenesulfonate, a higher fatty acid amide, a higher fatty acid ester, or a wax.

[0058] Hydrotalcite can be naturally occurring or synthetic hydrotalcite. Examples of a hydrotalcite synthesis method include known methods that are described in JPS46-2280B1, JPS50-30039B1, JPS51-29129B1, JPH3-36839B1, JPS61-174270A, JPH05-179052A and the like. Furthermore, the hydrotalcites exemplified above can be used without any restrictions in terms of their crystal structure, crystal particles and the like. These hydrotalcites can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a hydrotalcite, the content of the hydrotalcite can be adjusted so that it is 0.001 to 5 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the The nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0059] Examples of the antistatic agent described above include low molecular weight antistatic agents based on nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surfactants and high molecular weight antistatic agents based on polymeric compounds. Examples of nonionic surfactants include nonionic surfactants of the polyethylene glycol type, such as higher alcohol ethylene oxide adducts, fatty acid ethylene oxide adducts, higher alkylamine ethylene oxide adducts, and polyolefin glycol ethylene oxide adducts. ; and non-ionic surfactants of the polyhydric alcohol type, such as polyethylene oxides, glycerin fatty acid esters, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, sorbitol or sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyhydric alcohol alkyl ethers and aliphatic alkanolamine amides. Examples of anionic surfactants include carboxylates, such as alkali metal salts of higher fatty acids; sulfates, such as higher alcohol sulfates and higher alkyl ether sulfates; sulfonates, such as alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkyl sulfonates and paraffin sulfonates; and phosphates, such as higher alcohol phosphates. Examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts, such as alkyltrimethyl ammonium salts, and examples of amphoteric surfactants include amino acid-type amphoteric surfactants, such as higher alkylaminopropionates, and betaine-type amphoteric surfactants, such as higher alkyl dimethylbetaines and higher alkyl dihydroxyethylbetaines. In the polyolefin resin composition, an anionic surfactant is preferred, and a sulfonate, such as an alkylbenzenesulfonate, an alkylsulfonate or a paraffin sulfonate is particularly preferred. These antistatic agents can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a low molecular weight antistatic agent, the content of the low molecular weight antistatic agent can be adjusted so that it is from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, in relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0060] Examples of high molecular weight antistatic agents include ionomers and block polymers containing a polyethylene glycol as a hydrophilic moiety. Examples of ionomers include the ionomer disclosed in JP2010-132927A. Examples of the polymers containing a polyethylene glycol as a hydrophilic moiety include the polyether ester amide disclosed in JPH07-10989A, the polymer disclosed in US6552131B1 which is composed of a polyolefin and a polyethylene glycol, and the polymer disclosed in JP2016-023254A which is composed of a polyester and a polyethylene glycol. These high molecular weight antistatic agents can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a high molecular weight antistatic agent, the content of the high molecular weight antistatic agent can be adjusted so that it is from 3 to 60 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0061] Fluorescent brightener is a compound that enhances the whiteness or bluishness of a molded article by a fluorescent action of absorbing ultraviolet rays from sunlight and artificial light, converting the absorbed ultraviolet rays into visible light from purple to blue and irradiating visible light. Examples of fluorescent brighteners include C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 184, which is a benzoxazole-based compound; C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 52, which is a coumarin-based compound; and C.I. Fluorescent Brighteners 24, 85 and 71, which are compounds based on diaminostyrylbenzyl sulfone. These fluorescent brighteners can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination. In cases where the nucleating agent composition of the present invention contains a fluorescent brightener, the content of the fluorescent brightener may be adjusted so that it is 0.00001 to 0.1 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin, when the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is incorporated into the polyolefin resin.

[0062] The pigment is not particularly restricted, and any commercially available pigment can be used. Specific pigment examples include PIGMENT RED 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 22, 23, 31, 38, 41, 48, 49, 88, 90, 97, 112, 119, 122, 123, 144, 149 , 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 177, 179, 180, 184, 185, 192, 200, 202, 209, 215, 216, 217, 220, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 240, and 254; PIGMENT ORANGE 13, 31, 34, 36, 38, 43, 46, 48, 49, 51, 52, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65 and 71; PIGMENT YELLOW 1, 3, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24, 55, 60, 73, 81, 83, 86, 93, 95, 97, 98, 100, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 120, 125, 126, 127, 129, 137, 138, 139, 147, 148, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 166, 168, 175, 180 and 185; PIGMENT GREEN 7, 10 and 36; PIGMENT BLUE 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:5, 15:6, 22, 24, 29, 56, 60, 61, 62 and 64; and PIGMENT VIOLET 1, 15, 19, 23, 27, 29, 30, 32, 37, 40 and 50.

[0063] Examples of the dye include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, indigoid dyes, triarylmethane dyes, xanthene dyes, alizarin dyes, acridine dyes, stilbene dyes, thiazole dyes, naphthol dyes, quinoline dyes, quinoline dyes, nitrokinine dyes, nitrolamine dyes, cyanine dyes, and these dyes can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination.

[0064] A method of producing the nucleating agent composition of the present invention is not particularly restricted and, for example, a method of mixing the nucleating agent of the present invention with other additives can be employed. Examples of another method of producing the nucleating agent composition of the present invention include a method of mixing with heating the nucleating agent of the present invention and other additives together with a binder containing a polymer compound or a petroleum resin, homogenizing the mixture. resulting in the presence of the binder in a molten state and subsequently processing the resultant into a microsphere form. According to this production method, the nucleating agent composition of the present invention can be produced, which is uniform and has excellent ease of handling. In this production method, there are no restrictions on processing conditions. Furthermore, the processing equipment to be used in this production method is also not restricted, and any well-known and commonly used processing equipment such as an extruder or a disc micronizer can be employed.

Polyolefin Resin Composition

[0065] The polyolefin resin composition of the present invention will be described below. The resin composition of the present invention contains a polyolefin resin and a compound represented by Formula (1), and the content of the nucleating agent of the present invention is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the resin of polyolefin. The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β-crystals.

[0066] Examples of the polyolefin resin contained in the resin composition of the present invention include α-olefin polymers, such as low-density polyethylenes (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylenes (L-LDPE), high-density polyethylenes (HDPE ), isotactic polypropylenes, syndiotactic polypropylenes, hemiisotactic polypropylenes, cycloolefin polymers, stereoblock polypropylenes, poly-3-methyl-1-butenes, poly-3-methyl-1-pentenes and poly-4-methyl-1- pentenes; α-olefin copolymers, such as, ethylene-propylene copolymers, impact copolymer polypropylenes, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymers, copolymers ethylene vinyl acetate and alcohol resins (EVOH); and its chlorinated products. Polyolefin resin can be a mixture or alloy of two or more of these polymers.

[0067] The polyolefin resin is preferably a polypropylene resin. Examples of the polypropylene resin include propylene homopolymers, ethylene-propylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene random copolymers), ethylene-propylene-1-butene terpolymers, propylene copolymers, and other α-olefins (e.g., 1 -butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene or 4-methyl-1-pentene), ethylene-propylene block copolymers containing an ethylene-propylene copolymer (e.g., impact copolymer polypropylenes and TPOs) and chlorinated products of same. The polypropylene resin may be a mixture, an alloy, or a block copolymer of two or more such polymers.

[0068] It is more preferred that the polyolefin resin used in the resin composition of the present invention further contains an ethylene-propylene copolymer. In this case, the resulting molded article can have particularly excellent impact resistance. Examples of such a polyolefin resin include the ethylene-propylene copolymers described above (e.g., ethylene-propylene random copolymers) and ethylene-propylene block copolymers (e.g., impact copolymer polypropylenes and TPOs).

[0069] In the resin composition of the present invention, the polyolefin resins described above can be used regardless of, for example, the types and the presence or absence of a polymerization catalyst and a cocatalyst, steric regularity, average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, the presence or absence and ratio of a component with a specific molecular weight, specific gravity, viscosity, solubility in various solvents, elongation rate, impact resistance, degree of crystallization, X-ray diffraction, and the presence or absence of a modification/cross-linking treatment that is carried out with an unsaturated carboxylic acid (e.g. maleic acid, itaconic acid or fumaric acid) and a derivative thereof (e.g. maleic anhydride, maleic acid monoester or maleic acid diester) or an organic peroxide, or by irradiation of an energy beam, or a combination of these treatments.

[0070] As described above, in the resin composition of the present invention, the content of the nucleating agent of the present invention is from 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. From the point of view of obtaining a superior β-crystal forming effect, the content of the nucleating agent of the present invention is preferably not less than 0.005 parts by weight, more preferably not less than 0.02 parts by weight. in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. Furthermore, from the point of view of suppressing the occurrence of blooming and the extractability of the nucleating agent, the content of the nucleating agent of the present invention is preferably 1 part by weight or less, more preferably 0.5 parts by weight or less, even more preferably 0.3 parts by weight or less, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin.

[0071] The resin composition of the present invention further preferably contains an elastomer. In this case, the resulting molded article can be imparted with superior impact resistance.

[0072] The elastomer is not particularly restricted; however, it is preferably a copolymer of ethylene and a monomer other than ethylene, since such an elastomer has excellent compatibility with polyolefin resins.

[0073] The monomer other than ethylene may be, for example, a linear or branched α-olefin with 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic vinyl compound with 8 to 20 carbon atoms, another vinyl compound, a conjugated diene , an alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid or an alkyl ester of alkoxyacrylic acid. It is noted herein that "alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid" refers to an alkyl ester of acrylic acid or an alkyl ester of methacrylic acid. These different ethylene monomers can be used individually, or two or more of them can be used in combination.

[0074] Examples of α-olefin with 3 to 20 carbon atoms include propylene, 1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 3-ethyl-1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 3-ethyl-1-pentene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-hexene, 4,4-dimethyl-1-hexene, 4-ethyl-1-hexene, 3- ethyl-1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene and 1-eicosene, and the α-olefin is preferably, e.g. propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene or 1-octene.

[0075] Examples of the aromatic vinyl compound with 8 to 20 carbon atoms include styrene, o-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, o-ethylstyrene, m-ethylstyrene, p-ethylstyrene, p-t-butylstyrene, chloromethylstyrene and vinyltoluene, and the aromatic vinyl compound is preferably, for example, a mono- or polyalkylstyrene.

[0076] Examples of the other vinyl compound include halogenated olefins, unsaturated amines, unsaturated carboxylic acids, vinyl esters, unsaturated epoxy compounds and ethylenically unsaturated silane compounds.

[0077] "Halogenated olefins" refer to the α-olefins described above to which a halogen atom, such as chlorine, bromine or iodine, is added.

[0078] Examples of unsaturated amines include allylamine, 5-hexenamine and 6-heptenamine.

[0079] Examples of unsaturated carboxylic acids include (meth)acrylic acid, 3-butenoic acid, 4-pentenoic acid, 5-hexenoic acid, 6-heptenoic acid, 7-octenoic acid, 8-nonenoic acid, 9-decenoic acid and 10-undecenoic acid, and these unsaturated carboxylic acids can be replaced by a halogen atom.

[0080] Examples of vinyl esters include aliphatic vinyl esters such as vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl isobutyrate, trimethyl vinyl acetate, vinyl pentanoate, vinyl decanoate, undecylate vinyl, vinyl laurate, vinyl myristate, vinyl pentadecylate palmitate, vinyl stearate and vinyl versate (a mixture of carboxylic acids with 9 to 11 carbon atoms); and aromatic vinyl esters, such as vinyl benzoate. Preferred examples of the vinyl esters include vinyl esters having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and the vinyl esters may be, for example, more preferably vinyl esters having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, even more preferably vinyl acetate.

[0081] Examples of unsaturated epoxy compounds include 4-epoxy-1-butene, 5-epoxy-1-pentene, 6-epoxy-1-hexene, 7-epoxy-1-heptene, 8-epoxy-1-octene, 9-epoxy-1-nonene, 10-epoxy-1-decene and 11-epoxy-1-undecene.

[0082] Examples of ethylenically unsaturated silane compounds include vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and Y-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane.

[0083] Examples of the conjugated diene include 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, 2-methylpentadiene, 4-methylpentadiene, 2,4- hexadiene and 1,3-octadiene.

[0084] Examples of (meth) acrylic acid alkyl ester include methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, n-propyl (meth) acrylate, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylate isobutyl, (meth) n-pentyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) isoamyl acrylate, (meth) n-hexyl acrylate, (meth) 2-methylpentyl acrylate, (meth) octyl acrylate, (meth) ) 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, (meth) n-decyl acrylate, (meth) n-dodecyl acrylate and (meth) n-octadecyl acrylate.

[0085] Examples of alkoxy-acrylic acid alkyl ester include 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, 2-(n-propoxy) ethyl acrylate, 2-(n-butoxy) ethyl acrylate, 3 -methoxypropyl, 3-ethoxypropyl acrylate, 2-(n-propoxy) propyl acrylate and 2-(n-butoxy) propyl acrylate.

[0086] The elastomer can be a copolymer of any of these monomers with ethylene, or a copolymer of a combination of two or more of these monomers with ethylene.

[0087] Among elastomers that are copolymers of ethylene and a monomer other than ethylene, an ethylene-α olefin copolymer is preferred, as it has excellent compatibility with olefin resins. Furthermore, a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl ester is also preferred.

[0088] Specific examples of an elastomer that is a copolymer of ethylene and a monomer other than ethylene include ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-butene copolymers, block or random copolymers such as ethylene-octene copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers, methyl methacrylate, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butylene copolymers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymers and ethylene-butylene copolymers vinyl acetate.

[0089] Examples of an elastomer other than an elastomer that is a copolymer of ethylene and a monomer other than ethylene include thermoplastic polyesters and thermoplastic polyurethanes.

[0090] The elastomers described above can be used regardless of, for example, the molecular weight, the degree of polymerization, the density, the softening point, the insoluble component-solvent ratio, the degree of stereoregularity, the presence or absence of a waste catalyst, the type and mixing ratio of a raw material monomer and the type of a polymerization catalyst (e.g. a Ziegler catalyst or a metallocene catalyst).

[0091] The elastomer content is preferably 1 to 80 parts by weight, in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. In this case, the resin composition of the present invention can provide your molded article with superior impact resistance. The content of the elastomer is more preferably not less than 3 parts by weight, particularly preferably not less than 5 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. Furthermore, from the point of view of obtaining a molded article that has excellent impact resistance in low temperature environments, the elastomer content is more preferably 50 parts by weight or less, particularly preferably 40 parts by weight or less. in relation to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin.

[0092] The resin composition of the present invention preferably further contains a filler. In this case, the resulting molded article can be provided with excellent rigidity. Examples of fillers include those that can be used in the nucleating agent composition described above. Among these fillers, talc is particularly preferred, as it can impart especially excellent rigidity to the molded article and is easy to obtain. The filler content is preferably 0.01 to 80 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. The content of the filler is most preferably not less than 1 part by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin. Furthermore, the content of the filler is more preferably 50 parts by weight or less relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin resin.

[0093] In the polyolefin resin composition, unless the performance thereof is not greatly deteriorated, an additive(s) generally used in polyolefin resins, such as a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, another antioxidant, a hindered amine compound, an ultraviolet absorber, another nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), a flame retardant, a flame retardant auxiliary, a lubricant, a hydrotalcite , a fatty acid metal salt, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent brightener, a pigment and a dye, may further be incorporated. Examples of such additives include those that can be used in the nucleating agent composition described above. The amounts of these additives to be incorporated are not particularly restricted and these additives can be incorporated so that each exists in an appropriate concentration in the polyolefin resin.

[0094] A method of producing the resin composition of the present invention is not particularly restricted and examples thereof include a method of dry mixing the polyolefin resin in a powder or tablet with the nucleating agent of the present invention and other additives; a method of kneading by melting a mixture obtained by dry mixing, the polyolefin resin into a powder or tablet, with the nucleating agent of the present invention and other additives; and a method of processing the nucleating agent of the present invention and other additives into a granule form and subsequently adding the granule to the polyolefin resin. The nucleating agent of the present invention and other additives can be added to the polyolefin resin simultaneously or separately. Furthermore, the method of producing the resin composition of the present invention may be a method of incorporating the nucleating agent composition of the present invention into the polyolefin resin.

Polyolefin Resin Master Batch

[0095] Examples of another method of producing the resin composition of the present invention include a method of preparing the master batch of the present invention and incorporating this master batch into the polyolefin resin. The master batch of the present invention contains a polyolefin resin and the nucleating agent described above of the present invention. The master batch of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β-crystals. The master batch of the present invention may further contain other additives as necessary. The polyolefin resin contained in the master batch of the present invention is not particularly restricted and examples thereof include the polyolefin resins exemplified above. A method of producing the master batch of the present invention is not particularly restricted and examples thereof include a method of melt kneading a mixture obtained by dry mixing the polyolefin resin, in powder or microsphere form, with the nucleating agent. of the present invention and other additives.

Molded Article

[0096] The molded article of the present invention will be described below. The molded article of the present invention is composed of the resin composition of the present invention. The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β-crystals; Therefore, the molded article of the present invention contains β-crystals of polyolefin resin.

[0097] Examples of the molded article of the present invention include injection molded articles, fibers, flat wires, biaxially stretched films, uniaxially stretched films, unstretched films, sheets, thermoformed articles, extrusion-blow molded articles, injection-molded articles. blow molded articles, injection stretch blow molded articles, profile extrusion molded articles and rotation molded articles. More specific examples of the molded article of the present invention include external automotive components, internal automotive components, receptacles, containers and tubes.

[0098] A method of molding the molded article of the present invention is not particularly restricted and examples thereof include injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, rotational molding, vacuum molding, inflation molding, calendering molding, molding by mud, immersion molding and thermoform molding.

[0099] In the following, the external automotive component, the internal automotive component, the receptacle, the container and the tube according to the present invention will be described.

External Automotive Component

[00100] The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β crystals; Therefore, an external automotive component composed of the resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact resistance. Examples of the exterior automotive component include bumpers, radiator grilles, front grilles, front panels, fenders, columns, column covers, door mirror covers, glass channels, mirror receptacles, lamp receptacles, wheel, spoilers, air spoilers, skid strips, window frames, belt frames, sunroofs, front modules, door modules, rear door modules and exterior plates. Examples of an exterior automotive component molding method include injection molding, thermoform molding, and blow molding.

Internal Automotive Component

[00101] The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β crystals; Therefore, an automotive interior component composed of the resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact resistance. Examples of automotive interior components include instrument panels, door panels, pillar trims, door trims, pillar trims, package supports, rear supports, console receptacles, and air conditioning ducts. Examples of an automotive interior component molding method include injection molding, thermoform molding, and blow molding.

Receptacle

[00102] The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β crystals; Therefore, a receptacle composed of the resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact resistance. Examples of receptacles include household appliance receptacles, arcade game machine receptacles, household game machine receptacles, portable game machine receptacles, camera receptacles, cell phone receptacles, smartphone receptacles, electronic device receptacles, receptacles for secondary batteries and receptacles for safety circuit breakers. Examples of a receptacle molding method include injection molding, thermoform molding, and blow molding.

Container

[00103] The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β crystals; Therefore, a container composed of the resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact resistance. Container examples include tableware; food containers, such as pre-cooked food containers, frozen food containers, heat-resistant microwave containers, frozen storage containers, retort containers, tumblers and frozen dessert cups; bottle containers such as beverage bottles, infusion bottles and hollow bottles for medical purposes; containers for physical-chemical tests, such as beakers and graduated cylinders; containers for chemicals; medical containers; containers for detergents; cosmetic containers; perfume containers; and toner containers. Examples of a container molding method include blow molding, inflation molding and thermoform molding.

Tubes

[00104] The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β crystals; Therefore, a tube composed of the resin composition of the present invention has excellent impact resistance. Examples of pipes include various pipes, such as infrastructure pipes (e.g., water pipes and gas pipes), plant utility pipes, vehicle fuel supply pipes, and vehicle air intake pipes; various tubes, such as cosmetic/perfume spray tubes, medical tubes and infusion tubes; various hoses, such as water hoses and vehicle air duct hoses. Examples of a tube molding method include injection molding, extrusion molding, and rotomolding.

Film

[00105] Next, a film will be described. The film of the present invention is composed of the resin composition of the present invention. The resin composition of the present invention can allow its polyolefin resin to preferentially form β-crystals; Therefore, the film of the present invention has excellent extensibility. Furthermore, since β crystals of polyolefin resin have a lower melting point than α crystals, the film of the present invention has excellent heat sealing properties. Examples of a film molding method include extrusion molding, inflation molding and casting molding.

Porous Film

[00106] Heating causes the β crystals of a polyolefin resin to undergo a phase transition into α crystals. Furthermore, the β crystals of a polyolefin resin have a lower density than the α crystals. Therefore, the porous film of the present invention can be produced by a production method that includes: the step of molding the resin composition of the present invention to obtain a film; and the step of hot stretching the film obtained by the molding step, and the porous film of the present invention contains fine and uniform voids. The porous film of the present invention can be suitably used as, for example, a light-reflecting film or a battery separator. The temperature at which the film is heat stretched is not particularly restricted and may be, for example, 80 to 120°C. Stretching can be performed uniaxially or biaxially. The elongation ratio is also not particularly restricted and can be, for example, 1.1 to 10.

Light Reflection Film

[00107] The porous film of the present invention contains fine and uniform voids; Therefore, the light reflecting film of the present invention which is composed of the film of the present invention exhibits excellent light reflection. The light-reflecting film of the present invention may suitably be used as, for example, a board material integrated into a backlight of a liquid crystal display, specifically an edge light reflector, a backlight reflector of direct type or a reflector around a cathode tube, for a liquid crystal display.

Battery Separator

[00108] The porous film of the present invention contains fine and uniform voids; Therefore, the battery separator of the present invention which is composed of the porous film of the present invention has excellent transparency. Such a battery separator can be suitably used, for example, in lithium secondary batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries and polymer batteries.

Packaging

[00109] The packaging of the present invention will be described below. The packaging of the present invention includes the film of the present invention. The film of the present invention has excellent heat sealing properties; Therefore, the packaging of the present invention also has excellent heat sealing properties. The packaging of the present invention may consist solely of the film of the present invention or may be composed of a laminate in which the film of the present invention is laminated onto a substrate. In laminating, the film of the present invention can be laminated to the substrate by means of an intermediate layer made of a polyolefin film or the like. Examples of the substrate constituting the laminate include films of a polyolefin resin, a styrene resin, a polyester or a polyamide; stretched films thereof; laminated films consisting of any of these films and a resin film with gas barrier properties, such as a polyamide film or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film; metal sheets, such as aluminum foil; and steam-deposited films and papers, in which aluminum, silica or the like are steam-deposited. Examples of a laminate production method include dry lamination and coextrusion. The packaging of the present invention can be suitably used for packaging food products, electronic materials and the like, particularly for retort packaging and packaging using an automatic packaging machine.

EXAMPLES

[00110] The present invention will now be described more specifically by means of its examples; however, the present invention is not restricted by the following Examples and the like in any way.

Examples 1-1 to 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-4

[00111] To 200 g of a homopolypropylene (MFR at 230°C at a load of 2.16 kg = 8 g/10 min.), 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3- ( 3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite) , 0.05% by weight of calcium stearate and 0.1% by weight of the respective nucleating agents for polyolefin resin shown in Table 1 were added and mixed manually for 3 minutes, and the resultants were each subsequently loaded into a uniaxial extruder (apparatus: LABO-PLASTOMILL μ, manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. Note here that in Comparative Example 1-1, granulation was carried out in the same procedures as in Example 1-1, except that no nucleating agent for polyolefin resin was added. The microspheres thus granulated were dried at 80°C for 8 hours and then evaluated under the conditions described below. In Table 1, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue, and Z represents one of the following groups.

[00112] For the microspheres thus obtained, the crystallization temperature (Tc) was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (device: DIAMOND, manufactured by PerkinElmer Co., Ltd.). Each pellet was heated from room temperature to 230°C at a rate of 50°C/min, held for 5 minutes and then cooled to 50°C at a rate of 10°C/min, and the crystallization temperature was determined as the temperature (°C) of an exothermic peak observed during the cooling process. The results are shown in Table 1.

β Crystal Rate

[00113] For the microspheres thus obtained, the presence or absence of β crystals was determined and the β crystal ratio was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (apparatus: DIAMOND, manufactured by PerkinElmer Co., Ltd.). Specifically, each microsphere was heated from room temperature to 230°C at a rate of 50°C/min, held for 20 minutes, cooled to 50°C at a rate of 10°C/min, then held for 5 minutes. and then heated again to 230°C at a rate of 10°C/min. and, in the second heating process, β crystals were considered "present" when an endothermic peak having a top peak at about 150°C and an endothermic peak having a top peak at about 165°C were observed, while the β crystals were considered "absent" when only an endothermic peak having a peak at about 165°C was observed. When β-crystals were considered "present", the area of the endothermic peak having a peak peak at about 150°C and the area of the endothermic peak having a peak peak at about 165°C were defined as "crystal area β" and "α crystal area", respectively, and the β crystal ratio was calculated by the following equation: β crystal ratio = β crystal area/(α crystal area + β crystal area) x 100 (%)

[00114] The results are shown in Table 1.

Coloring

[00115] The microspheres thus obtained were injection molded at 200°C, and the presence or absence of coloring was determined visually for each of the resulting 1 mm thick test pieces. The results are shown in Table 1.Table 1

Examples 2-1 to 2-10 and Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-5

[00116] To 200 g of a homopolypropylene (MFR at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg = 8 g/10 min.), 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3- ( 3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite) , 0.05% by weight of calcium stearate and 0.1% by weight of the respective compounds shown in Table 2 were added and mixed manually for 3 minutes, and the resultants were each subsequently loaded into a uniaxial extruder (apparatus: LABO -PLASTOMILL μ, manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. In Table 2, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue and Z represents one of the groups described above.

[00117] The microspheres thus granulated were dried at 80°C for 8 hours, after which the crystallization temperature Tc [°C], the crystal ratio β and the presence or absence of coloring were evaluated by the same procedures as in the Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 2.Table 2 *Tc and the presence or absence of β crystals were not evaluated due to the strong staining of quinacridone.

Comparative Examples 3-1 to 3-6

[00118] To 200 g of a homopolypropylene (MFR at 230°C under a load of 2.16 kg = 8 g/10 min.), 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3- ( 3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite) , 0.05% by weight of calcium stearate and 0.1% by weight of the respective comparative compounds represented by Formula (7) in which Z was as shown in Table 3 were added and mixed manually for 3 minutes, and the resultants were each subsequently loaded into a uniaxial extruder (apparatus: LABO-PLASTOMILL μ, manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. In Table 3 and Formula (7), Z represents one of the groups described above. The microspheres thus granulated were dried at 80°C for 8 hours, after which the crystallization temperature Tc [°C] and the crystal ratio β were evaluated by the same procedures as in Example 11. The results are shown in Table 3. Table 3

Examples 4-1 to 4-9 and Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-4

[00119] A resin mixture was prepared by mixing 70 parts by weight of a polypropylene impact copolymer (PRIME POLYPRO J707G, manufactured by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd.), 10 parts by weight of an ethylene-octene copolymer elastomer (ENGAGE 8842, manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company), and 20 parts by weight of talc (water content = 0.1% by weight, particle size D50 determined by laser diffractometry = 14.0 μm, specific gravity by weight determined by the measurement method prescribed in JIS K5101 = 0.32 g/mL). For 2 kg of this resin mixture, 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3-(3',5'-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), 0.05% by weight calcium stearate and each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin shown in Table 4 or 5 were added and mixed for 30 minutes using an oscillating mixer (manufactured by Aichi Electric Co., Ltd.), after which the resultants were each loaded into a biaxial extruder (TEX-25αIII, manufactured by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. ) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. Note here that in Comparative Example 4-1, granulation was carried out in the same procedures as in Example 4-1, except that no nucleating agent for polyolefin resin was added. In Tables 4 and 5, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue and Z represents one of the groups described above. Table 4 Table 5

Examples 5-1 to 5-9 and Comparative Examples 5-1 to 5-4

[00120] A resin mixture was prepared by combining 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene impact copolymer (PRIME POLYPRO J707G, manufactured by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd.), 20 parts by weight of an ethylene-octene copolymer elastomer (ENGAGE 8842, manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company), and 20 parts by weight of talc (water content = 0.1% by weight, particle size D50 determined by laser diffractometry = 14.0 μm, specific gravity by weight determined by a measurement method prescribed in JIS K5101 = 0.32 g/mL). For 2 kg of this resin mixture, 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3-(3',5'-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), 0.05% by weight of calcium stearate, and each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin shown in Table 6 or 7 in the amount illustrated in Table 6 or 7 were added and mixed for 30 minutes using an oscillating mixer (manufactured by Aichi Electric Co., Ltd.), after which the resultants were each loaded into a biaxial extruder (TEX-25αIII, manufactured by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. In Tables 6 and 7, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue and Z represents one of the groups described above. Note here that in Comparative Example 5-1, granulation was carried out in the same procedures as in Example 5-1, except that no nucleating agent for polyolefin resin was added. Table 6 Table 7

Examples 6-1 to 6-4 and Comparative Examples 6-1 and 6-2]

[00121] To 2 kg of a polypropylene impact copolymer (PRIME POLYPRO J707G, manufactured by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd.), 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3- (3',5 '-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), 0.05 % by weight of calcium stearate and each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin shown in Table 8 in the amount shown in Table 8 were added and mixed for 30 minutes using an oscillating mixer (manufactured by Aichi Electric Co., Ltd.), after the resulting ones were loaded into a biaxial extruder (TEX-25αIII, manufactured by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. In Table 8, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue and Z represents one of the groups described above. It is noted here that in Comparative Example 6-1, granulation was carried out in the same procedures as in Example 6-1, except that no nucleating agent for polyolefin resin was added. Table 8

[00122] The polyolefin resin composition granules of Examples 4-1 to 4-9, Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-4, Examples 5-1 to 5-9, Comparative Examples 5-1 to 5-4, Examples 6-1 to 6-4 and Comparative Examples 6-1 and 62, which were granulated in the manner described above, were dried at 80°C for 8 hours. Using each of the polyolefin resin composition granules thus dried, the crystallization temperature was evaluated by the same procedures as in Example 1-1, and the β crystal ratio and Charpy impact resistance were also evaluated by the procedures described below. The results are shown in Tables 4 to 8.

β Crystal Rate

[00123] With regard to the microspheres thus obtained, the presence or absence of β crystals was determined and the β crystal ratio was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (apparatus: DIAMOND, manufactured by PerkinElmer Co., Ltd.). Specifically, each microsphere was heated from room temperature to 230°C at a rate of 50°C/min, held for 20 minutes, cooled to 50°C at a rate of 10°C/min, then held for 5 minutes. and then heated again to 230°C at a rate of 30°C/min. and, in the second heating process, β-crystals were considered "present" when an endothermic peak having a peak greater than about 150°C and an endothermic peak having a peak greater than about 165°C were observed, while the crystals β were considered "absent" when only an endothermic peak having a peak at about 165°C was observed. When β crystals were considered "present", the area of the endothermic peak having a peak top at about 150°C and the area of the endothermic peak having a peak top at about 165°C were defined as "crystal area β" and "α crystal area", respectively, and the β crystal ratio was calculated by the following equation: β crystal ratio = β crystal area/(α crystal area + β crystal area) x 100 (%)

Charpy Impact Resistance

[00124] The microspheres obtained above were molded at a resin temperature of 230°C and a mold temperature of 50°C using an injection molding machine (apparatus: NEX80 horizontal injection molding machine, manufactured by Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.) to prepare specimens for measuring Charpy impact resistance (80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm). The test pieces thus obtained were left to rest for 7 days in an incubator at a temperature of 23°C and a humidity of 60% RH, and a notch was subsequently made on each test piece. The test pieces thus carved were left to rest for 5 days in an incubator at a temperature of 23°C and a humidity of 60% RH, after which the test pieces were removed from the incubator, and Charpy impact resistance ( kJ/m2) was measured according to ISO179-1.

Examples 7-1 to 7-4 and Comparative Examples 7-1 to 7-3

[00125] To 2 kg of a homopolypropylene (MFR at 230 ° C under a load of 2.16 kg = 3 g/10 min.) were added 0.05% by weight of a phenolic antioxidant (tetrakis [methylene-3 - (3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] methane), 0.1% by weight of a phosphorus-based antioxidant (tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite), 0.05% by weight calcium stearate and each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin shown in Table 9 in the amount shown in Table 9 and mixed manually for 3 minutes, and the resultants were each subsequently loaded into an extruder biaxial (TEX-25αIII, manufactured by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) and granulated at a melting temperature of 230°C. In Table 9, the "steric structure" of each nucleating agent for polyolefin resin represents the steric structure of an aspartic acid residue and Z represents one of the groups described above. In Comparative Example 7-1, granulation was carried out in the same procedures as in Example 7-1, except that no nucleating agent for polyolefin resin was added. The microspheres thus granulated were dried at 80°C for 8 hours, after which they were loaded into a uniaxial extruder equipped with a T-die and a roller, and molded into a 100 μm thick film at a barrel temperature of 200 °C and a roller temperature of 120°C. The films thus obtained were each hot drawn in the MD direction at a stretching ratio of 5 at a heating temperature of 100 ° C and a stretching rate of 1000 mm/min. The resulting films were each heat stretched in the TD direction at a stretch ratio of 2 under the same conditions under which the stretched films were obtained. Subsequently, the stretchability of each film and the void characteristics of each stretched film were evaluated by the procedures described below. The results are shown in Table 9.

Stretchability

[00126] The surface of each stretched film obtained in the manner described above was visually observed and the stretchability was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. o: The entire film was stretched evenly.x: The entire film was not stretched evenly and had irregularities in the stretched state.

Void Characteristic

[00127] The surface of each stretched film obtained in the manner described above was observed in a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 5,000x, and the void characteristic was evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria. o: Small voids were observed throughout the film. △: Small voids were observed in some parts of the film. x: No voids were observed. Table 9

[00128] From the foregoing, the nucleating agent for polyolefin resin according to the present invention was confirmed to have an excellent β-crystal formation effect.

Claims (24)

1. Nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin characterized by the fact that it comprises a compound represented by Formula (1) below: wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxy group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; where the expression ax = 2b is satisfied; and where Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below: where * represents a position to which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum; and wherein the compound represented by Formula (1) is not calcium 2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-succinate or N-salicyloyl-L-aspartate. 2. Nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin characterized by the fact that it comprises: the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin, as defined in claim 1; and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, a hindered amine compound, an ultraviolet absorber, a nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), a flame retardant, a flame retardant auxiliary, a lubricant, a filler, a hydrotalcite, a fatty acid metal salt, an antistatic agent, a fluorescent brightener, a pigment and a dye. 3. Polyolefin resin masterbatch characterized in that it comprises: a polyolefin resin; and the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin as defined in claim 1. 4. Polyolefin resin composition characterized in that it comprises: a polyolefin resin; and the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin as defined in claim 1; wherein the content of the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin is 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the polyolefin resin. 5. Polyolefin resin composition according to claim 4, characterized in that the polyolefin resin is a polypropylene resin. 6. Polyolefin resin composition according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the polyolefin resin comprises an ethylene-propylene copolymer. 7. Polyolefin resin composition according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises an elastomer. 8. Polyolefin resin composition according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a filler. 9. Molded article characterized by the fact that it comprises the polyolefin resin composition as defined in any one of claims 4 to 8. 10. Molded article according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the molded article is an external automotive component. 11. Molded article according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the molded article is an internal automotive component. 12. Molded article according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the molded article is a container. 13. Molded article according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the molded article is a container. 14. Molded article according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the molded article is a tube. 15. Film characterized by the fact that it comprises the polyolefin resin composition, as defined in any one of claims 4 to 8. 16. Film according to claim 15, characterized in that the film is a porous film comprising voids. 17. Film according to claim 16, characterized in that the film is a light reflecting film. 18. Film according to claim 16, characterized in that the film is a battery separator. 19. Method of producing a porous film, characterized in that the method comprises: a molding step for molding a polyolefin resin composition to obtain a film; and a step of hot stretching the film obtained in the molding step; wherein the polyolefin resin composition is the polyolefin resin composition as defined in any one of claims 4 to 8. 20. Packaging characterized by the fact that it comprises the film as defined in claim 15. 21. Use of a compound for nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin characterized by the fact that the compound is represented by Formula (1) below: wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxy group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; where the expression ax = 2b is satisfied; and where Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below: where * represents a position to which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum; and wherein the compound represented by Formula (1) is not calcium 2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-succinate or N-salicyloyl-L-aspartate. 22. Use of a compound for composing a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin characterized by the fact that the compound is represented by Formula (1) below: wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxy group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; where the expression ax = 2b is satisfied; and where Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below: where * represents a position to which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum; wherein the compound represented by Formula (1) is not calcium 2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-succinate or N-salicyloyl-L-aspartate; and wherein the nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, a sulfur-based antioxidant, a hindered amine compound , an ultraviolet absorber, a nucleating agent other than the compound represented by Formula (1), a flame retardant, a flame retardant auxiliary, a lubricant, a filler, a hydrotalcite, a fatty acid metal salt, an antistatic agent , a fluorescent brightener, a pigment and a dye. 23. Use of a compound for a polyolefin resin masterbatch characterized by the fact that the compound is represented by Formula (1) below: wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxy group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; where the expression ax = 2b is satisfied; and where Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below: where * represents a position to which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum; wherein the compound represented by Formula (1) is not calcium 2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-succinate or N-salicyloyl-L-aspartate; and wherein the polyolefin resin masterbatch comprises a polyolefin resin. 24. Use of a compound for a polyolefin resin composition characterized by the fact that the compound is represented by the following Formula (1): wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or a divalent or trivalent metal atom bonded to the hydroxy group having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer from 1 to 3; where the expression ax = 2b is satisfied; and where Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below: where * represents a position to which each group is linked to Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R1 to R10, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where M is lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, barium, aluminum, hydroxyaluminum or dihydroxyaluminum; wherein the compound represented by Formula (1) is not calcium 2-[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanamido]-succinate or N-salicyloyl-L-aspartate; wherein the polyolefin resin composition comprises a polyolefin resin; and wherein the content of the nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin is 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the polyolefin resin.