The present invention relates to a grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer containing crosslinkable silyl groups which is composed of one or more α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers as component A, of which at least one, as component Al, has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer Al, and at least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group and which is grafted on to the one α-olefin-vrnyl acetate copolymer or a plurality of α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers, as component B The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention, crosslinkable compositions containing the grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention and at least one crosslinking catalyst, the use of the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention for the production of insulation or sheath materials for cables or lines, a process for the crosslinking of the compositions according to the invention by bringing the crosslinkable compositions into contact with water, crosslinked compositions obtainable by the crosslinking process according to the invention, and insulation or sheath materials for cables or lines containing the crosslinked composition according to the invention.

The cables and lines are used in a multiplicity of applications, for example in the area of telecommunications, in the area of the automotive industry, in industry and household, in shipping, in the railway, in the military area and m the area of offshore exploration The required performance characteristics of the cables and lines are important for the choice of the materials for insulations and further protective coverings, e g sheaths In particular, criteria such as sufficient operational safety and operational life, environmental compatibility and costs are important for the choice of suitable insulation and sheath materials

Regarding the operational safety, inter alia the electrical properties of the insulation are important in addition to the correct choice of the conductor.

From the point of view of the operational life (life in use), for example, consideration of the temperatures of use and further conditions of use, such as mechanical load due to bending (inter alia, bending at low temperatures), the thermal expansion behaviour (determined by means of the hotset test), chemical influences due to organic hydrocarbons, such as greases and oils (e.g in the wiring of various automotive parts or their electrical equipment of automobiles), and UV radiation and the ageing behaviour play a role m the choice of the insulation and sheath materials.

Regarding the environmental compatibility, requirements are set in particular regarding recyclability, regarding freedom from halogens and regarding behaviour in the case of fire.

For the cost-oriented choice of suitable materials, the processing costs and the capital costs, for example for crosslinking plants, should be taken into account m addition to the procurement costs and the specific material consumption.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is of the greatest importance as insulation and sheath material in the cable industry. The PVC can be modified by the use of plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers and lubricants for a wide range of applications. Apart from the high dielectric loss factor, however, the behaviour of PVC in the case of a fire is disadvantageous. Although PVC is considered to be nonflammable, the pronounced evolution of smoke and the corrosive gases forming as a result of elimination of chlorine are problematic in the case of fire.

In addition to PVC, halogen- free thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and the corresponding crosslinked polymers have therefore acquired substantial importance as insulation and sheath materials in the cable industry Crosslinking can be effected, for example, by means of peroxides In addition, crosslinking (in particular in the case of cables and lines in the 1 kV range) can also be effected by silane crosslinking. The silane crosslinking requires substantially less technical effort than other methods of crosslinking since the normal plant technology for cable production can still be used through the use of modified materials The silane crosslinking is generally effected after the production of the lines or cables by the influence of heat and moisture

WO 2006/1 18253 relates to halogen- free, insulated wire comprising a conductor, an inner coating which is formed from one or more layers and is arranged so that it covers the conductor, and an outer coating which is arranged so that it covers the inner coating, the outer coating having a thickness in the range of 10 to 100 μm and being produced from a resin composition comprising at least one olefin resm having a melting point of 18O ⁰ C or higher and an olefin resin having an -Si(Xi)(X ₂ )(X ₃ ) group (Xi, X ₂ and X ₃ being alkyl or alkoxy groups, and at least one of the groups X], X ₂ and X ₃ being an alkoxy group). In the description in WO 2006/118253, numerous different olefin resins are mentioned as suitable olefin resins According to the examples, polypropylene or polyethylene containing -Si(Xi)(Xa)(Xs) groups are used as olefin resins. The halogen-free, insulated wire according to WO 2006/1 18253 having a multilayer structure has, according to WO 2006/118253, adequate flame-retardant properties and excellent thermal stabilities, wear resistances and flexibilities. It is therefore particularly preferably used m areas which are exposed to high temperatures or vibrations Regarding resistance of the halogen-free, insulated wires to organic hydrocarbons, e.g. greases and oils, WO 2006/118253 contains no information.

EP-A 0 656 390 relates to a highly flame-retardant, halogen- free cohesively tearable material which is pliant at low temperature and is intended for cable coatings. The material has a first ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer which has 40 to 50% by weight of acetate, a second ethylene- vmyl acetate copolymer which has 30 to 50% by weight of acetate, a silane having been grafted on to the second copolymer, and an ethylene-propylene copolymer which has between 60 and 75% by weight of ethylene, and a flame retardant. The covering material according to EP-A 0 656 390 can be easily torn off at room temperature without a cutting tool being required, while it has good fire resistance and very good flexibility at low temperature in the absence of a halogen. Regarding resistance of the polymer mixture used according to EP-A 0 656 390 as covering material for cables to organic hydrocarbons, EP-A 0 656 390 contains no information

WO 01/34662 discloses grafted ethylene copolymers which are crosslinkable by moisture and are processable in the melt. The compositions contain an ethylene copolymer grafted with silyl and in particular small proportions of glycidyl acrylate terpolymers They are suitable for use in cables and lines and for hotmelt adhesives According to WO 01/34662, ammosilanes are preferably used for the silane grafting Suitable ethylene copolymers are terpolymers which are composed of ethylene, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate or vinyl acetate and of glycidyl-containing monomer These terpolymers are grafted with aminosilanes According to WO 01/34662, it was found that an ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymer which has a specific amount of a glycidyl comonomer which is subsequently grafted with an N-substituted aminopropyltrimethoxysilane is very suitable for cables or lines since it is distinguished by good crosslinking properties in the presence of moisture and good heat-curing properties. Regarding resistance of the cables and lines mentioned in WO 01/34662 to organic hydrocarbons, WO 01/34662 contains no information.

WO 00/19452 discloses self-extinguishing cables which are coated with a flame-retardant composition. The compositions contain an ethylene homo- or -copolymer selected from ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene with an α-olefin, copolymers of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated ester or mixtures thereof as component (a), a copolymer of ethylene with at least one α-olefin and optionally with a diene as component (b), magnesium hydroxide as component (c), wherein at least one of the polymeric components (a) and (b) has a hydrolysable organic sύane group which is grafted on to the polymer chain According to the description, copolymers of ethylene with an ethylemcally unsaturated ester can be used, the ester being present m an amount of 5 to 50% by weight For example, copolymers of ethylene with vinyl acetate can be used According to the examples m WO 00/19452, ethylene/1 -octene copolymers are used WO 00/19452 contains no information regarding the resistance of the mixtures used to organic hydrocarbons

WO 03/082966 discloses crosslinkable and/or crosslinked compositions containing nano filling material which contain crosslinkable and/or crosslinked polyethylene or crosslinkable and/or crosslinked ethylene copolymers The compositions according to WO 03/082966 are distinguished by improved barrier properties, strength and heat resistance, so that they are suitable for numerous applications comprising medical applications, applications in the automotive sector, electrical applications, applications m the building sector and applications in the food sector The compositions containing nano fillers are said to be suitable m particular for applications at high temperatures and m a difficult environment (m the environment of chemicals, solutions, oils, fuels) The description of WO 03/082966 mentions the numerous different, suitable ethylene copolymers, inter aha ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers This can be grafted with a vinyl silane Silane crosslinkmg follows after the production of the article by extrusion, film formation and/or moulding m the presence of water, steam or moisture and a catalyst In Example 12 of

WO 03/082966, a mixture which, in addition to polyethylene and a nano filler, has an ethylene- vmyl acetate copolymer and a vinyl silane is used The ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer has a vmyl acetate content of 9 3% by weight

DE-A 2 350 876 discloses a process for the crosslinkmg of ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers The ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer used is grafted with a silane and is exposed to the action of water m the presence of a silane condensation catalyst for crosslinkmg According to DE-A 2 350 876, the process can be used for the production of electrical insulations and crosslinked films In the examples m DE-A 2 350 876, an ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer which contains 20 mol% of vmyl acetate is used The crosslinked ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymer obtained according to DE-A 2 350 876 has, according to DE-A 2 350 876, improved strength at elevated temperatures, improved resistance to compression sets and improved properties on oven ageing m the presence of air Resistance to organic hydrocarbons is not mentioned in DE-A 2 350 876

The abovementioned documents relate to thermoplastic materials crosslinked by means of silane and the use thereof m cable applications Owing to their property profile, apart from the use of thermoplastic materials, the use of resilient materials which can be crosslinked in a simple manner by means of silane is of interest

DE-A 37 31 054 discloses ethylene/vmyl acetate copolymers which have a high content of 40 to 98% by weight of vinyl acetate incorporated m the form of polymerized units Ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers which have high vmyl acetate contents of > 40% by weight are elastomers - m contrast to ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers having low vmyl acetate contents The ethylene/vmyl acetate copolymers mentioned according to DE-A 37 31 054 can be used for the production of seals, insulations, cable sheets, cable conduits, tubes and sound insulation materials Furthermore, the copolymers can be used for the preparation of vulcanizates Crosslmkmg by means of silanes or silane grafted ethylene vmyl acetate copolymers having the high vmyl acetate contents mentioned according to DE A 37 31 054 are not mentioned m DE A 37 31 054

The crosslmkmg of elastomers by means of silane is not known in the prior art

It is therefore an object of the present invention, compared with the abovementioned prior art, to provide rubber- like polymers or polymer mixtures based on silane-crosslmked elastomers which are distinguished m particular for the production of covering and insulation materials for cables and lines, i e they have a balanced property profile for the abovementioned application so that cables and lines having high operational safety, operational life and environmental compatibility can be economically provided In particular, covering and insulation materials for cables and lines which have good resistance to organic hydrocarbons m addition to the abovementioned balanced property profile and which can take up high filler contents (e g flame proofing agents) are to be provided

This object is achieved by a grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer containing crosslinkable silyl groups, composed of

a) one or more α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers as component A, of which at least one, as component Al, has a vmyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer Al, and

b) at least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group and which is grafted on to the component A, as component B Owing to the crosslinkable silyl groups present, the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention can be crosslinked with little technical effort, in particular by means of moisture. By providing the elastomeric α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention, elastomers which are crosslinkable with the use of the normal plant technology for cable production are provided for the first time. Crosslinking of the elastomers by customary crosslinking methods, such as complicated vulcanization, by radiation, etc. is not required, so that crosslinking be carried out, for example, on the cable manufacturer's premises without complicated apparatus.

The compositions according to the invention are halogen-free flame -retardant (HFFR), polymeric materials which can be processed to give articles in which the fire safety is of importance. The compositions according to the invention are preferably used for the production of insulation or sheath materials for cables and lines. The crosslinked compositions obtained from the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers are distinguished in particular by outstanding resistance to organic hydrocarbons, in particular fuel or oil. Furthermore, they have a balanced property profile suitable for use as insulation and covering materials for cables and lines, regarding in particular the rheological and physical properties, such as a high green strength, for example in order to avoid crushing during the rolling up of cables, sufficient melt flow index (MFI) in order to guarantee outstanding processability, the ability to take up high filler contents and a good shelf life. Sheath and insulation materials produced from the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers preferably fulfil the specifications customary in the cable sector, e.g. NEK 606, IEEE 1580, BS 6883, EN 50264, EM2 and 2 PfG 1 169.

The grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers according to the present invention which are suitable for silane crosslinking are preferably used in the low voltage range (LV) and medium voltage range (MV) in cables and lines. The low voltage range generally comprises a range of < IkV and the medium voltage range of 1 kV to 36 kV.

In the context of the present application, the statement of "halogen- free" means that amounts of halogen over and above impurities are not present either in the composition according to the invention or in the individual components of the composition according to the invention. The halogen content of the compositions according to the invention or the halogen content of the components A to E and optionally F is generally therefore 0 to 5% by weight, preferably 0 to 3% by weight, particularly preferably 0 to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition or based on the respective component.

a) One or more a-olefm-vinyl acetate copolymer as component A The grafted α- olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention is composed of one or more α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers as component A At least one of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of this α olefin vinyl acetate copolymer (component Al, preferably > 60 to 98% by weight) Particularly preferably, the component Al has a vinyl acetate content of > 70% by weight, very particularly preferably a vinyl acetate content of 70 to 98% by weight, m particular very particularly preferably a vinyl acetate content of 70 to 90% by weight

As a result of the high vinyl acetate contents, the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers having a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α olefin vmyl acetate copolymer, are completely amorphous elastomers In comparison, α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers having a proportion of < 40% by weight of vmyl acetate, which are mentioned m the prior art as insulation or covering material for cables, are thermoplastics

It is known to the person skilled in the art that elastomers and thermoplastics differ substantially both m their property profile and m their processing profile, owing to their different amorphicity Thus, compositions which have a completely different property profile compared with α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers which have a vmyl acetate content of > 40% by weight are obtained with the use of α olefin vmyl acetate copolymers having a vmyl acetate content of < 60% by weight

In the following table, which is published under the address http //www mb hs wismar de/~hansmann/Downloads/Meng/Kunststofftechnologie/Spritzguss /Spritzguss_36a_T on page 1 of the homepage of Prof Dr -Ing Harald Hansmann (Hochschule Wismar) (date of inspection of the publication 9 July 2008), some properties of thermoplastics and elastomers are compared

Table 1 Comparison of thermoplastics and elastomers

In an embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 1), the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer used as component A is composed exclusively of the component Al, i e of an α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer having a vmyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, preferably > 70% by weight, particularly preferably 70 to 98% by weight, very particularly preferably 70 to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the component Al

In a further embodiment of the present invention (Embodiment 2), a mixture of a plurality of α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers is used, of which at least one, component Al, has a vmyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, preferably > 70% by weight, particularly preferably 70 to 98% by weight, very particularly preferably 70 to 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefm- vmyl acetate copolymer Al, and corresponds to the component A according to Embodiment 1

The α-olefm-vmyl acetate copolymer or the further α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers used as components A2, A3, etc according to Embodiment 2 may have any vmyl acetate content Usually, the vmyl acetate contents in the further components A2, A3, etc are 5 to 98% by weight, particularly preferably 10 to 90% by weight, very particularly preferably 20 to 80% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the respective components A2 or A3, etc In a preferred embodiment (according to Embodiment 2), a mixture of three different α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers Al, A2 and A3 is used, the component Al already having been defined above The component A2 generally has a vmyl acetate content of 9 to 50% by weight, preferably 9 to 33% by weight, particularly preferably 9 to 28% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymer A2 The component A3 generally has a vmyl acetate content of 9 to 33% by weight, preferably 18 to 28% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymer A3

Without being tied to a theory, the applicant assumes that the component A2 acts as a compatibilizer between the component Al (high vmyl acetate content) and the component A3 (low vmyl acetate content) and particularly good homogeneity of the mixture containing the components

Al, A2 and A A33 c caann tthhuuss b bee aacchhiieevveedd In general, the proportion of the component Al in a mixture of a plurality of α-ole fin- vinyl acetate copolymers as component A corresponding to Embodiment 2 is 30 to 50% by weight, preferably 40 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably 45 to 50% by weight. The proportion of the component A2 is in general 10 to 45% by weight, preferably 25 to 45% by weight, particularly preferably 35 to 45% by weight. The proportion of the component A3 is in general 5 to 50% by weight, preferably 5 to 30% by weight, particularly preferably 5 to 20% by weight, the total sum of the components Al, A2 and A3 being 100% by weight.

In principle, the component A according to Embodiment 2 may also be composed of more than three different α-olefϊn-vinyl acetate copolymers. It is furthermore possible for the component A according to Embodiment 2 to be composed of two different α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers, e.g.

Al and A2 or Al and A3.

In the compositions according to Embodiment 2, the total content of vinyl acetate is in general 40 to 75% by weight, preferably 45 to 70% by weight, particularly preferably 55 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the component A, which is composed of a plurality of α- vinyl acetate copolymers.

By using mixtures of a plurality of α-olefin-copolymers (blends) according to Embodiment 2, it is possible to establish the optimum processing properties in combination with optimum physical properties of the blends and of the products produced therefrom.

It was found that, according to Embodiment 2 of the present application, it is possible to provide blends whose rheological properties relevant for processing, e.g. for grafting with an unsaturated silane, e.g. the viscosity, are substantially improved compared with a single α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer with the same total vinyl acetate content. The important product properties of the grafted and at least partially crosslinked vinyl acetate copolymer blends depend in comparison on the total content of vinyl acetate in the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer and are accordingly just as good in blends having a corresponding vinyl acetate content as in the corresponding individual α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers. In the blends according to Embodiment 2 of the present application, the advantageous processing properties of the blends are therefore associated with the advantageous product properties of α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers having high vinyl acetate contents.

Processing auxiliaries can be added for the preparation of mixtures of the components Al, A2, A3, etc. Suitable processing auxiliaries are known to the person skilled in the art and are selected, for example, from stearic acid (e.g. Edenor® C 18 98-100 from Cognis), primary fatty acid amines, e.g. octadecylamine (e g. Armeen® 18 D from Akzo Nobel or Aflux® 18 from Rhein-Chemie). The processing auxiliaries - if they are added at all - are used in each case in an amount of in general 0.5 to 4 phr, preferably 1 to 3 phr, where phr denotes "parts per 100 of rubber", i e. - both according to Embodiment 1 and according to Embodiment 2 - based on 100 parts by weight of the component A.

The α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers used in component A may have one or more further comonomer units (e.g. terpolymers), for example based on vinyl esters and/or (meth)acrylates, in addition to the monomer units based on the α-olefin and vinyl acetate.

The further comonomer units - if further comonomer units are present at all in one or more of the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers used in the component A - are present in a proportion of up to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer, the proportion of the monomer units based on the α-olefin decreasing accordingly. It is therefore possible to use, for example, α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers which are composed of > 60 to 98% by weight of vinyl acetate, 2% by weight to < 40% by weight of α-olefin and 0 to 10% by weight of at least one further comonomer, the total amount of vinyl acetate, α-olefin and the further comonomers being 100% by weight. In a preferred embodiment, α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers which have no further monomer units are used as component A.

All known α-olefins, independently of one another, can be used as α-olefins in the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers used in the component A. The α-olefin is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethene, propene, butene, in particular n-butene and isobutene, pentene, hexene, in particular 1 -hexene, heptene, in particular 1-heptene, and octene, in particular 1-octen. It is also possible to use higher homologues of said α-olefms as α-olefins in the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers used in the component A. The α-olefins may furthermore carry substituents, in particular Ci-C ₅ -alkyl radicals. However, the α-olefins preferably carry no further substituents Preferred α-olefins are ethene and propene, ethene being very particularly preferably used as an α-olefin in the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers used in the component A Thus, the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers preferably used as component A are ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Particularly preferably, at least one of the ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers (component Al) used as component A has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight to 98% by weight, preferably > 70% by weight to 98% by weight, particularly preferably > 70% by weight to 90% by weight, and an ethylene content of 2 to < 40% by weight, preferably 2% by weight to < 30% by weight, particularly preferably 10% by weight to < 30% by weight, the total amount of vinyl acetate and ethylene being 100% by weight Regarding the vinyl acetate contents of further ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymer A2, A3, etc according to Embodiment 2 which are used m the component A, the vmyl acetate contents mentioned above regarding α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers are applicable

The α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymer used as component Ai m the component A and optionally further α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers A2, A3, etc , which have a vmyl acetate content of

> 40% by weight, the corresponding ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers being preferred, are prepared m a preferred embodiment by a solution polymerization process at a pressure of 100 to

700 bar, preferably at a pressure of 100 to 400 bar The solution polymerization process is preferably carried out at temperatures of 50 to 150 ⁰ C, m general free radical initiators being used Suitable preparation processes for the abovementioned α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers prepared by solution polymerization processes are mentioned, for example, m EP-A 0 341 499, EP-A 0 510 478 and DE-A 38 25 450

Usually, the ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers used as component Al or as further components A2, A3, etc having a vmyl acetate content of > 40% by weight are referred to as EVM copolymers, where the "M" in the designation indicates the saturated backbone of the methylene mam chain of the EVM

The α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers which are used as component Al or optionally as further components A2, A3, etc having a vmyl acetate content of > 40% by weight and prepared by the solution polymerization process at a pressure of 100 to 700 bar are distinguished m particular by low degrees of branching and hence low viscosities Furthermore, these α-olefm-vmyl acetate copolymers have a statistically more uniform distribution of their building blocks (α-olefin and vmyl acetate) than α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers prepared by other processes

The α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers, preferably ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers, used above as component Al and optionally as further components A2, A3, etc having a vmyl acetate content of > 40% by weight in the component A generally have MFI values (g/10 mm), measured according to ISO 133 at 190 ⁰ C and a load of 21 1 N, of 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 10, particularly preferably 2 to 6 The Mooney viscosities of said α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers according to

DIN 53 523 ML 1+4 at 100 ⁰ C are m general 3 to 50, preferably 4 to 35, Mooney units For example, ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymers having a vinyl acetate content of 75 to 98% by weight, a gel content of < 0 5% by weight and a weight average molecular weight of > 150 000, as described, for example, m DE-A-37 31 054, are suitable as component Al

Particularly suitable α-olefm- vinyl acetate copolymers A2, A3, etc which are used as component Al or optionally as α-ole fin- vinyl acetate copolymers having a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight in the component A are ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers which are commercially available, for example, under the trade names Levapren® or Levamelt® from Lanxess Deutschland

GmbH These are particularly preferably ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers, such as

Levapren®600, Levapren®700, Levapren®800 and Levapren®900, for example Levapren®600, Levapren®700, Levapren®800 and Levapren®900 having vmyl acetate contents of 60 ± 1 5% by weight, 70 ± 1 5% by weight, 80 ± 2% by weight and 90 ± 2% by weight, respectively or the corresponding Levamelt® types being suitable as component Al

Of course, the components A2, A3, etc present as further components optionally m addition to the component Al may be, likewise independently of the component Al, above-described α-olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers having a content of > 60% by weight Furthermore, the components A2,

A3, etc optionally present m addition to the component Al may be any α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers known to the person skilled m the art These can be prepared by any processes known to the person skilled m the art If the α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers present in the further components A2, A3, etc have vmyl acetate contents of > 40% by weight, they are preferably prepared by a solution polymerization process disclosed in EP-A-O 341 499, EP-A-O 510 478 or

DE-A-38 25 450 Suitable components A2, A3, etc are m particular ethylene-vmyl acetate copolymers which are obtainable, for example under the trade name Levapren ^® or Levamelt ^® from Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, such as Levapren ^® 400, Levapren ^® 450, Levapren ^® 452, Levapren ^® 456, Levapren ^® 500

The use according to the invention of α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers having a high vmyl acetate content for providing the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers which are suitable m particular for the production of insulation and sheath materials for cables or lines has, m addition to the outstanding resistance of the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers to organic compounds, m particular oil or fuel, the advantage that the grafted α- olefin- vmyl acetate copolymers, owing to their high polarity due to the presence of a large proportion of vmyl acetate used in the copolymer, have outstanding compatibility with polar fillers The products based on the α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymers according to the invention have a balanced property profile, m particular good flexibility and hardness, even at high filler contents This is important since compositions which contain α- olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers and are used as insulation and sheath materials must be provided with large amounts of flame proofing agents in order to meet the requirements of the insulation and sheath materials with regard to the necessary flame resistance. Flame proofing agents usually used are polar fillers, such as metal hydroxides, suitable metal hydroxides being mentioned below. The amount of flame proofing agents is in general 30 to 200 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer. Good compatibility of the α- olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers with the flame proofing agents is therefore important.

The grafted α-olefm-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention, containing crosslinkable silyl groups, can be used alone or in the form of mixtures with one or more further polymeric materials. The polymeric materials may be thermoplastic and/or elastomeric materials. For example, it is possible to use a mixture which, in addition to the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention, containing crosslinkable silyl groups, contains one or more α-olefin- (meth) aery late copolymers, one or more ethylene-octene copolymers and/or polyethylene, in particular LDPE, suitable α-olefm-(meth)acrylate copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers and polyethylene, in particular LDPE, being known to the person skilled in the art Preferred α-olefin-

(meth) aery late copolymers are ethylene-acrylate and ethylene-methacrylate copolymers. Suitable (meth)acrylates which can be used for the preparation of the α-olefm-(meth)acrylate copolymers are esters of (meth)acrylic acid with linear or branched Ci-Cβ-alcohols. Examples of suitable esters are methyl(meth)acrylate, n-butyl(meth)acrylate, (2-ethylhexyl) (meth)acrylate or tert-butyl (meth) aery late n-Butyl(meth)acrylate is particularly preferred

The α-olefin-(meth)acrylate copolymers, preferably ethylene- (meth) aery late copolymers, contain in general 1 to 30 mol%, preferably 2 to 20 mol% of (meth)acrylate as comonomers incorporated in the form of polymerized units Furthermore, the α-olefm(meth)acrylate copolymers may contain 0 to 10 mol%, preferably 1 to 5 mol%, of further comonomers known to the person skilled in the art, e g. acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, incorporated in the form of polymerized units. Furthermore, the α-olefin-(meth)acrylate copolymers contain one or more comonomers based on α-olefins, preferably ethylene, and incorporated in the form of polymerized units, in general 70 to 99 mol%, preferably 75 to 97 mol%, the total sum of the (meth)acrylate comonomers units, the optionally present further comonomer units and the α-olefin units may be 100 mol%.

The mixtures of the grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention and of the at least one α-olefm-(meth)acrylate copolymer, at least one ethylene-octene copolymer and/or polyethylene, m particular LDPE, contain m general 50 to 99% by weight, preferably 55 to 80% by weight, particularly preferably 60 to 70% by weight, of the at least one grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer and 1 to 50% by weight, preferably 20 to 45% by weight, particularly preferably 30 to 40% by weight, of the at least one α-olefϊn-(meth)acrylate copolymer, at least one ethylene- octene copolymer and/or polyethylene, in particular LDPE, the total sum of said components being 100% by weight For example, the at least one grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer and the at least one α-olefϊn-(meth)acrylate copolymer, the at least one ethylene-octene copolymer and/or polyethylene, m particular LDPE, may be present m the following weight ratios, the total sum being 100% by weight- 50-50; 65-35 or 75 25

An advantage of the abovementioned mixtures containing the at least one grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer and at least one α-olefin-(meth)acrylate copolymer is that simultaneous crosslinkmg of the components of the mixture with a single crosslinkmg system can take place Suitable crosslinkmg systems are mentioned below

b) At least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group and which is grafted on to the component A, as component B

Any unsaturated silane known to the person skilled in the art and having at least one hydrolysable group can be used as the unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group and which is used for the preparation of the grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers according to the present invention The unsaturated silane which is used as component B and contains at least one hydrolysable group preferably has the following formula

(R ³ ) ₂ C=C(R ³ )-X _n -Si(R ¹ ) _m (OR ² ) ₍ 3. _m) (I)

m which

R ¹ independently of one another, denote linear or branched Ci-C ₄ -alkyl,

R ² independently of one another, denote linear, branched or cyclic Ci-Cg-alkyl, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl,

X denotes -(CR ⁴ ₂ ) _O -, -O(O)C(CR ⁴ ₂ ) _P -, -C(O)O-(CR ⁴ ₂ ) _q -, preferably -CH ₂ -, -(CH ₂ ) ₂ -

, -(CH ₂ ) ₃ -, -O(O)C(CH ₂ ) ₃ -, -C(O)O-(CH ₂ ) ₃ -, -C(O)-O-CH ₂ -, -0(O)CCH ₂ -, -C(O)-O- (CH ₂ ) ₂ -, -O(O)C(CH ₂ ) ₂ -, particularly preferably -C(O)-O-CH ₂ -, R ³ independently of one another, denote hydrogen, Ci-C ₃ -alkyl, preferably methyl, aryl, preferably phenyl, or aralkyl,

n denotes 0 or 1 , preferably 0,

m denotes 0, 1 or 2, preferably 0,

R ⁴ independently of one another, denote hydrogen, linear or branched Ci-Gralkyl, e g methyl or ethyl, preferably hydrogen,

o denotes 1 , 2, 3 or 4, preferably 1, 2 or 3,

p denotes 1 , 2 or 3,

q denotes 1 , 2 or 3

The at least one unsaturated silane which is used as component B and contains at least one hydrolysable group is preferably selected from the group consisting of vmyltrimethoxysilane, vmyltπethoxysilane, methacryloyloxymethyltrimethoxysilane, 3 methacryloyloxymethyl triethoxysilane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrirnethoxy- silane, vmymiacetoxysilane, vmylethoxydimethoxysilane, allyltrimethoxysilane, vmyltris(2- methoxyethoxy)silane, allyltπethoxysilane, vmylmethyldimethoxysύane, allylmethyldimethoxy- silane, vmylmethyldiethoxysilane, allylmethyldiethoxysilane, vmylmethyldimethoxysilane and mixtures thereof Vmyltrimethoxysilane, vmyltriethoxysύane, 3-methacryloyloxymethyl- trimethoxysύane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane or mixtures thereof are particularly preferably used as component B The abovementioned silanes are commercially available Methacryloyloxymethyltnmethoxysilane - a so-called alpha-silane - is obtainable, for example, under the trade name Gemosil ^® XL33 from Wacker Silicones

Methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane - a so-called gamma-silane - is obtainable, for example, under the trade name Gemosil® GF31 from Wacker Silicones

In an embodiment of the present invention, so-called alpha-silanes m which a methylene group is present between the Si atom and the functional group (R ³ ^C=(CR ³ )- are used as unsaturated silanes which contain at least one hydrolysable group. As a result, particularly good crosslinking of the α-olefϊn-vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention which contain crosslinkable silyl groups can be effected via more than one crosslinking site

The at least one unsaturated silane which is used as component B and contains at least one hydrolysable group is used for the preparation of the grafted α-olefm- vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention in an amount of 1 to 10 parts by weight, particularly 5 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer used (component A).

Grafting of the at least one unsaturated silane which is used as component B and contains at least on hydrolysable group on to the component A

The grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention is obtained either by grafting an α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer which has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight (based on the total mass of the α-olefϊn-vinyl acetate copolymer of 100% by weight) (component Al) (Embodiment 1) or by grafting a mixture of α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers, which was mentioned above with regard to the component A (Embodiment 2), with at least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group (component B)

The grafting of the at least one α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer used as component A and thus the preparation of the grafted α-olefϊn-vmyl acetate copolymers according to the invention can be effected according to processes known to the person skilled m the art. Usually, the grafting of the at least one α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer used as component A with the at least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group is effected in the presence of a free radical initiator.

The present invention therefore furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention by reacting one or more α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers as component A with at least one unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group, as component B, in the presence of a free radical initiator.

Suitable free radical initiators are the free radical initiators usually used for grafting unsaturated silanes on to ethylene(co)polymers. Suitable initiators are compounds which are capable of producing free radical sites in the α-olefln-vinyl acetate copolymers under the reaction conditions suitable for grafting. These initiators preferably have a half-life of less than 6 minutes, preferably less than 1 minute, at the reaction temperature of the grafting Particularly suitable initiators are organic peroxides and peresters, e g benzoyl peroxide, dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), di-tert-butyl peroxide, l,l-di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trirnethylcyclohexane

(obtainable under the trade name Tπgonox® 29-B50 from Akzo Nobel), 2,5-dimethyl-2,5- di(peroxybenzoate)hex-3-yne, l,3-bis(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, lauroyl peroxide, tert- butyl peracetate, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hex-3-yne, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert- butylperoxy)hexane and tert-butyl perbenzoate and mixtures thereof, preferably dicumyl peroxide or l, l-di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, and azo compounds, e.g azobisisobutyronitrile, dimethyl azodiisobutyrate and mixtures thereof. Preferably used initiators are peroxides, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and l,l-di(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane being very particularly preferred.

The amount of initiator used is dependent on the degree of grafting chosen and the initiator used. In general, the initiator is used m an amount of 0.01 to 2 parts by weight, preferably 0 5 to 1.5 parts by weight, particularly preferably 0 8 to 1.0 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the component A.

The preparation of the grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention is effected in general by reacting the component a with the component B in the presence of at least one radical initiator at temperatures of 2O ⁰ C to 19O ⁰ C, preferably 50 to 18O ⁰ C, particularly preferably 60 to 17O ⁰ C. Suitable radical initiators are mentioned above

The grafting can be carried out m any suitable apparatus known to the person skilled in the art. The grafting is preferably effected m an extruder, an internal mixer (B anbury internal mixer) or m a roll mill. Particularly preferably, an extruder is used, e.g a single-screw or twin-screw extruder, a twm- screw extruder being very particularly preferred. In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the grafting is therefore effected by means of reactive extrusion.

To carry out the grafting, the components A and B can be mixed with one another by any method known to the person skilled m the art. For example, the component A can be initially introduced and the components B and the free radical initiator can be added in succession or together Furthermore, it is also possible to mix the component A with the component B and then to add the free radical initiator. It is furthermore possible to add the components A and B and the free radical initiator simultaneously It is also possible to add initiator or silane gradually instead of adding the total amount of the free radical initiator and/or of the silane at the beginning of the process.

The grafting can be carried out continuously, batchwise or semicontinuously; the grafting is preferably effected continuously.

In one embodiment, the component B can be added as a liquid component. If permitted by the solubility conditions, it is furthermore possible to add the free radical initiator in solution in the liquid component.

The grafting is generally effected over a period of 0.1 to 15 minutes, preferably 0.5 to 6 minutes.

The grafting yield i.e. the ratio of the amount of grafted monomer to the total amount of the monomers used times 100, is dependent, inter alia, on the ratio of the unsaturated silane to the initiator used and is in general 30 to 85%, preferably 50 to 75%. The silane content in the grafted polymer, calculated as Si, is in general 0.8 to 4% by weight, preferably 1.2 to 3.6% by weight, particularly preferably 1.5 to 2.5% by weight.

In principle it is possible to add small amounts of organic solvents, for example for facilitating the addition of the component B and/or the addition of the free radical initiator. In a preferred embodiment, however, the grafting is carried out in the absence of organic solvents.

Furthermore, the mixture used in the graft reaction and containing the components A and B and at least one free radical initiator may additionally contain grafting auxiliaries and/or processing auxiliaries. Suitable grafting and processing auxiliaries are known to the person skilled in the art. For example, grafting and processing auxiliaries of stearic acid (e.g. Edenor® C 18 98-100 from Cognis), stearates, e.g. Ca stearate, primary fatty acid amines, e.g. octadecylamine (e.g. Armeen®

18D from Akzo Nobel or Aflux® 18 from Rhein-Chemie), triphenyl phosphite, zinc dialkylthiophosphate (e.g. Rhenogram ZDDT-50 from Rhein-Chemie), cumene, N,N-dimethylaniline, 4-nonene, 1-dodecene; buffer systems, such as MgO, antioxidants, such as phenolic antioxidants, e.g. antioxidants of the Irganox® series from Ciba, and silicone-based additives, e.g. a combination of high- viscosity silicone gum and a salicic acid (silica), as are sold, for example, under the trade name Genioplast® by Wacker Silicones, can be used. The grafting and/or processing auxiliaries are used in general in each case in an amount of 0.5 to 4 phr, preferably 1 to 3 phr (phr — parts per hundred of rubber, i.e. based on 100 parts by weight of the component A). In addition, the mixture used for the grafting reaction may contain further components, such as fillers, e g magnesium carbonate, in particular fillers having flame proofing properties, which are mentioned below

Crosslinking of the grafted a-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention

The grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention can be crosshnked by the influence of water by the process known to the person skilled m the art The crosslinking is preferably effected m the presence of at least one crosslinking catalyst Suitable crosslinking catalysts (catalysts of the crosslinking) are known to the person skilled m the art For example, metal carboxylates, such as dibutyltm laurate, stanno acetate, stannooctanoate, lead naphthenate, zmc octanoate, iron 2-ethylhexanoate and cobalt naphthenate, organic metal compounds, such as titanic esters and titanium chelates, e g tetrabutyl titanate, tetranonyl titanate and bis(acetylacetonyl)dnsopropyl titanate, organic bases, such as ethylamme, hexylamme, dibutylamme, and pipeπdme, and acids, such as mineral acids and fatty acids, and mixtures thereof can be used as crosslinking catalysts Preferred crosslinking catalysts are organic tin compounds, for example dibutyltm laurate, dibutyltm diacetate and dibutyltm dioctanoate

In the context of the present application, the water may be present in the form of moisture present m the atmosphere, m the form of an atmosphere additionally artificially moistened, m the form of steam and/or as liquid water

Crosslinking can be carried out by exposing the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention to a humid atmosphere or immersing said copolymer m liquid water

The crosslinking is generally effected at temperatures of 2O ⁰ C to 9O ⁰ C, preferably 40 to 90 ⁰ C, particularly preferably 60 to 9O ⁰ C, very particularly preferably 60 to 85 ⁰ C

The crosslinking can be effected, for example, m a condition chamber at the abovementioned temperatures and at atmospheric humidity of 60 to 100%, preferably 70 to 90%

The crosslinking of the grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention which have crosslinkable silyl groups can be effected - as an alternative to crosslinking with water optionally m the presence of a crosslinking catalyst - by any process known to the person skilled m the art For example, di- or polyfunctional crosslinkmg reagents (crosslmkers) which are reactive with -OH groups formed during the crosslinkmg from the hydrolysable alkoxy groups of the silyl groups of the grafted α- olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention can be used Suitable groups which are reactive with the -OH groups are, for example, hydroxyl, ammo, epoxy, isocyanate, ester, amido and aziπdmo groups Examples of such crosslmkers are ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerol, triethanolamme, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, ethanolamme, sorbitan fatty acid esters, ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters, tπmethylolpropane, pentaerythntol, 1,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, polyvinyl alcohol, sorbitol, starch, polyglycidyl ethers, such as ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, glyceryl diglycidyl ether, glyceryl polyglydicyl ether, diglyceryl polyglycidyl ether, polyglyceryl polyglycidyl ether, sorbitol polyglycidyl ether, pentaerythrityl polyglycidyl ether, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether and polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyazindme compounds, such as 2,2-bishydroxymethylbutanol tπs[3-(l-aziridmyl)propionate], 1,6-hexamethylenediethylene urea, drphenylmethane bis-4,4'-N,N'-diethylene urea, halogen-epoxy compounds, such as epichlorohydrm and alpha methylepifluorohydrm, polyisocyanates, such as 2,4 toluylene dnsocyanate, hexamethylenediamme carbonate (DIAK) and hexamethylene diisocyanate, alkylene carbonates, such as l,3-dioxolan-2-one and 4-methyl-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, and furthermore bisoxazolmes and oxazohdones, polyamidoammes and the reaction products thereof with epichlorohydrm, and furthermore polyquaternary amines, such as condensates of dimethylamme with epichlorohydrm, homo- and copolymers of diallyldimethylammomum chloride and homo- and copolymers of dimethylammoethyl (meth)acrylate, which are optionally quaternized with, for example, methylene chloride

Hexamethylenediamme carbamate (DIAK) and ethylene glycol are particularly suitable

The crosslmkers are generally used together with crosslinkmg accelerators known to the person skilled m the art A suitable crosslinkmg system comprising crosslmker and accelerator is, for example, hexamethylenediamme carbamate (DIAK), which is preferably used with at least one crosslinkmg accelerator, e g guamdme crosslinking accelerators, such as 3-di-o-tolylguanidme (DOTG), or strong bicyclic bases, such as l,8-drazabicyclo-5,4,0-undec-7-ene, e g Rhenogran®XLA-60 (GE-2014)

The present invention therefore furthermore relates to a crosslmkable composition containing

i) at least one grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention as component I, and

11) optionally at least one catalyst for the crosslinkmg of the crosslinkable silyl groups present m component I

Suitable catalysts for the crosslinkmg (crosslinkmg catalysts) are mentioned above Suitable grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers according to the invention are likewise mentioned above

The crosslinkmg catalyst is present in the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention m general in an amount of 0 to 3 5 parts by weight, preferably 0 5 to 3 parts by weight, particularly preferably 0 7 to 1 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the component I

The compositions according to the invention are halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR), polymeric materials which can be processed to give articles for which the fire safety is of importance They are suitable in particular for the production of insulation or sheath materials for cables or lines The advantageous properties which are achieved with the use of the crosslinkable composition according to the invention have already been mentioned above To be singled out m particular is the resistance of articles, m particular insulation or sheath materials for cables or lines, which contain the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention, to organic hydrocarbons, e g oil or fuel, and good compatibility with polar fillers, a balanced property profile, in particular good flexibility and hardness, being present even m the case of high filler contents

The crosslinkmg of the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention can - as mentioned above - be effected by any processes known to the person skilled m the art In a preferred embodiment, according to the invention, crosslinkmg is effected with water, optionally m the presence of a crosslinkmg catalyst For the preparation of crosslinked compositions starting from the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention, the crosslinkable compositions are brought into contact with water The present invention therefore furthermore relates to a process for the crosslinkmg of the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention, comprising bringing the crosslinkable compositions into contact with water Suitable forms of "water" are described above

Usually, the crosslinkmg of the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention is effected by a procedure m which the crosslinkable composition according to the invention, which usually optionally contains at least one catalyst for crosslinkmg in addition to the at least one grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention (as component I), is exposed to the action of water, usually after shaping by extrusion or other suitable measures - optionally with addition of a crosslmkmg catalyst In a preferred embodiment, the crosshnkmg catalyst is added only immediately before or during the crosshnkmg to the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention

In the production of cables and lines, in particular two processes are known in the prior art, which can be used according to the invention The first process, which has become known by the designation Sioplas and is described m US 3,646, 155, relates to a process in which, m a first stage, a polymer - according to the present application at least one α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer as component A, which contains a component Al, the components A and Al being defined above - is reacted m the presence of a free radical initiator with an unsaturated silane which contains at least one hydrolysable group (component B according to the present application) Suitable components B are mentioned above A grafted copolymer - according to the present application, the grafted α- olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention - which has hydrolysable silane groups m the side chains forms m the process In a second stage, the hydrolysable silane groups of the grafted polymer are hydrolysed by the action of water, and the silanol groups formed are condensed under the influence of the at least one catalyst for crosslinkmg The catalyst for crosslmkmg can be added before, during or after the grafting reaction In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst for crosslinkmg is preferably added to the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention immediately before the shaping, advantageously in the form of the crosslinkable composition according to the invention and according to the present application, the catalyst for crosslinkmg of the grafted α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention (as component I) preferably being homogenized with component I The crosslinkable composition according to the invention serves as a masterbatch The advantage of this procedure is that the preparation of the grafted α-olefin-vmyl acetate copolymer according to the invention can be effected on the premises of the raw material producer and the mixing with the catalyst for crosslinkmg can be effected on the premises of the producer of the mouldings, preferably of the cables and lines

The second process known in the prior art is the Monosil process This substantially corresponds to the abovementioned Sioplas process, although the catalyst for crosslmkmg is added during the grafting reaction itself and the crosslinkable composition according to the invention which is thus obtained is shaped into a moulding and crosslinked immediately thereafter This process is generally carried out completely on the premises of the producer of the mouldings In the context of the present invention, mouldings are preferably to be understood as meaning cables and lines.

Suitable lines are usually composed of a conductor (wire) and an electrical insulation. Optionally, the conductors may also have an outer layer as a protective covering in addition to the electrical insulation. Suitable cables in the context of the present invention are a group of conductors which are covered with a sheath material (as covering layer).

The present invention therefore furthermore relates to a process for coating a wire, comprising the steps:

(a) extrusion of a mixture containing one or more α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers as component A, of which at least one, as component Al, has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer Al, and at least one unsaturated silane which has at least one hydrolysable group, as component B, in the presence of a wire, a coating being obtained on the wire, and

(b) crosslinking of the coating on the wire by bringing the coated wire into contact with water, preferably in the presence of a crosslinking catalyst.

Suitable reaction conditions for the grafting step (a) and for the crosslinking step (b) and suitable compounds are the abovementioned reaction conditions and compounds.

Further components

The crosslinkable composition according to the present invention may optionally contain further components which are known to the person skilled in the art, in addition to the component I and optionally the at least one catalyst for crosslinking the component I. Examples of further suitable components are fillers which have flame-retardant properties and auxiliaries and additives, such as substances which can further improve the flame retardancy of the compositions according to the invention, antioxidants, metal deactivators, flame-retardant auxiliaries, further fillers and lubricants, processing auxiliaries or pigments.

Suitable fillers having flame proofing properties are preferably halogen-free flame proofing agents - since the compositions according to the present invention are halogen-free The halogen-free flame proofing agent is preferably an inorganic flame proofing agent Suitable inorganic flame proofing agents are known to the person skilled in the art Preferred inorganic flame proofing agents are aluminium hydroxide (also referred to as aluminium trioxide hydrate (ATH)), magnesium hydroxide (MDH), magnesium carbonate and/or sodium aluminium hydroxycarbonate and hydrotalcite

Aluminium hydroxide (ATH), magnesium hydroxide (MDH) and/or magnesium carbonate are particularly preferably used m the crosshnkable compositions according to the invention, very particularly preferably aluminium hydroxide (ATH) and/or magnesium hydroxide (MDH) Suitable flame proofing agents are known to the person skilled m the art and are usually commercially available The abovementioned preferably used flame proofing agents aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide can be used in untreated form, as they are generally commercially available, or can be subjected to a surface treatment Examples of surface treatment comprise a treatment with a fatty acid, a treatment with phosphoric acid, a treatment with titanate or a treatment with a silane coupling agent, e g a silane which has a terminal vinyl group, a methacryloyloxy group, a glycidyl group or an ammo group The surface treatment of the aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide can be carried out, for example, by mixing the aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide with a corresponding treatment agent by methods known to the person skilled in the art Magnesium hydroxides treated with silane coupling agents are commercially available, for example, under the trade names Kisuma 5 L, Kisuma 5N and Kisuma 5 P from Kyowa Chemical Industry

Company, Ltd , or Fmemag MO-E from TMG Corporation and Magnefm ^® H5A from Albemarle and Apymag® AOH 60 VS 1 from Nabaltec

Suitable (untreated) aluminium hydroxide (ATH) is, for example, aluminium hydroxide which is obtainable under the trade name Apyral ^® 40CD from Nabaltec Suitable magnesium carbonate is obtainable, for example, under the trade name Magfy ^® from Nuovasima

The specific surface area (BET surface area) of the filler is m general < 50 m ² /g, preferably 1 to 40 m ² /g The specific surface area of aluminium hydroxide (ATH) is particularly preferably 3 to 12 m ² /g and the specific surface area of magnesium hydroxide (MDH) is particularly preferably 4 to 12 m ² /g

Substances which can further improve the flame retardancy of the compositions according to the invention are, for example, melamme cyanurate compounds, which are obtainable, for example, under the trade names MCA-O and MCA-I from Mitsubishi Chemical, Corp or under the trade names MC640 and MC610 from Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., zinc stannate, zinc hydrostannate or zinc borate, zinc borate being obtainable, for example, under the trade names Alcanex FRC-500 (2ZnO/3B ₂ O ₃ -3,5H ₂ O) and FRC-600 from Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals, Ltd., and zinc stannate (ZnSnO ₃ ) and zinc hydrostannate (ZnSn(OH)^), for example, under the trade names Alcanex ZS and Alcanex ZHS from Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals, Ltd.

Suitable antioxidants are, for example, antioxidants of the amine series, such as 4,4'- dioctyldiphenylamine, N,N' -diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2,2,4-trimethyl- 1 ,2-dihydroquinoline polymer; antioxidants of the phenol series, such as pentaerythrityl tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate), octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, 1,3,5- trimethyl-2,4,6-tns(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene; antioxidants of the sulphur series, such as bis(2-methyl-4-(3-n-alkylthiopropionyloxy)-5-t-butylphenyl) sulphite, 2- mercaptobenzimidazole and zinc salts thereof, and pentaerythrityl tetrakis(3- dodecylthiopropionate) .

Examples of suitable metal deactivators are N,N'-bis(3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)- propionyl)hydrazme, 3-(N-salicyloyl)amino- l,2,4-triazole, 2,2'-oxamide bis(ethyl-3-(3,5-di-t- butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate).

Examples of fiame-retardant auxiliaries and fillers are carbon black, clay, zinc oxide, tin oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, molybdenum oxide, antimon(III) oxide, silicon compounds, quartz, talc, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and white carbon In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the invention contain calcium carbonate as component F in addition to the components A to E In the compositions according to the invention, the calcium carbonate used may be, for example, finely divided calcium carbonate, which is obtainable, for example, under the trade name Mikrosόhl ^® from VK Damman KG

Examples of suitable lubricants are lubricants of the hydrocarbon series, of the fatty acid series, of the fatty acid amide series, of the ester series, of the alcohol series and of the metal soap series, lubricants of the ester series, the alcohol series and the metal soap series being preferred Furthermore, zinc stearate, stearic acid and magnesium stearate and fatty acid amides are suitable as lubricants.

In addition, the compositions according to the invention may contain polysiloxanes, in particular polydimethylsiloxane, as processing auxiliaries. For example, suitable polydimethylsiloxanes are obtainable under the trade name Genioplast ^® SP from Wacker This is a polydimethylsiloxane PDMS masterbatch. Further processing auxiliaries which can be used m the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention are, for example, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, stearic acid, paraffin wax, silicone rubber and mixtures thereof

Suitable pigments are known to the person skilled in the art and are commercially available.

The present invention therefore furthermore relates to the crosslinkable compositions according to the invention, containing

i) at least one grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention as component I, and

ii) optionally at least one catalyst for crosslinking of the crosslinkable silyl groups present in component I, and

in) at least one filler having flame-retardant properties

Preferably, the filler is used in an amount of 60 to 200 parts by weight, preferably 90 to 150 parts by weight, particularly preferably 100 to 140 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the component I.

The crosslinkable compositions particularly preferably have the following components:

i) 100 parts by weight of at least one grafted α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer according to the invention as component I, and

ii) 0 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.01 to 10 parts by weight, particularly preferably 0.02 to 5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the component I, of at least one catalyst for crosslinking of the crosslinkable silyl groups present m component I, and

iii) 60 to 200 parts by weight, preferably 90 to 150 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the component I, of at least one filler having flame-retardant properties Suitable components I, catalysts for crosslinkmg and fillers having flame -retardant properties are mentioned above

An important advantage of the component I according to the invention is a particularly good compatibility with polar fillers, such as the fillers mentioned as fillers having flame-retardant properties Thus, crosslmkable compositions and crosslinked compositions obtainable therefrom, which show very good behaviour in the case of a fire, are provided according to the invention

Applications

The crosslmkable compositions according to the invention or the crosslinked compositions according to the invention can be processed to give articles for which the fire safety is of importance They are preferably used for the production of insulation of sheath materials for cables and lines

The present invention therefore furthermore relates to insulation or sheath materials for cables or lines, containing a crosslinked composition according to the invention, and cables and lines which contain a crosslinked composition according to the invention Suitable lines are usually composed of a conductor (wire) and of electrical insulation In addition to the electrical insulation, the conductor can additionally also have an outer layer as a protective covering In the context of the present invention, suitable cables comprise a group of conductors which are covered with a sheath material (covering layer)

The crosslinked composition according to the invention can be used either as electrical insulation or as sheath material (covering layer) in the form of a second layer m a conductor or in the form of a covering layer m a cable It is also possible to use the crosslinked compositions according to the invention m any of these layers The crosslinked compositions according to the invention are preferably used as sheath materials (covering layer)

The thickness of the layers (insulation or sheath) formed from the compositions according to the invention around a conductor (wire) or a group of conductors is in general not limited Preferred thickness are, for example, 0 3 to 3 mm

Suitable materials for conductors (wires) used in the cables or lines according to the invention are in general copper or aluminium or, in special cases, also superconductors, copper being particularly preferred.

Suitable materials which - where no crosslinked composition according to the invention is used - are used as insulation materials or sheath materials are known to the person skilled in the art.

The following examples additionally explain the invention.

Examples

All the quantity data m the compositions mentioned below are based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber mixture mentioned in each case and are stated m phr (parts per hundred of rubber)

A Mixtures containing a plurality of olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers as component A, of which at least one, as component Al, has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer Al; and at least one unsaturated silane

A 1 Compositions suitable for grafting with unsaturated silane

In Table 1, compositions which are suitable for grafting unsaturated silane and contain a plurality of olefm-vmyl acetate copolymers are mentioned in Examples 1 and 2 The total vinyl acetate content of the mixtures is 60 20% by weight m Example 1 and 68 80% by weight in Example 2 The preparation of the compositions according to Examples 1 and 2 is effected by mixing of the components mentioned m Table 1

Table 1

Table 2 shows the Mooney viscosities of the compositions according to Examples 1 and 2, determined according to ASTM D 1646 Table 2: Mooney viscosity ML 1+4 at 100 ⁰ C (ASTM D 1646)

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show AFM micrographs of the compositions according to Examples 1 and 2.

Fig. 1 shows an AFM micrograph of the composition according to Example 1, recorded at a resolution of 40 μm, [15 phr (EVA 28%)]/[40 phr (EVM 50%)]/[45 phr (EVM 80%)], altogether

VA content of 60.2%.

Fig. 2 shows an AFM micrograph of the composition according to Example 1 , recorded at a resolution of 2.5 μm, [15 phr (EVA 28%)]/[40 phr (EVM 50%)]/[45 phr (EVM 80%)], altogether VA content of 60.2%.

Fig. 3 shows an AFM micrograph of the composition according to Example 2, recorded at a resolution of 40 μm, [20 phr (EVA 28%)]/[30 phr (EVM 60%)]/[50 phr (EVM 90%)], altogether VA content of 68.8%.

Fig. 4 shows an AFM micrograph of the composition according to Example 2, recorded at a resolution of 2.5 μm, [20 phr (EVA 28%)]/[30 phr (EVM 60%)]/[50 phr (EVM 90%)], altogether VA content of 68 8%.

A2 Grafting of the composition according to Example 1 with unsaturated silane

Table 3 shows a composition (Example 3) provided for grafting with unsaturated silane and based on the composition according to Example 1 in Table 1.

Table 3:

The processing conditions (extrusion conditions) for grafting the compositions according to Example 1 with unsaturated silane are shown in Table 4. The grafting is effected in a Berstorff ZE-25 twin-screw extruder with the temperature profiles stated in Table 4 by means of reactive extrusion (Examples 3A and 3B).

Table 4

A3 Crosslinking of the compositions according to Examples 3A and 3B

Table 5 shows, in Examples 4Al, 4A2, 4B l and 4B2, crosslinking systems for crosslinking of the compositions according to Examples 3A and 3B.

Table 5

The crosslinking of the compositions according to Examples 4Al, 4A2, 4Bl and 4B2 is effected in a rheometer (MDR 2000 rheometer) at 170 ⁰ C (Table 6) and 190 ⁰ C (Table 7) in a period of 30 minutes with water and dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTL) as a crosslinking system, the course of the crosslinking being monitored by measurement of the torque as a function of time (method: ASTM D 5289). Tables 6 and 7 show the course of the crosslinking on the basis of the torque as a function of time.

Table 6

Table 7

A4 Cable composition based on the silane-grafted composition according to Example 3A

Table 8 shows an example (Example 5) for a cable mixture based on the composition according to Example 3A. The preparation of the uncrosslinked cable mixture is effected by mixing the components mentioned m Table 8.

Table 8

For the preparation of the crosslinked cable mixtures, the composition according to Example 5 is vulcanized (crosslinked) in a heating oven at 90 ⁰ C and 85% atmospheric humidity for 8 hours. The mechanical properties and the LOI (ASTM D 2863) are stated in Table 9.

Table 9

B Mixtures containing an olefin-vinyl acetate copolymer as component Al, which has a vinyl acetate content of > 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the α-olefin- vinyl acetate copolymer Al, and at least one unsaturated silane

Bl Grafting of olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers with unsaturated silane

Table 10 shows compositions provided for grafting with unsaturated silane and based on ethylene- vinyl acetate copolymers having a vinyl acetate content of 60% by weight and 80% by weight.

The processing conditions for grafting of the compositions according to Examples 6 and 7 with unsaturated silane are likewise shown in Table 10. The grafting is effected in a Coperion W&P ZSK 40 Sc twin-screw extruder unit by means of reactive extrusion with the extrusion parameters stated in Table 10 (Example 6 (60% by weight of vinyl acetate) and Example 7 (80% by weight of vinyl acetate)).

B2 Crosslinking of the compositions according to Examples 6 and 7

The crosslinking of the compositions according to Examples 6 and 7 is effected in a rheometer (MDR 2000 rheometer) at 19O ⁰ C m a period of 30 minutes with 5 phr of water and 1 phr of dibutyl tin dilaurate (DBTL) as a crosslinking system, the course of the crosslinking being monitored by measurement of the torque as a function of time (method: ASTM D 5289). Table 11 shows the course of the crosslinking on the basis of the torque as a function of time.

Table 11

B 3 Cable composition based on the silane-grafted composition according to Example 7

Table 12 shows an example (Example 8) for a cable mixture based on the composition according to Example 7. The preparation of the uncrosslinked cable mixture is effected by mixing of the components mentioned in Table 12.

Table 12

The Mooney viscosities (ASTM D 1646) of the composition according to Example 8 are stated in Table 13.

Table 13

For the preparation of the crosslinked cable mixtures, the composition according to Example 8 is vulcanized (crosslinked) in a heating oven at 90 ⁰ C and 85% atmospheric humidity for 8 hours. The mechanical properties (ASTM D 412, 2240 and 470) and LOI (ASTM D 2863) are stated in Table 14

Table 14