abstract |
The present invention pertains to a process for manufacturing a polyolefin powder comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, which process comprises the steps of combining a polyolefin powder or a monomeric source therefor with a thermoplastic elastomer, the thermoplastic elastomer being in the form of a solution or dispersion in a solvent, where a monomeric source of a polyolefin is used, contacting the source of a polyolefin with a polymerisation catalyst under polymerisation conditions to form a polyolefin removing the solvent to form a powder and wherein the polyolefin and the thermoplastic elastomer are not the same polymer. The invention also pertains to a particulate polyolefin composition which has a particle size distribution such that at least 80 vol.% of the particles has a diameter in the range of 1-3000 microns, and which comprises a nascent polyolefin and 0.1-30 wt.% of a thermoplastic elastomer, calculated on the total of polyolefin and thermoplastic elastomer. The polyolefin composition and method according to the invention allows the manufacture of films and fibers of polyolefin comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, which combine good adhesive properties with high strength properties. |