Rheology modification of elastomers

Polymers coupled by reaction with coupling agents according to the practice of the invention advantageously have at least one of these desirable properties and preferably have desirable combinations of these properties. The present invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one elastomer comprising ethylene and at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer having a gel content of less than 2 weight percent. The elastomer preferably comprises ethylene, and alpha olefin of at least three carbon atoms and optionally at least one diene and preferably has a density of at least 0.850 and up to 0.90 g/mL. The poly(sulfonyl azide)and elastomer preferably react at a temperature at least the decomposition temperature and greater than 150 DEG C. Optionally the process additionally comprises steps (b) fabricating an article from the coupled polymer and (c) crosslinking the fabricated coupled polymer. The invention includes compositions comprising the reaction product formed by heating an admixture containing (1) at least one elastomer comprising ethylene and at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide)said reaction product having less than 2 weight percent gel; which compositions preferably have coupling indicated by a viscosity change at a shear frequency of 0.1 rad/sec of greater than 5 percent as measured by DMS. The invention additionally includes articles which comprise a composition of the invention particularly when the article is formed from a melt of the composition. The article is preferably a coating for wire or cable, a tube, a gasket, a seal, roofing, foam, or fiber. Further the invention includes the use of the composition to form the articles and process of formation of the articles by molding or profile extruding a composition of