Abstract: Propylene homopolymers and copolymers formed by metallocene catalyst system exhibit generally lower melting behavior than previous propylene polymers. This lower melting behavior will be of use in the fabrication and use of fibers and fabrics that depend upon either lower melting behavior in general or upon a melting point differential between two fabrics or fibers to achieve bonding. Such fibers are, for instance, chenille or tufted cord, core and sheath. Fabrics such as spunbonded and meltblown, when combined in SM or SMS fabrics will show bonding at lower temperatures with fewer pinholes. Such fabrics may also be bonded by adhesives such as hot melt, water based and extruded polyolefins. Combinations of Ziegler-Natta catalyzed and metallocene catalyzed polymers are contemplated.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers including ethylene, alpha-olefin and vinyl norbornene are shown to have improved extrusion characteristics, improved electrical properties, improved cure characteristics compared to ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene elastomeric polymers containing non-conjugated dienes other than vinyl norbornene. The elastomeric polymers containing vinyl norbornene generally have a branching index below 0.5. Such elastomeric polymers are combined with up to 30 parts of metallocene catalyzed ethylene, alpha-olefin copolymers to improve physical properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to block polymers containing both crystalline and elastomeric blocks, the block copolymer having an A block and a B block. The A block is a polyethylene or an ethylene polymer optionally containing an alpha-olefin and is generally crystalline. The B block contains an ethylene, .alpha.-olefin copolymer segment and optionally contain an ethylene, .alpha.-olefin, non-conjugated diene terpolymer segment. If the B block contains a diene containing segment, the diene containing segment is furthest from the junction of the A and the B blocks. Also disclosed is a process for manufacture of the block copolymers and methods for coupling the block copolymers. Coupled block copolymers are useful as thermoplastic elastomers exhibiting physical properties approaching those of crosslinked EP or EPDM elastomers, but showing thermal processability after coupling.

Abstract: Compounds having improved properties of processability and elasticity after heat aging for molded and extruded rubber parts can be prepared by utilizing improved processability EPM and/or EPDM rubber with effective amounts of carbon black prepared in a manner such that it has an average particle size of from 70 to 120 nanometers, a particle size distribution including from 40 to 225 nanometers sized particles, a surface area of 16 to 30 m.sup.2 /g as measured by the BET adsorption, and a structure of 90 to 125 as measured by DBP absorption. The EPM and EPDM rubber useful in accordance with the invention will include those multimodal polymer blends that comprise at least two fractions having different molecular weight and, optionally, monomer composition. The invention compounds find particular use in automotive industry parts requiring high temperature tolerance, such as coolant hoses.

Abstract: Propylene homopolymers and copolymers formed by metallocene catalyst system exhibit generally lower melting behavior than previous propylene polymers. This lower melting behavior will be of use in the fabrication and use of fibers and fabrics that depend upon either lower melting behavior in general or upon a melting point differential between two fabrics or fibers to achieve bonding. Such fibers are, for instance, chenille or tufted cord, core and sheath. Fabrics such as spunbonded and meltblown, when combined in SM or SMS fabrics will show bonding at lower temperatures with fewer pinholes. Such fabrics may also be bonded by adhesives such as hot melt, water based and extruded polyolefins. Combinations of Ziegler-Natta catalyzed and metallocene catalyzed polymers are contemplated.

Abstract: Blends of semi-crystalline polymers with rubbery thermoplastic copolymers are provided. The rubbery thermoplastic copolymers are elastic at temperatures above their Tg's and properties similar to thermoplastic elastomers and surface tensions 5 dynes/cm or more different, preferably greater than the surface tension of the semi-crystalline polymer. Improved properties include good elastic recovery, toughness, and high elasticity without significant loss in optical properties.

Abstract: Motor vehicle brake parts and power transmission belt based on an ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer are manufactured with more efficiency due to brake part compounds having lower viscosity, faster and fuller cures than ethylene, alpha-olefins, diene monomer compounds, where the diene monomer is other than vinyl norbornene. Additionally, the brake parts and the power transmission belt based on the ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer have improved resistance to elevated temperature properties, and good heat aging characteristics, compared to for instance ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene elastomers (where the diene is other than vinyl norbornene) polychloroprene, or styrene butadiene rubbers.

Abstract: This invention is a solution process for the preparation of ethylene-.alpha.-olefin/diolefin copolymers comprising contacting ethylene, one or more .alpha.-olefin monomer, and optionally one or more diene monomer, with a catalyst system containing a catalyst activator and a Group 4 metallocene compound, comprising a) conducting the polymerization reaction at a temperature of about 60.degree. to 150.degree. C.; b) selecting as the Group 4 metallocene compound one or more members of the group consisting of cyclic monocyclopentadienyl Group 4 metal and covalently bridged (bis)indenyl hafnium metallocene compounds; and c) maintaining the .alpha.-olefin concentration at a molar ratio to that of ethylene of between about 0.3 to 7.0 and a diolefin to ethylene molar ratio of between about 0.01 and 0.4. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises: 1) mixing with a reaction solvent the one or more .alpha.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers including ethylene, alpha-olefin and vinyl norbornene are shown to have improved extrusion characteristics, improved electrical properties, improved cure characteristics compared to ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene elastomeric polymers containing non-conjugated dienes other than vinyl norbornene. The elastomeric polymers containing vinyl norbornene generally have a branching index below 0.5.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers containing ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymers provide superior cure levels to thermoplastic elastomers containing ethylene, alpha-olefin, diene monomer elastomeric polymers with other dienes than vinyl norbornene. The elastomeric polymers, along with a thermoplastic, curative, and other components will have cure levels in excess of 95 percent. Lower diene incorporation into the polymer combined with lower curative levels yield a fabricated article with improved resistance to compression set and improved heat aging.

Abstract: Ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated bicyclic diene elastomeric polymers and/or polymer blends when compounded and formed into a calendered sheet, show surprising improvements for the combination in both green strength and peel adhesion in the unvulcanized state. Such green strength and peel adhesion provide benefits during calendering operations and subsequent joining of calendered sheets, while the compounded elastomeric polymers are in their green or unvulcanized state.

Abstract: Articles fabricated from certain high molecular weight high density polyethylenes (HMW-HDPE) combined with a second component, exhibit superior puncture propagation tear resistance and puncture propagation tear length. The second component may be an elastomer such as styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, EPR, EPDM, butyl rubber, metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene, and combinations thereof. The second component or components will be present in a fabricated article from 1 to 15 weight percent. Articles include films, bags made from films, and extrusion blow-molded articles.

Abstract: Motor vehicle vibration damping parts based on an ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer are manufactured with more efficiency due to vibration damping part compounds having lower viscosity, easier processing than ethylene, alpha-olefins, diene monomer compounds, where the diene monomer is other than vinyl norbornene. Additionally, the engine mounts or other vibration damping parts based on the ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer have better heat aging characteristics than natural rubber, when temperature of service exceed 120.degree. C., maintain more constant dynamic characteristics of the mount when running at elevated temperature like 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated bicyclic diene elastomeric polymers and/or polymer blends when compounded and formed into a calendered sheet, show surprising improvements for the combination in both green strength and peel adhesion in the unvulcanized state. Such green strength and peel adhesion provide benefits during calendering operations and subsequent joining of calendered sheets, while the compounded elastomeric polymers are in their green or unvulcanized state.

Abstract: A propylene, .alpha.-olefin copolymer, where the .alpha.-olefin has 5 or more carbon atoms made with a metallocene catalyst system provides substantially higher cold flow resistance from when the propylene copolymer is made with an .alpha.-olefin having 4 or less carbon atoms. Other properties such as ultimate tensile strength and impact strength are substantially higher as well. Such polymers can be used to advantage in fibers, fabrics, and oriented films.

Abstract: A multi-layer film comprising a thermoplastic barrier layer, and a seal layer. The seal layer being an ethylene copolymer, having in the range of from about 5 to about 12 mol percent of a comonomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate. The multi-layer film is RF weldable in the range of from about 10 to about 50 MHz to form a non-peelable seal and where the seal layer has an anti-block matted surface.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: A TiCl.sub.3 catalyst system is disclosed employing the electron donor, dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane ("DCPMS"). Additionally disclosed is a process for polymerizing olefins in the presence of a catalyst system employing a titanium trichloride catalyst, an alkylaluminum cocatalyst, and dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane is provided. The polymerization process comprises providing a prepolymerized titanium trichloride catalyst, and polymerizing an .alpha.-olefin in the presence of the prepolymerized catalyst, a trialkylaluminum co-catalyst and dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane. The catalyst system of the invention provides increased catalyst activity for a TiCl.sub.3 catalyst and a very broad polymer molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed are unsaturated .alpha.-olefin/.alpha.,.omega.-diene copolymers, and a method of preparation thereof. The copolymers are generally crystalline, free of gel and cross-links, and contain unsaturated side chains and long chain branching. The copolymers contain up to 5 mole percent diene incorporated therein, and may be prepared by copolymerization using a solid-phase, insoluble coordination catalyst, without a solvent, and below the crystalline melting point of the copolymer.