Abstract: Flame retardant compositions useful as insulation for 150° C.-rated wire and cable applications are provided. The compositions of the invention utilize an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer base resin with a two-component stabilizer package consisting of a zinc salt of a mercaptobenzimidazole and an aromatic secondary amine compound. Also, included to achieve the requisite flame retardance, crosslinkability and physical properties are a brominated flame retardant, antimony trioxide, a hydrated inorganic filler and a chemical crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Extrusion compositions having improved melt stability and suitable for use in high-speed extrusion coating operations are disclosed. The compositions are a dynamically modified mixture of a first polymeric component which is a reactor-made or physically blended mixture of polypropylene and an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a second polymeric component which is a fractional melt index homopolymer or copolymer of ethylene and an organic peroxide.

Abstract: Compositions useful for coating wire and cable to provide a radiation curable insulation layer are provided. The improved compositions of the invention, when cured, have a balance of properties making them suitable for automotive and appliance wire applications. The compositions are comprised of an ethylene copolymer, a hydrated inorganic filler, an alkoxysilane and a zinc salt of a mercaptobenzimidazole compound.

Abstract: A device and method allow a dry catalyst to be delivered to a liquid-filled polymerization reactor, thus avoiding problems associated with catalyst-liquid contact or with undesired addition of gases to the reactor. A quantity of dry catalyst is transferred from a catalyst reservoir maintained under dry conditions to a catalyst chamber. An inert fluid then enters the chamber to flush the catalyst charge toward the reactor. Optional embodiments include means for precontacting the dry catalyst with a modifier and for removing gas from the fluid line.

Abstract: A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins which includes a solid catalyst component and a cocatalyst. The solid catalyst component includes the contact product of silica, an alkyl magnesium-containing species, a compound having the structural formula E(YZ)mX4-m, where E is an atom of an element of Group 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; Y is an atom of an element of Group 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; Z is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or mixtures thereof; X is hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl or mixtures thereof; and m is an integer of 1 to 4 and a tetravalent titanium compound. The cocatalyst includes a mixture of at least two compounds having the structural formula AlRxX13-x, where R is the same or different and is hydrocarbyl; X1 is halogen; and x is an integer of 1 to 3 with the proviso that at least one of the compounds is defined by x being 3 and at least one of the compounds as defined by x being 1 or 2.

Abstract: Improved carbon black concentrates and extrusion compositions produced therefrom are provided. The extrusion compositions are resistant to thermo-oxidative degradation and have significantly improved carbon black dispersion rendering them useful for wire and cable and other applications. The concentrates are mixtures of a mercaptobenzimidazole compound, carbon black and polyolefin resin.

Abstract: Improved flame retardant compositions suitable for insulating wire and cable products comprised of ethylene-alkoxy silane copolymer, halogenated organic compound, antimony trioxide, silane condensation catalyst and magnesium hydroxide are provided. Additionally, antioxidant(s), other mineral fillers and other conventional compounding ingredients may be included in the formulations. The compositions have good processability and are capable of being cured under ambient conditions to provide products which meet all of the specifications of SAE J-1128 for thin wall crosslinked polyolefin low tension primary cable insulation. Wire and cable products comprising a metal conductor coated with from 2 to 100 mils of the flame retardant insulation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to olefin polymerization using an organosilicon compound from the pyrazolyl family as an external adjuvant.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of rotomolded articles having a foamed interior and non-foamed exterior skin are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a chemical foaming agent, an organic peroxide and, optionally, a metal-containing activator compound and a second resin component which is a powder and can be a thermoplastic ethylene polymer or ethylene copolymer having less than 30% crystallinity. An improved one-step process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having foamed interiors and non-foamed exterior skins is also provided.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of rotomolded articles having a foamed interior and non-foamed exterior skin are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a chemical foaming agent, an organic peroxide and, optionally, a metal-containing activator compound and a second resin component which is a powder and can be a thermoplastic ethylene polymer or ethylene copolymer having less than 30% crystallinity. An improved one-step process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having foamed interiors and non-foamed exterior skins is also provided.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of foamed rotomolded articles are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a foaming agent and a second thermoplastic resin component which is a powder consisting of a mixture of different particle size and melt index ethylene polymers. An improved process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having uniformly foamed interiors and smooth exterior skins which are substantially free of surface defects is also provided.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of foamed rotomolded articles are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a foaming agent and a second thermoplastic resin component which is a powder consisting of a mixture of different particle size and melt index ethylene polymers. An improved process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having uniformly foamed interiors and smooth exterior skins which are substantially free of surface defects is also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductive polyolefin formulations are provided which are readily extrudable into films and coatings having low surface resistivity. The formulations of the invention are comprised of a polyethylene resin with 6 to 15 weight percent of a mixture of two different conductive carbon blacks. The conductive blacks have different structures as defined by their BET surface areas and dibutyl phthalate adsorption numbers. The extrudable semiconductive compositions of the invention have complex viscosities of 3000 to 10000 poise and dispersion numbers from 50 to 600. Extruded films having surface resistivities of less than 10 log ohms produced from the above-identified polyolefin compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An improved gas-phase polymerization process for producing in-situ thermoplastic polyolefins in multiple reactors using high activity Ti/Al catalysts is provided. The improvement consists of developing a control parameter derived from eight integrated regions of the copolymer .sup.13 C NMR spectrum, defining the limits of the control parameter for the process, and operating the process to maintain the parameter within the defined limits. This is accomplished by adjusting the amount of ethylene fed to the secondary reactor and adjusting other process variables as required. Thermoplastic polyolefins, i.e., modified polypropylenes, having reduced hexane extractables and improved paint adhesion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Terpolymers of ethylene, vinyl acetate and isobutylene as flow improvers in distillate fuels. The terpolymers have number average molecular weights in the range of about 1,600 to about 3,000, and weight average molecular weights in the range of about 4,000 to about 18,000. These terpolymers provide improved low temperature flow characteristics in middle distillate fuels.

Abstract: A vanadium-containing catalyst system particularly suited to the polymerization of olefin polymers. The catalyst system includes a supported, first catalyst component prepared by contacting silica with hexaalkyldisilazane and thereupon with (1) a compound or complex which includes at least one carbon to magnesium covalent bond and (2) a compound which includes at least one carbon to Group 13 metal covalent bond. The sequence of contact of the silica with compound or complex (1) and compound (2) is optional. However, unless the compound or complex (1) and the compound (2) contact the silica simultaneously, the product of this contact is next contacted with whichever of compound (1) or (2) does not initially contact the silica. The product of the step of contacting with compounds (1) and (2) is washed and then contacted with a vanadium compound which includes at least one halogen atom. Finally, the product of the vanadium compound contacting step is contacted with an alcohol.

Abstract: A catalyst component useful in the polymerization of olefins which includes a support formed of a copolymer of an olefin and a silane monomer having at least one unsaturated hydrocaryl substitutent. A process for making the catalyst component as well as a catalyst composition which includes the catalyst component is also set forth.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for preparing peroxide modified polypropylene/polyethylene blends that have superior extrusion coating properties. More specifically, the peroxide modified PP/PE blends produced by the instant invention exhibit a pronounced viscosity upturn at low frequencies (about <1.0 rad/sec) in the dynamic rheological data. Specifically, the blends show an increase in their dynamic complex viscosity, .eta.*, and dynamic storage modulus, G' values at frequencies of less than about 1.0 rad/sec. The present invention also relates to peroxide modified PP/PE blends that are produced from the process of the instant invention. Such polymeric blends that are produced from the inventive method exhibit superior dynamic theological properties, especially melt strength, compared with prior art blends. Moreover, the peroxide modified PP/PE blends of the present invention show markedly reduced draw resonance behavior.

Abstract: A new catalyst useful in the polymerization of at least one olefin is disclosed. The catalyst comprises the product obtained by contacting silica, in random order, with (1) at least one hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound; and (2) a first modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides and mixtures thereof followed by a second modifying compound selected from the group consisting of halides having the structural formula SiH.sub.r X.sup.2.sub.s, where X.sup.2 is halogen; r is an integer of 1 to 3; and s is an integer of 1 to 3 with the proviso that the sum of r and s is 4, a hydrogen halide and mixtures thereof. The product of this step is contacted with a first titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR).sub.m X.sub.n, where R is hydrocarbyl or cresyl; X is halogen; m is an integer of 1 to 4; and n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3, with the proviso that the sum of m and n is 4.

Abstract: Adhesive blends having special utility in the formation of composite structures with LDPE, EVOH, and impact-modified polystyrene comprise a mixture of an ethylene/ester copolymer such as EVA, polystyrene, such as impact-modified polystyrene, and a functionalized SEBS block copolymer.