Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer that is adherent to polar materials may be made from a dynamically vulcanized blend of propylene resin, ethylene/alpha-olefin/non-conjugated diene elastomers, and a bonding agent via a curing system containing a free radical initiator, at least one co-agent including multifunctional acrylates containing at least two acrylate groups, multifunctional maleimides containing at least two imide groups, or mixtures of both, where the elastomer gel content in the modified blend is at least about 97 percent. Reaction mixtures, articles made therefrom, and methods of dynamically vulcanizing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article formed from a polyolefin resin blend reaction product that includes at least one propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt and at least one property-modifying agent. Optionally, the article includes a polyethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, thermoplastic elastomer, such as a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymer or any other styrenic block copolymer, semi-crystalline polyolefin component, or the like, or combinations thereof. Such articles have enhanced scratch and mar resistance while still retaining acceptable impact toughness. Methods of preparing articles and the blends used to form such articles are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer with increased oil resistance and decreased compression set compared to conventionally cured thermoplastic elastomers may be made from a dynamically vulcanized blend of propylene resin and ethylene/alpha-olefin/non-conjugated diene elastomers via a curing system containing a free radical initiator, a first co-agent including diene-containing polymers with a 1,2-vinyl content greater than 50% by weight, and a second co-agent including multifunctional acrylates containing at least two acrylate groups, multifunctional maleimides containing at least two imide groups, or mixtures of both, where the elastomer gel content in the modified blend is at least 97%.

Abstract: An ionomeric nanocomposite that includes a base component of a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt component and a nanostructured material. Optionally, the blend further contains a polymeric component including an ethylene ionomer, a styrenic block ionomer, a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymer, or a combination thereof. Such ionomeric nanocomposites have increased scratch and mar resistance while still retaining clarity and thermal stability. Methods of preparing such blends, as well as resultant articles including such blends, are also part of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyolefin alloys that are receptive to metal plating. These compositions also have enhanced properties and are easily processed into articles by various molding methods. The blends of the invention preferably include a polyethylene component, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer(s), and at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer. The invention also relates to articles containing such alloys, and to methods of forming such blends and articles containing the same. These blends have excellent platability and superior physical properties including enhanced stiffness and toughness.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced surface durability and products thereof which include a thermoplastic polyolefin base component at least one radiation-crosslinkable component present in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the thermoplastic polyolefin component when radiation-cured and at least one photoinitiator present in an amount sufficient to initiate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component upon exposure of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for preparing an improved melt-strength polyolefin blend by incorporating a polyolefin/clay nanocomposite product. The nanocomposite-modified polyolefin blend is used to form articles through processing operations that involve stretching and/or drawing, such as thermoforming, melt spinning, blow molding and foaming. The addition of the nanocomposite product to the polyolefin blend improves the sag resistance of the polyolefin and broadens the processing window of the operation.

Abstract: A polyolefin resin blend is presented that includes a base component of a semi-crystalline polyolefin component, a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, and a styrenic block ionomer. Optionally, the blend includes a thermoplastic elastomer, such as a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene random copolymer. Such blends have enhanced scratch and mar resistance while still retaining acceptable impact toughness. Methods of preparing such blends, as well as resultant articles including such blends, are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer compositions useful as thermoplastic elastomers for extrusion, calendering, blow molding, thermoforming, and foam processing, and to articles made therefrom. Such improved melt strength thermoplastic elastomers include a blend of propylenic resin (A) and ethylenic elastomer (B), wherein the (A) resin is partially branched and/or the (B) elastomer is partially crosslinked by the addition of multifunctional acrylic monomer (C) containing at least three acrylate groups.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polyolefin blends having improved resistance to fluids such as petroleum fuels after being painted with flexible coatings such as polyurethanes paints and the like are disclosed. These blends include a crystalline or semi-crystalline polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer of ethylene and a C3 to C10 olefin, and a multimodal elastomer of sequentially polymerized ethylene-&agr;-olefin monomers. The substantially crystalline polyolefin is present in an amount of 30 to 98 weight percent, while the multimodal elastomer, which is substantially amorphous, is present in an amount of about 2 to 70 weight percent. The blends may contain additional polymeric components, fillers and the like. In addition to increased paint adherence, higher weld-line strength, low temperature ductility and processability can be achieved.

Abstract: The melt strength is increased and the gloss level is reduced in olefinic TPE compositions through the addition of sufficient amounts of free radical generators (A) and co-curative agents (B). The free radical generators (A) include peroxides, organic peroxides, the persulfates, and the diazo compounds, and mixtures thereof. The co-curative agents (B) includes metal salts of alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids and alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids where the pending acid group has been neutralized, or mixtures thereof, and the metals for forming the metal salts of co-curative agent (B) include zinc, lithium, calcium, magnesium, sodium or aluminum, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer blends and formed articles made thereof which exhibit superior physical properties such as a combination of excellent scratch resistance, rigidity and impact toughness. The thermoplastic polyolefin blend includes from about 40 percent to about 80 percent of a base component of propylene-containing polymer; from about 5 percent to about 30 percent of a toughening component; and from about 3 percent to about 40 percent of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably of a high styrene containing block or random copolymer. A preferred thermoplastic polyolefin blend includes between about 50 percent to about 70 percent of the base component; between about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the toughening component; and between about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the styrene block copolymer. Advantageously, the thermoplastic elastomer has greater than 50 percent by weight styrene monomer.

Abstract: A polyolefin blend including a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of a propylene-containing polymer and a first organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion, and an ethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt that is a reaction product of an ethylene-containing polymer and a second organic monomer including a hydrophilic moiety that is at least partially neutralized with a metal ion. Optionally, the blend includes a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, and optionally one or more diene(s); a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefinic copolymer with styrene; a copolymer of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and/or a monomer with a hydrophilic moiety. Also included are methods of preparing such blends, as well as the resultant articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyolefin alloys that are receptive to metal plating. These compositions also have enhanced properties and are easily processed into articles by various molding methods. The blends of the invention preferably include polyolefin homopolymers or copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, and a blend of at least one styrene monoolefin copolymer and at least one styrene diolefin copolymer. These blends have excellent platability and superior physical properties including enhanced rigidity, toughness, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced surface durability and products thereof which include a thermoplastic polyolefin base component at least one radiation-crosslinkable component present in an amount sufficient to enhance the surface durability of the thermoplastic polyolefin component when radiation-cured and at least one photoinitiator present in an amount sufficient to initiate crosslinking of the radiation-crosslinkable component upon exposure of the thermoplastic polyolefin composition to radiation.

Abstract: A polyolefin blend is presented having a propylene containing polymer as a base component, a portion of which is functionalized with a hydrophilic moiety; a toughening component of polymer selected from the group consisting of(A) a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin and (B) a terpolymer of ethylene, an alpha olefin and a diene; an interfacial modifier in the form of an elastomeric block copolymer; and a filler.

Abstract: Molded articles of thermoplastic polyolefin blends having improved resistance to fluids such as petroleum fuels after being painted with flexible coatings such as polyurethane paints and the like are disclosed. These blends include a crystalline or semi-crystalline polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or a copolymer of ethylene and a C3 to C10 olefin, and a multimodal elastomer of sequentially polymerized ethylene-&agr;-olefin monomers. The substantially crystalline polyolefin is present in an amount of 30 to 98 weight percent, while the multimodal elastomer, which is substantially amorphous, is present in an amount of about 2 to 70 weight percent. The blends may contain additional polymeric components, fillers and the like. In addition to increased paint adherence, higher weld line strength, low temperature ductility, and processability can be achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyolefin alloys that are receptive to metal plating. These compositions also have enhanced properties and are easily processed into articles by various molding methods. The blends of the invention preferably include polyolefin homopolymers or copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers, and styrenic block copolymers. These blends have excellent platability and superior physical properties including enhanced rigidity, thoughness, and dimensional stability.

Abstract: A polyolefin blend is presented that includes a base component of a propylene-containing-polymer, such as polypropylene, a propylene-based polyolefin-metal salt, and an ethylene-based polyolefin-metal salt. Optionally, the blend includes a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin; a terpolymer of ethylene, alpha-olefin, and a diene; a thermoplastic elastomer, such as an olefinic copolymer with styrene; and/or a copolymer of ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and a monomer with a hydrophilic moiety. Methods of preparing such blends, as well as resultant articles including such blends, are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A light stabilizer package is disclosed. The light stabilizer package comprises a monomeric HALS having a pKa of no greater than 7, an ultraviolet light absorber and, optionally, a polymeric HALS having a pKa of less than 7. The light stabilizer package may be blended with a thermoplastic olefin to form a moldable light stable composition. An article comprising the moldable light stable composition may have an exterior surface that is at least partially coated.