Abstract: In a process for producing a heterogeneous polymer blend, at least one first monomer is polymerized in a first reaction zone in the presence of a supported catalyst to produce a thermoplastic first polymer having a crystallinity of at least 30%. At least part of said first polymer is then contacted with at least one second monomer and at least one polyene in a second reaction zone under conditions sufficient to polymerize said second monomer to produce a second polymer having a crystallinity of less than 20%. The second polymer is at least partially cross-linked in the second reaction zone such that at least a fraction of the second polymer is insoluble in xylene and such that the first and second polymers form different phases of the blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) comprising: contacting a thermoplastic polymer, a cross-linkable elastomer, at least one curative, and at least one cure activator in a solvent to form Composition A. The solvent is then removed, and thereafter the cross-linkable elastomer is at least partially cured. The average particle size of the cross-linkable elastomer is 10 microns or less after the solvent is removed.

Abstract: A homogeneous polymer blend comprises a thermoplastic first polymer having a crystallinity of at least 30%; and a second polymer having a crystallinity of more than 5% and being at least partially cross-linked.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with unique morphological features, more specifically, this invention relates to a method for preparing TPV compositions wherein the mixing of plastomers and elastomers are carried out in solvent with curatives to induce cross-linking.

Abstract: This invention relates to an in-reactor polymer blend comprising: (a) a first ethylene-containing polymer having a density of greater than 0.90 g/cm3 and a Mw of more than 20,000 g/mol and (b) a second ethylene-containing polymer having a density of less than 0.90 g/cm3, wherein the polymer blend has a Tm of at least 90° C. (DSC second melt), a density of less than 0.92 g/cm3, and the densities of the first and second polymers differ by at least 1%. Specifically this invention relates to an in-reactor polymer blend comprising: (a) a first ethylene polymer comprising 90 to 100 wt % ethylene and from 0 to less than 10 wt % comonomer, said first ethylene polymer component having density of greater than 0.920 g/cm3, an Mw of 20,000 g/mol or more; and (b) a second ethylene polymer comprising from 70 to 90 wt % ethylene and 30 to 10 wt % comonomer, said second ethylene polymer having a density of 0.910 g/cm3 or less, wherein the polymer blend has: (a) a Tm of at least 100° C. over a density ranging from 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a molded article comprising an in-reactor polymer blend comprising: (a) a first propylene polymer comprising 90 to 100 wt % propylene and from 0 to less than 10 wt % comonomer, said first propylene component having a Tm of 135° C. or more; and (b) a second propylene polymer comprising from 30 to 90 wt % propylene and 70 to 10 wt % comonomer, said second propylene polymer having an Mw of 30,000 g/mol or more, and said second propylene-containing polymer having a crystallinity different by at least 5% from the first polymer, wherein the polymer blend has: (a) a Tm of at least 135° C., (b) a melt flow rate of at least 70 dg/min, (c) a tensile strength of at least 8 MPa, (d) an elongation at break of at least 200%, (e) a tensile strength at break of 10 MPa or more, and (f) a GME 60280 scratch resistance of less than 1.2 DL at a scratching load of 5 Newtons.

Abstract: An in-or polymer blend including (a) a propylene-containing first polymer; and (b) propylene-containing second polymer having a different crystallinity from the first polymer. The polymer blend has a melting temperature, Tm, of at least 135° C., a melt flow rate of at least 70 dg/min, a tensile strength of at least 8 MPa, an elongation at break of at least 300%.

Abstract: An in-reactor polymer blend comprises (a) a propylene-containing first polymer; and (b) an ethylene-containing second polymer such that the polymer blend comprises between about 50 wt % and about 80 wt % units derived from ethylene and between about 50 wt % and about 20 wt % units derived from propylene. The blend is substantially free of dienes and the content of ethylene in the second polymer in the form of ethylene-ethylene-ethylene triads is at least 40%. The second polymer contains at least 0.1 branch having 8 or more carbon atoms per 10,000 carbons. In addition, the blend has a strain hardening index of at least 1.8, a shear thinning slope in the plot of log(dynamic viscosity) versus log(frequency) of less than ?0.2 and exhibits at least two peaks when subjected to Differential Scanning Calorimetry (first melt) corresponding to a first melting point of at least 150° C. and a second melting point of at least 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) comprising: contacting a thermoplastic polymer, a cross-linkable elastomer, at least one curative, and at least one cure activator in a solvent to form Composition A. The solvent is then removed, and thereafter the cross-linkable elastomer is at least partially cured. The average particle size of the cross-linkable elastomer is 10 microns or less after the solvent is removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with unique morphological features, more specifically, this invention relates to a method for preparing TPV compositions wherein the mixing of plastomers and elastomers are carried out in solvent with curatives to induce cross-linking.

Abstract: A method of lowering MFR response of a high melt flow rate polymer producing metallocene catalyst is provided. The method includes contacting the metallocene catalyst with a sufficient quantity of ?,?-diene monomer such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with polymerizable reactants under suitable polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 19. Hydrogen and ethylene may also be present in the polymerization. Additionally a catalyst composition is provided which includes a high melt flow rate polymer producing metallocene catalyst and a sufficient quantity of ?,?-diene monomers such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with a monomer under polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 19.

Abstract: The co-polymerization reaction of one or more olefin monomers, such as propylene, with ?,?-diene units and the resulting copolymers are provided. More specifically, the copolymer may have from 90 to 99.999 weight percent of olefins and from 0.001 to 2.000 weight percent of ?,?-dienes. The copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight in the range from 50,000 to 2,000,000, a crystallization temperature in the range from 115° C. to 135° C. and a melt flow rate in the range from 0.1 dg/min to 100 dg/min. These copolymers may be employed in a wide variety of applications, the articles of which include, for example, films, fibers, such as spunbonded and meltblown fibers, fabrics, such as nonwoven fabrics, and molded articles. The copolymer may further include at least two crystalline populations. Desirably, the melting point range of one of the crystalline populations is distinguishable from the melting point range of another crystalline population by a temperature range of from 1° C. to 8° C.

Abstract: The co-polymerization reaction of one or more olefin monomers, such as propylene, with &agr;,&ohgr;-diene units and the resulting copolymers are provided. More specifically, the copolymer may have from 90 to 99.999 weight percent of olefins and from 0.001 to 2.000 weight percent of &agr;,&ohgr;-dienes. The copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight in the range from 50,000 to 2,000,000, a crystallization temperature in the range from 115° C. to 135° C. and a melt flow rate in the range from 0.1 dg/min to 100 dg/min. These copolymers may be employed in a wide variety of applications, the articles of which include, for example, films, fibers, such as spunbonded and meltblown fibers, fabrics, such as nonwoven fabrics, and molded articles. The copolymer may further include at least two crystalline populations.

Abstract: The co-polymerization reaction of one or more olefin monomers, such as propylene, with &agr;,&ohgr;-diene units and the resulting copolymers are provided. More specifically, the copolymer may have from 90 to 99.999 weight percent of olefins and from 0.001 to 2.000 weight percent of &agr;,&ohgr;-dienes. The copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight in the range from 50,000 to 2,000,000, a crystallization temperature in the range from 115° C. to 135° C. and a melt flow rate in the range from 0.1 dg/min to 100 dg/min. These copolymers may be employed in a wide variety of applications, the articles of which include, for example, films, fibers, such as spunbonded and meltblown fibers, fabrics, such as nonwoven fabrics, and molded articles. The copolymer may further indude at least two crystalline populations.

Abstract: The co-polymerization reaction of one or more olefin monomers, such as propylene, with &agr;,&ohgr;-diene units and the resulting copolymers are provided. More specifically, the copolymer may have from 90 to 99.999 weight percent of olefins and from 0.001 to 2.000 weight percent of &agr;,&ohgr;-dienes. The copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight in the range from 50,000 to 2,000,000, a crystallization temperature in the range from 115° C. to 135° C. and a melt flow rate in the range from 0.1 dg/min to 100 dg/min. These copolymers may be employed in a wide variety of applications, the articles of which include, for example, films, fibers, such as spunbonded and meltblown fibers, fabrics, such as nonwoven fabrics, and molded articles. The copolymer may further include at least two crystalline populations.

Abstract: A method of lowering MFR response of a high melt flow rate polymer producing metallocene catalyst is provided. The method includes contacting the metallocene catalyst with a sufficient quantity of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene monomer such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with polymerizable reactants under suitable polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 19. Hydrogen and ethylene may also be present in the polymerization. Additionally a catalyst composition is provided which includes a high melt flow rate polymer producing metallocene catalyst and a sufficient quantity of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene monomers such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with a monomer under polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 19.

Abstract: Branched ethylene-propylene compositions which have improved melt strength and shear thinning are provided. The weight average branching index g′ for the higher molecular weight region of the ethylene-propylene composition is less than 0.95. Additionally, a novel process is provided for efficiently producing a branched ethylene-propylene composition comprising: a) contacting propylene monomers and ethylene monomers in a reactor with an inert hydrocarbon solvent or diluent and a catalyst composition comprising one or more single site catalyst compounds capable of producing an ethylene-propylene polymer at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 180° C., wherein the ratio in the reactor of the propylene and ethylene monomers to the inert hydrocarbon solvent or diluent is less than 2.

Abstract: Branched ethylene-propylene compositions which have improved melt strength and shear thinning are provided. The weight average branching index g′ for the higher molecular weight region of the ethylene-propylene composition is less than 0.95. Additionally, a novel process is provided for efficiently producing a branched ethylene-propylene composition comprising: a) contacting propylene monomers and ethylene monomers in a reactor with an inert hydrocarbon solvent or diluent and a catalyst composition comprising one or more single site catalyst compounds capable of producing an ethylene-propylene polymer at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 180° C., wherein the ratio in the reactor of the propylene and ethylene monomers to the inert hydrocarbon solvent or diluent is less than 2.

Abstract: Branched ethylene-propylene compositions which have improved melt strength and shear thinning are provided. The weight average branching index g′ for the higher molecular weight region of the ethylene-propylene composition is less than 0.95.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer formed by a process comprising the steps of dynamically vulcanizing a rubber within a mixture that includes the rubber, from about 10 to about 80 percent by weight of a thermoplastic resin based upon the total weight of the rubber and the thermoplastic combined, and from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of a polymeric processing additive based upon the total weight of the rubber and the thermoplastic combined, where the polymeric processing additive is a linear polyolefin resin that has an melt flow rate that is greater than about 1,000 dg/min, a diene-modified polyolefin polymer that has an melt flow rate that is greater than about 1,000 dg/min, from about 0.005 to about 2.00 mole percent polymeric units deriving from dienes, and a viscosity average branching index that is from about 0.4 to about 0.