Abstract: The present disclosure relates to catalysts comprising two heterogeneous chromium catalysts for the polymerization of olefins are provided herein. The catalysts, as well as related compositions and methods using the same, may be used to for the production of polyolefins, including for the production of bimodal molecular weight distribution polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and copolymers of ethylene and 1-hexene.

Abstract: A process for making an ethylene homopolymer in the presence of an oxide-supported chromium catalyst is disclosed. A small amount of an ?-olefin contacted with the catalyst before polymerizing ethylene or introduced into an ethylene homopolymerization unexpectedly boosts process productivity. When used at part per million levels, the ?-olefin improves productivity while maintaining desirable polymer properties. The invention is particularly valuable for making HDPE resins useful for blow molding applications.

Abstract: A process for making an ethylene homopolymer in the presence of an oxide-supported chromium catalyst is disclosed. A small amount of an ?-olefin contacted with the catalyst before polymerizing ethylene or introduced into an ethylene homopolymerization unexpectedly boosts process productivity. When used at part per million levels, the ?-olefin improves productivity while maintaining desirable polymer properties. The invention is particularly valuable for making HDPE resins useful for blow molding applications.

Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene resins having reduced long-chain branching and suitable for use in pipe resin applications as a result of their improved SCG and RCP resistance are provided. The improved resins of the invention are produced in a two-reactor cascade slurry polymerization process using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and wherein an alkoxysilane modifier is present in both reactors.

Abstract: A method for preparing a titanium-containing Ziegler-Natta catalyst is disclosed. A dialkyl magnesium compound, a trialkyl aluminum compound, and a polymethylhydrosiloxane are first combined in a hydrocarbon solvent. That product is then combined with dry, alcohol-free magnesium chloride. A solid product from the reaction with the magnesium chloride component is isolated and washed with a hydrocarbon solvent. The washed solid product is then combined with an alkyl aluminum dichloride or a dialkyl aluminum chloride to give the catalyst. The catalyst is suitable for both slurry and gas-phase olefin polymerizations. Polyolefins produced with the catalyst have broad molecular weight distributions and narrow distributions of relatively large particles.

Abstract: A process for making an ethylene homopolymer in the presence of an oxide-supported chromium catalyst is disclosed. A small amount of an ?-olefin contacted with the catalyst before polymerizing ethylene or introduced into an ethylene homopolymerization unexpectedly boosts process productivity. When used at part per million levels, the ?-olefin improves productivity while maintaining desirable polymer properties. The invention is particularly valuable for making HDPE resins useful for blow molding applications.

Abstract: A process for the copolymerization of ethylene and ?-olefins which utilizes a mixed modifier comprised of a conjugated diene and alkoxysilane is disclosed.

Abstract: Bimodal polyethylene resins having reduced long-chain branching and suitable for use in pipe resin applications as a result of their improved SCG and RCP resistance are provided. The improved resins of the invention are produced in a two-reactor cascade slurry polymerization process using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and wherein an alkoxysilane modifier is present in both reactors.

Abstract: A process to prepare a multimodal polyethylene with controlled LCB distribution is disclosed. In the first stage, ethylene is polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler catalyst that results in a homopolyethylene component having a higher LCB concentration. In the second stage, ethylene is copolymerized with a 1-olefin in the presence of the Ziegler catalyst and a lower concentration of hydrogen resulting in a copolymer component with a lower LCB concentration. The homopolyethylene component and the copolymer component are combined to form a novel multimodal polyethylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to supports comprising inorganic oxide particles coated with magnesium chloride and a method for making them. The inorganic oxide has a mean particle diameter of less than 5 microns and is used as a seed to crystallize magnesium chloride from solution. The magnesium chloride-coated inorganic oxide is useful for supporting transition metal compounds; the supported transition metal compounds are used as catalysts for polymerizing olefins.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polyethylene is disclosed. In the method ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and a C3-C10 ?-olefin is polymerized in an organic solvent with a Ziegler or single-site catalyst to form an initial polyethylene solution. The initial polyethylene solution is then reacted with a free radical initiator to produce a modified polyethylene. The modified polymer has an enhanced melt elasticity and increased long chain branching index, and is essentially free of gel.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polyethylene is disclosed. In the method ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and a C3-C10 ?-olefin is polymerized in an organic solvent with a Ziegler or single-site catalyst to form an initial polyethylene solution. The initial polyethylene solution is then reacted with a free radical initiator to produce a modified polyethylene. The modified polymer has an enhanced melt elasticity and increased long chain branching index, and is essentially free of gel.

Abstract: A method for modifying polyolefin-clay nanocomposites is disclosed. The method comprises shearing a melt of solution-prepared nanocomposites at an effective shear rate. The modified nanocomposite shows significantly decreased complex melt viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus.

Abstract: An improved two-step polymerization process wherein ethylene homopolymer is produced in a first reactor and ethylene copolymer having narrowed short-chain branching distribution is prepared in a second reactor. Narrowed short-chain branching distribution of the copolymer is achieved by including specific silane modifiers in the second reactor.

Abstract: A clay-filled polyolefin composition and process for making it are disclosed. The process involves treatment of a non-acid-treated smectite clay with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in the presence of a hydrocarbon and subsequent polymerization of an olefin in the presence of the treated clay and an organoaluminum cocatalyst. Results indicate that filled compositions produced by this process contain exfoliated clay.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. A magnesium chloride-alcohol is used to support an organometallic complex comprising a Group 3 to 10 transition metal and an indenoindolyl ligand. The supported organometallic complex is mixed with an activator and ethylene and the ethylene is polymerized. Use of magnesium chloride containing an alcohol as the support provides an unexpected boost in catalyst activity and improves polymer rheological properties.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The process uses a hydrosilane in a polymerization catalyzed by an open architecture, bridged indenoindolyl organometallic complex and an activator. Polyolefins from the process have increased molecular weight.

Abstract: A process for copolymerizing ethylene with vinylsilanes is disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and cocatalyst wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyst is prepared from a Group 4-6 halogen-containing transition metal and a mixture of an organomagnesium compound and a silicon-containing compound. Silane-functionalized polyolefins produced using the process can be crosslinkable and can be used to bond polyolefins to polysiloxanes or other functionalized polymers.

Abstract: A method for modifying a high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-clay nanocomposite is disclosed. The method comprises shearing a melt of the nanocomposite at an effective shear rate. The modified nanocomposite shows significantly increased complex melt viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus.

Abstract: A clay-filled polyolefin composition and process for making it are disclosed. The process involves treatment of a non-acid-treated smectite clay with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in the presence of a hydrocarbon and subsequent polymerization of an olefin in the presence of the treated clay and an organoaluminum cocatalyst. Results indicate that filled compositions produced by this process contain exfoliated clay.