Abstract: This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes, as well as to lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions as viscosity index improvers, and base oil. The copolymer compositions may be made using two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction).

Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle ? at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions that can be useful as viscosity modifiers, comprising (a) a first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 60 to about 80 wt % and (b) a second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 40 to about 60 wt %. The polymer composition comprises about 35 wt % to about 50 wt of the first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer and about 50 wt % to about 65 wt % of the second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer. The polymer compositions are made by comprising producing a first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer in a first reactor, directing the first copolymer to a second reactor, producing the second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer in the second reactor and forming the polymer composition.

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: Branched ethylene-propylene-diene elastomers (bEPDM) and processes for making the bEPDM's comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator at a temperature within a range from 90° C. to 160° C. with ethylene, a C3 to C12 ?-olefin, a non-conjugated diene, and a dual-polymerizable diene, where the catalyst precursor is a metallocene catalyst precursor, preferably according to one of various structures including any two ligands selected from cyclopentadienyl ligands and ligands isolobal to the cyclopentadienyl group.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle ? at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using one or both of a metallocene catalyst capable of producing high molecular weight polymers and a metallocene catalyst capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations. Polymerization processes include dual catalyst polymerization in a single polymerization zone comprising both metallocene catalysts. Other processes include serial or parallel polymerizations in multiple polymerization zones, using either or both catalysts in each polymerization zone. Such polymerization processes produce reactor blends, and are particularly suited for producing copolymer compositions (such as EP or EPDM copolymer compositions) exhibiting improved melt elasticity and rheological properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are ethylene copolymers, methods for making such copolymers, and compositions made from such copolymers. The ethylene copolymers have 70 wt. % to 85 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 12 wt. % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The copolymers preferably further have a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol, melting point of at least 100° C., ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.5 to about 3.5, a content of group 4 metals of no more than 25 ppm, and a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Such copolymers may be particularly useful as viscosity modifiers for lubricating oil compositions.

Abstract: Provided is an ethylene copolymer having 40 wt. % to 70 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and has the following properties: (a) a weight-average molecular weight (Mw), as measured by GPC, in the range of about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol; (b) a melting point (Tm) in ° C., as measured by DSC, that satisfies the relation: Tm>3.4×E?180 where E is the weight % of units derived from ethylene in the copolymer; (c) a ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.8 to about 2.5; (d) a content of Group 4 metals of no more than 5 ppm; and (e) a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Also provided are methods for making an ethylene copolymer and compositions comprising an ethylene copolymer.

Abstract: Provided herein are ethylene copolymers, methods for making such copolymers, and compositions made from such copolymers. The ethylene copolymers have 70 wt. % to 85 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 12 wt. % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The copolymers preferably further have a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol, melting point of at least 100° C., ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.5 to about 3.5, a content of group 4 metals of no more than 25 ppm, and a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Such copolymers may be particularly useful as viscosity modifiers for lubricating oil compositions.

Abstract: Provided are ethylene propylene copolymers compositions thereof and methods for making the same. The composition may include an ethylene copolymer, comprising 40 wt % to 70 wt % of units derived from ethylene, and at least 30 wt % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The composition can have a melting point (Tm) in ° C., as measured by DSC, that satisfies the relation: Tm>3.4×E?180, where E is the weight % of units derived from ethylene in the copolymer. The composition can also have a Mw/Mn ratio of about 1.5 to about 3.5. The composition can further have a content of Group 4 metals derived from a catalyst of 25 ppm or less.

Abstract: Propylene-based polymer compositions are provided comprising propylene and from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of one or more C2 and/or C4-C12 ?-olefins. The polymer compositions have a triad tacticity greater than about 90%, a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a melt flow rate (MFR) greater than or equal to about 25 g/10 min (230° C., 2.16 kg). Further, the polymer compositions are reactor grade compositions comprising a reactor blend of a first polymer and a second polymer, preferably where both of the first and second polymers are prepared using the same catalyst system. Meltspun nonwoven fabrics, such as meltblown or spunbond fabrics, comprising such polymer compositions are also provided, as well as processes for forming the nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine the predisposition of a polymer to form network or gel in a lubricating oil which comprises obtaining a composition of a polymer in a diluent, measuring the shear stress as a function of shear rate, determining the yield stress using the Herschel-Bulkley equation and assessing the yield stress. A method is also provided to determine the predisposition of a polymer to form network or gel in a lubricating oil which comprises obtaining a composition of a polymer in a diluent, determining at least one of (i) the storage modulus G? and loss modulus G? of the composition by subjecting the composition to sinusoidal (oscillating) stress or strain of certain amplitude and frequency, (ii) the phase lag (angle) of the response strain or stress ?, or (iii) the tangent (tan) ?, and (c) assessing at least one of the G?, G?, ?, or tan(?) determined.

Abstract: Provided are ethylene-based copolymers, methods of preparing the same, lubricating oil compositions including the same, methods for preparing such lubricating oil compositions, and end uses for such ethylene-based copolymers and lubricating oil compositions. The ethylene-based copolymers may include from about 35 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 1.0 wt. % of one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethylene-based copolymers are substantially amorphous and have a polydispersity index of about 2.8 or less.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making polymer compositions, especially those with reduced or no gel formation in lubricating oils as identified by rheological and visual gel tests and which are useful as viscosity modifiers. The processes described herein aim to achieve this objective by adjusting the concentrations of the hydrogen feed(s) in the first and/or second polymerization reaction zones, preferably such that (a) the hydrogen feed concentration in the first polymerization reaction zone is 0.0-1.0 wt %, based on total weight of feed(s) of hydrogen, ethylene monomer, ?-olefin comonomer, and solvent into the first polymerization reaction zone, and/or (b) the hydrogen feed concentration in the second polymerization reaction zone is 0.0-0.5 wt %, based on total weight of feed(s) of hydrogen, ethylene monomer, ?-olefin comonomer, and solvent into the second polymerization reaction zone.

Abstract: Polymer compositions for use as viscosity modifiers comprising at least two ethylene-based copolymer components are provided. The polymer composition comprises (a) a first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer and (b) a second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer. The first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (a) has an ethylene content from about 60 to about 80 wt % and the second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (b) has an ethylene content of less than about 60 wt %. The first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (a) has a Melt Flow Rate Ratio (MFRR), defined as the ratio of the MFR measured at 230° C./21.6 kg and at 230° C./2.16 kg, of greater than 30 and optionally also has a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of at least about 1.5 g/10 min, measured by ASTM D 1238 condition L (230° C./2.16 kg). The present disclosure is also directed to lubricant compositions comprising a lubricating basestock and a polymer composition of the present disclosure and is further directed to reducing gelation in the lubricant compositions.

Abstract: Coated composite materials and methods for their manufacture are described. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate material coated on at least a portion with a polymer blend comprising from about 50 to about 95 wt % of a propylene-based copolymer comprising propylene and from about 3 to about 40 wt % ethylene-derived units and from about 5 to about 50 wt % of a hydrocarbon resin. The propylene-based copolymer has a melting temperature less than about 110° C., a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a triad tacticity greater than 75%. The coating compositions are suitable for hot fill applications, soft to the touch and have a low coefficient of friction, low haze, and are able to retain textural design features. Methods for forming such coated composite materials are also provided.