Abstract: This application discloses triphenyl carbenium NCA's as catalyst activators for a class of asymmetrically bridged hafnocene catalyst precursors. These catalsyst precursors are activated into olefin polymerization catalysts and are suitable for gas, solution, and slurry-phase polymerization reactions. The disclosed bridge is methylenyl- or silanylenyl-based and is optionally, alkyl or aryl substituted. The catalytic activity of the disclosed hafnocene catalyt precursors is substantially enhanced over identical catalysts that are activated with other activators.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel resins, blends of the novel resins with base polymers and a process for producing a resin comprising combining a reactor feed blend comprising: (a) at least 2 weight % of isoprene, (b) at least 2 weight % of one or more of dicyclopentadiene, substituted cyclopentadienes and substituted dicyclopentadienes, (c) at least 2 weight % piperylene, (d) at least 1 weight % aromatic olefins, and (e) 0 to 92 weight % of additional aliphatic olefins, based upon the weight of the reactor feed blend, with a polymerization catalyst under polymerization conditions, preferably where the ratio of component (c) to component (b) is less than 8 and the ratio of component (a) to component (b) is less than 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerization catalyst system comprising a catalytic complex formed by activating a transition metal compound which comprises a metal selected from group 3 through 10 of the periodic table, preferably from group 4, 5, or 6 of the periodic table, and a group 13, 15, or 16 heterocyclic fused cyclopentadienide ligand. In one embodiment the inventive transition metal compound is represented by the [L]mM[A]n(S)o wherein M is a transition metal selected from groups 3 through 10 of the periodic table, and at least one of L is group 13, 15, or 16 heterocyclic fused cyclopentadienide ligand. Also disclosed is a polymerization process utilizing the catalyst systems of the invention. Ethylene polymerizations or copolymerizations with dimethyl (&eegr;5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-azaindenyl) zirconium and bis(5-methyl-cyclopenta[b]thiophene) zirconium dichloride, activated by tris(pentafluorophenyl) boron and methylalumoxane, respectively, are illustrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold-drawn breathable film formed from a blend of a soft polymer component and a hard polymer component. The soft polymer component (SPC) is a copolymer of a major olefinic monomer and a minor olefinic monomer. The major olefinic monomer is either ethylene or propylene and forms the majority of the SPC. Preferred films after cold-drawing exhibit a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of at least 100 g-mil/m2-day.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved resin hydrotreating process which maintains resin softening point and aromaticity as well as catalyst lifetime. The process is particularly useful for hydrotreating resins containing one or more halogen residues. Pressures are maintained at 2000 psi or less. Color is substantially reduced while softening point is not decreased by more than 8° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising: a) an ethylene polymer component having a melting temperature greater than or equal to about 75° C., an ethylene crystallinity level of 5 weight percent or more, and a narrow compositional distribution; and b) a propylene polymer component having a melt flow rate of 500 dg/min. or more at 230° C. and a melting temperature greater than or equal to about 125° C. Further disclosed are films and articles made thereof.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer is provided comprising a branched olefin polymer having crystalline sidechains and an amorphous backbone wherein at least 90 mole percent of the sidechains are isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene and at least 80 mole percent of the backbone is atactic polypropylene. Additionally, a process is provided for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: a) contacting, in solution, at a temperature from about 90° C. to about 120° C., propylene monomers with a catalyst composition comprising a chiral, stereorigid transition metal catalyst compound capable of producing isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene; b) copolymerizing the product of a) with propylene and, optionally, one or more copolymerizable monomers, in a polymerization reactor using an achiral transition metal catalyst capable of producing atactic polypropylene; and c) recovering a branched olefin polymer.

Abstract: Stabilized alumoxane solutions are provided as well as a method for producing such solutions. The method generally involves the use of metallocene catalyst component(s) that when mixed with alumoxane solutions reduce the tendency for such solutions to form gels.

Abstract: The catalyst system of the invention comprises: I) a catalyst for polymerizing olefins comprising: a) a first component comprising at least one transition metal of Group IV, V or VI and at least two cyclopentadienyl containing rings, said rings each having at least two substituents bonded to each of said rings in the same position; b) a second component comprising said transition metal and said cyclopentadienyl containing rings, said rings each having at least two substituents bonded to each of said rings in the same or different position than said substituents of said first component; said substituents of the said first and second components can be the same or different, with the provision that when the substituents of said first and second components are the same, said substituents of said components are bonded to said rings in different positions; and c) a third component comprising said transition metal bonded to said cyclopentadienyl containing rings where one of said rings is substituted identically