Abstract: It has been discovered that the properties of sheet or film materials of broad molecular weight distribution ethylene/propylene rubber impact-modified heterophasic copolymer (ICP) can be improved by blending the ICP with a second polyolefin. The second polyolefin may be a syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP), a random copolymer (RCP) of propylene and comonomer (e.g. ethylene and/or butene) made using a Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or low crystalline copolymer of propylene/?-olefin. Improvements include, but are not necessarily limited to, reduced motor amps, lower secant modulus, increased dart drop strength, increased gloss, reduced haze, increased elongation to yield, elimination of stress whitening, improved puncture resistance, and decreased seal initiation temperature. This sheet of film materials may be co-extruded with other resins or laminated with other materials after extrusion.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a polymer and a nucleation agent, and having isotropic shrinkage of less than about 20% and a differential shrinkage of less than about 20%.

Abstract: External donor systems, catalyst systems and olefin polymerization processes are described herein. The external donor systems generally include a first external donor represented by the general formula SiR2m(OR3)4-m, wherein each R2 is independently selected from alkyls, cycloalkyls, aryls and vinyls, each R3 is independently selected from alkyls and m is from 0 to 4. The external donor systems further include a second external donor represented by the general formula SiR4m(OR5)4-m, wherein each R4 is independently selected from alkyls, cycloalkyls, aryls and vinyls, each R5 is independently selected from alkyls, m is from 0 to 4 and at least one R4 is a C3 or greater alkyl.

Abstract: A thermoformed polypropylene article, or sheet for preparing such articles, is formed from a layer of substantially syndiotactic polypropylene and a thin outer layer of substantially isotactic polypropylene that is joined to the layer of syndiotactic polypropylene. At least one of the layers is a non-oriented layer. Two layers of isotactic polypropylene may be used with the layer of syndiotactic polypropylene, so that the syndiotactic polypropylene is sandwiched between the two layers of isotactic polypropylene. The use of the isotactic polypropylene enhances the processability of the syndiotactic polypropylene, which is oftentimes difficult to process because of its lower melting point and slow solidification rate. Because the sheet is comprised predominantly of syndiotactic polypropylene, utilizing only thin outer layers of isotactic polypropylene, it has better transparency and higher impact strength than those conventional articles formed entirely of isotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst system for producing a polyolefin blend, which catalyst system comprises a mixture including the following catalyst components: i) a catalyst component A capable of producing an isotactic olefin polymer, and/or a catalyst component A? capable of producing a polymer comprising an isotactic polyolefin block; and ii) a catalyst component B capable of producing a syndiotactic polyolefin, and/or a catalyst component B? capable of producing a polymer comprising a syndiotactic polyolefin block; wherein each of the components in the catalyst system is distinct from the other components in the catalyst system.

Abstract: A heat-seal polymer film and method of forming such film is provided. The heat-seal film is formed from metallocene-catalyzed isotactic random copolymers of propylene and at least one other C2 to C8 alpha olefin, such as ethylene random. Such films show improved heat-seal characteristics, such as reduced seal initiation temperatures (SIT's) and improved heat-seal strength, as well as other improved properties.

Abstract: The present invention includes an end use article (i.e., an article of manufacture) and a process for making the same, wherein the end use article has a relatively high gloss and exhibits excellent processability over a wide range of processing conditions. The end use article can be formed with glossy polyethylene having an “a” parameter less than or equal to about 0.40, and the glossy polyethylene can be a Metallocene polyethylene. The end use article can have a 60° specular gloss of at least about 40%, or from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 60% to about 80%. The end use article may be pigmented or unpigmented.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of fluorenyl-type ligand structures and substituted fluorenyl groups which may be employed in metallocene-type olefin polymerization catalysts. There is provided a 2,2?-dihalogen-diphenylmethylene having a methylene bridge connecting a pair of phenyl groups. Each phenyl group has a halogen on a proximal carbon atom relative to the methylene bridge. The halogenated diphenylmethylene is reacted with a coupling agent comprising a Group 2 or 12 transition metal in the presence of a nickel or palladium-based catalyst to remove the halogen atoms from the phenyl groups and couple the phenyl groups at the proximal carbon atoms to produce a fluorene ligand structure. The coupling agent may be zinc, cadmium or magnesium and the catalyst may be a monophosphene nickel complex. The halogenated diphenylmethylene may be an unsubstituted ligand structure or a monosubstituted or disubstituted ligand structure.