Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

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 new improved catalyst to produce random copolymers of one or more iso-olefin monomers and one or more para-alkylstyrene monomers. The invention also relates to an improved continuous slurry polymerization process to produce random copolymers using the improved catalyst system. The process is carried out in an anhydrous polymerization system containing a mixture of the monomers in a polar solvent along with a Lewis acid and a stabilizing initiator.

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: 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: An oriented multilayer film is provided, the film including in at least one outer layer an ethylene copolymer having a density of 0.900-0.935 g/cm3 and a CDBI of 50-95% the outer layer is in contact with a polypropylene core layer, and the film is made by coextrusion of the ethylene copolymer and the polypropylene layer and subsequent orientation. The coextruded layers can be uniaxially oriented or biaxially oriented without difficulties caused by presence of low molecular weight amorphous polymer fractions inherently present in traditional Ziegler-Natta linear low density polyethylene. The optical properties of oriented polypropylene films can be retained, while the sealing temperature is lowered and the heat seal strength and the hot tack performance properties are improved.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are blends of a propylene-based polymer, an elastomer, and optionally an ethylene-based polymer, having improved low temperature toughness. The elastomer is preferably a copolymer of ethylene, one or more C3-C20 &agr;-olefin comonomers, and optionally one or more non-conjugated diene comonomers, having a MLRA/ML ratio of at least 8 and an ethylene content of from 74 to 95 mole percent.

Abstract: This description addresses ionic compositions of matter comprising positively charged cations [Ct]+ and negatively charged anions [A]−, said anion comprising a central core Group 13 element to which are bound fluoroaryl ligands, at least one of said fluoroaryl ligands being substituted with a siloxy group represented by the symbols—SiOR3, wherein R is a C1-C30 hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbylsilyl substituent. [Ct]+ may be selected from any capable of use with olefin polymerization catalysts and typically will be from the group consisting of anilinium and ammonium cations, trityl carbenium cations, Group 11 metal cations, silylium cations, the cations of the hydrated salts of Group 1 or 2 metals, and derivatives of the foregoing anilinium, ammonium, trityl carbenium, and silylium cations containing C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylsilyl, or hydrocarbylamine substituents for one or more hydrogen atoms of said cations.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to a process for copolymerizing one or more alpha-olefins and one or more di-olefin monomers in the presence of at least one stereospecific metallocene catalyst system and at least one non-stereospecific metallocene catalyst system. Crosslinking of at least a portion of the mixture of polymer segments is accomplished during the polymerization of the composition by incorporation of single di-olefin comonomers into two polymer segments.

Abstract: Extruded shapes, profiles and parts in general based on an ethylene, alpha-olefin elastomeric polymer are manufactured utilizing a tailored approach to polymerization, leading to a polymer that delivers all of the benefits of metallocene based polymers, but without the drawbacks. Additionally, the ethylene, alpha-olefin elastomeric polymer has a broader molecular weight distribution than generally available from metallocene catalyzed elastomeric polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to electric power cables, transmission lines or coaxial cables having at least one polymeric component. This polymeric component generally is a conducting, semiconducting, protective or insulating component. The electrical cables of this invention have improved resistance to water treeing and other improved properties. The polymer generally comprises ethylene polymerized with at least one C3 to C20 alpha-olefin and optionally at least one C3 to C20 polyene. The polymer utilized has a density in the range of about 0.86 g/cm3 to about 0.96 g/cm3, a melt index in the range of about 0.2 dg/min. to about 100 dg/min., a molecular weight distribution in the range of about 1.5 to about 30, and a composition distribution breadth index greater than about 45 percent.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing polyolefins at pressures substantially below conventional high pressure conditions in two-phase conditions below the cloud point. The invention can involve a continuous system with optional recycle.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to a polyolefin polymer composition produced by copolymerizing one or more alpha-olefins and one or more di-olefin monomers in the presence of at least one stereospecific metallocene catalyst system and at least one non-stereospecific metallocene catalyst system. The polymer composition so produced contains amorphous polymer segments and crystalline polymer segments in which at least some of the segments are crosslinked. Both the amorphous and the crystalline polymer segments are copolymers of one or more alpha-olefins and one or more di-olefin monomers. Crosslinking of at least a portion of the mixture of polymer segments is accomplished during the polymerization of the composition by incorporation of single di-olefin comonomers into two polymer segments.

Abstract: Provided are articles such as packaging materials and medical devices having enhanced tolerance to radiation and heat, produced from a blend of from about 99% to about 50% by weight homo or copolymerized polypropylene and about 1% to about 50% by weight polyethylene produced by single-site catalysis, such polyethylene having a MWD between about 1 and about 4, and a CDBI greater than about 45%. Optionally, other blend components may be added, such as hindered amine stabilizers, secondary antioxidants, clarifying nucleators and secondary antioxidants. Also provided are processes for producing such articles.

Abstract: Emulsion delivery systems for applying anti-stick additives to polymer particles, provide free-flowing particles of polymers or polymer blends, that without the anti-stick additives tend to agglomerate. The agglomeration presents storage and handling difficulties. The anti-stick additives are selected from the group consisting of primary amides, secondary amides, ethylene bisamides, waxes, talc and silica.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a branched olefin copolymer derived from olefinically unsaturated monomers capable of insertion polymerization having A) a T.sub.g as measured by DSC less than or equal to 10.degree. C.; B) T.sub.m greater than 80.degree. C.; C) an elongation at break of greater than or equal to 300%; D) a tensile strength of greater than or equal to 1,500 psi (10,300 kPa); and E) an elastic recovery of greater than or equal to 50%. The invention also relates to process for preparing the invention composition comprising: A) polymerizing ethylene or propylene and optionally, one or more copolymerizable monomers in a polymerization reaction under conditions sufficient to form copolymer having greater than 40% chain end-group unsaturation; B) copolymerizing the product of A) with ethylene and one or more comonomers so as to prepare said branched olefin copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the mineral composition of an unknown material using both a fuzzy classification system and a confidence measure of substances identified by the fuzzy classification system. The method can be adapted for identification of pore space and sample points containing more than one material.

Abstract: Melt processed linear polyethylenes which may optionally contain an elastomer, are shown to exhibit improved processability through the addition of certain surfactants. Among the melt processing parameters improved are reduced head pressure, reduced torque, reduced motor load, reduced or eliminated melt fracture, or combinations of these parameters. The surfactants can be chosen from a non-aromatic alkyl sulfonate or sulfate salt wherein a cation of the salt is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Li, and other alkali cations and quaternary ammonium cations, said surfactant being essentially free of halogens.

Abstract: The invention is a polyethylene composition having a polydispersity index of less than or equal to 3, an average branching index (g') as measured by GPC/Vis.gtoreq.0.9, and a melt strength (MS) (centiNewton, 190.degree. C.) that satisfies the relationship: ##EQU1## In a preferred embodiment these polyethylene compositions comprise A) branched polyethylene copolymers prepared by insertion polymerization of ethylene, ethylene-containing macromers, and optionally, additional copolymerizable monomers, and B) essentially linear ethylene copolymers. Improved melt strength without sacrificing the benefits of narrow polydispersity index are exhibited by the invention compositions.