Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high melt flow rate thermoplastic compositions that have improved impact and bruise-resistance properties and to the thermoplastic composition that are produced by the process of the instant invention. Specifically, the process comprises the steps of precontacting a non-crosslinked elastomeric polymeric component with a peroxide compound at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the peroxide and below the melting point of the non-crosslinked polymeric component to produce a peroxide adsorbed polymeric component; and melt mixing the aforementioned peroxide adsorbed polymeric component with a high propylene content polymeric component selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of propylene, block copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and thermoplastic olefin polymers at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the peroxide.

Abstract: Adhesive blends especially suitable for adhesion to one or more polypropylene substrates consisting essentially of a mixture of a modified impact copolymer and a graft reaction product of a propylene polymer and a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof are disclosed. Composite structures incorporating such blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flame retardant and abrasion resistant crosslinkable compositions useful as insulation for wire and cable are provided. The compositions contain an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl ester content of 5 to 12 wt. %, a halogenated compound, antimony trioxide and an organic peroxide. Use of specific halogenated compounds, particularly brominated aromatic compounds, with low vinyl acetate content ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers yield products which are highly resistant to abrasion after crosslinking.

Abstract: A polymeric composition including a first copolymer of ethylene and a higher .alpha.-olefin having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, said first copolymer having a density of between 0.880 g/cc. and about 0.949 g/cc. and a melt index of between about 0.01 and about 100, present in the polymeric composition in a concentration of between about 60% and about 95% by weight; and a second copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate having a vinyl acetate content of at least about 28% by weight, based on the total weight of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said second copolymer present in a concentration of between about 5% and about 40% by weight, said percentages by weight based on the total weight of the polymeric composition. This polymeric composition is particularly useful when fabricated into a film, which has excellent impact strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flame retardant insulation and jacketing compositions useful for wire and cable products which exhibit improved adhesion to the metal conductor. This is achieved by the use of a specific stabilizer package comprised of three specific antioxidants and by varying their relative proportions. The compositions are based on ethylene-vinyl esters and ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers and are formulated with a hydrated inorganic filler, an alkoxy silane, a crosslinking agent and the three-component stabilizer package. Antioxidants utilized for the three-component stabilizer package include tetrakis[methylene(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)]methane, pentaerythritol tetrakis(betalaurylthiopropionate) and thiodiethylene bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to in-situ reactor-fill polyolefins. More specifically, the instant invention provides a process to reactor-fill polyolefins comprising the steps of (a) adding a sufficient amount of alpha-olefin to a filler prior to using the filler for in-situ polymerization; (b) prepolymerizing the mixture of step (a) by contacting the treated filler in random order of no specific sequence with a high activity polymerization catalyst, a cocatalyst, and, if necessary a cocatalyst modifier; and (c) adding an alpha-olefin under olefin polymerization reaction conditions to the reaction product of step (b) to form a reactor-filled composite. The prepolymerization step results in the formation of a sticky prepolymer on the surface and in the pores of the filler.The present invention further relates to reactor-filled polyolefin composites obtained from the process of the present invention.

Abstract: Catalysts useful in olefin polymerization are a mixture of (a) a titanium-containing compound which is (i) Ti(Z.sup.1).sub.t (OZ.sup.2).sub.p-t, (ii) the product of reacting Z.sup.3 --Mg--N(--Z.sup.5)--Si(Z.sup.4).sub.3 or Z.sup.3 --Mg--N(--Z.sup.5)--Si(Z.sup.4).sub.2 --N(--Z.sup.5)--Mg--Z.sup.3 with Ti(Z.sup.1).sub.t (OZ.sup.2).sub.p-t, or (iii) the product of reacting Mg metal, Mg dihalide and Ti(OZ.sup.2).sub.4, wherein Z.sup.1 is halide, Z.sup.2 is C.sub.1-18 hydrocarbyl, p is 3-4, t is 0-p, and Z.sup.3, Z.sup.4 and Z.sup.5 can be C.sub.1-18 alkyl or C.sub.6-14 aryl, and Z.sup.4 can be hydrogen, and Z.sup.5 can be --Si(Z.sup.4).sub.3 ; (b) one or more of V(X.sup.2).sub.c (OR.sup.2).sub.b-c, VO(X.sup.3).sub.d (OR.sup.3).sub.3-d, or VO(X.sup.4).sub.2, wherein X.sup.2, X.sup.3 and X.sup. 4 are halogen, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are C.sub.1-18 hydrocarbyl, b is 3-4, c is 0-b, and d is 0-3; and (c) Zn(X.sup.1).sub.2.2Al(R.sup.1).sub.3 and/or both of Zn(X.sup.1).sub.2 and one or more of M(R.sup.5).sub.e (X.sup.5).

Abstract: Improved flame retardant moisture curable insulation compositions are comprised of an ethylene-alkoxysilane copolymer, a halogenated anhydride and antimony trioxide provided. The compositions have good processability and can be moisture cured to provide products which meet all of the requirements for SAE J-1128 low tension primary cable. The halogenated anhydride imparts flame retardancy to the compositions and also promotes cure by catalyzing the hydrolysis/condensation reaction of the silane copolymer. Optionally there may be included in the composition antioxidants, silanol condensation catalysts, organic halogen containing flame retardant compounds and other conventional compounding ingredients.

Abstract: A catalyst useful in the polymerization of olefins, especially ethylene, is disclosed. The catalyst is obtained by admixing a zinc composition, a zirconium composition and a vanadium composition. The catalyst may be combined with a co-catalyst and, optionally, a modifier to yield an olefin polymerization system. The catalyst exhibits extremely high activity, good hydrogen response and produces polymers having broad molecular weight distribution ("MWD") and manifesting bimodal MWD profile.

Abstract: Improved two-component blends which exhibit good adhesion to 4-methylpentene-1 polymers and vinyl alcohol polymers and which may be used as an adhesive interlayer when laminating layers of the polymers are provided. Ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers, preferably ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymers, and modified propylene polymers, preferably maleic anhydride grafted statistical propylene-ethylene copolymers and propylene-ethylene impact copolymers, are combined to obtain the blends of the invention. Useful laminated structures comprised of a layer of poly-4 -methylpentene-1 homopolymer or copolymer, a layer of the adhesive blend and a layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with one or more optional layers, such as a paperboard, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Highly functional grafted polymeric products of a predominantly propylene polymeric composition containing a thermoplastic ethylene-propylene copolymer and a carboxylic acid or derivative grafting monomer and having a desirably low melt flow rate, adhesive blends containing such grafted polymeric products, and composite structures incorporating the adhesive blends are provided. The grafted polymeric product may be prepared by melt grafting in the presence of a free radical generating catalyst and the substantial absence of solvent under shear and at a temperature selected to minimize or avoid premature decomposition of the catalyst and vaporization losses of the catalyst and monomer.

Abstract: A stationary plate assembly for a rheometer that selectively provides steady state and dynamic testing of melt viscoelastic characteristics of a material sample. The stationary plate assembly has a stationary sample plate magnetically coupled to its supporting member. Therefore, after the steady state testing is complete, the movable plate, material sample and stationary plate may be moved vertically away from the stationary plate supporting member. Therefore, any spurious, erratic rotations of the movable plate when the rheometer is switched form the steady state test mode to the dynamic test mode will not cause a further working of the material sample.

Abstract: A process for making a graft propylene copolymer in which a propylene polymer, selected from the group consisting of propylene homopolymers and propylene copolymers, is contacted with a polymerizable, unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid derivative in the presence of a coagent, having the structural formula (CH.sub.2 .dbd.CR.sup.1 CR.sup.2 R.sup.3.sub.x R, where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, halogen or a heterocyclic radical; x is an integer of 2 to 4; and R is a radical containing at least one atom of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus or silicon having a valence equal to the value of x, and a free radical generating compound. This contact occurs at a temperature above both the melting point of the propylene polymer and the decomposition temperature of the free radical generating compound.

Abstract: A process for making a graft propylene copolymer in which a propylene polymer, selected from the group consisting of propylene homopolymers and propylene copolymers, is contacted with a polymerizable, unsaturated carboxylic acid or acid derivative in the presence of a coagent, said coagent selected from the group consisting of a first compound having the structural formula ##STR1## where R is a hydrocarbyl or a radical containing at least one atom of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or aryl; and x is an integer of 1 to 4, and a second compound having the structural formula ##STR2## where R' is a hydrocarbyl or a radical containing at least one atom of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.1 2 alkyl or aryl; and y is an integer of 2 to 4, and a free radical generating compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fractional melt flow rate powders wherein the particles are substantially spherical in shape and range in size from about 10 up to about 200 microns. The invention also relates to a process whereby a dispersible olefin copolymer resin can be converted into a microfine powder with reduced melt index. The process entails dispersing a molten olefin copolymer resin containing silane functionality in a liquid medium in the presence of a nonionic surfactant and catalyst and, after the melt flow rate is reduced to the desired level, cooling the dispersion to below the melt point of the olefin polymer.

Abstract: Improved two-component blends which exhibit good adhesion to 4-methylpentene-1 polymers and vinyl alcohol polymers and which may be used as an adhesive interlayer when laminating layers of the polymers are provided. Ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers, preferably ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymers, and modified propylene polymers, preferably maleic anhydride grafted statistical propylene-ethylene copolymers and propylene-ethylene impact copolymers, are combined to obtain the blends of the invention. Useful laminated structures comprised of a layer of poly-4-methylpentene-1 homopolymer or copolymer, a layer of the adhesive blend and a layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with one or more optional layers, such as a paperboard, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fractional melt flow rate powders wherein the particles are substantially spherical in shape and range in size from about 10 up to about 200 microns. The invention also relates to a process whereby a dispersible olefin copolymer resin can be converted into a microfine powder with reduced melt index. The process entails dispersing a molten olefin copolymer resin containing silane functionality in a liquid medium in the presence of a nonionic surfactant and catalyst and, after the melt flow rate is reduced to the desired level, cooling the dispersion to below the melt point of the olefin polymer.

Abstract: A bimodal silica gel particle, its method of preparation and its use as a catalyst support in the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The bimodal silica gel particle exhibits a bimodal pore radius distribution, wherein the silica gel particle has a first average pore radius and a second average pore radius differing by at least about 20 .ANG.. The bimodal silica gel particle is useful as a support for a transition metal-based catalyst to provide a polyolefin having a broad or bimodal molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Tough, puncture- and tear-resistant films having a high degree of flexibility and softness are provided. The monolayer and multilayer films of the invention are obtained using copolymers of propylene with 8 to 40 weight percent ethylene produced by gas phase polymerization of the monomers in dual reactors. The films will have a 1% secant modulus from 5,000 psi to 70,000 psi. Melting points of these films are higher than that of low density polyethylene and, most generally, in the range 125.degree. C. to 160.degree. C.

Abstract: Improved filled silane copolymer compositions resistant to premature crosslinking during compounding and storage but which are readily hydrolyzed and undergo cure in the presence of silanol condensation catalyst are provided. The compositions are comprised of random copolymers of ethylene and vinyltriethoxysilane and contain relatively high levels of particulate fillers. Rubbery ethylene copolymers are included with the silane copolymer to produce compositions with superior physical properties. The invention also relates to the method of crosslinking these compositions by combining the filled silane copolymer compositions with a second component which has a silanol condensation catalyst dispersed in a polymer resin.