Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst systems, and a method for using such system, for the enhanced production of homo and copolymer products of olefin, diolefin and/or acetylenically unsaturated monomers. This invention catalyst system comprises a Group III-A element compound for improving the productivity of an olefin polymerization catalyst which is the reaction product of a metallocene of a Group IV-B transition metal and an ionic activator compound comprising a cation capable of donating a proton which will irreversibly react with at least one ligand contained in the Group IV-B metal compound and an anion which is bulky, labile and noncoordinateable with the Group IV transition metal cation produced upon reaction of the metallocene and activator compound to form the catalyst component of the catalyst system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing high elongation elastomers and highly oriented films and fibers from polymers having specific associative groups, such that the end groups on each macromolecule tend to associate with one another after the macromolecules are in a disentangled state, i.e., in the form of a semi-dilute solution. This association is of a force strong enough to prevent the macromolecular chains from slipping past one another and reentangling when the polymer is moderately heated or further concentrated in solution. The association may be manipulated, i.e., is reversible, under a change in parameter such as temperature, pH, polarity of the solvent medium and like parameters. The associated polymer macromolecules can be drawn as a gel from a semi-dilute solution into a highly aligned disentangled polymer to yield shaped articles.

Abstract: Dispersions of hydrophobic substance e.s. resin emulsions, usually having a relatively low average particle size can be continuously and speedily prepared by feed a hydrophobic substance in the liquid state into at least two static mixers, arranged in a series. The resin is introduced at a temperature above 50 degrees C. but below its degradation temperature of hydrophobic substance and water under pressure is introduced into the first mixer. The mixture of resin and water is passed to another mixer maintained at a temperature lower than that prevailing in the first mixer and below the boiling point of water. Optionally aqueous solution of surfactant under pressure instead of water is introduced into the first mixer and optionally aqueous surfactant is introduced into the second mixer.

Abstract: An adhesive is disclosed. The adhesive is a blend of a tackifier and a polymer, having an elastomeric main chain and incorporating thermoplastic macromonomer side chain grafts, which can exhibit enhanced shear thinning and allow spray application of the adhesive onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the polymer main chain comprises a polymer of an isoolefin having about 4 to about 7 carbon atoms and a para-alkylstyrene, and the side chains comprise a grafted macromonomer, such as a terminally functionalized polystyryl chain of very narrow molecular weight distribution, attached to the para-alkyl group of the para-alkylstyrene. In another embodiment, the polymer comprises a polyolefin main chain and a norbornene terminated macromolecule copolymerized to introduce the side chains.

Abstract: The invention is a supported catalyst system including an inert support material, a Group IV B transition metal component and an alumoxane component which may be employed to polymerize olefins to produce a high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided which is especially suited for use in stretch/cling applications such as, for example, the bundling, packaging and unitizing of foods and other goods. The film comprises a cling layer comprising a polymer of at least ethylene and acrylate and a non-cling layer comprising a polyolefin. One or both surfaces of the film are partially fluorinated to substantially increase the film cling and inhibit blocking.

Abstract: A thermoplastic olefin comprising an alloy of an olefin copolymer elastomer and a propylene/comonomer random copolymer is provided. The comonomer is selected from one or more of ethylene and C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefins. Polypropylene is an optional component of the alloy. The alloy may be produced by melt blending, reactor blending or a combination thereof, of the various components.

Abstract: There are provided enantiomerically enhanced chiral substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands and compounds thereof, and a process for their making comprising contacting a substituted fulvene or derivative thereof with an enantiomerically enhanced or pure nucleophile having at least one chiral center. There are further provided enantiomerically enhanced chiral organometallic complexes having one or more chiral substituted cyclopentadienyl groups.

Abstract: The viscous and elastic components of a viscoelastic melt, for example a polymer melt, are examined to provide information useful in quality control in the process for the manufacture of the material. Measurement of the entrance pressure drop exhibited by the viscoelastic fluid when forced through a narrow die is shown to be an effective means of preparing polymers of differentiated property characteristics despite otherwise being similar in terms of commonly measured properties of molecular weight and melt index.

Abstract: Ionic catalyst compositions can be prepared by combining two components. The first component is a bis(cyclopentadienyl) Group IV-B metal complex containing at least one ligand which will combine irreversibly with the second component or at least a portion thereof such as a cation portion thereof. The second component comprises a cation which will irreversibly react with at least one ligand on the Group IV-B metal complex and a non-coordinating anion. The combination of the two components produces an ionic catalyst composition comprising a cationic bis(cyclopentadienyl) Group IV-B metal complex which has a formal coordination number of 3 and a 4+ valence charge and the aforementioned non-coordinating anion.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization supported catalyst comprising the supported reaction product of at least one metallocene of a metal of Group IVB, VB, and VIB of the Periodic Table, a non-metallocene transition metal containing compound of a Group IVB, VB, or VIB metal and an alumoxane, said reaction product formed in the presence of the support. The supported product is highly useful for the polymerization of olefins especially ethylene and especially for the copolymerization of ethylene and other mono and diolefins.

Abstract: A polyketone having a molecular weight greater than 1,000 and containing 0.01 to 50 mole percent carbonyl groups is contacted directly with an organic peroxyacid to produce a polyester. The polyketone is in a single homogenous phase during the oxidation process and may be in either solid or liquid form.In a preferred embodiment, a molten polyketone is contacted with an organic peroxyacid in a reactive extrusion process to produce polyester pellets.

Abstract: Acrylic copolymer compositions which contain a tackifying hydrocarbon resin and a polyfunctional crosslinking monomer and the use of such composition in pressure-sensitive adhesives are described. The tackifying hydrocarbon resin is dissolved, as is the polyfunctional monomer, in a solution of alkyl(meth)acrylate and (meth) acrylic acid monomers and is present during the polymerization of the monomers to form a tackified acrylic copolymer.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided which is especially suited for use in stretch/cling applications such as, for example, the bundling, packaging and unitizing of foods and other goods. The film comprises a cling layer comprising a polymer of at least ethylene and 2-40 wt % acrylate having a ratio of M.sub.w /M.sub.n less than about 3.5, a ratio of M.sub.z /M.sub.w less than about 3, a melt index of about 0.1-30 dg/min, and a melt index swell ratio less than about 1.6, preferably without a tackifying additive. The film may further comprise a non-cling layer comprising a thermoplastic preferably essentially free of anticling (slip and/or antiblock) additive. Preferred thermoplastic materials include polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention is a catalyst system including a Group IV B transition metal component and an alumoxane component which may be employed to polymerize olefins to produce a high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: Acrylic copolymer PSA compositions having enhanced peel strength without substantially decreasing shear properties have been formulated by homogeneously incorporating the tackifying resin into the polymer matrix. The tackifying resin is dissolved into a solution of alkyl (meth) acrylate and (meth) acrylic acid monomers prior to polymerization. To enhance the molecular weight of the resultant PSA, the monomer/tackifier solution is emulsion polymerized in the absence of chain transfer agents, such as antioxidant additives typically found in commercially available tackifiers, and allylic hydrogen present in many unsuitable tackifiers.

Abstract: A copolymer of trans-1,4-hexadiene and propylene, and a method for its preparation. The copolymer is isotactic, essentially free of cis-1,4-hexadiene, and contains from 0.01 to 5 mole percent 1,4-hexadiene. The copolymer is radiation-stabilized against molecular weight degradation, and cross-links to form gel upon exposure to radiation. The copolymer is prepared by contacting a mixture of propylene and 1,4-hexadiene essentially free of cis-1,4-hexadiene with a coordination catlyst, e.g. Ziegler-Natta catalyst, under copolymerization conditions. Hydrogen is used to moderate the molecular weight of the copolymer and enhance the catalyst activity.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided which is especially suited for use in stretch/cling applications such as, for example, the bundling, packaging and unitizing of foods and other goods. The film comprises a cling layer comprising a polymer of at least ethylene and acrylate, preferably without a tackifying additive. The film further comprises a slip layer comprising a polyolefin preferably including an anticling (slip and/or antiblock) additive. Preferred polyolefins include linear low density polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is provided which is especially suited for use in stretch/cling applications such as, for example, the bundling, packaging and unitizing of foods and other goods. The film comprises a cling layer comprising (i) a non-cling polymer of at least ethylene and acrylate or vinyl acetate, blended with (ii) a compatible, non-migratory tackifier. The film may further comprise a non-cling layer comprising a polyolefin essentially free of tackifier, with or without an anticling (slip and/or antiblock) additive. Preferred polyolefins include linear low density polyethylene and polypropylene.

Abstract: A method for preparing a substrate coated or laminated with a multiblock copolymer comprising endblocks of phenylbutadiene and an elastomeric midblock of a conjugated diene such as isoprene or butadiene is disclosed. The copolymer is crosslinkable by EB radiation such that the crosslinks are confined primarily to the endblock domains in the polymer with minimal crosslinking occurring in the rubbery matrix. Also disclosed are blends of the copolymers with tackifier resins compatible with the midblock regions. The blends provide a curable PSA having enhanced cohesive strength while maintaining adhesive properties.