Abstract: A gypsum composition containing a sulfonate-containing comb-branched copolymer is disclosed. The sulfonate-containing comb-branched copolymer comprises recurring units of a polyether macromonomer, an acrylic monomer, and a sulfonate monomer. The sulfonate-containing comb-branched copolymer not only increases the fluidity of gypsum slurry but also has reduced retardation on the gypsum setting.

Abstract: An essentially transparent, high density polyethylene film is disclosed. The film has a haze of 20% or less, a gloss of 40% or greater, and density within the range of 0.935 to 0.948 g/cc. The film is made by a high-stalk blown extrusion process and then uniaxially oriented in the machine direction.

Abstract: A dual olefin polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a bridged indenoindolyl ligand-containing Group 4 transition metal complex and an activator. It is carried out in multiple stages or in multiple reactors. The same complex and the same activator are used in all stages or reactors. Different polyolefins are made in different stages or reactors by varying the monomer compositions, hydrogen concentrations, or both. The process of the invention produces polyolefins which have broad molecular weight distributions, composition distributions, or both.

Abstract: A process for making dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-containing polyesters is disclosed. The process comprises reacting 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol with maleic anhydride to form an acid terminated prepolymer and then reacting the prepolymer with a low grade DCPD to form DCPD-containing polyesters. The reaction of the prepolymer with DCPD is catalyzed by a transition metal triflate catalyst.

Abstract: A single-site catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a transition metal complex, an activator, and an allylic alcohol-containing polymer. The catalyst has high activity and great capability to incorporate higher ?-olefins into polyethylene. The polyethylene produced has high molecular weight and low density.

Abstract: An acrylic emulsion is disclosed. The emulsion comprises from about 30% to about 90% by weight of water, about 10% to about 70% by weight of an acrylic polymer, about 0.2% to about 10% by weight of a emulsifying agent, and up to 20% by weight of an organic solvent. The acrylic polymer contains from about 20% to about 80% by weight of recurring units of t-butyl acrylate or methacrylate. Latex coatings formulated from the acrylic emulsion show significantly improved resistance to moisture and corrosion.

Abstract: A UV-curable composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a crosslinking agent, a hydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, and an acrylic polyol. The crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of multifunctional isocyanates, melamines, and silanes. The acrylic polyol comprises recurring units of an allylic alcohol. The composition can be irradiated to be solidified and then fully cured by the urethane, melamine, or silane reactions. Alternatively, the composition can be cured by the urethane, melamine, or silane reactions, and then fully cured by radiation. The invention provides low VOC but high performance coatings. More importantly, the invention provides a UV-curable system without the need for acrylated oligomers.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing unsaturated monomers is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing, in the presence of a late transition metal catalyst (LTMC), a variety of unsaturated monomers which are traditionally, some of which are exclusively, made by free radical polymerizations. The LTMC polymerization provides the polymer with improved properties such as no free radical residue and narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyethylene thin films is disclosed. The process comprises extruding a blend that comprises a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and a high molecular weight, high density polyethylene (HMW-HDPE) or high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW-MDPE). The blend has an LLDPE/HMW-HDPE or HMW-MDPE weight ratio at least 50/50. The blend is extruded through an annular die to form a molten material tube. The molten material tube is then pulled around a flexible internal orientation device (FIOD) to form the film. The FIOD makes it possible to prepare polyethylene thin films from LLDPE-rich LLDPE/HMW-HDPE or HMW-MDPE blends on a high stalk film line. The films have increased machine-direction (MD) tears.

Abstract: A method for modifying a high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-clay nanocomposite is disclosed. The method comprises shearing a melt of the nanocomposite at an effective shear rate. The modified nanocomposite shows significantly increased complex melt viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus.

Abstract: A multi-catalyst system is disclosed. The catalyst system comprises catalyst A and catalyst B. Catalyst A comprises a supported bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex. Catalyst B comprises a supported non-bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex. The catalyst system of the invention produces polyolefins which have bi- or multi-modal molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A process for making olefin-acrylic copolymers is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing an olefin and an acrylic monomer in the presence of an activator and a Group 8-10 late transition metal complex. The late transition metal catalyst contains an isoindoline ligand.

Abstract: A modified aluminoxane is disclosed. Aluminoxane compounds are modified with glycol ethers or polyethers. The modified aluminoxanes are effective activators for single-site catalysts. Catalyst activated with the modified aluminoxane produces polyolefin with increased melt flow index, broadened molecular weight distribution, and improved thermal processability.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a comb-branched copolymer of an acrylic monomer and a polyether macromonomer is disclosed. The process is performed by continuously feeding a reaction zone with a monomer stream that contains an acrylic acid and a polyether macromonomer, and an initiator stream. The comb-branched copolymer made thereby performs better as water reducing agent in cement compared to that made by a batch process.

Abstract: A new method for preparing lithium phosphate catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises precipitating a lithium phosphate from a mixture comprising a first aqueous solution which contains lithium and sodium ions and a second aqueous solution which contains phosphate and borate ions. The resultant lithium phosphate catalyst has increased activity and selectivity in the isomerization of an alkylene oxide to the corresponding allylic alcohol.

Abstract: A method for producing propylene polymers having a broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) is disclosed. The method uses a Ziegler catalyst and one silane donor. The silane donor is selected from vinyltrimethoxysilane or dicyclohexyldimethoxysilane. The polymers made by the method have an MWD greater than or equal to 7.0.

Abstract: Allyl carbamates are disclosed. The allyl carbamates are prepared by reacting an isocyanate with an allylic alcohol or alkoxylated allylic alcohol. Suitable isocyanates are selected from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), HDI biuret, dimer, HDI trimer, HDI allophanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), IPDI trimer, IPDI allophanate, bis(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, and mixtures thereof. The allyl carbamates have at least two allyl functional groups per molecule. UV-curable and air-drying coatings formulated from the allyl carbamates show excellent chemical resistance and physical properties.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW, MDPE) is disclosed. The polyethylene comprises from about 85 to about 98 wt % of recurring units of ethylene and about 2 to about 15 wt % of a C3-C10 &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI2 from about 0.01 to about 0.5 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio MFR from about 50 to about 300. It has a multimodal molecular weight distribution comprising a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component. The low molecular weight component has an MI2 from about 50 to about 600 dg/min and a density from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc. A process for making the medium density polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler catalyst and applies multiple reaction zones.

Abstract: An olefin polymerization process is disclosed. The polymerization is performed in the presence of a clay, an activator, and a transition metal complex that has at least one pyridine moiety-containing ligand. The presence of clay increases the catalyst activity. The process is suitable for making ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE). The UHMWPE produced has increased bulk density.

Abstract: A method for making a low-yellowing acrylic polyol is disclosed. The acrylic polyol has an APHA color increase less than 100% when it is mixed with 1.5 wt % of an UV light stabilizer. The method comprises free radically copolymerizing an allylic alcohol, an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, and optionally a vinyl comonomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl aromatic, vinyl ethers, and vinyl esters in an initiator concentration less than or equal to 0.8 wt % of the total amount of monomers.