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.

Abstract: This invention is for LLDPE blends with an ethylene-norbornene copolymer for resins and improved toughness and processibility for film production. This invention provides LLDPE based resins which are significantly improved with respect to their capability to be fabricated into a film layer, particularly by a blown bubble extrusion technique. Films prepared of the LLDPE/E-NB melt blended resins of this invention are significantly improved with respect to certain of their film properties, such as tear strength, without detracting from the beneficial properties that a LLDPE otherwise provides to a film.

Abstract: The described invention provides a low fouling, high particle density polymerization process and an olefin polymerization catalyst composition comprising the reaction product of a) an organic polymeric support i) having a surface area of from about 1 to 10 m.sup.2 /g and ii) functionalized with an acidic proton-containing ammonium salt of a non-coordinating anion, and b) an organometallic transition metal compound having ancillary ligands, at least one labile ligand capable of abstraction by protonation by said ammonium salt and at least one labile ligand into which an olefinic monomer can insert for polymerization. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric support has a surface area of .ltoreq.10 m.sup.2 /g and is particularly suitable for use with high activity organometallic, transition metal catalyst compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing substantially random olefin copolymers containing geminally disubstituted olefin monomers is described. The geminally disubstituted olefin monomers can be represented by the generic formula R.sub.1 =R.sub.2 (R.sub.3)(R.sub.4), where R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2, R.sub.2 is C, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are, independently, essentially linear hydrocarbyl groups having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or more, and containing one carbon atom bound directly to R.sub.2. The copolymers can be prepared by contacting at least one geminally disubstituted olefin monomer and one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of ethylene and C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 .alpha.-olefins, optionally with one or more other coordination polymerizable monomers, with a active coordination catalyst system comprising a bridged bis(arylamido) Group 4 catalyst component.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports made by spray drying an emulsion polymerized latex and the novel supported catalysts utilizing these supports. This invention further relates to a method for forming supported catalysts by spray drying a latex of microparticles containing catalyst or catalyst components. The polymizerable monomers used in the latex are e.g. styrenes, vinyl benzenes, vinyl cyclohexane and vinyl cyclohexene and can form homo- or copolymers which may be crosslinked. The catalysts supported include metallocenes as well as Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Processes of polymerizing olefins using such catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A low melt viscosity hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition having enhanced tack properties is provided. The composition is based on an S-I-S block copolymer having polystyrene and polyisoprene block segments blended with a petroleum tackier resin which is the Friedel Crafts polymerization product of (i) a cracked petroleum feed containing C.sub.5 olefins and diolefins or a mixture of C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 olefins and dioelefins copolymerized with (ii) from about 5 to 15% by weight of a monovinyl aromatic monomer having 8 or 9 carbon atoms, e.g., styrene. The composition optionally also includes a polystyrene--polyisoprene diblock copolymer and a processing oil. The composition may be readily applied as solvent-free melt to various substrates using coating die technology because of its low melt viscosity at coating temperatures.

Abstract: The invention addresses Group 5 metal compounds suitable as polymerization catalysts characterized by comprising one Group 15 element polyanionic ancillary ligand and three single or multidentate univalent ligands comprising Group 14-16 elements bound to the Group 5 metal, but excluding cyclopentadienyl ligands. The invention Group 5 metal compounds can be generically represented by the chemical symbols(1) ?RJ!MR'.sub.3, and(2) ?(RJ)Zn(Q)!MR'.sub.2where M is a Group 5 transition metal, preferably vanadium; J is a Group 15 heteroatom ligand covalently bound to M, preferably nitrogen; R is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, hydrocarbyl or organometalloid group covalently bound to J; each R' is, independently, a uninegative ligand, e.g.

Abstract: Rubbery, amorphous cyclic olefin/.alpha.-olefin copolymers in a molar ratio from 5/95 to 30/70. The copolymers are rubbery and have the general properties of thermoplastic elastomers, e.g. good elastic recovery, toughness, and high elasticity, and have a relatively low glass transition temperature (Tg) to avoid brittleness and hardness under normal use temperature. The copolymers also have a high molecular weight, a narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform, random comonomer distribution to impart a rubbery loss modulus plateau over the temperature range from Tg to above 100.degree. C., and are optionally lightly crosslinked or plasticized to further extend their useful temperature range.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytic hydrogenation processes for hydrocarbon molecules of number-average molecular weight greater than about 180, and to use therein of an inert catalyst support comprising porous refractory substrate particles having: a) a pore volume distribution wherein i) pores having diameters >150,000 .ANG. constitute greater than about 2% of the total volume, ii) pores having diameters >20,000 .ANG. and <150,000 .ANG. constitute greater than about 1% of the total volume, iii) pores having diameters >2,000 .ANG. and <20,000 .ANG. constitute greater than about 12% of the total volume; and, b) a total pore volume of from about 45% to 86% of the total volume of the substrate particles. Using the invention increased resin productivity of 150% or more can be achieved in industrial operations.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed toward a catalyst system useful for polymerizing olefins. The catalyst system of this invention comprises a supported ion-exchange catalyst system.

Abstract: A low melt viscosity, hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition having enhanced tack properties is provided. The composition is based on an S-I-S block copolymer having polystyrene and polyisoprene block segments blended with a petroleum tackifier resin which is a blend of a C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 aromatic modified aliphatic petroleum resin and a hydrogenated, alicyclic monomer containing hydrocarbon resin. The composition optionally also includes a polystyrene-polyisoprene diblock copolymer and a processing oil. The composition may be readily applied as solvent-free melt to various substrates using coating die technology because of its low melt viscosity at coating temperatures.

Abstract: This invention is a solution process for the preparation of ethylene-.alpha.-olefin/diolefin copolymers comprising contacting ethylene, one or more .alpha.-olefin monomer, and optionally one or more diene monomer, with a catalyst system containing a catalyst activator and a Group 4 metallocene compound, comprising a) conducting the polymerization reaction at a temperature of about 60.degree. to 150.degree. C.; b) selecting as the Group 4 metallocene compound one or more members of the group consisting of cyclic monocyclopentadienyl Group 4 metal and covalently bridged (bis)indenyl hafnium metallocene compounds; and c) maintaining the .alpha.-olefin concentration at a molar ratio to that of ethylene of between about 0.3 to 7.0 and a diolefin to ethylene molar ratio of between about 0.01 and 0.4. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises: 1) mixing with a reaction solvent the one or more .alpha.

Abstract: An ionic catalyst system component comprising a water-stable anion having a plurality of lipophilic radicals covalently coordinated to and shielding a central, formal charge bearing metal or metalloid atom, in which the lipophilic radicals of the anion include substituted aromatic radicals useful for polymerizing olefins, diolefins, or acetylenically unsaturated monomers, either alone or in combination with each other or with other polymerizable monomers is disclosed. A method of using the anion to stabilize ionic catalyst systems during polymerization is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin of a softening point from 75.degree. to 110.degree. C. having an Mw/Mn of less than 2 as determined by GPC, an aromaticity level of from 15 to 25%, and a melt viscosity in mPa.s at a shear rate of 50 sec.sup.-1 of less than 500 mPa.s, preferably less than 300 mPa.s at 160 .degree. C.

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: The present invention relates to polymeric composition of a first copolymer which includes at least one copolymer having at least one of Mw/Mn less than 2 and Mz/Mw less than 1.8; and a second copolymer having Mw/Mn greater than or equal to 2. The composition can be produced by preparing the first and second copolymers in different reactors and blending them. The blend can also be produced in a single reactor by initiating the reaction to prepare one copolymer, and adding additional reactants, or recycling the reaction mixture, during the reaction to produce the other copolymer.