Abstract: Polyolefin compositions comprising: (A) 20 to 50 parts by weight of a particular propylene polymer having a MWD greater than 3.5; and (B) 50 to 80 parts by weight of an elastomeric ethylene copolymer having a low enthalpy of fusion and a narrow MWD. The compositions of the invention are capable of giving, after dynamic vulcanization, thermoplastic elastomeric products having optimum elastomeric properties and a good balance of physico-mechanical properties.

Abstract: Aromatic silane compounds containing at least an aromatic ring bound directly to the silicon atom, wherein the aromatic ring has at least one substituent located in the ortho position selected from C1-10 hydrocarbon groups, are useful as electron donors in olefin polymerization catalysts for the production of polyolefins having a stereoblock content of from about 7 to about 25%.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions for seal peel films, comprising (percent by weight): A) from 20 to 50% of HDPE, LDPE or EVA having MFR higher than 0.3 g/10 min; B) from 30 to 80% of a random copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or a C4-C8 ?-olefin, or of a polyolefin composition comprising not less than 20% of said random copolymer of propylene; C) from 0 to 20% of an elastomeric or elastomeric thermoplastic olefin polymer.

Abstract: Supported catalysts for the polymerization of olefins comprise the following components: (A) a porous organic support functionalised with groups having active hydrogen atoms; (B) an organo-metallic compound of aluminium containing heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur; and (C) a compound of a transition metal selected from those of groups IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements, containing ligands of the cyclopentadienyl type. These supported catalysts, obtainable in the form of spherical particles, can be used in the polymerization reaction of olefins either in liquid or in gas phase, thus producing polymers endowed with a controlled morphology and with a high bulk density.

Abstract: “HEAT-SHRINKABLE FILMS BASED ON POLYOLEFIN COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING: (I) A LINEAR COPOLYMER OF ETHYLENE WITH ONE OR MORE &agr;-OLEFINS (LLDPE); (II) A COPOLYMER OF PROPYLENE HAVING A PARTICULAR COMPOSITION AND CHARACTERISTICS. THE FILMS ARE CHARACTERIZED BY GOOD OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES, IN PARTICULAR A HIGH TEAR RESISTANCE.

Abstract: A class of metallocene compounds is disclosed having general formula (I) wherein Y is a moiety of formula (II) wherein A, B, and D, same or different from each other, are selected from an element of the groups 14 to 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), with the exclusion of nitrogen and oxygen; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups, Z is selected from a moiety of formula (II) as described above and from a moiety of formula (III) wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9, are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups; L is a divalent bridging group; M is an atom of a transition metal selected from those belonging to group 3, 4, 5, 6 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups in the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), X, same or different, is hydrogen, a halogen, a R10, OR10, OSO2CF3, OCOR10, SR10, NR102 or PR102 group, wherein the substituents R10 are hydrogen or alkyl groups; p is an integer of from 1 to 3, being equal to the oxidation state of the metal M minus 2.

Abstract: A class of metallocene compounds having two cyclopentadienyl rings bridged by an alkylidene group is disclosed. These metallocene compounds can be suitably used as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins. In particular, by polymerising propylene in the presence of a catalyst based on these metallocene compounds, polymers having very high isotactic indexes, high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions can be obtained in high yields.

Abstract: Catalysts for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed, which comprise the product obtained by contacting: (A) a bridged and/or substituted cyclopentadienyl compound of titanium, zirconium or hafnium; (B) an organometallic aluminium compound of the formula: Al(CH2—CR4R5—CR6R7R8)wR9qHz wherein R4 is a C1-C10 alkyl, alkenyl, or arylalkyl group; R5 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 alkyl, alkenyl, or arylalkyl group; R6 and R7 are C1-C10 alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups; R8 is hydrogen or a C1-C10 alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl group; R9 is a C1-C10 alkyl, alkenyl, or arylalkyl group, a carbon atom in the compound of formula (II) being optionally replaced by a Si or Ge atom; w is 1-3, z is 0 or 1, q=3−w−z, and (C) water; the molar ratio (B)/(C) being comprised between 1:1 and 100:1. These catalysts show an improved activity with respect to known catalysts, wherein different aluminium compounds are used.

Abstract: A class of metallocene compounds having two cyclopentadienyl rings bridged by an alkylidene group is disclosed. These metallocene compounds can be suitably used as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins. In particular, by polymerising propylene in the presence of a catalyst based on these metallocene compounds, polymers having very high isotactic indexes, high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions can be obtained in high yields.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for preparing ethylene (co)polymers having broad molecular weight distributions is disclosed, said process comprising: (A) a first polymerization stage in which, in the presence of a Ti or V catalyst, a first ethylene polymer is prepared; (B) a treatment stage in which the catalyst used in the first stage is deactivated and in which a bridged bis-2-indenyl zirconocene is supported on the ethylene polymer produced in stage (A), optionally in the presence of a suitable cocatalyst; and (C) a second polymerization stage in which ethylene is polymerized in the presence of the product obtained from stage (B). Furthermore, polyethylene obtainable by the above process is disclosed, having intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 dl/g, Mw/Mn>8 and cold xylene solubility<1.2 % wt.

Abstract: Catalysts for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed, comprising the product obtainable by contacting: (A) a bridged and/or substituted cyclopentadienyl compound of Ti, Zr or Hf; (B) one or more organometallic aluminium compounds of formula (II): AlR43−zHz wherein the substituents R4, same or different from each other, are linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C20 alkyl or alkylaryl radicals, optionally containing Si or Ge atoms, wherein at least one of the substituents R4 is different from a straight alkyl group; z is 0 or 1; and (C) water, the molar ratio between the organometallic aluminium compound and water being comprised between 1:1 and 100:1; said catalyst being obtainable by a process comprising the following steps: (i) contacting component (A) with part of component (B) in the absence of component (C); (ii) contacting part of component (B) with component (C) in the absence of component (A) and successively (iii) contacting the products obtained in steps (i) and (ii).

Abstract: The invention provides new prepolymerized catalyst components for the (co)polymerization of olefins CH2═CHR, wherein R is hydrogen or a C1-C12 alkyl group, characterized by comprising a solid catalyst component, comprising Ti, Mg, halogen and an electron donor compound, being capable of yielding, under standard polymerization conditions, a propylene homopolymer having an insolubility in xylene at 25° C. higher than 90%, which is prepolymerized with ethylene to such an extent that the amount of the ethylene prepolymer is up to 100 g per g of said solid catalyst component. These solid catalyst components display to obtain a high catalyst activity, a high isotactic index, and are not affected by aging.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material comprises a smectite clay having exhangeable cations that has been treated with at least one organic swelling agent, uniformly dispersed in a graft copolymer having a backbone of a porous propylene polymer material, to which is graft polymerized at least one grafting monomer capable of being polymerized by free radicals, wherein the total inorganic content of the composite material is about 0.5% to about 10%, based on the total weight of the composite. The nanocomposite material is made by graft polymerizing at least one liquid monomer capable of being polymerized by free radicals onto a porous propylene polymer material in a non-oxidizing environment in the presence of a smectite clay and an organic free radical polymerization initiator, whereby the chains of polymerized monomer that are formed intercalate the clay and produce a uniform dispersion of clay particles within the particulate propylene polymer material.

Abstract: A class of metallocenes of formula (I): (ZR1m)n(Cp)(A)rMLpL′q(I) wherein (ZR1m)n, is a divalent group bridging Cp and A, Cp is a heterocyclic cyclopentadienyl group of formula (II) or (II′), wherein one of X or Y is a single bond, the other being an heteroatom; R2 and R3 are hydrogen, halogen or a hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms; R4 is halogen or an hydrocarbon radical, optionally containing heteroatoms; the group A is a cyclopentadienyl derivative or is equal to Cp; M is Ti, Zr or Hf; m is 1 or 2; n ranges from 0 to 4; r is 0 or 1; p and q range from 0 to 3; and a ranges from 0 to 4. Moreover, are disclosed catalyst systems containing these metallocenes, useful in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: Ethylene based copolymers having high molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions, and a very good homogeneous distribution of the comonomer units can be obtained in high yields at temperatures of industrial interest, by carrying out the polymerization reaction in the presence of metallocene catalysts comprising particular bridged bis-indenyl compounds substituted in the 3-position on the indenyl groups.

Abstract: Amorphous copolymers of ethylene with propylene, and optionally with minor amounts of polyenes, have the following characteristics: (A) the % content by mole of propylene in the copolymer (%P) and the triads ratio EPE/(EPE+PPE+PPP) satisfy the following relationship: 0.01%P+EPE/(E?E+PPE+PPP)≧1 (B) less than 2% of the CH2 groups in the chain are in sequences (CH2)n, wherein n is an even number. These copolymers are obtainable by operating in the presence of particular metallocene catalysts having two fluorenyl groups joined together through a bridging group.

Abstract: Supported catalysts for the polymerization of olefins comprise the following components: (A) a porous organic support functionalised with groups having active hydrogen atoms; (B) an organo-metallic compound of aluminium containing heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur; and (C) a compound of a transition metal selected from those of groups IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements, containing ligands of the cyclopentadienyl type. These supported catalysts, obtainable in the form of spherical particles, can be used in the polymerization reaction of olefins either in liquid or in gas phase, thus producing polymers endowed with a controlled morphology and with a high bulk density.

Abstract: A class of metallocene compounds is disclosed having the general formula (I): wherein Y is a moiety of formula (II) wherein A, B and D, same or different from each other, are selected from an element of the groups 14 to 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), with the exclusion of nitrogen and oxygen; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups, Z is selected from a moiety of formula (II) as described above and from a moiety of formula (III): wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9, are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups; L is a divalent bridging group; M is an atom of a transition metal selected from those belonging to group 3, 4, 5, 6 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups in the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), X, same or different, is hydrogen, a halogen, a R10, OR10, OSO2CF3, OCOR10, SR10, NR102 or PR102 group, wherein the substituents R10 are hydrogen or alkyl groups; p is an integer of from 0 to 3, being equal to

Abstract: A new process, particularly simple, convenient and practical, for the direct synthesis of organometallic compounds of formula(I): (A)(ZR1m)n(A′)MLpL′q  (I) wherein (ZR1m)n is a divalent group bridging A and A′; A and A′ re independently —O—, —S—, or —N(R2)—, wherein R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl; M is a transition metal belonging to group 3, 4, 5, 6 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups; L is a monoanionic sigma ligand, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl, optionally containing Si or Ge; L′ is halogen or —OR3, R3 being an hydrocarbon radical; m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 1-8; p is 1-3; q is 0-2. Said process comprises reacting the ligand (H—A)(ZR1m)n(A′—H) with about 1 molar equivalent of ML′s in the presence of about (2+p) molar equivalents of LjB or LMgL′, wherein B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal, s ranges from 3 to 6, and j is 1 or 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to MgCl2.mROH.nH2O adducts, where R is a C1-C10 alkyl, 2≦m≦4.2, 0≦n≦0.7 , characterized by an X-ray diffraction spectrum in which, in the range of 2&thgr; diffraction angles between 5° and 15°, the three main diffraction lines are present at diffraction angles 2&thgr; of 8.8±0.2°, 9.4±0.2° and 9.8±0.2°, the most intense diffraction lines being the one at 2&thgr;=8.8±0.2°, the intensity of the other two diffraction lines being at least 0.2 times the intensity of the most intense diffraction line. Catalyst components obtained from the adducts of the present invention are capable to give catalysts for the polymerization of olefins characterized by enhanced activity and stereospecificity.