Abstract: Thin polymer sheets and used thereof are described. A polymer sheet can include greater than 90 wt. % of a single-site catalyzed polyolefin (PO) and have a thickness of at least 0.0254 cm. The sheet can be used to produce molded articles.

Abstract: A composition including a first polypropylene having at least 90 wt. % propylene by weight of the first polypropylene, an alpha nucleation inhibitor, and a beta nucleation additive is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing a foamable polypropylene composition. The method includes the steps: a) compounding a first polypropylene including at least 90 wt. % propylene by weight of the first polypropylene with an alpha nucleation inhibitor to form a polypropylene blend; b) compounding the polypropylene blend with a blowing agent to form a pre-annealed polypropylene composition; and c) annealing the pre-annealed polypropylene composition at an annealing temperature Ta for an annealing time ta to form the foamable polypropylene composition. The foamable polypropylene composition has a first melting peak T1 and a second melting peak T2 as measured by differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 20° C. per minute.

Abstract: A polypropylene random copolymer comprising (i) from about 0.2 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % ethylene; and (ii) a nucleator selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, derivatives of dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS), nonitol, trisamide-containing compounds, organophosphate salts and combinations thereof, wherein the copolymer has a melt flow rate of from about 0.5 dg/min. to about 5.0 dg/min. and a xylene solubles content of from about 1.0 wt. % to about 4.0 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of preparing a vis-broken recycled polypropylene comprising contacting (i) a recycled polypropylene and (ii) an optional virgin polypropylene with a rheology modifier to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to reactive extrusion.

Abstract: A method of preparing a film comprising contacting a recycled polypropylene with a cavitating agent and an optional virgin polypropylene to form a mixture; extruding the mixture to form an extrudate; and biaxially orientating the extrudate to form a biaxially oriented film.

Abstract: A method of making a film by coextruding a multi-layer structure comprising at least one skin layer comprising a metallocene-based polypropylene random copolymer. A coextruded multi-layer film comprising at least one skin layer comprising a metallocene-based polypropylene random copolymer, and a flexible package compromising such a coextruded multi-layer film are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer blend comprising (i) a primary polypropylene; and (ii) a secondary polypropylene, wherein the primary polypropylene comprises a Ziegler Natta polypropylene, a recycled polypropylene or combination thereof, and wherein the secondary polypropylene comprises a metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric composition that can include at least 95 wt. % of a polypropylene copolymer, and 50 ppm to 2000 ppm of an aryl amide containing clarifying agent, a phosphate ester salt containing clarifying agent, or a combination thereof. The polymeric composition can have a haze value of A after being extruded once and a haze value of B after being extruded 2 times, wherein the ratio of A to B is 1 to 1.35, wherein A is less than 25%, and wherein A and B are determined in accordance with ASTM D1003, at a thickness of about 40 mil.

Abstract: Polymer blends, methods of making, and methods of using the polymer blends are described. A polymer blend can include a polyethylene (PE) polymer and a controlled rheology polypropylene (CRPP) polymer having a PE polymer to CRPP polymer (PE:CRPP) weight ratio of greater than 1:1.

Abstract: Processing parameters of polypropylene and/or polyethylene are adjusted by combining them with a non-fluorinated process aid. The process aid is an oleochemical derivative and/or a wax having a viscosity of from 10 cP to 100 cP. The wax is a branched ethylene-propylene copolymer. The processing parameter, e.g., pressure at the die, or volumetric output is adjusted for the polypropylene and/or polyethylene compared to the polypropylene and/or polyethylene without the non-fluorinated process aid at the same processing conditions. The mechanical properties of an extruded polymeric article including the non-fluorinated process aid are the same or are improved compared to the same composition without the non-fluorinated polymer processing aid or one that includes a fluorinated processing aid.

Abstract: A composition including a first polypropylene having at least 90 wt. % propylene by weight of the first polypropylene, an alpha nucleation inhibitor, and a beta nucleation additive is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing a foamable polypropylene composition. The method includes the steps: a) compounding a first polypropylene including at least 90 wt. % propylene by weight of the first polypropylene with an alpha nucleation inhibitor to form a polypropylene blend; b) compounding the polypropylene blend with a blowing agent to form a pre-annealed polypropylene composition; and c) annealing the pre-annealed polypropylene composition at an annealing temperature Ta for an annealing time ta to form the foamable polypropylene composition. The foamable polypropylene composition has a first melting peak T1 and a second melting peak T2 as measured by differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 20° C. per minute.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a processing parameter of a polymer is provided. The method has the steps a) and b). Step a) is combining polymer i) which is polypropylene and/or polyethylene with a process aid ii) to provide a polymer composition. Polymer i) has a peak molecular weight Mp and a polydispersity index PDI of 7 or higher. Step b) is processing the polymer composition at a processing condition. The processing parameter is adjusted at the processing condition for the polymer composition compared to a comparative polymer composition A); and a comparative polymer composition B). Comparative polymer composition A) lacks the process aid ii) but is otherwise identical to the polymer composition. Comparative polymer composition B) includes a comparative polymer having the same composition and Mp as polymer i) and a PDI less than polymer i) instead of the polymer i), but is otherwise identical to the polymer composition.

Abstract: A styrenic polymer characterized by a z-average molecular weight of from about 339 kDa to about 520 kDa; a molecular weight distribution of from about 2.5 to about 5.0; a melt strength of from about 0.010 N to about 0.018 N and a melt A method of preparing a styrenic polymer comprising contacting a styrenic monomer, an optional comonomer and an optional initiator to a plurality of temperature environments wherein the difference in temperature between the first environment and the last environment is greater than about 30° C. to form the styrenic polymer; and recovering the styrenic polymer.

Abstract: A high impact polystyrene reactor system includes a first continuously stirred tank reactor. The first continuously stirred tank reactor includes an inlet configured to receive (i) at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, (ii) an elastomer, and (iii) a free radical initiator; and an outlet configured to convey a first reactor effluent. In addition, the high impact polystyrene reactor system includes a second continuously stirred tank reactor. The second continuously stirred tank reactor includes an inlet in fluid communication with the first continuously stirred tank reactor outlet and configured to receive (i) a portion of the first reactor effluent from the first continuously stirred tank reactor, (ii) at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, (iii) an elastomer, and (iv) a free radical initiator; and an outlet configured to convey a portion of a second reactor effluent comprising high impact polystyrene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymeric composition containing at least 95 wt. % of a polypropylene copolymer; and 50 ppm to 2000 ppm of an aryl amide containing clarifying agent or a phosphate ester salt containing clarifying agent or a combination thereof, wherein the polymeric composition has a haze value of A after being extruded once and a haze value of B after being extruded 5 times, wherein the ratio of A to B is 1 to 1.35 and A is less than 25%, and wherein A and B are determined in accordance with ASTM D1003, at a thickness of about 40 mil, methods of making the polymeric composition and articles containing the polymeric composition.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene comprising introducing to a reactor a partially-polymerized mixture comprising at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer and reacted vinyl aromatic monomer wherein the partially-polymerized mixture has not undergone phase inversion; polymerizing the partially-polymerized mixture in the reactor to the phase inversion point to form a phase-inverted mixture; recovering a portion of the phase-inverted mixture from the reactor wherein the phase-inverted mixture comprises high impact polystyrene; and introducing another portion of the phase-inverted mixture to another reactor.

Abstract: A process forming a high MFR polypropylene includes providing a reactor powder polypropylene, the reactor powder polypropylene having a melt flow rate of less than 100 dg/min. The process also includes mixing the reactor powder polypropylene with a free-radical initiator to form a powder/initiator mixture and subjecting the powder/initiator mixture to post-reactor forming. The present disclosure further provides for a vis-broken polypropylene and a polymer article.

Abstract: A polymer having a hydrophobic polymer chain derived from monomers of farnesene and other optional monomers, such as dienes and vinyl aromatics. The polymer also includes one or more terminal functional groups, such as an amino group, a glycidyl group, a carboxylic acid group, a (meth)acrylate group, a silane group, an isocyanate group, an acetoacetate group, a phenolic group, and a hydroxyl group. Functional groups, such as carboxylic acids, may also be grafted along the hydrophobic polymer chain. The polymer may be incorporated in curable compositions that optionally include one or more polymer resins having similar functional groups. Methods for preparing the curable polymer compositions are also provided. The curable or cured form of the polymer composition may be used in various products, such as a sealant, a coating, a caulk, an electric potting compound, a membrane, a sponge, a foam, an adhesive, or a propellant binder.

Abstract: A multi-stage dehydrogenation process including contacting, in a first stage, a feed stream comprising a hydrocarbon and steam with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to yield a first stage effluent, heating the first stage effluent, and contacting, in a second stage, the heated first stage effluent with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to yield a second stage effluent comprising a dehydrogenation product, wherein the first stage includes a first reactor and a second reactor arranged in parallel, and wherein the second stage includes a third reactor connected in series with the first reactor and the second reactor. A multi-stage dehydrogenation system for carrying out dehydrogenation is also provided.

Abstract: A method of reducing the fouling in a process for the production of styrene, the method comprising: introducing an additive into a stream comprising styrene and byproduct divinyl benzene (DVB), wherein the additive comprises: at least one chemical compound comprising one or more functional groups selected from amines, alcohols, amino-alcohols, labile C—C, esters, carbamates, aldehydes, ketones, acids, acetates, benzoates, labile hydrogen, and combinations thereof, and having a boiling point greater than or equal to 170° C. and within 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60° C. of the boiling point of divinyl benzene (DVB) (which is 195° C.), wherein the at least one chemical compound is active to inhibit divinyl benzene (DVB) crosslinking. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.