Abstract: Propylene and alpha olefin random copolymers are disclosed that have excellent flow characteristics. For instance, the copolymers can be formulated so as to have a melt flow rate of greater than about 45 g/10 min. While still retaining the above flow characteristics, the copolymer can also be formulated to have greater stiffness, low xylene soluble content, and excellent transparency characteristics especially when combined with one or more clarifying agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer compositions having improved corrosivity, color stability and clarity. Also disclosed is a process of preparing the polymers. The process may comprise incorporating into the polymer an acid neutralizing amount of an amorphous aluminum silicate. The amorphous aluminum silicate may be present in the polymer in an amount such that the polymer composition having a Corrosivity Index of less than 6. A refractive index of the amorphous aluminum silicate may be the same or substantially the same as a refractive index of the polymer.

Abstract: Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that have excellent stiffness properties. The polypropylene polymer compositions are made by combining a first polypropylene polymer with a second polypropylene polymer. The combination of polymers has been found to produce a composition having high stiffness properties in addition to excellent toughness properties. In addition, the polymer composition has good flow properties for being molded into various products and articles. Of particular advantage, the different polypropylene polymers can be produced at relatively high catalyst activity, especially in comparison to high crystalline polymers made in the past.

Abstract: Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that can be formulated to have excellent clarity properties in conjunction with excellent impact resistance properties at subzero temperatures. The polypropylene polymer compositions are heterophasic compositions containing a first phase polymer combined with a second phase polymer. The first phase polymer is a polypropylene and alpha-olefin copolymer while the second phase polymer is also a polypropylene and alpha-olefin random copolymer. The second phase polymer contains relatively high amounts of ethylene. The increased amounts of ethylene in the second phase polymer were found to dramatically improve impact resistance at subzero temperatures.

Abstract: Polypropylene polymer compositions are disclosed that can be formulated to have excellent transparency properties in conjunction with excellent impact resistance properties. The polypropylene polymer compositions are heterophasic compositions containing a first phase polymer combined with a second phase polymer. The first phase polymer is a polypropylene and alpha-olefin copolymer while the second phase polymer is also a polypropylene and alpha-olefin random copolymer. The first phase polymer contains ethylene in an amount less than 5% by weight and is present in an amount greater than the second phase polymer. The second phase polymer has elastomeric properties.

Abstract: Propylene and alpha olefin random copolymers are disclosed that have excellent flow characteristics. For instance, the copolymers can be formulated so as to have a melt flow rate of greater than about 45 g/10 min. While still retaining the above flow characteristics, the copolymer can also be formulated to have greater stiffness, low xylene soluble content, and excellent transparency characteristics especially when combined with one or more clarifying agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer compositions having improved corrosivity, color stability and clarity. Also disclosed is a process of preparing the polymers. The process may comprise incorporating into the polymer an acid neutralizing amount of an amorphous aluminum silicate. The amorphous aluminum silicate may be present in the polymer in an amount such that the polymer composition having a Corrosivity Index of less than 6. A refractive index of the amorphous aluminum silicate may be the same or substantially the same as a refractive index of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for melt-processing a polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound, such as styrene, is disclosed. The method may include heating a polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound volumetrically with microwave energy, wherein the polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound includes: a discontinuous rubber phase; and a continuous poly(monovinyl aromatic) phase comprising up to 49 weight percent of at least one of an acrylate comonomer and a vinyl cyanide comonomer.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition where the rubber is a sulfanylsilane chain end modified elastomeric polymer. In the present invention the functionalized rubber provides sufficient grafting levels in standard graft polymerization process technologies to prepare desired rubber particle size distributions and morphologies. Across a range of rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymers, it has been found that the use of the modified elastomeric polymers according to the present invention can improve the combinations of resin properties, particularly clarity, surface and physical properties, including both rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic homopolymers (e.g., high impact polystyrene and copolymers (e.g., ABS). The functionalized rubbers have sulfanyl functional groups that provide an optimized reactive grafting site.

Abstract: Monovinylidene aromatic polymers, e.g., general purpose polystyrene or high impact polystyrene, are plasticized with a nonfunctionalized, nonmineral oil, e.g., a vegetable oil such as canola oil, cottonseed oil or the like. The mixture of monovinylidene aromatic polymer and oil is typically and preferably free of any significant amount of functionalized nonmineral oil, and it typically contains at least 0.1 weight percent of the nonfunctionalized, nonmineral oil, alone or in combination with a mineral oil, based on the weight of the polymer. The nonmineral oil has an iodine value of less than 120, and a hydroxyl number of less than 20.

Abstract: A method for melt-processing a polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound, such as styrene, is disclosed. The method may include heating a polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound volumetrically with microwave energy, wherein the polymer of a monovinyl aromatic compound includes: a discontinuous rubber phase; and a continuous poly(monovinyl aromatic) phase comprising up to 49 weight percent of at least one of an acrylate comonomer and a vinyl cyanide comonomer.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided improved rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymers having the specified relatively high molecular weight and the necessary rubber levels and particles. These improved resins are specially adapted and suited for use in stretch blow molding processes. They provide improved combinations of container neck strength and toughness, wall strength and stiffness and packaging efficiency. The present invention provides the makers of stretch blow molded containers with options for improved packaging cost and efficiency.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (a) a monovinylidene aromatic polymer, e.g., HIPS, and (b) an ethylene/alpha-olefin (EAO) copolymer, e.g., an ethylene-propylene copolymer, that satisfies the mathematical relationship: y?20+2.35x in which y is the ethylene content in mole percent (mol %) of the EAO copolymer and x is the Brookfield viscosity in centipoise (cP) at 10O° C. of the EAO copolymer and the viscosity is at least 1 centipoise (cP), exhibit improved environmental stress crack resistance as compared to compositions containing monovinyiidene aromatic polymers but without such an EAO copolymer. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of articles, e.g., refrigerator liners and food packaging, which come in contact with the oils contained in various food stuffs.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition where the rubber is a sulfanylsilane chain end modified elastomeric polymer. In the present invention the functionalized rubber provides sufficient grafting levels in standard graft polymerization process technologies to prepare desired rubber particle size distributions and morphologies. Across a range of rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymers, it has been found that the use of the modified elastomeric polymers according to the present invention can improve the combinations of resin properties, particularly clarity, surface and physical properties, including both rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic homopolymers (e.g., high impact polystyrene and copolymers (e.g., ABS). The functionalized rubbers have sulfanyl functional groups that provide an optimized reactive grafting site.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition which can be used in conventional thermoforming or other highly orienting forming or shaping processes to produce tough, cost effective, transparent containers or other packaging materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition which can be used in conventional thermoforming or other highly orienting forming or shaping processes to produce tough, cost effective, transparent containers or other packaging materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition which can be used in conventional thermoforming or other highly orienting forming or shaping processes to produce tough, cost effective, transparent containers or other packaging materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a rubber modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition which can be used in conventional thermoforming or other highly orienting forming or shaping processes to produce tough, cost effective, transparent containers or other packaging materials.