Abstract: This invention relates to coupling of polyethylene resins, more specifically coupling of polyethylene resins for use in extruded profiles, especially extruded profiles for sheet extrusion and cut sheet thermoforming applications and geomembranes. The process involves conveying a HDPE resin through an extruder, wherein the extruder comprises a feed zone, a first melt zone downstream of the feed zone, a second melt zone downstream of the first melt zone, and a third melt zone downstream of the second melt zone. The resin is melted in the first zone, contacted with oxygen in the second melt zone, and contacted antioxidant in the third melt zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an extruder screw, (200-1, 200-2) an extruder screw system (254) having a least one of a first extruder screw (200-1, 200-2) and at least one of a second extruder screw, (200-1, 200-2) an extruder system (250) having the extruder screw system (254), a continuous process for the production of an aqueous dispersion using the extruder system, and an aqueous dispersion formed by the process.

Abstract: Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.

Abstract: Processes for making a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dry blend composition with a phthalate-free, bio-based plasticizer and filler, having a bulk density of greater than 0.67 g/cc and an extrusion rate of greater than 65 gm/minute for a single screw extruder of 0.75 in barrel diameter with a 25:1 L:D general purpose polyethylene screw at 75 rotations per minute screw speed, and compositions made by the processes are provided.

Abstract: The invention is related to compositions suitable for the fabrication of pipes, and other articles, with excellent performance properties. The invention provides a composition, comprising a blend, wherein said blend comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer, and the high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is a heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.922 g/cc to 0.929 g/cc, and a high load melt index (I21) from 0.2 g/10 min to 1.0 g/10 min, and the low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.955 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 6 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min. The blend has a single peak in an ATREF profile eluting above 30° C., and has a coefficient of viscosity average molecular weight (CMv) less than ?0.

Abstract: Strength members for cable, particularly fiber optic cable, are made by a method comprising the steps of: A. Wetting a fiber, e.g., fiberglass fiber, with an aqueous polymeric dispersion to form a wetted fiber, the dispersion comprising: 1. At least one thermoplastic resin, e.g., a polyolefin; 2. At least one dispersing agent, e.g., a ethylene ethyl acrylate polymer; and 3. Water; B. Removing the water from the wetted fiber, and C. Consolidating the resin on the fiber with or without curing.

Abstract: The invention is related to compositions suitable for the fabrication of pipes, and other articles, with excellent performance properties. The invention provides a composition, comprising a blend, wherein said blend comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer, and the high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is a heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.922 g/cc to 0.929 g/cc, and a high load melt index (I21) from 0.2 g/10 min to 1.0 g/10 min, and the low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.955 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 6 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min. The blend has a single peak in an ATREF profile eluting above 30° C., and has a coefficient of viscosity average molecular weight (CM?) less than ?0.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) a first composition comprising a first ethylene-based polymer, wherein the ratio, I21 (first composition)/I21 (first ethylene-based polymer), is greater than, or equal to, 30; and B) one or more azide compounds in an amount from 10 ?g/g to 40 ?g/g (based on the weight of the composition).

Abstract: Dispersions and methods for forming dispersions that include a higher crystallinity polyolefin and at least one dispersing agent are disclosed. Various applications for use of the dispersions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an extruder screw, (200 -1,200 -2) an extruder screw system (254) having a least one of a first extruder screw (200-1, 200-2) and at least one of a second extruder screw, (200-1, 200-2) an extruder system (250) having the extruder screw system (254), a continuous process for the production of an aqueous dispersion using the extruder system, and an aqueous dispersion formed by the process.

Abstract: This invention relates to coupling of polyethylene resins, more specifically coupling of polyethylene resins for use in extruded profiles, especially extruded profiles for sheet extrusion and cut sheet thermoforming applications and geomembranes. The process involves conveying a HDPE resin through an extruder, wherein the extruder comprises a feed zone, a first melt zone downstream of the feed zone, a second melt zone downstream of the first melt zone, and a third melt zone downstream of the second melt zone. The resin is melted in the first zone, contacted with oxygen in the second melt zone, and contacted antioxidant in the third melt zone.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for improving the bubble stability of a polyethylene composition suitable for blown film extrusion process. The method for improving the bubble stability of a polyethylene composition suitable for blown film extrusion process comprises the steps of: (1) providing a polyethylene composition having a density in the range of 0.900 g/cm3 to 0.970 g/cm3 and an relaxation spectrum index (RSI) value in the range of 10 to 100; (2) oxygen tailoring said polyethylene composition; (3) thereby forming an oxygen tailored polyethylene composition, wherein the RSI value of the said oxygen tailored polyethylene composition increases from 10% to 300% of its initial value; (4) thereby improving the bubble stability of said polyethylene composition.

Abstract: Dispersions and methods for forming dispersions that include a higher crystallinity polyolefin and at least one persing agent are disclosed. Various applications for use of the dispersions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a multimodal polyethylene composition having (1) a density of at least about 0.940 g/cm3; (2) a melt flow index (I5) of from about 0.2 to about 1.5 g/10 mm; (3) a melt flow index ratio (I21/I5) of from about 20 to about 50; (4) a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, of from about 20 to about 40; and (5) a bubble stability measured on an HS50S stationary extrusion system with an BF 10-25 die, HK 300 air ring, A8 take off, and WS8 surface winder, with a 100 mm die diameter having a 50 mm 21:1 L/D grooved feed extruder used for a film of about 6×10?6 m thickness of at least about 1.22 m/s line speed, at least about 45 kg/hr (0.013 kg/sec) output rate, or at least about 0.5 lb/hr/rpm (0.0000011 kg/s/rps) specific output rate or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A reactive extrusion process for producing an ionomer is disclosed. The process comprising adding a polymer containing a carboxyl functionality to an extruder, then homogenously melting the polymer in a melting zone of the extruder. A first melt seal zone of the extruder is formed to separate the melting zone from an injection zone where an aqueous solution of metallic ions are added to the molten polymer. The first melt seal zone is formed by increasing the pressure in the melt seal zone to a pressure which is higher than the vapor pressure of the water at any point in the injection zone and the reaction zone. The aqueous solution of metallic ions is then mixed with the polymer containing the carboxyl functionality in a reaction zone of the extruder under conditions such that the metallic ions are substantially reacted with the carboxyl functionality.

Abstract: The invention is related to compositions suitable for the fabrication of pipes, and other articles, with excellent performance properties. The invention provides a composition, comprising a blend, wherein said blend comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer, and the high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is a heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.922 g/cc to 0.929 g/cc, and a high load melt index (I21) from 0.2 g/10 min to 1.0 g/10 min, and the low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.955 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 6 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min. The blend has a single peak in an ATREF profile eluting above 30° C., and has a coefficient of viscosity average molecular weight (CM?) less than ?0.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is a peroxide-free process for preparing a direct-grafted polyolefin. The process has the steps of (a) selecting an antioxidant-free, unsaturated polyolefin, (b) oxidizing the polyolefin, (c) selecting a graftable, polar monomer, (d) combining the polyolefin and the graftable, polar monomer, (e) forming free radicals on the oxidized polyolefin, and (f) grafting the graftable, polar monomer onto the polyolefin at the free-radical sites.

Abstract: Compounding or extrusion rates can be increased by splitting the polymer solid feed. Melting of additional solid polymer is significantly assisted by excess enthalpy from incoming melt from a primary mixing stage. Depending on resin rheology and melting characteristics, rate increases were achieved of from up to about 55 to about 100% rate increase over the use of a single feed at the same rotor speed. The net result is a decrease in the overall SEI (specific energy input to the polymer) and thus melt temperatures.