Abstract: Described herein are propylene-based polymer compositions that comprise a reactor blend of a first polymer component and a second polymer component. The first polymer component has an ethylene content of from greater than 12 to less than 19 wt % ethylene, and the second polymer component has an ethylene content of from greater than 4 to less than 10 wt % ethylene. Preferably, the ethylene content of the first and second polymer components satisfy the formula: ?1.7143R1+29.771?R2??1.9167R1+37.25. The propylene-based polymer compositions are particularly useful for forming meltspun nonwoven compositions that exhibit a desirable balance of retractive force and permanent set.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to propylene polymers comprising propylene, said polymers having a melt flow rate (MFR, ASTM 1238, 230° C., 2.16 kg) of 10 dg/min to 25 dg/min; a Dimensionless Stress Ratio/Loss Tangent Index R2 at 190° C. from 1.5 to 28; an average meso run length determined by 13C NMR of at least 70 or higher; and an MFR MFR Ratio of at least 1.0 and optionally, a Loss Tangent, tan ?, at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 190° C. from 14 to 100. The inventive propylene polymer compositions are useful in in molded articles and non-woven fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer comprising from about 65 wt % to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the blend of an ethylene ?-olefin elastomer having either no crystallinity or crystallinity derived from ethylene, having greater than about 75 wt % units derived from ethylene; and from about 10 wt % to about 35 wt % based on the total weight of the blend of a propylene polymer having about 40 wt % or more units derived from propylene, including isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences; wherein the ethylene ?-olefin elastomer and the propylene polymer are prepared in separate reactors arranged in parallel configuration.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer comprising greater than or equal to about 70 wt % units derived from ethylene, less than or equal to about 30 wt % units derived from propylene, and less than about 5 wt % of units derived from C4-C20 alpha-olefins, and having the following properties: crystallinity derived from ethylene; a heat of fusion of about 20 to about 85 J/g; a polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) of less than about 2.5; a reactivity ratio of about 0.5 to about 1.5; a proportion of inversely inserted propylene units based on 2, 1 insertion of propylene monomer in all propylene insertions, as measured by 13C NMR of less than 0.5 wt %; and a branching index greater than about 0.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymer comprising greater than or equal to about 70 wt % units derived from ethylene, less than or equal to about 30 wt % units derived from propylene, and less than about 5 wt % of units derived from C4-C20 alpha-olefins, and having the following properties: crystallinity derived from ethylene; a heat of fusion of about 20 to about 85 J/g; a polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) of less than about 2.5; a reactivity ratio of about 0.5 to about 1.5; a proportion of inversely inserted propylene units based on 2, 1 insertion of propylene monomer in all propylene insertions, as measured by 13C NMR of less than 0.5 wt %; and a branching index greater than about 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to propylene polymers comprising at least 50 mol % propylene, said polymers having: a) a melt flow rate (MFR, ASTM 1238, 230° C., 2.16 kg) of 10 dg/min to 25 dg/min; b) a Dimensionless Stress Ratio/Loss Tangent Index R2 at 190° C. from 1.5 to 28; c) an onset temperature of crystallization under flow, Tc,rheol (as determined by SAOS rheology, 190° C., 1° C./min, where said polymer has 0 wt % nucleating agent present), of at least 131° C.; d) an average meso run length determined by 13C NMR of at least 90 or higher; and e) optionally, a loss tangent, tan ?, (defined by Eq. (2)) at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 190° C. from 14 to 70.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pelletizing low molecular weight semi-crystalline polymers are provided herein. Polymer compositions comprising the semi-crystalline polymer and a solvent are provided to a devolatilizing device, where the solvent is at least partially evaporated under vacuum conditions, resulting in removal of heat from the polymer by evaporative cooling and crystallization of the polymer. Once the polymer has reached the desired temperature, the polymer exits the devolatilizer and is pelletized. Semi-crystalline polymers that may be used in the present invention include propylene-based copolymers, such as propylene-ethylene and propylene-hexene copolymers having a heat of fusion, Hf, from about 5 to about 75 J/g and a weight average molecular weight, Mw, from about 10,000 to about 200,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Described herein are propylene-based polymer compositions that comprise a reactor blend of a first polymer component and a second polymer component. The first polymer component has an ethylene content of from greater than 12 to less than 19 wt % ethylene, and the second polymer component has an ethylene content of from greater than 4 to less than 10 wt % ethylene. Preferably, the ethylene content of the first and second polymer components satisfy the formula: ?1.7143R1+29.771?R2??1.9167R1+37.25. The propylene-based polymer compositions are particularly useful for forming meltspun nonwoven compositions that exhibit a desirable balance of retractive force and permanent set.

Abstract: This invention relates to propylene polymers comprising at least 50 mol % propylene, said polymers having: a) a melt flow rate (MFR, ASTM 1238, 230° C., 2.16 kg) of 10 dg/min to 25 dg/min; b) a Dimensionless Stress Ratio/Loss Tangent Index R2 at 190° C. from 1.5 to 28; c) an onset temperature of crystallization under flow, Tc,rheol (as determined by SAOS rheology, 190° C., 1° C./min, where said polymer has 0 wt % nucleating agent present), of at least 131° C.; d) an average meso run length determined by 13C NMR of at least 90 or higher; and e) optionally, a loss tangent, tan ?, (defined by Eq. (2)) at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 190° C. from 14 to 70.

Abstract: This invention relates in one aspect to propylene polymers comprising propylene, said polymers having a melt flow rate (MFR, ASTM 1238, 230° C., 2.16 kg) of 10 dg/min to 25 dg/min; a Dimensionless Stress Ratio/Loss Tangent Index R2 at 190° C. from 1.5 to 28; an average meso run length determined by 13C NMR of at least 70 or higher; and an MFR MFR Ratio of at least 1.0 and optionally, a Loss Tangent, tan ?, at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 190° C. from 14 to 100. The inventive propylene polymer compositions are useful in in molded articles and non-woven fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention is related to adhesive compositions and their applications. In particular, the adhesive compositions described herein comprise a two or more propylene-based copolymers with varying comonomer content.

Abstract: The present invention is related to adhesive compositions and their applications. In particular, the adhesive compositions described herein comprise a two or more propylene-based copolymers with varying comonomer content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pelletizing low molecular weight semi-crystalline polymers are provided herein. Polymer compositions comprising the semi-crystalline polymer and a solvent are provided to a devolatilizing device, where the solvent is at least partially evaporated under vacuum conditions, resulting in removal of heat from the polymer by evaporative cooling and crystallization of the polymer. Once the polymer has reached the desired temperature, the polymer exits the devolatilizer and is pelletized. Semi-crystalline polymers that may be used in the present invention include propylene-based copolymers, such as propylene-ethylene and propylene-hexene copolymers having a heat of fusion, Hf, from about 5 to about 75 J/g and a weight average molecular weight, Mw, from about 10,000 to about 200,000 g/mol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to aryl halide (such as aryl bromide) functionalized carbon nanotubes that can be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials with improved dispersion ability in polymer matrices. In this process the aryl halide is reacted with an alkyllithium species or is reacted with a metal to replace the aryl-bromine bond with an aryl-lithium or aryl-metal bond, respectively. It has further been discovered that other functionalized carbon nanotubes, after deprotonation with a deprotonation agent, can similarly be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials. Additionally or alternatively, a ring opening polymerization process can be performed. The resultant materials can be used by themselves due to their enhanced strength and reinforcement ability when compared to their unbound polymer analogs.

Abstract: Methods and system for in-situ measurement of polymer growth within an olefin polymerization reactor are provided. The method includes polymerizing one or more olefins within a reactor at a first temperature sufficient to deposit a polymer coating therein. A second temperature is created within the reactor, and a rate of temperature change is measured from the first temperature to the second temperature. The rate of temperature change is correlated to a thickness of the polymer coating deposited within the reactor.

Abstract: Methods and system for in-situ measurement of polymer growth within an olefin polymerization reactor are provided. The method includes polymerizing one or more olefins within a reactor at a first temperature sufficient to deposit a polymer coating therein. A second temperature is created within the reactor, and a rate of temperature change is measured from the first temperature to the second temperature. The rate of temperature change is correlated to a thickness of the polymer coating deposited within the reactor.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer composition having a linear, semi-crystalline thermoplastic matrix polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer. The second polymer is a substantially saturated hydrocarbon polymer including (i) a backbone chain and (ii) one or more substantially hydrocarbon sidechains connected to the backbone chain. The sidechains each have a number-average molecular weight of from 2,500 g/mol to 125,000 g/mol and an MWD by SEC of 1.0 to 3.5. The mass ratio of sidechain molecular mass to backbone molecular mass is from 0.01:1 to 100:1. The matrix polymer is present at 95 wt % or more based on the weight of the composition. The second polymer is present at 0.2 to 5.0 wt % or more based on the weight of the composition. Provided is also a method for enhancing flow-induced crystallization in a linear, semi-crystalline thermoplastic matrix polymer. Provided is also a method for processing a polymer composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, methods for making such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, and articles of manufacture made with such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites. In general, such carbon nanotube-elastomer (CNT-elastomer) composites display an enhancement in their tensile modulus (over the native elastomer), but without a large concomitant reduction in their strain-at-break.