Abstract: Olefin polymers having a comb-like structure with at least 0.3 long-chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms are disclosed. Some compositions have a melt strength of about 5 cN at 190° C., and when made into a film have a CD shrink of at least 20%. Some compositions described herein include a high molecular weight fraction and a low molecular weight fraction wherein the ratio of the molecular weight of the high molecular weight fraction to the molecular weight of the low molecular weight fraction is greater than about 1.3.

Abstract: Polymer blends that exhibit good impact resistance comprise a crystalline polypropylene matrix and a partly crystalline copolymer impact modifier with a molecular weight lower than that of the matrix polymer. The matrix polymer can comprise any crystalline propylene homo- or copolymer. The impact modifying copolymers are characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and, in certain embodiments, as having at least one, preferably two or more, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: A method of nucleating a propylene homo- or copolymer, the method comprising contacting the propylene polymer with a semi-crystalline branched or coupled polymeric nucleating agent under nucleation conditions. In one embodiment, the propylene homopolymer is characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In another embodiment, the copolymer is characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and as having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content, i.e., the units derived from ethylene and/or the unsaturated comonomer(s), of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: Unique copolymers comprising propylene, ethylene and/or one or more unsaturated comonomers are characterized as having: at least one, preferably more than one, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.20, (iv) a DSC curve with a Tme that remains essentially the same and a Tmax that decreases as the amount of comonomer in the copolymer is increased, and (v) an X-ray diffraction pattern that reports more gamma-form crystals than a comparable copolymer prepared with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. These polypropylene polymers are made using a nonmetallocene, metal-centered, heteroaryl ligand catalyst. These polymers can be blended with other polymers, and are useful in the manufacture of films, sheets, foams, fibers and molded articles.

Abstract: Low molecular weight olefin polymers are prepared by a polymerization process employing titanium complexes comprising a 3-aryl-substituted cyclopentadienyl ring or substituted derivatives thereof as polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: Polymer blends that exhibit good impact resistance comprise a crystalline polypropylene matrix and a partly crystalline copolymer impact modifier with a molecular weight lower than that of the matrix polymer. The matrix polymer can comprise any crystalline propylene homo- or copolymer. The impact modifying copolymers are characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and, in certain embodiments, as having at least one, preferably two or more, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: A method of nucleating a propylene homo- or copolymer, the method comprising contacting the propylene polymer with a semi-crystalline branched or coupled polymeric nucleating agent under nucleation conditions. In one embodiment, the propylene homopolymer is characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In another embodiment, the copolymer is characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and as having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content, i.e., the units derived from ethylene and/or the unsaturated comonomer(s), of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises contacting one or more olefinic comonomers in the presence of at least a high molecular weight catalyst and at least a low molecular weight catalyst in a single reactor, and effectuating the polymerization of the olefinic comonomers in the reactor to obtain an olefin polymer. Preferably, both catalysts have the ability to incorporate a substantially similar amount of comonomers in the olefin polymer. The polymers produced by the process may have a relatively higher level of long chain branching while maintaining a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., MWD less than about 6. These interpolymers may exhibit processability similar to or better than LDPE but have physical properties similar to metallocene catalyzed polymers.

Abstract: Fibers comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and at least one of ethylene and one or more unsaturated comonomers exhibit desirable properties. The homopolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. The copolymers are characterized as (A) comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and (B) having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises: (a) a high molecular weight, branched component; and (b) a low molecular weight, branched component. Some polymer compositions are characterized by a substantial absent of amyl or methyl branches and a melt strength (MS) that satisfies the following relationship: MS ? x I 2 + y where x is greater than or equal to about 12.5 and y is greater than or equal to about 3. Some polymers are characterized by a melt strength (MS) that satisfies the following relationship: MS ? x I 2 + y where x is greater than or equal to about 3 and y is greater than or equal to about 4.5 and a molecular weight distribution of greater than 3. A process for making polymers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer blends that exhibit good impact resistance comprise a crystalline polypropylene matrix and a partly crystalline copolymer impact modifier with a molecular weight lower than that of the matrix polymer. The matrix polymer can comprise any crystalline propylene homo- or copolymer. The impact modifying copolymers are characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and, in certain embodiments, as having at least one, preferably two or more, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about −1.

Abstract: Low molecular weight olefin polymers are prepared by a polymerization process employing titanium complexes comprising a 3-aryl-substituted cyclopentadienyl ring or substituted derivatives thereof as polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: Unique copolymers comprising propylene, ethylene and/or one or more unsaturated comonomers are characterized as having: at least one, preferably more than one, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about −1.20, (iv) a DSC curve with a Tme that remains essentially the same and a Tmax that decreases as the amount of comonomer in the copolymer is increased, and (v) an X-ray diffraction pattern that reports more gamma-form crystals than a comparable copolymer prepared with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst These polypropylene polymers are made using a nonmetallocene, metal-centered, heteroaryl ligand catalyst. These polymers can be blended with other polymers, and are useful in the manufacture of films, sheets, foams, fibers and molded articles.

Abstract: Polymer blends that exhibit good impact resistance comprise a crystalline polypropylene matrix and a partly crystalline copolymer impact modifier with a molecular weight lower than that of the matrix polymer. The matrix polymer can comprise any crystalline propylene homo- or copolymer. The impact modifying copolymers are characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and, in certain embodiments, as having at least one, preferably two or more, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about −1.

Abstract: A method of nucleating a propylene homo- or copolymer, the method comprising contacting the propylene polymer with a semi-crystalline branched or coupled polymeric nucleating agent under nucleation conditions. In one embodiment, the propylene homopolymer is characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In another embodiment, the copolymer is characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and as having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content, i.e., the units derived from ethylene and/or the unsaturated comonomer(s), of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about −1.

Abstract: Fibers comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and at least one of ethylene and one or more unsaturated comonomers exhibit desirable properties. The homopolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. The copolymers are characterized as (A) comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and (B) having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, S1x, greater than about −1.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises contacting one or more olefinic comonomers in the presence of at least a high molecular weight catalyst and at least a low molecular weight catalyst in a single reactor; and effectuating the polymerization of the olefinic comonomers in the reactor to obtain an olefin polymer. Preferably, both catalysts have the ability to incorporate a substantially similar amount of comonomers in the olefin polymer. The polymers produced by the process may have a relatively higher level of long chain branching while maintaining a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., MWD less than about 6. These interpolymers may exhibit processability similar to or better than LDPE but have physical properties similar to metallocene catalyzed polymers.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises: (a) a high molecular weight, branched component; and (b) a low molecular weight, branched component.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of an olefin comprising contacting one or more olefins, optionally in the presence of an inert aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon, with a catalyst system comprising a Group 3-10 metal complex, a dispersible clay catalyst activator comprising finely divided clay having a correlated settling rate less than 0.03 cm/sec, and from 0.001 to 10 mmol/g of clay of a Group 1 to 14 metal alkyl compound. The foregoing process is particularly adapted for use in the preparation of olefin polymers under solution polymerization conditions.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to an olefin polymer produced by polymerizing at least one &agr;-olefin in the presence of a Group 4 metal complex comprising an indenyl group substituted in the 2 or 3 position with at least one group selected from hydrocarbyl, perfluoro-substituted hydrocarbyl, silyl, germyl and mixtures thereof, said indenyl group further being covalently bonded to the metal by means of a divalent ligand group, wherein the divalent ligand comprises nitrogen or phosphorus having an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarby group covalently bonded thereto via a primary or secondary carbon. Preferred olefin polymers of the invention will be characterized as having a high molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distribution, high vinyl content, and a bimodal DSC melting curve or a deconvoluted ATREF or GPC curve which shows at least two distinct narrow peaks.