Abstract: A composition comprising: a) 50% to 90% of a propylene (co)polymer having: (i) a polydispersity index >3, (ii) melt flow rate >1 dg/min, and (iii) fraction soluble in xylene at 25° C. >1%, b) 5% to 25% of an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer having: (i) ethylene content over 50% but under 92% by mol, (ii) intrinsic viscosityover 1.2 but under 6 dL/g, (iii) density ranging from 0.850 to 0.890 g/cm3, and (iv) enthalpy of fusion under 62 J/g; c) 5% to 25% of a propylene/ethylene copolymer having: (i) propylene content over 50% but under 92% by mol, (ii) intrinsic viscosity over 2 but under 6 dL/g, (iii) density ranging from 0.850 to 0.890 g/cm3, (iv) product of reactivity ratios r1×r2 u nder 2, and (v) enthalpy of fusion under 45 J/g; wherein the weight ratio between component b and the sum of components b) and c) is 0.5 to 0.9.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (I) 55 to 95% by weight of an heterophasic polyolefin composition comprising 8 to 50% by weight of a crystalline propylene polymer fraction and 50 to 92% by weight of an elastomeric propylene fraction; (II) 2 to 20% by weight of an oxidized polyethylene wax having an acid number of 5 to 35 mg KOHIg, a molecular weight Mn of 1,000 to 100,000, and a melting point comprised between 92° C. and 140° C.; and (III) 3 to 25% by weight of a styrene block copolymer.

Abstract: A process for making a thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer comprising: a) preparing a polymer mixture comprising: (I) about 70 to about 95% by weight of a heterophasic polyolefin; (II) about 4.9 to about 27% by weight of a reactive, peroxide-containing olefin polymer; (III) about 0.1 to about 3.0% by weight of an organic peroxide; and (IV) optionally, about 1 to about 10% by weight of a co-agent having a molecular structure containing at least two aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds; wherein (I)+(II)+(III)+(IV) equals 100%; b) extruding or compounding in molten state the polymer mixture, thereby producing a melt mixture; and optionally c) pelletizing the melt mixture.

Abstract: A process for making an improved soft olefin polymer material comprising: a) preparing a polymer mixture comprising: (I) about 70 to about 95% by weight of a heterophasic polyolefin; (II) about 5 to about 30% by weight of a reactive, peroxide-containing olefin polymer; and (III) optionally, about 1 to about 10% by weight of a co-agent having a molecular structure containing at least two aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds; wherein (I)+(II)+(III) equals 100%; b) extruding or compounding in molten state the polymer mixture, thereby producing a melt mixture; and optionally c) pelletizing the melt mixture.

Abstract: A composition comprising: (I) 55 to 95% by weight of an heterophasic polyolefin composition comprising 8 to 50% by weight of a crystalline propylene polymer fraction and 50 to 92% by weight of an elastomeric propylene fraction; (II) 2 to 20% by weight of an oxidized polyethylene wax having an acid number of 5 to 35 mg KOHIg, a molecular weight Mn of 1,000 to 100,000, and a melting point comprised between 92° C. and 140° C.; and (III) 3 to 25% by weight of a styrene block copolymer.

Abstract: A directly paintable polyolefin composition contains (1) a graft copolymer, composition containing (a) a graft copolymer having a backbone of propylene polymer material having graft polymerized thereto at least one vinyl monomer capable of being polymerized by free radicals, (b) a rubber component, and, optionally, (c) a broad molecular weight distribution propylene polymer material, (2) an oxidized polyethylene wax, (3) a propylene-homopolymer or copolymer grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (4) a functionalized polymer that is reactive with the anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, (5) optionally, a polyolefin rubber grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and (6) optionally, an ethylene polymer grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Directly paintable polymer compositions contain (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer with ethylene or a C4-8 &agr;-olefin, grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (3) an oxidized polyethylene wax having a melting point of less than 116° C. and an acid number of less than 40, (4) a functionalized polymer that reacts with the anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, (5) an epichlorohydrin rubber and, optionally, (6) a polyolefin rubber grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (7) an ethylene polymer grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (8) a thermoplastic resin, and (9) an organic sulfonic acid salt of a group I or II metal, or mixtures thereof, the compositions are particularly suitable for electrostatic painting.

Abstract: Embossed sheets having improved grain retention can be made from a polyolefin composition containing a propylene polymer material, a partially crosslinked thermoplastic olefin elastomer composition, and optionally, crystalline polyethylene. Large parts such as automobile door and instrument panels can be formed from these sheets.

Abstract: A polymer composition with improved scratch and mar resistance contains (1) a graft copolymer comprising a backbone of a propylene polymer material having graft polymerized thereto at least one vinyl monomer capable of being polymerized by free radicals, and (2) an additive selected from the group consisting of (a) about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one low molecular weight ethylene polymer or a functionalized derivative thereof, and (b) a combination of (i) about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one of the low molecular weight ethylene polymers in (a) and (ii) about 0.5% to about 10% of inorganic microspheres, based on the total weight of the composition. Optionally the composition can also contain a compatibilizing agent such as an unsaturated carboxylic acid-functionalized propylene polymer material.

Abstract: Directly paintable polymer compositions contain (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a maleic anhydride-grafted propylene homopolymer or random copolymer, (3) a maleic anhydride-grafted olefin polymer material, (4) a functionalized polymer that reacts with the maleic anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, and, optionally, (5) a maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene polymer. The amount of (2)+(3) or (2)+(3)+(5) is at least 16 parts but less than 27 parts per hundred parts of the thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: Embossed sheets having improved grain retention can be made from a polyolefin composition containing a propylene polymer material, a partially crosslinked thermoplastic olefin elastomer composition, and optionally, crystalline polyethylene. Large parts such as automobile door and instrument panels can be formed from these sheets.

Abstract: A polymer composition for making molded parts including (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a propylene polymer material, and (3) an oxidized polyethylene wax having an acid number of .gtoreq.15 mg KOH/g, a high molecular weight ethylene polymer, or mixtures thereof, wherein (2)+(3) equals at least 22.5 parts per hundred parts of the thermoplastic olefin, has a good paint adhesion/durability balance. Injection molded parts made from this composition have a unique morphology characterized by a continuous matrix phase and discrete particles of a dispersed phase having a specific aspect ratio near the surface of the part and a specific particle size in the core of the part.

Abstract: Directly paintable polymer compositions contain (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer with ethylene or a 4-8 C alpha-olefin, grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, (3) an oxidized polyethylene wax having a melting point of less than 116.degree. C. and an acid number of less than 40, (4) a functionalized polymer that reacts with the anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, and, optionally, (5) a polyolefin rubber grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and (6) an ethylene polymer grafted with an anhydride of an aliphatic .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid. The compositions are particularly useful for making injection molded parts such as automobile bumpers, and exhibit excellent paint adhesion and durability.

Abstract: Directly paintable polymer compositions contain (1) a thermoplastic olefin, (2) a maleic anhydride-grafted propylene homopolymer or random copolymer, (3) a maleic anhydride-grafted olefin polymer material, (4) a functionalized polymer that reacts with the maleic anhydride groups of the grafted polymers, and, optionally, (5) a maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene polymer. The amount of (2)+(3) or (2)+(3)+(5) is at least 16 parts but less than 27 parts per hundred parts of the thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: A partially dynamically vulcanized or crosslinked thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer/uncrosslinked olefin polymer blend has improved extrusion performance. The uncrosslinked olefin polymer is selected from (1) a heterophasic olefin composition prepared by polymerization in at least two stages comprising (a) 10% to 50% by weight of a propylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer, (b) 5% to 20% by weight of a semicrystalline, essentially linear ethylene copolymer fraction, and (c) 40% to 80% by weight of an ethylene copolymer fraction that is soluble in xylene at ambient temperature, (2) crystalline butene-1 homopolymer, and (3) a substantially amorphous ethylene/propylene or ethylene/butylene copolymer; or a substantially amorphous terpolymer of (a) ethylene, (b) propylene or butylene, and (c) a nonconjugated diene.

Abstract: Disclosed are dynamically partially or fully crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers, having incorporated therein zinc salts of certain mercapto compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is an olefin polymer-based thermoplastic elastomer comprising a propylene polymer material, an amorphous olefin copolymer rubber, and optionally a semicrystalline, essentially linear ethylene-C.sub.3-4 alpha-olefin copolymer, having incorporated therein zinc salts of certain mercapto compounds and sterically hindered di-tertiary butyl phenol compounds. The compositions exhibit good retention of properties at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamically partially crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer comprising a propylene polymer material, an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, a semi-crystalline, low density, essentially linear ethylene-propylene copolymer and a polybutene-1 polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamically partially cured thermoplastic elastomer comprising a propylene polymer material, an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber, a semi-crystalline, low density, essentially linear ethylene-propylene copolymer and a curing system containing 1,2-polybutadiene and an organic peroxide and a method of making the same.

Abstract: Disclosed are stabilized blends comprising (1) from about 55% to about 90% of at least one high molecular weight C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 block copolymer elastomer, (2) from about 10% to about 35% of at least one compatible low molecular weight resin, and (3) from 0% to about 15% of at least one incompatible resin, the total of (1), (2) and (3) being 100%. The blends are elastomers useful in industrial hose applications and in mechanical rubber goods, such as gaskets and mounts.