Abstract: The present invention includes an end use article (i.e., an article of manufacture) and a process for making the same, wherein the end use article has a relatively high gloss and exhibits excellent processability over a wide range of processing conditions. The end use article can be formed with glossy polyethylene having an “a” parameter less than or equal to about 0.40, and the glossy polyethylene can be a Metallocene polyethylene. The end use article can have a 60° specular gloss of at least about 40%, or from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 60% to about 80%. The end use article may be pigmented or unpigmented.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the amount of fluoropolymer additive used in a polyethylene resin affects the quality of finish of an article made with free surface polyethylene resins using chromium, Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts. Reducing the amount of fluoropolymer increases the matte nature of the polymer finish, whereas increasing the amount of fluoropolymer increases the gloss nature of the finish. Introducing a peroxide or air in an increasing amount increases the long chain branching (LCB) of the polymer. Introducing an antioxidant in an amount to balance the peroxide amount can improve the melt strength of the polymer, and the amount of antioxidant is balanced with the amount of peroxide and/or air. The resultant polymer density ranges between about 0.960 and 0.962 g/cm3 inclusive, where the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the polymer is greater than 3 and less than 6.