Abstract: This disclosure relates to syndiotactic polymers containing units derived from propylene and units derived from C4 to C20 alpha olefins. The polymers can be prepared is slurry or solution polymerization processes using a zirconium-containing metallocene catalyst system. The polymers have a melt flow rate as determined by ASTM D-1238 (230° C., 2.16 kg) of from about 0.1 to about 20 g/10 min. The syndiotactic polymers are useful as viscosity index improvers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an adhesive composition includes (a) a propylene-based elastomer comprising at least 60 wt % of propylene-derived units and from 2-40 wt % of a C2 and/or a C4-C20 ?-olefin-derived units based on a total weight of the propylene-based elastomer, and having a melting temperature of less than 110° C., a heat of fusion of less than 75 J/g, and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than 100,000 g/mol; (b) a polyethylene wax having a density of greater than 0.940 g/cm3, a Mw of from 3,000 g/mol to 30,000 g/mol, and a crystallization temperature of greater than 100° C.; (c) a tackifier; and (d) optionally a polypropylene wax. In another embodiment, an adhesive composition includes 70-80 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer; 10 wt % of a polyethylene wax; 0-10 wt % of a polypropylene wax; and 10 wt % of a tackifier based on a total weight of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to syndiotactic polymers containing units derived from propylene and units derived from C4 to C20 alpha olefins. The polymers can be prepared is slurry or solution polymerization processes using a zirconium-containing metallocene catalyst system. The polymers have a melt flow rate as determined by ASTM D-1238 (230° C., 2.16 kg) of from about 0.1 to about 20 g/10 min. The syndiotactic polymers are useful as viscosity index improvers.

Abstract: A method of preparing a hot melt adhesive composition, comprising (A) feeding a polymer blend into an extruder; wherein the polymer blend comprises (a) a first propylene-based polymer, wherein the first propylene-based polymer is a homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or a C4-C10 alpha-olefin; and (b) a second propylene-based polymer, wherein the second propylene-based polymer is a homopolymer of propylene or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene or a C4-C10 alpha-olefin; wherein the second propylene-based polymer is different than the first propylene-based polymer and wherein the polymer blend has a melt viscosity of 1,000 cP to 20,000 cP at 190° C.; (B) feeding one or more adhesive components, selected from at least one of a tackifier, wax, antioxidant, functionalized polyolefin, oil, and combinations thereof, into the extruder; and (C) recovering an extrudate from the extruder, wherein the extrudate is a hot melt adhesive composition.

Abstract: A multi-modal polymer blend for use in an adhesive composition comprising at least two compositionally different propylene-based polymers. The multi-modal polymer blend has a Mw of about 10,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol. When subjected to Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation, the multi-modal polymer blend exhibits a first fraction that is soluble at ?15° C. in a hydrocarbon solvent, such as xylene or ortho-dichlorobenzene, the first fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 70 mol % to about 90 mol %; and a second fraction that is insoluble or less soluble than the first fraction at ?15° C. in the hydrocarbon solvent, the second fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 85 mol % to about 98 mol %.

Abstract: Propylene-based polymer compositions are provided comprising propylene and from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of one or more C2 and/or C4-C12 ?-olefins. The polymer compositions have a triad tacticity greater than about 90%, a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a melt flow rate (MFR) greater than or equal to about 25 g/10 min (230° C., 2.16 kg). Further, the polymer compositions are reactor grade compositions comprising a reactor blend of a first polymer and a second polymer, preferably where both of the first and second polymers are prepared using the same catalyst system. Meltspun nonwoven fabrics, such as meltblown or spunbond fabrics, comprising such polymer compositions are also provided, as well as processes for forming the nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: A multi-modal polymer blend for use in an adhesive composition comprising at least two compositionally different propylene-based polymers. The multi-modal polymer blend has a Mw of about 10,000 g/mol to about 150,000 g/mol. When subjected to Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation, the multi-modal polymer blend exhibits a first fraction that is soluble at ?15° C. in a hydrocarbon solvent, such as xylene or ortho-dichlorobenzene, the first fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 70 mol % to about 90 mol %; and a second fraction that is insoluble or less soluble than the first fraction at ?15° C. in the hydrocarbon solvent, the second fraction having an isotactic (mm) triad tacticity of about 85 mol % to about 98 mol %.

Abstract: An aspect of the description is directed to hydrolysable silane graft propylene-?-olefin copolymers useful for moisture curable sealants, the copolymers comprising a propylene-?-olefin copolymer component comprising propylene-derived units and from 5 to 35 wt %, by weight of the propylene-?-olefin copolymer, of ethylene-derived units or a C4 to C10 ?-olefin-derived unit, and having, in one embodiment, the following features: a density of from 0.850 to 0.920 g/cm3; a MWD of from 1.5 to 20; an Hf of less than or equal to 75 J/g; a Tm of from 25 to 105° C.; and a triad tacticity by 13C NMR of 75% or greater; and a hydrolysable silane component. The graft copolymer can be combined with oil and/or a thermoplastic to form a graft copolymer composition capable of being cross-linked by exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Propylene-based polymer compositions are provided comprising propylene and from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of one or more C2 and/or C4-C12 ?-olefins. The polymer compositions have a triad tacticity greater than about 90%, a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a melt flow rate (MFR) greater than or equal to about 25 g/10 min (230° C., 2.16 kg). Further, the polymer compositions are reactor grade compositions comprising a reactor blend of a first polymer and a second polymer, preferably where both of the first and second polymers are prepared using the same catalyst system. Meltspun nonwoven fabrics, such as meltblown or spunbond fabrics, comprising such polymer compositions are also provided, as well as processes for forming the nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adhesive composition comprising: a random propylene polymer component having a heat of fusion of between 1 and 70 J/g and an mm triad tacticity index of at least 75%; and a functionalized polymer component comprising a C2-C20 olefin comprising at least 0.1 wt % of a functional group; wherein the adhesive composition has a T-Peel adhesion on a polar substrate at 20° C. of at least 175 N/m (1 lb/in) and a T-Peel adhesion on a non-polar substrate at 20° C. of at least 175 N/m Pa (1 lb/in) and where the polarity of the polar substrate is at least 0.10 units higher than the polarity of the non-polar substrate. Methods to produce the adhesive and articles comprising the adhesive are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aspect of the description is directed to hydrolysable silane graft propylene-?-olefin copolymers useful for moisture curable sealants, the copolymers comprising a propylene-?-olefin copolymer component comprising propylene-derived units and from 5 to 35 wt %, by weight of the propylene-?-olefin copolymer, of ethylene-derived units or a C4 to C10 ?-olefin-derived unit, and having, in one embodiment, the following features: a density of from 0.850 to 0.920 g/cm3; a MWD of from 1.5 to 20; an Hf of less than or equal to 75 J/g; a Tm of from 25 to 105° C.; and a triad tacticity by 13C NMR of 75% or greater; and a hydrolysable silane component. The graft copolymer can be combined with oil and/or a thermoplastic to form a graft copolymer composition capable of being cross-linked by exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Articles made from propylene ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content between 8 and 32 mole % have been grafted with maleic anhydride and a peroxide. The functionality level is higher than what is reported with polypropylene.

Abstract: Composite structures are described that include (a) a first polymer structure (e.g., a film or solid component) made of EPDM adhered to (b) a second polymer structure (film or solid component) that is made of a blend of dynamically vulcanized EPDM dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polyolefin polymer. Either the first polymer structure, or both the first and second polymer structures are blended with an effective amount of a semicrystalline random adhesive copolymer.

Abstract: Propylene ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content between 8 and 32 mole % have been grafted with maleic anhydride and a peroxide. The functionality level is higher than what is reported with polypropylene.

Abstract: Composite structures are described that include (a) a first polymer structure (e.g., a film or solid component) made of EPDM adhered to (b) a second polymer structure (film or solid component) that is made of a blend of dynamically vulcanized EPDM dispersed in a matrix of a thermoplastic polyolefin polymer. Either the first polymer structure, or both the first and second polymer structures are blended with an effective amount of a semicrystalline random adhesive copolymer.

Abstract: Propylene ethylene copolymers with an ethylene content between 8 and 32 mole % have been grafted with maleic anhydride and a peroxide. The functionality level is higher than what is reported with polypropylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to grafted ethylene-higher &agr;-olefin polymers and blends thereof. Preferred grafted ethylene-higher &agr;-olefin polymers are multimodal EPDM's having 5-40 weight % of a higher molecular weight, higher ethylene content, lower diene content fraction grafted with maleic anhydride. These polymers can then be used as modifiers for additional polymers such as polyamides, polyesters, and other EPDM's.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers that have been functionalized are shown to provide superior extruded profiles for use in vehicle sealing systems. Generally the polymers functionalized are the ethylene, -alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene monomer terpolymers or ethylene, -alpha-olefin copolymers. The elastomeric polymers are functionalized with one or more of carboxylic acids, anhydrides, hydroxyl, epoxide or amine functionality. The functionalized elastomeric polymers are generally used in conjunction with non-functionalized elastomeric polymers. The functionalized elastomeric polymers provide superior adhesion to the additional components used to enhance functionality and/or aesthetics. Among the vehicle sealing systems discussed are glass run channels, inner belt line seals, outer belt line seals and door seals.