Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.

Abstract: This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes, as well as to lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions as viscosity index improvers, and base oil. The copolymer compositions may be made using two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction).

Abstract: Provided are bimodal copolymer compositions, and in particular bimodal ethylene-?-olefin copolymer compositions. The copolymer compositions comprise first and second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer components. The bimodal compositions are particularly useful as viscosity or rheology modifiers, e.g., in lubricating oil compositions. Lubricating oil compositions comprising the copolymer compositions advantageously exhibit enhanced shear stability index (SSI) and thickening efficiency (TE) values, while maintaining excellent low-temperature properties such as Pour Point, mini-rotary viscometer viscosity, and cold crank simulation performance.

Abstract: This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes. The processes may use two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction).

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.

Abstract: A method of forming a blown film comprising extruding a molten composition through a die opening to form a film; wherein the molten composition comprises at least one polyethylene and within the range from 0.10 wt % to 10 wt % of a cyclic-diene terpolymer by weight of the composition; causing the film to progress in a direction away from the die opening; cooling the film at a distance from the die opening, the distance adjusted to effect the properties of the film; and isolating a blown film therefrom.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic vulcanizate, the process comprising: (i) charging a reactor with an oil-extended olefinic copolymer rubber, where the rubber is synthesized by a single-site catalyst, characterized by a multi-modal molecular weight distribution, and includes greater than 10 parts by weight extender oil per 100 parts by weight rubber; (ii) charging the reactor, contemporaneously or sequentially with respect to the rubber, with a thermoplastic resin, an oil, and a cure system to provide a pre-vulcanized mixture; and (iii) mixing the rubber, thermoplastic resin, oil, and cure system at a temperature above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic resin to thereby cause dynamic vulcanization of the rubber and produce the thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using one or both of a metallocene catalyst capable of producing high molecular weight polymers and a metallocene catalyst capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations. Polymerization processes include dual catalyst polymerization in a single polymerization zone comprising both metallocene catalysts. Other processes include serial or parallel polymerizations in multiple polymerization zones, using either or both catalysts in each polymerization zone. Such polymerization processes produce reactor blends, and are particularly suited for producing copolymer compositions (such as EP or EPDM copolymer compositions) exhibiting improved melt elasticity and rheological properties.

Abstract: This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes, as well as to lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions as viscosity index improvers, and base oil. The copolymer compositions may be made using two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction).

Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle ? at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions that can be useful as viscosity modifiers, comprising (a) a first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 60 to about 80 wt % and (b) a second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 40 to about 60 wt %. The polymer composition comprises about 35 wt % to about 50 wt of the first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer and about 50 wt % to about 65 wt % of the second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer. The polymer compositions are made by comprising producing a first ethylene-?-olefin copolymer in a first reactor, directing the first copolymer to a second reactor, producing the second ethylene-?-olefin copolymer in the second reactor and forming the polymer composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications.

Abstract: A method of forming a blown film comprising extruding a molten composition through a die opening to form a film; wherein the molten composition comprises at least one polyethylene and within the range from 0.10 wt % to 10 wt % of a cyclic-diene terpolymer by weight of the composition; causing the film to progress in a direction away from the die opening; cooling the film at a distance from the die opening, the distance adjusted to effect the properties of the film; and isolating a blown film therefrom.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.

Abstract: A polyethylene composition including the product of the combination of at least one copolymer made from units derived from at least 85 wt % ethylene and a C3 to C10 ?-olefin and from 0.10 wt % to 10 wt % of a cyclic-diene terpolymer is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a blown film comprising extruding a molten composition through a die opening to form a film; wherein the molten composition comprises at least one polyethylene and within the range from 0.10 wt % to 10 wt % of a cyclic-diene terpolymer by weight of the composition; causing the film to progress in a direction away from the die opening; cooling the film at a distance from the die opening, the distance adjusted to effect the properties of the film; and isolating a blown film therefrom.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic vulcanizate, the process comprising: (i) charging a reactor with an oil-extended olefinic copolymer rubber, where the rubber is synthesized by a single-site catalyst, characterized by a multi-modal molecular weight distribution, and includes greater than 10 parts by weight extender oil per 100 parts by weight rubber; (ii) charging the reactor, contemporaneously or sequentially with respect to the rubber, with a thermoplastic resin, an oil, and a cure system to provide a pre-vulcanized mixture; and (iii) mixing the rubber, thermoplastic resin, oil, and cure system at a temperature above the melt temperature of the thermoplastic resin to thereby cause dynamic vulcanization of the rubber and produce the thermoplastic vulcanizate.