Abstract: Bingham fluid compositions are provided which contain a functional material such as a polymerization initiator dispersed in a continuous solid phase, which is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbon, a finely-divided olefin polymer, and a small quantity of a siliceous material having a number of hydroxyl groups chemically bonded to silicon atoms. These compositions, while solid at ambient temperature and pressure, assume the flow characteristics of a liquid under a shearing stress and can be pumped to feed the functional material to a polymerization reactor or molten polymer on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A process is provided for the polymerization of an olefin such as ethylene in the vapor phase in a moving bed of particles of the polymerized olefin in which novel means are employed to feed the finely-divided solid polymerization catalyst to the polymerization zone. The process is carried out by pumping into the polymerization zone a Bingham fluid which has the finely-divided solid polymerization catalyst uniformly dispersed throughout a solid continuous phase, which is a mixture of a wax and a hydrocarbon which is a liquid at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process is provided for the stereospecific polymerization of an olefin such as ethylene in a liquid medium in which a finely-divided solid polymerization catalyst is fed to the polymerization zone on a truly continuous basis to provide a uniform dispersion of the polymerization catalyst throughout the polymerization zone. The process is carried out by pumping into the polymerization zone a Bingham fluid which has the finely-divided solid polymerization catalyst uniformly dispersed throughout a solid continuous phase, which is a mixture of a wax and a liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for incorporating additives into thermoplastic polymers. The desired additive(s) are dispersed in a continuous solid phase which is a mixture of a wax and a normally liquid hydrocarbon to form a Bingham fluid composition. These Bingham fluid compositions, while solid at ambient temperature and pressure, will flow under an applied pressure and can be pumped to feed the additive to a molten polymer. When this mixture is passed through a mixing apparatus such as an extruder, the additive is uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer. The process is particularly well suited to incorporate additives into a molten ethylene polymer either as, or immediately after, the molten ethylene polymer is discharged from the reaction zone in which the polymer is prepared.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous high-pressure mass polymerization of ethylene in which novel means are employed to continuously introduce the free radical generating polymerization initiator into the polymerization zone. The process is carried out by pumping into the polymerization a Bingham fluid which has a free-radical generating polymerization initiator uniformly dispersed throughout a solid continuous phase, which is a mixture of a wax and a liquid hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for incorporating finely-divided inorganic additives such as diatomaceous earth into thermoplastic polymers. The desired additive(s) are dispersed in a normally liquid hydrocarbon to form a Bingham fluid composition. These Bingham fluid compositions, while solid at ambient temperature and pressure, will flow under an applied pressure and can be pumped to feed the additive to a molten polymer. When this mixture is passed through a mixing apparatus such as an extruder, the additive is uniformly dispersed throughout the polymer. The process is particularly well suited to incorporate such additives into a molten ethylene polymer either as, or immediately after, the molten ethylene polymer is discharged from the reaction zone in which the polymer is prepared.

Abstract: Bingham fluid compositions are provided which contain a functional material such as a polymerization initiator dispersed in a solid continuous phase, which is a mixture of a wax and a liquid hydrocarbon. Such compositions are prepared by heating the wax and the liquid hydrocarbon to form a melt and dispersing the functional material in the melt. Upon cooling, the composition solidifies with the functional material being uniformly dispersed throughout the continuous solid phase. The compositions, while solid at ambient temperature and pressure, assume the flow characteristics of a liquid under an applied pressure and can be pumped to feed the functional material to a polymerization reactor or molten polymer on a continuous basis.

Abstract: Ziegler-type catalysts of enhanced activity are produced by (1) suspending a finely divided polymeric support such as polyethylene in an alkanol solution of a magnesium compound such as magnesium chloride, (2) vaporizing the alkanol to deposit the magnesium compound on the support, (3) treating the magnesium compound impregnated support with a transition metal halide such as titanium tetrachloride in a hydrocarbon medium, and (4) reacting the product of (3) with an organometallic compound such as triethyl aluminum. The catalysts are particularly useful in polymerizing mono-1 olefins such as ethylene.

Abstract: In mono 1-olefin polymerization processes employing a magnesium compound supported Ziegler-type catalyst; the improvement which comprises treating the magnesium compound support with an organic peroxide prior to impregnating the support with a transition metal halide catalyst component.