Abstract: Improved thermoplastic polymer elastic film blend compositions including a crystalline isotactic polypropylene component and a crystallizable alpha-olefin and propylene copolymer component, the copolymer having crystallizable alpha-olefin sequences. In a preferred embodiment, improved thermoplastic polymer blends are provided made up of from 0% to 95%, preferably 2% to 40 weight % of the crystalline isotactic polypropylene and from 5% to 100%, preferably 60% to 98 weight % of a crystallizable ethylene and propylene copolymer, wherein the copolymer has isotactically crystallizable propylene sequences and is predominately propylene. The resultant blends manifest unexpected compatibility characteristics, and improved resistance to elastic deformation of the crystalline isotactic polypropylene and from of a crystallizable ethylene and propylene copolymer.

Abstract: An adhesive blend is described that can include a semi-crystalline copolymer of propylene and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene and at least one C4 to C20 &agr;-olefin, the copolymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from about 15,000 to about 200,000; an melt index (MI) from about 7 dg/min to about 3000 dg/min as measured by ASTM D 1238(B), and a (Mw/Mn) of approximately 2. Various production processes are also described. Also described are adhesive compositions and methods for making adhesive compositions having polymers or polymer blends with melt flow rates (MFRs) equal to and above 250 dg/min. at 230 NC. Certain specific embodiments of the invention involve the use of a free radical initiator, e.g., a peroxide.

Abstract: Improved thermoplastic polymer soft elastic fiber blend compositions including a crystalline isotactic polypropylene component and a crystallizable alpha-olefin and propylene copolymer component, the copolymer comprising crystallizable alpha-olefin sequences. In a preferred embodiment, improved thermoplastic polymer blends are provided prepared from 0% to 95%, preferably 2% to 40% of the crystalline isotactic polypropylene and from 5% to 100%, preferably 60% to 98% of a crystallizable ethylene and propylene copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises isotactically crystallizable propylene sequences and is predominately propylene. The resultant blends manifest unexpected compatibility characteristics, increased tensile strength, and, improved resistance to elastic deformation.

Abstract: Ethylene propylene copolymers, substantially free of diene, are described. The copolymers will have a uniform distribution of both tacticity and comonomer between copolymer chains. Further, the copolymers will exhibit a statistically insignificant intramolecular difference of tacticity. The copolymers are made in the presence of a metallocene catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making polymer compositions, e.g. EPDM compositions, in a multistage reactor with monomers chosen from ethylene, C3-C8 alpha olefins, and a non conjugated diene. In particular, the invention relates to a process for improving diene conversion during the manufacture of the aforementioned polymer compositions by use of a multistage reactor and a metallocene catalyst system.

Abstract: The improved green strength, green elongation, and green relaxation properties of isobutylene based elastomers at elevated temperatures along with improved aging and barrier properties are achieved by blending semi-compatible, semi-crystalline polymers with the isobutylene elastomers. The improved properties are maintained in subsequent rubber compounds containing said blends and are particularly useful in tire and pharmaceutical container applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making polymer blends using series reactors and a metallocene catalyst. Monomers used by the invention are ethylene, a higher alpha-olefin (propylene most preferred), and optionally, a non-conjugated diene (ethylidene norbornene, i.e., ENB, most preferred). More specifically, this invention relates to making blends of EP (ethylene-propylene) copolymers in which the blend components differ in any of the following characteristics: 1) composition 2) molecular weight, and 3) crystallinity. We use the terminology EP copolymer to also include terpolymers that contain varying amounts of non-conjugated diene. Such terpolymers are commonly known as EPDM.

Abstract: Random propylene thermoplastic copolymers can be used to increase the elongation to break and toughness of thermoplastic vulcanizates. Semi-crystalline polypropylene is a preferred thermoplastic phase. The rubber can be olefinic rubbers. Random thermoplastic polypropylene copolymers are different from conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers as the compositional heterogeneity of the copolymer is greater with Ziegler-Natta copolymers. This difference results in substantial differences in properties (elongation to break and toughness) between thermoplastic vulcanizates modified with random thermoplastic propylene copolymers and those modified with conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers. An increase in elongation to break results in greater extensibility in the articles made from a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: Random propylene thermoplastic copolymers can be used to increase the elongation to break and toughness of thermoplastic vulcanizates. Semi-crystalline polypropylene is a preferred thermoplastic phase. The rubber can be olefinic rubbers. Random thermoplastic polypropylene copolymers are different from conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers as the compositional heterogeneity of the copolymer is greater with Ziegler-Natta copolymers. This difference results in substantial differences in properties (elongation to break and toughness) between thermoplastic vulcanizates modified with random thermoplastic propylene copolymers and those modified with conventional Ziegler-Natta propylene copolymers. An increase in elongation to break results in greater extensibility in the articles made from a thermoplastic vulcanizate.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyolefin polymer dispersions having a semicrystalline plastic (SP) component and an amorphous elastomer (AE) component. The polymer dispersions of this invention are characterized by a continuous phase containing a discontinuous phase (dispersed phase) as seen by FIG. 2. Embodiments of this invention include either: 1) a discontinuous phase composed of the SP component dispersed within a continuous phase composed of the amorphous elastomer component and/or, 2) a discontinuous phase composed of the amorphous elastomer dispersed within a continuous phase composed of the SP component.

Abstract: Thermoplastic vulcanizate blends are prepared from a semi-crystalline polymer and a rubbery copolymer derived from copolymerizing at least one alpha-olefin monomer and at least one cyclic olefin copolymer. The rubbery copolymer also includes repeat units from at least one polyene monomer. The polyene monomer provides residual unsaturation for crosslinking of said rubbery copolymer. Crosslinking the rubbery copolymer of the blend generally reduces tension set, compression set and oil swell in aliphatic solvents. The cyclic olefin monomer reduces oil swell in aliphatic oils.

Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene and a cyclic olefin, preferably a fused ring cyclic olefin (FRCO), optionally containing an alpha-olefin and/or a non-conjugated diene, display increasing glass transition temperatures (T.sub.g) as the amount of FRCO in the copolymer increases. This increase brings these polymers quickly above a T.sub.g acceptable as elastomers. Addition of specially selected process oils, based on cohesive energy densities of both the copolymer and the process oil, is shown to lower T.sub.g to a range acceptable for elastomers e.g. below about -30.degree. C. The copolymer/process oil combination can then be used in elastomer compounding operations and behave in typical elastomer fashion.

Abstract: Ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated bicyclic diene elastomeric polymers and/or polymer blends when compounded and formed into a calendered sheet, show surprising improvements for the combination in both green strength and peel adhesion in the unvulcanized state. Such green strength and peel adhesion provide benefits during calendering operations and subsequent joining of calendered sheets, while the compounded elastomeric polymers are in their green or unvulcanized state.

Abstract: Ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated bicyclic diene elastomeric polymers and/or polymer blends when compounded and formed into a calendered sheet, show surprising improvements for the combination in both green strength and peel adhesion in the unvulcanized state. Such green strength and peel adhesion provide benefits during calendering operations and subsequent joining of calendered sheets, while the compounded elastomeric polymers are in their green or unvulcanized state.

Abstract: The novel polymers of the present invention are prepared by reacting a hydroxy aromatic compound containing at least one --OH group in the ring, an aldehyde and amino-substituted polymer (e.g., an ethylene alpha-olefin interpolymer substituted by primary amino or secondary amino groups) to form an oil soluble Mannich base derivative useful as antioxidant dispersant viscosity modifier additive in oleaginous compositions such as lubricating oils and fuels. Preferred aromatic compounds are phenols such as 2,6-di-t-butylphenol or 2,6-dimethylphenol. Preferred amino-substituted interpolymers comprise amino-substituted ethylene propylene norbornene terpolymers.

Abstract: Elastomers modified by amine groups, particularly diethanol amine, are used for controlling carbon black distribution in elastomer blends.

Abstract: The novel polymers of the present invention are prepared by graft polymerization of at least one aromatic nitrogen-containing monomer onto an amino-substituted polymer (e.g., an ethylene alpha-olefin interpolymer substituted by primary amino or secondary amino groups). Preferred aromatic nitrogen-containing moieties are illustrated by aniline, and preferred amino-substituted interpolymers comprise amino-substituted ethylene propylene norbornene terpolymers. The polymers of this invention are oil soluble and are useful as dispersant and antioxidant additives in oleaginous compositions and are further useful in electrical, textile and other applications.

Abstract: The novel polymers of the present invention are prepared by graft polymerization of at least one aromatic nitrogen-containing monomer onto a low T.sub.g amino-substituted polymer (e.g., an ethylene alpha-olefin interpolymer substituted by primary amino or secondary amino groups). Preferred aromatic nitrogen-containing moieties are illustrated by aniline, and preferred low T.sub.g amino-substituted interpolymers comprise amino-substituted ethylene propylene norbornene elastomeric terpolymers. The polymers of this invention are useful in electrical, textile and other applications.

Abstract: The novel polymers of the present invention are prepared by reacting a heterocyclic nitrogen compound containing at least one --N(H)-- group in the ring, an aldehyde and amino-substituted polymer (e.g., an ethylene alpha-olefin interpolymer substituted by primary amino or secondary amino groups) to form an oil soluble Mannich base derivative useful as antioxidant additive in oleaginous compositions such as lubricating oils and fuels. Preferred heterocyclic nitrogen compound are azoles such as benzotriazoles and alkyl-substituted benzotriazoles. Preferred amino-substituted interpolymers comprise amino-substituted ethylene propylene norbornene terpolymers. The polymers of this invention are oil soluble and are useful as dispersants, viscosity index improver dispersants, and as antiwear and antioxidant additives in oleaginous compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel compound, its use as an initiator in anionic polymerizations yielding norbornene-terminated homopolymers of block copolymers, and the further use of said norbornene-terminated polymers as macromonomers in the preparation of graft copolymers.