Abstract: A heterogeneous in-situ polymer blend comprising a continuous phase comprising a polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 30% and a melting point temperature Tm greater than 130° C., and a heat of fusion ?Hf greater than 65 J/g; and a dispersed phase comprising particles of an elastomeric copolymer dispersed in the continuous phase and having an average particle size of less than 5 micron, the elastomeric copolymer comprising ethylene units and 0.001 to 5 wt % diene by weight of the copolymer, and having a crystallinity of less than 20% and being at least partially cross-linked such that the degree of cross-link is at least 20%.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brominated elastomer composition comprising a free radical scavenger. The scavenger is present in the amount of at least about 0.05 wt % of the composition. The scavenger is added to the composition so that the Mooney viscosity of the composition does not increase by more than about 15% to about 40%, for up to about 15 days at 80° C. The scavenger can be a sterically hindered nitroxyl ether, a nitroxyl radical, or both.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for making a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, by polymerizing a first and second polymer solution (each having 75 to 99 wt % propylene-derived units, 1 to 25 wt % ethylene-derived units, and 0.05 to 6 wt % diene-derived units); combining the first and second polymer solution to produce a polymer blend solution; removing solvent from the polymer blend solution to produce a polymer blend; mixing the polymer blend with a coagent and a vinyl-terminated silane compound; subjecting the polymer blend to electron beam irradiation to grafting the vinyl-terminated silane compound to either or both of the first polymer and the second polymer to form a grafted polymer blend; and moisture curing the grafted polymer blend to form a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, wherein the grafted cross-linked polymer blend is substantially free of peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene copolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a halobutyl rubber in an amount effective to improve one or more of aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the copolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units, and a tire inner tube or tire innerliner composition comprising from 1 to 10 phr copolymer. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire innerliners, tires, and tire inner tubes comprising the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles, tire inner tubes and tires.

Abstract: A method for forming a composition comprising a propylene-based polymer and a co-agent is provided. The method comprises introducing a propylene-based polymer to an extruder and introducing the co-agent to the extruder at a position within the extruder where the temperature is from 23° C. to 125° C.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for making a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, by polymerizing a first and second polymer solution (each having 75 to 99 wt % propylene-derived units, 1 to 25 wt % ethylene-derived units, and 0.05 to 6 wt % diene-derived units); combining the first and second polymer solution to produce a polymer blend solution; removing solvent from the polymer blend solution to produce a polymer blend; mixing the polymer blend with a coagent and a vinyl-terminated silane compound; subjecting the polymer blend to electron beam irradiation to grafting the vinyl-terminated silane compound to either or both of the first polymer and the second polymer to form a grafted polymer blend; and moisture curing the grafted polymer blend to form a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, wherein the grafted cross-linked polymer blend is substantially free of peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one propylene-based polymer comprising less than 0.1 wt. % diene-derived units based on the weight of the propylene-based polymer, an antioxidant, and a co-agent. The composition can be at least partially crosslinked by electron beam irradiation in a dose of less than 200 kGy, and may be further formed into articles including fibers, yarns, films, and nonwovens, among others. The propylene-based polymer of the present invention may be a polymer blend formed by forming a reactor blend from of two or more polymers produced in two or more reactors.

Abstract: Provided are crosslinkable propylene-based copolymers, methods for making the same, elastomeric compositions including the same, and articles made therefrom, e.g., films and fibers. Exemplary elastomeric compositions are composed of at least one propylene-based polymer comprising propylene derived units and one or more dienes, the propylene-based polymer having a triad tacticity of from 50% to 99% and a heat of fusion of less than 80 J/g; about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % vinyl siloxane; and about 0.1 wt % to about 1.0 wt % peroxide. The elastomeric compositions can be extruded and crosslinked at a temperature of at least about 50° C. and a relative humidity of at least about 90% to provide a crosslinked elastomeric composition. The crosslinked elastomeric compositions are particularly useful for making fibers and films.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene copolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a halobutyl rubber in an amount effective to improve one or more of aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, and dimensional stability. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the copolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units, and a tire inner tube or tire innerliner composition comprising from 1 to 10 phr copolymer. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire innerliners, tires, and tire inner tubes comprising the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles, tire inner tubes and tires.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is formed from at least one copolymer and at least one nanofiller. The copolymer is formed of units derived from isoolefins having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms and multiolefins. The nanofiller comprising a surfactant wherein the surfactant has the structure of (R1R2R3R4)N+ wherein R1 is benzyl derived unit, which may or may not be substituted, wherein R2 is selected from C1 to C26 alkyls, C2 to C26 alkenes, and C3 to C26 aryls, and wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are independently selected from C9 to C26 alkyls, C9 to C26 alkenes, and C9 to C26 aryls.

Abstract: A heterogeneous in-situ polymer blend comprising a continuous phase comprising a polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 30% and a melting point temperature Tm greater than 130° C., and a heat of fusion ?Hf greater than 65 J/g; and a dispersed phase comprising particles of an elastomeric copolymer dispersed in the continuous phase and having an average particle size of less than 5 micron, the elastomeric copolymer comprising ethylene units and 0.001 to 5 wt % diene by weight of the copolymer, and having a crystallinity of less than 20% and being at least partially cross-linked such that the degree of cross-link is at least 20%.

Abstract: A heterogeneous vulcanized polymer blend comprising a continuous phase comprising a thermoplastic polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 30% and a dispersed phase comprising particles of an elastomeric copolymer dispersed in the continuous phase and having an average particle size of less than 5 micron. The elastomeric copolymer has a crystallinity of less than 20% and is at least partially cross-linked such that no more than about 80 wt % of the elastomeric copolymer is extractable in cyclohexane at 23° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a blend rubber wherein the terpolymer can be present in an amount effective to improve tack, aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, ozone cracking resistance, and reversion resistance. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the terpolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units, at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and from 0.3 to 10 wt % diene-derived units, and a tire sidewall composition comprising from 10 to 30 phr terpolymer, from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber, from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber, and an optional secondary blend rubber. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire sidewalls, tires, retreaded tires, bias truck tires, off-road tires, and passenger automobile tires made with the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles and tires, and for retreading tires.

Abstract: Crosslinked polyolefin blends, methods for their production, and articles made of the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the polyolefin blends comprise a first polymer formed in a first reactor and a second polymer formed in a second reactor. The first and second polymers, as well as the resulting blend, may comprise units derived from propylene, ethylene, and a diene. The blended composition can then be compounded with one or more coagents, antioxidants, UV sensitizers, and/or other additives and crosslinked, preferably by exposure to UV radiation and/or energetic photons. The crosslinked polymers are particularly useful for making fibers, films, and nonwovens.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing a composition comprising at least one propylene-based polymer; at least one of multifunctional acrylates, multifunctional methacrylates, functionalized polybutadiene resins, functionalized cyanurate, and allyl isocyanurate; at least one of hindered phenols, phosphites, and hindered amines; and at least one photoinitiator for UV curing. The propylene-based polymer can include propylene derived units and one or more dienes, and have a triad tacticity of from 50% to 99% and a heat of fusion of less than 80 J/g. The composition can be extruded and crosslinked. The crosslinked composition is particularly useful for making films and fibers.

Abstract: A method for forming a composition comprising a propylene-based polymer and a co-agent is provided. The method comprises introducing a propylene-based polymer to an extruder and introducing the co-agent to the extruder at a position within the extruder where the temperature is from 23° C. to 125° C.

Abstract: Crosslinked polyolefin blends, methods for their production, and articles made of the same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the polyolefin blends comprise a first polymer formed in a first reactor and a second polymer formed in a second reactor. The first and second polymers, as well as the resulting blend, may comprise units derived from propylene, ethylene, and a diene. The blended composition can then be compounded with one or more coagents, antioxidants, and/or other additives and crosslinked, preferably by exposure to energetic photons. The crosslinked polymers are particularly useful for making fibers, films, and nonwovens.

Abstract: A closed cell foam material contains a propylene based polymer comprising from about 5% to about 32% by weight ?-olefin units. The propylene based polymer has a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of less than 80 J/g. The material also contains 0.5 to 5 phr peroxide, 1.0 to 5.0 phr blowing agent, and 0.1 to 10 phr co-agent. The cells of closed cell foam material have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with unique morphological features, more specifically, this invention relates to a method for preparing TPV compositions wherein the mixing of plastomers and elastomers are carried out in solvent with curatives to induce cross-linking.

Abstract: Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) including a cured rubber dispersed therein and an EVOH-rubber compatibilizer.