Abstract: This invention relates to coupling of polyethylene resins, more specifically coupling of polyethylene resins for use in extruded profiles, especially extruded profiles for sheet extrusion and cut sheet thermoforming applications and geomembranes. The process involves conveying a HDPE resin through an extruder, wherein the extruder comprises a feed zone, a first melt zone downstream of the feed zone, a second melt zone downstream of the first melt zone, and a third melt zone downstream of the second melt zone. The resin is melted in the first zone, contacted with oxygen in the second melt zone, and contacted antioxidant in the third melt zone.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymeric compositions which form gloss resins suitable for thermoforming applications. The polymeric compositions include a reaction product composed of a clarified random propylene/?-olefin copolymer, a coupling agent, and optionally an elastomer. Methods for adjusting the melt flow rate of the gloss resin are also disclosed. Adjustment of the gloss resin melt flow rate advantageously enables scrap thermoplastic material containing the gloss resin to be recycled in a thermoforming operation.

Abstract: The instant invention is a polypropylene composition, a method of producing the same, and articles made therefrom. The polypropylene composition according to instant invention includes the reactive melt blending product of a high crystalline polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 64 percent, an elastomer, a coupling agent, and optionally a filler. The polypropylene composition according to instant invention has a melt flow rate in the range of less than 1 g/10 minutes measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM-D 1238.

Abstract: This invention relates to coupling of polyethylene resins, more specifically coupling of polyethylene resins for use in extruded profiles, especially extruded profiles for sheet extrusion and cut sheet thermoforming applications and geomembranes. The process involves conveying a HDPE resin through an extruder, wherein the extruder comprises a feed zone, a first melt zone downstream of the feed zone, a second melt zone downstream of the first melt zone, and a third melt zone downstream of the second melt zone. The resin is melted in the first zone, contacted with oxygen in the second melt zone, and contacted antioxidant in the third melt zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thermoforming process and thermoformed articles produced therefrom. The thermoforming process includes heating a structure with a gloss layer composed of a propylene-based polymer having a melt flow rate from about 0.1 g/10 min to about 1.5 g/10 min, and producing a thermoformed article wherein the gloss layer has a post-thermoformed Gardner gloss value within 25% of the pre-thermoformed Gardner gloss value for the gloss layer. The thermoformed article may have a gloss layer with a post-thermoformed Gardner gloss value greater than or equal to about 60.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymeric compositions which form gloss resins suitable for thermoforming applications. The polymeric compositions include a reaction product composed of a clarified random propylene/?-olefin copolymer, a coupling agent, and optionally an elastomer. Methods for adjusting the melt flow rate of the gloss resin are also disclosed. Adjustment of the gloss resin melt flow rate advantageously enables scrap thermoplastic material containing the gloss resin to be recycled in a thermoforming operation.

Abstract: The instant invention is a polypropylene composition, a method of producing the same, and articles made therefrom. The polypropylene composition according to instant invention includes the reactive melt blending product of a high crystalline polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 64 percent, an elastomer, a coupling agent, and optionally a filler. The polypropylene composition according to instant invention has a melt flow rate in the range of less than 1 g/10 minutes measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM-D 1238. The method of producing a polypropylene composition according to instant invention includes the following steps: (1) reactive melt blending a high crystalline polypropylene having a crystallinity of at least 64 percent, an elastomer, and optionally a filler in the presence of a coupling agent; and (2) thereby producing the polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate in the range of less than 1 g/10 minutes measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component coupled with a polysulfonyl azide. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (LTD) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolymer or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same, or different, composition (that is, with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described. Compositions comprising a chromium-catalyzed ethylene polymer, coupled with a polysulfonyl azide are also described herein.