Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods relating to the finishing line of a continuous solution polymerization plant. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a pelletizer having cooling liquid, e.g., water or aqueous solution, into which is added a pelletization aid. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises means to remove residual polymer particles from the pelletizer cooling liquid. In a further aspect, the apparatus comprises conduits of at least 50 m in length for carrying propellant cooling liquid from the pelletizer to a drying apparatus. The residence time of the pellets in the cooling liquid may be 10 seconds or more. In a further aspect, a drying apparatus is provided for the pellets which comprises first and second drying zones. In a further aspect, a pneumatic conveyor is provided for carrying pellets to a packaging apparatus. In a further aspect, a packaging apparatus is provided comprising a blender silo.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods relating to the finishing line of a continuous solution polymerization plant. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a pelletizer having cooling liquid, e.g., water or aqueous solution, into which is added a pelletization aid. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises means to remove residual polymer particles from the pelletizer cooling liquid. In a further aspect, the apparatus comprises conduits of at least 50 m in length for carrying propellant cooling liquid from the pelletizer to a drying apparatus. The residence time of the pellets in the cooling liquid may be 10 seconds or more. In a further aspect, a drying apparatus is provided for the pellets which comprises first and second drying zones. In a further aspect, a pneumatic conveyor is provided for carrying pellets to a packaging apparatus. In a further aspect, a packaging apparatus is provided comprising a blender silo.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics and methods for making the same are described, wherein the fabrics comprise two or more propylene-based elastomers in combination with one or more propylene-based thermoplastic polymers. Specifically, the first propylene-based elastomer comprises at least 7% by weight ethylene or non-propylene alpha-olefin units, the second propylene-based elastomer comprises less than 7% by weight ethylene or non-propylene alpha-olefin units, the first and second propylene-based elastomers each have a heat of fusion less than 80 J/g, and the propylene-based thermoplastic polymer has a heat of fusion greater than 80 J/g.

Abstract: Described herein is a thermoplastic physical blend composition comprising (a) from 20 to 95 wt. % based on the total polymer content of a first polymer component that includes polypropylene having a melting point (Tm)?110° C.; and (b) from 80 to 5 wt. % based on the total polymer content of a second polymer component that includes a reactor blend obtainable from a solution process, the reactor blend including: (i) from 2 to 98 wt. % based on the total weight of the SPC of a propylene polymer having 60 wt. % or more units derived from propylene, including isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences and Tm<105° C. or a Heat of Fusion<45 J/g, or both; and (ii) from 98 to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the SPC of an ethylene ?-olefin elastomer having either no crystallinity or crystallinity derived from ethylene, wherein (c) the FPC and the SPC are physically blended together to form the composition.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics and methods for making the same are described, wherein the fabrics comprise two or more propylene-based elastomers in combination with one or more propylene-based thermoplastic polymers. Specifically, the first propylene-based elastomer comprises at least 7% by weight ethylene or non-propylene alpha-olefin units, the second propylene-based elastomer comprises less than 7% by weight ethylene or non-propylene alpha-olefin units, the first and second propylene-based elastomers each have a heat of fusion less than 80 J/g, and the propylene-based thermoplastic polymer has a heat of fusion greater than 80 J/g.

Abstract: A method of making silica loaded elastomer masterbatches or compounded productive elastomer stocks with or without the simultaneous extrusion of component profiles is provided. A twin-screw extruder is used to mix the elastomeric stock in multiple mixing zones at controlled temperatures in which a concurrent chemical reaction takes place between the silica coupler, the silica, and/or the diene based elastomer. Silica, elastomer, silica coupler, and other ingredients are fed into the twin screw extruder continuously through precise loss-in-weight or volumetric feeders. Chemical reactions(s) in the elastomer/silica based composition take place within the twin-screw extruder while the composition is mixing. The product is forced through a profile die mounted at the exit of the extruder and formed into the shape of the desired component. The maximum rate of mixing tends to be a function of the heat transfer efficiency, the conveying capacity of the screws, and the mechanical strength of the extruder.