Abstract: A process for producing a polyolefin according to the present invention comprises (co) polymerizing one or two or more &agr;-olefins in a vapor phase in a fluidized-bed reactor, wherein the concentration of (A) a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon in the fluidized bed reactor is 1 mol % or more and at least one compound selected from (B) an aliphatic amide and (C) a nonionic surfactant constituted only of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms is made to exist in the reactor. The present invention can provide a process for producing a polyolefin, the process ensuring that the prevention of clogging caused by the generation of sheet or block polymers and a high efficiency of the production of a polyolefin due to good catalytic activity can be accomplished at the same time and also having superb continuous productivity.

Abstract: The vulcanizates produced using the rubber mixtures according to the invention, in which the vulcanizates contain agglomerated rubber gels, are distinguished by improved mechanical properties with an at least equivalent damping behavior.

Abstract: This invention provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer. This invention also provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer, wherein said catalyst composition comprises a post-contacted organometal compound, a post-contacted organoaluminum compound, and a post-contacted treated solid oxide compound.

Abstract: A hollow plastic article is described, with at least one opening and with a structure which has one or more layers, the hollow plastic article comprising at least one layer made from a polyolefin which was prepared using a fluorine-modified chromium catalyst. The use of hollow plastic articles of the invention as plastic fuel containers, gasoline canisters, plastic tanks, or plastic bottles or the like is also described.

Abstract: A process for preparing pillared chromium phyllosilicate clay &agr;-olefin catalysts is disclosed. This process utilizes palygorskite and sepiolite clays. The pillaring of said clays comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a hydrolyzed first solution by dissolving a chromium salt and a base in water, heating said first solution to a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 100° C. while stirring continuously until the solution reaches a pH in the range of about 1.5 to about 2.5 and thereby producing a master batch; (b) diluting said master batch with water to produce a diluted second solution and heating said diluted second solution to produce a heated second solution; (c) adding a solid clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolites and palagorskites to said heated second solution, and continuing heating; (d) recovering said pillared chain silicate clay; and (e) drying said pillared chain silicate clay to form first product.

Abstract: A single-site olefin polymerization catalyst is described. The catalyst comprises an activator and an inorganic compound comprising iron and a tridentate N-(2-ethylamino)-2-pyridylmethanimino or N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino ligand. The late transition metal catalyst is active in olefin polymerization.

Abstract: A process for preparing a butyl polymer having a broad molecular weight distribution. The process comprises the step of contacting a C4 to C8 monoolefin monomers with a C4 to C14 multiolefin monomer at a temperature in the range of from about −100° C. to about +50° C. in the presence of a diluent and a catalyst mixture comprising a major amount of a dialkylalumium halide, a minor amount of a monoalkylaluminum dihalide, and a minute amount of an aluminoxane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the copolymerisation of conjugated diolefins with non-conjugated olefins in the presence of rare earth metal catalysts. The advantages of the process according to the invention are in particular the high selectivity, good space-time yield and the possibility of being able to vary the reaction conditions within a wide range.

Abstract: In a process for preparing ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers in which a mixture of ethylene and vinyl acetate is polymerized continuously in the presence of free-radical polymerization initiators and, if desired, molecular weight regulators in a cooled tube reactor at a pressure in the range from 1000 to 3500 bar, and the poly-merization initiator is added at the beginning and at two or more points along the tube reactor, and temperature changes in the reaction mixture along the tube reactor, between the first temperature maximum and the last addition of the polymerization initiator, are within a range of not more than 20° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high density polyethylene in the gas phase comprising contacting ethylene or a mixture comprising ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins with a chromium oxide catalyst supported on a granular or microspherical refractory oxide in a fluidised bed reactor in the presence of oxigen. The present invention further relates to a process for controlling the density of high density polyethylene prepared in the gas phase comprising contacting ethylene or a mixture comprising ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins with a chromium oxide catalyst supported on a granular or microspherical refractory oxide in a fluidised bed reactor in the presence of oxigen.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing monomers in the gas phase, in fluidized bed reactors is described, where unsaturated, gas phase monomers are fed into the reactors in the presence of a mixture of inert diluents having a composition that allows the dew point to be adjusted, this leading to high production rates under stable operation in a non condensed operation mode.

Abstract: The process is characterized by the use of catalyst systems consisting of a single metallocene catalyst activated with mixtures of at least 2 co-catalysts. The co-catalysts are aluminium alkyls, aluminoxanes or boron compounds. Different active centers are produced in the catalyst through the use of these mixed co-catalyst systems, each having different rates of initiation and completion of the polymerization reaction, which give rise to polyolefins with different molecular weights, resulting in products with broad bimodal or multimodal molecular weight distributions and the incorporation of co-monomer can be controlled by appropriate selection of the metallocene and use of combinations of different types of co-catalysts, as well as by varying the reactor pressure, the reaction temperature and the molar ratios between the various components of the catalyst system.

Abstract: A copper-mediated process for the synthesis of random copolymers of methyl acrylate with non-polarolefins, ranging from ethene to 1-octene, norbornene and norbornene derivatives, and capable of synthesizing copolymers having greater than 5% incorporation of the olefin, as well as copolymers synthesized using the process are described. The process displays many of the characteristics of a living polymerization process: the polydispersities of the copolymers obtained are less than about 1.7, preferably from about 1.1 to about 1.4, and it is possible to synthesize novel block terpolymers of methyl acrylate with olefins by the sequential addition of the latter monomers.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers. The catalyst composition includes a metallocene compound and an activating cocatalyst. In the metallocene compound, two cyclopentadienyl groups are bridged by X (carbon, silicon, germanium or tin) in a ring structure. The bite angle &thgr; formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees. The obtained olefin polymer has high cycloolefin conversion and a high glass transition temperature. In addition, the catalyst composition can still maintain relatively high activity at high temperature reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the polymerization of gaseous olefins, in particular of ethylene and at least one &agr;-olefin, in the gas phase in a stirred or fluidized, catalyst-containing polymerization zone (2) and at least one decompression zone (6, 10) downstream of the polymerization zone (2). The mixture of solid (co)polymer and unreacted monomers leaving the polymerization zone (2) flows through a settling zone, in particular in the form of a settling leg (14), before the decompression zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of matter comprising the catalyst compound comprising a transition metal complexed with a facially coordinating tridentate bisamide ligand. The invention is also directed to a catalyst system or a supported catalyst system comprising this compound and an activator and to a process for using the catalyst system or supported catalyst system in a process for polymerizing olefin(s).

Abstract: A polyethylene having improved rheological properties is disclosed. The polyethylene has a melt index (MI2) from about 0.01 dg/min to about 50 dg/min and a melt strength (&eegr;) that satisfies MI2×&eegr;≧3.5. A process for making the polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses an azaborolinyl-containing single-site catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, where the hydrogen consumption is controlled to be less than 30%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a substantially amorphous poly-&agr;-olefin, which includes: a) preforming a solid catalyst and, optionally, a first amount of a trialkylaluminum cocatalyst, by contacting the catalyst and optionally the cocatalyst with at least one selected from the group including oxygen and a compound which includes active oxygen, to form a preformed catalyst, wherein the solid catalyst includes magnesium, aluminum and titanium, and wherein said trialkylaluminum cocatalyst includes 1 to 9 carbon atoms in each alkyl group; b) contacting the preformed catalyst with a second amount of the cocatalyst, wherein a molar ratio of trialkylaluminum to the titanium ranges from 40:1 to 700:1, to form a catalyst mixture; c) polymerizing, in the liquid phase, with the catalyst mixture, an olefin or an olefin mixture at a temperature between 30 and 160° C., to produce the poly-&agr;-olefin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of copolymer based on ethylene by continuous copolymerization of ethylene and comonomer in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst. In this method, in a first step of the copolymerization, a mixture comprising ethylene and comonomer of such a composition that a copolymer-containing coating deposits in the reactor is metered into the reactor and/or generated in the reactor, and, in a second step, the concentration of the comonomer in the metered-in mixture and/or in the mixture generated in the reactor is reduced sufficiently and/or the concentration of the ethylene in the metered-in mixture and/or in the mixture generated in the reactor is increased sufficiently that the coating is removed from the reactor either partially or completely. The method has the advantage that the production of copolymer does not have to be interrupted during cleaning of the reactor.

Abstract: A novel process for producing homopolymers and interpolymers of olefins which involves contacting an olefin and/or an olefin and at least one or more other olefin(s) under polymerization conditions with a metallocene catalyst and dinitrogen monoxide in amounts sufficient to reduce the electrostatic charge in the polymerization medium. Also provided is a process for reducing electrostatic charge in the production of polyolefins by introducing dinitrogen monoxide into the polymerization medium.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing an olefin polymer composition in at least two polymerization reactors connected in series, in which the suspension of polymer in a diluant, formed in the first reactor, is sent into a hydrocyclone seperator in which, on the one hand, a stream comprising diluant and, on the other hand, a concentrated suspension of polymer particles are formed and separated. The concentrated suspension is then introduced into the subsequent polymerization reactor.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The polyethylene has a long-chain-branching index (LCBI) of 1 or greaster. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. The catalyst is alkylated with triisobutyl aluminum.

Abstract: A solid particulate metallocene-containing catalyst system is produced by combining an alkenyl substituted indenyl (t-butylamido)dimethyl silane titanium dichloride half sandwich metallocene in which the alkenyl substituent on the indenyl has terminal olefinic unsaturation and 5 to 6 carbon atoms with a suitable cocatalyst in a liquid and conducting prepolymerization of at least one olefin, optionally in multiple steps, to produce a prepolymerized solid catalyst, and separating the resulting solid from the liquid and the components dissolved in the liquid, said solid being the inventive solid particulate metallocene catalyst system. The use of the solid particulate catalyst in the polymerization of olefins is also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalyst precursor compounds having both (i) a polydentate ligand which comprises a cyclic moiety as well as a heteroatom and (ii) a protected hydride/hydrocarbyl ligand bonded to a metal atom, as well as olefin polymerization catalyst systems based thereupon, polymerization processes using such catalyst systems and polymers produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b1) at least one multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl and a free radical initiator or b2) at least one multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-ether. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, the (co)polymers obtainable by this process and the use of multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyls in combination with a free radical initiator, or a multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-ethers for controlled polymerization. In a particularly preferred embodiment at least one additional heating step at a temperature from 140 to 280° C. is applied after polymerization is completed.

Abstract: Long-chain, branched, propylene-based polymers, of which the melt index and the molecular weight distribution and the melt tension and the limiting viscosity both satisfy specific requirements, have good physical properties that are comparable to or better than those of conventional propylene-based polymers. They have good melt workability and are favorable to large-size blow molding and extrusion foaming. They are favorably used as miscibility improvers for propylene homopolymers and propylene-based copolymers.

Abstract: Reagents to cause swelling of coarsely ground vulcanized rubber, and a method of using the reagents is disclosed. Reagents which cause rubber to swell but which do not attack or react with rubber include various hydrocarbons, ketones and lactones. Specifically useful are benzene, cyclohexanone, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, hexane, heptane, acetone, gasoline, paramethadione, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone and amyl acetate. It is taught that specific reagents work most effectively with specific types of rubbers, and that mixtures of reagents, preferably reagents having the same polarity, may be used. The reagent of the present invention is mixed with the coarsely ground rubber powder for about five minutes or more, causing the rubber particles to approximately double in size. Preferably, the reagent is substantially fully absorbed by the rubber. The swollen rubber is then suitable for further processing, namely, grinding into a superfine powder.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for olefin polymerization comprises a combination of a novel metal oxide support and an activator which is an aluminoxane or a boron activator. The novel metal oxide support of this invention is a conventional particulate metal oxide support material (such as silica or alumina) which has been treated with a halosulfonic acid. A catalyst system which contains this novel catalyst support and a transition metal catalyst is highly active for olefin polymerization (in comparison to prior art catalyst systems which use a conventional metal oxide support).

Abstract: Silica powders and mixed silica-oxide powders and methods of preparing such powders for use as catalyst supports for polymerization processes.

Abstract: A process for the gas-phase (co-)polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor using a metallocene catalyst in that the polymerization is preformed in the presence of a process aid additive selected from at least one of 1) a polysulfone copolymer, 2) a polymeric polyamine, or 3) an oil-soluble sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor compound useful for the polymerization of olefins. The compound comprises a metal atom and two &pgr;-bonded aromatic ring systems which are bridged by being linked to adjacent members of a ring structure in cis fashion.

Abstract: This application discloses triphenyl carbenium NCA's as catalyst activators for a class of asymmetrically bridged hafnocene catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors are activated into olefin polymerization catalysts and are suitable for gas, solution, and slurry-phase polyermization reactions. The disclosed bridge is methylenyl- or silanylenyl-based and is optionally, alkyl or aryl substituted. The catalytic activity of the disclosed hafnocene catalyst precursors is substantially enhanced over identical catalysts that are activated with other activators.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises contacting one or more olefinic comonomers in the presence of at least a high molecular weight catalyst and at least a low molecular weight catalyst in a single reactor; and effectuating the polymerization of the olefinic comonomers in the reactor to obtain an olefin polymer. Preferably, both catalysts have the ability to incorporate a substantially similar amount of comonomers in the olefin polymer. The polymers produced by the process may have a relatively higher level of long chain branching while maintaining a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., MWD less than about 6. These interpolymers may exhibit processability similar to or better than LDPE but have physical properties similar to metallocene catalyzed polymers.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene copolymers is disclosed. Ethylene copolymerizes with an &agr;-olefin in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an activator and a silica-supported, bridged indenoindolyl metal complex having “open architecture.” The supported complex incorporates comonomers with exceptional efficiency, and the process gives ethylene copolymers having high molecular weights (Mw>100K) and very low densities (<0.910 g/cm3). Open architecture catalysts that include bridging through the indolyl nitrogen of the indenoindolyl framework are also described.

Abstract: The sealability of a thermoplastic, mono- or multi-layer film having an irradiated sealing layer comprising a polyethylene and/or an ethylene-x-olefin copolymer with a density ≧0.915 g/cm3 is improved by corona treating said sealing layer. The integrity of the obtained sealed container is maintained under pasteurizing or cook-in conditions.

Abstract: A copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin contains from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein 0.1 to 1.5 mol % of the units originate from the alpha-olefin. The copolymer has a relative density ranging from 0.960 to 0.940, a transition metal content lower than 6 ppm, an Mw/Mn ratio higher than 7, an Mz/Mw ratio higher than 3.3 and an Mz higher than 300,000. The copolymer is prepared from the polymerization or co-polymerization of at least one olefin in the presence of a solid catalytic component or a prepolymerized catalyst.

Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2 and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polyethylene composition particularly suitable for film blowing. The invention also concerns a process for the production thereof. The composition comprises a low molecular weight portion having a density of more than 960 kg/m3 and a high molecular weight portion. The polyethylene composition has a density of about 925-940 kg/m3 and a melt flow rate in the range of MFR21, from 5 to 40 g/10 min. A polyethylene film blown from the polyethylene composition exhibits a tensile strength at yield in transverse direction at least 15 MPa, a 1% secant modulus in machine direction at least 300 MPa and in transverse direction at least 400 MPa, and a dart drop of at least 5 g/&mgr;m.

Abstract: A process for producing terpolymers of propylene, comprising a) feeding into a slurry reactor a reaction mixture containing 50-85 w-% of propylene, 1-10 w-% of ethylene, 15-40 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, a catalyst system maintaining olefin polymerization at said temperature conditions, and optionally hydrogen, b) polymerizing said reaction mixture at a temperature of lower than 70° C. a sufficient time to obtain a propylene terpolymer amounting to 50-99 w-% of the end product, c) transferring said reaction mixture into a gas phase reactor operating at a pressure of higher than 5 bars, preferably higher than 10 bars, optionally adding 0-30 w-% of ethylene, 0-10 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, 0-40 w-% of propylene and optionally hydrogen, and d) continuing polymerization in said gas phase reactor for obtaining a propylene terpolymer amounting to 1-50 wt-% of the end product. The terpolymer has a melting temperature a less than 135° C., preferably less than 132° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for homopolymerization or copolymerization of olefins comprising: (a) a solid catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal compound of group IVB, VB, or VIB of the periodic table, a magnesium compound and aliphatic polyketone particles; and (b) a cocatalyst comprising an aluminum alkyl, an aluminoxane or mixtures thereof; and a process for homopolymerisation or copolymerisation of olefins.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising 5 to 95 wt % of the following (A) and 5 to 95 wt % of the following (B), wherein the flowability index I according to a test for flow properties with a capillary rheometer is 1.35 or more: (A) an ethylene-&agr;-olefin copolymer having a tensile stress M100 measured according to JIS-K-6251 of 2.5 MPa or less, (B) a polyolefin-based resin having a tensile stress M100 measured according to JIS-K-6251 of 2.5 MPa or more.

Abstract: Silica powders and mixed silica-oxide powders and methods of preparing such powders for use as catalyst supports for polymerization processes.

Abstract: One or more oligomers of an olefin are prepared in the presence of a single-site catalyst. Preferably, the olefin is an &agr;-olefin, and the oligomers are a poly-alpha-olefin (PAO). The PAO so prepared is completely or substantially free of tertiary hydrogen resulting from isomerization. Consequently, the PAO possesses improved biodegradability, improved oxidation resistance, and/or a relatively higher viscosity index. The PAO has many useful applications, such as a component of a lubricant.

Abstract: A novel process for producing homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene which involves contacting ethylene and/or ethylene and at least one or more other olefin(s) under polymerization conditions with a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst, at least one halogenated hydrocarbon, at least one compound of the formula XnER3-n as a co-catalyst and at least one compound containing at least one carbon-oxygen-carbon linkage (C—O—C) of the formula R1—O(—R2—O)n—R3 as an external electron donor. Also provided are films and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, ≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods, useful in polymerization processes, utilizing at least two metal compounds are disclosed. At least one of the metal compounds is a Group 15 containing metal compound and the other metal compound is preferably a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst. The invention also discloses a new polyolefin, generally polyethylene, particularly a multimodal polymer and more specifically, a bimodal polymer, and its use in various end-use applications such as film, molding and pipe.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises (1) contacting at least one polymerizable monomer in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reactor; (2) effectuating polymerization of the monomer; (3) adding a substituted olefin having at least one polar group to the reactor. The substituted olefin is different from the monomer. Vinyl-terminated macromers preferably are generated which can be homopolymerized or copolymerized with the monomer by the metal catalyst. A polymer of an olefin monomer and a substituted olefin comprising a backbone and a plurality of side chains. The polymer is characterized by an Rv of greater than about 0.85, where Rv is a measure of the relative number of vinyl groups in the polymer. In some polymers, the vinyl endgroups are transformed to other useful end groups.

Abstract: Catalyst components for the preparation of ethylene (co)polymers capable to produce polymers with high bulk density, to avoid the problems of formation of fines and that have a high activity are provided. Said catalyst components are characterized by comprising a non-stereospecific solid catalyst component, comprising a titanium compound and a magnesium dihalide, which is pre-polymerized with an alpha olefin CH2═CHR1 wherein R is a C1-C8 alkyl group, to such an extent that the amount of the &agr;-olefin pre-polymer is up to 100 g per g of said solid catalyst component.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW, MDPE) is disclosed. The polyethylene comprises from about 85 to about 98 wt % of recurring units of ethylene and about 2 to about 15 wt % of a C3-C10 &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI2 from about 0.01 to about 0.5 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio MFR from about 50 to about 300. It has a multimodal molecular weight distribution comprising a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component. The low molecular weight component has an MI2 from about 50 to about 600 dg/min and a density from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc. A process for making the medium density polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler catalyst and applies multiple reaction zones.

Abstract: A novel liquid phase polymerization process for preparing a polyolefin product having preselected properties is disclosed. The process includes the steps of providing a liquid feedstock which contains an olefinic component and a catalyst composition consisting of a stable complex of BF3 and a complexing agent therefor. The feedstock may comprise any one or more of a number of olefins including branched olefins such as isobutylene, C3 to C15 linear alpha olefins and C4 to C15 reactive non-alpha olefins. The feedstock and the catalyst composition are introduced into a residual reaction mixture recirculating in a loop reactor reaction zone provided in the tube side of a shell and tube heat exchanger at a recirculation rate sufficient to cause intimate intermixing of the residual reaction mixture, the added feedstock and the added catalyst composition.