Abstract: The present invention teaches the use of particular soluble metallocene catalyst to produce stereo-regular polymers in gas phase polymerizations wherein the catalysts are fed into a particle lean zone in the react. The metallocenes catalysts are bridged bis-(substituted indenyl) compounds.

Abstract: Provided are a propylene homopolymer in which a melt tension (MT), a Z average molecular weight (Mz) and a melt index (MI) (g/10 minutes) are specifically related and in which a difference in eluting temperatures and a maximum eluting temperature in programmed temperature fractional chromatography and a propylene copolymer in which a comonomer is specific &agr;-olefin and a content thereof falls in a specific range and in which a melt tension (MT), a Z average molecular weight (Mz) and a melt index (MI) (g/10 minutes) are specifically related.

Abstract: A propylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process gives polypropylene having isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences. The process is performed in the presence of a non-bridged bisindenoindol-based single-site catalyst. The polypropylene produced has an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 10 mole % to about 70 mole %.

Abstract: This invention relates to propylene impact copolymer compositions. In particular, these unique and improved compositions can be produced using conventional, commercial-scale processes.

Abstract: Propylene homopolymers or propylene-olefin copolymers, having at least one olefin selected from ethylene and &agr;-olefins having 4 or more carbon atoms where the propylene content in this copolymer is 98% by weight or more, are provided that are suitable for producing films with excellent antistatic performance, high rigidity and metallizability.

Abstract: The present invention teaches the use of particular soluble metallocene catalysts to produce stereoregular polymers in gas phase polymerizations wherein the catalysts are fed into a particle lean zone in the reactor. The metallocenes catalysts are bridged bis-(substituted indenyl) compounds.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical unbridged bis-substituted indenyl compounds in which one indenyl is substituted by a 2-aryl or 2-aryl alkyl substituent and the other indenyl is substituted by a terminally unsaturated alkenyl or alkyl substituent in the 1 or 2 position and their use in the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: Functionalized catalyst supports useful in formation of supported catalyst systems for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed. Methods for preparing functionalized catalyst supports and supported catalyst compositions therefrom as well as polymerization processes utilizing such supported catalysts are also disclosed. The functionalized catalyst support comprises a particulated support material having chemically bonded thereto a plurality of non-ionic, Lewis acid, aluminum-containing groups containing at least one fluoro-substituted hydrocarbyl ligand containing from 1 to 20 carbons bonded to the aluminum, said support being capable of activating a Group 3-10 metal complex for the addition polymerization of one or more addition polymerizable monomers.

Abstract: A ligand useful to form a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst comprises: wherein at least R3 and R4 are substituents having at least a bulk of a t-butyl group and, optionally, wherein R1 or R2 may be a bulky substituent group.

Abstract: This invention relates to isotactic propylene homopolymer compositions obtained from metallocene catalysis wherein the polymer has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from about 2.5 to about 20.0. The isototic propylene homopolymer composition may be prepared in a multiple stage polymerization process using the same metallocene component in at least two stages.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. It comprises supporting the catalyst, forming a slurry of the supported catalyst in an organic solvent, mixing the catalyst slurry with trialkyl aluminum compound, and polymerizing ethylene in the presence of the trialkyl aluminum-treated catalyst slurry. The process gives polyethylene having a controlled long-chain-branch index.

Abstract: A process for producing substantially amorphous propylene (co)polymers, comprising contacting propylene optionally in the presence of one or more olefins under polymerization conditions with a catalyst system comprising: A) a half sandwich titanium complex wherein the cyclopentadienyl is substituted with one or two heterocyclic rings, according to formula (I): cf formula (I) in claim 1: wherein X is N or P; Z is C, Si or Ge; Y1 is an atom selected from the group consisting of NR7. O, PR7 or S; Y2 is selected from the group consisting of CR8 or Y1 and m is 0 or 1 and B) an activating cocatalyst. The above titanium complex and the ligand useful as intermediates in their synthesis are also described.

Abstract: A masking member is provided that can be used repeatedly even for surface treatments at a high temperature. The masking member includes a plastic produced by polymerization using a metallocene compound as a catalyst or a polymer alloy containing such a plastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of random copolymers of propylene with c2-c10 &agr;-olefins, carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising:

Abstract: Provided is a crystalline polypropylene of which the 0° C. soluble content, &agr; (% by weight), as measured through programmed-temperature fractionation and the molecular weight, Mp, for the peak in the molecular weight distribution curve as measured through gel permeation chromatography satisfy the relationship of the following formula (1): &agr;≦−0.42×ln(Mp)+7.3  (1), and the melting point, Tm (° C.), as measured through differential scanning calorimetry and Mp satisfy the relationship of the following formula (2): Tm>1.85×ln(Mp)+144.5  (2). Also provided are moldings and films of the crystalline polypropylene. The crystalline polypropylene and its moldings and films are highly rigid and have good heat resistance and good scratch resistance.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing material composed of an expansion-molded article of polypropylene resin particles is excellent in shock-absorbing property and impact resilience compared with shock-absorbing materials composed of other resin materials, but has not been said to be satisfactory in stiffness and energy absorption efficiency. The present invention relates to a shock-absorbing material composed of an expansion-molded article produced by using foamed particles comprising, as a base resin, a polypropylene homopolymer obtained by using a metallocene polymerization catalyst. The base resin has a tensile modulus of at least 15,000 kgf/cm2, and the expansion-molded article has a crystal structure that an inherent peak a and a high-temperature peak b appear as endothermic peaks on a DSC curve obtained by the differential scanning calorimetry of the molded article.

Abstract: A propylene polymeric composition with elastic character that is soluble in at least one nonpolar organic solvent selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, heptane, and hexane, comprises greater than 3 weight percent and up to 45 weight percent homotactic sequences each having only r or m diads, all of which homotactic sequences have a helical length in the range of 20 to 150 Å, and in the range of 55 to 97 weight percent of the sum of homotactic sequences of less than 20 Å in helical length, each homotactic sequence having only r or m diads and having fewer than 10 repeat units with mmmm pentads being present in the range of 0 to 35 weight percent of the total composition, and heterotactic sequences having r and m diads of unequal number, the polymer having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 70,000.

Abstract: Metallocene catalysts useful for the preparation of syndiotactic/atactic block polyolefins have the general formula R″(C4R′mC5C4R′n)XMeQ wherein X is an hetero-atom ligand with one or two lone pair electrons selected from the elements of Group VA or VIA which can be substituted or non-substituted; (C4Rm′C5C4Rn′) is a fluorenyl or a symmetrically substituted fluorenyl or cyclopentadienyl ring; R′ is hydrogen or hydrocarbyl radical having from 1-20 carbon atoms, a halogen, an alkoxy, and alkoxy alkyl or an alkylamino or alkylsilylo radical, each R′ may be the same or different and m and n independently are 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that the bilateraly symmetry is maintained; R″ is a structural bridge between X and the (C4R′mC5C4R′n) ring to impart stereorigidity; Q is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-20 carbon atoms or is a halogen; Me is a Group IIIB, IVB, VB, or VIB metal as positioned in the Periodic Table of Elements; and Me can be in any o

Abstract: Amorphous copolymers of ethylene with propylene, and optionally with minor amounts of polyenes, have the following characteristics: (A) the % content by mole of propylene in the copolymer (%P) and the triads ratio EPE/(EPE+PPE+PPP) satisfy the following relationship: 0.01%P+EPE/(E?E+PPE+PPP)≧1 (B) less than 2% of the CH2 groups in the chain are in sequences (CH2)n, wherein n is an even number. These copolymers are obtainable by operating in the presence of particular metallocene catalysts having two fluorenyl groups joined together through a bridging group.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to fibers and fabrics prepared using crystalline propylene polymer compositions comprising both propylene homopolymer and propylene copolymer. The propylene polymer compositions are prepared using at least one metallocene catalyst system in a polymerization process that involves the initial homopolymerization of propylene followed by the copolymerization of propylene with a small amount of comonomer. Fibers prepared with these propylene polymers are significantly more elastic and fabrics prepared with these polymers have a significantly broader bonding window which allows for more easy processing compared to fibers and fabrics prepared from known propylene polymers.

Abstract: Use of isotactic polypropylene homopolymers or copolymers in processes in which the polypropylene solidifies from a melt, wherein for enhanced speed of solidification of the polypropylene the polypropylene has a melt temperature and a crystallization temperature not more than 50° less than the melt temperature resulting from the polypropylene having been produced using a metallocene catalyst component having the general formula:

Abstract: Cast laminates produced from highly crystalline propylene polymers having a MFR ranging from 5 to 15 g/10 min, a ratio between the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight ranging from 4.5 to 9, a density equal to or greater than 0.9020 g/cm3, and solubility in xylene at ambient temperature not greater than 2.5% by weight.

Abstract: A polydisperse propylene polymer characterized by being produced by polymerizing a propylene monomer or a mixed monomer of propylene and other olefin(s) by a multistage polymerization wherein the polymerization conditions are stepwise changed in the presence of a supported metallocene catalyst having a transition metal compound and an aluminoxane or a reaction product thereof supported on a finely particulate support, and an organoaluminum compound as a scavenger, and by having a ratio of a weight-average molecular weight to a number-average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 4.0 or higher, a melting point (Tm) of 165° C. or lower and a difference between the melting point (Tm) and a heat distortion temperature (HDT) of 30° C. or less.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a propylene polymer nucleated with a polymeric nucleating agent containing vinyl compound units. The method comprises modifying a catalyst by polymerizing a vinyl compound in the presence of said catalyst in a medium, which does not essentially dissolve the polymerized vinyl compound, and by continuing the polymerization of the vinyl compound until the concentration of unreacted vinyl compounds is less than about 0.5 wt-%. The thus obtained modified catalyst composition is used for polymerizing propylene optionally together with comonomers to produce in the presence of said modified catalyst composition. Modification of the catalyst according to the present invention will reduce production costs and provide highly reliable catalyst activity.

Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins that have been formed by a polymerization reaction in the presence of a single site catalyst, such as a metallocene, are used as a film or as a layer in multiple layer films, including molecularly oriented and irradiated heat shrinkable films. Novel blends of the copolymers with other polymeric materials are disclosed and used as a film or a layer in a film particularly in molecularly oriented and heat shrinkable films. Bags made from the multiple layer films are especially useful for shrink packaging primal cuts of meat. Processes for the formation of flexible films and packages made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a supported catalyst which comprises the following steps: A) reacting an inorganic support material with an organometallic compound I B) reacting the support material obtained as described in A) with a metallocene complex and a compound capable of forming metallocenium ions and C) subsequently reacting the resulting material with an organometallic compound II, the supported catalyst obtained in this way or its precursor is brought into contact with a Lewis base in an amount of from 0.1 to <10 mole per mole of metallocene complex.

Abstract: Polymerizable alkanes are prepared by gas-phase polymerization in the presence of catalyst systems by a process in which the catalyst systems used are supported castalyst systems.

Abstract: Modified polypropylenes of improved processability are produced by a continuous method by absorptively charging polypropylene particles at 20° to 120° C. with a gas mixture, which contains oxygen and bifunctional, unsaturated monomers, and melting the mixture. The modified polypropylenes of improved processability as well as mixtures with unmodified polypropylenes are suitable for the production of films, sheets, fibers, panels, coatings, pipes, hollow objects and foamed materials.

Abstract: A propylene polymeric composition with elastic character that is soluble in at least one nonpolar organic solvent selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, heptane, and hexane, comprises greater than 3 weight percent and up to 45 weight percent homotactic sequences each having only r or m diads, all of which homotactic sequences have a helical length in the range of 20 to 150Å, and in the range of 55 to 97 weight percent of the sum of homotactic sequences of less than 20Å in helical length, each homotactic sequence having only r or m diads and having fewer than 10 repeat units with mmmm pentads being present in the range of 0 to 35 weight percent of the total composition, and heterotactic sequences having r and m diads of unequal number, the polymer having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 70,000.

Abstract: Novel asymmetric silicon-bridged metallocenes useful as catalysts in the polymerization of olefins and process for preparing said metallocenes.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer is provided comprising a branched olefin polymer having crystalline sidechains and an amorphous backbone wherein at least 90 mole percent of the sidechains are isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene and at least 80 mole percent of the backbone is atactic polypropylene. Additionally, a process is provided for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising: a) contacting, in solution, at a temperature from about 90° C. to about 120° C., propylene monomers with a catalyst composition comprising a chiral, stereorigid transition metal catalyst compound capable of producing isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene; b) copolymerizing the product of a) with propylene and, optionally, one or more copolymerizable monomers, in a polymerization reactor using an achiral transition metal catalyst capable of producing atactic polypropylene; and c) recovering a branched olefin polymer.

Abstract: Amorphous polymers of alpha-olefins, particularly of propylene, having high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions, in which the isotactic sequences are more abundant than the syndiotactic ones, can be obtained in high yields at temperatures of industrial interest by carrying out the polymerization reaction in the presence of metallocene catalysts comprising particular bridged bis-indenyl compounds substituted in the 3-position on the indenyl groups. The obtained amorphous polymers are particularly useful for the preparation of miscible compositions with substantially isotactic alpha-olefins.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of the formula (Ia) or (Ib), in which the substituents and indices have the following meanings: M is titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium or tantalum or an element of the third subgroup of the Periodic Table or of the lanthanoids, X is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl, C6-C15-aryl, alkylaryl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the aryl radical, —OR5 or —NR5R6, n is 1, 2 or 3, where n is the valency of M minus the number 2, Z is a three-way bridge and A and A1 are two-way bridges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of an olefin polymerization catalyst component comprising magnesium, titanium, a halogen and an electron donor.

Abstract: Door skins for a door skin assembly are formed from thermoplastic material in a thermoplastic flow forming process. The thermoplastic material is a composite material including polypropylene copolymer, glass fiber, UV stabilizers, filler such as talc and pigment.

Abstract: Olefins of the formula R11—CH═CH—R12 (R11, R12=H or C1-C14-alkyl) are polymerized in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least one metallocene of the formula I (M=zirconium or hafnium) and an aluminoxane. Polymers having a high molecular weight are obtained in a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system that exhibits unexpected control of desired properties in copolymer product. The catalyst system includes a conventional supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst in combination with an electron donor described by the formula: wherein R1 is a linear alkyl group attached to the silicon atom; R2 and R3 are alkyl or aryl groups and R4 is a linear alkyl attached to the silicon atom, R1 and R4 are the same or different. R1 and R4 are preferably linear carbon groups of 4-13 carbon atoms, more preferably 4-7 carbon atoms; most preferably R1 and R4 are the same and are n-butyl groups. The system exhibits good control over the melt flow index of the copolymer products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing olefin polymers or copolymers which can freely regulates the molecular weight of the polymers or copolymers as well as novel olefin polymers or copolymers excellent in rigidity, heat-resisting property and transparency, moldings and compositions thereof which find a wide variety of applications in versatile industrial parts including containers, films, sheets, filaments or fibers, featured by (1) a process for producing olefin polymers or copolymers by the aid of a catalyst comprised predominantly of the compounds: (A) a transition metal compound of the formula: Q(C5H4−mR1m)(C5H4−nR2n)MXY, (B) an aluminoxane, (C) a fine particulate carrier, and (D) an organoaluminum compound; (2) olefin polymers or copolymers characterized by (a) a specific ratio of isotactic pentad, (b) 2,1- and 1.

Abstract: Polymer blends of isotactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polypropylene enhance the processability in film applications. Up to a level of 4% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene will increase the molecular weight distribution. Up to a level of 13.9% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene the clarity or haze of biaxially oriented film is improved. Within a range from about 2.34% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene to about 13.9% by weight the melt flow is higher than that for either a syndiotactic homopolymer or an isotactic homopolymer. Within a range from about 2% by weight of syndiotactic polypropylene to about 13.9% by weight the level of xylene solubles is higher than that for either a syndiotactic homopolymer or an isotactic homopolymer. If appropriate catalysts are selected, a reactor blend may be produced of the desired mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypropylene wax having a melt viscosity of from 50 to 100,000 mPas at 170° C., a DSC heat of fusion less than 80 J/g, a DSC melting point of greater than 130° C. and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: The invention is directed to organometallic catalysts prepared by a process comprising a) combining nucleophilic group-containing particulate support material with an arylboron or arylaluminum Lewis acid compound in the presence of a Lewis base compound; b) contacting the product of a) with a trialkylaluminum compound before combining said product with a metal precursor compound capable of activation for olefin polymerization by said product a); and, c) combining the product of b) with said metal precursor compound. These catalyst compositions are suitable for addition reactions of ethylenically and acetylenically unsaturated monomers. The invention includes a polymerization process of combining or contacting olefinically unsaturated monomers with the invention catalyst composition. Use of the invention catalyst to polymerize &agr;-olefins is exemplified.

Abstract: A solid self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst component is disclosed that includes: (i) a mixed metal alkoxide complex which is the reaction product of a magnesium alkoxide or aryloxide and at least one group IVB metal-containing alkoxide or aryloxide; and (ii) Cp, where Cp is a cyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon having from 3-30 carbon atoms. A self-supported hybrid catalyst also is disclosed which contains the above components (i) and (ii), as well as (iii) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst species. A method of making the self-supported cycloalkadienyl catalyst and the self-supported hybrid catalyst and a method of polymerizing olefins using the catalysts also are disclosed. The catalysts are capable of producing polyolefins in high yield having a broad molecular weight distribution, or a bimodal distribution.

Abstract: A fluidized bed olefin polymerization process is operated in the turbulent regime while utilizing greater than 17.5% liquid in the recycle fluid to remove the heat of reaction. The ratio of fluidized bed density to settled bed density may, contrary to prior art predelictions, be maintained at lower than 0.59.

Abstract: It is possible to prepare substantially amorphous polymers of propylene endowed with high molecular weights, operating at temperatures of industrial interest, by carrying out the polymerization reaction of propylene in the presence of metallocene catalysts comprising particular bis-indenyl or bis-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl compounds substituted in the 2-position on the indenyl or tetrahydroindenyl groups.

Abstract: A cast film comprises a layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed substantially syndiotactic propylene polymer. Optionally, the cast film has on at least one side an outer skin layer.

Abstract: Novel compounds are provided which are useful as catalysts, particularly in the polymerization of addition polymerizable monomers such as olefinic or vinyl monomers. The compounds are complexes of a mid-transition metal coordinated to at least two ligands, at least one of which is an unsaturated nitrogenous ligand. Depending on ligand substitution, stereospecific catalysts can be provided, including isospecific catalysts and syndiospecific catalysts. Catalyst systems containing the novel compounds in combination with a catalyst activator are provided as well, as are methods of using the novel compounds in the preparation of polyolefins.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing metallocene compounds useful as polymerization catalysts and the like. The method involves (a) preparation of an amino alcohol-derived ligand by reacting a silane reactant with an amino alcohol in the presence of base, followed by (b) metallation of the ligand so provided. The metallocenes may be provided in chiral form when the amino alcohol contains an asymmetric center, and are thus useful in catalyzing stereospecific polymerization and other stereospecific bond formation reactions.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer or copolymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points less than one per monomer unit, and 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per monomer unit, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media.

Abstract: This invention is for a metallocene compound which can be used in a catalyst system to produce hemiisotactic polymer. The compound is a bridged metallocene compound having dissimilar cyclopentadienyl groups and no bi-lateral symmetry. One example of the compound is isopropylidene(3-methylcyclopentadienyl-1-fluorenyl) zirconium dichloride. The catalyst of this invention can be converted to an ionic metallocene catalyst by an ionizing agent, such as methylaluminoxane. The polymer produced with this catalyst is characterized by having an isotactic structure effecting only every other asymmetric carbon atom. In the case of polypropylene, every other methyl group is on the same side of the principal polymer chain as represented by a Fisher projection. The remaining methyl groups can be either on the same side or on the opposite side of the principal polymer chain. The polymer produced with the catalyst of this invention can be used as a plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides propylene/ethylene random copolymers characterized in that: an ethylene content (Ew) is 0.1-10 wt %, a relationship between an isolated ethylene content (E1) and the ethylene content (Ew) is represented by the following equation E1>0.85−0.01 Ew 2,1- and 1,3-propylene units present in a polymer chain are 0-1 mol %, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) is in the range of 40,000-1,000,000, and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to a number average molecular weight(Mn) is in the range of 1.5-3.8. The copolymers are suitable for a base resin for a molding material for the production of a wide variety of molded articles which are high in randomness and excellent in stiffness, heat resistance and transparency.