Abstract:
Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications. Many of the contemplated polymerizations include controlling the ratio of the two metallocene catalysts used in the polymerization so as to obtain the desired Mooney viscosity and desired rheology (indicated by Mooney Relaxation Area) of the copolymer compositions.
Abstract:
This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes, as well as to lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions as viscosity index improvers, and base oil. The copolymer compositions may be made using two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction). Lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions may exhibit superior viscosity properties.
Abstract:
Provided herein are polymerization processes and polymer compositions including reactor blends formed by such polymerization processes. The polymerization processes include copolymerization using two metallocene catalyst systems: the first catalyst system capable of producing polymers having 60% or more vinyl terminations, the second catalyst system capable of producing high molecular weight polymers, preferably incorporating at least some of the polymers produced by the first catalyst system into the high molecular weight polymers. The reactor blends formed thereby therefore include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw). Furthermore, the reactor blends may exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching. Preferred reactor blends comprise ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers.
Abstract:
Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle δ at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).
Abstract:
Provided are ethylene-based copolymers, methods of preparing the same, lubricating oil compositions including the same, methods for preparing such lubricating oil compositions, and end uses for such ethylene-based copolymers and lubricating oil compositions. The ethylene-based copolymers may include from about 35 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 1.0 wt. % of one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethylene-based copolymers are substantially amorphous and have a polydispersity index of about 2.8 or less.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for integration of polymeric waste co-processing in cokers to produce circular chemical products from coker gas, including a method of producing circular chemical products comprising: providing a coker gas that is at least partially derived from polymeric waste, wherein the coker gas has an olefin content of about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, a sulfur content of about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt %, and a total halide content of about 1 wppm to about 150 wppm; and oxygen-containing compounds in an amount of about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt %; and converting the coker gas into at least a polymer.
Abstract:
Provided herein are methods of making blended polymer compositions having enhanced elasticity. The present methods comprise the steps of producing a first polymer composition using a VTP catalyst system, producing a second polymer composition using a HMP catalyst system and combining the first polymer composition and the second polymer composition to make the blended polymer composition. The present methods include blending/combining the polymer compositions produced by different catalyst systems. One such catalyst system includes (i) a vinyl-terminated polymer (VTP) catalyst system comprising a VTP catalyst compound (referred to herein also as a “VTP catalyst”) and one or more activators. Another catalyst system includes a high molecular-weight polymer (HMP) catalyst system comprising a HMP catalyst compound (referred to herein also as a “HMP catalyst”) and one or more activators. The activators of these different catalyst systems can be the same or different in whole or in part.
Abstract:
Branched ethylene-propylene-diene elastomers (bEPDM) and processes for making the bEPDM's comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator at a temperature within a range from 90° C. to 160° C. with ethylene, a C3 to C12 α-olefin, a non-conjugated diene, and a dual-polymerizable diene, where the catalyst precursor is a metallocene catalyst precursor, preferably according to one of various structures including any two ligands selected from cyclopentadienyl ligands and ligands isolobal to the cyclopentadienyl group.
Abstract:
Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polymer compositions that exhibit advantageous rheological properties, at least some of which are consistent with long-chain branching, as well as polymerization processes suitable for forming such polymer compositions. The polymer compositions may have both LCB index measured at 125° C. of less than 5; and phase angle δ at complex shear modulus G*=100,000 Pa of less than about 54.5°, as determined at 125° C. The polymer compositions of particular embodiments are reactor blends, preferably of ethylene copolymers (e.g., ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers and/or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymers). The reactor blend may include first and second copolymer components, which may differ in monomer content and weight-average molecular weight (Mw).
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to polymer compositions that can be useful as viscosity modifiers, comprising (a) a first ethylene-α-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 60 to about 80 wt % and (b) a second ethylene-α-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of from about 40 to about 60 wt %. The polymer composition comprises about 35 wt % to about 50 wt of the first ethylene-α-olefin copolymer and about 50 wt % to about 65 wt % of the second ethylene-α-olefin copolymer. The polymer compositions are made by comprising producing a first ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in a first reactor, directing the first copolymer to a second reactor, producing the second ethylene-α-olefin copolymer in the second reactor and forming the polymer composition.