Abstract:
A process to produce a branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator with a feed comprising ethylene, C3 to C12 α-olefins, and a dual-polymerizable diene to obtain a branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer; where the catalyst precursor is selected from pyridyldiamide and quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes. The branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer may comprise within a range from 40 to 80 wt % of ethylene-derived units by weight of the branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer, and 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, and the remainder comprising C3 to C12 α-olefin derived units, wherein the branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within a range from 100 kg/mole to 300 kg/mole, an average branching index (g′avg) of 0.9 or more, and a branching index at very high Mw (g′1000) of less than 0.9.
Abstract:
Disclosed are methods for the production of polymers, including random copolymers (RCPs), in single reactor gas or slurry phase polymerization processes, and polymer compositions produced therefrom. The methods enable polymers having low melting temperatures to be made in gas and slurry phase polymerization processes, where they conventionally could not be made in these processes due to stickiness and fouling problems in the reactor.
Abstract:
Processes for producing impact copolymers are provided. Ethylene and at least one copolymer can be polymerized in the presence of one or more catalysts, polypropylene particles, and one or more halocarbon compounds to produce an impact copolymer that includes the polypropylene particles and an ethylene copolymer.
Abstract:
Processes for producing impact copolymers are provided. Ethylene and at least one comonomer can be polymerized in the presence of one or more catalysts, polypropylene particles, and an inert solvent to produce an impact copolymer. The polypropylene particles can have a weight average particle size along the longest cross-sectional length thereof of about 0.05 mm to about 5 mm and a pore volume of less than 80%. The inert solvent can be present in a volume amount of about 0.1 to about 2 times the pore volume of the polypropylene particles.
Abstract:
Sequential, double elastomer vulcanization method, system, and composition. First and second immiscible elastomers are mixed together with a first additive package. A first curative system is activated to vulcanize the first elastomer in a dispersed phase of the first elastomer to form a partially vulcanized mixture while maintaining melt flowability of the second elastomer in a continuous phase. Then, a second curative system is activated to vulcanize the second elastomer in the continuous phase. Since the partially vulcanized mixture is melt processable, a second additive package can be introduced to the mixture after activating the first curative system. Or, the second curative system can be activatable at a temperature which is higher than an activation temperature of the first curative system. In this manner, blends of dissimilar elastomers can be vulcanized with independent control of plasticizer, filler and curative distribution.
Abstract:
A process to produce a branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer comprising combining a catalyst precursor and an activator with a feed comprising ethylene, C3 to C12 α-olefins, and a dual-polymerizable diene to obtain a branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer; where the catalyst precursor is selected from pyridyldiamide and quinolinyldiamido transition metal complexes. The branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer may comprise within a range from 40 to 80 wt % of ethylene-derived units by weight of the branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer, and 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, 0.1 to 2 wt % of singly-polymerizable diene derived units, and the remainder comprising C3 to C12 α-olefin derived units, wherein the branched ethylene-α-olefin diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) within a range from 100 kg/mole to 300 kg/mole, an average branching index (g′avgg) of 0.9 or more, and a branching index at very high Mw (g′1000) of less than 0.9.
Abstract:
Disclosed is the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates with reduced crosslinked rubber dispersion sizes and dispersity. The thermoplastic vulcanizates include a polypropylene matrix phase in which cross-linked rubber particles are dispersed. The thermoplastic vulcanizates include the reaction product of a mixture that includes at least 10 wt % of isotactic polypropylene at least 30 wt % of an amorphous propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer containing at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and less than or equal to 25 wt % of ethylene-derived units; at least 10 wt % of a diluent and at least 0.015 wt % of at least one curative. The mixture is preferably formed without adding an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer.
Abstract:
Use of twin screw extrusion to further enhance the uniformity of crosslinked rubber dispersion in thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) to improve elastic properties of TPVs is disclosed. Most specifically, this invention employs intermeshing twin screw extruders to further homogenize dynamically vulcanized rubber dispersions in TPVs so that their particle size dispersion index (PSDI), or the ratio of weight average equivalent dispersion particle diameter to number average equivalent dispersion particle diameter, can be lowered to less than 1.6 or 1.57 with corresponding elastic property improvements by having lower hysteresis, higher elongation to break, and higher retractive force. TPV products having lower PSDI and improved elastic properties, and apparatus for conducting the disclosed method, are also provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a thermoplastic polyolefin composition useful in automotive components comprising at least a polypropylene having a melting point temperature (Tm) of greater than 130° C. and a melt flow rate (230° C./2.16 kg) within the range from 10 g/10 min to 80 g/10 min; an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer comprising within the range from 40 wt % to 80 wt % ethylene derived units and having a melt flow rate (230° C./2.16 kg) within the range from 0.1 g/10 min to 20 g/10 min; and a propylene-based elastomer having within the range from 5 to 25 wt % ethylene derived units and having a Tm of less than 110° C. The composition only partially breaks or there is no break at −29° C. (ASTM D256) with Notched Izod Force of between 10 to 40 ft-lb/in2 at 22° C. (533 to 2,132 J/m2), and between 1.0 to 12 ft-lb/in2 at −29° C. (53 to 636 J/m2).
Abstract:
A thermoplastic vulcanizate comprises an isotactic polypropylene matrix phase in which cross-linked rubber particles are dispersed, the rubber particles comprising an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) containing at least 40 wt % of ethylene-derived units. A propylene-ethylene-diene terpolymer (PEDM) containing at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units and less than or equal to 25 wt % of ethylene-derived units and having a heat of fusion (Hf) of 2 to 10 J/g is added to compatibilize the propylene/EPDM blend.