Abstract:
A process for copolymerizing ethylene with vinylsilanes is disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and cocatalyst wherein the Ziegler-Natta catalyst is prepared from a Group 4-6 halogen-containing transition metal and a mixture of an organomagnesium compound and a silicon-containing compound. Silane-functionalized polyolefins produced using the process can be crosslinkable and can be used to bond polyolefins to polysiloxanes or other functionalized polymers.
Abstract:
Bimodal polyethylene resins having reduced long-chain branching and suitable for use in pipe resin applications as a result of their improved SCG and RCP resistance are provided. The improved resins of the invention are produced in a two-reactor cascade slurry polymerization process using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and wherein an alkoxysilane modifier is present in both reactors.
Abstract:
Bimodal polyethylene resins having reduced long-chain branching and suitable for use in pipe resin applications as a result of their improved SCG and RCP resistance are provided. The improved resins of the invention are produced in a two-reactor cascade slurry polymerization process using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system and wherein an alkoxysilane modifier is present in both reactors.
Abstract:
A process for producing olefin polymer composites having improved melt strength and other improved physical characteristics is provided. The process is a solution process wherein an organically modified clay is intimately incorporated, at low levels and without the use of compatibilizing agents, into an olefin polymer base resin.
Abstract:
A process to prepare a multimodal polyethylene with controlled LCB distribution is disclosed. In the first stage, ethylene is polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler catalyst that results in a homopolyethylene component having a higher LCB concentration. In the second stage, ethylene is copolymerized with a 1-olefin in the presence of the Ziegler catalyst and a lower concentration of hydrogen resulting in a copolymer component with a lower LCB concentration. The homopolyethylene component and the copolymer component are combined to form a novel multimodal polyethylene.
Abstract:
A process for polymerizing propylene is disclosed. The process involves charging propylene and about 90 to 99% of an organoaluminum cocatalyst to a reactor and heating this mixture to at least about 50° C. This is followed by addition of a premix of 1 to 10% of the organoaluminum cocatalyst with a magnesium halide-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The temperature of the reaction mixture is maintained to produce a propylene polymer. The process gives improved catalyst activity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an ethylene copolymer resin that has unique melt elastic properties not observed in ethylene copolymers heretofore known. Specifically, the ethylene copolymer resin of the present invention when in pelletized form has a reduction in melt elasticity (ER) of 10% or more to a final value of 1.0 or less upon rheometric low shear modification or solution dissolution. Moreover, the resin of the present invention when in reactor-made form exhibits at least a partially reversible increase of 10% or more in ER when pelletizing the same. An ethylene polymerization catalyst, a process of preparing the ethylene copolymer resin and a high-impact film are also provided herein.
Abstract:
A process for making an ethylene homopolymer in the presence of an oxide-supported chromium catalyst is disclosed. A small amount of an α-olefin contacted with the catalyst before polymerizing ethylene or introduced into an ethylene homopolymerization unexpectedly boosts process productivity. When used at part per million levels, the α-olefin improves productivity while maintaining desirable polymer properties. The invention is particularly valuable for making HDPE resins useful for blow molding applications.
Abstract:
A process for the copolymerization of ethylene and α-olefins which utilizes a mixed modifier comprised of a conjugated diene and alkoxysilane is disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for modifying polyolefin-clay nanocomposites is disclosed. The method comprises shearing a melt of solution-prepared nanocomposites at an effective shear rate. The modified nanocomposite shows significantly decreased complex melt viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus.