Equistar Chemicals, LP

James H Meas

Leonard V Cribbs

Bradley P Etherton

Mark P Mack

Jean A Merrick-Mack

Philip J Garrison

Paula L Nygard

Lawrence R Wallace

Danny L Wise

Maged G Botros

Gregory G Hlatky

Clifford C Lee

Improved multi-phase polypropylene composites are provided. The compositions are comprised of a polypropylene base resin, a non-compatible dispersed phase which can be a polymer or filler material and a propylene-ethylene copolymer grafted with a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative.

Multi-phase polypropylene compositions

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 C &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI 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 MI 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.

High molecular weight, medium density polyethylene

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 C -C &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI 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 MI 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.

An olefin polymerization process is described. The process comprises polymerizing an olefin in the presence of a supported single-site catalyst, an optional activator, and a fatty amine. The fatty amine is added at a concentration in the range from about 10 to about 75 weight percent based on the weight of the supported catalyst. The fatty amine helps to reduce fouling and sheeting during the polymerization process and enhances catalyst activity.

Olefin polymerization process with fatty amine additives for improved activity and reduced fouling

A multiple stage or multiple zone process for making olefin polymers is disclosed. A single-site catalyst, preferably one that contains a heteroatomic ligand, is used in the first stage or zone, and a Ziegler-Natta catalyst is used at a higher temperature in later stages or zones. A parallel multiple zone process is also described. The processes, which can be performed adiabatically, give polymers with improved thermal processing ability.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

James H Meas