Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.

Nicolas M De Ketelaere

Bruce Jon Savatsky

James McLeod Farley

Antonios K Doufas

Danny Van Hoyweghen

Steven A Best

Anthony Poloso

Richard E Pequeno

Gerd Arthur Allermann

Giriprasath Gururajan

Gerd A Allermann

A bimodal polyethylene is provided. The bimodal polyethylene may include a high molecular weight portion having a weight average molecular weight (M) of 100,000 g/mol to 1,000,000 g/mol and a low molecular weight portion having a Mof 10,000 g/mol to 80,000 g/mol. Polymer extrudates, such as cable-coatings and/or wire-coatings and films, including the bimodal polyethylene as well as methods of making the polymer extrudates are also provided.

Polyethylene extrudates and methods of making the same

Processes are disclosed for oxygen-tailoring polyethylene, particularly polyethylenes suitable for wire and cable applications. One process includes conveying a first polyethylene having a melt index &#x2266;5.0 and an MWD &#x2266;5.0 through mixing or extrusion apparatus having a feed zone, a melt-mixing zone downstream of the feed zone, and a melt zone downstream of the melt-mixing zone, wherein the temperature of the first polyethylene in the melt zone ranges from about 180&#xb0; C. to about 300&#xb0; C.; and contacting the first polyethylene with an amount of an oxygen-containing gas having at least about 20.0 parts by weight oxygen per million per parts by weight of the first polyethylene (ppm (wt) O). Polyethylene compositions having improved properties, particularly for wire and cable applications are disclosed.

Oxygen tailoring of polyethylene

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Brabant Wallon, Belgium

Nicolas M De Ketelaere