EP4090527A1 - Compositions de copolymère de polyéthylène et articles possédant des propriétés barrière - Google Patents
Compositions de copolymère de polyéthylène et articles possédant des propriétés barrièreInfo
- Publication number
- EP4090527A1 EP4090527A1 EP20702696.4A EP20702696A EP4090527A1 EP 4090527 A1 EP4090527 A1 EP 4090527A1 EP 20702696 A EP20702696 A EP 20702696A EP 4090527 A1 EP4090527 A1 EP 4090527A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- polyethylene
- composition
- ethylene copolymer
- density
- ethylene
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
- C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
- C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
- C08L23/08—Copolymers of ethene
- C08L23/0807—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing more than three carbon atoms
- C08L23/0815—Copolymers of ethene with aliphatic 1-olefins
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J5/00—Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances
- C08J5/18—Manufacture of films or sheets
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F210/00—Copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond
- C08F210/16—Copolymers of ethene with alpha-alkenes, e.g. EP rubbers
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F2420/00—Metallocene catalysts
- C08F2420/04—Cp or analog not bridged to a non-Cp X ancillary anionic donor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
- C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
- C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
- C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
- C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
- C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
- C08F4/659—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond
- C08F4/65908—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond in combination with an ionising compound other than alumoxane, e.g. (C6F5)4B-X+
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08F—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING CARBON-TO-CARBON UNSATURATED BONDS
- C08F4/00—Polymerisation catalysts
- C08F4/42—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors
- C08F4/44—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides
- C08F4/60—Metals; Metal hydrides; Metallo-organic compounds; Use thereof as catalyst precursors selected from light metals, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, silver, gold, boron, gallium, indium, thallium, rare earths or actinides together with refractory metals, iron group metals, platinum group metals, manganese, rhenium technetium or compounds thereof
- C08F4/62—Refractory metals or compounds thereof
- C08F4/64—Titanium, zirconium, hafnium or compounds thereof
- C08F4/659—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond
- C08F4/65912—Component covered by group C08F4/64 containing a transition metal-carbon bond in combination with an organoaluminium compound
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2323/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J2323/02—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after treatment
- C08J2323/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
- C08J2323/08—Copolymers of ethene
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2423/00—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers
- C08J2423/02—Characterised by the use of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after treatment
- C08J2423/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
- C08J2423/08—Copolymers of ethene
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2201/00—Properties
- C08L2201/10—Transparent films; Clear coatings; Transparent materials
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2203/00—Applications
- C08L2203/10—Applications used for bottles
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2203/00—Applications
- C08L2203/16—Applications used for films
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
- C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
- C08L2205/02—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to polyethylene compositions that are useful in the manufacture of films or molded articles having good barrier properties.
- Such articles include for example, cast film, or injection molded closures for bottles.
- barrier properties e.g. gas or water vapor permeation rates
- barrier properties e.g. gas or water vapor permeation rates
- polyethylene compositions comprising a first and a second ethylene copolymer of differing relative molecular weights and density have found application in molding applications such as closures (see for example U.S. Pat.
- polyethylene copolymer compositions when they are suitably designed, they can have barrier properties which approach those of comparable polyethylene homopolymer compositions.
- the new polyethylene copolymer compositions have good barrier properties when made into, for example, a compression molded film or an injection molded closure.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a polyethylene copolymer composition
- a polyethylene copolymer composition comprising: (1 ) 90 to 30 wt% of a first ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of from 0.1 to 10 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density of from 0.930 to 0.960 g/cm 3 ; and (2) 10 to 70 wt% of a second ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of greater than 10,000 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer, but less than 0.980 g/cm 3 ; wherein the density of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.037 g/cm 3 higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer; the ratio (SCB1/SCB2) of the number of short chain branches per thousand carbon
- the polyethylene copolymer composition further comprises a nucleating agent, or a mixture of nucleating agents.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises a nucleating agent which is a salt of a dicarboxylic acid compound.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises from 20 to 4000 ppm of a nucleating agent or a mixture of nucleating agents.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is an injection molded article comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a compression molded article comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a closure (e.g. a closure for bottles) comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a film comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a cast film comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a polyethylene copolymer composition
- a polyethylene copolymer composition comprising: (1 ) 90 to 30 wt% of a first ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of from 0.1 to 10 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density of from 0.930 to 0.960 g/cm 3 ; and (2) 10 to 70 wt% of a second ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of greater than 10,000 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer, but less than 0.980 g/cm 3 ; wherein the density of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.037 g/cm 3 higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer; the ratio (SCB1/SCB2) of the number of short chain branches per thousand carbon
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a process to prepare a polyethylene copolymer composition, the polyethylene copolymer composition comprising: (1 )
- An embodiment of the disclosure is a polymer composition comprising from 1 to 100 percent by weight of a polyethylene copolymer composition, the polyethylene copolymer composition comprising: (1 ) 90 to 30 wt% of a first ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of from 0.1 to 10 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density of from 0.930 to 0.960 g/cm 3 ; and (2) 10 to 70 wt% of a second ethylene copolymer having a melt index I 2 , of greater than 10,000 g/10min; a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn, of less than 3.0; and a density higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer, but less than 0.980 g/cm 3 ; wherein the density of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.037 g/cm 3 higher than the density of the first ethylene copolymer; the ratio (SCB1/
- Figure 1 shows the gel permeation chromatographs (GPC) with refractive index detection of polyethylene compositions (Examples 1 and 2) made according to the present disclosure.
- Figure 2 shows the oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of compression molded films made from nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1* and 2*) according to the present disclosure vs. the density of the nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1 * and 2*).
- Figure 2 also shows the oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of compression molded films made from comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6) vs. the density of the comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6).
- Figure 3 shows the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of compression molded films made from nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1 * and 2*) according to the present disclosure vs. the density of the nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1 * and 2*).
- Figure 3 also shows the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) of compression molded films made from comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6) vs. the density of the comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6).
- Figure 4 shows the oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of injection molded closures made from nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1* and 2*) according to the present disclosure vs. the density of the nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 1* and 2*).
- Figure 4 also shows the oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of injection molded closures made from comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6) vs. the density of the comparative nucleated polyethylene compositions (Examples 3*, 4* as well as 5 and 6).
- ethylene homopolymer or “polyethylene homopolymer”, or “ethylene homopolymer composition” it is meant that the polymer referred to is the product of a polymerization process, where only ethylene was deliberately added as a polymerizable olefin.
- ethylene copolymer or “polyethylene copolymer”, or “polyethylene copolymer composition” mean that the polymer referred to is the product of a polymerization process, where ethylene and one or more than one alpha olefin comonomer were deliberately added as polymerizable olefins.
- unimodal is herein defined to mean there will be only one significant peak or maximum evident in a GPC-curve.
- a unimodal profile includes a broad unimodal profile.
- the term “unimodal” connotes the presence of a single maxima in a molecular weight distribution curve generated according to the method of ASTM D6474-99.
- the term “bimodal” it is meant that there will be a secondary peak or shoulder evident in a GPC-curve which represents a higher or lower molecular weight component (i.e. the molecular weight distribution, can be said to have two maxima in a molecular weight distribution curve).
- bimodal connotes the presence of two maxima in a molecular weight distribution curve generated according to the method of ASTM D6474-99.
- multi-modal denotes the presence of two or more maxima in a molecular weight distribution curve generated according to the method of ASTM D6474-99.
- a polymer composition comprises from 1 to 100 percent by weight of a polyethylene copolymer composition as defined herein.
- a polyethylene copolymer composition comprises two components, (1) a first ethylene copolymer and (2) a second ethylene copolymer which is different from the first ethylene copolymer.
- a polyethylene copolymer composition comprises only two polymer components, (1 ) a first ethylene copolymer and (2) a second ethylene copolymer which is different from the first ethylene copolymer.
- a polyethylene copolymer composition further comprises a nucleating agent.
- the first and second ethylene copolymers are defined further below.
- the first ethylene copolymer comprises both polymerized ethylene and at least one polymerized alpha-olefin comonomer, with polymerized ethylene being the majority species.
- the first ethylene copolymer is made using a single site polymerization catalyst.
- the first ethylene copolymer is made using a single site polymerization catalyst in a solution phase polymerization process.
- the comonomer (i.e., alpha-olefin) content in the first ethylene copolymer can be from about 0.05 to about 3.0 mol% as measured by 13 C NMR, or FTIR or GPC-FTIR methods, or as calculated from a reactor model (see the Examples section).
- the comonomer is one or more suitable alpha olefin, which include, but are not limited to, 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 1 -octene and the like. In one embodiment the alpha olefin is 1 -octene.
- the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer can be from about 0.10 to about 15 short chain branches per thousand carbon atoms (SCB1/1000Cs). In further embodiments of the disclosure, the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer can be from 0.10 to 10, or from 0.20 to 10, or from 0.20 to 5, or from 0.20 to 3, or from 0.10 to 5, or from 0.10 to 1 , or from 0.20 to 1 branches per thousand carbon atoms (SCB1/1000Cs).
- the short chain branching is the branching due to the presence of alpha-olefin comonomer in the ethylene copolymer and will for example have two carbon atoms for a 1 -butene comonomer, or four carbon atoms for a 1 -hexene comonomer, or six carbon atoms for a 1 -octene comonomer, etc.
- the comonomer is one or more suitable alpha-olefin, which include, but are not limited to, 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 1 - octene and the like. In one embodiment the alpha olefin is 1 -octene.
- the comonomer in the first ethylene copolymer is one or more olefin such as but not limited to 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 1 - octene and the like.
- the first ethylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and 1 -octene.
- the comonomer content in the first ethylene copolymer is greater than comonomer content of the second ethylene copolymer (as reported, for example, in mol%).
- the amount of short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer is greater than the amount of short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (as reported in short chain branches, SCB per thousand carbons in the polymer backbone, lOOOCs).
- the melt index, I 2 1 of the first ethylene copolymer is less than the melt index, I 2 2 of second ethylene copolymer.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a melt index, I 2 1 of ⁇ 25.0 g/10min, or ⁇ 15.0 g/10min, or ⁇ 10.0 g/10min, or ⁇ 5.0 g/10min.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a melt index, I 2 1 of from 0.001 to 25.0 g/10min, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the melt index, I 2 1 of the first ethylene copolymer may be from 0.001 to 20.0 g/10min, or from 0.001 to 15.0 g/10min, or from 0.001 to 10.0 g/10min, or 0.001 to 5.0 g/10min, or from 0.01 to 25.0 g/10min, or from 0.01 to 20.0 g/10min, or from 0.01 to 15.0 g/10min, or from 0.01 to 10.0 g/10min, or from 0.01 to 5.0 g/10min, or from 0.1 to 25.0 g/10min, or from 0.1 to 20.0 g/10min, or from 0.1 to 15.0 g/10min, or from 0.1 to 10.0 g/10min, or from 0.1 to 5.0 g/10min.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a melt flow ratio, I 21 /I 2 of less than 25, or less than 23, or less than 20. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first ethylene copolymer has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of from 40,000 to 250,000 g/mol, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of from 50,000 to 200,000 g/mol, or from 50,000 to 175,000 g/mol, or from 50,000 to 150,000 g/mol, or from 40,000 to 125,000 g/mol, or from 50,000 to 135,000 g/mol, or from 50,000 to 125,000 g/mol.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of ⁇ 3.0, or ⁇ 3.0, or ⁇ 2.7, or ⁇ 2.7, or ⁇ 2.5, or ⁇ 2.5, or ⁇ 2.3, or ⁇ 2.3, or ⁇ 2.1 , or ⁇ 2.1 or about 2.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 1 .7 to 3.0, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 1 .8 to 2.7, or from 1 .8 to 2.5, or from 1 .8 to 2.3 or from 1 .9 to 2.1 .
- the density, d 1 of the first copolymer is less than the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a density, d 1 of from 0.920 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the first ethylene copolymer has a density, d 1 of from 0.925 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.927 to 0.975 g/cm 3 , or from 0.930 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.935 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.937 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.940 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.940 to 0.975 g/cm 3 , or from 0.937 to 0.975 g/cm 3 , or from 0.935 to 0.975 g/cm 3 , or from 0.933 to 0.975 g/cm 3 , or
- a single site catalyst which gives an ethylene copolymer having a CDBI(50) of at least 65% by weight, or at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 85%, during solution phase polymerization in a single reactor, is used in the preparation of the first ethylene copolymer.
- the first ethylene copolymer is ethylene copolymer which has a CDBI(50) of greater than about 60% by weight, or greater than about 65%, or greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75%, or greater than about 80%, or greater than about 85%.
- the weight percent (wt%) of the first ethylene copolymer in the polyethylene copolymer composition (i.e. the weight percent of the first ethylene copolymer based on the total weight of the first and second ethylene copolymers) may be from about 95 wt% to about 5 wt%, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the weight percent (wt%) of the first ethylene copolymer in the polyethylene copolymer composition may be from about 90 wt% to about 10 wt%, or from about 90 wt% to about 20 wt%, or from about 90 wt% to about 30 wt%, or from about 90 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 90 wt% to about 50 wt%, or from about 80 wt% to about 30 wt%, or from about 80 wt% to about 35 wt%, or from about 80 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 80 wt% to about 50 wt%, or from about 70 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 60 wt% to about 40 wt%, or from about 60 wt% to about 45 wt%, or from about 65 wt% to about 45 wt%.
- the second ethylene copolymer comprises both polymerized ethylene and at least one polymerized alpha-olefin comonomer, with polymerized ethylene being the majority species.
- the second ethylene copolymer is made using a single site polymerization catalyst.
- the second ethylene copolymer is made using a single site polymerization catalyst in a solution phase polymerization process.
- the comonomer content in the second ethylene copolymer can be from about 0.03 to about 3 mol% as measured by 13 C NMR, or FTIR or GPC-FTIR methods, or as calculated from a reactor model (see Examples section).
- the comonomer is one or more suitable alpha olefins, which include, but are not limited to, 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 1-octene and the like. In one embodiment the alpha olefin is 1 -octene.
- the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer can be from about 0.05 to about 10 short chain branches per thousand carbon atoms (SCB1/1000Cs). In further embodiments of the disclosure, the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer can be from 0.05 to 7.5, or from 0.05 to 5, or from 0.05 to 3, or from 0.05 to 1 branches per thousand carbon atoms (SCB1/1000Cs).
- the short chain branching is the branching due to the presence of alpha-olefin comonomer in the ethylene copolymer and will for example have two carbon atoms for a 1 -butene comonomer, or four carbon atoms for a 1 -hexene comonomer, or six carbon atoms for a 1 -octene comonomer, etc.
- the comonomer is one or more suitable alpha olefin. Examples of alpha olefins include, but are not limited to 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 1 -octene and the like. In one embodiment the alpha olefin is 1-octene.
- the comonomer content in the second ethylene copolymer is less than the comonomer content of the first ethylene copolymer (as reported for example in mol%).
- the amount of short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer is less than the amount of short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (as reported in short chain branches, SCB per thousand carbons in the polymer backbone, 1000Cs).
- the melt index, I 2 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is greater than the melt index, I 2 1 of first ethylene copolymer.
- the ratio of the melt index, I 2 2 of the second ethylene copolymer to the melt index, I 2 1 of the first ethylene copolymer is at least 25, or at least 50, or at least 100, or at least 1000, or at least 5000, or at least 7,500, or at least 10,000.
- the ratio of the melt index, I 2 2 of the second ethylene copolymer to the melt index, I 2 1 of the first ethylene copolymer is from 25 to 30,000, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the ratio of the melt index, I 2 2 of the second ethylene copolymer to the melt index, I 2 1 of the first ethylene copolymer may be from 50 to 30,000, or from 100 to 30,000, or from 1 ,000 to 30,000, or from 5,000 to 30,000, or from 50 to 25,000, or from 100 to 25,000, or from 1000 to 25,000, or from 5,000 to 25,000, or from 7,500 to 30,000, or from 7,500 to 25,000, or from 10,000 to 30,000, or from 10,000 to 25,000.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a melt index, I 2 2 of at least 10,000 g/10min, or greater than 10,000 g/10min. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the second ethylene copolymer has a melt index, I 2 2 of from 10,000 to 30,000 g/10min, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the melt index, I 2 2 of the second ethylene copolymer may be from greater than 10,000 to 30,000 g/10min, or from greater than 10,000 to 25,000 g/10min, or from greater than 10,000 to 20,000 g/10min, or from greater than 10,000 to 15,000 g/10min, or from greater than 10,000 to 14,000 g/10min, or from greater than 10,000 to 13,000 g/10min.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a melt flow ratio, I 21 /I 2 of less than 25, or less than 23, or less than 20.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of ⁇ 65,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 55,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 45,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 35,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 25,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 15,000 g/mol, or ⁇
- the second ethylene copolymer has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of from 2,500 to 70,000 g/mol, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of from 2,500 to 60,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 50,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 40,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 30,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 20,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 15,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 30,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 20,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 25,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 25,000 g/mol.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of ⁇ 3.0, or ⁇ 3.0, or ⁇ 2.7, or ⁇ 2.7, or ⁇ 2.5, or ⁇ 2.5, or ⁇ 2.3, or ⁇ 2.3, or ⁇ 2.1 , or ⁇ 2.1 or about 2.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 1 .7 to 3.0, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 1 .8 to 2.7, or from 1 .8 to 2.5, or from 1 .8 to 2.3, or from 1 .9 to 2.1 .
- the density, d 2 of the second copolymer is greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer.
- the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.037 g/cm 3 greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.035 g/cm 3 greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.031 g/cm 3 greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer.
- the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.030 g/cm 3 greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the density, d 2 of the second ethylene copolymer is less than 0.0275 g/cm 3 greater than the density, d 1 of the first ethylene copolymer.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a density, d 2 of less than 0.985 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.983 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.981 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.980 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.977 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.975 g/cm 3 , or less than 0.973 g/cm 3 .
- the second ethylene copolymer has a density, d 2 of from 0.943 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the second ethylene copolymer has a density, d 2 of from 0.947 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.950 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.955 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.957 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or 0.960 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.963 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.947 to 0.981 g/cm 3 , or from 0.950 to 0.981 g/cm 3 , or from 0.955 to 0.981 g/cm 3 , or from 0.957 to 0.981 g/cm 3 , or 0.960
- a single site catalyst which gives an ethylene copolymer having a CDBI(50) of at least 65% by weight, or at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%, or at least 85%, during solution phase polymerization in a single reactor, is used in the preparation of the second ethylene copolymer.
- the second ethylene copolymer is ethylene copolymer which has a CDBI(50) of greater than about 60% by weight, or greater than about 65%, or greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75%, or greater than about 80%, or greater than about 85%.
- the weight percent (wt%) of the second ethylene copolymer in the polyethylene copolymer composition may be from about 5 wt% to about 95 wt%, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the weight percent (wt%) of the second ethylene copolymer in the polyethylene copolymer composition may be from about 5 wt% to about 90 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 90 wt%, or from about 5 wt% to about 80 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 70 wt%, or from about 5 wt% to about 70 wt%, or from about 5 wt% to about 60 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 60 wt%, or from about 20 wt% to about 60 wt%, or from about 20 wt% to about 65 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, or from about 15 wt% to about 55 wt%, or from about 20 wt% to about 55 wt%, or from about 25 wt% to about 60 wt%, or from about 25 wt% to about 65 wt% to about 65
- the polyethylene copolymer composition will comprise a first ethylene copolymer and a second ethylene copolymer (each as defined herein).
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a bimodal profile (i.e. a bimodal molecular weight distribution) in a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis.
- a bimodal profile i.e. a bimodal molecular weight distribution
- GPC gel permeation chromatography
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a bimodal profile in a gel permeation chromatograph generated according to the method of ASTM D6474-99.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition that comprises a first ethylene copolymer and a second ethylene copolymer (as defined above) will have a ratio (SCB1/SCB2) of the number of short chain branches per thousand carbon atoms in the first ethylene copolymer (i.e., SCB1 ) to the number of short chain branches per thousand carbon atoms in the second ethylene copolymer (i.e., SCB2) of greater than 1.0 (i.e., SCB1 / SCB2 > 1.0).
- the ratio of the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (SCB1) to the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (SCB2) is at least 1.5. In still another embodiment of the disclosure, the ratio of the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (SCB1) to the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (SCB2) is at least 2.0. In still another embodiment of the disclosure, the ratio of the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (SCB1) to the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (SCB2) is greater than 2.0.
- the ratio of the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (SCB1) to the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (SCB2) is at least 2.5.
- the ratio (SCB1/SCB2) of the short chain branching in the first ethylene copolymer (SCB1) to the short chain branching in the second ethylene copolymer (SCB2) will be from greater than 1.0 to about 12.0, or from greater than 1.0 to about 10, or from greater than 1.0 to about 7.0, or from greater than 1.0 to about 5.0, or from about 2.0 to about 10.0, or from about 2.0 to about 7.5, or from about 2.0 to about 5.0.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of ⁇ 100,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 75,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 70,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 65,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 65,000 g/mol or ⁇ 60,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 60,000 g/mol.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a weight average molecular weight, Mw of from 20,000 to 125,000 g/mol, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a weight average molecular weight,
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a number average molecular weight, Mn of ⁇ 50,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 40,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 40,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 35,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 35,000 g/mol, or ⁇ 30,000 g/mol, or
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a number average molecular weight, Mn of from 2,500 to 50,000 g/mol, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a number average molecular weight, Mn of from 2,500 to 45,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 40,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 45,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 40,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 35,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 30,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 30,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 25,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 20,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 20,000 g/mol, or from 2,500 to 15,000 g/mol, or from 5,000 to 15,000 g/mol.
- Mn number average molecular weight
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a Z-average molecular weight, Mz, of below about 200,000 g/mol. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the polyethylene copolymer composition has a Z-average molecular weight, Mz, of below about 175,000 g/mol. In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, the polyethylene copolymer composition has a Z-average molecular weight, Mz, of below about 150,000 g/mol.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 2.0 to 15.0, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn of from 2.0 to 12.0, or from 2.0 to 10.0, or from 3.0 to 12.0, or from 4.0 to 15.0, or from 4.0 to 12.0, or from 3.0 to 10.0, or from 3.0 to 9.0, or from 3.0 to 8.0, or from 2.0 to 9.0, or from 2.0 to 8.0.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a density of > 0.949 g/cm 3 , or > 0.949 g/cm 3 , or> 0.950 g/cm 3 , or > 0.950 g/cm 3 , or> 0.953 g/cm 3 , or > 0.953 g/cm 3 , or > 0.955 g/cm 3 , or > 0.955 g/cm 3 , or > 0.960 g/cm 3 , or > 0.960 g/cm 3 .
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a density of from 0.943 to 0.987 g/cm 3 , including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a density of from 0.945 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.947 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.950 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.953 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.955 to 0.985 g/cm 3 , or from 0.945 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.947 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.950 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.951 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.953 to 0.980 g/cm 3 , or from 0.955 to 0.980
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a melt index, I 2 of at least 1.0 g/10min ( ⁇ 1 .0 g/10min), or at least 3.0 g/10min ( ⁇ 3.0 g/10min), or at least 5.0 g/10min ( ⁇ 5.0 g/10min), or at least 7.5 g/10min ( ⁇ 7.5 g/10min), or at least 10 g/10min ( ⁇ 10.0 g/10min), or greater than 3.0 g/10min (> 3.0 g/10min), or greater than 5.0 g/10min (> 5.0 g/10min), or greater than 7.5 g/10min (> 7.5 g/10min), or greater than 10.0 g/10min (> 10.0 g/10min).
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a melt index, I 2 of from 1 .0 to 250 g/10min, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the melt index, I 2 of the polyethylene copolymer composition may be from 1 .0 to 200 g/10min, or from 1 .0 to 150 g/10min, or from 1 to 100 g/10min, or from 1 to 50 g/10min, or from 10.0 to 200 g/10min, or from 10.0 to 150 g/10min, or from 10.0 to 100 g/10min, or from 10.0 to 50 g/10min, or from 7.5 to 200 g/10min, or from 7.5 to 150 g/10min, or from 7.5 to 100 g/10min, or from 7.5 to 50 g/10min, or from 5.0 to 200 g/10min, or from 5.0 to 150 g/10min, or from 5.0 to 100 g/10min, or from 5.0 to 75
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a high load melt index, I 21 of at least 200 g/10min ( ⁇ 200 g/10min), or greater than 200 g/10min (> 200 g/10min), or at least 300 g/10min ( ⁇ 300 g/10min), or greater than 300 g/10min (> 300 g/10min), or at least 350 g/10min ( ⁇ 350 g/10min), or greater than 350 g/10min (> 350 g/10min), or at least 400 g/10min ( ⁇ 400 g/10min), or greater than 400 g/10min (> 400 g/10min).
- I 21 of at least 200 g/10min ( ⁇ 200 g/10min), or greater than 200 g/10min (> 200 g/10min), or at least 300 g/10min ( ⁇ 300 g/10min), or greater than 300 g/10min (> 300 g/10min), or at least 350 g/10min ( ⁇ 350 g/10min), or greater than 350 g/10min (> 350 g/10min), or at least 400 g/10min
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a high load melt index, I 21 of from 200 to 1400 g/10min, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the high load melt index, I 21 of the polyethylene copolymer composition may be from 250 to 1200 g/10min, or from 300 to 900 g/10min, or from 300 to 850 g/10min, or from 300 to 800 g/10min, or from 350 to 900 g/10min, or from 300 to 750 g/10min.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a melt flow ratio, I 21 /I 2 of ⁇ 60, or ⁇ 60, or ⁇ 50, or ⁇ 50, or ⁇ 45, or ⁇ 45, or ⁇
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a melt flow ratio, I 21 /I 2 of from 18 to 75, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a melt flow ratio, I 21 /I 2 of from 20 to 60, or from 22 to 55, or from 24 to 50, or from 24 to 45, or from 22 to 45, or from 22 to 40, or from 22 to 50, or from 20 to 50, or from 20 to 40, or from 20 to 45, or from 20 to 55.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a stress exponent, defined as Logio[l 6 /l 2 ]/Logio[6.48/2.16], which is ⁇ 1.40, or ⁇ 1 .40.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a stress exponent, Logio[l 6 /l 2 ]/Logio[6.48/2.16] of less than 1 .38, or less than 1 .36, or less than 1 .34, or less than 1 .32, or less than 1 .30, or less than 1.28.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a shear viscosity at about 10 5 s -1 (240°C) of less than about 10 Pa.s. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polyethylene copolymer composition has a shear viscosity at about 10 5 s -1 (240°C) of from about 2 to about 10 Pa.s including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges. For example, in embodiments of the disclosure, the polyethylene copolymer composition has a shear viscosity at about 10 5 s -1 (240°C) of from about 2 to about 8 Pa.s, or from about 2 to about 6 Pa.s, or from about 2 to about 5 Pa.s.
- the shear viscosity ratio, SVR(ioo, 100000) at 240°C of the polyethylene copolymer composition can be from about 10 to about 80, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- the shear viscosity ratio, SVR(ioo, 100000) at 240°C of the polyethylene copolymer composition can be from about 20 to about 80, or from about 25 to about 75, or from about 30 to about 70, or from about 35 to about 75.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a hexane extractable value of ⁇ 5.5 weight percent, or less than 4.5 wt%, or less than 3.5 wt%, or less than 2.5 wt%, or less than 2.0 wt%, or less than 1.5 wt%, or less than 1.0 wt%, or less than 0.75 wt%.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a composition distribution breadth index (CDBI(50)), as determined by temperature elution fractionation (TREF), of > about 60 weight percent.
- CDBI(50) composition distribution breadth index
- the polyethylene composition will have a CDBI(50) of greater than about 65%, or greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75%, or greater than about 80%, or greater than about 85%.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has a composition distribution breadth index (CDBI(25)), as determined by temperature elution fractionation (TREF), of > about 55 weight percent.
- CDBI(25) composition distribution breadth index
- the polyethylene composition will have a CDBI(25) of greater than about 60%, or greater than about 65%, or from about 55 to about 75%, or from about 60 to about 75%.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition or a molded article (or plaque) made from the polyethylene copolymer composition has an environment stress crack resistance ESCR Condition B at 10% of fewer than 50 hours, or fewer than 40 hours, or fewer than 30 hours, or fewer than 20 hours as measured according to ASTM D1693 (at 10% IGEPAL ® and 50°C under condition B).
- the polyethylene copolymer composition or a molded article (or plaque) made from the polyethylene copolymer composition has an environment stress crack resistance ESCR Condition B at 100% of fewer than 10 hours, or fewer than 5 hours, or fewer than 3.5 hours as measured according to ASTM D1693 (at 100% IGEPAL and 50°C under condition B).
- the polyethylene copolymer composition of this disclosure can be made using any conventional blending method such as but not limited to physical blending and in-situ blending by polymerization in multi reactor systems.
- any conventional blending method such as but not limited to physical blending and in-situ blending by polymerization in multi reactor systems.
- Gas phase, slurry phase or solution phase reactor systems may be used, with solution phase reactor systems being preferred.
- the catalysts used in the current disclosure will be so called single site catalysts based on a group 4 metal having at least one cyclopentadienyl ligand.
- catalysts which include metallocenes, constrained geometry catalysts and phosphinimine catalysts are typically used in combination with activators selected from methylaluminoxanes, boranes or ionic borate salts and are further described in U.S. Pat. Nos 3,645,992; 5,324,800; 5,064,802; 5,055,438; 6,689,847; 6,114,481 and 6,063,879.
- Such single site catalysts are distinguished from traditional Ziegler-Natta or Phillips catalysts which are also well known in the art.
- single site catalysts produce ethylene copolymers having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than about 3.0, or in some cases less than about 2.5.
- a single site catalyst which gives an ethylene copolymer having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than about 3.0, or less than about 2.7, or less than about 2.5, is used in the preparation of each of the first and the second ethylene copolymers.
- the first and second ethylene copolymers are prepared using an organometallic complex of a group 3, 4 or 5 metal that is further characterized as having a phosphinimine ligand.
- a complex when active toward olefin polymerization, is known generally as a phosphinimine (polymerization) catalyst.
- phosphinimine catalysts can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,342,463; 6,235,672; 6,372,864; 6,984,695; 6,063,879; 6,777,509 and 6,277,931 all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
- metallocene catalysts can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,561 ; 4,701 ,432; 4,937,301 ; 5,324,800; 5,633,394; 4,935,397; 6,002,033 and 6,489,413, which are incorporated herein by reference.
- constrained geometry catalysts can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,057,475; 5,096,867; 5,064,802; 5,132,380; 5,703,187 and 6,034,021 , all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
- LCB long chain branching
- the polyethylene copolymer composition has no long chain branching or has undetectable levels of long chain branching.
- long chain branching can increase viscosity at low shear rates, thereby negatively impacting cycle times during the manufacture of caps and closures, such as during the process of compression molding.
- Long chain branching may be determined using 13 C NMR methods and may be quantitatively assessed using the method disclosed by Randall in Rev. Macromol. Chem. Phys. C29 (2 and 3), p. 285.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition will contain fewer than 0.3 long chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the polyethylene copolymer composition will contain fewer than 0.01 long chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is prepared by contacting ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin with a polymerization catalyst under solution phase polymerization conditions in at least two polymerization reactors (for an example of solution phase polymerization conditions see for example U.S. Patents 6,372,864 and 6,984,695 and U.S. Patent Application 20060247373A1).
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is prepared by contacting at least one single site polymerization catalyst system (comprising at least one single site catalyst and at least one activator) with ethylene and a least one comonomer (e.g., a C3-C8 alpha-olefin) under solution polymerization conditions in at least two polymerization reactors.
- at least one single site polymerization catalyst system comprising at least one single site catalyst and at least one activator
- ethylene and a least one comonomer e.g., a C3-C8 alpha-olefin
- a group 4 single site catalyst system comprising a single site catalyst and an activator, is used in a solution phase dual reactor system to prepare a polyethylene copolymer composition by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of an alpha-olefin comonomer.
- a group 4 single site catalyst system comprising a single site catalyst and an activator, is used in a solution phase dual reactor system to prepare a polyethylene copolymer composition by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of 1-octene.
- a group 4 phosphinimine catalyst system comprising a phosphinimine catalyst and an activator, is used in a solution phase dual reactor system to prepare a polyethylene copolymer composition by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of an alpha-olefin comonomer.
- a group 4 phosphinimine catalyst system comprising a phosphinimine catalyst and an activator, is used in a solution phase dual reactor system to prepare a polyethylene copolymer composition by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of 1 -octene.
- a solution phase dual reactor system comprises two solution phase reactors connected in series.
- polymerization process to prepare the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises contacting at least one single site polymerization catalyst system (comprising at least one single site catalyst and at least one activator) with ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin comonomer under solution polymerization conditions in at least two polymerization reactors.
- a polymerization process to prepare the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises contacting at least one single site polymerization catalyst system with ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin comonomer under solution polymerization conditions in a first reactor and a second reactor configured in series.
- a polymerization process to prepare the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises contacting at least one single site polymerization catalyst system with ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin comonomer under solution polymerization conditions in a first reactor and a second reactor configured in series, with the at least one alpha-olefin comonomer being fed exclusively to the first reactor.
- the production of the polyethylene copolymer composition of the present disclosure will typically include an extrusion or compounding step. Such steps are well known in the art.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition can comprise further polymer components in addition to the first and second ethylene copolymers.
- Such polymer components include polymers made in situ or polymers added to the polymer composition during an extrusion or compounding step.
- additives can be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- Additives can be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition during an extrusion or compounding step, but other suitable known methods will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
- the additives can be added as is or as part of a separate polymer component (i.e. not the first or second ethylene copolymers described herein) or added as part of a masterbatch (optionally during an extrusion or compounding step).
- Suitable additives include but are not-limited to antioxidants, phosphites and phosphonites, nitrones, antacids, UV light stabilizers, UV absorbers, metal deactivators, dyes, fillers and reinforcing agents, nano-scale organic or inorganic materials, antistatic agents, lubricating agents such as calcium stearates, slip additives such as erucamide or behenamide, and nucleating agents (including nucleators, pigments or any other chemicals which may provide a nucleating effect to the polyethylene copolymer composition).
- the additives that can be optionally added are typically added in amount of up to 20 weight percent (wt%).
- One or more nucleating agent(s) may be introduced into the polyethylene copolymer composition by kneading a mixture of the polymer, usually in powder or pellet form, with the nucleating agent, which may be utilized alone or in the form of a concentrate containing further additives such as stabilizers, pigments, antistatics, UV stabilizers and fillers. It should be a material which is wetted or absorbed by the polymer, which is insoluble in the polymer and of melting point higher than that of the polymer, and it should be homogeneously dispersible in the polymer melt in as fine a form as possible (1 to 10 pm).
- Compounds known to have a nucleating capacity for polyolefins include salts of aliphatic monobasic or dibasic acids or arylalkyl acids, such as sodium succinate, or aluminum phenylacetate; and alkali metal or aluminum salts of aromatic or alicyclic carboxylic acids such as sodium b- naphthoate, or sodium benzoate.
- nucleating agents which are commercially available and which may be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition are dibenzylidene sorbital esters (such as the products sold under the trademark MILLAD ® 3988 by Milliken Chemical and IRGACLEAR ® by Ciba Specialty Chemicals).
- nucleating agents which may be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition include the cyclic organic structures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,636 (and salts thereof, such as disodium bicyclo [2.2.1] heptene dicarboxylate); the saturated versions of the structures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,981 ,636 (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,551 ; Zhao et al., to Milliken); the salts of certain cyclic dicarboxylic acids having a hexahydrophthalic acid structure (or "HRA" structure) as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
- the HHPA structure generally comprises a ring structure with six carbon atoms in the ring and two carboxylic acid groups which are substituents on adjacent atoms of the ring structure.
- nucleating agents which may be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition include those disclosed in WO2015042561 , WO2015042563,
- WO201 5042562 and WO2011050042 are examples of nucleating agents that may be difficult to mix with the polyethylene copolymer composition that is being nucleated and it is known to use dispersion aids, such as for example, zinc stearate, to mitigate this problem.
- the nucleating agents are well dispersed in the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- the amount of nucleating agent used is comparatively small-from 100 to 4000 parts by million per weight (based on the weight of the polyethylene copolymer composition) so it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some care must be taken to ensure that the nucleating agent is well dispersed.
- the nucleating agent is added in finely divided form (less than 50 microns, especially less than 10 microns) to the polyethylene copolymer composition to facilitate mixing. This type of “physical blend” (i.e.
- a mixture of the nucleating agent and the resin in solid form is in an embodiment preferable to the use of a “masterbatch” of the nucleator (where the term “masterbatch” refers to the practice of first melt mixing the additive- -the nucleator, in this case--with a small amount of the polyethylene copolymer composition-then melt mixing the “masterbatch” with the remaining bulk of the polyethylene copolymer composition).
- an additive such as nucleating agent may be added to the polyethylene copolymer composition by way of a “masterbatch”, where the term “masterbatch” refers to the practice of first melt mixing the additive (e.g. a nucleator) with a small amount of the polyethylene copolymer composition, followed by melt mixing the “masterbatch” with the remaining bulk of the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- masterbatch refers to the practice of first melt mixing the additive (e.g. a nucleator) with a small amount of the polyethylene copolymer composition, followed by melt mixing the “masterbatch” with the remaining bulk of the polyethylene copolymer composition.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition further comprises a nucleating agent.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition comprises from 20 to 4000 ppm (i.e. parts per million, based on the total weight of the first and the second ethylene copolymers in the polyethylene copolymer composition) of a nucleating agent.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition further comprises a nucleating agent which is a salt of a dicarboxylic acid compound.
- a dicarboxylic acid compound is herein defined as an organic compound containing two carboxyl (-COOH) functional groups.
- a salt of a dicarboxylic acid compound then will comprise one or more suitable cationic counter cations, preferably metal cations, and an organic compound having two anionic carboxylate (-COO-) groups.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of molded articles.
- Such articles may be formed by compression molding, continuous compression molding, injection molding or blow molding.
- Such articles include, for example, caps, screw caps, and closures, including hinged and tethered versions thereof, for bottles, containers, pouches, pill bottles, fitments, pharmaceutical bottles and the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of a fitment for bottles, pouches or the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in flexible packaging.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of films, such as for example, blown film, cast film and lamination or extrusion film or extrusion coating as well as stretch film. Processes to make such films from a polymer are well known to persons skilled in the art.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in an extrusion coating film layer.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of one or more than one film layer which is part of a multilayer layer film or film structure. Processes to makes such multilayer films or film structures are well known to persons skilled in the art.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of any closure, of any suitable design and dimensions for use in any hot filling process (or aseptic filling process) for filling any suitable bottle, container or the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of a closure for bottles, containers, pouches and the like.
- closures for bottles formed by continuous compression molding, or injection molding are contemplated.
- Such closures include, for example, caps, hinged caps, screw caps, hinged screw caps, snap-top caps, hinged snap-top caps, and optionally hinged closures for bottles, containers, pouches and the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of a fitment for a pouch, container or the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer composition is used in the formation of molded articles.
- articles formed by continuous compression molding and injection molding are contemplated.
- Such articles include, for example, caps, screw caps, and closures for bottles.
- cap and “closure” are used interchangeably in the current disclosure, and both connote any suitably shaped molded article for enclosing, sealing, closing or covering etc., a suitably shaped opening, a suitably molded aperture, an open necked structure or the like used in combination with a container, a bottle, a jar, a pouch and the like.
- Closures include one piece closures or closures comprising more than one piece.
- the polyethylene copolymer compositions described above are used in the formation of a closure.
- the polyethylene copolymer compositions described above are used in the formation of a one piece closure.
- the polyethylene copolymer compositions described above are used in the formation of a closure having a tamper evident band (a TEB).
- a TEB tamper evident band
- the polyethylene copolymer composition described above are used in the formation of a closure for bottles, containers, pouches and the like.
- closures for bottles formed by compression molding or injection molding are contemplated.
- Such closures include, for example, hinged caps, hinged screw caps, hinged snap-top caps, and hinged closures for bottles, containers, pouches and the like.
- the polyethylene copolymer compositions described above are used in the formation of a bottle closure assembly comprising a cap portion, a tether portion and a retaining means portion.
- a closure is a screw cap for a bottle, container, pouch and the like.
- a closure is a snap closure for a bottle, container, pouch and the like.
- a closure comprises a hinge made of the same material as the rest of the closure (or cap).
- a closure is a hinged closure.
- a closure is a hinged closure for bottles, containers, pouches and the like.
- a closure is for retort, hot fill, aseptic fill and cold fill applications.
- a closure is a flip-top hinge closure, such as a flip-top hinge closure for use on a plastic ketchup bottle or similar containers containing foodstuffs.
- a closure When a closure is a hinged closure, it comprises a hinged component and generally consists of at least two bodies which are connected by at least one thinner section that acts as a so called “living hinge” allowing the at least two bodies to bend from an initially molded position.
- the thinner section or sections may be continuous or web-like, wide or narrow.
- a useful closure for bottles, containers and the like is a hinged closure and may consist of two bodies joined to each other by at least one thinner bendable portion (e.g. the two bodies can be joined by a single bridging portion, or more than one bridging portion, or by a webbed portion, etc.).
- a first body may contain a dispensing hole and which may snap onto or screw onto a container to cover a container opening (e.g. a bottle opening) while a second body may serve as a snap on lid which may mate with the first body.
- caps and closures of which hinged caps and closures and screw caps are a subset, can be made according to any known method, including for example injection molding and compression molding techniques that are well known to persons skilled in the art.
- a closure (or cap) comprising the polyethylene copolymer composition is prepared with a process comprising at least one compression molding step and/or at least one injection molding step.
- the caps and closures comprise the polyethylene copolymer composition described above which have good barrier properties, as well as good processability.
- the closures and caps of this embodiment are well suited for sealing bottles, containers and the like, for examples bottles that may contain spoilable (for example, due to contact with oxygen) liquids or foodstuffs, including but not limited to liquids that are under an appropriate pressure (i.e. carbonated beverages or appropriately pressurized drinkable liquids).
- closures and caps may also be used for sealing bottles containing drinkable water or non-carbonated beverages (e.g. juice).
- Other applications include caps and closures for bottles, containers and pouches containing foodstuffs, such as for example ketchup bottles and the like.
- closures and caps may be one-piece closures or two piece closures comprising a closure and a liner.
- closures and caps may also be of multilayer design, wherein the closure of cap comprises at least two layers at least one of which is made of the polyethylene copolymer compositions described herein.
- the closure is made by continuous compression molding.
- the closure is made by injection molding.
- a closure as described in the present disclosure may be a closure suitable for use in a container sealing process comprising one of more steps in which the closure comes into contact with a liquid at elevated temperatures, such as a hot fill processes, and in some cases an aseptic fill processes.
- a closure suitable for use in a container sealing process comprising one of more steps in which the closure comes into contact with a liquid at elevated temperatures, such as a hot fill processes, and in some cases an aseptic fill processes.
- Such closures and processes are described in for example CA Pat. Appl. Nos 2,914,353; 2,914,354; and 2,914,315.
- a closure is made using a molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having a having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or ⁇ 0.0028 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, ⁇ 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0018 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- a closure is made using a continuous compression molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0028 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, ⁇ 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or ⁇ 0.0018 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- a closure is made using an injection molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having a having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or ⁇ 0.0028 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, ⁇ 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or ⁇ 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or £ 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or ⁇ 0.0018 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- a closure is made using a molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0008 to 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a closure is made using a molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0010 to 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- a closure is made using a continuous compression molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0008 to 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a closure is made using a continuous compression molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0010 to 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- a closure is made using an injection molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having a having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0008 to 0.0032 cm 3 /closure/day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a closure is made using an injection molding process to prepare a PCO 1881 CSD closure having a having an oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 0.0010 to 0.0030 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0026 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0010 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0024 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0022 cm 3 /closure/day, or from 0.0012 to 0.0020 cm 3 /closure/day.
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- the polyethylene copolymer compositions described above are used in the formation of a cast film or laminate film.
- Cast films are extruded from a flat die onto a chilled roll or a nipped roll, optionally, with a vacuum box and/or air-knife.
- the films may be monolayer or coextruded multi-layer films obtained by various extrusion through a single or multiple dies.
- the resultant films may be the used as-is or may be laminated to other films or substrates, for example by thermal, adhesive lamination or direct extrusion onto a substrate.
- the resultant films and laminates may be subjected to other forming operations such as embossing, stretching, thermoforming. Surface treatments such as corona may be applied and the films may be printed.
- a thin film is extruded through a slit onto a chilled, highly polished turning roll, where it is quenched from one side.
- the speed of the roller controls the draw ratio and final film thickness.
- the film is then sent to a second roller for cooling on the other side. Finally, it passes through a system of rollers and is wound onto a roll.
- two or more thin films are coextruded through two or more slits onto a chilled, highly polished turning roll, the coextruded film is quenched from one side.
- the speed of the roller controls the draw ratio and final coextruded film thickness.
- the coextruded film is then sent to a second roller for cooling on the other side. Finally, it passes through a system of rollers and is wound onto a roll.
- the cast film product may further be laminated one or more layers into a multilayer structure.
- the cast films and laminates may be used in a variety of purposes, for example food packaging (dry foods, fresh foods, frozen foods, liquids, processed foods, powders, granules), for packaging of detergents, toothpaste, towels, for labels and release liners.
- the films may also be used in unitization and industrial packaging, notably in stretch films.
- the films may also be suitable in hygiene and medical applications, for example in breathable and non-breathable films used in diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, ostomy bags.
- cast films may also be used in tapes and artificial turf applications.
- a film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 85 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 85 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 85 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of ⁇ 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 85 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 40 to 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 50 to 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 100 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 95 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 40 to 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 50 to 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 100 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 95 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 40 to 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 50 to 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 100 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 95 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 40 to 120 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized oxygen transmission rate, OTR of from 50 to 110 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 100 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 95 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day, or from 50 to 90 cm 3 /100 in 2 /day.
- a film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of ⁇ 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.230 g/100 in 2 /day.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of ⁇ 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.230 g/100 in 2 /day.
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of ⁇ 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.230 g/100 in 2 /day.
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of ⁇ 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or ⁇ 0.230 g/100 in 2 /day.
- a film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.150 to 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- WVTR normalized water vapor transmission rate
- a film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.160 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.150 to 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a compression molded film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.160 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day.
- WVTR normalized water vapor transmission rate
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.150 to 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a cast film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.160 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day.
- WVTR normalized water vapor transmission rate
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.150 to 0.300 g/100 in 2 /day including any narrower ranges within this range and any values encompassed by these ranges.
- a lamination film or film layer has a normalized water vapor transmission rate, WVTR of from 0.160 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.160 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.280 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.260 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.250 g/100 in 2 /day, or from 0.180 to 0.240 g/100 in 2 /day.
- WVTR normalized water vapor transmission rate
- each specimen was conditioned for at least 24 hours at 23 ⁇ 2°C and 50 ⁇ 10% relative humidity and subsequent testing was conducted at 23 ⁇ 2°C and 50 ⁇ 10% relative humidity.
- ASTM conditions refers to a laboratory that is maintained at 23 ⁇ 2°C and 50 ⁇ 10% relative humidity; and specimens to be tested were conditioned for at least 24 hours in this laboratory prior to testing.
- ASTM refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials.
- Melt index was determined using ASTM D1238 (August 1 , 2013). Melt indexes, I 2 , I 6 , I 10 and I 21 were measured at 190°C, using weights of 2.16 kg, 6.48 kg, 10 kg and a 21.6 kg respectively.
- Mn, Mw, and Mz were determined by high temperature Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) with differential refractive index (DRI) detection using universal calibration (e.g. ASTM -D6474-99).
- GPC data was obtained using an instrument sold under the trade name “Waters 150c”, with 1 ,2,4- trichlorobenzene as the mobile phase at 140°C. The samples were prepared by dissolving the polymer in this solvent and were run without filtration. Molecular weights are expressed as polyethylene equivalents with a relative standard deviation of 2.9% for the number average molecular weight (“Mn”) and 5.0% for the weight average molecular weight (“Mw”).
- the molecular weight distribution is the weight average molecular weight divided by the number average molecular weight, Mw/Mn.
- the z-average molecular weight distribution is Mz/Mn.
- Polymer sample solutions (1 to 2 mg/mL) were prepared by heating the polymer in 1 ,2,4- trichlorobenzene (TCB) and rotating on a wheel for 4 hours at 150°C in an oven.
- the antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) was added to the mixture in order to stabilize the polymer against oxidative degradation.
- the BHT concentration was 250 ppm.
- Sample solutions were chromatographed at 140°C on a PL 220 high-temperature chromatography unit equipped with four SHODEX ® columns (HT803, HT804, HT805 and HT806) using TCB as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minute, with a differential refractive index (DRI) as the concentration detector.
- BHT was added to the mobile phase at a concentration of 250 ppm to protect the columns from oxidative degradation.
- the sample injection volume was 200 mL.
- the raw data were processed with CIRRUS ® GPC software.
- the columns were calibrated with narrow distribution polystyrene standards.
- the polystyrene molecular weights were converted to polyethylene molecular weights using the Mark-Houwink equation, as described in the ASTM standard test method D6474.
- High temperature GPC equipped with an online FTIR detector was used to measure the comonomer content as the function of molecular weight.
- the DSC Tm, heat of fusion and crystallinity are reported from the 2 nd heating cycle.
- the short chain branch frequency (SCB per 1000 carbon atoms) of the polyethylene composition was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as per the ASTM D6645-01 method.
- FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
- a Thermo-Nicolet 750 Magna-IR Spectrophotometer equipped with OMNIC version 7.2a software was used for the measurements.
- Unsaturations in the polyethylene composition were also determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as per ASTM D3124-98.
- Hexane extractables were determined according to ASTM D5227.
- Shear viscosity was measured by using a Kayeness WinKARS Capillary Rheometer (model # D5052M-115). For the shear viscosity at lower shear rates, a die having a die diameter of 0.06 inch and L/D ratio of 20 and an entrance angle of 180 degrees was used. For the shear viscosity at higher shear rates, a die having a die diameter of 0.012 inch and L/D ratio of 20 was used.
- the Shear Viscosity Ratio as the term is used in the present disclosure is defined as: h-ioo/h 100000 at 240°C.
- the processability indicator is defined as 100/h 100000.
- the hioo is the melt shear viscosity at the shear rate of 100 s -1 and the h 100000 is the melt shear viscosity at the shear rate of 100000 s -1 measured at 240°C.
- Dynamic mechanical analyses were carried out with a rheometer, namely Rheometrics Dynamic Spectrometer (RDS-II) or Rheometrics SR5 or ATS Stresstech, on compression molded samples under nitrogen atmosphere at 190°C, using 25 mm diameter cone and plate geometry.
- the oscillatory shear experiments were done within the linear viscoelastic range of strain (10% strain) at frequencies from 0.05 to 100 rad/s.
- the values of storage modulus (G’), loss modulus (G”), complex modulus (G*) and complex viscosity (h*) were obtained as a function of frequency.
- the same rheological data can also be obtained by using a 25 mm diameter parallel plate geometry at 190°C under nitrogen atmosphere.
- the Cox-Merz rule is assumed to be applicable in the present disclosure.
- the SHI(1 ,100) value is calculated according to the methods described in WO 2006/048253 and WO 2006/048254.
- the DRI is calculated by least squares fit of the rheological curve (dynamic complex viscosity versus applied frequency e.g. 0.01-100 rads/s) as described in U.S. Pat. No.
- a solubility distribution curve is first generated for the polyethylene composition. This is accomplished using data acquired from the TREF technique. This solubility distribution curve is a plot of the weight fraction of the copolymer that is solubilized as a function of temperature. This is converted to a cumulative distribution curve of weight fraction versus comonomer content, from which the CDBI(50) is determined by establishing the weight percentage of a copolymer sample that has a comonomer content within 50% of the median comonomer content on each side of the median (See WO 93/03093 and U.S.
- Patent 5,376,439 Those skilled in the art will understand that a calibration curve is required to convert a TREF elution temperature to comonomer content, i.e. the amount of comonomer in the polyethylene composition fraction that elutes at a specific temperature.
- the generation of such calibration curves are described in the prior art, e.g. Wild, et al., J. Polym. Sci., Part B, Polym. Phys., Vol. 20 (3), pages 441 -455: hereby fully incorporated by reference.
- the CDBI(25) is determined by establishing the weight percentage of a copolymer sample that has a comonomer content within 25% of the median comonomer content on each side of the median.
- the temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) method used herein was as follows. Polymer samples (50 to 150 mg) were introduced into the reactor vessel of a crystallization-TREF unit (Polymer Char, Valencia Technology Park, Gustave Eiffel, 8, Paterna, E-46980 Valencia, Spain) equipped with an IR detector. The reactor vessel was filled with 20 to 40 ml 1 ,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), and heated to the desired dissolution temperature (e.g., 150°C) for 1 to 3 hours. The solution (0.5 to 1.5 ml) was then loaded into the TREF column filled with stainless steel beads.
- TBC ml 1 ,2,4-trichlorobenzene
- the polymer solution was allowed to crystallize with a temperature drop from the stabilization temperature to 30°C (0.1 or 0.2°C/minute).
- the crystallized sample was eluted with TCB (0.5 or 0.75 mL/minute) with a temperature ramp from 30°C to the stabilization temperature (0.25 or 1 0°C/minute).
- the TREF column was cleaned at the end of the run for 30 minutes at the dissolution temperature.
- the data were processed using Polymer Char software, EXCEL ® spreadsheet and TREF software developed in-house.
- a TREF distribution curve was generated as the polyethylene composition was eluted from the TREF column, i.e. a TREF distribution curve is a plot of the quantity (or intensity) of polyethylene composition eluting from the column as a function of TREF elution temperature.
- the crystallization-TREF was operated in the TREF mode, which generated the chemical composition of the polymer sample as a function of elution temperature, the Co/Ho ratio (Copolymer/Homopolymer ratio), the CDBI (the Composition Distribution Breadth Index), i.e.
- Plaques molded from the polyethylene copolymer compositions were tested according to the following ASTM methods: Bent Strip Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) at Condition B at 100% IGEPAL at 50°C, ASTM D1693; notched Izod impact properties, ASTM D256; Flexural Properties, ASTM D 790; Tensile properties, ASTM D 638; Vicat softening point, ASTM D 1525; Heat deflection temperature, ASTM D 648.
- ESCR Bent Strip Environmental Stress Crack Resistance
- Examples of the polyethylene copolymer compositions were produced in a dual reactor solution polymerization process in which the contents of the first reactor flow into the second reactor.
- This in-series “dual reactor” process produces an “in-situ” polyethylene blend (i.e., the polyethylene composition). Note, that when an in-series reactor configuration is used, un-reacted ethylene monomer, and un reacted alpha-olefin comonomer present in the first reactor, will flow into the downstream second reactor for further polymerization.
- an ethylene copolymer is nevertheless formed in second reactor due to the significant presence of un-reacted 1-octene flowing from the first reactor to the second reactor where it is copolymerized with ethylene.
- Each reactor is sufficiently agitated to give conditions in which components are well mixed.
- the volume of the first reactor was 12 liters and the volume of the second reactor was 22 liters. These are the pilot plant scales.
- the first reactor was operated at a pressure of 10500 to 35000 kPa and the second reactor was operated at a lower pressure to facilitate continuous flow from the first reactor to the second.
- the solvent employed was methylpentane. The process operates using continuous feed streams.
- a boron based co-catalyst (Ph3CB(C6F5)4) was used in approximately stoichiometric amounts relative to the titanium complex.
- methylaluminoxane (MAO) was included as a scavenger at an AI:Ti of about 40:1.
- AI:Ti of about 40:1.
- 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroxy-4-ethylbenzene was added to scavenge free trimethylaluminum within the MAO in a ratio of AI:OH of about 0.5:1.
- the polymerization conditions used to make the inventive polyethylene copolymer compositions are provided in Table 1.
- polyethylene copolymer compositions of Examples 1 and 2 which are inventive are made using a single site phosphinimine catalyst in a dual reactor solution process as described above.
- the inventive Examples 1 and 2 have a bimodal molecular weight distribution or profile in a GPC analysis.
- Comparative polyethylene homopolymer compositions Examples 3 and 4 were prepared in a dual reactor solution polymerization process using a phosphinimine catalyst, as described in co-pending CA Pat. Application No. 3,026,095.
- Comparative polyethylene homopolymer compositions Examples 5 and 6, which were nucleated with FIPN20E (which can be obtained commercially from Milliken Chemical) in the same manner and at the same amounts as Examples 1 -4 (see below), were prepared in a dual reactor solution polymerization process using a phosphinimine catalyst, in a manner substantially as outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 7,737,220 and U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2008/0118749 and 2015/0203671 each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
- FIPN20E which can be obtained commercially from Milliken Chemical
- Non-nucleated and nucleated Inventive and as well Comparative polyethylene composition properties are provided in Table 2.
- the nucleated Inventive resins (Examples 1 and 2) and the nucleated Comparative resins (Examples 3 and 4) which are denoted in the Tables with the symbol were prepared in the following manner.
- a 4% (by weight) masterbatch of FIYPERFORM ® FIPN-20E nucleating agent from Milliken Chemical was first prepared. This masterbatch also contained 1% (by weight) of DFIT-4V (aluminium magnesium carbonate hydroxide) from Kisuma Chemicals.
- DFIT-4V aluminium magnesium carbonate hydroxide
- the base resin and the nucleating agent masterbatch were then melt blended using a Coperion ZSK 26 co-rotating twin screw extruder with an L/D of 32:1 to give a polyethylene composition having 1200 parts per million (ppm) of the FIYPERFORM FIPN-20E nucleating agent present (based on the weight of the polyethylene composition).
- the extruder was fitted with an underwater pelletizer and a Gala spin dryer.
- the materials were co fed to the extruder using gravimetric feeders to achieve the desired nucleating agent level.
- the blends were compounded using a screw speed of 200 rpm at an output rate of 15-20 kg/hour and at a melt temperature of 225-230°C.
- Table 3 Some calculated properties for the first ethylene copolymer and the second ethylene copolymer present in each of the inventive polyethylene copolymer compositions (Examples 1 and 2) are provided in Table 3 (see “Polymerization Reactor Modeling” below for methods of calculating these properties). For comparison purposes, Table 3 also includes some calculated properties for the first and second ethylene homopolymers present in the comparative polyethylene compositions of Examples 3-6 (for methods of calculating these properties see CA Pat. Application No. 3,026,095).
- the model takes for input the flow of several reactive species (e.g. catalyst, monomer such as ethylene, comonomer such as 1-octene, hydrogen, and solvent) going to each reactor, the temperature (in each reactor), and the conversion of monomer (in each reactor), and calculates the polymer properties (of the polymer made in each reactor, i.e. the first and second ethylene copolymers) using a terminal kinetic model for continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) connected in series.
- CSTRs continuously stirred tank reactors
- the “terminal kinetic model” assumes that the kinetics depend upon the monomer unit within the polymer chain on which the active catalyst site is located (see “Copolymerization” by A. Hamielec, J. MacGregor, and A.
- the terminal kinetic model for polymerization includes reaction rate equations for activation, initiation, propagation, chain transfer, and deactivation pathways. This model solves the steady-state conservation equations (e.g. the total mass balance and heat balance) for the reactive fluid which comprises the reactive species identified above.
- the total mass balance for a generic CSTR with a given number of inlets and outlets is given by: where represents the mass flow rate of individual streams with index i indicating the inlet and outlet streams.
- Equation (1) can be further expanded to show the individual species and reactions: where M i is the average molar weight of the fluid inlet or outlet (/), xij is the mass fraction of species j in stream i, p mix is the molar density of the reactor mixture, V ⁇ s the reactor volume, Rj is the reaction rate for species which has units of kmol/m 3 s.
- the total heat balance is solved for an adiabatic reactor and is given by: where, is the mass flow rate of stream / (inlet or outlet), is the difference in enthalpy of stream i versus a reference state , q Rx is the heat released by reaction(s), V ⁇ s the reactor volume, is the work input (i.e. agitator), Q is the heat input/loss.
- the catalyst concentration input to each reactor is adjusted to match the experimentally determined ethylene conversion and reactor temperature values in order solve the equations of the kinetic model (e.g. propagation rates, heat balance and mass balance).
- the H 2 concentration input to each reactor may be likewise adjusted so that the calculated molecular weight distribution of a polymer made over both reactors (and hence the molecular weight of polymer made in each reactor) matches that which is observed experimentally.
- the degree of polymerization (DPN) for a polymerization reaction is given by the ratio of the rate of chain propagation reactions over the rate of chain transfer/termination reactions: where k p12 is the propagation rate constant for adding monomer 2 to a growing polymer chain ending with monomer 1 , [m 1] is the molar concentration of monomer 1 (ethylene) in the reactor, [m 2 ] is the molar concentration of monomer 2 (1-octene) in the reactor, k tm12 the termination rate constant for chain transfer to monomer 2 for a growing chain ending with monomer 1 , k ts1 is rate constant for the spontaneous chain termination for a chain ending with monomer 1 , k tH1 is the rate constant for the chain termination by hydrogen for a chain ending with monomer 1.
- the number average molecular weight (Mn) for a polymer follows from the degree of polymerization and the molecular weight of a monomer unit. From the number average molecular weight of polymer in each reactor, and assuming a Flory distribution for a single site catalyst, the molecular weight distribution is determined for the polymer formed in each reactor: where and w(n) is the weight fraction of polymer having a chain length n.
- the Flory distribution can be transformed into the common log scaled GPC trace by applying: where is the differential weight fraction of polymer with a chain length n
- the weight fraction of material made in each reactor is determined from knowing the mass flow of monomer and comonomer into each reactor along with knowing the conversions for monomer and comonomer in each reactor.
- the comonomer content in the polymer product (in each reactor) may also be calculated using the terminal kinetic model and long chain approximations discussed above (see A. Hamielec, J. MacGregor, and A. Penlidis. Comprehensive Polymer Science and Supplements, volume 3, chapter Copolymerization, page 17, Elsevier, 1996).
- the molar ratio of ethylene to comonomer in the polymer (Y) can be estimated knowing the reactivity ratio r 1 of the catalsyt system and knowing the ethylene conversion in the reactor ⁇ Q m1 ).
- a quadratic equation can be derived using the May and Lewis equation for instantaneous comonomer incorporation (see “Copolymerization” by A. Hamielec, J. MacGregor, and A. Penlidis in Comprehensive Polymer Science and Supplements, volume 3, Chapter 2, page 17, Elsevier, 1996) and solving the mass balance around the reaction.
- the branching frequency can then be calculated knowing the molar ratio of monomer 1 to monomer 2 in the polymer: where Y, is the molar ratio of monomer 1 (ethylene) over monomer 2 (1 -octene) in the polymer, and BF is the branching frequency (branches per 1000 carbon atoms).
- the overall branching frequency distribution (BFD) of the ethylene composition can be calculated by knowing the molecular weight distribution and weight fraction of polymer made in each reactor, and the average branching frequency (BF) of the ethylene copolymer made in each reactor.
- the fraction of polymer made in each reactor can be calculated from the experimental mass flows and conversion of monomer and comonomer in each reactor.
- the branching frequency distribution function is obtained by calculating the average branch content for each molecular weight value of the overall molecular weight distribution function made from the two Flory distributions: where BF MW is the branching at molecular weight (MW), w R1 and w R2 are the weight fraction of polymer made in Reactor 1 and Reactor 2, BF R1 and BF R2 are the average branching frequency of polymer made in R1 and R2 (from Equations 9 and 10), F 1 (MW R1 ) and F 2 (MW R2 ) are Flory distribution function from Reactor 1 and Reactor 2.
- the overall branching frequency of the polyethylene composition is given by the weighted average of the branching frequency of the polymer made in each reactor: where, BF avg is the average branching frequency for the total polymer (e.g. the polyethylene composition), w 1 and w 2 are the weight fraction of material made in each reactor, BF 1 and BF 2 are the branching frequency of material made in each reactor (e.g. the branching frequency of the first and second ethylene copolymers).
- the key resin parameters which are obtained from the above described kinetic model are the molecular weights Mn, Mw and Mz, the molecular weight distributions Mw/Mn and Mz/Mw and the branching frequency (SCB/1000 Cs).
- a component (or composition) density model and a component (or composition) melt index, I 2 , model was used according to the following equations, which were empirically determined, to calculate the density and melt index I 2 of each of the first and second ethylene copolymers:
- a laboratory scale compression molding press Wabash G304 from Wabash MPI was used to prepare compression molded film from the inventive and comparative polyethylene compositions.
- a metal frame of required dimensions and thickness was filled with a measured quantity of resin (e.g. pellets of a polyethylene composition) and sandwiched between two polished metal plates. The measured polymer quantity used was sufficient to obtain the desired film thickness. Polyester sheets (Mylar) were used on top of the metal backing plates to prevent the sticking of the resin to the metal plates.
- This assembly with the resin was loaded in the compression press and preheated at 200°C under a low pressure (e.g. 2 tons or 4400 lbs per square foot) for five minutes.
- the platens were closed and a high pressure (e.g., 28 tons or 61670 lbs per square foot) was applied for another five minutes. After that, the press was cooled to about 45°C at a rate of about 15°C per minute. On completion of the cycle, the frame assembly was taken out, disassembled and the film (or plaque) was separated from the frame. Subsequent tests were done after at least 48 hours after the time at which the compression molding was carried out.
- a high pressure e.g., 28 tons or 61670 lbs per square foot
- OTR Oxygen Transmission Rate
- OTR oxygen transmission rate
- the instrument had two test cells (A and B) and each film sample was analyzed in duplicate. The OTR result reported was the average of the results from these two test cells (A and B).
- the test was carried out at a temperature of 23°C and at a relative humidity of 0%.
- the film sample area used for OTR testing was 100cm 2 .
- an aluminum foil mask is used to reduce the testing area. When using the mask, the testing area was reduced to 5 cm 2 .
- the foil mask had adhesive on one side to which the sample was attached. A second foil was then attached to the first to ensure a leak free seal.
- the carrier gas used was 2% hydrogen gas in a balance of nitrogen gas and the test gas was ultra high purity oxygen.
- the OTR of the compression molded films were tested at the corresponding film thickness as obtained from the compression molding process. However, in order to compare different samples, the resulting OTR values have been normalized to a film thickness value of 1 mil. Determination of the Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of a Compression Molded Film Using a Masking Method
- the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the compression-molded film was tested using a PERMATRAN-C ® 3/34 instrument manufactured by MOCON Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA using a version of ASTM D3985.
- the instrument had two test cells (A and B) and each film sample was analyzed in duplicate.
- the WVTR result reported was the average of the results from these two test cells (A and B).
- the test is carried out at a temperature of 37.8°C and at a relative humidity of 100%.
- the film sample area used for WVTR testing was 50cm 2 .
- an aluminum foil mask was used to reduce the testing area. When using the mask, the testing area was reduced to 5 cm 2 .
- the foil mask has adhesive on one side to which the sample was attached. A second foil was then attached to the first to ensure a leak free seal.
- the carrier gas used was ultra high purity nitrogen gas and the test gas was water vapor at 100% relative humidity.
- the WVTR of the compression molded films was tested at the corresponding film thickness as obtained from the compression molding process. However, in order to compare different samples, the resulting WVTR values have been normalized to a film thickness value of 1 mil.
- the barrier properties (OTR and WVTR) of pressed films made from comparative and inventive polyethylene compositions are provided in Table 5.
- the films made from the nucleated inventive polyethylene copolymer compositions had OTR values which were comparable to the OTR values of films made from the comparative polyethylene homopolymer compositions when similarly nucleated, even though the inventive compositions had lower densities.
- the test used involves the selection of a mold cavity and the measurements on at least 5 closures made from that particular cavity. At least 14 dimensional measurements were obtained from closures that were aged for at least 1 week from the date of production. The closure dimension measurements were performed using a Vision Engineering, Swift Duo dual optical and video measuring system. All measurements were taken using 10x magnification and utilizing METLOGIX ® M video measuring system software (see METLOGIX M 3 : Digital Comparator Field of View Software, User’s Guide).
- closures were formed by injection molding, and the injection-molding processing conditions are given in Table 6.
- ASTM D3985 Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor
- closure tamper evident band was removed.
- the bottom edge of the closure was lightly roughed with sandpaper (for better adhesion to the epoxy) and then the closure was epoxied (using DEVCON ® 2 part epoxy) to a testing plate so as to cover an outlet tube (for sweep gas) and inlet tube for N2 introduction.
- the epoxy was allowed to dry overnight.
- One of the two gas tubes protruding into the closure interior carried inlet nitrogen gas flowing into the closure interior (nitrogen feed line), while the other one carried sweep gas (e.g. nitrogen plus permeates from the atmosphere surrounding the closure) out of the closure interior and into a detector.
- sweep gas e.g. nitrogen plus permeates from the atmosphere surrounding the closure
- the plate/closure/tubing apparatus was connected to an Oxtran low range instrument (PERMATRAN-C ® Model 2/21 MD) with the testing plate placed in an environmental chamber controlled at a temperature of 23°C.
- a baseline measurement for the detection of atmospheric oxygen was also taken by using an impermeable aluminum foil (in parallel with the closure) for a side by side comparison of permeability.
- the oxygen permeability of the closure is reported as the average oxygen transmission rate in units of cm 3 /closure/day.
- a lower density polyethylene copolymer composition as described by the present disclosure, may have advantages in the manufacture of articles which may benefit from good barrier properties, such as for example a cap or closure for a bottle, container or the like, or a fitment for a pouch or the like.
- good barrier properties such as for example a cap or closure for a bottle, container or the like, or a fitment for a pouch or the like.
- a dual reactor solution polymerization process provides polyethylene compositions which may be useful in end use applications such as closures for bottles or films having barrier properties.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
Un procédé de polymérisation en solution à double réacteur donne des compositions de polyéthylène haute densité contenant un premier copolymère d'éthylène et un second copolymère d'éthylène. Les compositions de polyéthylène peuvent être utilisées dans la fabrication d'enceintes moulées par injection ou d'un film coulé ayant de bonnes propriétés barrière.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/IB2020/050377 WO2021144615A1 (fr) | 2020-01-17 | 2020-01-17 | Compositions de copolymère de polyéthylène et articles possédant des propriétés barrière |
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EP4090527A1 true EP4090527A1 (fr) | 2022-11-23 |
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ID=69375652
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20702696.4A Pending EP4090527A1 (fr) | 2020-01-17 | 2020-01-17 | Compositions de copolymère de polyéthylène et articles possédant des propriétés barrière |
Country Status (4)
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EP (1) | EP4090527A1 (fr) |
BR (1) | BR112022014022A2 (fr) |
MX (1) | MX2022008210A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2021144615A1 (fr) |
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-
2020
- 2020-01-17 WO PCT/IB2020/050377 patent/WO2021144615A1/fr unknown
- 2020-01-17 BR BR112022014022A patent/BR112022014022A2/pt unknown
- 2020-01-17 MX MX2022008210A patent/MX2022008210A/es unknown
- 2020-01-17 EP EP20702696.4A patent/EP4090527A1/fr active Pending
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BR112022014022A2 (pt) | 2022-10-11 |
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WO2021144615A1 (fr) | 2021-07-22 |
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