Disclosed herein are ethylene-based polymers generally characterized by a Mw ranging from 70,000 to 200,000 g/mol, a ratio of Mz/Mw ranging from 1.8 to 20, an 1B parameter ranging from 0.92 to 1.05, and an ATREF profile characterized by one large peak. These polymers have the dart impact, tear strength, and optical properties of a metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE, but with improved processability, melt strength, and bubble stability, and can be used in blown film and other end-use applications.

This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes, as well as to lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions as viscosity index improvers, and base oil. The copolymer compositions may be made using two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction). Lubricating oil compositions comprising such copolymer compositions may exhibit superior viscosity properties.

This application relates to copolymer compositions and copolymerization processes. The processes may use two different metallocene catalysts: one capable of producing high molecular weight copolymers; and one suitable for producing lower molecular weight copolymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations, and the copolymer compositions produced thereby. Copolymer compositions may comprise (1) a first ethylene copolymer fraction having high molecular weight, exhibiting branching topology, and having relatively lower ethylene content (based on the weight of the first ethylene copolymer fraction); and (2) a second ethylene copolymer fraction having low molecular weight, exhibiting linear rheology, and having relatively higher ethylene content (based on the weight of the second ethylene copolymer fraction). It is believed that the unique combination of these properties provides a copolymer composition with advantageous viscosity modifying properties, such as an excellent combination of shear thinning and fuel economy, as well as high thickening efficiency.

The present invention provides an olefin polymer in which LCB (long chain branch) is introduced into mLLDPE (metallocene linear low-density polyethylene) to control the storage modulus, whereby the olefin polymer has excellent bubble stability and processing load characteristics and exhibits excellent processability during preparation of a film, and further has excellent mechanical properties and transparency.

[Problem to be solved] There is provided a process for producing an olefin polymer that is capable of producing an olefin polymer having high heat resistance and high molecular weight with excellent catalytic activity. [Solution to problem] The process for producing an olefin polymer includes a step of polymerizing at least one olefin selected from ethylene and -olefins having 4 to 30 carbon atoms in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst containing a transition metal compound represented by the general formula [I], the olefin polymer including constituent units derived from ethylene and -olefins having 4 to 30 carbon atoms in a total amount between more than 50 mol % and not more than 100 mol %, ##STR00001## [in the formula [I], R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 to R.sup.16 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group or the like; R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbon group or the like; R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom; M is a transition metal of Group IV; Q is a halogen atom or the like; and j is an integer of 1 to 4].

[Problem to be solved] There is provided a process for producing an olefin polymer that is capable of producing an olefin polymer having high heat resistance and high molecular weight with excellent catalytic activity. [Solution to problem] The process for producing an olefin polymer includes a step of polymerizing at least one olefin selected from ethylene and -olefins having 4 to 30 carbon atoms in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst containing a transition metal compound represented by the general formula [I], the olefin polymer including constituent units derived from ethylene and -olefins having 4 to 30 carbon atoms in a total amount between more than 50 mol % and not more than 100 mol %, ##STR00001## [in the formula [I], R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 to R.sup.16 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group or the like; R.sup.2 is a hydrocarbon group or the like; R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom; M is a transition metal of Group IV; Q is a halogen atom or the like; and j is an integer of 1 to 4].

Processes are provided which include copolymerization using two different metallocene catalysts, one capable of producing high Mooney-viscosity polymers and one suitable for producing lower Mooney-viscosity polymers having at least a portion of vinyl terminations. The two catalysts may be used together in polymerization to produce copolymer compositions of particularly well-tuned properties. For instance, polymerizations are contemplated to produce high-Mooney metallocene polymers that exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, notwithstanding their high Mooney viscosity. Other polymerizations are also contemplated in which lower-Mooney metallocene polymers are produced, which also exhibit excellent processability and elasticity, while furthermore having excellent cure properties suitable in curable elastomer compound applications. Many of the contemplated polymerizations include controlling the ratio of the two metallocene catalysts used in the polymerization so as to obtain the desired Mooney viscosity and desired rheology (indicated by Mooney Relaxation Area) of the copolymer compositions.

This invention relates to high porosity (15%) and/or low pore diameter (PD<165 m) propylene polymers and propylene polymerization processes using single site catalyst systems with supports having high surface area (SA400 m.sup.2/g), low pore volume (PV2 mL/g), a specific mean pore diameter range (PD=1-20 nm), and high average particle size (PS30 m).

The present invention relates to ethylene-1-hexene-1-butene terpolymer and a film including the same. The ethylene-1-hexene-1-butene terpolymer according to the present invention has an optimized range of density and melt index and includes 1-hexene and 1-butene as comonomers, and can provide a polymer showing excellent properties by regulating the content ratio of the comonomers in a certain range. Therefore, the film prepared by using the same can be usefully used because it has excellent stickiness, processibility, and falling dart impact strength which are especially suitable for stretch films.

The metallocene compound represented by the following general formula (1):

##STR00001##

(the numerals and signs in the general formula (1) are as described in the description).